10 Things to Do in Ålesund, Norway in 3 Days: My Top Tips

Don’t underestimate Norway’s 13^th-biggest city! Ålesund is a great base for a day trip (or several) into Møre og Romsdal County’s rugged landscapes, as well as a fun and interesting place to explore in its own right. Take it from me as someone who recently visited, and if you’re looking for the best things to do in Ålesund, stay right here.

With a population of just over 67,000, this is a charming little coastal city full of gorgeous scenery, fascinating history, Art Nouveau buildings, and apparently, great record shops (but I missed this—I’m no hipster). I was told the best time to visit Ålesund was in the summer, so I did just that. I can confirm that summer in Norway is when you’ll get the most daylight and the longest opening hours.

From my experience in Ålesund and the wider area, I’ve compiled my ultimate 3-day itinerary tips so that you too can make the most of your trip here. Read on for things to do, hotel and restaurant pointers, answers to FAQs, and more!

Beautiful coastal city full of amazing views—Ålesund
 

Have a starter fun fact: Ålesund is built on seven islands connected by bridges and tunnels. This definitely gives the place a unique, Venice-meets-Vikings vibe.

If you’re trying to plan your own Venice-meets-Vikings mega-vacation, make sure you check out my 7-day Norway itinerary for inspiration.

 

These are the 10 best things to do in Ålesund:

1. Drive Trollstigen
2. Drive the Atlantic Ocean Road
3. Visit Alnes lighthouse
4. Hike Storhornet
5. Hike Mount Aksla in the city park
6. Visit the Atlantic Sea-Park
7. See the Tueneset Coastal Battery
8. Visit the Fisheries Museum
9. Visit the Sunnmøre Museum
10. Admire the Art Nouveau architecture

 

 

Hotels in Ålesund: Thon Hotel and Hotel Brosundet

I stayed at Thon Hotel Ålesund and can recommend it highly enough. Here’s why...

• You’re right in the middle of the city for a reasonable price.
• The rooms are bright and have gorgeous sea views (even if they are on the smaller side).
• They offer a great breakfast with lots of items to choose from, cooked and continental.

 

Find your hotel in Ålesund

An alternative, luxury recommendation

If you can afford to splash out and love a cozy attic room with wooden beams, I’ve also heard good things about Hotel Brosundet, which is literally 100 m down the road from Thon Hotel. This is also a particularly striking Art Nouveau building, if you're into that.

 

 

Ålesund map (the Ålesund area and Møre og Romsdal)

Map of Ålesund, pinpointing all the best places of interest

Partial map of Møre og Romsdal, pinpointing wider places of interest

 

1. Drive Trollstigen (but not in 2024)

Trollstigen road
 

Don’t think I’m going to confine you to Ålesund proper with this list of things to do! Møre og Romsdal (the Norwegian county to which Ålesund belongs) is a wonderful place for hiking and driving. Just outside of the city, it’s all fjords and beautiful, sprawling mountains, so make the most of it all during your visit.

This is the first of two drives that I recommend you go on. Trollstigen (“the troll path”) is a steep mountain road that consists of 11 sharp hairpin bends. It’s a real thrill, like a rollercoaster ride with truly amazing views. And it only takes around two hours to get to it from Ålesund!

Important note: Sadly, this crazy feat of infrastructure will remain closed for the rest of 2024 due to high instances of large rocks falling from the cliff. But it’s not all bad news; you can still drive as far as the road’s upper viewing platform (Google Maps link here).

Also, what is it with Norwegians and trolls?! Trolltunga (“troll’s tongue”) is another troll-named place of interest, and I climbed it. Read more about it here:

 

 

2. Drive the Atlantic Ocean Road

Atlantic Ocean Road

What’s 8.3 km (5.2 mi) long, was once deemed the “Norwegian construction of the century”, and is suggested to be the best road trip in the world? This guy.

The Atlantic Ocean Road, this absolute unit that begins around 130 km (80 mi) northeast of Ålesund, was completed in 1989 (something else younger and cooler than I am). It lends itself to a spectacular drive that twists over 7 bridges, connecting tiny islands with curves that seem to defy physics.

When the weather’s rough, waves supposedly crash against the road, making you feel like you’re in an action movie. But if it’s a clear day (like it was when I was there), you get simply stunning coastal views stretching toward the horizon.

