Living in Ålesund

Why Ålesund?

Ålesund is a unique city in Norway. Rebuilt entirely in the Art Nouveau style after a devastating fire in 1904, it has a coherent and remarkable architecture found nowhere else in the country. The city spreads over several islands at the entrance to the Storfjord, offering a spectacular natural setting between mountains, fjords and the Atlantic Ocean.

The fishing capital of Norway, Ålesund is also the gateway to the famous Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its modest size, the city has a strong identity, a solid economy driven by the maritime sector, and a remarkable quality of life for those looking for an authentic setting far from the bustle of the big cities.

With about 67,000 inhabitants in the merged municipality (including the former municipalities of Haram, Sandøy and Sula since 2020), Ålesund is the largest city in the county of Møre og Romsdal. It offers a good balance between urban life, wild nature and maritime traditions.

Where to live in Ålesund?

Ålesund is a compact city spread over several islands linked by bridges and tunnels. The city centre is small and easy to explore on foot, while the outlying neighbourhoods offer more space and a quiet residential setting. Here are the five main neighbourhoods to know:

Cost of living in Ålesund

Ålesund is noticeably more affordable than Oslo and Bergen, particularly for housing. Rents are on average 30 to 35% lower than in Oslo. Food and transport prices remain comparable to the rest of Norway, but the overall cost of living is much more reasonable. Expect around $2,700 / £2,000 a month for a couple living comfortably.

Working in Ålesund

Ålesund is above all a maritime city. The local economy rests on fishing, the maritime industry, aquaculture and tourism. The city proclaims itself the fishing capital of Norway, and this identity translates into a highly specialised economic fabric. If you work in these sectors, Ålesund offers solid career opportunities and an incomparable quality of life.

Sectors that are hiring

• Maritime and fishing: Ålesund is historically the capital of Norwegian fishing. Major companies in the fisheries sector such as Aker BioMarine, Havfisk and many shipowners have their headquarters here. The port is one of the busiest in the country for deep-sea fishing and fish processing. There are jobs in logistics, processing, naval engineering and fleet management.
• Furniture industry: The Sunnmøre region, around Stordal and Sykkylven, is the cradle of the Norwegian furniture industry. Brands such as Ekornes (maker of the famous Stressless chair) and Stokke are based there. The sector recruits in design, production and logistics.
• Tourism: Ålesund is a leading tourist destination, notably thanks to the Geirangerfjord. The sector employs guides and hospitality and catering professionals, especially from May to September during the high cruise season.
• Aquaculture: The Møre og Romsdal coast is one of the main salmon-farming areas in Norway. Aquaculture companies recruit technicians, engineers and marine biologists.

Average salaries in Ålesund

Schools and nurseries

As everywhere in Norway, public education in Ålesund is free, from the first to the thirteenth year (grunnskole and videregående). The city has a good-quality public school network, with well-equipped schools and small class sizes. For English-speaking families, there is also Ålesund International School, which takes children aged roughly 5 to 15.

Public schools

• Nørve ungdomsskole: One of Ålesund's most reputable lower secondary schools, offering good support for pupils aged 13 to 16.
• Ålesund videregående skole: The city's main upper secondary school, offering general and vocational tracks.
• Fagerlia videregående skole: An upper secondary school known for its science tracks and its programme for international pupils.

International and English-language education

Ålesund International School offers an English-language education for children aged roughly 5 to 15. Like most international schools in Norway, it is a private school receiving state support, so fees are usually far below UK or US private school fees (typically tens of thousands of NOK a year); check the school's website for current fees and places. For upper secondary, most international teenagers move into the Norwegian system. English-speaking children keep up their English easily: it is taught from year 1, and TV and films are shown in the original version.

Nurseries (Barnehage)

Ålesund has around 60 municipal and private nurseries. The monthly fee is capped by the state at about 3,000 NOK per month, with discounts for siblings. Registration is done on the Ålesund municipality's online portal, generally in March for a start in August. Places are often easier to get than in Oslo or Bergen, thanks to lower demographic pressure.

