Norwegian Coast & Hurtigruten

Norway's coast: Fjords, bays & islands

According to National Geographic, the coast of Norway may be the most complex land edge on the planet. If you put Norway’s 63 000 miles of fjords, bays, and island shores into a single line, it would circle the planet two and a half times!

The larger fjords of western Norway cut a long way inland. Sognefjord is Norway’s longest fjord, stretching more than 200 km inland.

The amazing Vega archipelago on the magic Helgeland coast is on the UNESCO natural site list, and the Arctic Lofoten Islands offer the most dramatic & spectacular scenery.

To really experience the amazing Norwegian coast, you should definitely choose a cruise.  The Hurtigruten ship line has been cruising along the coast for more than 100 years.

Norwegian coast highlights

which you can enjoy on a Hurtigruten cruise:

Bergen, the doorway to the fjords, is a real “must see”, with its picturesque hillsides & the wooden UNESCO Bryggen wharf. Bergen is beautifully located by the Bergen fjord, surrounded by 7 mountains. Bergen is the starting point for the northbound Hurtigruten cruises, and the finishing point for the southbound cruises.

Visit Bergen on this cruise:
The Exclusive Grand Tour of Norway, 11 nights
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See our Bergen picture gallery

Alesund, the beautifully located Art Nouveau town

– the doorway to the UNESCO Geirangerfjord – has the most dramatic history. This tiny, peaceful town has a lot of charm, surrounded by stunning scenery, islands and fjords. The Brosundet canal is a central feature in Alesund. Alesund is also called the Fishing capital of Norway.

Visit Alesund on this cruise:
UNESCO Roros, Atlantic Ocean Road & Geirangerfjord, 9 nights
Read more about Alesund
See our Alesund picture gallery

The spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road

– a 8 km long road located on the western coast of Norway, south of the coastal town of Kristiansund. The road runs across an archipelago of islands and skerries. It consists of 8 bridges, with viewpoints and resting areas. An exciting excursion across this amazing road is available on the southbound Hurtigruten cruises, between Trondheim and Bergen.

See the Atlantic Ocean Road on this cruise:
Arctic Fjords & Coastal Highlights, 7 nights
Read more about the Atlantic Ocean Road excursion

Historic Trondheim

has the most unique areas with tiny wooden houses and narrow streets, the scenic Nidelven river and Norway’s national shrine, the medieval cathedral Nidarosdomen. Trondheim is also home to the largest wooden buildings in Norway. Must see in Trondheim is the authentic Bakklandet area and the old wooden bridge Gamle Bybro.

See Trondheim on this cruise:
Highlights of the Norwegian Coast, 11 nights
Read more about Trondheim
See our Trondheim picture gallery

The magic Helgeland coast

– with beautiful scenery, a vast number of scattered islands, mountain peaks, the 7 sisters mountain range just south of the town of Sandnessjoen, the picturesque, UNESCO Vega archipelago and views of the Svartisen glacier. You can see the Helgeland coast on southbound Hurtigruten cruises, between Lofoten Islands and Trondheim.

See the Helgeland coast on this cruise:
Cruise pacakge Oslo-Kirkenes-Bergen, 8 nights
Read more about the Helgeland coast

The spectacular Lofoten Islands

– with the most stunning scenery, mountain peaks, tiny fishing settlements, the Lofotr Viking hall, the Rorbu (Fishermen’s cottages) and the stockfish. Lofoten has a very high density of sea eagles and millions of other sea birds, among them the colourful puffin. You can join beautiful and interesting excursions across these unforgettable islands during your Hurtigruten cruise.

Visit the Lofoten Islands on this cruise:
Lofoten Islands, Helgeland & Sognefjord, 12 nights
See all our tours & cruises to Lofoten Islands
Read more about the Lofoten Islands

The Arctic Trollfjord

– a magic, narrow 2 km long fjord, with mountain peaks and steep mountain sides.
A normal sight is sea eagles circling around the mountain peaks. The amazing Trollfjord is located just north of the Lofoten Islands, by the amazing Vesteralen archipelago.

The entrance or mouth of the fjord is nearly invisible from a distance, as it is only 100 m wide. It is a wonder that a big ship is able to enter this fjord, and above all, turn around to get out again.

The Hurtigruten ships make a spectacular detour to this fjord in the summer season, weather permitting.

Visit the Trollfjord on this cruise:
Cruise package Oslo-Kirkenes-Bergen, 8 nights
Read more about the Trollfjord

Arctic Tromso

is surrounded by magic Arctic scenery, mountain peaks, islands and fjords. Tromso is a beautiful destination for the Midnight sun during the summer months.
Tromso is ideally located in the middle of the Northern Lights zone – hence it is the perfect Northern Lights destination.

Visit Tromso on this cruise:
Arctic Coast, North Cape & Tromso, 5 nights
Read more about Tromso
See our Tromso picture gallery

The North Cape  - "the top of Europe"

is located on the Mageroya island as far north as you can get in Norway. The North Cape is a steep, 307 m high cliff with a large flat plateau on top where visitors can stand and watch the views. The North Cape is the point where the Norwegian Sea (part of the Atlantic Ocean) meets the Barents Sea (part of the Arctic Ocean). Excursions to the North Cape are available on the Hurtigruten cruises between Tromso and Kirkenes.

See the North Cape on this cruise:
Arctic Coast, North Cape & Tromso, 5 nights
Read more about the North Cape excursion

Hurtigruten

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Hurtigruten offers a large selection of beautiful and exciting land excursions en route, such as RIB safari to the amazing Saltstraumen tidal current outside Bodo, the Golden Route and Trollstigen hairpin road, sightseeing in the coastal cities, Midnight concert in the Arctic cathedral in Tromso.
See overview of all our Hurtigruten excursions