One Day in Ålesund: Suggested Itinerary for First-Timers (+ Map!)

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Ålesund is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Norway. Renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture and breathtaking location, it is the perfect city to spend a day in before flocking to some of the famous fjords surrounding it.

While the city has plenty to offer for a multi-day trip, I have noticed that many travelers only spend one day in Ålesund before heading to other places nearby (like Geiranger or Åndelsnes) or back onto the boat to head to another Norwegian coastal city.

Because I know many of you have limited time there, I have created this Ålesund itinerary to help you maximize your time there!

Are you planning your trip to Ålesund last minute?

If youʻre booking your trip to Ålesund last minute, I have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!

🇳🇴  Top tours and experiences from Ålesund:

  1. Trollstigen sightseeing village & fjord tour (popular day tour from Ålesund!)
  2. Fjord cruise from Ålesund to Geirangerfjord (I did this day trip cruise and loved it)

🛌  Top places to stay in Alesund:

  1. Hotel Brosundet (excellent location in a historical building)
  2. Hotel 1904 (has beautiful decor and atmosphere; Art Nouveau building)
  3. Apartment in a historical building (stayed here one time and loved it)

🚗  Looking for the best way to get around Alesund? Click here to check rental car rates for Norway!

In this one-day Ålesund itinerary, I break down how to see the main highlights of the city, including a few spots to grab food and drinks, and where to stay when there (if you’re not at port). I have curated the itinerary in a way that breaks the day down and have included a free map to help you navigate Ålesund a bit better.

If you’re not just merely passing through, you will find a section toward the end listing some additional tours, things to do, and day trips.

One day in Ålesund itinerary for first-timers
One day in Ålesund itinerary for first-timers

Ålesund is a phenomenal base for some of the most beautiful places in Norway, so I hope you have plenty of time to explore the region! If you have any questions, please leave me a comment or send me a message. Thanks!

Is one day in Ålesund enough?

Yes, it is plenty of time to see the city so long as you don’t venture outside of it. You will see all the main sites of Ålesund by following the suggested itinerary below.

However, if you want to travel to Geiranger, Trollstigen, or somewhere else in the region, you will need to do that on a different day if seeing Ålesund is something you plan to do.

How to Get Around Ålesund

First and foremost, you need to get to the city if you haven’t! You can check out my guide about getting from the Ålesund Airport to the city center if you’re flying in. Otherwise, you may be arriving by cruise ship or rental car.

🚌 PRO TIP: A good way to save time is to book a ticket on the hop-on, hop-off bus that goes about the city. It will take you to Hessa and Aksla both, which can save a bit of walking (and time). Click here to check prices for the bus.

Once you’re in the city, most sites are within walking distance of one another. It is a small city and easy to navigate on foot. I don’t believe you would need to use any of the public buses or transport in the area on your trip unless you’re venturing further outside the city.

One Day in Ålesund Itinerary (Overview + Map)

Here is a quick overview of what is in this guide. Again, this is just a suggested itinerary and can be adjusted at your own will, especially if the weather plays a factor during any part of your day.

  1. Coffee at Racoon Coffee or Dråpe Kaffehus (1 hour)
  2. View over Ålesund from Aksla (2-3 hours if walking)
  3. Grab lunch (1 hour)
  4. Art Nouveau buildings and walking around downtown (2-3 hours)
  5. Optional: The Art Nouveau Centre & The Art Museum Kube (1 hour)
  6. Ålesund Church (15 minutes)
  7. Enjoy dinner (2 hours)
  8. Head out for a drink or two

🗺️ HOW TO USE THIS MAP: You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).

One Day in Ålesund Itinerary (The Details)

Start your day in Ålesund with a coffee.

It would be remiss of me to start this guide with anything other than a coffee! After enjoying a tasty hotel breakfast, head out and grab a coffee at a local cafe before you make your way to Aksla for the view.

There are two cafes in Ålesund that I love: Racoon Coffee and Dråpe Ålesund Kaffehus.

Racoon Coffee is cozy and small. It sits on a corner and they offer coffee, pastries, and other small bites. It is located at Kongens gate 6 and open Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 7pm, and weekends from 9am until 7pm.

Racoon Coffee
Racoon Coffee

Not far down the road is Dråpe Kaffehus which is far more spacious and coffee-focused. It is situated at Storgata 4 and it is open Monday (11am until 6pm), Tuesday through Friday (9am until 6pm), Saturday (10am until 6pm), and Sunday (12pm until 6pm).

Dråpe Kaffehus in Ålesund
Dråpe Kaffehus in Ålesund

Head to the top of Mount Aksla for that view.

If you wake up and the weather is cooperative (you really never know in Western Norway!), I recommend heading straight for Aksla right after breakfast and a coffee.

This is where you’ll find the famous viewpoint that overlooks Ålesund and its fjords and colorful buildings. You never know when the weather will turn, so it is a great spot to hit up as soon as you feel the weather is decent.

View from Aksla
View from Aksla

There are several ways to reach Aksla, including various paths from the city. You can also reach it by rental car or taxi if you’re not confident getting up there on foot.

