Molde

Molde is the 'City of Roses' perched on a south slope overlooking the Moldefjord/Romsdalsfjord, offering the famous Molde Panorama with 222 alpine summits visible from the Varden viewpoint. The town combines maritime heritage, cultural attractions including the Romsdal Museum and Fisheries Museum, and Norway's premier jazz festival, all without the crowds of larger Norwegian cities.

Molde was historically a main cruise port visited annually by Kaiser Wilhelm II, who called it 'Nice of the North.' During the 1940 German invasion, the town was heavily shelled and mostly burned down as King Haakon, the cabinet, and Norway's gold holdings escaped via Molde. Today it's the administrative center of Møre og Romsdal county, with a strong football tradition and maritime petroleum-based industry.

Molde Airport (Molde lufthavn) is near the town center with flights offering panoramic views of the fjord. Alternative airports include Ålesund Airport (Vigra) and Kristiansund Airport. The town lies along coastal road E39, and 40-50 cruise ships call at Molde Harbour every summer.

Most town center attractions are reachable by foot. Rentable bicycles are available, and a taxi central is located at the bus terminal. Good bus connections operate throughout Molde via Trafikanten Møre og Romsdal (+47 177).

Key attractions include the Varden viewpoint (407 m) with its famous Molde Panorama of 222 peaks, the Romsdal Museum (one of Norway's largest folk museums, est. 1912) with 50+ relocated buildings, and the Fisheries Museum on Hjertøya island portraying coastal culture from 1850. Molde Cathedral (consecrated 1957) features a 50m bell tower and stained glass, while the Rose Maiden statue graces the Town Hall Square.

Storgata is Molde's main shopping street with MoldeTorget (42 shops) and nearby Amfi Roseby (50 shops). Local handcrafted items and farm food products are available at specialty shops and market days.

The town center offers diverse dining from fast food (Burger King, Peppes Pizza, Quick Bite) to traditional Norwegian (Gimle, Molde Fjordstuer) and international cuisine (China House, Milano Restaurant). Cafés include Opus, Kneipen, and Vardestua at the Varden viewpoint. Nightlife options include Sportspuben 1911 (football pub), BarAlex, and Storseilet Bar on the 14th floor of Rica Seilet Hotel.

Molde offers accommodation from luxury hotels to camping. Six hotels and one camping site are in the town center, with weekend prices available year-round including breakfast. Budget options include Molde Hostel (dorms from kr 300, doubles kr 700-800, open June-August) and camping sites like Kviltorp Camping (tent kr 125, cabin kr 475-1900).

Wireless internet is available in several restaurants and cafés. Molde Library on Gørvellplassen offers free Wi-Fi and computer usage. Lockers at the bus station (Trafikkterminalen) cost kr 20.

Kristiansund lies northbound, Ålesund southbound, and Åndalsnes to the south-east (direction Lillehammer and Oslo). Trondheim is accessible via Sunndal and Oppdal. The E39 coastal road connects these destinations.