How to Visit Alesund Norway From Cruise Ship
Published February 21, 2025
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Situated on Norway's western coastline, Alesund is an attractive seaside town famous for its beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, breathtaking fjords, and vibrant maritime heritage.
Cruise ships berth in Alesund city center, enabling you to conveniently reach the town's shopping area and key sights.
Find out how to visit Alesund, Norway from a cruise ship!
What is Alesund?
Ålesund is a coastal town located on Norway's west side, at the Geirangerfjord beginning.
It’s recognized for the architectural style of Art Nouveau in which much of the city was reconstructed in 1904 following a fire.
After suffering significant destruction from the fire, Ålesund was swiftly reconstructed in an impressive fashion, showcasing one of the finest Art Nouveau assortments in Europe.
Its location, on a slender peninsula encircled by islands, remains equally captivating, and the town also features its own small mountain.
Visiting Alesund Norway From a Cruise Ship
Recognized as one of the most stunning fjord towns in Norway, Ålesund remains a charming place that invites exploration.
Numerous cruise ships stop here en route from or to Norway’s most famous fjord, Geiranger, though a maximum of three ships is allowed to be housed.
You can’t be much nearer to the center of the town than the cruise terminal at Ålesund, just a short distance from the harbor where many Art Nouveau structures are grouped.
Since the cruise port is only a ten-minute walk from the city center, you don't need to use a shuttle or taxi from your cruise ship.
For people who choose not to trek, the City's Sightseeing Train remains located at the Ålesund cruise port and provides tours of the city for 70 minutes.
These are simple to reserve upon arrival and leave every twenty minutes while a ship is docked.
Upon reaching the city center, you'll be enveloped by Ålesund's enchanting architecture. Constructed in the Art Nouveau fashion, these structures possess a grim past.
The residences were reconstructed within three years after the fire outbreak, thanks to the architecture graduates of the city, who transformed Ålesund with a unique decorative style unlike that found in other parts of Norway.
Although numerous cruise lines provide various excursions from Ålesund, it is also an ideal location for independent exploration without a cruise ship.
However, note that as in all of Norway, dining and beverages in Ålesund are pricey, and you might choose to return to your cruise ship for your meal.
Alternatively, there are several nice café-bars that provide views of the harbor. A fish soup dish is forever a delight or sample a rich homemade cake.
Best Time to Visit Alesund
The best time to visit Alesund is June and May because they are the least rainy month.
September is the most humid though the town may experience rain anytime, which is why you must bring along a coat.
You should also visit in the summer season because the town hosts several music and arts festivals during this period.
How to Get Around
The Alesund port is strategically situated in the city's center and can host up to 3 cruise ships at once.
The city's key highlights – the famous Jugendstilsenteret and Art Nouveau Town – are situated just 450 meters (a five-minute stroll) from Alesund's cruise terminal.
Then, you can find their Tourist Information Centre just at the terminal exit, offering travelers city maps, car rental services, and local tour details.
Alesund Hop Off Hop On bus tours can be found outside the cruise terminal and provide stops at well-known city sights.
This includes their Art Nouveau Centre and Art Museum, Sunnmøre Museum, Aksla Viewpoint, and Ålesund Church, among others.
The primary bus park is situated just outside the port.
Local buses have the color blue though they may not be necessary since the town is friendly for pedestrians.
These local Alesund buses are managed by Fram - you can view their timetables at fram.no.
Tickets are available for purchase at sales posts, online, via FRAM's app, on the bus, or using a Travel Card.
Taxis can be easily found outside the port, although their availability may be restricted.
An extensive parking space is located nearby, along with Alesund's City Train departure area.
This is a tour train that’ll transport you to the key attractions in Alesund, presenting stunning views of the city such as the Aksla viewpoint (also known as Fjellstua Viewpoint).
Then, for individuals who enjoy solo traveling, car rental services can be accessed.
They will allow you the liberty to discover western Norway's charming scenery at your speed.
Things to Explore in Alesund
Alesund beautifully combines cultural richness and natural beauty, featuring the city's museums, historic sites, and stunning fjords along with its natural wonders.
These are the main highlights and things to do in Alesund:
Godøy Island
While in Alesund, explore Godøy Island's stunning beauty, located on Norway's western coast, approximately 12.5 miles/20 km (a drive of 25 minutes) from Alesund.
The beautiful island can be conveniently reached by taxi or ferry and is famous for its stunning hiking paths and historical sites, such as the famous Alnes Lighthouse from the 19th century.
Also popular for its picturesque scenery and coastal charm, this island is quite small and boasts rugged shorelines and hiking paths that enable visitors to discover its natural wonders.
Accessing Godøy is usually via road, and it’s linked by bridges to the mainlands.
Regardless of whether you opt for a serene boat journey, a speedy taxi trip, or a shore adventure, Godøy Island certainly is a destination worth exploring.
Alnes Lighthouse
Located on Godøy Island, roughly 14 miles/22 km from the Alesund cruise terminal, Alnes Fyr (Alnes Lighthouse) is a stunning coastal gem where you can unwind and appreciate breathtaking vistas of the nearby sea.
Founded in 1876, Alnes lighthouse was vital in directing vessels along the shoreline of Norway.
Currently, it operates like a museum, highlighting the area's maritime heritage.
Guests can discover displays, appreciate sweeping vistas, and understand the lighthouse’s importance here.
Alesund Aquarium
Ålesund Aquarium, referred to as Atlanterhavsparken, is a contemporary aquarium featuring the Atlantic Ocean marine creatures.
Situated ideally on the Alesund waterfront, roughly 2 and a half miles/4 km (a drive of 10 minutes) from the terminal, this aquarium showcases various exhibits with seals, fish, and other marine life found in the chilly North Atlantic waters.
