Bergen

  • Bergen

    Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2025

    Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2025: What's Happening in Bergen This Year

    Nestled between majestic fjords and scenic mountains, Bergen is set to shine brighter than ever in 2025, offering a rich tapestry of cultural, musical, and artistic experiences. Whether you’re a local looking to explore your city’s vibrant pulse or a visitor eager to uncover its charm, this year promises something for everyone. From world-class music festivals and historic celebrations to cutting-edge art exhibitions and culinary showcases, Bergen’s calendar is brimming with events that will captivate and inspire. Join us as we dive into the must-see happenings and mark your schedule for an unforgettable year in Norway’s cultural capital.

    bergen Travel Guide

    Be sure to check out my Bergen travel guide, where I put lots of information about what you can see and do in Bergen. 

    Table of Contents

    February 2025

    Bergen Seafood Festival (15 February)

    Norwegian seafood is at its best in winter, so it’s worth timing your winter trip with the Seafood Festival. Throughout the week, various restaurants will highlight unique seafood dishes. There are also special days where the chefs will give lessons on preparing and cooking different seafood dishes. However, the primary day is on the 15th of February, where stalls will spread around the fish market with excellent seafood for you to taste.

    You can view their website here: https://bergensjomatfestival.no/program-2024/

    March 2025

    6-9 March: Cine Latino

    The first film festival of the year is Cine Latino, which is a meeting place for Latin American culture. They show the best Latin American films but also have dances, food, music, panel discussions, and parties.

    View their website here: https://www.cinelatino.no/

    12-16 March: Borealis
    Borealis is a contemporary music festival with talks, films, literature and visual arts events. The goal of the festival is to discuss music and showcase modern forms of music.

    View their website here: https://www.borealisfestival.no/en/home/

    April 2025

    17, 18, 20, 21 April: Easter

    Easter is a big deal in Norway, and on these days expect shops and some restaurants to be closed. If you are driving or taking the train, it’s likely that it’ll be a little busier as many Norwegians use this time to head to the mountains and go skiing.

    26 April: Bergen City Marathon

    The Bergen City Marathon is in its 13th year and covers some of Bergen’s most famous places. I recommend getting a copy of the map and doing the trail (but in various stages) as you’ll pass by the best of Bergen.

    Practical information: the start and end line is at Bryggen, so it will be difficult to access Bryggen in the morning. Things will calm down after 2pm.

    View their website here: https://www.bergencitymarathon.no/en/

    May 2025

    1 May: Labour Day

    Norway has a public holiday on this day, so many shops will be closed. There will also be demonstrations and marches throughout the day.

    17 May: Constitution Day

    This is the most crucial day in Norway. If you are in Norway today, don’t bother planning any activities. Instead, go and watch the parades and enjoy the massive party.

    Practical information: The city will be packed until early afternoon, so don’t expect to be able to explore Bergen until then. It’s nearly impossible to get around!

    21 May – 4 June: Bergen International Festival

    The Bergen International Festival (called ‘Festspillene’ in Norwegian) is the largest arts festival in Bergen. There are over 150 events ranging from music to dance, opera to visual art, and so on. Many significant events sell out in advance, so book online early.

    23 – 31 May: Natt Jazz

    Natt Jazz is the longest jazz festival in Northern Europe. The main festival area is an old sardine factory, USF Verftet (United Sardines Factory), which now houses several concert venues, exhibitions, theatre, cinema, and artist studios.

    The music profile of Nattjazz spans a wide range of styles, primarily focusing on modern jazz. During Nattjazz, the borderlines between jazz, rock, ethnic, and electronica are explored and often erased. The children also get their share!

    26 May 2025: 7 Mountain Hike Day

    This is an essential event for many locals, and the city is extra busy on this day. It’s a seven-mountain fun run that covers approximately 30km. The route covers Bergen’s seven mountains. If it’s too much, you can do the three or five mountain hike instead.

    29 May: Ascension Day

    This is a public holiday in Norway.

    31 May 2025: Bergen to Voss Cycle Race

    This popular cycling race will draw many people to the city. The route is 170km, from Bergen to the ski resort in Voss.

    June 2025

    1-8 June: Bergen Gay Pride

    The “Rainbow Days” (Regnbuedagene) is a week-long festival that promotes gay pride in the city. It includes panel discussions and debates, concerts, art shows, and film screenings. The parade takes place on June 8th.

    8 June: Pentecost

    This is a public holiday in Norway

    9 June: Whit Monday

    This is a public holiday in Norway.

    11-14 June: Bergenfest

    Bergenfest is the largest music festival of the year, and the fortress area will be closed off during the festival. You can buy day tickets or festival passes if you wish to attend.

    July 2025

    30 July – 2 August: Beyond the Gates

    Beyond the Gates is Bergen’s metal music festival. The festival takes place across various locations in Bergen and draws fans from all over the world. During this time, expect to see a lot of metalheads walking around Bergen. There’s also different events on metal culture, including guided tours, art displays, and a tattoo festival.

    August 2025

    22-23 August: Feelings Festival

    Feelings Festival is Bergen’s newest music festival. This outdoor festival takes place at Bergenhus Fortress and has pop, hip-hop and EDM music. The fortress area will be closed during the festival.

    September 2025

    5-6 September: Bergen Food Festival

    This is a beloved event in the city, where farmers and businesses from the fjord region descend into Bergen to promote their products. You’ll find food stalls where you can buy local foods straight from the small business owner.

    At Festplassen you’ll find a marketplace of various foods including vegetables, fruits, verries, cheeses, meats and seafood.

    The festival also hosts the Norwegian Cider Festival at the ‘cider park’ (adjacent to Festplassen). You can try cider from around the country as well as other local beverages, including local beers, gins, and aquavit.

    Additionally, over 30 restaurants will adjust their menus to promote local ingredients.

    12-13 September: Bergen Beer Festival

    The Bergen Beer Festival is an excellent time to sample various microbreweries from across Norway. The Beer Festival is held at USF Verftet.

    October 2025

    15-23 October: Bergen International Film Festival

    The Bergen International Film Festival is one of Norway’s largest film festivals. The main focus are documentary films from around the world, but you can also catch fictional and short films here. Various cinemas are used around the city.

    November 2025

    Mid-November to the End of December: Gingerbread Village

    The World’s Largest Gingerbread Village (“Pepperkakebyen”) is built in Bergen for the period from mid-November until the end of December. It’s one of the most popular places to visit over the Christmas period.

    Mid-November: Lysfest

    The Festival of Lights (“Lysfest”) takes place around mid-November every year and it is the event where the Christmas tree is lit in Bergen. There’s also live music, entertainment, and a fireworks display.

    Mid-November – Mid December: Christmas Market

    The Christmas Market is held annually in Bergen every year from around mid-November until just before Christmas. Here you’ll find stalls to buy handicrafts and try local foods as well as typical Christmas foods. There are also some rides for kids.

    December 2025

    25 December: Christmas Day
    This is a public holiday in Norway.

    26 December: St. Stephens Day
    This is a public holiday in Norway.

  • Bergen, Hurtigruten

    Preparation & Embarking the Hurtigruten in Bergen

    Preparation & Embarking the Hurtigruten

    If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’ll be embarking on a Hurtigruten voyage out of Bergen – lucky you! Often considered the world’s most beautiful voyage, the Hurtigruten is a daily ferry service that goes from Bergen to Kirkenes, and then back again. Along the way, the ship stops in 34 wonderful ports over 6 days. Once in Kirkenes, the ship repeats the same journey back south to Bergen.

    Embarkation day can be a stressful day, especially since information isn’t always exactly clear. However, I have done the Hurtigruten enough times to have a clear understanding of exactly how this day works. So, here is my guide to preparing for and embarking the Hurtigruten from the port of Bergen. 

    Embarking the Hurtigruten in Bergen

    Norway's Coastal Ferry

    Bergen is a port of call of Norway’s coastal ferry. Find my guide for the coastal ferry by clicking the link below. 

    Norway's Coastal Ferry
    Bergen Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    Why trust me?

    I’ve been taking travellers on the Hurtigruten since 2019! I love taking the Hurtigruten so much that I have even taken it for a vacation. I believe it is one of the best ways to see Norway, and I encourage everyone to do the voyage at least once in their lifetimes. 

    Above you can see some of the cabin cards I’ve collected over the years. 

    Preparing to Board

    Before you even get on board, there are lot of questions about what you need to pack, what to expect on board, and just generally how things work. Here are some of the key things you need to know ahead of boarding: 

    Important! Hurtigruten FAQ

    Hurtigruten has an excellent FAQ page that you should read as well.

    You can find it here: https://www.hurtigruten.com/en/practical-information/coastal-express

    What currency is used on board? Can I use my credit card?

    The currency used on board is Norwegian Kroner (NOK). It may be possible to exchange currencies on board, but you may not get the best rate. There is a Forex in Bergen should you wish to get currency exchanged in advance.

    That said, you do not need cash on this voyage. On the ship you can pay for everything with bank card. In fact, when you check in at the Bergen terminal the staff will encourage you to open a cruise account. With a cruise account, your credit card is synced to your cabin card and you make all purchases onboard using your cabin number or cabin card. On the last night on board, the amount is charged to your credit card.

    The only time you may want cash is to leave a tip. There is a tip box in the restaurant where you can put cash.

    Is there a dress code on board?

    No. You can wear whatever you like on the ship, and that’s one of the reasons I love it. There’s no formal nights, but if you are on board for the Captains Dinner (Day 10), you may want to bring something nice to wear. But generally the atmosphere is laid back and relaxed.

    What do I do if I have allergies, dietary requirements, or need to keep medication in a fridge?

    Each night at dinner you get to choose between a meat, fish or vegetarian meal, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options at breakfast and lunch. If you have a special diet or allergy, you need to alert the restaurant manager outside the restaurant when you board the ship. It’s also possible to alert them in advance when you book, but I would recommend double checking on board.

    If you have medication that needs to be refrigerated, there are no fridges in the cabins. Rather, simply give them to reception who will store them in a fridge for you.

    What electrical adapters should I bring?

