The museum is situated on the site of Borgundkaupangen, one of Norway's first medieval towns.
Several houses in the open-air collection feature 'go-alv,' an archaic architectural design element.
The boat collection features the Kvalsund ship, a reconstruction of a 7th-century vessel found in a peat bog.
The museum grounds include a medieval trade settlement reconstruction.
Building styles represented include 'stue' (living houses), storehouses, and boathouses showcasing regional carpentry traditions.
Sunnmøre Museum is an open-air cultural heritage site in Ålesund featuring over 50 historic buildings relocated from various municipalities across the Sunnmøre region. The museum displays a collection of traditional Norwegian houses dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. A primary feature is the boat collection, which includes replicas of Viking ships and regional vessels used in coastal fishing. The site covers approximately 30 hectares of coastal landscape on the Borgundkaupangen archaeological site. Visitors can explore the interiors of many timber structures to observe period-appropriate furnishings and construction techniques. The museum complex also includes an indoor building housing permanent archaeological and cultural history exhibitions.
The elevated path overlooking the bay with the collection of boathouses and the medieval-style docks in the frame.
Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear as the path network consists of uneven gravel and grass terrain.
Bring a waterproof jacket, as the outdoor exhibits are fully exposed to changing coastal weather conditions.
Allow extra time to hike the surrounding trails that connect to the medieval excavation sites.
Do not attempt to walk through the archaeological site excavations outside of designated paths, as the terrain is protected.
Outdoor exhibits have limited accessibility during winter months due to snow; some buildings are only open to the public during the summer season.
Respect the historic structures by not entering roped-off areas and refraining from touching delicate interior artifacts.
