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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees