Best of Norway

Kirkenes is a small town in the North-East of Norway, bordering both Russia and Finland, located only 250 miles away from the Arctic Circle. Known for its wildlife, beautiful scenery and winter sports activities, Kirkenes has a kind of fantastical charm.

Kjøllefjord is a coastal village in Lebesby Municipality in northern Norway, located along the Barents Sea. It has a long fishing tradition and is a regular stop for the Hurtigruten coastal ferry. The area is known for striking natural features like the Finnkirka sea cliff, a sacred Sámi site shaped like a church. Kjøllefjord offers visitors northern lights in winter, midnight sun in summer, and insight into both Sámi and coastal Norwegian culture.

Searching in 1553 for a northeast passage to India, British navigator Richard Chancellor came upon a crag 307 yards above the Barents Sea. He named the jut of rock North Cape, or Nordkapp. Today Europe's northernmost point is a rite-of-passage journey for nearly all Scandinavians and many others. Most cruise passengers visit Nordkapp from Honningsvåg, a fishing village on Magerøya Island. The journey from Honningsvåg to Nordkapp covers about 35 km (22 miles) across a landscape characterized by rocky tundra and grazing reindeer, which are rounded up each spring by Sami herdsmen in boats. The herdsmen herd the reindeer across a mile-wide channel from their winter home on the mainland. Honningvåg's northerly location makes for long, dark winter nights and perpetually sun-filled summer days. The village serves as the gateway to Arctic exploration and the beautiful Nordkapp Plateau, a destination that calls to all visitors of this region. Most of those who journey to Nordkapp (North Cape), the northernmost tip of Europe, are in it for a taste of this unique, otherworldly, rugged yet delicate landscape. You'll see an incredible treeless tundra, with crumbling mountains and sparse dwarf plants. The subarctic environment is very vulnerable, so don't disturb the plants. Walk only on marked trails and don't remove stones, leave car marks, or make campfires. Because the roads are closed in winter, the only access is from the tiny fishing village of Skarsvåg via Sno-Cat, a thump-and-bump ride that's as unforgettable as the desolate view.

Havøysund is a small fishing village in Måsøy Municipality, located on the island of Havøya in northern Norway. It is connected to the mainland by the scenic Havøysund Bridge, part of the National Tourist Route. The village has a strong fishing heritage and is an important hub for the local seafood industry. Visitors are drawn to its Arctic charm, midnight sun in summer, and nearby wind park offering panoramic views of the Barents Sea.

More than 600 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the world's northernmost town is also one of the most widely visited and oldest places in northern Norway. "Hammerfest" means "mooring place" and refers to the natural harbor (remarkably free of ice year-round thanks to the Gulf Stream) that is formed by the crags in the mountain. Hammerfest is the gateway to the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean, a jumping-off point for Arctic expeditions. Once a hunting town, Hammerfest's town emblem features the polar bear. In 1891 the residents of Hammerfest, tired of the months of darkness that winter always brought, decided to brighten their nights: they purchased a generator from Thomas Edison, and Hammerfest thus ecame the first city in Europe to have electric street lamps. In addition to two museums, there are several shops within Hammerfest's small city center. There is also a market selling souvenirs and other goods outside the town hall.

Øksfjord is a small coastal village in Troms og Finnmark, northern Norway, known for its dramatic fjord landscape. It lies near Øksfjordjøkelen, the only glacier on mainland Norway that calves directly into the sea. Fishing has long been central to life here, and the village also serves as a regional transport hub despite its remote location. Surrounded by mountains and Arctic waters, Øksfjord offers a peaceful setting with access to raw, unspoiled nature.

Skjervøy is a small island municipality in northern Norway, known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes and rich fishing heritage. It’s a popular spot for whale watching in winter, especially orcas and humpback whales. The town has a long history, with Skjervøy Church dating back to 1728. Visitors come for the peaceful atmosphere, northern lights, and access to untouched nature.

With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.

Hinnøya Island is Norway’s largest coastal island and is famed for its diverse landscapes and natural beauty. Harstad’s history is showcased at the Trondenes Historical Center, tracing the lives of locals from the Stone Age to the present day. The town lies 155 miles above the Arctic Circle and is known as the “Pearl of Vågsfjorden,” providing a gateway to explore the nature of northern Norway. Visitors can discover stunning fjords, admire majestic mountains and during the winter months, set out in search of the wonderous aurora borealis as she graces the nighttime skies.

