Ålesund's picturesque central waterway is just a few minutes' walk from the main cruise terminal.
Ålesund is a picturesque Norwegian city renowned for its striking art nouveau architecture—unique in Norway—and its stunning natural setting. Situated on Norway's west coast, the city serves as a prime port, one that welcomes ever-increasing numbers of people on cruise ships touring the fjords and the Norwegian coastline.
In 2023, Ålesund welcomed more than 650,000 visits from cruise ship passengers, topping the list ahead of other popular ports like Bergen, Stavanger and Geiranger.
The city's harbor facilities are well-equipped to accommodate some of the largest cruise ships in the world from the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises. On some summer days, more than one large cruise ship can be accommodated.
Cruise visitors to Ålesund will be offered excursions to the surrounding region. Most cruise ships calling at Ålesund are on a Norwegian fjords itinerary, but if your itinerary doesn't include the fjords, take advantage of the sightseeing boat tour to the stunning Hjørundfjord, a favorite of European royalty through the ages.
That being said, you don't need to take a pricey excursion to enjoy the best of Ålesund itself. The compact city is an excellent place to explore the beauty of Norway independently, without straying too far from the cruise port, which is in the heart of the city.
Discover The Architecture Of Ålesund
A simple walk around both sides of the central waterway is the best way to experience the city’s distinctive architecture.
A simple walk around the downtown area is the best way to appreciate the architecture of Ålesund.
This style flourished after the great fire of 1904, which led to the reconstruction of the city influenced by young local and European architects who preferred the ornate stone buildings, turrets, and whimsical facades inspired by natural motifs that were popular across Europe at the time.
Many of Ålesund’s central streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings adorned with intricate floral patterns, curved lines, and detailed reliefs that make it a visual feast regardless of your knowledge of architecture.
From the cruise terminal, walk along both sides of the central waterway towards the lighthouse Molja fyr and then to the Quality Hotel. This route showcases the finest examples of Ålesund’s distinctive architecture.
If you want to understand the story behind the architecture, visit the Art Nouveau Museum (Jugendstilsenteret) to learn more about the devastating fire and take a deeper dive into the artistic movements that influenced the city's renaissance.
The museum is housed in a former pharmacy, itself a prime example of art nouveau design. Visitors can join guided walking tours offered by local experts that focus on notable buildings, but these are quickly snapped up on cruise days, so arrive early for these, or seek independent options using websites such as Viator or GetYourGuide.
Your ticket also grants you access to KUBE, the art museum located in the former bank building next door.
Enjoy The View
For photography enthusiasts, nature lovers, or those simply seeking a spectacular cityscape, a visit to the city park is a must.
This well-known view of Ålesund in its spectacular natural surroundings is the reward for climbing ... [+]
Here, you'll find the base of the 400+ steps leading up to the Aksla viewpoint—a favored spot for capturing Ålesund’s most iconic images.
The breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Sunnmøre Alps and maze of waterways are hard to beat.
When you reach the summit, treat yourself to a well-earned reward at the café, where you can enjoy ice cream and snacks while soaking in the stunning surroundings.
Just bear in mind that the steps are steep, and there is quite an uphill walk before you even get to the first step. Benches and smaller viewpoints are dotted along the stairway, offering enjoyable views even if you don’t make it all the way to the top.
City Train
There is no actual railroad service in Ålesund, but a sightseeing road train operates on cruise days.
Starting from the cruise port, the tour includes parts of the downtown area and a 15-minute stop at the Aksla viewpoint, for those who don’t want to or can't make the walk.
The 'city train' is a sightseeing road train in Ålesund.
Tickets ($30) can be bought from the sales booth at the cruise port departure point.
Atlantic Sea Park
There’s lots to see in northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquarium, both inside and out. A small penguin colony gifted from Chile is the star attraction.
At more than $20, entrance isn’t cheap but it’s a worthy use of time if you have children. To make the most of your visit, check the website in advance of your visit for feeding times in the various sections.
From the cruise port, take the short walk to the bus stop Dronning Sonjas Plass to pick up bus line 1. From the stop Tuenesvegen, it’s a further 10-15 minute walk to the aquarium. Alternatively, a combined ticket including a shuttle bus is available from the sales booth at the cruise port.
Ålesund By Kayak
Explore Ålesund by kayak to see the city's striking architecture from the peaceful waters that surround it.
This vantage point provides views of quaint islands and active harbors, combining urban discovery with the calm of sea kayaking for a unique experience.
Kayak More Tomorrow provides comprehensive kayak and hiking tours throughout Norway, including a shorter 2-3 hour kayak tour around Ålesund’s waterways.
Kayak tours are a wonderful option to appreciate Ålesund's architecture from a different ... [+]
This tour offers numerous opportunities for photography and is led by a guide with extensive local expertise.
Sightseeing Bus
Regular cruisers will be familiar with the concept of a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Passengers can use the bus as a 70-minute sightseeing tour of the city, or as transport between the major sites. The $40 day ticket is valid whichever method you choose.
The route calls at the Aksla viewpoint but also takes in many more of the city’s sights than the road train, including the Atlantic Sea Park and the Sunnmøre open-air museum.
However, departures run only every 45 minutes, so you will need to plan carefully to avoid lengthy waits. Tickets can be bought from the sales booth at the cruise port departure point.
