Ålesund Overview

Seaside Ålesund (OH-less-oont; pop. 40,000) welcomes travelers with Art Nouveau architecture and attractive harbor views characteristic of the region. Climb up the 418 steps to the Aksla outlook in the city for views of the harbor. Head through the park across from Ålesund Vandrerhjem hostel and walk 20min. to the top. At the   Art Nouveau Center, Apotekergata 16, a time machine exhibit transports visitors back to Ålesund’s devastating 1904 fire and explains how the city got its artistic flair. For a glimpse of the past, visit the Sunnmøre Museum, which has reconstructed farmhouses and the remains of an 11th-century trading post. (Take bus #618 (10min., 24kr) to Sunnmøre. ☎70 17 40 00; www.sunnmore.museum.no. Open from late June to late Aug. M-Sa 11am-5pm, Su noon-5pm; late Aug.-late June M-Tu and F 11am-3pm, Su noon-3pm. Cruise 50kr. Museum 65kr, students 45kr. MC/V.) The   62˚ Fjord Sightseeing Center, in the tourist office, runs tours of Hjørundfjord and Geirangerfjord . Tickets for its circular tours are good for a week of fjord sightseeing. (☎70 11 44 30; www.fjord-magic.com. Open from late-June to Aug. M-F 8am-7pm, Sa-Su 8am-6pm. Tours 490-1200kr; ask about cheaper one-way fares.) Cruise Service AS, Brunholmgata 10, offers excursions to otherwise inaccessible Trandal.

Ålesund Vandrerhjem (HI) , Parkgata 14, has affordable rooms. From the bus station, walk east down Keiser Wilhelms gate, turn left on Radstugata and walk up the hill; it’s on the corner with Parkgata. (☎70 11 58 30. Breakfast, linens, and laundry included. Free Internet and Wi-Fi. Reception May-Sept. 8:30-11am and 4pm-midnight; Sept.-May 4-6pm; 24hr. access. Dorms 245kr; singles 550kr; doubles 750kr. 15% HI discount. MC/V.) American-inspired food is found at Let’s Eat Deli , Keiser Wilhelms gate 37, half a block from Storgata. (☎70 13 13 07. Sandwiches 64-72kr. Open M-F 10:30am-5pm, Sa 10:30am-4pm. MC/V.)

Buses go to Stryn (3.5hr.; 3 per day; 255kr, students 196kr) and Trondheim (7hr.; 3 per day; 539kr, students 307kr); or catch a bus to Åndalsnes (2hr., 4 per day, 189kr), then catch a train to Trondheim (7-9hr., 535kr) that runs along the Rauma line to Dombås. Hurtigruten boats go to Trondheim (13hr.; 1 per day; 1003kr, students 502kr). The tourist office is at the Skateflukaia dock. (☎70 15 76 00; www.visitalesund.com. Internet 10kr per 10min. Open June-Aug. daily 8:30am-7pm; Sept.-May M-F 8:30am-4pm, Sa 10am-2pm.)