Ålesund, Norway

Ålesund & Sunnmore Open Air Museum

Glimpse Fjord Life Over the Centuries Contrast Norway’s modern suburbs with its rural past, and discover the country’s maritime and World War II history. Meet your guide for a brief tour of Ålesund, one of Norway’s most beautiful towns. Then head out of town through the suburbs for a scenic drive to the Sunnmøre Open Air Museum—its collection of historic houses, boats and maritime artifacts provides a glimpse into life among the fjords. Many treasures here date back to the Viking Age and the Stone Age. If it is moored nearby, view the fishing vessel Heland , one of the “Shetland buses” that carried Norwegians across the North Sea during World War II. Driving back to Ålesund, visit the Monument over Englandsfarten, dedicated to these brave Norwegians, and pause at a park honoring local heroes Gange-Rolv, a Viking chieftain, and Kaiser Wilhelm II, who contributed to Ålesund’s reconstruction after the great fire of 1904. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.