Welcome to Ålesund
The far northern port of Ålesund might be far from the bright lights of metropolitan Norway, but it's rich with some of the country's finest examples of Jugendstil (art nouveau) architecture – a legacy of a huge rebuilding project that took place after a devastating fire in 1904. Set out over a hook-shaped peninsula, the town is now the home base for Norway's largest cod-fishing fleet, and it's an attractive, lively town and unsurprisingly has some superb seafood to try.
Top experiences in Ålesund
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Ålesund activities
Alesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls
From the meeting point the bus will take you through the beautiful area outside Ålesund, to the land of the trolls. Throughout this excursion our guide will share many interesting facts and fascinating stories with you. On the road to Sjøholt, you will pass the house of Ivar Åsen, founder of the Nynorsk language, the second language in Norway. This part of Møre og Romsdal is especially known for the furniture industry. From Sjøholt, the road along the Storfjord will lead you via Stordal and its Rose Church (built in 1789) to Valldal, famous for its delicious strawberries. The next stop will be at the breathtakingly beautiful Gudbrandsjuvet, a 5 m narrow and 20-25 m deep ravine. You can walk over a bridge from one side of the ravine to the other. From here the bus will drive through the National ParkReinheimen, to the Trollstigen plateau. Enjoy the amazing view over the Troll Road (Trollstigen), the mountains the King, Queen and Bishop, as well as the waterfall Stigfossen. When driving down the Troll Road, the driver will safely drive the bus through 11 hairpin bends. At the bottom of the Troll Road, there will be an extra photo stop from where you will be able to take the best pictures of the Stigfossen. Next up is a visit to the Troll Wall / Trollveggen, Europe's tallest vertical rock face, and the impressive Romsdalshorn. After this stop, it is time to head back to Ålesund. Meeting point:Keiser Wilhelms Street 6, 6003 ÅlesundBe at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure timeAttention points:Difficulty; level 1, easy, suited for everybodyWe advise all our guests to wear appropriate shoes and clothingPlease Note: In order for our excursions to be available for everyone, the time of departure/arrival of each excursion is set to match the itineraries of the cruise ships. In case a time of departure needs to be adjusted, you will be notified in time. All meeting points are within walking distance from the port/pier and most of the hotels.
Ålesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour
From the meeting point the bus will take you through several underwater tunnels to reach the first destination, the Island of Giske. This island is relatively flat and very fertile. You will find many farms and grazing cows and sheep. Giske is known as the birthplace of the famous Viking Rollo, who was the first Duke of Normandy and an ancestor of the British Royal Family. A photo stop will be made at the marble church, built in the 12th century. The excursion continues to the beautiful island of Godøy and its typical fishing village Alnes. Here you can enjoy an amazing view over the Atlantic Ocean, visit the lighthouse or go for a stroll on the beach.After visiting the beautiful islands, you will be taken several centuries back in time to the years where most Norwegians lived a hard life, often were very poor and lived from agriculture and fishing. You will learn all about it at the Sunnmøre Museum. Our guide will lead you through the open air part of the museum where 55 old houses are located. Some are open, meaning you can take a peek inside. Several exhibitions can be visited inside the main building and in the boathouse you will learn even more about how life in this part of Norway changed over the centuries.The excursion continues to Mt. Aksla, from where you can enjoy the spectacular view over the city and its surrounding islands. After driving down the house-mountain, the bus will take you through the city center. The town has an unusually consistent architecture: art nouveau. Most of these colourful houses and buildings have been built between 1904 and 1907, after the fire which destroyed over 800 houses in the city center in January 1904.NB: National Authorities will be doing maintenance work in the Ålesund area in 2018. The visit to Giske will not be affected, however, the tunnel to Godøy will be mostly closed for construction work.Should we not be able to visit the lighthouse in Alnes, this visit will be replaced with a visit to another venue, which also focuses on Ålesund’s coastal / maritime history as Ålesund is often considered the “fishing capital” of Norway. This possible temporary change will not lessen the duration or the quality of the tour.Meeting point: Keiser Wilhelms Street 6, 6003 ÅlesundMeeting point is within walking distance from the port/pier and most of the hotelsBe at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure timeAttention points: Tour duration; 4½ hoursDifficulty; level 1, easy, suited for everybodyWe advise all our guests to wear appropriate shoes and clothingNB: In order for our excursions to be available for everyone, the time of departure/arrival of each excursion is set to match the itineraries of the cruise ships. In case a time of departure needs to be adjusted, you will be notified in time.
