Ålesund · Nightlife

The canal that cuts through the middle of town, quayside on both sides, with most of Ålesund's restaurants and bars along it. Ten minutes end to end on foot, which is more or less the whole geography of an evening here.

Quayside hotel on the canal whose AFTER SIX evenings put an artist in residence by the fireplace on Wednesdays, alongside afternoon tea sessions. Comfortable rather than lively, and priced as you would expect of a design hotel.

Kongens gate, Notenesgata and the Art Nouveau blocks inland from the harbour hold the later bars; you can walk the lot in an evening without a taxi, and on a quiet Tuesday you will have covered it in half an hour.

From late spring the quayside terraces fill from mid-afternoon and stay busy while it is light; from October the centre is quiet Sunday to Thursday and several places cut their hours. Check opening times on the day rather than wandering and hoping.

There is no club district and nothing that behaves like a city scene: the evening is pubs, hotel bars and restaurants that keep serving rather than late dancing. Plan dinner as the main event and drinks after it.