Southern Harbour & Waterfront Life

As you now glide out of Brosundet, the city begins to open up. You can see the southern side of the harbor – an area that for a long time has been the driving force behind Ålesund’s economy. From here, enormous quantities of dried and salted cod were exported to the world, especially to Spain and Portugal. At its peak, this was one of Norway’s most important export harbors for seafood, and much of the value creation took place right here. The buildings along the quay were part of the entire production chain, from receiving to export, and the smell of fish once defined the whole city. Today, much has changed, but the structure remains the same. The quays, the warehouses, and the close connection to the sea – these are the elements that have shaped Ålesund.