Welcome to Mon Tatane Tour (MTT), your go-to guide created by cruise enthusiasts and designed especially to help you make the most of your “Ålesund cruise port excursions”! Follow our tips to enjoy your time ashore to the fullest!
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Enjoy reading, and most importantly, have an amazing cruise. Have fun and remember: ONE LIFE!!!
Ålesund cruise port excursions
How to get from the port to the city center?
Good news: Ålesund is the perfect port of call for cruisers! The port is right in the city center, so you can reach the main attractions easily and quickly. No long shuttles or exhausting walks step off the ship and you’re instantly immersed in this charming Art Nouveau town. And yes, it’s a free exit!
Getting Around in Ålesund
Ålesund cruise port excursions
The hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to explore Ålesund without breaking a sweat. But be aware—tickets sell out quickly due to the high number of cruise visitors and limited seats. We strongly recommend booking early! This bus takes you to the top spots like the Sunnmøre Museum, Aksla viewpoint, and the famous Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Ålesund
The smart choice for cruise travelers
When you’re on a cruise, every minute counts. That’s why the sightseeing bus is the perfect solution:
- No need to plan or find your way around
- Avoid long and tiring walks
- See more places in less time
- Stay close to the port, with convenient and accessible stops
- It’s simple, fast, and comfortable : perfect for a well-organized stopover!
Explore Ålesund at your own pace
Hop on a double-decker bus with a panoramic roof and discover the city’s top sights:
- The breathtaking Aksla Viewpoint
- The beautiful Ålesund Church
- The fascinating Sunnmøre Museum
- The renowned Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium
- And much more!
📍 The full tour takes 70 minutes with 8 strategic stops. You can hop on and off freely throughout the day.
🎧 Enjoy French-language audio commentary on board so you won’t miss a thing!
🕒 Schedules and practical info
- You can use it as many times as you like
- Service runs only on cruise ship docking days
- Operating hours: 9 AM to 4 PM, with a bus every 30 minutes
- 24-hour ticket valid from the first time you use it
What to do in Ålesund?
Must see attractions
Aalesunds museum
This charming museum tells the fascinating story of Ålesund, especially the great fire of 1904 that nearly destroyed the entire town. Inside, you’ll discover:
- Detailed models of the city before and after the reconstruction
- Everyday objects, period clothing, tools, and more
- Impressive historical photographs
- How life in Ålesund has evolved over the centuries
📍 Conveniently located in the city center, just a short walk from the port.
Why visit?
It’s the perfect place to understand the soul of the city and its resilience after a disaster. A meaningful experience for all ages.
⏳ Recommended visit time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Aksla and Fjellstua viewpoint
Ålesund cruise port excursions – The iconic panorama of Ålesund
The Aksla viewpoint, accessible via 418 steps or the sightseeing bus, offers the best view of Ålesund. From the Fjellstua platform, you can admire:
- Ålesund’s Art Nouveau rooftops
- The harbor and surrounding islets
- Distant mountains and fjords
There’s also a café at the top, perfect for a scenic coffee break.
Why visit?
It’s the city’s top photo spot, with a spectacular view—even seasoned travelers will be impressed.
→ Accessible on foot or via the sightseeing bus (dedicated stop)
⏳ Recommended visit time: 1.5 to 2 hours (more with a café break)
Sunnmøre museum
A reconstructed Norwegian village
This open-air museum offers a journey into traditional Norway. Set on a lush green site, you’ll find:
- 55 historic wooden houses
- A reconstructed Viking ship
- Rural scenes of farming, crafts, and fishing
- Indoor exhibitions in the main museum building
Why visit?
Great for families, it’s a very visual visit—perfect for discovering life in the old days, surrounded by nature.
📍 Accessible via the sightseeing bus
⏳ Recommended visit time: 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30
Aquarium – Atlanterhavsparken
Cruise stop highlight in Ålesund
Located about 10 minutes from downtown, Atlanterhavsparken is the largest saltwater aquarium in Scandinavia. Here you will see:
- Fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals typical of the North Atlantic.
- An outdoor pool for seals and otters.
- Commented feedings and educational activities.
Why go?
Fun, modern, and well designed, this aquarium appeals to both adults and children alike. A great alternative on rainy days or if you love marine wildlife.
How to get there from the port:
You can take the tourist bus, which goes directly to the aquarium and allows you to easily visit several points of interest in the city without getting tired.
Otherwise, from Ålesund city center (Moa), take bus No. 1 towards Hessa. Get off at the “Tuenesvegen” stop. From there, it’s about a 10 to 15-minute walk to the aquarium entrance.
