3 Days in Ålesund: The Perfect Itinerary and Things To Do
Visiting Ålesund and don’t know what to do? Ålesund is the perfect city to enjoy a long weekend in Norway, and this perfect itinerary will help you see it all in 3 days!
The city is small and offers plenty of day trips both within and outside of the city that gives you a little taste of everything Norway has to offer.
A quick guide to Ålesund: Top Things to Do
✔️ Watch the sunset from Aksla viewpoint
✔️ Go on a food tour and enjoy local cuisine: Book your Ålesund food tour here!
✔️ Enjoy Geirangerfjord via boat: Book your day tour here!
✨ Planning a trip to Norway? Don’t miss my new guidebook: Journey Along the Coastal Pilgrim Trail.
DAY ONE: Explore the city, take a food tour and grab drinks
Begin your adventures in Ålesund with a stroll through town. The city is not very big, so you can make your way down Kongen Gate and grab a coffee and pastry at Raccoon Coffee (local favorite).
Then you can meet your guide for a local food tour for lunch. I just did this tour over the summer and it was fantastic. The guides are local so not only do you get to taste yummy fresh food, you get a bit of history of the city.
The tour usually ends near the waterfront so you can check out the famous lighthouse and see the city from the water. If you’re not too full, I recommend getting some steps in and walking around town to explore the local stores.
If you’re not too tired, the local pub scene is worth a visit. I recommend stopping by Arkivet Bar or Molo Brew (local beer) for a night cap.
DAY TWO: Escape the city, take a day trip to Geirangerfjord
A visit to Ålesund is not complete unless you’ve explored the Natural wonders in its backyard. I would argue you can’t leave Norway unless you’ve visited Geirangerfjord.
If you don’t have a rental car, I’d recommend the following tour directly from Ålesund. You get three hours to explore Geiranger on your own (see tips below)
There are a couple of walks you can do in the city center and to the eagle eye view of the waterfall that are worth a visit if you don’t want to do another tour.
Shan’s Tip: My favorite activity was kayaking in the fjord! You can do a guided kayak or kayak on your own if you are a confident paddler.
Once you’re back in Ålesund I recommend grabbing a bite of local fish and chips at Jaf’s.
DAY THREE: Spa day and watch the sunset at Aksla
If you need a break from Raccoon Coffee (impossible but just in case), I recommend grabbing a bite at Dråpe Ålesund Kaffehus for breakfast. Then kick back and relax at Hotel Brosundet’s spa.
You can book a private bubble bath for $45 and have access to the fjord and sauna. They also have spa services if you want to book a massage.
After your time at the spa, get some last minute shopping in. If you’re a history buff, a visit to Borgund church and the Medieval Museum is worth a visit.
End your day with dinner at Bro Restaurant for a fantastic farm to table experience. Then walk the 418 steps to the Aksla viewpoint.
Shan’s tip: There is a $1 fee to access the viewpoint that you can only pay via credit card. During the summer, I recommend packing a sandwich and your favorite beverage to watch the sunset (between 11 PM – Midnight).
Where to stay in Ålesund for 3 days
The city will always have a cruise ship in town during the summer months so hotels tend to book quickly for travelers. Again, the city isn’t that big so as long as you’re within the city center you’ll be fine.
Here are my recommendations for Ålesund:
👉 Hotel Brosundet
Fantastic hotel that is pet-friendly and right in the heart of town. As mentioned before their spa is amazing. 😄
👉 Quality Hotel Ålesund
I love this hotel because it’s right on the harbor, which offers great views of the sunset.
👉 Hotel 1904
The oldest hotel in Ålesund that was built after the historic fire. The hotel is filled with character and a great breakfast too!
Ålesund FAQs
Ålesund isn’t the largest city in Norway but it’s good to have some basic knowledge on what to expect before visiting. Check out my 12 tips for visiting Norway to get a head start on your planning.
Is 3 days enough to visit Ålesund?
Absolutely! The only reason I’d recommend extending your time in Ålesund is if you want to do another day trip, especially to Trollstigen.
Visiting Trollstigen is on many bucket lists however it was closed in spring of 2024 due to rock slides. If this is on your bucket list, I’d continue to monitor Norway’s travel website for updates.
I recommend spending at least 10-14 days exploring Norway, regardless of if you have a car or plan to use public transportation.
Are there other things to do in Ålesund not mentioned on the itinerary?
Yes! Of course it’s impossible to do it all but here are a few other crowd favorites when visiting Ålesund.
- Visit Ålesund Atlantic Sea Park
- Tickets start at $25 per adult and $12 for kids. A great option if the weather is bad but you still want to do something in the city.
- Enjoy the view at Alnes Lighthouse
- The easiest way to get here is via car. There are buses available via Fram app.
Final Thoughts
I’m biased but Ålesund is my favorite coastal city in Norway. It’s a perfect home base for a few days if you want to explore Geirangerfjord and eat some of the best seafood.
Whether you want to be a city dweller or get out into nature, 3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Ålesund.
If you’re looking to travel to Bergen, learn how to get between the two cities here.
Now it’s time to start planning your next adventure, Cheers!
