Fjords

About Stavanger

The gateway to Norways spectacularly scenic fjordland, Stavanger is also a town with its own rich heritage as it is regarded as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. Your ship will dock right next to Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter, with its collection of 200-year-old white wooden houses (considered national heritage monuments in their own right), 12th century cathedral modelled on Winchester Cathedral, markets, craft stores and art galleries.

Look out, too, for the Three Swords monument in the Hafrsfjord rock recalling the Viking sea battle won by King Harald the Fairhair to create Norway as one kingdom back in the 9th century. This is on the way to a recreation of an Iron Age Farm at Jernaldergarden. The other major landmark is a short boat trip away through the delightful Stavanger archipelago to the 2,000ft high Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen).

About Molde

Located on the northern shore of the Romsdalsfjord, the Norwegian town of Molde is famous for its beautiful surroundings and spectacular panoramic views of over 220 snow-capped peaks. Small wooden houses, gardens, parks and avenues full of trees and flowers have earned it the nickname ‘town of roses’ - a name that is definitely well deserved.

Alongside mountains, valleys plunge down to rivers and fjords and finally out to sea. A devastating fire in 1916 means little trace is left of old Molde, but this tranquil town has not lost its sense of history. The nearby island fishing museum with its lovely pines and birches continues to tell the tale of the fjords fishermen and is well worth a trip.

Nearby you can drive over bridges, small islands and skerries right out to the oceans edge or venture up fjord arms to visit the dramatic scenery of the Eidesdalen valley and the waterfall at Mardalsfossen. And at Åndalsnes you can marvel at the mountain of Trollveggen and tread the twists and turns of the Trollstigen tourist road.

About Trondheim

Enjoy the best of all possible worlds in Norways first-ever capital, which is still its third largest city and one of its most popular Fjordland cruise ports, Trondheim. Looking south along the picturesque Trondheim fjord, the most northerly in Norways west coast Fjordland region, are lush forests and valley but look north and you see the beginnings of the vast expanse of the Arctic Ocean.

But, whichever way you are heading, there is much to enjoy in Trondheim before you set sail.  Visit Stiftsgarden, the King of Norways official residence, which also happens to be the oldest wooden building in northern Europe, while the Archbishops Palace is the oldest secular building in Scandinavia. Among the pick of several fascinating museums is one featuring the decorative arts with its collections of 16th century ceramics and Art Nouveau artefacts. For the best bars and restaurants, try the 18th century Bakklandet waterfront district.

About Tromso

It is easy to make the most of a day in Norway’s most northerly city and cruise port Tromsø because, in summer, the ‘midnight sun’ shines around the clock. The best way to see its full glory is to take a cable car 480 metres up to the top of Mount Storsteinen, which affords spectacular views out over the city to the surrounding mountains.

The launchpad for many Polar expeditions, Tromsø lies 400 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and, if you are fascinated by the world of snow and ice, the city’s Polaria Science Museum is the place to find out all about it.

Within its iceberg-shaped walls you can meet the local wildlife at a vast aquarium, experience an Arctic snowstorm or take a virtual trek through the frozen wilderness to encounter polar bears and see the mystical Northern Lights.

And, if the experience leaves you thirsty, you’re in luck; Tromsø has more bars than anywhere else in Norway!

About Honningsvaag

They call Honningsvaag the North Cape cruise port these days, as this busy fishing port town on Mageroya Island is the capital of Nordkapp, Norways most northerly municipality.    Bounded by the Barents Sea, Nordkapp comprises Mageroya and the facing stretch of mainland, but the place everyone wants to visit is the North Cape Plateau about 20 miles from Honningsvaag.

On a clifftop more than 900 feet above the sea, this is Europes most northerly point and the final frontier before the Arctic Ocean. Many thousands of photographs have been taken of visitors beside the globe sculpture on the clifftop, usually lit by the Midnight Sun which shines here (clouds permitting) on 77 nights of the year. There is a fascinating North Cape Heritage museum in Honningsvaag and other tours outside the town include trips to a nature and bird reserve in nearby Gjesvaertappan.

About Hammerfest

Sleepily pretty Hammerfest is hidden in the heart of fjordland and is characterised by brightly painted houses and quiet streets. Claiming to be the world’s most northern town, its latitude means that the sun never sets here between May 17 and July 28 and never rises between November 21 and January 23.

At the heart of the town you can wander around the Market Square, home to the Hammerfest Town Hall and a museum, displaying relics from when it was the metropolis of the Arctic and the Whalers’ capital. Standing out above the low level skyline is the Lutherun church. Built in 1961 it is a striking example of modern architecture, with a tent shaped gable and large stained glass window.
Experience the traditional Sami culture, which remains strongly preserved here. On top of the Salen Mountain you will find Mikkelgammen, a small Lappish cabin, where you can sample Sami cuisine and sip delicious coffee made over the bonfire.

About Lofoten Islands

A delightfully remote Arctic archipelago, the Lofoten Islands offer a vista of natural beauty spectacular even by Norways high standards. Yet it was as recently as 1984 that the first cruise ship called at any of its ports: Leknes, Svolvaer and Stamsund.

A latecomer to Norwegian cruising, the Lofoten Islands have quickly become popular because of their picturesque fishing villages, awesome views of pristine fjords and huge variety of birdlife. There are even some beautiful white sand beaches which are much appreciated in the islands remarkably mild, Gulf Stream-influenced climate.

Roads link five of the islands by bridge or tunnel so it is possible to see many of the best sights in one visit.  There is a fishing museum to reflect the life that continues to dominate the island as well as a fascinating Viking Museum inside Scandinavias largest reconstructed Viking Longhouse.

About Bergen

A former ‘European City of Culture’ with a string of fascinating art galleries facing its Lille Lungedgardsvann Lake, Bergen cruise port nestles amongst the magnificent mountains strung along Norway’s western coastline and is a gateway to Fjordland.

This 13th century Hanseatic – and now World Heritage - city was built on the site of an original Viking settlement and is full of historic sites, the best known of which is Bryggen. A collection of 11th century wooden buildings along the harbourfront, this is a World Heritage Site in its own right and has its own museum to tell its fascinating story.

To enjoy the best views of this picturesque city, take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen, which overlooks both Bergen and the surrounding region.

Also the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, Bergen is easily walkable and has a lively fish market and an even better general market along the harbourfront as well as many attractive bars and cafes.

About Eidfjord

The Norwegian cruise port Eidfjord is just a small sleepy village but it stands on the edge of huge scale attractions including the largest high mountain plateau (Hardangervidda) and Norways largest national park.

Eidfjord stands on the banks of the fjord, from which it takes its name, and has attractions of its own including a 14th century church and the largest collection of ancient graves in western Norway at its Viking Burial Place.

A couple of miles away is the Hardangervidda Nature Centre, which is an unusual adventure centre with all kinds of interactive ways of illustrating the rich natural, cultural and historical heritage of the region. Equally unusual is the Troll Train, which travels through the Mabodalen Valley to Norways most famous waterfall - Voringsfossen, which free falls nearly 500 feet.