From a famous mountain panorama and open-air museum to the Atlantic Road and underground marble caves, there is more to Molde than its compact centre suggests.
Molde occupies an enviable position on Norway鈥檚 west coast, surrounded by fjords, islands and the mountains of Romsdal.
Known as the 鈥榗ity of roses鈥�, Molde is an important regional centre but also a useful stop on a western Norway road trip. The Atlantic Road lies within easy reach, while the dramatic landscapes of the Romsdal region stretch away to the south and east.
An increasing number of visitors also arrive by cruise ship, while ships on Norway鈥檚 coastal route have long called at Molde.
Whatever brings you here, the good news is that there is plenty to see within the compact centre. If you have a car, or are willing to take an organised excursion, even more possibilities open up.
Here are some of the best things to do in and around Molde.
Enjoy the view from Varden
If there is one view that sums up Molde, it is the panorama from Varden.
The viewpoint stands 407 metres above sea level and looks back across Molde, the fjord and its islands towards the mountains beyond. On a clear day, the famous Molde panorama is said to encompass 222 mountain peaks.
For keen walkers, Varden makes a good half-day outing from central Molde. One popular route heads uphill via Romsdal Museum and continues through the forest.
You don't have to hike, though. In the summer, it is also possible to drive up to the viewpoint, making Varden accessible to people with limited time.
That is especially useful for cruise passengers, although anyone with a car should consider stopping here before leaving Molde.
Visit Romsdal museum
A short uphill walk from the city centre brings you to one of Molde's most worthwhile attractions.
Romsdal Museum combines a modern indoor museum with a large open-air collection of historic buildings.
The outdoor museum contains around 50 buildings brought together from across Romsdal. They illustrate regional architecture and everyday life from the 17th century through to the 20th century, with farmhouses, storehouses, barns and other historic buildings arranged around the attractive grounds.
Inside the striking modern building known as Krona, exhibitions introduce the history and culture of the wider Romsdal region.
One of my favourite parts of the museum is Bygata, the 鈥榯own street鈥�. Its wooden buildings help create an impression of Molde before fires and wartime bombing dramatically changed the appearance of the town.
During the summer season, more of the historic buildings are open and demonstrations of traditional crafts and food preparation sometimes take place. The museum also adapts some opening arrangements on days when cruise ships are in town.
Walk along Molde's waterfront
Molde is compact enough that simply going for a walk is one of the best ways to get your bearings.
The waterfront is a good place to start. The continuous harbour promenade opens the city centre towards the fjord and mountains, with seating areas, art, caf茅s and restaurants along the way. There are also playgrounds, a sea bathing area and even a floating sauna.
At the western end of the central waterfront stands the distinctive Scandic Seilet hotel, one of Molde's most recognisable modern buildings.
Next door is Aker Stadion, the waterfront home of Molde FK. From here, continue along the water before heading into the compact shopping streets.
Don't expect a historic centre on the scale of Bergen or 脜濒别蝉耻苍诲. Much of Molde was destroyed by bombing and fire in 1940. Instead, the appeal of a walk around Molde comes from its setting, cultural buildings and glimpses of the surrounding landscape.
In the summer, look out for the flowers that give Molde its 鈥榗ity of roses鈥� nickname, including the rose garden on the roof of the town hall.
See Molde Cathedral
It is hard to miss Molde Cathedral and its freestanding bell tower close to the centre of town.
Consecrated in 1957, the present building is the third church to occupy the site. Its 50-metre-high bell tower stands separately from the main church building.
The relatively simple exterior contrasts with a more colourful interior, including stained glass and a richly decorated altar area.
Opening hours can vary, but it is worth taking a look inside if the doors are open while you are passing.
Discover Molde's jazz culture
For one week every summer, this relatively small Norwegian city becomes one of Europe's best-known jazz destinations.
was founded in 1961 and describes itself as the world's oldest continuously running jazz festival. The six-day festival takes place every July and typically attracts around 60,000 visitors to Molde, with approximately 120 concerts on the programme.
Even if your visit doesn't coincide with the festival, jazz remains part of Molde's cultural identity.
Plassen, the modern cultural centre in downtown Molde, is home to the Moldejazz organisation and Storyville Jazz Club alongside the local theatre, library and other cultural organisations.
If you are planning a summer road trip and want to attend Moldejazz, book accommodation as early as possible. The festival transforms the city and places to stay become much harder to find.
Watch Molde FK play football
Football fans may already know Molde for reasons that have nothing to do with fjords or roses.
In recent times, Molde FK have become one of the leading clubs in Norwegian football, winning five league championships between 2011 and 2022.
The club plays at Aker Stadion, a modern ground in a wonderful waterfront setting. If the fixture list happens to line up with your visit, tickets for domestic league matches are generally straightforward to obtain.
