Highlights of a Hurtigruten fjord cruise from Bergen
The Havila and Hurtigruten coastal voyages sail south to north from the charming city of Bergen to the arctic town of Kirkenes, passing the stunning Norwegian fjords along the coast. It runs year-round, making it ideal to experience the midnight sun in summer or to enjoy northern lights cruises in winter. A one-way cruise from Bergen covering the full route takes around 6 or 7 days and the voyage stops at 34 ports of call, with a variety of shore excursions on offer.
Here are just a few of the things you can experience on a cruise starting from Bergen:
-
Walk around the city of Ålesund and admire its renowned Art Nouveau architecture.
-
Sail up the Geirangerfjord, past tumbling waterfalls like the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil.
-
Stroll past the colourful wharf houses in Trondheim, the original capital of Norway until the 16th century.
-
See the beautiful Lofoten Islands, well known for its jagged mountains and quaint fishing villages.
-
Visit lively Tromsø, "The Paris of the North”, where many famous 19th-century arctic expeditions began.
-
Cruise along steep bird cliffs to the scenic North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe.
What’s more, the comfortable boats are equipped with many of the amenities of larger cruise ships, such as outdoor hot tubs, a fitness room, different dining rooms and lovely indoor and outdoor viewing decks for bird watching.
Exploring Bergen before your fjord cruise: things to see & do
Known as the “Gateway to the Fjords”, Bergen is located between the longest fjord in Norway, Sognefjord, and another beautiful fjord, Hardangerfjord. The city makes a great starting point for exploring Norway’s dramatic coastline, but it’s also a fascinating destination on its own. Some of the attractions in Bergen you can visit include the old Hanseatic wharf of Bryggen with its colourful houses -- now a World Heritage Site, the lively Fish Market and the funicular to the scenic overlook on the top of Mount Fløyen.
Starting tours from Bergen: getting here by train or rental car
Nordic Visitor specialises in combining fjord tours from Bergen with scenic train rides and road trips in Norway. To get from Oslo to Bergen, we recommend the Norway in a Nutshell® train journey, which includes a ride on the famous Flåm Railway, a fjord boat trip and a drive on a steep, hairpin road in the fjords. Plan to spend at least 8 days in Norway if you wish to enjoy a train-cruise combo trip, which includes at least one full day in Bergen. Want to extend your trip? We can even tailor your itinerary to include travel to neighbouring Scandinavian countries.
— NORWAY CRUISE FACTS
Quick facts about Hurtigruten & Havila
-
Hurtigruten was founded in 1893 to transport cargo, mail and passengers between coastal towns
-
Launched in 2021, the Havila fleet has won awards for its sustainability-focused technology
-
Havila and Hurtigruten ships stop at 34 ports along this beautiful and historic route
-
These cruise liners are considered leaders in the “slow travel” movement