Stop every so often to take it all in. But hold onto your hat—the wind will have ambitions of sending it straight to the Faroe Islands.

Fun fact: You know those car commercials that are shot on a road against epic, moody sea-and-island scenery? Yep, that’s here.

Want more advice on where to go for the most scenic Norwegian drives? See my other article dedicated entirely to road trips in Norway!

 

3. Visit Alnes lighthouse

Alnes lighthouse on the Godøya island
 

• Price: NOK 60 (USD 5.50)
  ​
• Opening hours: 11 am–5 pm Monday*–Wednesday and Friday, 11 am–6 pm Thursday, 12 pm–6 pm Saturday and Sunday (*closed on Mondays between September and May inclusive)

Alnes lighthouse (or Alnes fyr) is one of the most visited lighthouses in the whole of Norway. In my opinion, it also might be one of Møre og Romsdal’s best coastal viewpoints.

It’s situated on the island of Godøya, just 30 minutes’ drive from Ålesund, through four tunnels. (Norwegians can’t get enough of tunnels, I’m telling you—they’re an experience in and of themselves.)

For a mere NOK 60 (USD 5.50), you can climb up to the top of the lighthouse for the best views of your windswept surroundings. I stared at the sea from up here and thought about the poor fishermen in the 19^th century, trying to protect themselves from these frightful waves in just a little wooden boat. For once, I sort of felt grateful to have been born in a landlocked country.

There’s also the “experience center”, an ultra-modern building next to the lighthouse. Jump in here for art exhibitions and a café that offers some pretty tasty cakes. I’d advise you to get some sugar in you before your hike...

 

4. Hike Storhornet

Time for a hike! Storhornet is a great one
 

Godøya is also home to Storhornet, a large hill that makes a great hike, so it makes sense to see the lighthouse and take the walk on the same day.

Here are the stats on this route:

• Distance: 7.2 km (4.5 mi), loop  
• Elevation gain: 614 m (2,014 ft)  
• Difficulty: Hard
• Hiking time: 3.5 hours
• Trailhead: Google Maps link to trailhead

Storhornet has it all: grassy stretches, panoramic views, and you’ll trace the biggest lake on the island, getting views of the smaller islands within it. It reminded me a little of being back on the Isle of Skye, my favorite island in Scotland. (Check out my ultimate two-day Skye itinerary to learn more about how similar these parts of the world are!)

See the trail I took in more detail on Alltrails
 

• You can choose your trailhead for Storhornet depending on whether you want a quick walk or something more demanding. I hiked from Alnes (as I’d just been to the lighthouse) and went right around the lake in a loop.

 

5. Hike Mount Aksla in the city park

The Aksla Viewpoint
 

Ålesund’s main park is where you can get your fix of trees, as funnily enough, you won’t see many at all in the rest of the city. It’s also another spot where workout meets panoramic reward, and all just a stone’s throw away from your hotel. Walking up to Aksla viewpoint is one of the top things to do in Ålesund city center if you have a spare hour or two.

Tackle the 418 steps up to Mount Aksla. (Don’t worry—at a height of just 188 m [617 ft], it’s not a real mountain.) As you climb, the view just gets better: dramatic hills, scattered islands, and tiny boats bobbing on the clear blue water. I have to admit—I wasn’t a fan before, but even the Art Nouveau houses look nice from above.

At the top, the lookout is pretty jaw-dropping, which I guess is what you need when you’re trying to catch your breath. There’s even a café if you need a victory coffee, some victory cake, or even a victory smoked salmon wrap.

Note: They’ve recently started charging people NOK 100 (USD 9) to get to the observation deck, which is annoying. I don’t usually mind paying entrance fees, but I mean, it’s not like this is some ancient church in desperate need of repair.

If you don’t want to pay, Byrampen Viewpoint (Google Maps link) is a neat alternative that you’ll pass on your way up or way down. I’d be tempted to say that the views here are actually even better!

 

6. Visit the Atlantic Sea-Park

Atlantic Sea Park
 

• Price: NOK 250 (USD 23)
   
• Opening hours: 9 am–5 pm daily, June–August; 10 am–4 pm daily, September–May

This aquarium on the island of Hessa is one of the leading tourist attractions in the Ålesund area, and it’s especially fun if you’ve got kids. I haven’t got kids, but I do find sea life fascinating, so of course, I had to go and see what all the fuss was about.