Sortland is a town in Norway's Nordland county, in the region of Vesterålen. The Norwegian Coastguard has a base here, and it is also a popular place for observing the Northern Lights. The town is the location of the Sortland Bridge, which provides a road connection between Langøya and Hinnøya by road. Sortland is sometimes nicknamed the Blue City, as many of its houses are painted in that colour.

Stokmarknes: The Birthplace of the Coastal Express
Stokmarknes is a charming town and the administrative center of Hadsel Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is situated on the islands of Hadseløya and Børøya within the beautiful Vesterålen archipelago.The town's most significant claim to fame is its title as the "birthplace" of the legendary Hurtigruten coastal express.

Key Highlights

• Birthplace of Hurtigruten: In 1881, Captain Richard With founded the Vesterålen Steamship Company here, leading to the launch of the Hurtigruten coastal route in 1893. The town remains a vital port of call for the Coastal Express.

• Hurtigruten Museum (Hurtigrutemuseet): This is the main attraction, celebrating the history of the Coastal Express. Visitors can step aboard the entire, retired Hurtigruten ship, M/S Finnmarken from 1956, which is permanently docked and enclosed within the modern museum building.

• Vesterålen Archipelago: The town is an excellent base for exploring the Vesterålen region, which is known for its rugged, authentic Arctic nature. The scenic Fv82 road connects Stokmarknes, offering a quieter, equally beautiful alternative to the more famous Lofoten Islands to the south.

• Local Life: Stokmarknes is a traditional fishing community, where fishing and fish farming (with major companies like Nordlaks headquartered here) remain central to the local economy.

Nature and Activities

• Scenic Views: For a pleasant walk and panoramic vistas of the island and the Hurtigruten Museum, you can stroll across the Børøy Bridge. The town is also close to the dramatic Raftsundet strait.

• Northern Lights: Like much of Northern Norway, Stokmarknes is an ideal destination for viewing the Aurora Borealis, with the best viewing period generally from late September to early April.

• Arctic Cuisine: The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the sea, with staples like klippfisk (dried and salted cod) and other fresh seafood being local highlights.

Svolvær is widely regarded as the Capital of Lofoten and is the administrative center of Vågan Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is one of the most famous and picturesque towns in the Lofoten archipelago, celebrated for its dramatic natural surroundings and vibrant cultural life.

Key features and activities include:

• Location and Landscape: Svolvær is situated on the island of Austvågøya and is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of steep mountains, including the iconic Svolværgeita (The Svolvær Goat) peak, and numerous small islands, which are typical of the Lofoten Wall.

• Maritime Hub: The town is a major port of call for coastal voyages, a feature confirmed by its inclusion in various cruise line schedules. It is a central base for exploring the surrounding islands and fjords.

• Fishing and Culture: Svolvær has a deep connection to Norway's fishing heritage. You can explore the town's in-depth fishing history, including the importance of the dried fish industry, and visit local art galleries and cultural sites.

• Tourist Center: The Destination Lofoten AS official Tourist Board is based in Svolvær, making it the ideal base for visitors interested in the region's activities, such as sailing along the Lofoten Wall.

The capital of Nordland is a peaceful city, but beneath the surface lies a fascinating and colourful military past. During the Cold War it was an important NATO base, stationing fighter jets to intercept Soviet naval vessels and aircraft. The situation culminated when Premier Kruschev threatened to destroy Bodø with nuclear weapons after a CIA U-2 spy plane bound for the city was shot down over the Soviet Union. You can learn more about the city's Cold War history at the Norwegian Aviation Museum, which is uniquely designed to resemble a biplane and houses an intact U-2 plane, a Spitfire, a rare Hønningstad C-5 polar seaplane and many other interesting exhibits. As well as its military heritage, Bodø boasts the world's strongest maelstrom at Saltstraumen, which attracts a host of visitors every year.

Sitting just below the Arctic Circle, a visit to Bronnoysund guarantees a journey of culture and extraordinary scenery. Bronnoysund is quintessential Norway, and encompasses everything you'd expect from this stunning country - along with plenty of surprises along the way. Raking fjords, scattered islands, and roaring rivers provide a huge natural bounty - but it’s the Torghatten Mountain that’s Bronnoysund’s true crowning glory. Torghatten Mountain rises like a colossal castle of sheer granite, and is particularly striking because it’s punctured right through the centre by a giant hole. Line up the view just right, and you can see sunlight bursting through the hole, as if illuminated by a massive spotlight. It's hard to imagine how such a striking phenomenon would form naturally, and indeed the local folklore has a persuasive explanation – that it was created when an arrow ripped through the troll king's hat, which was thrown into the air to protect a fleeing girl. The hat turned to stone, and the arrow’s hole is preserved there to this day. If you care to climb Torghatten Mountain, you can walk through its cavernous interior, to look down over the red wooden barns and glistening lakes below.

