Private Island Tour from Alesund, Giske, Godoya and Alnes

09:00 – Private pickup from your hotel, apartment or the Ålesund cruise pier.

09:00–09:40 – Scenic 22 km drive from Ålesund to the Alnes fishing village on Godøya – approx. 26 minutes of driving through the undersea tunnels that link the islands, plus a short photo stop along the coast.

(Times are based on a 09:00 start and adjusted to your pickup time or cruise schedule.)

09:40–10:15 – Alnes fishing village on Godøya. In the 19th century, Alnes was one of the largest and most important fishing communities in Sunnmøre – for a long period, the largest of them all. The village lies on the northern shore of Godøya, at the edge of the open Atlantic, and for centuries fishing was its livelihood, decided by the weather, the seasons and the need to return safely to harbour. Alnes keeps a rare mix of fishing and farming: densely built traditional house clusters with open fields running down to the coast – a way of life that has vanished elsewhere. In 2017, it became a Selected National Cultural Landscape. Walk through the village with your guide and take in the wide views over the ocean.

10:15–11:15 – Alnes Lighthouse & café. It was for the fishermen's safety that the first navigation light was lit on the Alnes headland in 1853, and later the Alnes Lighthouse was built. There has been a lighthouse here ever since – it was protected as heritage in 2000 and still operates today. Your entry ticket is included. Beside the lighthouse, a modern visitor centre houses a café and an art gallery, with large windows facing the Atlantic and the rugged coast. Take a break and try the speciality Fyrkake – the lighthouse cake with lingonberries (not included). Toilets are available in the visitor centre.

11:15–11:40 – 11 km drive from Alnes to Giske island (approx. 16 minutes), with a photo stop over the Sunnmøre islands.

11:40–12:15 – Giske Church & Giske Amfi. Admire the exterior of Giske Church, built in Romanesque style around 1130 – one of the few churches in Norway made entirely of marble, and once the private church of the powerful Giske family. Beside it stands Giske Amfi, the open-air amphitheatre of the Giskespelet play, which tells of events around 1030 that changed Norway's history. Here your guide brings the local sagas to life: Gange-Rolv – identified with the Viking leader Rollo, whose lands became Normandy and among whose descendants was William the Conqueror – and the Arnungs, the noble family whose daughter Tora became the wife of King Harald Hardrada.

12:15–12:30 – On the 9 km drive from Giske to Valderøya (approx. 11 minutes), pass by Makkevika Bird Sanctuary – part of an internationally important protected wetland, where waders, ducks, geese and other migratory birds stop during migration.

12:30–13:40 – Skjonghellaren sea cave on Valderøya. From the parking area, a 1.6 km round-trip walk on a footpath brings you up to the cave – the last part crosses rocky terrain. The cave lies 57 metres above sea level and was washed out by the waves 130,000 years ago. Animal bones some 30,000 years old have been found here, along with tools and remains showing the cave was used by people in the early Iron Age. From the cave entrance, enjoy the view over the sea and the islands. Sturdy footwear recommended.

13:40–14:00 – 11 km return drive to Ålesund (approx. 15 minutes) and drop-off at your pickup address.