Visiting Ålesund with a Baby from P&O Iona: Exploring Norway's Art Nouveau Gem

After an enjoyable first day in Norway exploring Haugesund, our next stop aboard P&O Iona was the beautiful coastal town of Ålesund. Known for its distinctive architecture, scenic waterfront and stunning mountain backdrop, Ålesund quickly became one of the most photogenic ports of our Norwegian Fjords cruise.

Visiting Ålesund with a baby turned out to be far easier than we expected. While there were a few more hills than we encountered in Haugesund, the town was still very manageable with a pram and offered plenty of opportunities to stop, relax and take in the views.

Arriving in Ålesund on P&O Iona

As we stepped off P&O Iona, we immediately noticed just how much was happening around the port. Excursion desks and activity providers were ready to welcome passengers looking to make the most of their day ashore.

There were plenty of tours available, including:

• RIB boat adventures

• Kayaking experiences

• Aquarium visits

• Sightseeing tours

• Scenic coastal excursions

Many of the most popular options had already sold out before sailing. This is worth bearing in mind if there is a specific excursion you have your heart set on.

For us, though, the plan was simple. We wanted to explore independently and enjoy the freedom that comes with travelling at our own pace with a baby.

A Relaxed Morning Exploring the Town

Leaving the ship, we turned right and headed towards the centre of Ålesund.

The route was straightforward and largely pram friendly, although we quickly noticed the terrain was hillier than Haugesund. Even so, the effort was rewarded with beautiful views at almost every turn.

One of the first things that struck us was the architecture. Following a devastating fire in 1904, much of Ålesund was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style, giving the town a distinctive character unlike anywhere else we have visited.

Ålesund's colourful architecture makes every street feel picture perfect.

As we wandered through the streets, we discovered colourful buildings, attractive waterfront areas and plenty of quiet corners to admire the scenery.

As we wandered through the streets, we discovered colourful buildings, attractive waterfront areas and plenty of quiet corners to admire the scenery.

Finding an Unexpected Viewpoint

One of our favourite discoveries came by accident.

Just a short walk along the promenade from the cruise terminal, we found a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the harbour and surrounding mountains.

The weather could not have been better.

Blue skies stretched across the fjord, the water sparkled in the sunshine and the surrounding peaks created an incredible backdrop for photographs.

The views alone made the walk worthwhile.

Exploring the Hills of Ålesund

After enjoying a relaxed morning ashore, we headed back to P&O Iona for lunch.

One of the biggest advantages of cruising with a baby is the flexibility. While many passengers stayed ashore all day, we were able to return to the ship, enjoy a meal and take advantage of some of the onboard facilities.

The ship was noticeably quieter than usual.

Our little one particularly enjoyed spending some time in the soft play area before we headed back out to continue exploring.

After lunch, we left the ship once again, this time turning left from the cruise terminal.

This route took us towards one of the higher vantage points in town. The climb was steady rather than difficult, although you certainly notice the hills more when pushing a pram.

The reward at the top was spectacular.

Wandering the Waterfront

Back at sea level, we continued exploring some of the town's canals and waterfront streets.

This became one of our favourite parts of the day.

The calm water reflected the colourful buildings while boats old and new drifted through the harbour. Every few minutes there seemed to be another photo opportunity.

Why Ålesund Worked So Well With a Baby

Travelling with a baby changes the way you experience destinations.

Instead of trying to tick off every attraction, you become more aware of practical details such as seating, shade, feeding opportunities and accessible routes.

Thankfully, Ålesund delivered on all fronts.

There were plenty of benches dotted throughout the town, particularly along the waterfront areas. These provided ideal places to stop, take a break and enjoy the scenery.

As a breastfeeding mum, this made a huge difference.

Having regular opportunities to sit comfortably while enjoying the views helped make the day feel relaxed and stress free.

yes... there was an ongoing joke this day that I'd dressed as a pirate for the occasion!

Is Ålesund Worth Visiting on a Norwegian Fjords Cruise?

While some cruise ports are all about major attractions and organised excursions, Ålesund offered something different.

It provided the opportunity to wander beautiful streets, discover hidden viewpoints and soak up the atmosphere of one of Norway's most charming coastal towns.

The town is manageable with a pram, packed with stunning scenery and filled with places to stop and enjoy the moment.

For us, it became one of the most relaxing ports of the entire cruise.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from simply exploring without a plan.

Next Stop: Olden

As lovely as Ålesund was, our next port would raise the bar even further.

The following morning, we woke to towering mountains, emerald-green waters and some of the most dramatic scenery we had ever seen. Olden is often considered one of the highlights of a Norwegian Fjords cruise, and it wasn't difficult to understand why.

From glacier landscapes to unforgettable fjord views, our day in Olden would become one of the standout experiences of the entire holiday.

Read next: Visiting Olden with a Baby from P&O Iona...