For discounted cruises that visit Alesund, click

This Norwegian port seems surprisingly contemporary to visiting cruise passengers. Alesund, almost completely destroyed by a citywide fire in 1904, was rebuilt in the ensuing century. Covering three islands at the end of the Geirangerfjord, a branch of Norway’s famed “Great Fjord,” it now boasts a mixture of replicas; neoclassical buildings mix with faux Gothic structures around the city. The Art Nouveau Center, a popular local museum, traces Alesund’s attempts to reclaim its architectural heritage.

Anglers will likely stick around Alesund’s harbor to marvel -- or perhaps join -- in the flurry of activity that makes the city a seafood lover’s delight. Another hot spot in town, the Atlantic Sea-Park, is one of the largest aquariums in Europe; families delight in coming face-to-face with the creatures that populate Norway’s famed fjords. The Norwegian Food Festival, meanwhile, delights visitors to Alesund each August with a mouthwatering array of traditional cuisine.

Language: Norwegian     Currency: Krone (NOK)