Ål is the cultural centre of Hallingdal and the last major town before the climb to Hardangervidda begins. The Bergen Railway has stopped here since 1907, and for railway enthusiasts there's something unusual to see. The station still has its original roundhouse and turntable from the steam era. While most such facilities have been demolished, here the old locomotive depot remains.
In the days of steam locomotives, Ål was the most important station on the entire line. Steam engines needed maintenance after 250 kilometres, and from Ål the gradients become much steeper towards the mountains. All through-trains changed locomotives here. The passengers would get off and buy a cardboard plate of lapskaus while they waited. Train crews also changed over, and to this day, drivers on the Bergen line often switch at Ål rather than driving the full Oslo-Bergen route.
The town is the birthplace of Olav Thon, the billionaire hotel and property developer who died in 2024 at the age of 101. He grew up on the farm Søndre Thon and built an empire of over 90 hotels and 80 shopping centres.
In the cultural centre you'll find the Rolf Nesch Museum. Nesch was a German-born artist who moved to Ål in 1951 and spent his last 25 years here. The museum, opened in 1993, houses the world's largest permanent collection of his work. It's located in the same building as the tourist office. The cultural centre also has the Hallingrosa exhibition showcasing the region's distinctive rose painting tradition.
Ål has strong folk music traditions. The annual Folkemusikkveka festival is held here, and local musicians like Hellbillies and Stein Torleif Bjella have roots in the area.
For winter visitors, Ål Skisenter has one of Norway's best giant slalom runs, regularly used by the national alpine team.