Top 10 free things to do in Ålesund
Let’s face it: the amount of free things to do in Norway and in Ålesund in particular are quite limited. There is a reason why Ålesunders are called stingy or “close to their money”. And don’t attack me yet, I am not the one inventing it, but there seems to be a consensus about it. You can read more about this on the famous NRK newspaper, with this article from 2012.
https://www.nrk.no/mr/_–sunnmoringene-er-gjerrige-1.8320891
In all cases, we’re not giving up yet. If you feel like living the true Norwegian experience, like a “Sunnmøring” (people from the Sunnmøre region), here are ten ideas on how to spend a perfect day without using any money (or almost) !
1. The warm benches
The day has started and maybe we need to sit down a bit and start thinking about a plan to follow.
Maybe it is still a bit fresh outside so I hope you prepared and brought some coffee in a thermos with you. Otherwise I have the solution for you: the warm benches next to Hellebroa bridge. These gifts to the city from the Tafjord company have been installed in 2013, for the 25th anniversary of the company who works with energy recovery (among other things). Made with steel, the benches are warmed at 35°C (95° Fahrenheit) all year round using residual waste to produce energy by burning them. One of the best feeling is to sit here during or after a winter snowy day, with a warm chocolate/coffee in your hands and your back warmed, looking at the harbor in front of you.
Cost : 0$, or maybe a coffee.
2. Molja lighthouse and the antique shop in Aspøya
We have a plan. We will cross the bridge and start our adventure on the second island, Aspøya. From there, we can wander in the beautiful street of Apotekergata filled with Art Nouveau decorations all over the buildings. If you continue all the way, after passing the Brosundet hotel, you will get to the Fishmuseum and to the Molja lighthouse. If you continue a bit further you may encounter a big house on your right. Pull the big door and enter Ålesund’s Ali baba cave of wonders. Here you will find absolutely everything, from cloths to Marine treasures, maps, paintings, Dvds, cutlery, etc. You can even take a coffee in front of the big window towards the sea.
Cost : 0$, or maybe a coffee/piece of cake.
3. Ålesund church
From there, we are very close to the Ålesund church, which was rebuilt in 1909, where the first church got destroyed by the city fire in 1904, despite being built in bricks. This “new” one, made of concrete and Norwegian marble has beautiful grey and pinkish tones characteristic of the region’s stones. The church has 3 bells of various sizes and the organ inside is one of the biggest of Norway.
Cost : 0$
4. Storhaugen
On our way back to the first island, I would highly recommend a really close view point that is often forgotten by tourists, Storhaugen. From that “big pile”, literally translated, you can see further up on the third island of Ålesund, called Hessa and its Sukkertoppen mountain. But also a new perspective on Aksla, the stairs and the Norvøy island.
Cost : 0$
5. Visit the Hurtigruten and Havila boats when they are ashore
As we continue our walk back through the city center of Ålesund, we hear the sound of the Hurtigruten boat announcing its arrival in town. This might be the perfect occasion to tell you that despite requiring a bit of luck, Havila and Urtigruten coastal boats are often moored in town and you can visit them for free. You can find them either in the cruise dock in the north side of the city center, or sometimes in the main cruise pier facing South. To get in, you just need to show your ID at the entrance. The whole intern architecture of the boats, the interior design inside and the view from there are really worth it.
Cost : 0$
6. Ålesund bibliotek, the Library
In the ugliest building (the second ugliest of Norway according to a 2010 survey, voted by 19% of the voters) of Ålesund (or next to this one, according to how you see it), lies Ålesund Bibliotek, the library. I have always loved libraries for the calm and coziness they offer. In Ålesund, they organize many events throughout the year. From language exchange evenings to literature festival, exhibitions and movie screenings, they probably have something going on the day of your arrival.
Cost : 0$
7. Visit Khåk, the visual Art gallery
A little bit further down the same Keiser Wilhelms street, you will find the visual Art gallery, called Khåk. Here you can get in without entrance fee. Their exhibitions are always well organized and curated and often show works from local artists, but not only. The space is beautiful and the zenithal lighting allows you to see the exhibited pieces in perfect conditions.
Cost : 0$
8. The Sunnmøre open air Museum
This is the most obvious one but we still have to write it down. The Aksla hill is probably the Nº1 thing to do in Ålesund. This breathtaking view (literally, after all of those stairs) is probably the one you saw pictures of on internet. But there is a twist. Between April and October, you have to pay to be able to access the balcony viewpoint on top of the stairs. In our opinion, this is particularly unfair for the tourists. We actually recommend continuing and walking a bit more up. From the top of the hill there, (less than 5 mins) you will have a 360º, uncovered view of all the surroundings.
Cost : 0$, maybe a bus ticket back and forth ?
9. The most famous one, Aksla viewpoint
This is the most obvious one but we still have to write it down. The Aksla hill is probably the Nº1 thing to do in Ålesund. This breathtaking view (literally, after all of those stairs) is probably the one you saw pictures of on internet. But there is a twist. Between April and October, you have to pay to be able to access the balcony viewpoint on top of the stairs. In our opinion, this is particularly unfair for the tourists. We actually recommend continuing and walking a bit more up. From the top of the hill there, (less than 5 mins) you will have a 360º, uncovered view of all the surroundings.
Cost : 0$
10. Plan a bbq on top of Aksla or by the water
This has been a nice and completely free day. The only way to end it as a proper Norwegian is to plan a Bbq with some friends. If you’re currently at our last stop at Aksla viewpoint, then a small 5 minutes walk should get you to one of the best place to do so. Whether it is on the mountains or by the water, Norwegians love grilling outside. You can find many organized and protected areas where to do that, even during rainy or cold days.
Cost : depending on how much you want to enjoy life.
