The best things to do in Ålesund

Ålesund is a city founded on January 23, 1848. It is characterized by having eight municipalities, which are further subdivided into a total of 19 neighborhoods and a population of 47,199 inhabitants.

This metropolis with tall buildings has Ålesund Vigra Airport (AES) located on Vigra Island, about 17 kilometers northwest of the city center, in case you wish to travel by plane. There is also a bus terminal located in the center of Ålesund if you prefer to arrive by bus.

Additionally, there is a separate transportation system called the tram. Lastly, there are 30 kilometers of bike lanes to explore the city by bike.

Ålesund is a city worth living in Norway because, besides offering essential places to visit, it is renowned as a Norwegian jewel on the west coast, captivating with its art nouveau architecture, stunning landscapes, and outdoor activities ranging from hiking to whale watching.

It is also known for its traditions such as the Ålesund Jazz Festival in June, the Ålesund Summer Music Festival in July, and the Ålesund Art and Culture Festival in August. But especially, for its welcoming climate, as Ålesund's climate throughout most of the year is oceanic, with mild winters and cool summers, with an average annual temperature of around 8 degrees Celsius.

Now, as for the beautiful places in Ålesund, they have many facets as different types of tourism can be experienced. For example, something very attractive for historical tourism is visiting picturesque places in Ålesund where you can take photos without any problem. Some of the main ones include Alnes Lighthouse, Borgund Church, Fjellstua viewpoint, Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium, Ålesundet Park, the Union Monument between Norway and Sweden, Brosundet Bridge, the Alesund Fish Market, and Molja Park.

Another great plan in Ålesund for a day is to walk through landscapes or parks like Geirangerfjord, Trollstigen, Runde Island, Hjørundfjord, and the Ålesund Archipelago. Most of these tourist sites in Ålesund require little money to visit.

Other attractions in Ålesund that you must visit for a day trip are the museums, some of the most important ones being the Ålesund City Museum, the Ålesund Maritime Museum, and the Ålesund Art Museum.

If you prefer nightlife activities and enjoy traveling alone or going out as a couple, you should check out some iconic places in Ålesund to go to at night. Some recommended ones are the Alnes Lighthouse on Godøy Island and Borgund Church.

But if you are someone who prefers to travel with family, among the beautiful places in Ålesund for children are Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium, Høyt & Lavt Ålesund Adventure Park, and the Sunnmøre Maritime Museum.

Before traveling to this wonderful city and experiencing some tourist spots in Ålesund, we recommend getting to know the customs of the Ålesund residents and some curious facts about the metropolis. Some important ones include:

• Ålesund is known for its art nouveau architecture, which can be seen in many of its buildings.
• The city was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904, which explains its unique architectural style.
• Ålesund is famous for its fishing industry and is one of Norway's main ports.
• The city is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including mountains, fjords, and islands.
• Ålesund is home to the Norwegian Maritime Museum, where you can learn about the country's maritime history.
• The city is known for its annual music festival called Jugendfest, which attracts national and international artists.
• Ålesund offers a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing.
• The city has several viewpoints where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings.
• Ålesund is a popular starting point for exploring the famous Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The city is also home to Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium, one of Europe's largest aquariums, showcasing local marine life.

Being one of the important cities in Norway, Ålesund is a center of culinary trade, so one of the essential things to do is to eat in areas like Brodrene Berbusmel Bakery and Apotekergata No. 5, which are favorites among foodies.

You will find the best restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets, perfect for trying some of the local specialties such as dried cod (klippfisk), fish soup (fiskesuppe), pickled herring (sursild), Norwegian flatbread (lefse), crab cakes (krabbekaker), Norwegian sausages (pølse), ginger cookies (pepperkaker), Norwegian apple pie (eplekake), smoked salmon (røkt laks), and Norwegian waffles (vafler). Some recommended restaurants include XL Diner, Café Lyspunktet, Sjøbua Restaurant, and Bro Restaurant.

As for accommodation, if you want to stay in one of the most exclusive and safe areas of Ålesund, we recommend the city center, Ålesund Sentrum, Skansekaia, Hessa, and Aspøya. There, you will find the most recommended famous hotels in Ålesund such as Hotel Brosundet, Hotel Union Øye, Hotel 1904, and Hotel Aalesund.