Molde

Roses and fjord panoramas

The fjord town of Molde clings to the shoreline at the wide mouth of the Romsdalsfjord in the northern corner of Western Norway.

Framed by mountains, Molde is renowned for its scenic surroundings. Thanks to the many lush rose gardens around the town, Molde is often called "The town of roses".

This little fjord town, one of the largest in Northwestern Norway, offers culture, spectacular nature and views, and plenty of outdoor activities, all side by side.

The town is home to the Molde International Jazz Festival, the world’s oldest jazz festival in continuous operation. Explore impressive local history at Romsdal Museum, enjoy panoramic views from Varden – the Molde Panorama, or go for a day trip to the fishing village of Bud.

Located close to some of Norway’s most impressive tourist attractions, including the Scenic Route Geiranger–Trollstigen, the Romsdalseggen ridge and The Atlantic Road, Molde is an ideal base for a Western Norway adventure.

Molde is about 1.5 hours from Ålesund and 3 hours from Trondheim by car.

Woman relaxing on a bench at the Seafront promenade in Molde

Young women bathing and relaxing in a sauna

Start your Molde trip in the heart of the town centre. Stroll along the seafront promenade and take in the views of the harbour, while exploring the nearby streets, cafés and shops. In summer, enjoy the scent and colours of the town’s many roses. After all, Molde is the town of roses.

While you’re at the harbour, why not relax in the floating sauna, Nausta badstue, or jump into the sea just outside, with views of Moldefjorden and the Romsdal Alps?

Food and drink

Taste delicious local food and book a table at a restaurant in the Molde area.

A sculpture of a boy playing the saxophone in Molde, called The Jazz Boy

The Crown, main building at the Romsdal Museum in Molde

The Romsdal bunad at the Romsdal Open Air Museum i Molde

Molde Cathedral with a small reflecting pool in front.

Two people walking to Varden in Moldemarka

If you visit the town in mid-July, jazzy vibes await at the Molde International Jazz Festival, one of the oldest jazz festivals in the world! Enjoy more than 100 concerts over six days, with live music and a street parade every day.

Take The Green Corridor trail to Romsdal Museum – one of the largest and most comprehensive folk museums in Norway, situated in the heart of Molde.

The main building is called Krona, "The Crown". The museum opened in 2016 and is an impressive feat of architecture.

Explore exhibitions on Norwegian culture, visit the local history library, and see how the local bunad (traditional national costume), the Romsdalsbunad, is made.

During the summer, the museum comes alive as guides and local volunteers offer activities on the museum grounds, such as baking traditional Norwegian flatbread and carpentry.

Don't miss out on the historic "Bygata" for a view of the typical townhouses from Molde’s pre-war period. From June to August, you can also take a boat trip to the medieval island of Veøya to discover its fascinating history.

You can’t help but notice the Molde Cathedral. Completed in 1957, the cathedral and the 50-metre-high free-standing bell tower stand tall in the town centre. Just outside the cathedral, roses bloom on the roof of Molde Town Hall.

Another must-see, whether you are a football fan or not, is the Aker Stadium. Designed by local architect Kjell Kosberg and located on the shore right beside Molde's most famous hotel, Scandic Seilet, the stadium has an exterior clad in granite, aluminium, and glass.

If you are looking for beautiful views, climb to the number one viewpoint in Moldemarka, Varden – the Molde Panorama, sitting 407 metres above sea level at the end of The Green Corridor trail. Here, you can enjoy an extraordinary vista of 222 partially snow-clad mountain peaks.

The Molde area also offers plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind.

The idyllic island of Hjertøya, just a ten-minute boat ride from Molde, is one of those rare places where you can literally hear your own heartbeat.

Hire a kayak, go on a picnic, or walk along the nature trail.

At the Fisheries Museum, you can explore the local coastal culture.

Where to stay

Book comfy hotels and cabins in the Molde area. Find your home away from home.