    The sockets used on board are the 220v AC, two-pin Continental type. Basically, standard European plugs. The ship doesn’t offer adapters, so it’s important to come prepared. In Bergen, you can pick them up at sports store or electrical stores.

    Is there a laundry?

    There is a laundry on the ship with washing machines, dryers and irons. To use the machines, you purchase tokens from reception (for approximately 30 NOK) and put them into the washing machine. The detergent is in the machine already. The dryers are used for free.

    What should I pack that I may not be thinking of?

    Bringing a swimming costume and gym clothes. Some of the ships have hot tubs on board and all have gyms. Also, there are towels and hair wash/body wash in your rooms.

    You may also want to bring a lanyard to hold the cabin card. They do sell them on board, but if you have one at home it’s worth bringing it.

    I highly recommend bringing ear plugs and a sleep mask (if travelling in summer). The ship is noisy in the middle of the night, and you will get woken up when docking in the ports. Bring some ear plugs to tone down the noise. Why a sleep mask? Well, in summer it’s light 24/7. While the curtains do an okay job at blocking out the light, I find it just isn’t dark enough. 

    Hurtigruten Day-By-Day Guide

    Did you know I’ve written a day-by-day guide for Hurtigruten? You should read that after you’re done with this! Check it out by clicking the link below. 

    Hurtigruten Day-by-day Guide

    My Hurtigruten book will be coming out in May 2025 🙂 If you want to be notified when that’s released, follow me on Facebook:

    My Facebook Page

    Embarking Hurtigruten in Bergen

    Alright, you’re packed and ready to go. You’ve arrived in Bergen, and now you need to get to the ship. What do you do? Here’s the step-by-step guide!

    When is the terminal open?

    The terminal is open from 1pm to 8pm on departure days.

    Getting from the airport to the terminal

    The journey from the airport to the terminal takes approximately 45 minutes if you take the Flybussen (Airport Bus). You take it from platform A5 in front of the arrivals hall. You can find exact times on their website: https://www.flybussen.no/en

    If you take a taxi, the drive time is approximately 20 minutes. Be careful which company you take; some companies charge 20% more than others. If you want to take a taxi, I recommend downloading the 07000 Bergen Taxi app and booking a taxi. You can book once you pick up your suitcase; it typically takes the taxi 2-3 minutes to appear at the “preordered taxi” pick up zone.

    Getting from a hotel to the terminal

    The terminal is located a little ways outside the city centre, so I recommend booking a taxi (use the same method as mentioned above).

    Storing luggage at the terminal

    You can store luggage at the terminal. The luggage lockers are on the first floor of the terminal and can be paid for by credit card. It is possible to drop off the luggage between 1pm and 2:30pm.

    What time should you arrive?

    You can arrive at the terminal any time after 1pm, but I do encourage waiting until the evening. I know, it’s very exciting boarding Hurtigruten and seeing the ship, but the terminal itself is not so fun. Bergen is a great place – stay in town and explore!

    Tip – while the terminal opens at 1pm, do not come and try to check in between 2:45pm and 3:15pm. This is when the ship is arriving and the passengers are disembarking. To put it mildly, it will be chaos. 

    In Bergen, the embarkation time if 4pm (16:00). However, that doesn’t mean you have to board at 4pm. In fact, you can board as late as 8pm if you really wanted.

    I recommend boarding the ship between 5pm and 7pm. The reason is that the cabins are not ready until 6pm, and that’s the same time the buffet dinner is served. If you arrive before then, you’ll basically just be sitting around on the ship. The Expedition Team may not yet be on board ready to take excursion bookings. So really, you’re just sitting around. Bergen is a pretty wonderful place, so go out and enjoy it!

    I Love Bergen Walking Tours

    I operate walking tours in Bergen and you should absolutely do one while you’re in the city! 

    Click here for more information. 

    The Hurtigruten Guest Lounge

    The Hurtigruten Guest Lounge is located on the second floor of the terminal and is open from 1pm. There are some pastries and drinks that you can have, as well as free Wifi, USB chargers and sockets.

    When checking in at the terminal in Bergen, you simply have to hand over a form of identification, which in most cases is your passport. You will then get the envelope with your cabin card and some practical information inside. The reception will then ask if you want to sync your credit card to your cabin card. While I highly recommend doing it here, keep in mind you can also do it at the reception on board the ship.

    This is the envelope you receive. On the bottom left side, you have all the meal times of that day (lunch changes every day so be sure to double check). The dinner time is your set time, and the table is your assigned table. Remember – this is not for the first night in Bergen! Night one in Bergen is free seating and a buffet, so come whenever you want.

    In the bottom right, there’s all my practical information.

    In the top right, the “SEL” means “Select” package – I paid a little extra for coffee/tea and free Wifi. The Wifi slip is in the envelope. 

    My cabin number is also written here. This is important – it’s not written on your cabin card! This is for safety reasons. 

    Here is what the cabin card looks like. You can see SEL on the cabin card – this is important as the staff will ask to check this when you get coffee or tea. I can also see the dates I’m board, where I’m embarking and disembarking, and what meals I get. It also says that I’m an Ambassador Member, i.e. in their loyalty program. I’m sure that gets me extra benefits, I’ve just never used them. 

    What happens with your luggage?

    Unless you are embarking or disembarking the ship at the terminal in Bergen, you need to carry your own luggage on and off the ship at all the other ports.

    In Bergen, you drop off your luggage when checking in at the counter in the terminal. They put it on a luggage belt, like at an airport, and it goes to the back of the terminal where crew take it on the ship and put it outside your cabin.

    The Safety Briefing

    It is a safety requirement that all passengers attend the safety briefing inside the terminal at Bergen. Once you have checked in and dropped off your luggage, you take the escalator to the upper floor, where there’s a waiting room. Inside the waiting room are free snacks and drinks to keep you happy while you wait.

    If you’re boarding after 5pm, the safety briefings are pretty frequent. If boarding before 5pm, you may be waiting 30 minutes or more for the next briefing. They only run when there’s enough people ready to board.

    The briefing lasts for about 10 minutes and includes a video in Norwegian, English, German and sometimes French. It includes a demonstration of how to put on a life jacket and the instructions to be followed in the event of an evacuation.

    Going on Board

    Once the safety briefing is over, they’ll scan your cabin card so they know you’ve attended the briefing. Then, you’ll walk through the terminal (it’s a long walk!) to get to the place where you board the ship, You’ll have to scan your cabin card again; this time, it’s scanning you in so the staff know you’re on board.

    In Bergen, you embark on Deck 5. Normally once you embark, there is a counter promoting the drinks packages. From Deck 5, head down one level to Deck 4, which is where the reception, expedition team, and restaurant is.

    Wifi

    Yes, one of the first things people want is Wifi! Completely understandable.

    If you have a SEL package, or your documents say you have Wifi included, you’ll get a special Wifi slip in your envelope. About 30% of the time the staff have forgot to put mine in the envelope, which is fine. If this happens to you, just go and ask reception (Deck 4) for one. They’ll give it to you no issues 🙂

    Wifi is a bit of a pain to use as many don’t see that you have to log in two separate times. 

    First you connect to the Wifi on your device and enter the first password on the slip. Then, a popup window will come asking for a username and password. That’s where you enter the second username and password on the slip. Many people (myself included!) miss that.

    Now – the Wifi works fine. However, if you have data in Norway, you may just want to stick on 4G/5G – especially if you have unlimited. I find my 5G (Norwegian Simcard) is faster than the Wifi. 

    Dinner

    The first nights dinner is always a buffet dinner. Dinner opens at 6pm and I highly recommend going early; if you wait until after 7pm, it can get very crowded. Dinner often closes at 9pm. You do not sit in your assigned seats on this day.

    Sail Away

    When the ship leaves at 8:30pm, the expedition team and crew will normally have a little party out on the open deck, where they sell champagne. If the weather is miserable in Bergen, they may not do this. 

    Welcome Meeting

    Normally after the departure from Bergen, perhaps at 9pm or 9:30pm, the expedition team will have their first meeting. I highly recommend going to this!

    During this meeting, you’ll get an introduction to the crew (they come and say hi), the layout of the ship, and important practical information that you need to know. Trust me, it’s worth going to this meeting. It lasts up to 40 minutes.

    Daily Schedule

    Before going to bed, be sure to check out the daily schedule for the following day. This can be found on television screens all around the ship. Some ships also print the daily schedule. 

    Be sure to not only look at the schedule to see which ports you’re docking in, what the lectures are, and so on, but there are also the meal times on the right side. 

    Time for Bed!

    It’s been a long day, and normally by the time the meeting is over you’re done and ready for bed. 

    Norway's Coastal Ferry

    Bergen is a port of call of Norway’s coastal ferry. Find my guide for the coastal ferry by clicking the link below. 

    Norway's Coastal Ferry
    Bergen Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide
  • Bergen, Dalen, Oslo, Stavanger, Telemark, Trondheim

    The Most Haunted Places in Norway

    The Most Haunted Places in Norway

    Norway is the land of folktales and trolls, but haunted places can be a little tricky to find. In fact, when I was making a ghost tour of Bergen, I got stuck because many Norwegians don’t believe in ghosts! Still, with all the history to be found in Norway, there have been some gruesome incidents that have led to tales of hauntings, so I did a deep dive online to find the most haunted places in the country.

    Here are some of the stories on the most haunted places in Norway that I found. Will you add these to your Norwegian adventure? Be sure to let me know!

    The Most Haunted Places in Bergen

    I wrote a seperate guide for the most haunted places in Bergen, which you can view below. 

    Haunted Places in Bergen

    The Most Haunted Places in Norway

    Akershus Fortress (Oslo)

    Akershus Fortress is probably one of the least surprising haunted location Norway. There are few places in Norway that have more supernatural tales than in the fortress. Most of the stories come from the time the fortress functioned as a prison for Norway’s most notorious criminals. During their time at the prison, they would be forced to do hard labour and the prison guards used irons, chains and isolation as disciplinary techniques. There have been reports of whispers and scratching along the fortress hallways.

