The fairytale adventure capital of the Fjords
Step into the fairytale-like town of Ålesund where sparkling fjords tower above turrets and ornate facades. Found on a narrow peninsula on the northwest coast, this unique Norwegian port is considered the most beautiful city in Norway.
Lined with art nouveau properties, Ålesund owes its famously elegant architecture to a devastating fire in 1904. Having destroyed the entire city, the streets were rebuilt with Jugendstil design, creating a romantic, ornamental character.
Wander these pretty streets that stretch out to the sea and dine on local seafood before delving into a land of fjords and high peaks for epic adventure. With the jaw-dropping Hjorundfjord and Sunnmore Alps surrounding the city, there is heaps of opportunity to hike, sail and explore this unspoilt natural splendour.
Highlights
Visit the stunning Hjorundfjord
Hike in the Sunnmøre Alps
Climb the 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla for beautiful panoramic views
Kate Herz
Senior Travel Designer
Whenever I visit Ålesund I feel like I'm stepping into another world. I recommend taking a walking tour with one of our private guides to admire the Art Nouveau architecture and antique shops adorning the cobbled streets.
Kate Herz
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Ålesund
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Bergen
Bergen is a truly beautiful little city. Surrounded by seven mountains, seven fjords, pine forests and icy waters. Colourful houses form the UNESCO heritage site of Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf with galleries and some of Norway's best restaurants.
Discover moreKirkenes
A tiny frontier town with fascinating culture. It’s as far east as you get in Europe, past Saint Petersburg and Cairo and just 15 kilometres from the Russian border. Norwegian, Russian, Sami and Finnish cultures are present in markets, museums and everyday life.
Discover moreLyngen Alps
Massive white peaks give way to gentle slopes and pretty lakes with the promise of exciting adventures. Lyngseidet, the main town, has a village feel with brightly coloured houses and shops to explore.
Discover moreNorwegian cruises
So many of Norway’s highlights are on its massive expanse of winding coastline; islands, fjords, glaciers, fishing villages and port towns. Not only are Norwegian Cruises an exciting way to take in the scenery, they’re the perfect way to navigate the country.
Discover moreNorwegian Fjords
Sail along Norway's neverending coastline where thousands of ice-age fjords will take your breath away. Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are the most well known, however, even the smaller lesser known fjords are truly spectacular.
Discover moreNorwegian Lapland
Norwegian Lapland, or Finnmark, is the home of Sami culture. Glide through snowy landscapes on husky-led sledges or kayak along azure rivers on action-packed adventures.
Discover moreOslo
Oslo is Norway's capital and cultural hub. This viking city is steeped in fascinating history, which can be explored on foot. Visit the harbours, museums, galleries, bars and restaurants that make up the eclectic and energetic atmosphere.
Discover moreThe Svalbard Islands
Halfway towards the North Pole, a frozen archipelago is waiting to be discovered. Almost half the landmass of the Svalbard Islands is covered by icy glaciers, an intense natural spectacle protected by 7 national parks and 23 nature reserves.
Discover moreTromso
Bustling, yet remote, set on its own island connected to the mainland by bridges - there’s a special magic about the city of Tromso. The last outpost before the arctic and a place rich with history and culture.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
Norway is spectacular year-round. In summer, animals and fauna thrive during the long stretch of constant light and it’s the best time for exploring fjords and glaciers, kayaking and trekking. The polar winter night means that the Northern Lights are bright and the freezing conditions are great for snowmobiling, skiing, husky sledding and visiting ice caves.
Wildlife
February - October
Boating
March - June
Northern Lights
September - April
Plan your trip to Ålesund
Whatever you want from your adventure in Ålesund, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Great organization, time given to planning, special events, great hotels and guides.
Outstanding trip! We will be repeat customers!
We had so much fun on our vacation to Norway & Finland! Murray & Alice from Jacada, once again (they planned our trip to Italy last year), put together a trip we will all treasure FOREVER. Our family of four took a scenic train ride & cruised through the gorgeous Norway fjords and toured the cute town of Bergen &…
Jacada and their partners on the ground in norway did a fantastic job planning and executing on our trip. Great mix of outdoor and cultural experiences, knowledgeable and personable guides, and it was a truly wonderful trip. An amazing assortment of fun ways to get to know Norway.
Jacada did an amazing job planning, actualizing, and following up on our recent trip to western Norway. Alex Carey, our travel professional at Jacada, and Michele Santomassimo, our travel concierge at Jacada, did an amazing job of getting to know us, listening to our priorities and requests, and then putting together a truly memorable once-in-a-lifetime trip for us. My husband…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.