Alesund — Norwegian Fjords Cruise Port
Alesund
Holidays
Norway's Art Nouveau jewel — a city rebuilt in a single architectural style after the 1904 fire
Search Alesund Holidays
Flight Time
2.5 hours from the UK
Best Time
May to September
Country
Norway
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Alesund Holiday Guide
Alesund is one of the most distinctive and beautiful towns in Norway — a place with a remarkable story and an architectural character unlike anywhere else in Scandinavia. On the night of 23 January 1904, a fire broke out in the town centre and within hours had destroyed almost the entire settlement, leaving 10,000 people homeless in the middle of a Norwegian winter. The rebuilding effort that followed was extraordinary.
Within three years, the town had been almost entirely rebuilt — and in the Art Nouveau style that was fashionable across Europe at the time. German Kaiser Wilhelm II, who had a particular affection for Alesund and had spent several summers sailing in the surrounding fjords, sent four ships loaded with building materials and provisions to help with the reconstruction. The result is one of the most architecturally coherent town centres in Norway, with ornate facades, towers, turrets and decorative stonework on almost every building.
The best way to appreciate Alesund's architecture is simply to walk through the town centre, looking up at the facades and details that most people miss. The Jugendstilsenteret (Art Nouveau Centre) provides excellent context for what you are seeing, with exhibits on the fire, the rebuilding and the architectural style. The building itself is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau in the town.
For the best view over Alesund, climb the 418 steps of Aksla hill to the Fjellstua viewpoint. The panorama from the top takes in the entire town spread across its islands, the surrounding fjords and archipelago, and on a clear day the snow-capped peaks of the Sunnmore Alps. It is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Norway and well worth the climb.
Alesund is also the closest major port to Geirangerfjord, and many cruise itineraries use it as the base for excursions into the fjord. The drive from Alesund to Geiranger via the Eagle Road is one of the most spectacular in Norway, with the road climbing through a series of hairpin bends to a viewpoint that looks down the full length of the fjord.
Popular Areas in Alesund
Average Temperatures
Jan
2°C
Feb
2°C
Mar
4°C
Apr
8°C
May
13°C
Jun
17°C
Jul
19°C
Aug
19°C
Sep
15°C
Oct
10°C
Nov
6°C
Dec
3°C
Ready to Book?
Call us or send an enquiry and we'll find you the best deal across Travelpack and JTA Holidays.
Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Alesund
The best things to do in Alesund — Art Nouveau architecture, panoramic views and the gateway to Geirangerfjord.
Climb Aksla Hill for the Panorama
The 418 steps of Aksla hill lead to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Norway — a panoramic view over the entire town of Alesund, the surrounding islands, the fjords and, on a clear day, the snow-capped peaks of the Sunnmore Alps. The climb takes about 15 minutes and is well worth every step.
Photograph the Art Nouveau Architecture
Alesund was almost entirely destroyed by fire in January 1904 and rebuilt in just three years in the Art Nouveau style that was fashionable at the time. The result is one of the most architecturally coherent town centres in Norway — ornate facades, towers, turrets and decorative stonework on almost every building.
Visit the Art Nouveau Centre
The Jugendstilsenteret (Art Nouveau Centre) is housed in one of the finest Art Nouveau buildings in Alesund and tells the story of the 1904 fire and the extraordinary rebuilding effort that followed. The exhibits include original architectural drawings, photographs and decorative objects from the period.
Explore the Atlantic Ocean Park
The Atlanterhavsparken (Atlantic Ocean Park) is one of the largest aquariums in Scandinavia, built into the rocky coastline on the western edge of the island. The exhibits focus on the marine life of the Norwegian Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with a spectacular outdoor pool where seals and penguins can be observed.
Walk the Island Bridges
Alesund is spread across several islands connected by bridges, and walking between them is one of the pleasures of the town. Each island has its own character — the main island with the Art Nouveau centre, the quieter residential islands to the west, and the harbour area with its fish market and restaurants.
Try Fresh Bacalao at the Harbour
Alesund has a long tradition of fishing and is particularly famous for its bacalao — salt cod — which has been exported from the town for centuries. The harbour area has several excellent fish restaurants where you can try traditional Norwegian seafood dishes, including the local bacalao stew.
Visit the Sunnmore Museum
The Sunnmore Museum on the outskirts of Alesund is an open-air museum with over 50 historic buildings from the region, including traditional farmhouses, boathouses and a reconstructed medieval trading post. The collection of traditional wooden boats is one of the finest in Norway.
Day Trip to Geirangerfjord
Alesund is the closest major port to Geirangerfjord, and many cruise itineraries use it as the base for excursions into the fjord. The drive from Alesund to Geiranger via the Eagle Road (Ørnesvingen) is one of the most spectacular in Norway, with extraordinary views at every turn.
Explore Alesund on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
Google Maps embed — add your API key to activate
Set mapEmbedUrl in the destination data to display an interactive map here