Beyond Bergen: Where to travel along Norway's coast
On your first trip to Norway, your entry point will likely be Oslo. If you have a few days to spare, you might even take the train out to Bergen to see some of the country's famous fjords: It's one of the most scenic rail journeys in all of Europe.
But if you're ready to go beyond the charming port city — which is not only a common embarkation point for Viking cruises but also has a new nonstop United flight from Newark — there are dozens of destinations to be explored.
To help you plan your itinerary, we asked Norway travel experts to share with us their favorite places along Norway's coast (and just a bit inland), along with the best things to do and see there.
Møre og Romsdal
If there's one must-visit place in this area, it's Møre og Romsdal, a coastal county between Bergen and Trondheim — most of our travel experts recommended stops in this region.
"It is a classic Norwegian fjordland with almost endless opportunities to explore the abundant natural beauty of dramatic mountain peaks, lush green valleys, powerful waterfalls and ice-cold glacial lakes," said Jimmy Carroll, founder of travel company Pelorus, who recently visited on a scouting trip.
For a classic fjord, visit Geirangerfjorden.
"This is how you see Norway as it looks on TV: high mountains on both sides of the narrow fjord," said Bjørn Christer Lemcke, expedition leader at Hurtigruten Norway's Coastal Express, an iconic multiday ferry route that's been operating for more than 125 years. Both Lemcke and Carroll also recommend visiting the nearby Hjørundfjorden, which is not only a prime hiking destination but also has charming restaurants in its mountainside villages.
Hornindalsvatn Lake should be another stop on your itinerary here — at 1,686 feet deep, it's Europe's deepest lake.
"I love the beautiful drive along the entire south shore from Nordfjordeid to Grodås," said Jan Vatsaas Schubert, a destination specialist with Fifty Degrees North, a tour company that specializes in Nordic destinations.
As for where to stay in the region, Carolyn Addison, head of product at tour operator Black Tomato, recommends the luxurious boutique Storfjord Hotel, which she considers "one of the most special places in Norway."
If you can, she said, visit for New Year's.
"A local villager is in charge of the fireworks," she said. "He's the best pyrotechnic in Norway, so it's an insane display, and the best views are from Storfjord's terrace."
Blindleia
In addition to its fjords, Norway is known for its archipelagos. Explore one via the 12.5-mile-long Blindleia waterway, just east of the city of Kristiansand.
"It's a beautiful intercoastal passage between the mainland and archipelago islands and skerries dotted with cottages," said Schubert.
Blindleia is sheltered by those islands, so the waters are perfectly calm and wonderful for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. You can also island-hop via the waterway's ferry system.
Trondheim
Trondheim is a popular tourist destination on Norway's central coast and the science capital of the country. For Lemcke, the city's top attraction is the Nidarosdomen, or Nidaros Cathedral.
"The Gothic cathedral was built starting roughly in 1200 and is the only one of its kind in Scandinavia," he said. "It's also where the kings of Norway are blessed when they take the throne."
On the way to the cathedral, Lemcke advises exploring the city center "with its colorful old wooden houses and narrow lanes."
Haugesund and Avaldsnes
If it's Viking history you seek, visit Haugesund; it's a charming city that Fifty Degrees North specialist Elaine Nelson Peik considers a mini version of Stavanger, a much larger, busier city that's a typical stop for cruise ships.
More specifically, you should visit the nearby village of Avaldsnes, once the royal seat of Viking kings. Today, it's both an archeological site as well as a history center where visitors can tour a recreation of a traditional Viking farm.
Kandal Valley
"Kandal Valley is breathtakingly beautiful and totally off the beaten track," said Schubert.
Its star attraction is the glacial lake Breimsvatn, along which you'll find one of Schubert's favorite attractions: the Kandal Ysteri & Gardsmat goat farm, which recently won a national award for its cheese.
"In the summer, visitors are welcome to come and enjoy coffee, food and the magnificent view," she said.
Selja
From the city of Måløy, you can take a day trip to the town of Selje, from which you can hop a boat to the island of Sleja. It sounds like a bit of a journey, but that's exactly the point — Selja was a religious pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
"Explore the ruins of the 11th-century monastery, followed by taking some easy, scenic hikes," Schubert said. "This is a fun and interesting stop for someone on a self-drive through Nordfjord."
Fedje
There are only about 500 inhabitants on the island of Fedje, a short boat ride from Bergen, but Torunn Tronsvang, founder and CEO of travel company Up Norway believes it's the next big destination in the region. A key indicator? A new hotel is being built on the island, designed by architect Todd Saunders, who is responsible for Canada's iconic Fogo Island Inn.
Tronsvang's favorite spot on the island is the female-owned Feddie Ocean Distillery, known for its Nine Sisters gin, named after the personifications of the sea in Norse mythology.
Gaularfjellet National Tourist Road
Schubert calls this drive "the scenic road less traveled." It's rather akin to Route 66 in the U.S.
The road was an important one for visitors traveling between the cities of Moskog, Sande and Balestran when it opened in 1938, but as larger highways were built, fewer people traversed it. But the 71-mile journey offers breathtaking views as drivers travel up and down mountains, around glacial lakes and alongside waterfalls — making it one of the best drives in Norway.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.