A fishing port established in the 9th century by Rollo the Ganger, the city of Ålesund is situated in western Norway, at the mouth of the Stor fjord. Ålesund is a regional commercial centre, with a flourishing industry based on fishing- the city’s harbour is, in fact, the largest fishing harbour in all of Norway. Ålesund is also the headquarters of Norway’s Arctic sealing fleet.

Once constructed almost totally of wood, Ålesund was burnt to the ground in 1904, and was rebuilt- this time in stone. The result is an unusual, and sometimes eccentric, mix of architectural styles ranging from Art Nouveau to mock Renaissance.  

Ålesund has a number of interesting sights to see- especially some fine museums, churches and parks. Among the latter are the Storhaugen and the Municipal Park, both nice places for a stroll or a picnic. The city’s museums include the Ålesund Museum which holds an extensive collection of artefacts, paintings and photographs showcasing the history of the town, and its branch, the Fishery Museum, a tribute to the city’s lifeline- the fish trade.

Also worth a look is the nearby Sunnmøre Museum.  Ålesund’s other tourist attractions are its many churches- Borgund Church that is renowned for its beautiful wood carvings and panelled ceiling; the Ålesund Church, which has fine frescoes and stained glass windows; and the lovely Volsdalen Church.

Ålesund makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding regions- the Øye glaciers, the Sunnmøre hills, the valley of Norang and the island of Runde among them. Details on how to get to these sights are available at the local tourist office located at the Town Hall, where arrangements can also be made for out-of-town excursions.

Ålesund is connected by rail and road to other parts of Norway, with regular  trains from other major cities. In addition to this, there are ferries coming and going from other ports along the Norwegian coast. Within the town, you can hire a car, or use the buses which form an extensive network across Ålesund. 

For detailed country and visitor information, see Norway.