Møre and Romsdal County is one out of 19 counties in Norway with a area of 15.104 km2 and a population of approximately 263,719.
Each County is divided into different municipality. For Møre and Romsdal County these are: Aukra; Aure; Averøy; Eide; Fræna; Giske; Gjemnes; Halsa; Haram; Hareid; Herøy; Kristiansund; Midsund; Molde; Nesset; Norddal; Rauma; Rindal; Sande; Sandøy; Skodje; Smøla; Stordal; Stranda; Sula; Sunndal; Surnadal; Sykkylven; Tingvoll; Ulstein; Vanylven; Vestnes; Volda; Ålesund; Ørskog and Ørsta.
A landscape polished smooth by the sea. Charming towns and friendly people. Wild mountains and green valleys. Deep fjords binding the sea and mountains together. Coastal culture and town culture and long, established traditions. Møre and Romsdal offers an adventure on many levels and it is all down to the rythm of the sea.
It´s not just any old sea that laps the coastline of Møre and Romsdal but the Atlantic Ocean itself, demanding our attention. And it brings with it bountiful gifts, even for those of you who are only paying a brief visit. Some of the best fishing areas in the country are right here.
Conditions for water sports, like sailing or diving, are fantastic. Sailing enthusiasts can pick up all the wind they need and, to a large extent, can control the challenges they choose to take on board. Divers will find crystal clear water, shipwrecks here and there, and unusually rich flora and fauna, especially in the area around Runde which is considered a wildlife paradise. But nature is the most important thing of all. Whether there´s a storm blowing or it´s calm, sunny or raining – it´s all part of nature and part of your holiday experience.
GEIRANGER
Geiranger and Hellesylt were popular destinations from an early date. The first boatload of tourists from abroad arrived in 1896. Today the Geirangerfjord is the second most important cruise destination in Norway, with well over a hundred ships calling in the summer as well as the Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten). Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord is visited by about 700.000 tourists in the summer. During the summer you can take the ferry and sail the length of the fjord from Hellesylt, and afterwards view it from above, from the lookout point at Dalsnibba.
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ROAD
The less sporty among us can enjoy the sea from the islands. The easiest thing to do is to drive along Atlanterhavsveien out towards Hustadvika from Averøy to Vevang. Out into the mouth of the fjord, the road winds its way over bridges and embankments, from islet to island to islet again. The vegetation is sparse, and the plants growing there have long since adapted to a saltwater existence.
ISLANDS
There are far more islands than you can imagine! Smøla and Averøya, Giske and Herøy, Frei and Haram, Midsund and Sandøy are all island municipalities dotted the length of the coast. Although they share a past which is closely tied to the sea, each of them can boast its own unique coastal culture. Make plans for your trip and see for yourself !
Special islands
Grip island, 14 kilometres off the coast of Kristiansund, was at one time a busy fishing community with 400 inhabitants. Today, the island is a summer paradise, a reminder of how the world once was. The island of Runde, with its bird colony, offers another type of adventure. This island is the birds own island but there is plenty of room for visitors, provided they show our feathered friends the respect they deserve.
THE FJORDS
The West Norwegian Fjords of Geirangefjord and Nærøyfjord was inscribed on UNESCOs World Heritage List in 2005. The two fjords are situated 120 km from each other and they are separated by the Jostedal glacier. The World Heritage Site possesses a unique combination of glacial landforms at the same time as each area is characterised by its own outstanding beauty.
Vartdal, Nordre-Vartdal and Barstadvik This stretch of the fjord is well-known for its fishing and plastics industries. Here you will find salmon rivers, popular fishing spots on quays and headlands all along the Vartdalsfjord. Cabins and rooms to let, the church, Vartdalsstranda fishing and hunting museum, and Sjøbua Ramoen, a renovated fish wharf with a pub and good food. An ideal area for hiking, with Barstadvik as the gateway to the climbing Mecca of Molladalen and to the summmit of Jønshorn.
THE MOUNTAINS
If you come from Molde, carry on through Åndalsnes and then go southwards on Rv 63 via Trollstigen and Trollveggen towards Geiranger. That way you´ll see several fjords and mountains in one fell swoop. The scenery here, as elsewhere in the county, is absolutely breathtaking. Trollveggen and Romsdalshorn attract climbers from all over the world. The rest of us can content ourselves with watching them, adventure enough for ordinary mortals! Besides, there are plenty of other excursions to choose from in the area.
MOLDE
Once upon a time, Molde, “the Town of Roses”, was a town of wooden houses and large gardens full of flowers. The look-out point at Varden is a good way to start your visit. Today, many of the wooden houses have gone, but the town is as fertile and blooming as it ever was. The jazz festival has put the town on the international map, although Molde has plenty of other attractions to offer.
Kristiansund lies on three islands in the mouth of the fjord and, although the town is only 250 years old, people have been living here for at least 10,000 years. Take a trip with the Sund boat which serves the islands, and walk around the town´s residential area. You don´t often see houses painted in the wide variety of different colours you´ll see here ! And while you´re in town, visit Norsk Kystkultursenter (the Norwegian Coastal Culture Centre).
Ålesund is a perfect town for anyone who loves old buildings. After the great fire of 1904, the town was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style of the day, and a walk along the pedestrian street, assuredly the most beautiful shopping area in Norway. The look-out point at Aksla is a good way to start.
There are three stave churches in Møre & Romsdal. Dating from the 15th century, Grip church stands on the island of the same name, 14 kilometres out at sea. It is one of the smallest and simplest of our stave churches. The other two are Rødven, near Molde, and Kvernes on the island of Averøy, near The Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsveien).
LOCAL DIRECTORY
In every municipality you will find links to Local Directory. This will give you information ON whats happen localy in the municipality even Job vacancy.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
GoNorway will present companies which have challenging job, development and career prospects in their organizations. In every municipality you will find links to companies offer Job opportunity.
ADVENTURES
The choice of different activities in Norway such as Fjords, Golf, Skiing, Cycling, Cruising, Fishing, Stave churches etc.