25.05.2022
Arriving in Alesund in the morning sun, it is easy to understand why it is often called the most beautiful city in Norway.
Rising up like a mini-Prague, it lies on a series of inlets on Norway's north-west coast, surrounded by the snow-covered Sunnmore Alps.
After a fire destroyed the city in 1904, it was completely rebuilt in the art nouveau style with over 600 pastel-colored buildings, decorated with florid facades and fairy-tale turrets. It is also the entry point to the Unesco-listed Geiranger fjord.
Insider tip:
The best city views can be had from the Fjellstua Viewpoint on the Aksla mountain top. To reach it, you need to climb the 418 steps from the entrance of Byparken, the main park.
Down at the harbour near the lighthouse, it's an absolute to check out glassblower Ingrid Ulla creating contemporary glasses, vases and lamps at her Glassblowing Studio.
Across the road from Ulla, visit the Transkokeriet Antik, an Aladdin's Cave of antiques and bric-a-brac with the resident seagulls squawking excitedly in the waterfront windows.
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