Discover the Treasures of Norway’s Ålesund and Sunnmøre Region

As the gateway to the world-famous Norwegian fjords, Norway’s Ålesund and Sunnmøre region overflows with an abundance of natural treasures. But nature is only part of the story. The town of Ålesund is a cultural treasure as well, with a tragic yet beautiful history.

On a winter’s night in 1904, Ålesund was devastated by a rapidly spreading fire. The fire left 10,000 people homeless and 850 homes in ashes. In a span of three years, the entire town rose from the ashes. Rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style prevalent throughout Europe then, its new facade was stunning.

Numerous architects from Norway and throughout Europe united to restore the city. Furthermore, Germany’s Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, who had visited the region many times, offered substantial financial assistance and support for the reconstruction, including the provision of materials and ships.

The charming yellow, salmon, blue, and rose buildings, ornamented with a myriad of turrets, spires, medieval ornaments, and dragons, earned Ålesund UNESCO World Heritage status.

Streets in Ålesund Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen Visit Norway

The Art Nouveau Centre & The Art Museum Kube

Located in the former Swan Pharmacy from 1907—one of Ålesund’s most characteristic Art Nouveau buildings—the Art Nouveau Centre (Jugendstilsenteret) transports visitors back in time, specifically to the Art Nouveau period. Serving as both a museum and a national center of Art Nouveau, Jugendstilsenteret offers insight into this style by means of authentic interiors and objects as well as temporary exhibitions.

KUBE is the art museum in the county of Møre og Romsdal and is located in the former branch office building of Norges Bank (1906) in central Ålesund.

A View From Above

The rugged coastline, deep fjords, and high mountains in the Sunnmøre Alps represent paradise to hikers. The terrain offers leisurely walks, challenging climbs, and everything in between. There are even glacier hikes available year-round.

If you’re a hiker, you’ll want to explore some of the surrounding trails, but Ålesund is one of the few places where you can start your hiking adventures right in the heart of the town. There are 418 steps leading up to Fjellstua at the top of Mount Aksla. Run them, walk them, or crawl your way up because you’ll be richly rewarded for your efforts with an unforgettable panoramic view of Ålesund, the coast, and the surrounding mountain and fjord landscape. If climbing 418 steps doesn’t sound appealing, catch a ride on the Town Train in the city center and ride up. Whatever way you choose to get there, don’t miss this view.

Alnes Lighthouse, Photo: Shutterstock

Nearby Treasures 

Wander through the open-air Sunnmøre Museum to learn more about Norway’s cultural history. Historic wooden buildings with rooftops sprouting grass illustrate life as it was in years gone by. The museum houses an extensive collection of boats, including replicas of Viking ships. The Medieval Museum is also on the premises for exploration.

A series of bridges and submarine tunnels, the longest of which is nearly 2.2 miles long, lead to the picturesque island of Godøy. Here, the island’s northern coast is home to the charming Alnes Lighthouse. Climb the 88 steps to the top for some stunning views of the surrounding sea, fjords, and Ålesund.

Pair of Puffins! Photo: Visit Norway

Experience a Sea Safari

As captivating as Ålesund is, venturing into the surrounding waters is a must. An ideal option is a wildlife sea safari. Board a high-speed RIB boat for a thrilling, albeit bumpy, ride into the ocean. On my journey, we ventured to nearby Runde Island, population 150 humans and over 500,000 birds.

The southernmost bird cliffs in Norway, Runde boasts the most extensive variety of seabird species in all of Scandinavia. Every nook of the craggy cliffs teems with life as colonies of great skuas, gannets and shags scramble for their nesting zones. Approximately 100,000 pairs of puffins nest on Runde from February to August. Runde Island isn’t only known for its massive bird population. In 1725, the Dutch ship Akerendam shipwrecked on the island, spilling gold coins, and creating a true treasure island.  But honestly, every inch of the Ålesund and Sunnmøre region is a treasure.

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