Things to do in Ålesund

Ålesund is a city where nature and architecture blend on every street corner. Between summits you can walk up, a nationally renowned aquarium, UNESCO-listed fjords and an archipelago ideal for kayaking, the possibilities for activities are huge for a city of this size.

Must-see sights

• Mount Aksla (418 steps): Ålesund's emblematic viewpoint. Climb the 418 steps from the city park (Byparken) to reach the summit and enjoy a breathtaking panorama over the Art Nouveau city, the surrounding islands and the Sunnmøre Alps in the distance. At the top, the Fjellstua restaurant serves coffee with a view.
• Atlanterhavsparken: One of the largest aquariums in Scandinavia, a few kilometres from the centre. You can discover the marine life of the North Atlantic in spectacular tanks. The fish feeding and the open-air outdoor pool in summer are not to be missed.
• Geirangerfjord: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Geirangerfjord can be visited as a day trip from Ålesund. The scenic road leading there (Ørnevegen, the Eagle Road) is an extraordinary experience in itself, with hairpin bends and dizzying views.
• Sunnmøre Museum: An open-air museum tracing the maritime and cultural history of the region, with traditional houses, old boats and exhibitions on the lives of Sunnmøre fishermen over the centuries.

Outdoor activities

• Hiking in the Sunnmøre Alps (Slogen, Skårasalen, Kolåstinden)
• Sea kayaking in the Ålesund archipelago, between the islands and the lighthouses
• Sea fishing, a local tradition open to everyone
• Skiing in winter at Stranda or Strandafjellet (about 1 hour's drive)
• Cycling along the coastal roads and the islands
• Scuba diving in the clear waters of the archipelago

Free activities

• Climbing to the top of Aksla for the panorama (free access)
• Strolling through the Art Nouveau centre and admiring the façades
• Exploring the coastal paths of Hessa and Aspøya
• Watching the fishing boats arrive in the harbour
• Picnicking on the seaside rocks in summer

Cultural events

• Jugendfest: An annual festival celebrating Ålesund's Art Nouveau architecture, with talks, guided tours and cultural events.
• Norwegian Food Festival: The largest food festival in Norway, showcasing seafood and local specialities every summer.
• Ålesund Theatre: A varied cultural programme throughout the year, in a remarkable Art Nouveau building.

Ålesund's climate: maritime, mild but wet

Ålesund enjoys an oceanic climate tempered by the Gulf Stream. Winters are mild for the latitude (rarely below -5°C), but the city is exposed to Atlantic lows that bring rain and wind for much of the year. On average, Ålesund receives about 1,500 mm of precipitation a year and has about 200 rainy days a year.

Summer is pleasant, with temperatures around 13 to 16°C and long, bright days. Summer nights are almost white in June and July. In winter the days are short (about 6 hours of daylight in December), but snow is rare in the city centre thanks to the maritime influence.

Wind is a constant companion in Ålesund. Located on an archipelago exposed to the Atlantic, the city is regularly swept by gusts, especially in autumn and winter. It is something to take into account in your daily life and in your choice of housing.

International & English-speaking community in Ålesund

Ålesund's international community is small but warm. It is made up mainly of partners of Norwegians, professionals in the maritime and marine technology sector, and students and researchers at the NTNU campus. English is widely spoken, but in a city this size you will need to make more of an effort to build a social life, and that effort pays off.

• Online groups: Search Facebook for "Expats in Ålesund" or "Internationals in Ålesund" to find local groups where newcomers swap practical tips and recommendations. Meetup.com is also worth checking for language exchanges and outdoor groups.
• Language cafés (språkkafé): The public library and the Red Cross run free language cafés where you can practise Norwegian and meet both locals and other newcomers.
• Embassies: Most English-speaking countries (UK, US, Canada, Ireland) have their embassy in Oslo; check your government's travel site for consular services.
• Local associations: Joining local sports and cultural associations is the best way to integrate. The Ålesund Turnforening (gymnastics), hiking clubs (Turistforeningen) and choirs are very open to newcomers.
• Norwegian courses: The Introduksjonssenteret in Ålesund offers Norwegian courses for foreigners. Learning the language is essential for integrating in a small town like Ålesund.
• International events: The International Week organised by NTNU Ålesund (the university campus) brings together the city's international community once a year.