Making the most of Molde
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Known as the town of roses, Molde faces the fjord and is celebrated for a superb panorama encompassing 222 mountain peaks. It hosts an annual International Jazz festival and is the closest town to Atlantic Road, with Viking-ship sailing.
The berth is in the town centre, a 300 metre walk away.
Take the printable map with you.
The snow-covered Romsdal Mountains form a magnificent backdrop to Molde. They contribute to an unusually temperate environment, sufficiently mild to earn the name "City of Roses". Warmed by the distant Gulf Stream, this climate has also made Molde a popular visitor destination for the past 100 years. Beyond the wonderful setting, the town has attractive gardens and parks.
Popular town sights include the 1960s Town Hall and Molde Cathedral, built during the 1950s. Famous former residents include Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, considered perhaps the country's most influential modern-theatre figure. Molde was also home to Bjornstjerne Bjornsone. Best known in Scandinavia, this Norwegian author is respected worldwide as a foundational figure in 19th-century Norwegian literature. A day here should be highly enjoyable.
Getting around
Molde is excellent for hiking; collect maps from the tourist office.
Taxis wait at the port exit but are very expensive.
Take a comfortable bus from Molde Bus Terminal to and around celebrated Atlantic Road. This feat of engineering crosses twelve low bridges and numerous small islands before reaching the open sea. The Moovit app can be used to book transport.
Food and shopping
The strongest shopping selection is in the town centre, around 300 metres from the pier. Traders sell local handicrafts, pewter and characteristic enamel products.
Money
Norway's currency is the Norwegian crown, or norske krone, abbreviated kr. An øre is 1/100th of a krone, and 1.00 EUR is approximately 8 NOK.
Norwegian cash machines are called Minibank.
Major cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted by nearly every shop. Bring a passport or driver's licence because identification is required when paying by credit card.
Staying connected
Norwegian is Norway's official language and is close to, and mutually understandable with, the two other Scandinavian languages. English is spoken widely.
With most Norwegian households connected to the internet, often via broadband, limited demand makes cybercafés scarce outside major cities. Most public libraries offer free internet access. WiFi is found in many places but is not free.
Opening Hours and
Norwegian opening times have improved, but many small shops still close early on Saturday, typically at 1 PM or 3 PM, and almost everything shuts on Sundays. Door signs reading "9-21 (9-18)" mean 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.