Alesund Shore Excursion: City walk
Our guide will take you on an interesting walk through the streets of the city center and lead you to the most fascinating Art Nouveau buildings. During this excursion, you will also visit the Jugendstil Senter (Art Nouveau Museum), located in the old Swan Pharmacy where a time capsule takes you back in time. You can learn more about the town fire, the rebuilding of the town and the Art Nouveau style. There are in addition several exhibitions which can be visited. Ålesund is built on multiple islands, the heart of Ålesund is stretched over two of these islands; Nørvøy and Aspøy. As the fishing industry is still the main industry in this region of Norway, all sorts of fishing boats can be spotted in the waters that surround the city. The town has an unusually consistent architecture; Art Nouveau. Most of the buildings have been built between 1904 and 1907, after the fire which destroyed over 800 houses in the city center in January 1904. Meeting point: Keiser Wilhelms Street 6, 6003 ÅlesundBe at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure timeAttention Points: Difficulty; level 2, moderate, suited for physically fit guestsMinimum age; 6 yearsWe advise all our guests to wear appropriate shoes and clothing
Introduction to Alesund Highlights From Port Of Alesund
You will be met at the port by a Cruising Excursions representative who will guide you to your air conditioned transportation ready to commence your scenic tour.This half-day tour is a perfect introduction to Alesund, one of Norway's most picturesque towns and home to its most important fishing harbour. Alesund lies at the mouth of Stor Fjord and is set on two islands which are connected by bridges - it has been described as the Norwegian Venice.As a result of the 1904 fire which destroyed most of the town, Alesund was rebuilt in stone instead of wood and is rich in a delightful art nouveau architecture of towers, turrets and medieval romantic facades. You'll find an abundance of stone neo-Classical and neo-Gothic buildings, with multiple towers, coats of arms and simple but original bas-reliefs.The town also offers the fabulous views - you can take 400 steps up to the Kniven Overlook on Mount Aksla for a stunning panoramic view of Alesund bay and its surrounding mountains and offshore islands.You'll get to enjoy free time in this enchanting town before your transportation returns you to the port in plenty of time for your cruise ship's departure.
Cruise ship shore excursions Ålesund Trollstigen-Trollroad in small (1-5)groups
Tour starting timeis flexible. But have to be safe to be back in time :)))1. Ålesund2. Stavkirke in Ørskog (old church)3. Valldal4. Gudbrandsjuvet waterfall5. Trollstigen6. Picnic in Trollstigen in nature7. Viewpoint in ÅlesundDriving with 2018 Peugeout 5008. Possible more stops and flexible wishes.Allcosts are included in tour- picnic, toll roads, entrance and all Your other wishes. We will follow Nature and will try to become Nature.Pick up point is Your choise- harbour, dock, city center, hotel or any place near Ålesund. Trollroad is just part off trip, we will have time to enjoy wild road or to spend time touching water or snow.
Cruise ship shore excursions Ålesund Trollstigen-Trollroad in small (5-8)groups
Tour starting timeis flexible. But have to be safe to be back in time :))) 1. Ålesund 2. Stavkirke in Ørskog (old church) 3. Valldal 4. Gudbrandsjuvet waterfall 5. Trollstigen 6. Picnic in Trollstigen in nature 7. Viewpoint in Ålesund Driving with 2018 Peugeout 5008. Possible more stops and flexible wishes. Allcosts are included in tour- picnic, toll roads, entrance and all Your other wishes. We will follow Nature and will try to become Nature. Pick up point is Your choise- harbour, dock, city center, hotel or any place near Ålesund. Trollroad is just part off trip, we will have time to enjoy wild road or to spend time touching water or snow.