After previous days spent mostly in nature we treated ourselves to a longer sleep and only in the afternoon drove to the town of Ålesund. We don’t plan to take a detailed city tour here. It’s more of a short stop meant to pleasantly interrupt the rhythm of our road trip, which until now has been fully devoted to nature.
A town that rose from the ashes
Ålesund is one of the most interesting towns in western Norway, mainly thanks to its architecture. This is a direct result of a dramatic event in 1904, when a large fire destroyed almost the entire historic center of the town. The subsequent reconstruction took place in the spirit of Art Nouveau, the then-modern architectural movement, and gave Ålesund its present appearance.
Thanks to this unified rebuilding, Ålesund is today considered one of the best-preserved examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe. The town has approximately 55 000 inhabitants and, besides tourism, also plays an important role as a regional center for fishing, shipping and seafood processing. It is also the gateway to the Sunnmøre area, and the surrounding fjords make it a natural starting point for further travel.
In the city park
We begin our short city tour by walking Iba in the city park Byparken. The park is small but very pleasant – you’ll find a children’s playground, small ponds, benches and well-kept paths. Everything feels typically Nordic: clean, functional and without unnecessary showiness.
It is from Byparken that the famous steps lead up to the nearby hill Aksla, which serves as one of the main viewpoints over the town.
The climb up Aksla
We climb the steps up to Aksla, from where one of the best views of Ålesund, the surrounding islands and the sea opens up. Given the number of tourists and the narrow staircase, we keep Iba on a leash for the entire ascent and descent. The route is short but fairly busy.
The summit of Aksla could be a perfect spot if it weren’t for the Fjellstua restaurant building. Not only does it significantly limit the views, but during our visit it is also closed. All the more we regret that such an architecturally striking building stands right on a place that deserved to be as open as possible.
Hellebrua Bridge and the canals in the center
After returning to the town center we continue toward Hellebrua Bridge. Along the way we fully enjoy the atmosphere of Ålesund and its characteristic architecture with turrets, ornaments and colorful facades.
From Hellebrua Bridge there is a nice view of one of the city canals that run through the center and divide the different parts of the town. These canals are one of the reasons why Ålesund is often compared to a smaller Nordic version of Venice.
The waterfront also features the famous stone steps leading directly down to the water. They are a popular spot for sitting, relaxing and watching the goings-on in the town, and one of Ålesund’s iconic scenes often seen in photographs and postcards.
Reconstruction in Norwegian style
On the way back to the car we pass through a part of the town that is currently under reconstruction. It is the renovation of public spaces and buildings carried out in a manner typical for Norway – with an emphasis on functionality, quality and comfort.
Heated sidewalks are also standard, designed to prevent the formation of ice and snow in the winter months. This detail also shows how much thought is given here to the everyday comfort of residents.
A short but pleasant stop
Our visit to Ålesund was short but all the more pleasant. The town offers an interesting contrast to the nature we had experienced in Norway so far, and at the same time is very manageable with a dog.
As a short city stop during a road trip, Ålesund works excellently – stress-free, with nice views and a clear identity you won’t find elsewhere in Norway.