Norwegian fjord town on Romsdalsfjorden, known for rose gardens and a panorama of mountain peaks.
Molde bills itself as the "City of Roses," though the reason for the name is not immediately obvious. What is obvious is the setting: the town sits on the north shore of the broad Romsdalsfjorden, and from Varden park you can count over 200 mountain peaks on both sides of the fjord. It is one of the most panoramic locations on the Norwegian coast.
Molde is a stop on the Hurtigruten coastal route and has ferry connections south toward Ålesund. The town itself is small and quiet for most of the year, but it comes alive during the Moldejazz festival in July — one of Europe's oldest jazz festivals, drawing international acts and filling the town to capacity.
Outside festival season, the main reason to linger is the surrounding landscape. The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien), one of Norway's most spectacular drives, is about 70 km to the west. The Hjertøya island fishing museum, reached by a short boat ride from the centre, is an unexpectedly rewarding visit — it tells the story of a fisherman's life rather than just the mechanics of fishing, with well-preserved living quarters, sheds, and boats set among pines and birches. The Romsdal Museum in town covers regional history and explains why almost no historic buildings remain in Molde's centre.
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Getting There
Molde has a small regional airport (MOL, Molde Airport Årø) with direct connections to Oslo and Bergen. The airport is close to town and easily reached by local bus or taxi.
By sea, Molde is a stop on the Hurtigruten coastal route — a legendary way to arrive, particularly in summer. Car ferries connect Molde to Vestnes on the south side of the fjord, providing a link to Ålesund via the E39; the crossing takes about 25 minutes and runs frequently. Express boats also connect to Ålesund and smaller fjord communities.
By road, Molde sits on the E39 coastal highway, which runs the length of the Norwegian west coast. From Trondheim the journey is about 3 hours in good conditions; from Ålesund about 90 minutes. A major road tunnel under the Romsdalsfjorden (Romsdalsaksen) has been proposed and would transform access, but as of 2026 the ferry crossing remains the main connection.
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When to Go
July is by far the most popular month, combining the Moldejazz festival with the best summer weather and the longest days. Accommodation fills up during festival week and should be booked months in advance. Outside the festival, July and August are pleasant and relatively dry by Norwegian west coast standards, though rain is possible at any time.
May, June, and September offer good weather without the crowds, and late May has the advantage of snow still covering the mountain peaks while the fjord is fully accessible. Winter (November through March) is dark, rainy, and cold — not a traditional tourist season, though the town functions normally and the Romsdal Museum remains open.