    There is another haunted tale of Akershus Fortress – the demon dog Malcanisen. It is said of Malcanisen approaches you, then it means you will soon die; everyone who encounters him dies within three months. There have also been sightings of ‘nightpyres’ – burning women the size of babies with awful smiles. Their appearance is thought to precede a fire at the fortress. 

    Book a Ghost Tour of Oslo
    Oslo Travel Guide

    Nidaros Cathedral (Trondheim)

    I remember visiting Nidaros Cathedral with the intent of learning about the ghost stories, as this one fascinated me the most. Considering the cathedral’s history, it is probably not so surprising that there are tales of ghosts here. 

    The ghost here is in fact a monk. The monk was first seen in 1924 by bishop Marie Gleditsch, who claimed the apparition had a bloody gash along its throat as though it had just been cut. There was even blood dripping from the wound!

    There have been frequent reports of inexplicable chanting and organ music in the cathedral late at night. 

    However, keep in mind this ghost is a little controversial as historians claim no order of monks were ever connected to the cathedral. 

    Munkholmen (Trondheim)

    This tiny island has been an abbey, fort and a prison. People have heard and seen mysterious appearances here. Many believe the ghost to be the famous prisoner Peder Schumacher Griffenfeld, who was imprisoned on the island for 18 years.

    Trondheim Travel Guide

    Utstein Kloster (Stavanger)

    Utstein Abbey is the only medieval monastery in Norway that’s still in operation. As a former monastery, it has housed many men – but it’s a woman’s presence that still lingers in the place today. In the 18th century, the monastery was bought by the Garmann family. Christoffer Garmann lived there with his wife, Cecilia, who unfortunately died in childbirth in 1759 at 25 years old. Despite his promise to her on her deathbed that he would never marry again, Christoffer got engaged to a woman 36 years younger than him (!) 20 years later.

    Hoping to escape the promise to his wife, he arranged for the wedding to happen in Stavanger Cathedral. But Cecilia found him anyway, appearing in front of him in the middle of the ceremony. Christoffer died eight days later. Cecilia has been seen wandering the monastery in her wedding dress, presumably to make a point.

    Stavanger Travel Guide

    Dalen Hotel (Dalen)

    It’s not just historic fortresses and churches that are haunted, but hotels too! Dalen is one of the most beautiful historic hotels in Norway. . Located in the small village of Dalen in Telemark, the hotel was built in the late 19th century to accommodate guests taking the Telemark Canal. Guests and staff share accounts of Room 17’s notoriety, where the spirit referred to as “The English Lady” lingers in her eternal unrest.

    Originally known as Miss Greenfield of England, she arrived at Dalen Hotel one spring morning during the late 19th century and stayed as a guest for several months. Remarkably, her pregnancy remained a secret from the hotel’s staff. After she left, they made a grim discovery in the room – a lifeless infant. Miss Greenfield was arrested and charged with murder but took her own life before the trial could begin.

    To this day, a table is set for her at the hotel restaurant. The sound of a baby crying can be heard. 

    Source (Article in Norwegian)

    Dalen Travel Guide

    Hotel Union Øye (Øye)

    Hotel Union Øye is a charming historic hotel located in the Sunnmøre region near the Hjørundfjord and Geirangerfjord. Here, though, a tragic love story took place at the end of the 19th century. 

    This ghost story involves Linda, a servant girl who fell in love with a German officer. The officer was trapped in an unhappy marriage and he fell in love with Linda. Whenever the officer would visit the hotel, he and Linda would stay in the ‘Blue Room’.

    The officer tried to get a divorce but was denied. This upset him to the point that he committed suicide. As you can imagine, Linda was heartbroken by this. She ended up taking her own life too.

    People hear the ghost of Linda weeping in the Blue Room. Guests checking into the hotel get a silver bowl of garlic. If you’ve had a long trip and just don’t feel in the mood for ghostly shenanigans, you can keep the bowl in your room. However, if you’re curious, all you have to do is leave the bowl outside the door and wait. 

    Source (Article in Norwegian)

    Bærums Verk (Oslo)

    Bærums Verk is a historic village and ironworks located just out of Oslo. The Værtshuset restaurant here is one of the most notorious haunted places in the country – it is also one of the oldest restaurants of its kind in Norway as it opened in 1640. Many accounts of supernatural occurrences have been documented here. Many attribute these phenomena to the ghostly presence of Anna Krefting, the woman who managed and oversaw Bærums Verk for five decades during the 18th century. She has been spotted several times in the restaurants second floor, eternally dressed in green.

    In the administration building of Bærum Verks shopping district, there have been reports of a phone that rings every night at the exact same time. Those who pick up never hear anything but an odd, static hissing sound in the other end.

    Lier Asylum

    Lier Asylum is probably the most famous of the haunted places in Norway, at least among Norwegians. The old Lier Psychiatric Hospital opened in 1926. Between the 1930s and 1960s, the hospital started “experimental treatments” which included subjecting patients to lobotomies, LSD, and medically induced comas for days at a time. Due to the disproportionate ratio of patients to nurses, there were lots of reports of violence. Many of the old buildings have been torn down to make way for new housing, and the other buildings will also be renovated as apartments. Would you buy an apartment in that building?

    Article about Lier Asylum (in Norwegian)

    The Church Ruins of Nes (Vormsund)

    Over time, there have been accounts of peculiar phenomena, strange noises and unusual illuminations within the ruins of Nes Church in Vormsund. At the heart of these occurrences lies the enigmatic figure of Jacob Christian Finckenhagen, a priest who served the church from 1800 to 1837.

    The tales surrounding his life and fate remain a subject of controversy. Some assert that his offspring are interred within the walls behind the alter, while others claim he met his demise by hanging from the church rafters.

    Alternatively, it’s suggested that he simply succumbed to old age. Regardless of the uncertainty, numerous reports persist of his restless spirit wandering the church ruins during the night. Some visitors claim their movements become impaired and sluggish like they are submerged in water.

    Fredriksten Fortress (Halden)

    Fredriksten is a historic fortress in the town of Halden and is historically one of Norway’s most significant fortresses.

    Here you’ll find the White Lady – Den Hvite Dame – who is said to reside at the fortress. She was once the fortress commander’s mistress. After her lover was killed by a cannonball fired by Swedish forces attacking the fortress, his remains were not recovered. She killed herself by jumping off the fortress wall and is said to appear near the white tower at midnight.

    The Most Haunted Places in Norway

    There are so many fascinating historic sites in Norway, and the fact that they have these tales and legends makes them even more interesting to visit. Would you visit these haunted places in Norway?

    If I’ve missed a story, be sure to let me know!

  • Bergen

    Which Fjord Cruise Should You Book From Bergen?

    Which Fjord Cruise Should You Take from Bergen?

    One of the big reasons people come to Bergen is to see the fjords. After all, Bergen is nicknamed the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’ because of the city’s close proximity to the most spectacular fjords in the country. Naturally, there are many different fjord cruises available. It can be tricky figuring out which one is the best one, so I’ve written a fjord cruise guide for Bergen!

    When I was looking at the list, I was comparing a few different things. First, it’s important to understand that not all fjords are the same. Just because a cruise lists all the fjords they go down, doesn’t mean these are interesting fjords! For the dramatic scenery, you need to travel deep into the country. This means that you’ll be picking a full-day trip out of Bergen. 

    Another thing many overlook is how boring it can be travelling on the fjords. Yes, the fjords and beautiful and why many come to Norway, but honestly if you’re doing a three or four hour cruise on the one fjord, you aren’t getting a lot of variety.

    Lastly, and most importantly, do not book through third-party tour companies. If you see companies offering these cruises as a package, they are just buying public transport tickets and selling them to you at a huge fee. Always book directly through the cruise company (I’ve linked them below). Even though I use affiliate links to websites like GetYourGuide, on this page I’m specifically avoiding it as I don’t want you to be ripped off booking third party. 

    So, based on that, here’s my guide to the fjord cruises with links to learn about the cruise directly on their website.

    Fjord Cruise Bergen Guide

    Bergen Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    You can learn more about Bergen on my dedicated travel guide page. 

    Short Cruises (2 hours)

    Any cruise two hours or less won’t get you out to the best fjords, but it is a chance to get out on the water and see Bergen from a different perspective. 

    Viking Ship Cruise

    Length: 90 minutes

    This short trip will take you around Bergen and the Byfjord (the fjord running along the city of Bergen), and while it won’t get you to the dramatic or impressive fjords, it does put you on a replica of a Viking ship! The ship is beautiful and the crew explains how the ship works while you cruise around Bergen.

    I highly recommend this experience!

    Learn more here: https://vikingvoyages.no/

    Bergen Yacht Tour

    Length: 2 hours

    This two hour guided sightseeing tour takes you a chance to see the city of Bergen from the sea. The yacht stays close to Bergen city centre, but you get a unique view of Nordnes, the fortress, Bryggen, and the surrounding neighbourhoods. You won’t see any fjords or steep mountains on this tour, but it’s a unique way to view Bergen.

    You can learn more on their website: https://firstplayer.no/ 

    Bergen Private Yacht Tour

    If you’ve got some cash to spend, consider booking a private yacht tour of Bergen. The cruise takes you around the city, very similar to the tour above, but you get the whole boat to yourself. The trip includes a visit to Alvøen, a neighbourhood in Bergen (not exactly a village like the website says!).

    Learn more here: https://firstplayer.no/exclusive-private-cruise/

     

    Half-day Cruises

    Alverstraumen Fjord Cruise (3.5 hours)

    The Alverstraumen Fjord Cruise is a shorter version of the Mostraumen Fjord Cruise and takes you on the Salhusfjord and the Kvernafjord towards Alverstraumen. The strait is between 100 metres and 200 metres wide and one kilometre long and is characterised by strong tidal currents. Just note that in some ways the area you’re going to is just an outer suburb of Bergen, and the fjords you see here are not dramatic. Still, the scenery is beautiful.

    Learn more here: https://www.bergencruise.no/

    Mostraumen Fjord Cruise (4 hours)

    This cruise is arguably the most famous of all the cruises you can take out of Bergen. The cruise goes out onto the Osterfjord, which is located just north of Bergen city centre, and then down the Mostraumen channel.

