Welcome to Ålesund

Your ship docks right in the heart of the city. Art nouveau streets, fjord excursions and 418 steps to a view you won't forget – it all starts at the waterfront on the south side of Ålesund.

The cruise quay in Ålesund is split across three berths: Storneskaia, Stornespiren and Prestebrygga. Which berth your ship uses depends on its size and schedule – check the information on board or the port call schedule at Ålesund havn (the port authority) before you go ashore.

The good news is that all three berths are close to each other and close to the city centre. From here, you can walk straight from the ship and into the art nouveau streets.

Getting around in Ålesund

On foot

Ålesund is a compact city, and most attractions in the centre are within easy walking distance of the quay. The streets are hilly and partly cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes. Jugendstilsenteret (the Art Nouveau Centre), Brosundet canal, Ålesund kyrkje (Ålesund Church) and the city steps up to Aksla viewpoint are all within a 20-minute walk from the ship.

Sightseeing

Hop-on hop-off buses run from the cruise terminal every 20 minutes between 9 am and 4 pm, with nine stops along the route. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes an audio guide in several languages. The buses operate on the busiest cruise days from April to October.

The city train departs every 30 minutes when there are cruise ships in port. The full circuit takes approximately 70 minutes and includes a stop at the Fjellstua viewpoint. The train starts and finishes at the cruise terminal.

• See all City Sightseeing in Ålesund

Local bus (FRAM)

Local buses in Ålesund are operated by frammr.no. They are a good and affordable option for getting to Atlanterhavsparken (the Atlantic Sea Park) and other destinations outside the centre. Buy your ticket in advance via the FRAM app for the best price.

Taxi and car hire

Taxis are usually available at the quay when ships are in port, and can also be booked in advance. Several car hire providers operate in Ålesund.

• Find more information about car hire providers in Ålesund.

What to do in Ålesund

One day is enough to get a real feel for Ålesund, though most visitors wish they had more time. Here are some highlights:

Aksla – a view that puts everything in perspective

418 steps from the city park take you up to Fjellstua at the top of Aksla, the city mountain. From there you look out over the art nouveau city below, the islands stretching towards the sea, and on clear days the silhouette of the Sunnmørsalpane mountains. Allow 30 to 40 minutes on foot one way. You can also travel by the Ålesund City Sightseeing Train.

Jugendstilsenteret and a city walk

No other city in Norway has so many art nouveau buildings in such close proximity. Jugendstilsenteret (the Art Nouveau Centre) is housed in the old Svaneapoteket pharmacy from 1907 and tells the story of the great fire of 1904 and the reconstruction that followed. A guided walk gives you the eye for the details in the façades – the towers, the ornaments and the sweeping lines that define the streets. You can also explore on your own with a map from the tourist information office.

Atlanterhavsparken (the Atlantic Ocean Park)

One of northern Europe's largest saltwater aquariums, set into the natural coastal landscape about three kilometres west of the centre. Watch divers feed fish in the large tanks, and see seals and otters in the outdoor pools. Take the hop-on hop-off bus, the sightseeing bus, or local bus number one to Tuenesvegen – from the bus stop it is around 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

Sunnmøre Museum

An open-air museum with more than 50 historic buildings and an impressive collection of old boats and Viking ship replicas. Sunnmøre Museum is just outside the centre and easy to reach by hop-on hop-off bus.

• Discover more museums in Ålesund

Food and drink in Ålesund

Ålesund has long fishery traditions – fresh seafood, salt cod and locally sourced ingredients feature on menus at the restaurants aroud town. This is where you eat world-class seafood, caught just offshore.

Café culture

Ålesund has a lively café scene with plenty of good spots to take in city life. Sit down by Brosundet canal, at Apotekergata no. 5, or visit Racoon Coffee & More right in the middle of the art nouveau architecture. Jacu is a local coffee roastery producing high-quality beans – look for the name on the menu when you sit down. Their coffee is served at many of the city's cafés, and is a small taste of Ålesund in your cup.

Good to know

Card payment is accepted everywhere in Ålesund. Most restaurants in the centre are within a ten to 15-minute walk from the quay. On busy cruise days it can be worth booking a table in advance, especially at the most popular spots.