Things to see and do Ålesund

It is a high rock overlooking the city. A staircase of 418 steps leads to the top, but it can also be reached by car via the road around the hill. At the top there is a café with a terrace and a summer restaurant (Fjellstua) under a glass dome. There is a fantastic view of the town, which stretches out over the sea, with dark rocky islets off the coast. Turning inland, you can see a row of ice-capped peaks. There are trails up there that can extend the walk by a few hours.

One of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe. Built by architects who took care to integrate the natural setting. Schedules on the website to see the animals being fed. In a room with limited hours, children can come and fish for crabs, touch starfish, sea urchins and crabs. At the end of the tour, an open pool allows you to feed the animals (beware: some fish have teeth!).

This former pharmacy, and home of the pharmacist, is now a museum dedicated to Art Nouveau, of which Ålesund is certainly one of the best showcases. A time machine (an elevator...) plunges the visitors in the heart of the fire of 1904. On the^first floor, the pharmacist's apartment hosts temporary exhibitions. The café is pleasant, the pastries are nicely presented and the museum shop has very nice wooden counters!

In the city centre, this museum tells the history of the city. The building is a former homestead and, despite the sometimes cramped rooms, it is a very pleasant visit.

There is a model of Ålesund before the great fire of 1904, which destroyed the city during a terrible winter storm, as well as Art Nouveau objects, remains of the German occupation, a former dentist's office and a reconstructed photographic studio under the roof.

This open-air museum presents the daily life of the people of the region, the tools and the environment of the people of the North 1,100 years ago. The open-air part of the museum allows visitors to see traditional Norwegian houses from previous centuries. The site is particularly pleasant, on the edge of a lake, where it is good to walk, and picnic in the summer. Perfect to discover the history of the Sunnmøre region. This museum is built on both sides of an archaeological site.

In an old fish warehouse, typical of the city of Ålesund, the fish museum reconstructs the history of fishing, with a special focus on the export of certain fish. Explanations on the transport of fish, and of course, a lot of information on the production of the famous Klippfisk, the dried and salted fish that made the fame of Alesund since the 1950s. Even today, Alesund's Klippfisk production is exported mainly to Brazil.

The trail starts by bike, bus or car, and it takes a good hour to reach the summit, which is 314 metres high. Since we start from sea level, it is quite a long way. Be careful when it rains as the paths quickly become muddy and slippery. From up there, the 360° view on the city and the fjord is simply breathtaking. It is a very popular place with many walkers and especially the locals who go there on weekends. A must do for the view and for the walk!