Discover Molde: Fjord City, Culture and Nature

Molde is a fjord city at the wide mouth of the Romsdalsfjord. The city’s history and cultural venues sit alongside island and landscape experiences. During your time here, you can choose from viewpoints, swimming spots, regional museum history and events.

Fjord, Views and Island Nature

The Varden viewpoint is 407 metres above sea level. From there, the view stretches across Molde, the fjord and its islands, and a panorama of 222 peaks. The Sjøfronten harbour promenade also offers views over the water: it features playgrounds, art, roses and a range of places to eat, and opens up the city centre towards the sea.

Hjertøya is a nature and recreation area about a ten-minute boat ride from the centre. The island has a sandy beach, a grassy area, swimming spots and scenic walking trails. There is also a museum, barbecue facilities, a dry toilet, a bathing platform, boat and kayak rental, and a diving tower. Facilities may be seasonal.

Moldemarka offers a different perspective on the landscape, with more than 42 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. Trail maintenance is seasonal. Veøya can only be reached by boat or kayak; availability may vary. Nordøya, the northern part of the island, is part of Veøya and has been protected as a natural and cultural landscape since 1970.

Museums, Craft and Architecture

Founded in 1912, the Romsdal Museum showcases buildings and interesting interiors from across the region. The museum’s Bygata street brings together typical Molde townhouses from before the Second World War. Here, regional architectural history meets a close-up look at the city’s former built environment.

Krona offers permanent and temporary exhibitions, a café, a museum shop and a local history library. The Romsdal Museum’s bunad studio makes reconstructed traditional costumes from Romsdal. During working hours, visitors can watch the craftspeople at work.

The Romsdal Museum’s main exhibition also offers hands-on activities: children can sit in a rowing boat, dress up and build houses with toy blocks.

Molde Cathedral, a notable Norwegian church in the Neo-Gothic style, stands in the city centre. It was consecrated in 1957. Its freestanding bell tower is 50 metres high and topped with a copper-clad pyramidal spire. Another link to the city’s history can be found in Alexandraparken: its story goes back to the opening of Molde’s first tourist hotel in 1883. The park is also an example of the large private gardens that once shaped Molde.

Cultural Venues and Events

Since opening in 2012, Plassen has been a year-round meeting place for art, culture and experiences in Molde. The Bjørnson Festival holds events throughout the year at Plassen cultural centre; the individual events vary. The festival was founded in 1992 to promote interest in literature and the art of writing.

Activities by the Fjord and Practical Information

Salmon Center Molde combines an interactive exhibition on Norwegian aquaculture with a RIB boat trip. The trip goes to a salmon farm’s offshore facility in the Romsdalsfjord, where visitors can see how salmon live in net pens. Advance booking may be required; check whether booking is available before making plans.

Nausta is a floating sauna on the waterfront promenade in the city centre. You can swim in the fjord there year-round; facilities include a changing room and shower. Large windows offer views of the fjord and mountains. Booking options and walk-in access may vary.

Moldebadet offers children’s birthday parties, where participants can swim, eat and spend time together. Check current availability for your preferred date. Another useful reference point for getting around is in the city centre: Molde Airport is about a ten-minute drive away; travel time depends on traffic.

Discover more destinations: Hjelset, Nesjestranda, Skåla, Bolsøya, Kortgarden, Sekken, Molde and Hareid.

Go to the main travel overview: More Og Romsdal.