The most popular way to reach Aksla would be to take the stairs up from Byparken in the center. There are 418 stairs. Once you get to the top, you will find the famous viewpoint and a cafe/eatery called Fjellstua.

Fjellstua for sveler
Fjellstua for ‘sveler’

It is the perfect place to grab a ‘svele’, which is a local treat that is similar to American-style pancakes. It is often served with brown cheese and butter. Fjellstua is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am until 5pm and Thursdays from 11am until 6pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

If you have a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket, it will also take you up to the top so you can avoid walking. Click here to check pricing for a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket.

Go for lunch (and perhaps a drink).

I have a few lunch recommendations depending on your tastes. Fisketorget has a lot of options for wine and champagne to accompany your meal, and it is affordably priced!

Fisketorget Delikatesse

Fisketorget Delikatesse offers fresh fish (you can even buy some to take with you if you have a kitchen or can find a way to use). They have the most delicious fiskesuppe (fish soup) and sushi options.

Fisketorget Delikatesse sushi
Fisketorget Delikatesse sushi
Fisketorget Delikatesse soup
Fisketorget Delikatesse soup

Open from Tuesday to Thursday (12pm until 9:30pm) and Friday to Saturday (1pm until 11pm). They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Located at Keiser Wilhelms gate 25.

Evergreens Bistro

Okay ,I have to admit I ordered the wrong thing when at Evergreens, but I still loved my experience and recommend it to others. I tend to never like taco-salad-inspired dishes and I ordered their chili con carne bowl that was similar to a taco salad.

They have plenty of options from chicken bowls (with guacamole and salsa) to dirty fries to tacos. One of the best things about Evergreens is that there are a lot of options for vegans and vegetarians, so if you opted out of visiting Fisketorget (listed above), this is a great alternative.

Evergreens
Evergreens

Evergreens is located in Kremmergaarden at Rasmus Rønnebergs gate 6. If you’re visiting Ålesund out of season, they may be operating with short hours. But, they are usually open from 11am until 7pm (Monday to Friday), 11am until 6pm (Saturday), and are closed on Sundays.

Walk around Ålesund and admire the Art Nouveau buildings.

Ålesund was decimated by a fire in 1904 and it has pretty much shaped the identity of the Norwegian city ever since. The fire occurred on January 23, 1904 and it destroyed over 850 buildings in the city, leaving more than 10k people homeless. The city center was gone.

Buildings around beautiful Ålesund
Buildings around beautiful Ålesund

After the fire, the city decided to rebuild itself in an Art Nouveau style (Jugendstil in Norwegian) that was popular around Europe at the time. Over 50 architects joined forces to redesign Ålesund in a fairytale-like manner with gorgeous facades, stonework, and more.

PRO TIP: If you are really into architecture and have the time, stop into The Art Nouveau Centre (Jugendstilsenteret) & The Art Museum Kube. It’s open daily from 10am until 5pm and is located at Apotekergata 16. Tickets are 120 NOK ($10.50) per person.

Some of the most popular places to check out to experience the Art Nouveau architecture of Ålesund are:

  • Jugendstilsenteret (the art center I mentioned above – located in the old Swan Pharmacy)
  • Hotel Brosundet (a place I recommend staying below)
  • Quality Hotel Ålesund
  • Ålesund City Hall
  • Hotel 1904

A great place to check out the Art Nouveau buildings from above is Sukkertoppen on Hessa. It will give a better perspective of just the buildings of Ålesund (while Aksla gives a broader view of the city and surroundings).

Want to learn more? Try booking a walking tour where you can learn more about the Art Nouveau buildings and maritime history of Ålesund.

Stop by the Ålesund Church.

If you’re looking to waste a bit of time before dinner, head over to check out the Ålesund Church at Kirkegata 2. Built in 1909, it was a replacement for the old church that was lost to the fire (initially built with bricks).

Ålesund Church
Ålesund Church

I am assuming that is why it was rebuilt with Møre marble and concrete… but it is a pretty building with a lot of greenery surrounding it, making it a quick, but worthwhile, stop on your Ålesund itinerary.

It’s dinner time!

If you haven’t noticed yet, all I did in Ålesund was eat and drink. Here are a couple of dinner options that I think are worthwhile depending on your tastes:

Apotekergata No. 5

Apotekergata No. 5 is my favorite restaurant in Ålesund, but beware, it is popular and you will need to book a table if you’re visiting during high season. Located in Brosundet, it is a semi-rustic style establishment that offers lunch, dinner, and a solid wine menu.

Apotekergata No 5 entree
Apotekergata No. 5 entree
Apotekergata No 5 main
Apotekergata No. 5 main

Their dinner service runs from 6pm until 10pm and you’ll find everything from fresh oysters to a daily catch to 4-course menu options. There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. They are closed on Sundays.

Molo Brew

Looking for something a bit more casual? Molo Brew is a brewery that also has some insanely good burgers! It is located in a spacious building right on the water in the center of Ålesund and they have several beers on tap, bar games inside, and a tasty menu.

