Ålesund
Sunnmøre, Norway
Bus tours and a guided walk from the cruise pier in Ålesund, in the town, out to the islands and to Trollstigen: choose a tour to see the details and book.
Tours in Ålesund
Ålesund is a coastal town in the Sunnmøre region of Møre og Romsdal, set across several islands reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean. A fire destroyed much of the town in 1904, and it was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style between 1904 and 1907.
The Aksla and island bus tours meet in the car park between Ålesund bus station and the pier, and the Trollstigen tour meets on the Prestebrygga cruise pier. The walking tour starts in front of Molo Brew, next to the hop-on hop-off bus stop.
Ålesund at a glance
- Region
- Sunnmøre, Møre og Romsdal
- Cruise port
- Storneskaia, Stornespiren or Prestebrygga
- From the pier to the centre
- About 200 m
- Typical time in port
- About 10 hours
- Population
- 59,790 (municipality, 2026)
- Nearest airport
- Ålesund Airport Vigra, about 25 minutes by airport bus
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), summer UTC+2
Weather and seasons in Ålesund
Ålesund is a town to walk in, and that works all year. On the busiest cruise days from April to October, hop-on hop-off buses run around the town, and the tourist information at Skateflukaia is open every day from June to August.
The climate is mild and wet. Even in winter the average low at the airport stays just above freezing, and September to December bring the most rain.
- Summer
- Long days, close to 20 hours from sunrise to sunset in mid June. The tourist information is open every day from 08:30 to 18:00 from June to August.
- Autumn and winter
- The wettest time of year, with short days: about 5 hours from sunrise to sunset in mid December.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | 5.2 | 4.8 | 5.9 | 8.8 | 11.7 | 14.2 | 16.5 | 16.9 | 14.7 | 10.9 | 7.8 | 5.8 |
| Average low (°C) | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 11.5 | 12.1 | 9.8 | 6.3 | 3.8 | 1.8 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 146 | 125 | 122 | 76 | 72 | 80 | 81 | 125 | 143 | 162 | 147 | 166 |
| Daylight (hours) | 6 | 8.9 | 11.7 | 14.9 | 17.8 | 19.9 | 18.9 | 16.1 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
Getting to Ålesund
Cruise ships berth along Sørsidekaiene, at Storneskaia, Stornespiren or Prestebrygga, about 200 metres from the town centre. There is no tendering and no shuttle is needed. While a ship is alongside, the quay area is closed for security and the lifting bridge over Brosundet stays shut.
Ålesund Airport Vigra is about 15 km from the port. The airport bus takes about 25 minutes to the centre and stops at Ålesund bus station.
The coastal ships between Bergen and Kirkenes call at Ålesund twice a day.
Where to stay in Ålesund
A few places to stay in and near the town centre.
- Hotel BrosundetTown centre, ApotekergataHotel by the water, where the town meets the sea.
- Scandic ParkenTown centre, StorgataHotel next to the town park and the steps up to Fjellstua.
- Thon Hotel ÅlesundMolovegen, by the seaHotel about 300 metres from the centre and the bus station.
- Volsdalen CampingVolsdalsbergaOpen all year, with cabins, apartments and pitches, 15 to 20 minutes' walk from town.
Good to know before you visit Ålesund
- The viewpoint Fjellstua on Aksla is 418 steps up from the town park, about 30 to 40 minutes' walk one way. When cruise ships are in port, the city train also stops there.
- The Art Nouveau centre is the result of a fire on 23 January 1904, which left 10,000 of the town's 12,000 people homeless. The town was rebuilt between 1904 and 1907.
- The Jugendstilsenteret, the Art Nouveau centre, is in the old Svaneapoteket pharmacy from 1907, in Apotekergata.
- There are free public toilets at Lorkenestorget and under Paviljongen in Kongens gate 13.
- Trollstigen, on the day tour from Ålesund, is a mountain road that is only open part of the year: it usually opens in mid May and closes in October or November.
Frequently asked questions about Ålesund
Where do cruise ships dock in Ålesund?
Along Sørsidekaiene, at Storneskaia, Stornespiren or Prestebrygga, about 200 metres from the town centre. Ships berth alongside, so there is no tender and no shuttle.
How many steps are there up to Aksla?
418 steps from the town park up to the Fjellstua viewpoint, about 30 to 40 minutes' walk one way.
Why is Ålesund built in the Art Nouveau style?
A fire on 23 January 1904 destroyed much of the town and left 10,000 of its 12,000 people homeless. It was rebuilt between 1904 and 1907, in the Art Nouveau style of the time.
How long do cruise ships stay in Ålesund?
Typically about 10 hours, most between 9 and 11 hours, so there is time for a walk in the town and a tour out to the islands or the mountains.
How do you get from Ålesund Airport to the town?
The airport bus takes about 25 minutes to the centre and stops at Ålesund bus station. The airport is about 15 km from the cruise port.
When is Trollstigen open?
It is a mountain road that usually opens in mid May and closes in October or November, depending on the snow.