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Sightseeing in Alesund - what to see. Complete travel guide

Tourists from all over the world discover Alesund, one of the most beautiful cities in Norway. You may wonder why this city is the most beautiful. This is the result of the survey among residents of this Nordic country. Alesund is built on the islands – there are seven of them in total. All of the islands are situated in the Atlantic Ocean. Alesund is a town that definitely deserves a visit because the history of this settlement is unique. It is another proof of a famous saying that “every cloud has a silver lining”.
Excursion over cultural sights of Alesund - 'must visit' points of interest
A devastating fire destroyed almost all historic buildings in Alesund. Nevertheless, the town is considered one of the best destinations for sightseeing in Norway. Alesund is famous for its … Open
Different cataclysms and natural disasters take place in Norway from time to time. Alesund couldn’t escape this problem as well. In winter 1904, there was a devastating blaze in the town. The fire completely ruined the town except for only one house located in the center of Alesund. According to a local legend, an angel appeared in a dream of a local man and told him about the future disaster. The angel also told the man that the fire would avoid him. This is exactly what happened.
Actually, there is nothing strange in the fact that the town burned down. The problem was in the way that local people built their houses. They made wooden houses and covered their roofs with birch bark and straw. This is the reason why all houses broke out so fast, like matches. The fire was simply moving from one house to another until it ruined all buildings. Despite the fact that all residents of Alesund became homeless, only one old lady died. She recalled a precious item that was still in her house and returned to take it. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Your active city break in Alesund. Attractions, recreation and entertainment - best places to spend your day and night here
Besides historic and cultural attractions, unique nature is a true treasure of Alesund. You will have many ways of making your vacation in this Norwegian town more exciting. Try different … Open
However, “every cloud has a silver lining”. Young architects from all over the world arrived in this part of Norway in order to restore the “dead” town. Thanks to efforts of many people, they could build a new town that was nothing like the ruined one. Alesund has become a lot more beautiful and interesting than it was before the blaze. New houses were stone ones – it was decided to refrain from building wooden houses after the disaster. Most buildings feature neoclassical and gothic revival styles. Many houses have such decorations as bas-reliefs, high spires, and symbolic coat of arms. Just like a phoenix, Alesund raised from ashes in just three years.
During your stay in this beautiful town, don’t forget to visit the local museum that tells more about the history of this region. Besides that, there are many interesting exhibits that tell more about first settlers in the town, the fire, and the revival. Visitors can see with their own eyes how the city was rebuilt after the unequal battle with the blaze.
Shopping in Alesund - main shopping streets, outlets and boutiques
There are many attractive shopping streets and quarters in Alesund but the majority of interesting shops and malls are open in Aspøya. This is the place where you will find original shops … Open
Do you like mountains? In this case, don’t be lazy and get to the top of a local natural attraction – Aksla. A ladder with 418 steps leads to the top of a viewpoint that offers an incredibly beautiful panorama of the town. You will feel like flying above Alesund and enjoy the view of the complete town at your feet. Behind the settlement, it is possible to see fabulous islands and gracious fjords.
In order to get acquainted with the underwater world of the region, consider visiting the local oceanarium, Atlantic. The underwater creatures are so close to people that it feels like it is easy to stretch an arm and grab them. Besides this, there are families of penguins who not only make funny poses but also entertain visitors with their funny behavior. The oceanarium's staff feeds animals right in front of visitors. The biggest fish species live in a separate aquarium. Surprisingly, inhabitants of this water center are not afraid of people and take food right from their hands.
Family holidays with kids in Alesund. How to entertain your child, things to show to children.
It is hard to call Alesund an ideal town for vacationers with children. There are not many amusements for small children here, but tourists with teenage kids can make their stay in this … Open
In order to make a small journey in Alesund and see the town’s landmarks, it is incredibly pleasant to make a ride in a tram that departs from Dronning Sonjas Plass. It will take you to the most interesting places and show gorgeous art nouveau buildings. After passing Hjørundfjorden, the driver will take you along a viewpoint located on Aksla. On the way back, you will be able to see the only building that survived the biggest fire in the history of Alesund. The tram stops in the town’s park and then returns to the place where the route starts.
It is possible to reach Alesund by airplane. There is an airport in the area that is situated approximately 20 minutes by car from the center of the town. It is also possible to reach the town from Oslo by bus. The bus connecting these two settlements goes twice a day. However, the journey won’t be very fast – it takes approximately 10 hours to reach Alesund from Oslo by bus. There is one more way to get to the town two times a day – the water one. Hurtigruten has ferries that go to the north and to the south. Ferries going in both of these directions make a stop in Alesund.
Alesund - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5
Reference information
Map of all parks
National and city parks around Alesund
♥   World Heritage Site 'West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord' , 63.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   National Park 'Jostedalsbreen' , 101.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sights around Alesund from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

De Syv Sostrene

From the series “Most Fanciful Waterfalls of the Planet”
Check on the map:   Distance from Alesund center - 63.2 km.
It is noteworthy, that opposite the Seven Sisters waterfall there is another single waterfall, Friaren, the name of which can be translated from Norwegian as 'a groom'. Tourists who want to see the waterfall in all its glory should visit it in May or June when glaciers begin to melt in the mountains. Although the waterfall freezes in winter, it doesn’t become less attractive. In winter scenic places are visited by mountain climbers, for whom the frozen waterfall serves as an ideal route for climbing. An excursion to the waterfall will not only allow you to enjoy the beauty of idyllic landscapes, but also significantly expands knowledge related to the national culture of Norway. … Read further

Sightseeing in regions nearby Alesund

Molde
It seems that this town is simply created for unhurried walks. The symbol of the city is a fountain called "The Girl with Roses”, which is located near the town hall. An interesting fact about Molde – you will really see so many roses in this town even though the ... Open »
Bergen
The city was founded in 1070 on the shore of the bay by the king Olav Kyrre. Several decades later a huge castle Bergenhus made of stone was built here. This town is widely known by its splendid moderate climate. Bergen traditionally attracts large number of visitors. ... Open »
Trondheim
Nidaros Cathedral is one of the major historical and religious buildings in the city. This is the oldest shrine in Scandinavia. The cathedral is made in the excellent gothic style more than ten centuries ago. The facade of the church is decorated with figures of kings ... Open »
Lillehammer
Lillehammer is an amazing town, a famous Norwegian resort that is located on the bank of the Mjősa Lake. It got wide recognition after Winter Olympics that were conducted here in 1994. Starting from that time Lillehammer has become a traditional place for World Cup ... Open »
Oslo
The city has the full right to be called the cultural capital of the region. In Oslo you will find a lot of interesting museums, unique architecture and stunning works of art. The city’s Town Hall with its unusual towers is a wonderful example. Tourists are also ... Open »
Larvik
Larvik is a town with truly Norwegian traditions and its unique architecture that cannot be found anywhere else. Tourists, who come to Larvik, are immediately blown away by its narrow streets and small well-groomed houses that simply transfer you to centuries ago. Due ... Open »
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