The Norwegian Fjords
Beccy Miller
Bergen
Known as the gateway to the Fjords, the pretty, colourful houses on the wharf in Bergen are a well-recognised site and an important part of their cultural heritage. The location of the city means winters are generally mild with little snow and in the summer months, endless sun means the town is busy all year round.
Take the Fløibanen Funicular, which goes up Fløyen Mountain for outstanding panoramic views and hiking trails or if you prefer to stay in the city, they have a wonderful museum and some of Norway’s best seafood restaurants.
Stavanger
The charming town of Stavanger, with its cobbled streets and wooden houses is an important part of Norway’s Viking history. It was here in 872 AD that a huge battle between Viking tribes was fought, which resulted in the unification of the Norwegian Kingdom for the first time. The Swords in the Rock, a short ride away from the centre of town, commemorates the victory of Harald Harfagre at this battle and is a popular choice.
There is also a lovely 12th-century Cathedral which is worth a visit but the natural wonder of Pulpit Rock is something else. It's quite a hike to get up there but once you are, the views are spectacular.
Olden
Olden is surrounded by natural beauty; towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and emerald lakes. This quaint little village is the springboard for outdoor activities. The adventurous among you may want to hike up the mountainside, kayak on one of the many lakes or while away the afternoon fishing.
Most Norwegian villages have a tiny church; the pretty example in Olden dates back to 1759. This unassuming building has wooden boxes for pews, some bearing initials of the families that lived here.
Alesund
Alesund is located on a series of islands along Norway's coast. It is best known for its art nouveau architecture which you can see walking through town. After much of the town burned in a 1904 fire, the city was rebuilt in this striking architectural style and you can learn about it at the Art Nouveau Center.
Take a trip to the Aksla Mountain in the middle of the town and climb the 418 steps to the top, you will be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the town. Head a little further out, The Viking Borgund Market Town, a fascinating open-air museum or the Alesund Aquarium, one of the largest saltwater aquariums in Northern Europe - great if you have kids with you.
Geiranger
At the very end of the UNESCO world heritage site of Geirangerfjord is the tiny little village of Geiranger. The main draw is the sail down the fjord itself; think fairytale-esque waterfalls, thundering mountains and snowcapped peaks. The most impressive of these is the Seven Sisters which is seven separate streams of water cascading down the mountainside.
From the village, kayak tours can be arranged to the seven sisters, or you can head to Hellesylt Bygdetun. Once a farm and now a museum, discover what life was like in these fjord farmsteads.
Flam
The lush meadows surrounding Flam make this an excellent port stop in the summer months. As well as the outdoorsy activities that the Fjords are known for, Flam offers several other options too. The Viking Valley in Gudvangen is an authentic Viking village where you can meet real Vikings and learn about their history and way of life.
Take one of the most stunning railway journeys in the world and travel on the Flåmsbana Railway, a 2-hr journey through the valley with jaw-dropping scenery all around you.
Lofoten Islands
As you head into the Arctic Circle, you reach the Lofoten Islands. This archipelago consists of many little islands and offers some of the most stunning scenery in all of Norway. Fishing villages dot the shoreline while rugged mountains tower in the background. In the summer months, the midnight sun hangs on the horizon, never fully setting
There is so much to do in the area - stone age settlements can be found here and there are caves with 3,000 year old paintings where archaeologists have found spears and ceramics dating back even further. Wildlife lovers can look for breaching whales or watch the seabirds nesting in the cliff faces.
Tromsø
The gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø offers the wonderful midnight sun in summer and the beautiful aurora borealis in the winter. This university town has a lively atmosphere year round, with an array of restaurants and shops.
As the starting point for lots of arctic expeditions, Tromsø naturally hosts the Polar museum in a traditional 1830s wharf house, giving a flavour of what those early expeditions must have been like. In the winter, enjoy sports like dog sledding, skiing and the chance to see the Northern Lights, out at sea, with no light pollution to interrupt them dancing across the sky.
