Art Nouveau buildings
Ålesund lies at the entrance to UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Geirangerfjord, and is quite unlike any town you have ever seen. Following a devastating fire in 1904, the entire town centre burned down to ashes leaving 10,000 people homeless.
The rebuilding of the town created one of Europe’s most distinctive concentrations of Art Nouveau buildings. A stroll through the town centre reveals colourful buildings with a myriad of turrets, spires and original medieval ornaments punctuating the skyline.
The city
Ålesund is a charming, pulsating town with a varied cultural scene, exciting restaurants and a rich assortment of shops. Take a stroll by the picturesque fishing harbour Brosundet and buy fresh fish and shrimps from local fishermen selling the day's catch.
The beauty of the town can best be appreciated from Aksla with the vantage point Fjellstua, the mountain overlooking the town, which provides a breathtaking view of the entire scenic coast and fjord region.
Sights and activities
The town offers a wide range of sights and activities for meetings and incentives such as fascinating town history, Art Nouveau museum, viewpoint, open-air museum, aquarium, deep-sea fishing, wildlife safari and sightseeing trips.
Imagine a formal aquarium dinner with the large water tanks as a magnificent backdrop, surrounded by natural rock formation. The hotels cover all requirements from small meetings to international conventions, all within a short walking distance of each other.
Nature
Ålesund and the surrounding region are home to some of the most breathtaking sights and have many well-known natural and cultural gems. The profusion of fjords, waterfalls, fjord farms, small fishing communities, tiny islands and majestic mountains is just waiting to bowl you over.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Geirangerfjord or the remote and dramatic Hjørundfjord and feel the refreshing atmosphere at the Alnes Lighthouse. Hiking the Sunnmøre Alps, bird watching at Runde, diving, kayaking and fjord skiing are other activities on offer. The sheer variety of attractions and the close distance between them gives you the freedom to choose just the experience you are looking for whatever time of year.
Transport
Ålesund is easy to get to by air, sea and land. The flight connections to and from the central cities are good. The airport bus to the centre of Ålesund stops at all hotels.