9 Best Sights in Ålesund, The Western Fjords

For a splendid view of the city, one that absolutely glitters at night, take this scenic drive up the city's mountain. Most photos you've seen of Ålesund have been taken from this vantage point.

Perhaps Norway's most famous "bird rock"—it also happens to be one of the largest in Europe—Runde is the breeding ground for some 200 species, including puffins, gannets, and cormorants. The region's wildlife managers maintain many observation posts here. It can get quite windy during a hike, so dress accordingly.

This gem of a museum highlights the city's past, including the great fire of 1904 and the dangerous escape route that the Norwegian Resistance established in World War II. Handicrafts on display are done in the folk-art style of the area. You can also visit the Art Nouveau room and learn more about the town's unique architecture.

Teeming with aquatic life, this is one of Scandinavia's largest aquariums. Right on the ocean, 3 km (2 miles) west of town, the park emphasizes aquatic animals of the North Atlantic, including anglers, octopus, and lobster. The Humboldt penguins are popular with children. After your visit, have a picnic, hike, or take a refreshing swim at the adjoining Tueneset Park. To get here, take the Aquarium Bus (marked "Akvariebussen") from St. Olav's Plass between April and October.

Learn about the people who've always been the backbone of Ålesund's fishing industry, including those who remained on shore to process the daily catch. The Fisheries Museum has several interesting exhibits, including one tracing the history of tran (cod liver oil), one of the many products that came from these parts.

Housed in an eye-catching building topped by a graceful turret---it opened as Swan Pharmacy in 1907---the Jugendstilsenteret tells the story of how Ålesund became the Art Nouveau capital of the country. After the great fire of 1904 left a huge swath of the population homeless, city planners had to rebuild quickly. Europe happened to be in the middle of a love affair with Art Nouveau architecture, so the city ended up with a blend of this ornate style with the occasional Viking flourish. The KUBE Art Museum is part of the same complex.

This open-air museum focuses on the traditions and history of the people who make their home on the Norwegian coast. A five-minute drive from Ålesund, it's spread over 50 acres and consists of 55 well-kept buildings ranging from cow sheds to schoolhouses, giving insight into people's lives in this region.