Tacoma's Sister City since 1986.

In the northern region of western Norway, about midway between Bergen and Trondheim, lies Aalesund, a town which, with its population of 35,000, constitutes the natural hub of northwestern Norway. By tradition, a fishing, industrial and commercial town, Aalesund is today a modern business center with interests reaching far and wide. The sound thrusts its way into the heart of the town, making boats and the sea an integral part of the townscape. The waterway is jammed with fishing boats. Aalesund offers a wide range of shopping, cultural, and service facilities. Its cultural attractions include art galleries, churches, and an aquarium.

The town is also an important regional communications center, linked to the surrounding area and the rest of the country by air, road, and sea.

Aalesund was founded in 1848, razed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in the contemporary Jugendstil, a style of architecture, which gives the center of the town a highly distinctive appearance.

Aalesund is located in the heart of Norway's most famous tourist region and thus makes an excellent base for excursions to such renowned scenic attractions as the Geiranger fjord, Trollstigen and the island of Runde.

Committee Chair
Abby Wigstrom