Prices:
- Adult: 250 NOK (~$21)
- Children 3 to 15 years old: 120 NOK (~$10)
Jugendstilsenteret
Ålesund cruise port excursions – The Art nouveau center
It’s impossible to visit Ålesund without exploring its Art nouveau heritage, a rare architectural style in Norway. The Art nouveau center is housed in a beautifully restored former pharmacy.
You will discover:
- Recreations of Art Nouveau interiors.
- Models, sketches, and design objects.
- An immersive visit with films and historical documents.
The KUBE museum, right next door, complements the visit with contemporary art inspired by that era.
📍 5-minute walk from the port.
How to get there?
When you get off the ship, you’ll quickly see a small staircase that crosses the canal (4-minute walk).
Once across, turn left onto Keiser Wilhelms gate, the main street running along the canal (walk 100 meters). Then turn right onto Apotekergata, followed by a left onto Apotekergata.
⏳ Recommended visit time: 1 hour.
Ålesund Church
Ålesund cruise port excursions – A symbol of rebirth
Church (located 3 minutes on foot from the Jugendstilsenteret), also called Ålesund Kirke, is a true architectural gem that deeply shapes the city’s skyline. Built in 1909 after the devastating fire of 1904 that almost completely destroyed Ålesund, this church embodies the rebirth and resilient spirit of the local community.
Upon arrival, you’ll be struck by its imposing neo-Gothic silhouette and its tall 52-meter tower, which proudly rises above the city and serves as a visible landmark from many points around the port and downtown. Its light stone facade is decorated with finely carved details, illustrating both the stylistic richness of the period and the intent to build a lasting, majestic place of worship.
Inside, the atmosphere is both serene and solemn. Natural light floods the nave through beautiful stained glass windows, depicting biblical scenes and illuminating the warm-toned wooden pews. The organ, a musical masterpiece, adds to the solemnity with its many copper pipes and decorative details.
📍 3-minute walk from Jugendstilsenteret.
⏳ Recommended visit time: 20–30 minutes.
Brosundet
Ålesund cruise port excursions – The canal and port of Ålesund
After leaving the Art Nouveau museum, continue your walk to one of the most photogenic and iconic spots in the city: Brosundet Canal.
This waterway literally cuts through the city center and was Ålesund’s former commercial artery. Once bustling with fishermen and merchants, it is now lined with renovated warehouses, trendy cafes, and shops. The charm of the place remains intact: pastel-colored houses, reflections in the water, and an atmosphere both peaceful and lively.
Why stop here?
- For the view: the canal with its typical buildings is one of the city’s must-see photo spots.
- For the atmosphere: the terraces and small galleries housed in old buildings give new life to this historic neighborhood.
- For a true immersion: this is where you can fully feel Ålesund’s maritime soul, between past and present.
Don’t miss:
- The Brosundet Hotel, located in a former warehouse, with its authentic architecture.
- The small bridge spanning the canal: perfect for panoramic photos.
- The small alleys around Apotekergata, ideal for strolling and taking a break.
Recommended visit time:
- 15 to 30 minutes depending on your pace and desire for photos or coffee!
Kremmergaarden
Ålesund cruise port excursions
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the cruise terminal, Kremmergaarden is Ålesund’s main shopping center. Modern and pleasant, it’s an excellent option if you want to take a break, find shelter, or simply stroll around between visits.
This modern shopping center is perfect for:
- Doing a bit of shopping (clothing stores, souvenirs, local products),
- Taking a warm break in one of its cafes or bakeries,
- Or enjoying its clean, free restrooms — which can be very handy during a day-long port stop.
It’s a good stopping point if you need to relax for a while or if you want to discover a more local side of Norwegian life, away from strictly touristy circuits.
A little tip: If you’re looking for a local snack or a hot drink, the cafés at Kremmergaarden offer typical Norwegian pastries, perfect for a tasty break.
From downtown (west side of the canal), you just need to cross back over the bridge or stairs you used on the way there to get back to the cruise terminal.
Excursions in Ålesund
Ålesund cruise port excursions – A stop with a variable budget
Ålesund is also the starting point for stunning maritime excursions. Prices are often high (as is common in the fjords), but the experience is unique (if your budget allows it)…
Ålesund cruise port excursions
For more detailed cruise stops (port by port), scroll down and feel free to check out the blog section at the top.
MTT wishes you a wonderful cruise stopover in Ålesund
