Ålesund
EUROPE · SIESTA · ART NOUVEAU
A town that burned down in 1904 and rebuilt itself entirely in art nouveau — on islands, facing the Atlantic.
The plan
Aksla viewpoint
418 steps up for the islands-and-peaks panorama that defines Norway's west.
Art nouveau walk
Spires, turrets and dragons — the Jugendstil centre is the whole attraction.
Geirangerfjord day
The UNESCO fjord, the Seven Sisters falls and the Eagle Road, two hours away.
Atlanterhavsparken
The aquarium on the ocean rocks, with divers feeding fish at close range.
Atlantic Road detour
The bridge-hopping coastal road north — one of the world's great drives.
Getting there
Fly into
Ålesund Vigra (AES) via Oslo or Bergen.
From the airport
Flybussen crosses the tunnels to the centre in 25 minutes.
Getting around
Compact walkable centre; rent a car for Geiranger, Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road.
When to go
Best time to go
May–Sep
Cheapest months
Oct–Apr
Priciest & busiest
Jun–Aug
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