Admire the city’s unique Art Nouveau architecture, go hiking or skiing, explore the fjords
– or just kick back and enjoy the view.
It’s no coincidence thatÅlesund and Sunnmøre are among the most visited tourist sites in Norway. Ålesund is beautifully situated on several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean. Many use this Art Nouveau city as a starting point to explore the renowned Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can experience stunning nature all year round.
If you like the outdoors, visit the bird sanctuary island Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjørundfjord and the Sunnmørsalpene mountain range.
The rugged mountains are the perfect destination for an active holiday. Few places in the world have the same combination of fjords and mountains as Fjord Norway. From February to June, Sunnmøre is ideal for off-piste skiing and ski-touring. Not to mention that the area's fjords, lakes, and rivers are teeming with fish.
Get more information on Ålesund's official website.
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Top things to do
Don't miss these highlights.
ÅlesundThe Atlantic Ocean Park in Ålesund
The Atlanterhavsparken is one of the most particular Aquariums in Europe. The Aquarium is built into the coastal landscape at Tueneset, the coastline west in Ålesund. Study the large landscape tanks that unfiltrted shows life in sea along the Norwegian coast and in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the Norwegian Aquarium.
Popular outdoor activities
NorangsfjordenHiking trip to Slogen (1564 m.a.s.l.)
Slogen is arguably the finest summit in the Sunnmøre Alps and the view is impressive! From the fjord a triangular pyramid-like feature rises straight up. Patchellhytta cabin lies at the foot of Slogen and is popular day tour objective in itself, but it is also a good starting point for ascents of Slogen, as well as Brekketind (5,833 ft) and Smørskredstind (5,351 ft). There are several alternative routes to Patchellhytta, and onwards to Slogen, either from Øye, Engeset or Urke. Season Jun - Sept Duration From Øye: 4-5 hours, Urke: 5 hours and Patchellhytta: 2-3 hours. Distance and total height gain: From Øye: 3 km. 4,921 ft. From Patchellhytta: 3 km. 2,460 ft. From Urke: 3,937 ft. 8 km. Access Bus/car to Øye or Stranda/Engeset. Worth noting You are strongly advised not to use the snow fields on the way down unless you have an ice axe and know how to brake with it. This practice leads to several serious accidents every year.
Where to stay
Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.
FosnavågThon Hotel Fosnavåg
ÅlesundHotel Brosundet
UlsteinvikQuality Hotel Ulstein
SyvdeTroll Fjordhytter
Food and drink
Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.
Getting here and around
Plan your trip to Ålesund and Sunnmøre with Entur, Norway's official travel planner.
By plane
Ålesund Airport has frequent connections to Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim, among others.
There are also international connections to Ålesund from Amsterdam, London, Alicante, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Vilnius, and Riga.
The airport is only around 20 minutes by car from the centre of Ålesund.
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By boat
Hurtigruten, the Norwegian Coastal Express, calls daily at Ålesund and Torvik both northbound and southbound.
Havila Kystruten also offers cruises and port-to-port tickets. Havila has departures twice a week and some of the most environmental-friendly ships in the world.
Express boats and ferries provide a link for local communities in the region. Note that queues are common in the summer, so it may be wise to plan ahead and arrive early.
By road
Oslo to Ålesund is around 520 kilometres, and takes around 8 hours. The bus serving this route takes around 11 hours.
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Ålesund lies 285 kilometres from Trondheim, which will take you around 5 hours by car, or a little over 7 hours by bus.
From Bergen the distance to Ålesund is 370 kilometres, which will take you around 6 hours to drive, or 9-10 hours by bus.
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