The Essence of Ålesund Walking Tour

Ålesund is a charming Art Nouveau town on Norway’s west coast. It was almost completely rebuilt after a great fire destroyed the town center in 1904. On this walking tour, you’ll hear about Ålesund’s history from the Viking Age, through World War II and modern times, while enjoying several beautiful views.

The tour starts in front of Destinasjon Ålesund & Sunnmøre, the tourist office, and takes you along Kongens Gate Road. You’ll see striking views of the tiny Molja Lighthouse, Mount Aksla, and the Ålesund strait, which prove why the town was voted the most beautiful in Norway. As you stroll, you’ll see that this relatively small town has many surprises, with flower motif ornamentation weaving around the walls, and trolls, dragons, and gremlins popping up in surprising places. You’ll see plenty of stone houses with towers, spires, and peculiar gables. I’ll also show you Ålesund Church and the cruise pier before you reach the end of the tour in Ålesund City Park.

You’ll also have a chance to:

• Hear about local heroes from World War II, Malta Margit and Joachim Rønneberg
• See the Rollo the Viking statue in Ålesund City Park and hear the tale of his international career
• Find out where to find the best seafood and beer in town
• Visit Parken Kulturhus, the town’s civic centre, and hear about the Waldehuset museum, the only wooden building in central Ålesund that survived the fire
• Appreciate Ålesund Town Hall, one of Norway’s classic 1970s style office buildings, voted the second-ugliest building in the country
• Find out why even a German Emperor was eager to visit Ålesund

By the end of this 75-minute tour, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Norway, its rich history, architecture, way of life, and lesser-known stories.