Ålesund cruise guide: what to do in the town

I recently spent a couple of days in the town of Ålesund, on Norway’s west coast. And while I did not sail there, I would have failed in my duties as a cruise journalist if I hadn’t investigated what to do when stopping in Ålesund on a cruise.

After all, the town is on the roll call of many Norwegian fjord voyages. In fact, with over 600,000 annual passengers, it’s one of the most visited ports in Norway.

In this guide, I’ll cover the key facts about Ålesund, its location and history, details about its port, the things I’ve loved the most about the place, and the excursions you can go on from here.

About Ålesund

Ålesund is on Norway’s Atlantic coast, at the end of a peninsula and somewhat shielded from the worst of the oceanic winds by a network of islands.

While Ålesund is larger than other regular fjord cruise stops such as Geiranger, Stavanger or Åndalsnes, it’s only about a quarter of the population of Bergen (Norway’s other oft-visited fjord cruise port). The town feels intimate and can be explored easily on foot.

Most cruise lines covering the fjords tend to include Ålesund stops in their itineraries, with ships staying in town between six and ten hours. Some Havila Voyages sailings depart from Ålesund, meaning you could combine a cruise with a few days at a hotel before or after your sailing.

Port of Ålesund: what to know

The Port of Ålesund can accommodate several large cruise ships daily, including those operated by MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The port is a five-minute walk from the town centre, where you’ll find all the essentials: cash machines, restaurants, bars and many of the must-sees. The tourist office (Skateflukaia 6, 6002 Ålesund, Norway) is about 10 minutes from the pier on foot.

Key Facts:

• Currency: Norwegian Krone
• Population: Around 55,000
• Time zone: Central European Time (CET)
• Safety record: strong (rated over 90/100 by World Travel Index)

Helpful links:

• Port of Ålesund (including ship schedule)
• Tourism board
• Annual weather averages
• Taxi services (Uber also operates in Ålesund)

The history of Ålesund

Ålesund is Norway’s Art Nouveau town, with many buildings bearing the hallmarks of this architectural style, from spires to ornamental features. You won’t see this elsewhere in Norway, and the reason for Ålesund’s unique look is fascinating.

In the late 19th century, most of the town’s houses – like in most of coastal Norway – were made of wood. But in January of 1904, on a windy night, a small fire that started in a local factory ended up tearing through the town, destroying over three-quarters of it.

The timely ringing of the church bells and the firing of the town’s canons alerted the locals to the incoming danger. Only one person died in the blaze, a seamstress who – having escaped from her burning house – went back into the inferno to fetch her sewing machine.

At that time, Art Nouveau was all the rage in Central Europe. And a flock of eager young architects and designers from Norway had travelled to Germany and other hotspots of the movement to learn about it.

Ålesund’s devastating fire made the town into a blank canvas for these bright lights of the Norwegian architectural scene; they would turn it into one of the country’s most original towns.

What to do in Ålesund

After researching and walking my way around the town for two days, here’s what I would see if I had the same time as a cruise passenger in Ålesund.

Everything I cover is in the town or very near it. If you’re interested in longer out-of-town excursions, I’ll cover some of the best you can book further down.

The schedule I’ll run you through is for independent visits. You can also book a local guide for a walking tour. I spent two hours with the excellent Bente Giørtz (+47 93067930), who taught me about the history of Ålesund and recommended other fantastic spots for me to visit later.

But enough waiting, let’s jump into the best bits of Ålesund.

Note: While it’s possible to do this schedule during a typical cruise stop, some ships will stay at port longer than others (and some people like to spend more time at each sight than others). Keep an eye on the time and adapt the schedule, if necessary, so you don’t miss your ship.

The Art Nouveau buildings

From the cruise port, head for Kongens gate (about 10-15 minutes on foot). It’s the main tourist street, so expect a lot of souvenir shops, and also where you’ll find some of the best examples of Art Nouveau architecture.

While the buildings share many of the hallmarks of European Art Nouveau, they have been given a Norwegian flavour. Try to spot the motives of Norse gods, life at sea and other symbols of Scandinavian life adorning the walls.

When you get to the end of the street, you’ll be within a few minutes’ walk of the Tourist Office (Skateflukaia 6, 6002 Ålesund, Norway) and one of my favourite places for a snack: Storfjord Icecream (Tollbugata 3, 6002 Ålesund, Norway).

Here, you can buy ice cream made from local goat’s milk (don’t let it put you off; it’s delicious) and sorbets that use Scandinavian ingredients. My favourite: strawberry with sea buckthorn.

For more Art Nouveau architecture, walk back towards the port, but this time, along the Brosundet Canal for views of the coloured buildings on the other side of the water. Just before you reach the bridge, notice the metal benches on your right and take a seat. Feel that warmth? They’re heated.

Now cross the bridge and head for Hotel Brosundet. This is where I stayed, and if you decide to spend more time in Ålesund, it’s a great base and a stunning building.

If you need a coffee or fancy a kanelknuter (traditional Norwegian cinnamon bun), you can stop at the Apotekergata No. 5 restaurant, which doubles up as a coffee shop and delicatessen.

Ålesund fact: Interestingly, after the job of rebuilding the town was finished, the houses were mostly left grey, as few locals could afford to paint them. The pretty shades of yellow, pink and blue were only added decades later.

Wooden houses near Molja Fyr

You’ve now had a coffee and seen some of the best Art Nouveau buildings. It’s time to explore an older part of town - the weatherboard houses near the Molja lighthouse, which is about five minutes on foot from Hotel Brosundet.

You’ll notice the architectural style is very different. This area was protected from the 1904 fire by a hill, making these buildings some of the last remnants of pre-reconstruction Ålesund.

