Atlanterhavsparken
Saltwater aquarium and marine science centre at Tueneset by Ålesund, with an aquaculture visitor centre and over 200,000 visitors a year.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Since 1998 the Stiftelsen Atlanterhavsparken (Atlanterhavsparken foundation) has run one of Northern Europe’s largest and most unique saltwater aquariums, located at Tueneset about three kilometres from Ålesund city centre, with views out to the open sea. In 2021 a marine science centre opened, the first of its kind in Norway.
The animals and fish in the facility receive unfiltered seawater straight from the sea outside, and 21,000 litres of water are pumped in every minute. The foundation’s purpose is to run a public aquarium and to communicate knowledge about life in the sea, to show the connection between the resources of the sea and marine value creation, and to carry out research together with other institutions.
The same ticket gives access to the aquarium, the science centre and the aquaculture visitor centre. The park has more than 200,000 visitors a year.
Highlights
- Atlantic tank measuring 36 × 17 metres with four million litres of seawater
- Selbukta, Europe’s largest seal facility
- Humboldt penguins with daily feeding
- Activity room with a touch pool and crab fishing
- Aquaculture visitor centre and one ticket for everything
Permanent exhibitions
- Atlanterhavstanken – One of Europe’s largest saltwater tanks, 36 metres long and 17 metres wide, with large cold-water fish from the Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea in unfiltered seawater.
- Selbukta – Europe’s largest facility for seals, with a colony of harbour seals (steinkobbe) and an underwater observatory. Daily seal feeding at 15:00 with explanations in Norwegian and English.
- Pingvinene – Humboldt penguins from Chile and Peru, part of a European breeding programme, with daily feeding at 14:30.
- Visningssenter for havbruk – Interactive exhibition on Norwegian farming of salmon and rainbow trout and on the industry’s effects on the environment and society.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Stiftelsen Atlanterhavsparken
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 275 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | NOK 135free up to age 2 · Children aged 3–15: NOK 135; children aged 0–2 enter free. |
| Seniors | –No separate seniors’ ticket; the annual pass for 67+ costs NOK 650. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A companion with a companion card enters free. |
| Students & apprentices | –No student discount. |
| Families | –Family annual pass (2 adults and 4 children) costs NOK 1,950. |
| Annual pass, adult | NOK 695 |
| Annual pass, child aged 3–15 | NOK 595 |
| Annual pass, 67+ | NOK 650 |
| Family annual pass (2 adults and 4 children) | NOK 1,950 |
One ticket covers the aquarium, the science centre and the aquaculture visitor centre. With an annual pass, coffee in the café is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The whole park is wheelchair-friendly. There is a marked disabled parking area at the entrance, and one wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge (book in advance on +47 70 10 70 60). Dogs and other pets are not allowed inside.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
The activity room has a touch pool where children can touch starfish and sea cucumbers and fish for crabs. The room has fixed opening times (Monday–Friday 13:30–14:30, Saturday and Sunday 11:30–12:30 and 13:30–14:30). The science centre has interactive activities for young and old.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tuenesvegen · 15-min walk
Bus no. 1 from Ålesund city centre/Moa towards Hessa to the stop “Tuenesvegen”; from there it is about 10–15 minutes’ walk to the entrance.
By car
Parking available
Large car parks, including for motorhomes. The nearest 24-hour motorhome parking is Skjerva bobilparkering, within walking distance. There are no fast chargers for electric cars nearby.
- Accessible parking
Atlanterhavsparken is about 3.6 km from Ålesund city centre, a 7-minute drive. Bicycle racks just outside the main entrance.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Own café with home-made food made from local ingredients; gluten-free options are available (not in a completely gluten-free environment). Souvenir shop. Free Wi-Fi for visitors. The park is smoke-free, including the outdoor areas.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School and nursery programmes as well as courses and conferences are offered. Barbecuing in the outdoor area is not allowed. |