    The cruise is beautiful. You do see waterfalls and picturesque small villages. However, if you are seeing any other fjords on your trip (such as the Nærøyfjord or the Geirangerfjord), the fjords you see on this cruise pale in comparison. This cruise is perfect for those who are in Western Norway for a short period of time and won’t see much of the surrounding nature.

    Book directly here: https://rodne.no/en/fjord-experiences/bergen/fjordcruise-mostraumen/

    Bergen Heritage Tour (5.5 hours)

    This trip combines a ride on a historic steamship, historic bus, and historic train. The cruise takes you out to the Osterfjord, where you disembark the ferry to take a bus to the train station. The trip is perfect for those who are interested in history and tradition. 

    The tour is only offered on Sunday’s in summer, and you can book tickets here: https://stord1.ticketco.events/no/en/e/soendag_30_juni_2024_som_aa_reise_i_gamle_dager__bergen_heritage_tour_rundtur_start_i_soergaaende_retning_med_veteraanbuss

    Full Day Trips

    Norway in a Nutshell (10 hours)

    Norway in a Nutshell is the most famous day-trip from Bergen and combines train, bus and boat travel. I have a whole other guide to Norway in a Nutshell. The trip includes a cruise on the scenic Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage fjord known for being very narrow with steep mountains. The cruise is one of the highlights of the whole day trip. 

    Norway in a Nutshell

    You can find my separate guide for Norway in a Nutshell via the link below. 

    Norway in a Nutshell

    Bergen to Flåm Cruise Round-Trip (12.5 hours)

    If you want to avoid trains and buses and just be on the water, this is the ferry-only alternative to Norway in a Nutshell. The trip to Flåm from Bergen is about 5.5 hours one way. Of those 5.5 hours, the first two hours is spent cruising the coast, then you enter the Sognefjord (the world’s longest fjord). The last half an hour is spent cruising down the dramatic Aurlandsfjord, known for its steep mountains and beauty. This trip doesn’t include a visit to the Nærøyfjord. After two hours free time in Flåm, you take the same ferry back to Bergen.

    Honestly, I’ve done this trip one-way (Flåm-Bergen) before and found it to be quite dull.

    Bergen to Rosendal Fjord Cruise (approx. 7 hours)

    This lovely day trip from Bergen takes you to Rosendal. The cruise takes around two hours one way, and you get around three and a half hours in Rosendal. It gives you time to visit the Barony Rosendal, a historic building. It is regarded as Scandinavia’s smallest castle and the only one of its kind in the country.

    Rosendal is located on the Hardangerfjord but at the entrance to the fjord, so you don’t get to see much of the fjord itself. 

    You take a ferry back to Bergen the same way. 

    Learn more here: https://partner.rodne.no/en/to-do/2135799/day-trip-to-rosendal-in-hardanger/showdetails?sorting=st%3Da%3Bso%3Da

    Bergen to the Hardangerfjord (13 hours)

    This full-day trip takes you to the beautiful Hardangerfjord and combines bus and ferry transport to give you the best of Norwegian scenery. This one would be one of my top picks, just because I think the Hardangerfjord is lovely and not as over-crowded as some other fjords. The trip starts with a bus ride to Norheimsund, where you then board the ferry to travel down the Hardangerfjord from Eidfjord. Once in Eidfjord, a bus takes you to the Norwegian Nature Centre (a fantastic museum!) and then up to the dramatic Vøringsfossen (pictured above). The drive back to Bergen includes a stop at Steindalsfossen, a waterfall you can walk behind. It’s a long day, but this tour takes you deep into the fjord, where you get the more spectacular scenery.

    Learn more here: https://gofjords.com/experiences/fjord-cruise/bergen/hardangerfjord-cruise-and-voringsfossen-waterfall/?bw-date=2024-07-02&bw-adults=1

    Day Trip to the Sognefjord & Glaciers via Vik (13 hours)

    This trip is one I’d definitely recommend! The trip is fully guided and takes no more than 16 passengers. On the journey, you take a bus from Bergen to Vik, crossing the incredible Vikafjellet mountains. I love this drive! (It’s the Rv13 – see my guide here). Once in Vik, you are in a historic town rich in cultural heritage. The main attraction in Vik is the Hopperstad Stave Church, one of the 28 remaining stave churches in Norway. The church was built in 1130 and (along with Urnes) is the oldest stave church in existence. You get to visit the church on this tour before boarding a ferry and taking a cruise across the Sognefjord. On the other side, you travel to Fjærland to get a chance to see the glacier and the Norwegian Glacier Museum. You had the same way back to Bergen afterwards.

    Of course this trip is more inland than on a cruise, but I think it’s a perfect mix of everything. Mountains, valleys, history, fjords and glaciers.

     

    Fjord Cruise & Hike Combination (7 hours)

    This full-day trip combines a fjord cruise with a mountain hike. The boat takes you along the Osterfjord to Modalen, Norway’s second-smallest municipality. You arrive in the village at around 11:30am and there you disembark and begin a short hike. The hike takes about one hour each one and has a vertical gain of 200 metres. You then take the boat back to Bergen.

    This sounds like a great way to spend the day if you have limited opportunities to go hiking in the nature surrounding Bergen.

    Final Thoughts on Fjord Cruises in Bergen

    As you can see, there are so many different options and it can seem overwhelming. But think about what you want – fjords, variety, etc – how much time you have, and your budget. This should help narrow things down quite well. 

    In my opinion, the full-day trips offer the best value for money. 

    Bergen Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    Bergen is a fascinating city and well worth spending lots of time in. Be sure to check out my travel guide for Bergen by clicking the button above. 

  • Bergen

    Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2024

    Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2024: What's Happening in Bergen This Year

    Are you coming to Bergen this year? It’s worth checking out what’s happening in the city! There are many events happening in Bergen, and it may impact (or enhance) your stay.

    Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city and boasts a number of prominent festivals and concerts for the country. There’s also outdoor events and activities all-year-round, making it a great place to visit. 

    Here’s my list of the Bergen Events for 2024. 

    bergen Travel Guide

    Be sure to check out my Flåm travel guide, where I put lots of information about what you can see and do in Flåm. 

    Table of Contents

    March 2024

    Borealis Music Festival (13-17 March 2024)

    Borealis is a contemporary music festival, but it also has talks, movies, literature and visual arts events. 

    You can visit their website here: https://www.borealisfestival.no/en/home/

    Easter Weekend

    In Norway the shops and some museums will close on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, making it tricky to arrange a trip at that point. However, there is a nice peacefulness to the city.

    If you are taking the train, flying, or heading to a ski area. Expect large crowds. Many Norwegians take this holiday to head out and ski. Easter is generally regarded as the last time for the season that Norwegians can go skiing, so it is a huge holiday for that. 

    Maundy Thursday (28 March 2024)

    Maundy Thursday is a public holiday in Norway. Shops will be closed. 

    Good Friday (29 March 2024)

    Good Friday is a public holiday in Norway and shops/businesses will be closed. 

    Easter Sunday (30 March 2024)

    Easter Sunday is a public holiday in Norway and shops will be closed. 

    Easter Monday (31 March 2024)

    Easter Monday is a public holiday in Norway and shops will be closed.

    April 2024

    Bergen City Marathon (27 April 2024)

    The Bergen City Marathon is a true highlight and is a great event to either participate in or just watch. The start and finish line is at Bryggen, so if you are in town that day, expect your visit to Bryggen to be impacted. 

    The marathon circles around the city a couple times, passing by some of the prettiest neighbourhoods. 

    You can read more and register here. It’s also worth checking out the schedule so you can plan your visit to Bryggen: https://www.bergencitymarathon.no/en/

    May 2024

    Labour Day/Workers Day (1 May 2024)

    The 1st of May is a major public holiday in Norway and is the day to commemorate worker’s and the labour movement. In many large cities, Labour Day events are organised by the labour unions themselves in an effort to promote unity among the workforce. Often, Labour Day celebrations in Norway have a strong political message. 

    The date was chosen to commemorate the Haymarket Affair, a 19th century worker rally that ended in violence in Chicago, USA.

    Shops and businesses will be closed. 

    Ascension Day (9 May 2024)

    Ascension Day is the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven as recorded in the Bible. It is observed on the fortieth day of Easter – 39 days after Easter Sunday – and always fall on a Thursday.

    Some businesses may close on Ascension day.

    Constitution Day (17 May 2024)

    Constitution Day is the public holiday in Norway. Everything will be closed and all the locals will be dressed in their traditional bunad. There will be parades throughout the morning and the city will be crowded, and then in the afternoon there’ll be lots of parties around the city.

    You can find the program for 17 May 2024 on the VisitBergen website: https://en.visitbergen.com/whats-on/_ga=2.89125147.107885438.1709361625-1648540860.1709127065

    If you plan on moving around the city this day, it’s worth looking at what VisitBergen says about public transportation: 

    Please note that the whole city center will be closed for ordinary traffic during the celebrations and public transport will have special routes and stops. The Bergen Light Rail to and from the airport will not stop at the two last stops in the city center (Nonneseter and Byparken) in the morning until 15:00 in the afternoon. Bergen Buss station is then the last stop in the city center. If you are going from the city center to the airport on the 17th May, we recommend you plan your means of transport well in advance.

    Whit Sunday (19 May 2024)

    Whit Monday (20 May 2024)

    Most businesses will be closed on Whit Monday. 

    Bergen International Festival (Norwegian name: Festspillene i Bergen) (22 May – 5 June 2024)

    Bergen International Festival is the major cultural event of the year and is regarded as the largest cultural event of its type in the Nordics. Here you can see music, art, dance, theatre and so much more. The opening event this year is the musical Peer Gynt. 

    You can buy tickets and view their program here: https://www.fib.no/en/

    Night Jazz Festival (Norwegian name: NattJazz) (24 May – 1 June 2024)

    This is the longest jazz festival in Northern Europe and has lovely concerts in the evening. There’s not just jazz music but you can hear rock music and electronic music.