It’s a relatively small part of town and one that’s easily missed when focusing on the Art Nouveau buildings. Some of the streets are cobbled, so visitors with reduced mobility may find it challenging.

This is a relatively short visit that can be done in about 30-45 minutes, unless you want to spend some time browsing Trankokeriet Antique shop, which is housed in a 1895 sea house. Or visit the Fisheries Museum. Once you’re done, head back to Hotel Brosundet.

The Art Nouveau Centre & the Art Museum KUBE

A few minutes from the hotel is the Art Nouveau Centre. Housed in a restored old pharmacy, it tells the story of how the town was rebuilt after the 1904 fire.

Inside, you can explore colourful rooms filled with original furniture, stained glass and displays that show how this unique style came to define the city.

Right next door, the KUBE Art Museum brings things up to date. Set in a former bank, it features changing exhibitions of Norwegian and international artists, from paintings and sculpture to modern installations. Entry costs 120 NOK (£8.50) for adults or 100 NOK (£7) for students. Under-18s go free.

If you fancy a bite to eat, Anno restaurant is on the opposite pavement. You’ll find a mix of international and Norwegian dishes often made using local and seasonal produce. My fish stew was delightful.

Statue of Rollo in the Town Park

From the Art Nouveau Centre, make your way to the Town Park. You can either walk there (about 15 minutes) or call a taxi (about five minutes).

There, you’ll find the bronze statue of the Viking Rollo, famous for becoming the first ruler of Normandy. Perfect for those who have enjoyed the series Vikings (or have an interest in Viking history).

The town park is also the starting point for the next item on our list.

Mount Aksla

If you’ve seen pictures of Ålesund, they will have likely been of the colourful houses of the town centre, or the panoramic vistas from the top of Mount Aksla.

To get there, you’ll climb 418 steps (they’re numbered) starting from the Town Park. There are viewpoints and benches along the way to take a break. If you don’t fancy the climb, you can also take a taxi or a small tourist train to the summit.

At the top, you’ll find a bar, a restaurant and a viewing platform. There’s a 100 NOK (£7) charge to access the viewing platform. You can also take in the views perfectly well from just under the restaurant for free.

From the top, I recommend ordering a taxi or an Uber to get to my next pick, which is slightly outside of town: the Atlantic Ocean Park.

The Atlantic Ocean Park

The Atlantic Ocean Park (Atlanterhavsparken) is a 20-minute drive from the top of Mount Aksla. This coastal park was my daughter’s favourite part of our stay, and it is the main centre for marine research and science in Norway.

The aquarium is one of the largest in Europe and features large tanks of unfiltered water pumped directly from the ocean. Indoors, there is a kids' area with specially designed exhibits. Outdoors, you’ll find large enclosures with penguins, seals and otters. The park has a strong focus on sustainability and the protection of marine life. There is a small canteen where you can buy food and drinks.

Finishing the day

By now, you might find that time is starting to run out. Once you’ve finished visiting the Atlantic Ocean Park, take a taxi back. The return leg to the town centre is much shorter (about 10 minutes) than the journey from Mount Aksla.

I’d recommend finishing the day on Kongens gate. This way, you can do some souvenir shopping and stop at Racoon Coffee to try the second traditional Norwegian sweet bun: solboller, which is filled with custard.

Longer out-of-town excursions

As mentioned previously, you can also book longer excursions that depart from Ålesund. Here are some of the most popular:

• Geiranger – Sail into one of Norway’s most iconic fjords, surrounded by waterfalls and steep, forested cliffs. Make sure your cruise doesn’t take you to Geiranger before booking.
• Sukkertoppen hike (Ålesund) – A rewarding climb offering panoramic views over Ålesund and the surrounding islands
• The islands of Giske & Godøy – Explore charming coastal villages, lighthouses and scenic beaches on these peaceful islands.
• Hjørundfjord – Cruise a quieter fjord lined with rugged peaks and traditional farms clinging to steep slopes.
• Trollstigen and the Troll Wall – A dramatic look at Norway’s twisting mountain road and Europe’s tallest vertical rock face. While Ålesund is a good starting point for this excursion, Trollstigen and the Troll Wall are nearer to Åndalsnes. If your cruise also calls at this other Norwegian city, it might be a more convenient departure point.

Trollstigen and the Troll Wall – A dramatic look at Norway’s twisting mountain road and Europe’s tallest vertical rock face. This is an easier excursion from Åndalsnes if your ship stops there.

So, here you have it, your one-day guide to Ålesund for cruise passengers. Play your cards right, and you’ll see plenty of the town in a few hours.

Ålesund Cruise FAQ

What are the nearest medical facilities in Ålesund?

The main hospital, Ålesund Hospital (Ålesund sjukehus), is about 3km from the cruise terminal and handles emergencies and general care. There are also several clinics and pharmacies in the town centre.

What cruise lines stop in Ålesund?

Ålesund is a popular stop for lines including Havila Voyages, Hurtigruten, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises.

When can I cruise to Ålesund?

Ålesund has a year-round cruise season, and daily arrivals and departures with Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages. Most cruises to Ålesund from the UK are from May to September, when the fjords are accessible, the weather is mild, and days are long.

What is the weather like in Ålesund during cruise season?

During the cruise season, the weather is usually mild but often wet, with average highs around 18°C (64°F) in the summer. Light layers and waterproofs are recommended.

Can I see the northern lights in Ålesund?

You can (in fact, I did). But with most ships staying at port during daylight hours, you are unlikely to see the lights, unless you extend your visit with a stay before or after your voyage.