Pro tip: If, in fact, you hate kids, visit during a school day so you have the best chance of looking around in peace and quiet.

As one of Scandinavia’s largest saltwater aquariums, the Atlantic Sea-Park doesn’t disappoint with its array of animals. You name it—you’ll find playful otters, doe-eyed seals, hefty cod (yum), plus some monstrous crabs that look like they could star in their own horror movie.

The open-air pools let you meet the seals and penguins up close. And if you time your visit around 1 pm, you can watch divers feed the fish in the massive “Atlantic tank”.

 

7. See the Tueneset Coastal Battery

Tueneset Coastal Battery

Okay, frankly, this is very much one for the boys. In other words, guys, prepare to drag your wife or girlfriend around a bunch of old war machines and make it up to her later.

The Tueneset Coastal Battery, perched right on Hessa’s rugged coastline, is where history meets more stellar scenery. Originally a German fortification from World War II, it’s now a peaceful place of abandoned bunkers, rusty relics, and the odd picnic table.

Wander through the old gun emplacements and try to picture the scenes of the turbulent past while listening to the waves crash below. I did, and I lost track of time, totally immersed. (I soon snapped back into the present after my girlfriend sighed what must have been her 57^th loud sigh in 40 minutes.)

Ålesund
 

What I particularly admired about Tueneset is that it’s surprisingly scenic for a former war zone, with walking trails winding around the cliffs and sea views that stretch to the horizon. Bring a camera and a sturdy pair of shoes and head out on a relaxing but poignant stroll.

 

8. Visit the Fisheries Museum

Find out more about fish business in Norway in Fisheries Museum in Ålesund
 

• Price: NOK 80 (USD 7)
   
• Opening hours: 11 am–5 pm Monday–Friday, 11 am–4 pm Saturday and Sunday, mid-June–mid-August; 11 am–4 pm Saturday and Sunday, mid-August–mid-June

Ålesund’s Fisheries Museum is a dive into the area’s fishing heritage; well worth an hour of your time at least. Housed in a historic warehouse near the harbor, it’s packed with stories of hardy fishermen who built this city on cod and roe. And herring. Lots of herring.

You’ll find vintage boats, fishing gear, and interactive displays that bring this history to life. I tried my hand at knot-tying (but I was really carp at it) and read about treacherous sea voyages and hauls that fed half of Europe!

It’s a low-key experience, but the stories are full of charm. Essentially, if you’re curious about Norway’s fish business, they’ll tell you all about it here—they’re positively breaming with pride. (Okay, I’m done.)

 

9. Visit the Sunnmøre Museum

Sunnmøre Museum
 

• Price: NOK 120 (USD 11)
   
• Opening hours: 10 am–5 pm daily, May–September; 11 am–5 pm Tuesday–Friday, 12 pm – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday, October–April

And, if even after the Coastal Battery and the Fisheries Museum you still can’t get enough history (yes, I am projecting), the Sunnmøre Museum is a treasure trove of local farming heritage. It’s in the village of Borgundgavlen, just a 10-minute drive from central Ålesund.
 

Sunnmøre is the name of the district within Møre og Romsdal of which Ålesund is the biggest settlement. (I know—I bet you didn’t bank on learning all about the administrative divisions of Norway today!)

This open-air museum has a few buildings (56, to be exact) scattered around, from rustic boathouses to charming wooden homes, each giving a glimpse into life in the old days across Sunnmøre.

Don’t miss the collection of real and replica ships down by the water. My favorites were the small Viking boats.

 

10. Admire the Art Nouveau architecture (or use it to escape the rain)

Art Nouveau in Ålesund
 

I’d describe downtown Ålesund as quirky, quaint, and to a certain degree, romanticized; it being pretty much a floating city. Imagine Venice, but colder, and with much fewer pigeons and annoying tourists.

Something that definitely contributes to this overall vibe, and one of the things that the city is most known for, is the Art Nouveau architecture. You’ll see it all over the place without really trying, but hey, I couldn’t not mention it in an article on what to see in Ålesund.

After a city-wide fire in 1904, Ålesund’s formerly wooden buildings were rebuilt in this eccentric style. Now, the pastel-colored blocks look like they’ve been pulled straight from an architect’s fever dream.