    View the program and buy tickets here: https://en.nattjazz.no/

    7 Mountain Hike (26 May 2024)

    The 7 Mountain Hike is a yearly event where thousands of people hike the seven mountains surrounding Bergen in one day. It’s not a race but more of a fun day out with the family.

    Learn more here: https://www.dnt.no/dnt-der-du-er/BergenogHordalandTurlag/7-fjellsturen/

    You can register by clicking here. 

    June 2024

    Gay Pride Parade (Norwegian name: Regnbuedagene) (8 June 2024)

    The Gay Pride Festival has debates, theatre, art, concerts, films, and the Pride Parade. The parade starts on the 8th of June, but they have a large line-up of events on other days in the first week of June. 

    You can read more here: https://bergenpride.no/

    BergenFest (12-15 June 2024)

    BergenFest is the music festival in Bergen. This four-day outdoor festival brings in big names from around the world. You can buy a day pass if you want to go when you’re in town. 

    See the program and buy tickets here: https://www.bergenfest.no/en/

    July 2024

    Beyond the Gates (31 July – 3 August 2024)

    This is the main festival for metal music in Bergen. There’s also guided tours for metal culture, art exhibitions, and a tattoo festival. 

    See the program and buy tickets here: https://www.beyondthegates.no/

    August 2024

    Grieg Festival (19 August – 31 August 2024)

    The Grieg Festival is full of concerts at Håkons Hall in the fortress. The music focuses on, but is not limited to, Edvard Grieg. 

    View the program and buy tickets here: http://www.grieginbergen.com

    Feelings (23-24 August 2024)

    Feelings is an outdoor music festival that features artists primarily in pop, electronic dance music and hip hop. This is the second edition of the festival.

    See the program and buy tickets here: https://www.feelingsfestival.no/

    Bergen Food Festival (30-31 August 2024)

    At the Bergen Food Festival there is a lot of focus on foods from the surrounding farms of Western Norway. 

    September 2024

    October 2024

    Bergen International Film Festival (16 – 24 October 2024)

    The Bergen International Festival is one of the largest festivals in the Nordic region and focuses primarily on documentaries from all over the world. It also has many new fiction film premieres and additional events.

    View the program here: https://www.biff.no/

    November 2024

    Bergen Gingerbread Village (Pepperkakebyen) (23 November – 31 December 2024)

    Bergen’s Gingerbread Village is the world’s largest of its kind and a must-see!

    View their website here: http://www.pepperkakebyen.org/

    Festival of Light (23 November 2024)

    Traditional annual opening of the Christmas season, where families are invited to light torches and enjoy music, entertainment and a magnificent display of fireworks. 

    Bergen Christmas Market (29 November – 22 December 2024)

    Bergen Christmas Market is located right in the heart of Bergen at Festplassen. Buy handmade Christmas gifts and delightful edible treats.

    Keep up-to-date on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/byjulemarked/

    December 2024

  • Aurland, Bergen, Flåm, Gudvangen, Myrdal, Practical Tips, Voss

    Norway in a Nutshell… in a nutshell

    Norway in a Nutshell... in a nutshell

    Anyone planning a trip to Norway will come across the term ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ at least once in their research. It is typically regarded as the number one thing to do in the country, in fact.

    When I started as a guide eight years ago, I would often have to lead groups on the Norway in a Nutshell route. Even still today as a tour leader, Norway in a Nutshell is an essential part of our tours across Norway. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been on the Flåm Railway. I’ve done Norway in a Nutshell in all its forms, both on my own, with private tours and with larger groups. I’ve done it all throughout the year and dealt with cancellations, delays, and bad weather. Am I jaded? I don’t think so. If anyone came to visit me in Bergen, I’d probably recommend they do Norway in a Nutshell. I may just not join them!

    I often get asked about the trip. How should it be done? How does it work? I’ve read many blogs that have done it once or twice and then provide feedback based on that, and I find a lot of information online is wrong or misleading. So, I’ve put together this quick guide. It’s a no-frills, straight-to-the-point guide based on experience of having done it at least 100 times.

    Enjoy!

    In this article...

    Get the Guide!

    We have a printer-friendly guide to the popular Norway in a Nutshell trip. This guide includes information about each point of interest, including historical overview and images. 

    You can find the guide over on our store. 

    View our guide

    What is Norway in a Nutshell?

    Norway in a Nutshell is the brand name for a range of self-guided itineraries that aims to show you the best of Norwegian nature in a short amount of time, and without climbing mountains. The itineraries are organised on public transport and put together by a company called Fjord Tours. When you book one of the itineraries, they provide you with the public transport tickets in a nice little package to complete the itinerary. There’s no guide leading you around or special private chauffeur; you are riding public transport with everyone else.

    The various itineraries

    There are a number of different variations of the journey you can do. The classic trip, or the most popular one, starts and ends in Bergen. It goes like this:
    Bergen to Voss on the public train
    Voss to Gudvangen on the public bus
    Gudvangen to Flåm on the scenic fjord cruise
    Flåm to Myrdal on the Flåm Railway
    Myrdal to Bergen on the public train

    The round trip from Bergen takes around 10-12 hours depending on the day and season.

    It is also possible to start or end the trip in Oslo and do it as a day trip to Bergen. However, that is a very long day and should be broken up with a night in Flåm.

    Highlights of the Trip

    Fjord cruise Gudvangen to Flåm

    The fjord cruise

    The fjord cruise is my absolute favourite part of the journey. The ferries they use are the electric ferries that have won design prizes for how effortlessly they suit the fjord environment. The Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord are spectacular, too. Be outside for as much of this journey as possible!

    Scenery on the Flåm Railway

    The Flåm Railway

    The Flåm Railway has been voted one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The railway climbs from sea level to 860 metres above sea level through the Flåm Railway, and the scenery is incredible. The railway makes one photostop by a waterfall, too.

    Myrdal Station

    Myrdal is not accessible by road, and the scenery here is rugged and almost above the tree line, giving an Arctic feel.

    Bergen Railway

    The Bergen Railway is Northern Europe’s highest stretch of railway and crosses mountains and plateaus.

    Note that some blogs still say that the trip includes Stalheimskleiva. It does not! The road closed during COVID and will remain closed as it is heavily damaged and no longer suitable for vehicles.

    Scenery on the Flåm Railway

    Booking the Trip

    Why book through FjordTours?

    Almost every blog will tell you that it’s cheaper to book these tickets on your own, and that’s true. It is cheaper to book the exact same route on your own. However, the extra cost of booking through FjordTours is for the ease of doing it all in the one spot. For some, that may be worth the extra cost rather than sitting down and figuring it out yourself.

    In some cases, the price difference is negligible (100-200NOK) considering the extra hassle.

    Why book through an agent or third party?

    If you want to do the standard route, book it through FjordTours. If you are looking to make a lot of customisations, then I’d recommend booking through a third party. Primarily someone who knows the area well and can help you. Someone like me!

    Our travel services

    I do not recommend booking a ‘private, customised package’ through somewhere like TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide. Those are, in most cases, a total rip off. You will still be doing the exact same route as those who booked through FjordTours. The only cases where the private packages are worth it are if they have added a ton of extra stops and features, and drive you in a nice vehicle.

    How to book it yourself

    If you want to save some money and book it yourself, here’s how to do it:
    Trains: Book the trains through vy.no
    Bus: Book the bus through skyss.no
    Ferry & Flåm Railway: Book these through norwaysbest.com

    Just note that you can’t book far in advance for the train and bus, so you have to wait until closer to the trip.

    Another advantage of doing it yourself is that you can add extra activities, such as a zipline tour, bus trip to Stegastein viewpoint, and so on. Visit the website norwaysbest.com for ideas on what to do.

    Fjord cruise Gudvangen to Flåm

    Isn't this touristy?

    Yes. This is by far the most popular thing to do in Western Norway in summer, so expect to be sharing everything with hundreds of other people. It can become chaotic in some places in the peak season.

    If you have the time, try customising the trip so you don’t travel at the busiest times (i.e. the middle of the day) and overnight in places. Once the cruise ships leave, many of the places (especially Flåm) become practically empty. An agent can also help you with this!

    If you want to avoid crowds, I would recommend doing something like Hardanger in a Nutshell instead. You don’t see the ‘famous’ spots, but the scenery is just as beautiful.

    Bergen Railway

    Navigating the journey

    Is there information along the way?

    On the ferry and Flåm Railway they do have visual or audio guides, but for the rest of the journey there is no additional information.

    How easy is it to get between each means of transport?

    Very easy! The most confusing will be in Voss when you look for the buses, but you simply have to follow signs through the station towards the buses. There are orange pillars listing each bus number and destination, so you just have to find the one heading towards Gudvangen. Everywhere else is very self-explanatory and the walk between each spot won’t take more than two minutes.

    Get the Guide!

    We have a printer-friendly guide to the popular Norway in a Nutshell trip. This guide includes information about each point of interest, including historical overview and images. 

    You can find the guide over on our store. 

    View our guide

    Should I just use a rental car?

    No. The two big highlights of the trip are the fjord cruise and the Flåm Railway, and both of those become a hassle if you are using a rental car. However, getting from Bergen to Gudvangen is nice with a rental car, though it follows the exact same route as the train. If you use a rental car, park in Gudvangen and take the fjord cruise to Flåm and then the railway as a round trip. You can then book a bus back to Gudvangen. See? It sounds strange!

    I love road-tripping in Norway – most of The Hidden North is dedicated to road-trips! – but if you want to see Norway in a Nutshell, you should do it through public transport. Use the car for other special places in the fjord region.

    Practical Information

    On board the Flåm Railway

    Services on board

    Wifi: The train from Bergen to Voss and then Myrdal to Bergen should have Wifi, but it doesn’t always work. The ferry has Wifi.

    Phone reception: You may lose phone reception for stretches of the Flåm Railway, but otherwise everywhere else has good signal.

    Toilets: Can be found on the trains and ferry. There are also restrooms in Flåm and inside the station in Myrdal.

    Food: No food on the trains for sale. The ferry does have some options, but if you have time in Flåm I recommend heading to the bakery to pick up supplies. Myrdal station is open in summer and has a few options for sale.