You have the option to reserve a table but I never had issues getting in there even when it was crowded. They have high-top seating around the windows, as well as some seating outside.

Beer at Molo Brew
Beer at Molo Brew
Burger for dinner
Burger for dinner

Molo Brew is open from Tuesday to Thursday (3pm until 11pm), Friday (3pm until 1am), Saturday (1pm until 1am), and Sunday (1pm until 9pm). They are closed on Mondays.

Anno Restaurant & Lounge Bar

I have to admit, I didn’t eat at Anno Restaurant, but I did drink there for a few hours one evening. But, I wanted to put it on here for a few reasons and also recommend that you have a drink here if you have dinner already squared away.

Anno Restaurant & Lounge Bar 2
Inside Anno
Anno Restaurant & Lounge Bar
Wine at Anno

Anno is located in a beautiful restaurant right on the water. They have a lovely outdoor area (if the weather cooperates) and their menu has something to satisfy all taste buds, including a large pizza menu.

🛥️ FUN FACT: If you’re a fan of ‘Below Deck’ TV show, you will be pleased to know that the crew was in this place a few times throughout the Adventure Series that filmed in Ålesund. This probably says a lot about my TV show choices…

They are open Monday to Friday (11am until 10pm) and Saturday (2pm until 10pm). They are closed on Sundays. The kitchen closes at 9pm every night.

End your night with a drink (or two).

Ålesund has quite a few bars and drinking spots throughout the city (and in beautiful buildings!) which made it fun to try many of them out. Here are two places I love and recommend you visit:

Vino Bar

Vino Bar is one of the best wine bars I have ever been to and if you’re a wine lover, I highly recommend you check it out! They have over 1,300 wines to choose from!

And they range from all over the world. If wine isn’t your thing, they also have beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic options to choose from. They serve small snacks like cheese, ham, and salami from Italy and more. Wine courses are also available.

Vino Bar in Ålesund
Vino Bar in Ålesund

They are open Monday and Tuesday (6pm until midnight), Wednesday to Friday (4pm until midnight), Saturday (2pm until midnight), and Sunday (6pm until midnight). You’ll find them located at Apotekergata 10 in the center.

Arkivet Bar

Another fantastic bar to put on your itinerary is Arkivet Bar (which is part of Apotekergata No. 5 – the restaurant I recommend above). They specialize in cocktails and I found the bartenders there to be masters at making the perfect drink.

I told them some things I didn’t like (I hate overly sweet drinks) and let them create whatever they wanted for me the entire night. It was phenomenal!

Arkivet Bar cocktail
Arkivet Bar cocktail

They also serve an array of beer, champagne, wine, and more. Arkivet Bar directly translates to ‘Archive Bar’ in English and it was named after Peder Devold, a local trader, who operated his fish oil business from the building in 1905.

Arkivet Bar is located at Apotekergata 5 and is open Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 12am, and Friday to Saturday from 6pm until 2am. They are closed on Sundays.

While this itinerary seems to be less ‘jam-packed’ compared to some of my others, it mainly gives you the freedom to roam around Ålesund’s city center and admire the architecture at your own pace.

I found the food and drink culture of the city just as impressive as its architecture and history, and I hope you enjoy it just the same!

Have more than one day in Ålesund?

Many people visiting from the boat only have a day to explore Ålesund, but others may have longer.

I am adding a few more things to do below, including some of the top tours to take out of Ålesund to see some of the surrounding nature. It will blow you away!

  • Svai Sauna (a sauna experience right in the heart of Ålesund; offers several packages and durations)
  • Day trip to Trollstigen (6-hour group trip where you’ll drive the dramatic Trollstigen, see the Stigefossen waterfall, and visit the Troll Wall)
  • Geiranger Fjord boat trip from Ålesund (Norway’s most famous fjord and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – this is around an 8-hour trip as you’ll have time to explore Geiranger village, too)
  • Via Ferrata tour of Ålesund (I’m scared of heights so I have not done this – but looks really cool for those who aren’t!)
On a boat tour to Geiranger from Ålesund
On a boat tour to Geiranger from Ålesund

Where to Stay in Ålesund

There are quite a few places to stay in Ålesund and below are the two spots I recommend:

Hotel Brosundet

Once a warehouse for local fisheries, Hotel Brosundet has become one of the most iconic places to stay (and eat!) in Ålesund.

Hotel Brosundet
Hotel Brosundet
Lobby at Brosundet
Lobby at Brosundet

It has a very modern interior that doesn’t feel pretentious or over-the-top. I love this place and the service is so friendly. Check rates and availability for Hotel Brosundet here.

Renovated Apartment in a Historic House

Another option for a place to stay in Ålesund is this apartment at 18 Markvegen. I loved it because it had multiple bedrooms (I stayed in a 2-bedroom one) and a spacious kitchen and living area.

Apartment in Alesund
My apartment rental in Ålesund

It was a short walk to the main attractions and located close to the Ålesund Church. It is slightly uphill, so if you need a more accessible spot, I would opt for Hotel Brosundet above. Check rates and availability for this property here.

Did I miss any of the top spots to visit with one day in Ålesund? Let me know below – thanks!

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