Exclusive Editor’s Tips:

Leap from a floating sauna in the heart of town

You needn’t be above the Arctic Circle to try a polar plunge in Norway. The wellness trend of a hot soak followed by a cold dip is on full display in the middle of Ålesund at Svai Sauna<, where locals and visitors stroll a gangway to reach a floating sauna heated to around 176 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s just the warm-up you might need to take a fjord leap after you’ve sweated out all those toxins. (During summer, the water temperature hovers in the 50s). The saunas can be booked for private use, but it’s more fun to rock up for a public session and follow the lead of the locals. (Everyone wears swimsuits, so there’s no need to be shy.)  

Spend a lazy day at Godøy Island

Subsea tunnels connecting mainland Norway to some of its many islands are among the country’s most impressive engineering marvels. You’ll travel through a 12,612-foot-long one to reach beautiful and sparsely populated Godøy Island, just four square miles in size and dominated by the 1,630-foot-high peak of Mount Storhornet. About 25 minutes west of Ålesund, it’s a favorite spot for locals to spend a mellow Sunday. The ride is particularly scenic, crossing bridges and passing charming villages and farms, and you can stop off at long sandy beaches on Giske Island for a swim (the water is in the mid- to upper-50s Fahrenheit in July; locals dive right in, but wading is always an option). Once on Godøy, climb to the top of the red-and-white striped Alnes Lighthouse, which dates to 1876. Then relax with a slice of the special fyrkake (”lighthouse cake”) at the cafe inside the lighthouse visitor center—found only here, it has a crunchy base made of a digestive-style biscuit and is topped with lingonberry mousse. 

Reward yourself with a Svele pancake at the top of Mount Aksla

Ålesund’s “town mountain,” Mount Aksla, can be reached via taxi, a sightseeing train, or a 418-step climb from Ålesund’s town park, Byparken —all of which reward you with incredible views overlooking the city center and surrounding fjord. Even if you manage to climb only halfway on foot, the views of the surrounding emerald-green mountains and islands dotting the horizon are still spectacular. But it’s worth making it to the observation deck on top to reward yourself with a local treat called sveler at Fjellstua Cafe. The pancakes are folded with either jam and sour cream or the beloved Norwegian brown cheese called brunost (the latter has a sweet taste and is caramel in color). Ordering something from the cafe gets you access to its terrace, where even more jaw-dropping views await. To mix up the return, ask a local to point the way to the easy Vannspringdalen hike that follows a valley back to the city center and takes about 30 minutes.