{"id":6067,"date":"2025-08-11T14:03:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T14:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/?p=6067"},"modified":"2025-08-11T14:03:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T14:03:18","slug":"dainas-journey-a-nature-filled-weekend-in-alesund-geiranger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/norway\/dainas-journey-a-nature-filled-weekend-in-alesund-geiranger\/","title":{"rendered":"Daina\u2019s Journey: A Nature-Filled Weekend in Alesund & Geiranger"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living in London, I adore the energy of the city \u2013 but every so often, I need a reset. A dose of nature, sea air, and silence. A weekend is all it takes to recharge, and I found the perfect place to do just that: \u00c5lesund, a charming coastal town on Norway\u2019s west coast.<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

My flight left Gatwick at 21:15 \u2013 ideal timing after a day at work. With just a carry-on and a craving for fresh air, I boarded the plane and two hours later, landed at \u00c5lesund\u2019s Vigra Airport. A shuttle bus was waiting right outside, and in just 17 scenic minutes, I arrived in the heart of the city. Friendly English-speaking drivers and hassle-free travel.<\/p>\n

I stayed at the Quality Hotel Waterfront, which turned out to be the perfect base. Its location is excellent \u2013 right by the water and just a short walk from the town centre. What I especially loved was the inviting outdoor space: cosy hanging chairs perfect for relaxing with a coffee and a view, and even a designated outdoor swimming spot for those brave enough to take a dip. It set the tone for a weekend of comfort and nature combined.<\/p>\n

\"Quality<\/p>\n

Exploring \u00c5lesund\u2019s Charm<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00c5lesund is postcard-perfect. Built in Art Nouveau style, it\u2019s easy to explore on foot. Caf\u00e9s and restaurants line the Brosundet canal, and there\u2019s always something happening on the water \u2013 kayaking, SUP, sailing, and RIB safaris.<\/p>\n

To start the day, I recommend taking the 418 steps to the Aksla Viewpoint. The view from the top is worth every step \u2013 panoramic vistas over the town, fjords, and outlying islands. After descending, stop by Jugendstilsenteret, the Art Nouveau Centre housed in a beautifully preserved pharmacy \u2013 perfect for design and history lovers.<\/p>\n

If time permits, join the Alesund Food Walk which takes place around noon and is a great 3 hours introduction to the flavours of the city.<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

Wildlife Safari by RIB: A Must-Do Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

That evening, I joined a Wildlife RIB Safari \u2013 and it was unforgettable. For two exhilarating hours, we zipped across the water to Bird Island, surrounded by sea spray, sun, and seabirds. We spotted seals, puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, and even razorbills \u2013 all set against Norway\u2019s dramatic coastal scenery. The combination of nature, speed, and fresh air was exactly what I\u2019d come for. This tour is an absolute must.<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

A Day Trip to Geiranger: Fjords, Waterfalls & Bends<\/strong><\/p>\n

The next day, I set off on the Geirangerfjord in a Nutshell tour \u2013 a full-day self-guided journey that showcases some of Norway\u2019s most iconic landscapes.<\/p>\n

It begins with a scenic bus ride to \u00c5ndalsnes, followed by a dramatic ascent of Trollstigen \u2013 a mountain pass famous for its 11 hairpin bends. We paused for photos and souvenirs at the Trollstigen viewpoint, and again at the Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge, where a charming caf\u00e9 overlooks rushing waterfalls.<\/p>\n

From Eidsdal, we crossed the fjord by ferry to Linge, and drove the final stretch to Geiranger, one of Norway\u2019s most picturesque villages. I had a few hours here to wander, soak in the views, and enjoy lunch at Berserk Bar & Grill \u2013 excellent burgers, local beer, and a terrace overlooking the fjord.<\/p>\n

The highlight? A fjord cruise through Geirangerfjord itself \u2013 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We sailed past towering cliffs, abandoned farms, and the spectacular Seven Sisters Waterfall, which plunges 250 metres straight into the fjord. Magical.<\/p>\n

\"VY<\/p>\n

\"Troll<\/p>\n

\"Troll<\/p>\n

\"Geirager<\/p>\n

\"Geiranger\"<\/p>\n

\"Geiranger<\/p>\n

\"Geirangerfjord<\/p>\n

Catch of the Day: Fishing the Fjords<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before heading home, I couldn\u2019t resist a morning fishing trip aboard the MS Gamle Havstein, a classic wooden boat that departs right from the canal in central \u00c5lesund.<\/p>\n

With just 6 guests on board, the atmosphere was relaxed and personal. We sailed past Alnes Lighthouse and the island of God\u00f8ya, known for its photogenic cliffs and excellent fishing spots. Our captain \u2013 a retired geologist \u2013 and our young, enthusiastic guide made a great team. They taught us how to use the gear, clean the fish (if you dared!), and understand the coastal culture.<\/p>\n

I caught my first fish ever \u2013 and what a feeling! In total, we reeled in six fish, more than enough to share, and spent the rest of the time cruising the islands, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the views.<\/p>\n

\"Fishing<\/p>\n

\"Fishing<\/p>\n

\"Fishing<\/p>\n

\"Fishing<\/p>\n

Sweet Farewell<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before catching my flight home, I made one last stop: Lamella. This little gem serves homemade ice cream in fresh waffle cones, with local flavours like cloudberry and caramel. It\u2019s just a short walk from the shuttle stop \u2013 the perfect end to a perfect weekend.<\/p>\n

\"Alesund<\/p>\n

Plan Your Own Nature Escape<\/strong><\/p>\n

If this sounds like your kind of getaway, check out our Fjords & Flavours of \u00c5lesund itinerary<\/a>. Whether you’re into kayaking, hiking, wildlife watching, or fishing, we can tailor the trip to suit your style.<\/p>\n

\"Quality<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Living in London, I adore the energy of the city \u2013 but every so often, I need a reset. A dose of nature, sea air, and silence. A weekend is all it takes to recharge, and I found the perfect place to do just that: \u00c5lesund, a charming coastal town on Norway\u2019s west coast. My…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":6103,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[174,103,34,16,80,106],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arctic","category-holiday-experiences","category-holiday-tips","category-norway","category-scandanavia","category-trip-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6067"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6143,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6067\/revisions\/6143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baltictravelcompany.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}