    Luggage transportation

    If you are travelling Bergen to Oslo, I recommend using the service Porter Service to transport your luggage from one city to another. You can take luggage on everything, but it’s such a hassle. The service is affordable and works very well!

    Visit their website here: https://porterservice.no/

    Photo stop on the Flåm Railway

    What to wear

    You will be indoors most of the day, but on the ferry and once on the Flåm Railway you can go outside to take pictures, so a good coat is recommended.

    Where should you spend the night?

    I recommend either the Fretheim Hotel in Flåm or the Stalheim Hotel.

    Flåm Railway in winter

    Does the trip run in winter?

    Yes! In fact, winter is much nicer in my opinion. Less crowds, snowy mountains. Sure, it’s cold – but you’re in the north! Just keep an eye on the schedules; everything runs less frequently in the low season. You also won’t see waterfalls in winter.

    When is the best time to go?

    I love going in May. There is still snow on the mountains, but the waterfalls are running strong from snowmelt. Flowers bloom in May and trees get their leaves. The mass crowds of tourists start coming in late May/early June. September/October is also wonderful – there’s still waterfalls, but now we have the beautiful autumn colours and less crowds.

    What if I want a guide?

    It’s important to note that it is a not a guided trip! It is a set of tickets and is more of a self-guided trip. The tickets don’t include seat reservation, but that’s not possible on almost every means of transport (except for the train between Bergen and Voss and Myrdal and Bergen). Honestly, you don’t need to spend a couple extra thousand NOK to have a guide with you. Get our self-guided booklet instead!

    Which side is best?

    Bergen to Voss: sit on the left

    Voss to Gudvangen: sit on the right

    Gudvangen to Flåm cruise: be outside!!

    Flåm Railway to Myrdal: sit on the right

    Myrdal to Bergen: sit on the left for the first half. Sit on the right for the second half.

    That's all!

    That’s everything I could think of for this guide. If you have any questions or require any additional information or help, please write in the comments below. 

    Be sure to visit our travel guide pages for all the towns mentioned in this article. 

    Bergen Travel Guide

    We think Bergen is the best city in the world! Be sure to spend a good amount of time in Bergen and enjoy everything this city has to offer. 

    Bergen Travel Guide

    Oslo Travel Guide

    Oslo is Norway’s capital and a natural place to visit on any trip here. 

    Oslo Travel Guide

    Flåm Travel Guide

    No ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ can skip over the village of Flåm!

    Flåm Travel Guide

    Get the Guide!

    We have a printer-friendly guide to the popular Norway in a Nutshell trip. This guide includes information about each point of interest, including historical overview and images. 

    You can find the guide over on our store. 

    View our guide
  • Aurland, Bergen, European Highways, Fagernes, Flåm, Hønefoss, Lærdal, Norway, Oslo, Road-trips, Vang, Voss

    Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Bergen on the E16

    Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Bergen on the E16

    The E16 between Oslo and Bergen follows the historic road between east and west Norway that has existed for thousands of years. Over the centuries the road has gradually been modernised, but traces of the past remain.

    While the E16 is the longer way between the two cities, the road is lined with historic monuments, including stave churches, runestones, and lodgings. It makes for a great, scenic road-trip!

    Here’s our guide to the E16 highway. 

    In this article...

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    Online Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the neighbourhood
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Information about facilities along the way

    Downloadable Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the region & towns
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Facilities including supermarkets, toilets, petrol, hotels, cafes, restaurants with addresses.

    The Drive: Oslo to Bergen on the E16

    This drive begins in Oslo. 

    Oslo Travel Guide

    Read more about Oslo, Norway’s capital, on our dedicated travel guide page. Click the button below. 

    Oslo Travel Guide

    Sandvika

    Neighbourhood

    The first neighbourhood you drive through is called Sandvika. While it is technically part of Oslo city, it is in many ways regarded as its own community. The population is approximately 130,000.

    Claude Monet visited the city in 1895. During his visit, he painted the city. Perhaps the most famous work from this visit is “Sandviken Village in Snow”, which shows the Løkka Bridge in the foreground with the hill Kolsås in the background. The bridge still stands today.

    The area of Sandvika has existed since for thousands of years. The Sandvik grounds were rich fishing grounds that provided an important supplement to the farms in Sandvika.

    Sandvika is home to Scandinavia’s largest super mall – the Sandvika Storsenter – with 190 stores and a total area of 60,000 square metres or 650,000 square feet.

    Hole Municipality

    The municipality of Hole is situated around the Tyrifjord, where the soil is fertile and suited to growing fruit, berries, and other agricultural products. The coat-of-arms depicts the four Norwegian Kings who lived in the municipality in the 9th to 11th centuries. The most famous of the four is St. Olav (Olav Haraldsson), though Harald Hårdrade is a close second for fame – he was the one credited with ending the Viking Age at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. The other three kings are Halvdan Svarte (820-860), Sigurd Syr (-1018), and Harald Hardråde (1015-1066). Harald Hardråde is the king who lost at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, which is considered to be the event when the Viking Age ended.

    Hole is important in Norwegian history. Archaeological finds from the Roman and Migration periods are numerous, and Hole is known as one of the traditional landscapes from the Viking Age and plays a prominent role in the Norse sagas.

    Stein Church Ruins (Stein Kirkeruin) are located at Steinsfjorden. The church was constructed in the latter half of the 1100s. By the second half of the 1500s, the chapel was no longer in use. There are some historic churches in the area: Bønsnes Church is a medieval church from 1100 and Hole Church is probably from 1200.

    Utøya

    Memorial

    As you drive along the Tyrifjord, down on your left is the island Utøya. This was the site of the terrorist attack that happened in Norway in 2011. It is possible to take a detour down to the memorial site. On GPS it is marked as “Minnesmerke Utøya”.

    Tyrifjord

    Lake

    The Tyrifjord is a lake (not a fjord like the name suggests). It is the fifth largest large in Norway with an area of 139km2 and a maximum depth of 295m. It is one of Norway’s most species-rich lakes. The lake used to be part of the sea, but as the land has risen it has become landlocked. In the fjord, free fishing without a licence is accepted based on tradition and custom. Brown trout is caught in the lake, though crayfish is also popular. 

    Sundvollen

    Village

    Sundvollen is a village located along the eastern part of the Tyrifjord. The name comes from the name of a farm that used to be here. Sundvollen is most noted for its hotels. Sundvolden Hotel is one of Norway’s oldest hotels – it was mentioned in written sources dating from 1648. Kleivstua Hotel was a coaching inn in 1780 which catered to travellers going between Christiania (Oslo) and Ringerike. It is on the Old Royal Bergen Road, the historic road between Oslo and Hadeland. The road is also part of the Old Pilgrims Route from Oslo to Trondheim. Understandably, there were many travellers coming through here. They would stop at one of the hotels for food, accommodations, and to give their horses a rest. Unfortunately both of the hotels have been renovated extensively, so there’s no trace of the original lodgings. 

    Petroglyphs from the Bronze Age have been found approximately 100m from the E16 and show ship figures, circuit figures and bowl pits. 

    In Sundvollen you can hike to “Kongens Utsikt”, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Tyrifjord. 

    Norderhov Church

    Historic Church

    Norderhov Church is a medieval church that was built in 1170. The church is built in local sandstone and limestone in a Romanesque style of architecture. The church was built on a former pagan court for the god Njord, and that’s where the name Norderhob comes from. The church was historically the most important church in Ringerike. 

    Across the road from the church is Norderhov’s old rectory, which is now the Ringerike Museum. The museum has runestones and its collection of the private belongings of Jørgen Engebretsen Moe, a Norwegian author most famous for ‘Norske Folkeeventyr”, a collection of Nowegian folk tales which he edited in collaboration with Peter Christen Asbjørnsen. 

    The church and vicarage are known for their close association with the vicar’s wife Anna Colbjørnsdatter (1667-1736), who legend says tricked the Swedes by getting the Colonel drunk. This gave the far smaller Norwegian-Danish force an opportunity to inflict a defeat on the Swedes. This was in connection with the Battle of Norderhov in 1716. She then received heroine status and is one of the very few female heroes in Norwegian history. She was married to historian and parish priest Jonas Ramus and they are in the crypt under the church. Her portrait can be seen inside the church. The pulpit is from 1582 and is considered one of Norway’s oldest preserved pulpits. 

    Hønefoss Travel Guide

    You don’t drive through Hønefoss on the E16; it is approximately a five-minute drive into the town. However, this is the first major town that you pass on the drive, so it can be a useful rest stop. 

    Hønefoss is regarded as the centre of Ringerike. The town is located by a waterfall and is founded on the sawmill business that arose from the waterfall in the 17th century. Hønefoss is home to several factories and other industry, with Norske Skog Follum, a timber company, having its headquarters here. Dating from 1873, Norske Skog Follum was one of the largest producers of newsprint in Europe until it closed in 2012. 

    HØNEFOSS Travel Guide

    Follum

    Village

    Follum is a small village after Hønefoss on the western side of the Ådal River. It is on the old road that led to the Ådal Valley. The name comes from the oldest farm in the area. 

    Ådal Valley

    Valley

    You are now driving through the Ådal Valley. 

    The first church built in Ådal was a stave church built during the 15th century. It is mentioned in the Diplomatarium Norvegicum in 1462. The church was eventually removed to make way for a larger, more modern church. 

    Viker Church is located on the western shore of the Sperillen Lake and is from 1702. The pulpit, altar and crucifers from the old stave church are inside Viker Church. 

    Valdres Natur og Kulturpark

    Preserve

    You are now entering the traditional district of Valdres, which is situated between the Gudbrandsdal and Hallingdal valleys. The river Begna runs through the municipality. 

    The traditional Valdres region is located approximately halfway between Oslo and Bergen. The valley has the Jotunheimen mountains to the west and the north. Historically, Valdres has been an agricultural economy, but tourism is becoming more important – especially for skiing. 