I’ve got to be honest—I wasn’t in love with them. Art Nouveau is an acquired taste, one that I'm yet to acquire. But sometimes you need to be shown the uglier things in life in order to appreciate the prettier, y’know? Oh, and at least they provide shelter from the intermittent but inevitable Norwegian rain.

 

 

BONUS: Go on a cruise of Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

I highly recommend the Cruise of Geirangerfjord
 

Did you know that just 2 and a half hours from Ålesund, you’ll find a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site? If you’re more a wilderness wanderer than a city stomper and you need more inspiration for things to do outside of Ålesund, consider going to Geirangerfjord.

Geirangerfjord is one of the most popular fjords to visit in the country. With the emerald water below you, the misty peaks above you, and waterfalls tumbling down some of the steepest cliffs you’ll ever see, taking a cruise on it feels magical.

Look into Fjord1, a large Norwegian transport operator, to get Geirangerfjord cruise tickets.

 

The perfect 3-day Ålesund itinerary—notes

Ålesund port
 

In my opinion, 3 days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Ålesund. Most other sources online say 2 days is a good duration, but this doesn’t allow time for the epic, unmissable drives to go on in the wider area.

Reminder: I was based at Thon Hotel Ålesund, and I rented a car to be able to see what I wanted to see beyond the city.

Take notes for your own itinerary—this is exactly how I spent three days in and around Ålesund...

 

Day 1: Walking in around the city

• Visited Alnes lighthouse (for 1 hour)
• Hiked Storhornet (for 3.5 hours)
• Saw the Tueneset Coastal Battery (for 1 hour)
• Hiked Mount Aksla (for 1 hour)

 

Day 2: Museum day

• Visited the Atlantic Sea-Park (for 2 hours)
• Visited the Fisheries Museum (for 1.5 hours)
• Visited the Sunnmøre Museum (for 2 hours)

 

Day 3: Road trip

• Drove to the Trollstigen upper viewing platform (for 2 hours)
• Drove to the Atlantic Ocean Road and back to Ålesund (for 6 hours)

Enjoying the Ålesund view

 

FAQ 1: Is Ålesund, Norway worth visiting?

Absolutely, Ålesund is worth visiting, and is especially good as a base for seeing the wider Møre og Romsdal area. The entire city certainly has a unique charm, being surrounded by water, islands, and hills, and its center is full of memorable Art Nouveau architecture. What's more, there are plenty of things to do in Ålesund, including several immersive museums and historical sites.

 

FAQ 2: Can you walk around Ålesund?

Ålesund city center is perfectly walkable—you won’t need to rely on a car nor public transport to get around. However, some local attractions such as Alnes lighthouse and the Sunnmøre Museum are a few kilometers away on nearby islands, so I recommend that you drive to these.

 

FAQ 3: What food is Ålesund known for?

As you might expect from a city with such a prominent fishing heritage, Ålesund is known for its seafood. And I can promise you, it is really tasty. I had fish and seafood at three different restaurants during my time there, and I would jump at the chance to go to any of them again!

My restaurant tips in Ålesund, Norway

• XL Diner (Google Maps link) does “the best fish soup in town”.
• Get the dried salted cod, one of the local Ålesund delicacies, at Anno (Google Maps link).
• Apotekergata No. 5 (Google Maps link) is one of the most renowned top-tier restaurants in Ålesund. Having tried their oysters and bluefin tuna, I’m not surprised.

Ålesund was rebuilt in Art Nouveau style

 

FAQ 4: Why are the houses in Ålesund in the Art Nouveau style?

The Art Nouveau architecture in Ålesund came about after a terrible fire destroyed much of the city in 1904. During the rebuild, young local architects embraced the then-popular Art Nouveau style, blending European elegance with local motifs like Viking dragons and coastal plants. Today, Ålesund stands as one of Europe’s best-preserved Art Nouveau cities.

 

FAQ 5: Can you see the northern lights in Ålesund, Norway?

While strictly speaking, it’s possible to see the northern lights in Ålesund, don’t plan a trip to Ålesund with this goal in mind. If you primarily want to see the northern lights, you should opt for a destination far north in the country. Tromsø, for example, is considered one of the best cities for seeing the aurora not just in Norway, but in the world.

 

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