Upon your arrival, you'll be drawn to a number of interactive exhibits that showcase the various marine environments exclusive to Norway’s coastline.
In addition to offering an experience that is engaging and educational, the aquarium prioritizes education and conservation, making it an ideal spot for marine enthusiasts, families, and anyone keen on discovering more about the rich aquatic life in Norway.
It was opened in 1998 and has also become a recognized science center that features a diverse array of marine organisms.
Its Atlantic Tank ranks among Europe’s biggest saltwater tanks, stretching 36 meters long and holding 4 million liters of seawater.
Alesund Aquarium is accessible by car, public bus, and through a guided excursion.
Trollstigen
This is a renowned mountain route and a very popular tourist destination, famous for its winding road having sharp bends and steep gradients.
Constructed in the 1900s, it traverses rugged peaks and provides stunning vistas of the nearby scenery, featuring the magnificent Stigfossen waterfall.
This term “Trollstigen” embodies the region's legends, as trolls are legendary beings in the mythology of Norway.
At the summit of Trollstigen, a contemporary visitor center offers insights into the local landscape, the road's history, and the region's plants and animals.
This visitor center features a viewing outlet that provides stunning panoramic vistas of the Stigfossen Falls and the mountains.
Trollstigen also offers an exhilarating adventure for people who love picturesque drives.
Its path is slender, featuring steep inclines and tight curves, presenting an exhilarating and demanding journey for motorists.
However, it's accessible solely in the summer season because of climatic factors.
Trollstigen is approximately an hour and a half drive from Alesund's cruise port, so the ideal way to explore it is by joining a guided excursion or renting a car.
Water Park
Bybadet's water park, perfect for families, features a kiddie pool, wave machine, and multiple water slides sure to delight kids of any age.
Here, a jacuzzi and sauna are also provided for adults seeking relaxation.
Aalesunds Museum
Housed in a vivid yellow structure, this museum is an excellent venue to explore the regional history.
Featuring the German occupation and great fire, the museum offers exhibits of four levels to discover.
Alesund's Town Center
The town center of Alesund is ideally situated directly at the port's entrance.
You can discover Alesund’s stunning architecture while walking along cobblestone streets decorated using Art Nouveau design elements.
Begin at the primary thoroughfare in Ålesund's city center, Kongens Gate, which is a ten-minute stroll from the harbor and features numerous cafes, shops, and restaurants.
It is an excellent spot to sample regional dishes, discover authentic Norwegian mementos, and experience the vibrant ambiance.
Then, stop at Ålesund Rådhus (Ålesund City Hall) which is located in a striking structure adorned with features typical of Jugendstil's style and faces the Alesund terminal.
Also, you will see the stunning Ålesund Kirke (Ålesund Church), constructed in the Gothic Revival manner, situated on a stunning hill that provides panoramic vistas of nearby islands and the city.
Lastly, don't forget to check out the previously mentioned Jugendstilsenteret in addition to Byparken (Town Park), a lovely park perfect for unwinding, walking, and appreciating the fresh air.
Racoon Coffee
Indulge in a tasty Norwegian pastry or lunch at this well-known location.
Coffee lovers will appreciate it as the proprietor is originally from Melbourne, renowned for its unique coffee culture.
Telephone Box
Glance behind the diner and you will discover one amongst the nation’s exquisitely maintained red telephone booths, similar to those seen in the United Kingdom.
This specific Ålesund phone booth has been transformed into a small library and remains an extraordinary historical artifact that deserves to be visited.
Although there used to be around 6000 boxes like this throughout the nation, that amount has decreased to only 100, and they’re currently safeguarded by the government of Norway.
Jugendstilsenteret Museum
Explore the Art Nouveau of Alesund at the Jugendstilsenteret Museum, the architectural treasure focused on the Art Nouveau fashion of Norway, positioned merely 450 miles from the harbor.
While exploring this cultural gem, it will seem as if you have journeyed back in time, transporting you to a period of remarkable architecture and superb artistry.
In 1904, after the disastrous fire, Ålesund’s building initiatives adopted this Art Nouveau technique, and presently, Ålesund is acknowledged as part of the most well-kept Art Nouveau cities in Europe.
Every space in the Jugendstilsenteret museum exemplifies artistic resurgence and resilience, featuring period furniture, intricate decorations, and thoughtfully arranged exhibits that offer a glimpse into the town's revival.
The center exterior is an artwork in its own right, adorned with intricate details and decorative patterns that characterize the style of Art Nouveau, referred to in Norway as Jugendstil.
Kayak Tour
If you want a distinctive method to discover the city, consider participating in a kayak tour led by a guide.
This is an excellent method to view Ålesund's architecture, wildlife, and history from an alternative angle.
Aksla Viewpoint
Mount Aksla, part of the top attractions in Ålesund, is situated in the heart of the town and provides stunning vistas of the nearby landscape.
The Aksla Viewpoint referred to as the Fjellstua Viewpoint, is located at the summit of Alesund’s local mountain, Aksla.
Situated approximately 0.80 m/1.3 kilometers from Alesund's port, the viewpoint provides a stunning perspective of the city and its nearby archipelago.
One can reach Mount Aksla by walking for approximately 25 minutes.
This trek involves ascending a carefully kept staircase of 418 steps and slowly unveiling a stunning panorama that greets you right at the summit.
A fairly demanding path, it takes approximately an hour to ascend the mountain's 418 steps, featuring several spots to pause along the journey.
At the mountain summit, you'll locate Fjellstua's Viewpoint - here you can savor a coffee or lunch or embark on any of the numerous hiking paths.
The sight from the summit is truly spectacular so ensure your camera is prepared.
You may also get to the Aksla viewpoint by taking a public bus or a car/taxi in about 20 minutes.
