Outdoor activities

The spectacular Sunnmøre Alps are a veritable eldorado for mountain lovers, offering organised walks with guides for those who are not used to mountain hiking. Skiing conditions are good in winter, and Sunnmørsalpane Skiarena Fjellseter has a varied choice of cross-country tracks and downhill slopes. Majestic peaks and a rugged alpine massif distinguish the Sunnmøre Alps, or Sunnmørsalpene as they are known as in Norwegian, from other mountain areas in Norway.

Exploring Ålesund and Sunnmøre from the seaside is a refreshing experience, and the fjords and the coastal area are a paradise for fishing, sightseeing trips and scuba diving.

Children can enjoy a unique indoor activity centre and play area at the Barnas Lekeland, as well as visiting life underneath the waves at the Atlantic Sea Park.

The Town Train takes you on a guided round trip of central Ålesund and gives you a chance to see the beautiful Art Nouveau town close at hand.

Enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the town, the ocean and the surrounding mountains from the Fjellstua viewpoint. At Hakallestranda in Vanylven, just by the idyllic Sandviksanden is the painting workshop and gallery of Aina and Marit Moldskred, surrounded by wonderful nature, haystacks and a myriad of animal sounds from a donkey, pig, alpaca and their friends

A range of regional companies offer boat hire or charter trips, and can help you plan trips including both fishing and diving.

An island hopping cycle tour on the some of the many islands will take you past impressive lighthouses, ancient monuments, majestic mountains, naked expanses of rock and a flora with several rare flowers.

On a sightseeing trip around the bird island of Runde, you will pass caves and lagoons and discover the many species of birds as their nesting colonies come into view. 

Culture

The many venues of Ålesund and Sunnmøre host a wide spectrum of entertainment such as concerts, theatre and shows - all year round.

You can enjoy a movie at the cinema, visit art exhibitions or taste your way at a number of cafés and restaurants. Shopping lovers have great opportunities, and many shops sell arts and crafts and handicraft products. 

Visit the various annual festivals such the Ålesund Theatre Festival, the Festival of New Norwegian Literature, Art and Music, the Ålesund Boat Festival and the Norwegian Food Festival.

Several historical plays staged in different parts of Sunnmøre tell the story of the Vikings and their singular history of raiding and pillaging.