    Sør-Aurdal Municipality

    The name comes from the valley in which it is located. The coat-of-arms represents a medieval reliquary that is based on the one found at Hedal Stave Church. It has two dragons heads in the design since Sør-Aurdal is one of only two municipalities in Norway that have two stave churches that are still in use. The colour blue represents the two river systems that have historically been important for the logging industry and sawmills. 

    Olav Haraldsson, later St. Olav, travelled through Valdres in 1023 and visited Reinli. At the time, there was a pagan temple at the same location where the stave church stands. 

    One of the highlights of the municipality is Hedalen Stave Church was built in 1160 but rebuilt in 1699. An old legend says that the valley was abandoned during the Black Death and the church was discovered by a bear hunter. A hide is hanging in the church, although there is only a small part of it left as visitors have cut away pieces over the years. We will pass the turnoff for it a little later. 

    Bagn
    Village

    Bagn is the administrative centre of Sør-Aurdal. This area saw extensive fighting during World War II as advancing German forces were stopped in Bagn. The battles in the valley were extensive. 

    In Bagn you can find the Bagn Bygdesamling, a small museum that includes farmhouses, a sawmill, a flour mill, and other buildings. The museum is on a preserved farm. Next to Bagn Church is an intact shop from 1881, which may have been the largest business in Valdres. The shop is open during the summer holidays and before Christmas. 

    Bagn Church is the main church in the valley and seats 350 people. The earliest church in the area was mentioned in 1327, but the church was not new that year. The first church was likely a wooden stave church from the 13th century. The old church was closed in 1683 and for some time the locals had to use Reinli Stave Church. The church that we see today is the second church and dates to 1736. 

    Nord-Aurdal Municipality

    The coat-of-arms for Nord-Aurdal depicts three blue flowers called ‘Snow Gentian’. The flowers are locally known as ‘the blue eyes of Christ’ and grow all over Norway but grow abundantly in this area. They represent the three main settlements of the municipality: Aurdal, Fagernes, and Leira. This is a fairly mountainous municipality. The highest point is 1,325m (4,347ft) high and about 50% of the land is above 900m (3000ft).

    Aurdal
    Village

    Aurdal is a small village with a population of around 647. The village is known for its winter sports activities and is in Valdres’ Alpine Centre. There are several places to stay and eat. There used to be a railway here – the Valdresbanen – but it stopped in 1888. 

    Just after Aurdal is the Noraker Gård. This farm is currently being run by the 12th century. Rakfisk is a highly desirable food from this farm, and in 2022 they won the expert jury award at the Norwegian Rakfisk Festival. In 2006, Rakfisk from Valdres was approved as a protected geographical indication. This means that only fish hatched, reared, and processed in Valdres can be sold under the Rakfisk fra Valdres brand. 

    They have a farm shop that also sells trout, mustard, beer, moose, goat, and art. 

    Rakfisk is a dish made from trout or char where it is salted and autolyzed for two or three months. It is then eaten without cooking and has a strong smell and pungen salty flavour. After the fish is gutted and rinsed, it is placed in a bucket and salt. It is then placed under pressure with a lid that fits down into the bucket and a weight on top. A brine is formed as the salt draws moisture from the fish. The rakfisk bucket is stored at under 5 degreesC for one to three months. The finished product doesn’t need cooking. 

    Fagernes

    Fagernes is a major hub along the E16.

    The word ‘Fagernes’ is a combination of ‘fager’ (beautiful) and ‘nes’ (headland). The town was established in 1857, when the first trading operations started. The first hotel started operations in 1875, and from 1906 there was a train line (it has since closed). 

    If you are travelling in November, you may be in town for the Norwegian Rakfisk Festival, which takes place in the first week of the month. 

    In Fagernes is the Valdres Folkmuseum, a well-known museum that shows the culture of the Valdres region. It is both an indoor and outdoor museum. 

    Fagernes Travel Guide

    Ulnes Church

    Historic Church

    Ulnes Church is a beautiful church that you’ll pass shortly after leaving Fagernes. The earliest records of the church go back to 1307, but it was not new that year. Estimates say that the church was built around the year 1265 as its architecture reflects the transition between Romanesque and Gothic architecture. 

    In 1675, there were plans to replace it with a new wooden church as it was decaying, but thankfully that didn’t happen. Around 1720, the church was put out of use. It was described in 1733 by a bishop as “a pile of stones” with only the choir being suitable to keep. The church was restored in 1737, with the nave being demolished and rebuilt. The interior was also refurbished. 

    Vestre Slidre Municipality

    The next municipality is Vestre Slidre. The municipality is partly named after the historic Slidre Church, which you’ll see soon. The coat-of-arms are based on a heraldic decoration found in the Slidredomen church that dates to 1170. The design was originally part of a seal that belonged to a medieval nobleman in the area. The meaning of the design is unknown. 

    Vestre Slidre is mentioned in the Old Norse sagas. Harald Fairhair, who became the first King of Norway (872-930), did some conquests over petty kingdoms. One of the encounters that led to the overall conquest was with Skallagrim Kveldulvssøn in Vestre Slidre. Also, in 1023, King Olav Haraldsson came to the area to Christianise the people. The locals were caught unaware, and Olav took all their boats. They would only get them back if they accepted Christianity, which they did. 

    Lastly, in 2000 Sami gamme huts (a simple form of a hut) were found in the municipality. This is the southernmost discovery of Sami settlements.

    Slidre

    Village

    Slidre is the next village on the E16. It has a population of around 337. 

    In Slidre you can see the Vestre Slidre Church (Slidredomen), a historic stone church from around 1170. The church is built in the Romanesque style of architecture and the stone walls are approximately 160cm (63 inches) thick. 

    The church is unique in that it doesn’t have a west portal. Instead, the main entrance is from the south.

    The furniture is from the 18th century, while there are frescoes from the 15th century. The choir has a painted wooden vault from the 14th century, which depicts Jesus Christ in the mandorla centrally in the middle. On the north wall, a medieval coat-of-arms has been uncovered and is used as Vestre Slidre’s coat-of-arms. 

    The area here is very old. Above the village of Slidre is an ancient burial ground called the ‘Gardberg Site’. Here you can see the Einangsteinen runestone. It is believed to be from the 4th century and is considered the oldest runestone in the Nordics that is standing in its original place. The name Einang comes from a nearby farm. 

    Lomen Stave Church

    Lomen Stave Church is from around the year 1192. The church is a pillar stave church, meaning the main room has four supporting stave beams. The style and decoration of the church is part of the “Valdres-Sogn” stave churches. This groups many of the churches from Valdres Valley and around the Sognefjord that have the same features. Considering the old King’s Road used to run through the valley to Sogn, they likely shared design tips.

    Like all stave churches, Lomen Stave Chuch has fallen victim to modernisation and renovation. The choir is from a major renovation in the 1750s. During this time, the walls were also expanded to make the main room larger.

    During the last refurbishment, archaeological excavations uncovered 71 artefacts, including jewellery and coins. The oldest coin found here is from King Sverre’s time, 1177-1202.

    Today the church, neighbouring bell tower and cemetery are under protection. Many original features of the church remain, despite major renovations. The most illustrative are the portals, which have decorations of dragons, vines, and animal heads. Some of the portals have moved around the church, but they do date back to medieval times. These kinds of decorations are common on Valdres-Sogn stave churches. The roof and wall timbers are also original.

    Lomen Stave Church

    Vang Municipality

    Vang is a small municipality in the traditional Valdres region. The name comes from an old farm, though vang comes from the Old Norse word vangr meaning ‘field’ or ‘meadow’. The coat-of-arms are rather special – they are based on historic descriptions and depictions of the personal arms of a local medieval nobleman called Sigvat of Leirhol. He was named as one of the members of the delegation that followed King Håkon V Magnusson to Copenhagen in 1309. He then became the governor of Valdres. His coat-of-arms can also be seen on Vang Church. 

    The municipality was originally populated by migrants from Western Norway. 

    The ancient Vang Church was the site of a legal court held by King Håkon VI in 1368. 

    Høre Stave Church

    Høre Stave Church is one of the stave churches with an insight into the fascinating past of Norway. Especially around and shortly after the time of the Civil War in the 12th and early 13th century. We know that the Christianisation of Valdres wasn’t easy. St. Olav, then King Olav, came from the west through the valley. He held farmers hostage and burnt down farms until they agreed to convert. According to the Sagas, Olav had churches built and clergymen appointed. None of these churches remains, but many of the stave churches are on the same spot, including Høre Stave Church.

    In medieval times, Valdres had many churches. There were at least 21 of them; 18 of which were stave churches. To compare, the neighbouring valley Hallingdal had 8 stave churches. Sadly very few remain today. 

    Judging from the rune inscriptions found inside the church and dating the timber, Høre Stave Church is from around 1179. It was originally a pillar church, with four corner staves. Under the church are graves, some of them children. It wasn’t allowed but common to bury children under stave churches. As they had not been baptised yet, the parents worried the children would not be accepted into heaven. Some foetuses were also found under the church. There is evidence of ceremonial burials under the church, likely from pre-Christian times.

    The original stave church somewhat exists today; all that remains is its skeleton. The skeleton is hidden by the cladding. The ship is still the original size, giving a sign of the original size of the church room.

    Høre Stave Church

    Vang i Valdres

    The word ‘vang’ comes from an old farm that stood here; this farm is also where the first church stood. Vang, like the rest of the Valdres Valley, was populated by migrants from Western Norway. People have lived in this valley (Vangr means meadow or field) for thousands of years. This is likely due to its proximity between east and west Norway. Vang is by a lake just before the mountain pass to Western Norway and thus made for a good rest stop.

    Vang became the site of a legal court (ting in Norwegian), and the ancient stave church was next to the site. The site was famously used by King Haakon VI in 1368 when he was settling a boundary dispute.

    Vang also became part of the ancient royal road between Bergen and Oslo. In the 16th century, it was the postal road, and from the 18th century, it was Kongevegen. Kongevegen was the first road for horse and cart between East and West, and I’ve covered it on my page for the E16. Today, the highway follows the same path as Kongevegen. Still, the town and nearby area became a place where travellers would seek refuge at some point on their journey. 

    The Vang Stone is clearly marked and is by the E16. Parking is available across the street. 