Find more accommodations

Several hammocks at the Digergubben Hammock Park

A person standing on top of mount Prestaksla

A white house at Nesset Prestegard in Eidsvåg

Crosscountry skiing in Moldemarka, in wintertime

The area around Molde is a real playground for lovers of the outdoors. Down below are the top attractions you should not miss!

If you're up for a challenge, climb the 3,200 steps of Midsundtrappene, the world's longest continuous stone staircase. Located on Otrøya island just outside Molde, the trail leads to the top of Rørsethornet (659 m above sea level).

The view from the summit is definitely worth the effort!

But Midsundtrappene offers more than just one adventure!

Sleep under the stars at 527 metres above sea level. Go almost to the top of mount Digergubben – one of the other Midsundtrappene routes.

Here, you’ll find Digergubben Hengekøyepark, a hammock park that hopefully gives you a good night’s sleep – and of course a spectacular panoramic view!

About an hour's drive northeast of Molde, you'll find another destination offering Sherpa stairways and stunning 360-degree views of fjords and mountains, namely mount Prestaksla (605 m.a.s.l.).

The hike to the top can be steep, but is made manageable for most people by forest paths, fine trails and Sherpa steps.

Before or after your hike, make sure to visit Nesset Prestegard, located near the foot of Prestaksla, where the famous Norwegian poet and author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson grew up. Bjørnson received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1903.

Continue the journey to Eikesdalen, known as one of Romsdal’s most majestic valleys, with steep mountains rising around the beautiful Eikesdalsvatnet.

While you’re there, why not hike for 30–45 minutes to Mardalsfossen? This is the world’s fourth highest free-falling waterfall! Impressive, or what?

The waterfall is regulated for hydropower, but flows freely from 20 June to 20 August. Plan your visit during this period for the best experience.

If you enjoy snow and winter, you'll find miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing in Moldemarka during the winter months.

Top things to do

Don't miss these highlights in the Molde area.

Find more attractions

A boat inside the Bud Coastal Museum and Ergan Coastal Fort

If you want to explore more of the coastal culture outside Molde, drive to the little fishing village of Bud, about 40 minutes west of Molde. In this little gem, you'll find charming old fisherman’s cabins and boathouses.

Check out Bud Coastal Museum and Ergan Coastal Fort for a deep dive into World War II history, as well as the area's coastal culture and history.

Explore Bud

Find the best accommodation and places to eat, and experience all that the Bud area has to offer.

The Atlantic road which meanders though the most western islands out in the open sea, at The northwest

Molde is only an hour away from The Norwegian Scenic Route Atlantic Road – a drive like no other!

Getting here and around

Plan your trip to Molde with Entur.

By plane
Molde Airport is located 10 minutes by car from the town centre.
There are daily flights to Molde from Oslo and Bergen.
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By road
There are daily express buses to Molde from Trondheim and Bergen.
Local buses serve the main attractions in the area.
If you’re driving, follow the E136 through Romsdalen and continue to Molde on Rv 64, or on the E39 if you drive from Bergen or Trondheim. From Oslo, take the E6 to Dombås, then the E136 to Åndalsnes and the Fv64 to Molde.
You can also take the Rauma Railway from Dombås to Åndalsnes, which takes around 1.5 hours, followed by a connecting bus to Molde.
It's possible to reach the town via the Norwegian Scenic Route Atlanterhavsveien – The Atlantic Road.
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By boat
Kystruten, served by Hurtigruten and Havila, calls at Molde daily on its way to both Bergen in the south and Kirkenes in the north.
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By car
If you’re driving, follow the E136 through Romsdalen and continue to Molde on Rv 64, or on the E39 if you drive from Bergen or Trondheim. From Oslo, take the E6 to Dombås, then the E136 to Åndalsnes and the Fv64 to Molde.
It's possible to reach the town via the Norwegian Scenic Route Atlanterhavsveien – The Atlantic Road.
Ad: Auto Europe – always a smooth rental experience
By bus
There are daily express buses to Molde from Trondheim and Bergen.
Local buses serve the main attractions in the area.
You can also take the Rauma Railway from Dombås to Åndalsnes, which takes around 1.5 hours, followed by a connecting bus to Molde.
Ad: Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway