Get ready to explore some of Norway’s most famous natural and cultural attractions. Ålesund's beautiful Art Nouveau architecture is widely acclaimed. An abundance of fjords, islands and mountains in Sunnmøre are waiting to enchant you. The breadth of experiences gives you the freedom to choose exactly the holiday experience you are looking for - all year round.
History
With its 45,000 inhabitants, Ålesund is the largest city in Sunnmøre, a region with about 140,000 inhabitants best known for its fishing, maritime technology and furniture production. The production of dried fish in Sunnmøre started in around 1750, and became the main export product of the area and the main source of economic growth from the mid-nineteenth century. The fishing industry flourished and Ålesund became a city in 1848 and grew steadily. However, a devastating fire on the 23rd of January 1904 left more than 10,000 people homeless. Ålesund was rebuilt in the new architectural style of the day - Art Nouveau or Jugendstil.
The changing direction of glaciers has carved out fjords and valleys and created spectacular mountains ranges. The Sunnmøre Alps were shaped by Hjørundfjord Glacier and its many glacial arms. Majestic mountains and alpine rock formations distinguish the Sunnmøre Alps from other mountain areas. The mountains rise straight out from the water to heights of 1500 - 1700 metres. The many ski slopes in the mountains around Hjørundfjorden offer fantastic skiing with a 1500 metre drop between the peaks and the fjords.
Tailor-made for adventures
Somewhat ironically, Ålesund, arguably the most beautiful city in Norway, can thank the great fire of 1904 for providing it with the most extraordinary concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. Cast your eyes up to the myriad of fanciful ornamentations of facades on the buildings as you explore the city. Walk up the 418 steps to the city’s peak, Aksla, and you will be rewarded with a panoramic view you will never forget! Ålesund is perfect for a romantic escapade with your loved one.
Treat yourself to an exciting sea safari and encounter seabirds, sea eagles and seals. Get to know the birdlife on the island of Runde on one of the sightseeing tours of the island during summer. Though the birdlife can be experienced all year round, the peak season is between April and August. Make sure you include a visit to the Runde Environmental Centre, which includes an exhibition about the Runde Treasures as well as a spectacular bird exhibition.
Hjørundfjorden and the Sunnmøre Alps
Prepare yourself for hiking in the Sunnmøre Alps, where jagged peaks reach up out of the fjords to heights of up to 1700 meters. Of course you can just as easily find less challenging walks suitable for the whole family. In winter, ski enthusiasts will find their favourite places here, either in the comfort of the slopes of resorts, or traversing the snowy mountains. You can also buy an alpine ski pass, which is valid for eight selected ski locations in the region.
Fjord Tours offers several tours in Fjord Norway and you can experience the Hjørundfjord on the The Hjørundfjord & Norway in a nutshell® round trip. This tour offers beautiful fjords, scenic landscape and a Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage! Read more about the tour here.
The fishing village of Alnes & the Alnes Lighthouse
Just a 15-minute drive from Ålesund and 10 minutes from the airport, Vigra, you will find the charming fishing village of Alnes. Here you get panoramic views of the ocean and can walk through beautiful and diverse hiking terrain from the mountains to the seashore, as well as get acquainted with the picturesque Alnes Lighthouse.
Sunnmøre has two airports: Ålesund Airport Vigra, and Ørsta/Volda Hovden Airport. Both airports are located close to the city centres and service many domestic and international destinations.
For more information on aircraft operators and prices, go to Avinor.no
Boat and ferry
The Hurtigruten has been described by many as the world's most beautiful sea voyage. The Hurtigruten arrives at Ålesund and Torvik daily on both its north and southbound routes. The northbound ship also adds the Ålesund-Geiranger-Ålesund route every day from April to September.
Expressboats and car ferries service the coast and link communities together. There are also a number of subsea tunnels which connect the many islands with the mainland. For more information about the ferry and boat services, contact the following companies: Fjord1 or Norled.
Train
The train station in this area is at Åndalsnes, approximately 120 kilometers from Ålesund, with a connecting bus service to and from Ålesund several times a day. The travel time between Oslo and Åndalsnes is 5 ½ half hours. The bus between Åndalsnes and Ålesund takes 2 ½ hours. For timetables and booking, contact NSB.
Car
The drive to Ålesund and Sunnmøre is in itself is a remarkably picturesque experience. Trips from Bergen and Trondheim involve several exciting ferry trips.
Oslo-Ålesund is 520 km (8 hours), follow the E6 to Dombås and continue on the E136 via Ørskog and Skodje to Ålesund.
Bergen-Ålesund is 370 km (7 hours). From Bergen, there are several exciting routes, and E39 is the main road through the fjords. Alternatively, take the E39 to Byrkjelo, then the turn off on the RV 60 past Olden and Stryn towards Ålesund. The RV 61 will show you the coastal areas of Sunnmøre - Vanylven, Sande, Runde and coastal towns of Fosnavåg, Ulsteinvik and Hareid.
Trondheim-Ålesund is 285 km (5 hours), and you can combine your journey with a fantastic drive along the coast, including scenic ferry trips. You should also try to include the Atlantic Highway (National Tourist Route) in your travel plan. Alternatively, you can also take the E6 to Dombås, and continue along the E136 via Ørskog and Skodje to Ålesund.
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