Rørvik is a town and administrative center located in Trøndelag county, Norway, on the eastern side of the Vikna archipelago. Surrounded by approximately 6,000 islands, islets, and reefs, its maritime splendor is an attraction in itself.

Key Facts and Highlights

• Location and Setting: Rørvik is situated at a latitude of 65°N in central Norway, about 200 kilometers north of Trondheim. Despite its northern latitude, the climate is maritime, allowing even plum and apple trees to grow in some private gardens.

• Maritime Hub: The town is a historic communications center and a significant maritime hub, known for its busy working harbor. The port is one of the largest in Central Norway, with over 15,000 ship calls annually.

• Coastal Express Port: Rørvik is a major port of call on the classic Hurtigruten and Havila Coastal Express routes, famous for being the location where the northbound and southbound ships meet every evening.

Culture and Attractions

Rørvik's cultural identity is deeply tied to its coastal and fishing heritage, which can be explored at several key sites:

• Norwegian Coastal Museum (Norveg): This critically acclaimed, wave-shaped architectural landmark is the center for coastal culture and vessel protection. Its permanent exhibit spans 10,000 years of the region's history, showcasing the evolution of coastal life and its status as one of the world's leading fishing nations.

• Berggården: A restored 19th-century merchant's trading post adjacent to the Norveg museum. It was central to Rørvik's growth starting in 1878 and allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of a shop and historic living quarters from the early 20th century.

• Sør-Gjæslingan: This preserved 19th-century fishing village, located on a nearby skerry, was one of the largest and most important fishing villages south of Lofoten in its time. Boat tours from Rørvik allow visitors to explore this historical site during the summer.

• Local Events: The town hosts the annual Skreifestivalen (Cod Festival) in March, a celebration of food and coastal culture.

One of Scandinavia's oldest cities, Trondheim was the first capital of Norway, from AD 997 to 1380. Founded in 997 by Viking king Olav Tryggvason, it was first named Nidaros (still the name of the cathedral), a composite word referring to the city's location at the mouth of the Nidelva River. Today, it's Central Norway's largest (and Norway's third largest) city, with a population of 150,000. The wide streets of the historic city center remain lined with brightly painted wood houses and striking warehouses. But it's no historic relic: it's also the home to NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and is Norway's technological capital.

Molde, the 'Town of Roses', is a city and municipality in Romsdal in Møre og Romsdal County, Norway. The municipality is located on the Romsdal Peninsula, surrounding the Fannefjord and Moldefjord. The city is located on the northern shore of the Romsdalsfjord. The city of Molde is the administrative centre of Møre og Romsdal County, administrative center of the municipality of Molde, commercial hub of the Romsdal region and seat of the Diocese of Møre. Molde proper consists of a 6.2-mile (10-kilometre) long and 0.62-1.24 mile (1-2-kilometre) wide strip of urban land running east-west along the north shore of the Moldefjord, an arm of the Romsdalsfjord, on the Romsdal Peninsula. The city is sheltered by Bolsøya and the Molde Archipelago, a chain of low-lying islands and islets, to the south and the wood-clad hills of Moldemarka to the north. The city centre is located just west of the River Moldeelva, which runs into the city from the north, originating in the Lake Moldevatnet and running through the Valley Moldedalen.

The coastal town of Ålesund is the commercial capital of the Møre og Romsdal district. But more important, it is noted for its characteristic Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings, which some claim make Ålesund one of the most beautiful towns in Norway. This Art Nouveau style emerged when the town was completely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904 destroyed nearly 800 buildings and left 10,000 residents homeless. It is said that the fire started by a tipped oil lamp. Rebuilding was carried out with the help of many young, foreign architects who added their own flourishes to the architectural blend of German Jugendstil and Viking roots. Today, narrow streets are crammed with buildings topped with turrets, spires and gables that bear decorations of dragonheads and curlicues. As one of the few remaining Art Nouveau towns in the world, in 1998 Ålesund was awarded the coveted Houens National Memorial Prize for the preservation of its unique architecture.

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.