I've visited Molde several times for football games, and watching a match here is an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
As with many Norwegian football grounds, don't expect hours of pre-match entertainment around the stadium. The focus is very much on the game itself.
Take a boat trip to Hjert酶ya
If you are visiting Molde during the summer and have a little more time, consider escaping the city altogether for a few hours.
Hjert酶ya is a small recreational island just offshore from Molde. make the journey from the town in around ten minutes. The island is a pleasant place for walking, swimming or a picnic, while the Fisheries Museum introduces the coastal culture that shaped life in Romsdal.
The museum has been designed as a small fishing community, with fishermen's buildings, workshops and a collection of traditional boats. Hjert酶ya isn't an essential stop for a first-time visitor, but it is an appealing option on a fine summer day.
Things To Do Near Molde
One of the biggest reasons to spend time in Molde is its location.
If you have your own transport, several of northwest Norway's most interesting attractions can be visited on a day trip. Cruise excursions also make use of many of the same places.
Drive the Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's most famous drives, and Molde is one of the most convenient cities from which to visit it.
The road leaps between small islands and skerries on a series of bridges beside the exposed Atlantic coast. Storseisundet Bridge, which curves dramatically above the water, provides the classic photograph.
But don't make the mistake of treating the Atlantic Road as one bridge and then turning around.
If you're driving from Molde, consider continuing along the coast through Hustadvika to Bud. The former fishing and trading settlement offers ocean views, seafood and Second World War history at Ergan Coastal Fort.
This makes a far more satisfying road trip than simply driving to the most famous bridge and back again.
Allow plenty of time for stops, especially if the weather is good. The viewpoints, coastal walks and ever-changing landscape are as important as the road itself.
Go underground at Bergtatt
For something completely different, head inside the mountain.
Bergtatt is a working marble mine and visitor attraction between Molde and the Atlantic Road. Mining began here in 1938 and continues elsewhere within the mountain.
Visitor tours enter a spectacular series of marble caverns and include a raft trip across remarkably still underground water. The caves are illuminated, creating reflections in the water and on the marble walls.
There is even a concert hall inside the mountain.
Bergtatt works particularly well as part of a wider day trip because of its location. It can be combined with the Atlantic Road, and the two attractions are also commonly paired on excursions from Molde.
Tours operate on a schedule, so check availability and book ahead rather than simply turning up.
Hike to Trollkirka
Don't confuse Bergtatt with Trollkirka, another underground attraction in the same general area.
Trollkirka, which translates as the 鈥楾roll Church鈥�, is a natural system of three marble and limestone caves containing underground streams and waterfalls.
Reaching them requires considerably more effort. From the roadside parking area, expect a steep hike of around 90 minutes to reach the caves.
The lowest cave contains a waterfall dropping into a white marble pool, but exploring the caves requires appropriate footwear and a good torch or headlamp. A helmet is also recommended.
This is one for hikers rather than casual sightseers, but it makes a memorable outing for active visitors with a full day available.
Visiting Molde On A Cruise
If your introduction to Molde is seeing its name on a cruise itinerary, deciding whether to explore independently or book an excursion depends largely on what you want from the day.
Molde itself is easy to explore on foot. The waterfront, cathedral and city centre are close together, while Romsdal Museum is within walking distance for most people willing to tackle a short uphill stretch.
Varden is also walkable if you have enough time and reasonable fitness, although using transport to reach the viewpoint leaves more time for exploring elsewhere.
If your priority is spectacular scenery rather than Molde itself, an excursion makes more sense. The Atlantic Road and Bergtatt are among the obvious choices, and some trips combine the two.
The key is not to try to do everything.
For a relatively short port call, I would choose either Molde itself and Varden or an excursion into the surrounding region. Trying to squeeze the city, Atlantic Road and other attractions into a few hours risks spending most of your visit watching the clock.
Road-trippers have the luxury of spreading those experiences over a longer stay.
Where To Stay In Molde
Molde has a for a city of its size, with most options concentrated close to the waterfront and centre.
On previous visits, I've stayed at both of the central Scandic hotels.
The waterfront聽聽is the more distinctive of the two. Its tall, sail-like design has become a Molde landmark, while many rooms and public areas take advantage of the views across the fjord towards the Romsdal mountains.
聽is right in the centre and has a surprisingly long history. The original hotel dated from 1883 but was destroyed during the bombing of Molde in 1940 and rebuilt in 1950. Many of its rooms have balconies facing the fjord and mountain panorama.
Elsewhere, it's well worth considering , a member of Classic Norway Hotels, for the stunning waterfront views and central location.
For road-trippers, staying overnight in Molde can work especially well before or after a day exploring the Atlantic Road and Hustadvika coast.
For everyone else, one night is enough to enjoy the centre, Varden and Romsdal Museum, while two nights give you much more freedom to explore farther afield.
Have you spent any time in Molde? What are your favourite things to do in the city or surrounding Romsdal region? Let me know down in the comments.
