Alesund, Norway

[Travel 25]

Anybody been to Alesund. There is not very much information on this small village town. Our ship docks for 9 hours there. They have one of the largest aquariums in Europe, but other than that can not find much else to do. Thanks

[Ine]

We stopped in Alesund a few years ago, had booked a very interesting daytrip (shiptour) through the Geirangerfjord, by bus and ferry.

 

Alesund itself is a nice charming town, rebuilt after a big fire in the early 1900s.

The city is easy to walk around, but you might take this tram for a tour that lasts about 1 hour.

http://www.visitalesund-geiranger.com/en/WHAT-TO-DO/Sightseeings-and-day-cruises/?TLp=33586&alesund-City-Train-Sightseeing=

From Mt. Aksla you have a terrific view over the city.

This website gives you more information:

http://www.visitalesund-geiranger.com/en/The-Art-Nouveau-town-of-Alesund/

[Travel 25]

Thanks INE! The Town Train sounds like a fun time.

[as19111]

We took a ship's tour to Trollstigen and Valldall. The drive to Trollstigen was outstanding, the Trollstigen road was quite an adventure, too. While you spend a good bit of time riding, there is so much majesty in the view, it is worthwhile. The stop in Valldall was for a morning coffee break which included fresh strawberry shortcake that will be forever melded into our palates! All strawberry shortcake will be compared to this day. Valldall is a strawberry farm area. For lunch, we stopped at a buffet/smorgasbord featuring local fare and really, really fresh salmon. It was great.

 

I actually enjoyed this excursion far more than the extended all day excursion from Hellesylt to Geiranger.

 

Andrea

[TLCOhio]

Anybody been to Alesund. There is not very much information on this small village town. Our ship docks for 9 hours there. They have one of the largest aquariums in Europe, but other than that can not find much else to do. Thanks

 

Yes, Steve, you've got a great cruise coming up. Departing Thursday, July 21 from Amsterdam and then to Norway for Stavanger, Flam, Alesund, Geiranger, Molde, Olden, Bergen, Oslo, and back on August 2 to Amsterdam. Three sea days. We have been to five of these great Norway locations. Here is some info and visuals for Alesund. Don't be shy on your questions, etc. That helps you get more info and share it for others doing such upcoming planning and research.

 

Alesund: Its architecture is characterized by its turrets, spires, medieval-romantic frontages and other whimsical touches that give this town its distinctive style. It is like something from a fairytale. On the night of January 23, 1904, the town, built largely of wood, was totally destroyed at night by gale-aided flames. Only one person died, but more than 10,000 people were left without shelter. Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm vacationed nearby and sent four warships with materials to build temporary shelters. The town was rebuilt in stone, brick and mortar in Jugendstil or Art Nouveau, the architectural style of the time. This design reflects a “romance with the past” and highlights Nordic mythology along its winding streets. To honor Wilhelm, one of the most frequented streets of the city is named after him. The town has an unusually consistent architecture, most of the buildings having been built between 1904 and 1907.

 

About 18 miles to the west is Runde, Norway’s southern most major bird rock with 240 species breeding there. It is a habitat for around one million seabirds, including 100,000 puffins. We had a rental car lined up for the four of us to journey south to this special island. The ship was offering a trip to here, but it got scrubbed as there was not enough signed up for this tour/trip. It was good (and lots cheaper) that we had made our own special arrangements in advance or we would have missed this unique island and coastal experience. It involved a five-mile ferry ride for us and the car, but that was a nice way to sample how that transportation system works. It was very timely and well run, efficient for how the cars and truck got on and off. It took 30 minutes for the trip. This ferry hold 120 cars and 350 passengers. The ferry coast $28 each way for the car and us.

 

It was great seeing more of the wide and beautiful variety of terrains in a way that you cannot appreciate if you are sailing by on a boat at a distance. Some of bridges were unique as we jumped island to island in order to reach Runde. Parts of Runde were so dramatic with the green grasses, rock faces, etc., that it reminded us of Ireland. Great beauty, plus lots of birds there.

 

As we drove back from Rune, did the ferry, etc., we wanted to do the Aksla hilltop that dramatically overlooks Alesund. Some from the ship did the 418 steps up Aksla hill in the center of town. We had our car and that made it much easier, plus you could see some of the housing where residents have great views over the town and area. Whether by walking or car, the view from there is super worth it. You get breath-taking views from this 597’ height overlooking the five islands making up the town. It is called Kniven (the Knife) and has a refreshment place at the top. But, it is all about the views as some of the photos below illustrate.

 

Below are some visuals on this very charming town, Runde, etc. Have more to share, if needed. Does this help?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 24,300 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

This is the dramatic overview of Alesund from the Aksla vantage point. This spot allows a nearly 360 degree view of this setting for this island city and the surrounding mountains and islands. It is at a 597’ height overlooking the five islands making up the scenic town.:

 

 

 

From Aksla, here is some of the charming architecture in Alesund. This includes a canal or waterway. :

 

 

 

At a lower, street-level part of Alesund, here are some of the buildings along the central waterway, plus a nice statue.:

 

 

 

To the south of Alesund is Runde Island, famous for its birds and scenic views. This show a house on this beautiful island with the mountains on other nearby islands.:

 

 

 

Runde Island has a very small population, except for the thousands of birds. Here is one of the small farm there with a wall of rock behind it.:

 

 

 

From the Aksla viewpoint in Alesund, here is another spectacular view that shows distance islands, landscapes and mountains.: