Giske is Møre og Romsdal’s island ensemble — a municipality where Viking legends, marble churches, and surfable beaches all share the same postcode. With around 8,700 residents spread across four main islands, Giske is the kind of place where you can hike to panoramic peaks, explore Bronze Age burial grounds, and still make it back for homemade cake at a lighthouse café. It’s got tunnels, tides, and a family tree that might just link to William the Conqueror.
Top Attractions
- Alnes Lighthouse – 1937 beacon with art gallery, café & ocean views
- Giske Church – 12th-century marble church with Viking ancestry
- Skjonghellaren Cave – prehistoric cave with traces from 30,000 years ago
- Storhornet – 497m peak on Godøya with views to the Sunnmøre Alps
- Blimssanden Beach – white sand, shallow waters & kiteboarding
Unique Experiences
- Giskespelet Pageant – Viking-era drama staged at Giske Amfi
- Culture Trail (Kulturvegen) – 3km nature walk with caves & coastal history
- Alnes Visitor Centre – art exhibitions, handicrafts & secret-recipe cake
- Sommerfesten – free music festival with Norwegian & UK artists
- Birdwatching at Makkevika – one of Europe’s key wader ringing stations
Where to Stay
Browse hotels, cabins & guesthouses in Giske
Where to Eat
Explore top-rated restaurants in Giske
Getting There
Giske is just 20 minutes from Ålesund by car, connected via bridges and undersea tunnels. Ålesund Airport Vigra sits on the largest island, with domestic and international flights. Buses run from Ålesund to Alnes via Valderøya and Giske, but note: cycling through tunnels is prohibited. Ferries also connect to Valderøya, with onward bus service to the airport.