MSC Magnifica-Alesund

Sunday, August 04, 2018 - Alesund

In Bergen, we thought the weather couldn't get worse and in Oolden, we couldn't freeze anymore, but in Alesund we were proven wrong. Alesund welcomed us with rain and strong winds that could almost be called a storm. The city, with just under 50,000 inhabitants, is the largest in the Sunnmøre region and is somewhat hidden on Norway's west coast, about 380 kilometers as the crow flies from Oslo. It is located at the entrance of the huge Storfjord. It feels like the city is not only by the sea, but right in the middle of it. Colorful houses line up on numerous islands. The majestic mountain panorama of the Sunnmøre Alps towers around it. The three main islands, over which the center stretches, are called Nørvøy, Aspøy, and Hessa. Ålesund is considered the Art Nouveau mecca of Europe. After a fire in 1904, the city was rebuilt in Art Nouveau style, not with wood, but with stones. Signposts on the floor guide you from the harbor to the center, past the first great facades with souvenir shops.

Our first destination was Alesund's city park in order to climb to the summit of Mount Aksal from here. From the summit of the mountain, with its panoramic restaurant and the viewpoint Fjellstua, you have the best view of the city. However, before we could enjoy the great view, we had a tough task ahead of us. 418 steps had to be conquered by us on our way up. Cheerfully, the wind whipped the rain into our faces. We were rewarded with great views of the city. Each height had its own perspective and charm. When we reached the top, we took a walk around the terrace of the restaurant and then the wind blew us back down. When we arrived at the bottom, the weather finally showed mercy on us and the sun appeared for about 1 hour. We took the time to stroll through the alleys and pedestrian zone and admire the Art Nouveau buildings. Very beautiful and the sunshine made the city shine brightly. Unfortunately, the suddenly intense rain forced us back to our MSC Magnifica. However, we really liked Alesund despite the rain and it is definitely worth a second visit.