    The Vang Stone

    Øye Stave Church

    Øye Stave Church is one of the smallest and oldest stave churches in Norway. It is likely from some time during the second half of the 12th century. The church is first mentioned in written documents in 1347. It stood by the old traffic road over Filefjell, which was the first road between Bergen and Oslo.

    Øye Stave Church

    Kongevegen

    Historic Road

    As you may have noticed by now, there are a number of churches and important historic sites along the E16. This is because the E16 follows one of the ancient crossings between east and west Norway. It is called ‘Kongevegen’ (The Kings Road). The road is ancient and is believed to have been the first way between east and west. The first postal road was laid here in 1647, and the road received official status in 1791. 

    Ever since people have lived in Norway has this been the most useful route between east and east. A number of tracks show traffic throughout the Stone Age and Bronze Age. The road was also important in the Christianisation of Norway, as is evident in the large number of churches along the road. Many ancient farms here also became inns for travellers, and some survive today. In the Middle Ages, the road was known as the most difficult and dangerous in the country. As many Danish public servants were travelling between Bergen and Christiania (Oslo), it was decided to modernize the road in the 17th century. The road was built as straight as possible and became known as the Royal Postal Road. Most of the trip was done on foot. 

    In the 18th century, travelling with horse and carriage became more common, so it was decided to modernise the road again. In 1791, the official road was completed and Kongevegen became the first carriage road between east and west Norway. The road was built by hand. Today the E16 skips many of the most difficult parts with tunnels, but parts of the old road remain and are now a popular hiking trail. In 2017, Kongevegen was awarded the EU’s most important cultural heritage award, Europa Nostra. 

    It is possible to spend the night in one of the many lodges over the mountains and do short or long hikes. 

    Tyinkrysset

    Village

    Tyinkrysset is a village located in the Filefjell mountains, which is where the historic crossing between east and west Norway was. The village sits at an elevation of around 900 metres (3,000 feet). This area is popular with hikers. You’ll find some hotels up in the area. 

    Filefjellet Mountains

    Mountains

    You are now crossing the Filefjellet mountain range across to Western Norway. It has been an important crossing path between east and west Norway since ancient times. The highest peaks are 1013m above sea level. 

    The E16 follows a lot of the same path as the old road. 

    Lærdal Municipality

    Lærdal is the first municipality in Vestland county. Lærdal has a dry climate, with 420mm – 600mm of rainfall annually in the inhabited areas. Through the valley runs the Lærdalselvi, or the Laerdal River, known as the ‘Queen of the Salmon Rivers’. It is one of the country’s most famous large salmon rivers. The valleys have opportunities for hunting deer, reindeer, and elk. The valley was inhabited and used by humans as far back as 6,000 years ago. In places, the vally has been used since the Early Stone Age. In the mountains are the first traces of people in the mountain areas of Norway.

    Lærdal has always been the main road between east and west Norway. The area where the village Lærdalsøyri is developed as a marketplace in the Middle Ages. Coastal farmers brought herring and fish and exchanged goods with mountain farmers from Valdres. At least five generations of road structure remain in the Lærdal valley, which proves the valleys important function as a hub. Lærdal has a long tradition with agriculture. The lower part of the valley has one of the country’s best climatic conditions for growing vegetables. Early production of potatoes and vegetables is important. 

    Borlaug

    Village

    The next village is Borlaug. This is where the E16 joins with Highway 52, which runs over the Hemsedal mountains (it’s an alternative way between Oslo and Bergen). You’ll pass some old farmhouses on the right as you drive through the village. 

    Borgund

    Village

    Borgund is a mountain village. It has been an important spot on the journey between east and west Norway for hundreds of years. There are several farms in the village and agriculture is the main industry here. 

    Borgund Stave Church

    Borgund Stave Church is the most famous of Norway’s 28 remaining stave churches. The exact age of Borgund Stave Church is unknown. It is possibly as old as 1150 when looking at the timber. However, the church is generally regarded as being from around the year 1200. It is dedicated to the apostle Andrew.

    The church is fascinating; a visit to it should not be missed. The church is open in the summer for tourists for a small fee. Check their website for more information. 

    Borgund Stave Church

    Lærdal

    You will bypass the village of Lærdal on the E16, but it’s a worthwhile detour to drive into the village. Lærdal is a historic trading place on the old postal route between Oslo and Bergen. It was where the travellers would leave their horses behind and take boats the rest of the way to Bergen. Lærdal is also a fantastic place for trying the foods from the Sognefjord region, including potatoes, berries, and cider. 

    You can read about Lærdal on our dedicated travel guide page. 

    Lærdal Travel Guide

    Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road

    In the summer months, it’s possible to take the Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road across to Aurland instead of going through the tunnel. 

    Aurlandsfjellet Tourist Road

    Lærdal Tunnel

    Tunnel

    Welcome to the world’s longest road tunnel! The Lærdal Tunnel is 24.5km (15.2 miles) long. The tunnel was constructed between 1995 and 2000 and cost $113 million USD. The tunnel does not have emergency exits; there are emergency phones every 250 metres as well as 15 turning areas for buses and semi-trailers. There are rooms in the tunnel with food and supplies in case anyone gets stuck in there. The tunnel has high air quality through ventilation and purification. 

    It incorporates features to help manage the mental strain on drivers. Every 6km there is a cave to separate sections of the road. The lighting varies throughout the tunnel and caves to break the routine.

    Aurland Municipality

    Aurland municipality is perhaps one of the most visited municipalities in Norway. After all, it is home to the famous Flåm village as well as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord. The main industry in Aurland is agriculture, with goats’ cheese being an important product from here. Tourism is also a major industry. 

    Aurland

    It is worth driving into the village of Aurland. In many ways, it is more charming than Flåm. Aurland is home to Vangen Church, a historic stone church from 1202. The fact that it is built in stone and not wood signifies that the area must’ve been of importance around the time it was built. Aurland is also home to the Aurland Shoe Factory, where the pennyloafer was invented.

    Aurland Travel Guide

    Flåm

    Located at the end of the Aurlandfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord, Flåm is a gorgeous little village. Many people come to Flåm to do the Flåm Railway, regarded as the most beautiful train journey in the world. This train journey goes from Flåm through the valley and up the mountains to Myrdal, located close to the Hardangervidda National park. Myrdal is also where you board the train to Bergen or Oslo. Besides the train ride, there’s a gorgeous ferry journey from Flåm to Gudvangen. It takes you on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord – something you shouldn’t miss.

    Flåm has a population of 350, though on a summer day there will be several thousand people in the village. Seriously. The Flåm Railway has become incredibly popular – it’s sold out months in advance. Additionally, Flåm is becoming a major cruise port.

    Flåm Travel Guide

    Gudvangen

    Village

    Gudvangen is a small village with a population of around 120. It is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity at the end of the Nærøyfjord. The popular Gudvangen – Flåm cruise stops here, and many people also come to visit the Viking Village in Gudvangen. The Viking Village is a recreated village as Gudvangen is believed to have been an important trading place for the Vikings. 

    It is worth driving into Gudvangen (approx 5 mins off the E16) and stopping in front of the Nærøyfjord. The Nærøyfjord is the narrowest branch of the Sognefjord, only 250 metres at its narrowest and 12 metres at its shallowest. The fjord is 20km long. It is UNESCO World Heritage-listed as it is one of the best representations of what a fjord looks like.

    Stalheim Hotel & Stalheimskleiva

    Historic Hotel

    The site where the hotel is has been an important place for hundreds of years. When the Royal Postal Road between Oslo and Bergen was established in the 17th century, this hotel was where the postal workers would stop to rest. 

    The hotel as it is known today opened in 1885 with 10 rooms. The hotel burned down in 1900, 1902 and 1959. The current hotel building you see today is from after the 1959 fire. Today the hotel is a high-end historic hotel where many famous people have stayed. It also has arguably one of the best views of any hotel in Norway, but good luck trying to see it. They don’t allow visitors to come in and take pictures without paying or having coffee. 

    Stalheimskleiva is a 1.5km (1 mile) stretch of road that leads from Stalheim Hotel down to sea level towards the Nærøyfjord. It was one of the country’s first roads built according to the new road engineering requirements that came around 1850, the so-called chaussee, with a maximum gradient of 1:20. Around 1,000 men built the road over 7 years. The road was a motorway for cars going in both directions, which was of course dangerous. It was eventually replaced with the two tunnels you’ll be driving through. The road then became a one-way tourist road, however in 2020 part of the road was in danger of collapsing due to landslide. In 2021, the road closed for all motor vehicles for the foreseeable future. This is due to the poor condition of the road and the extensive damage done by traffic. The road is on the conservation plan, so it’s being repaired and may become a hiking trail instead. 

    Across from the Stalheim Hotel is an open-air museum with farmhouses collected from the area. There are also a number of hiking trails starting from around the hotel, so it could be a good option for spending the night. 

    Voss Municipality

    Voss municipality is an inland municipality with about 90% of the area mountains over 300m (1000ft) above sea level. Because of that, the municipality is a popular place for people from Bergen to go skiing. Voss is home to the largest ski resorts in Western Norway. The area has been settled for at least 3,000 years, with people coming here for the rich valleys, waters, and animal life. Voss was also largely an isolated municipality, meaning it has kept its own unique culture and traditions. 

    Oppheim Lake

    Lake

    After leaving Gudvangen, you will drive up the Nærøy Valley. This is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area. The stone they are mining here is anorthosite, a rare stone found in large amounts in this valley. The stone is typically used on the roads because it is reflective. 

    The drive through the valley is short; you will then take two tunnels to get up the mountain. However, before you get into the tunnels, you will see a red hotel and a hairpin-turn road on the hillside. 

    As you drive along the lake, you’ll drive through the village of Oppheim and past the Oppheim Church. 

    Vinje

    Village

    Vinje is a small village located at the junction of the E16 and the Rv13, which runs over the Vikafjellet mountains to Vik by the Sognefjord. This is a long but beautiful detour; the road does close in winter, though. In Vik you’ll find the Hopperstad Stave Church (one of Norway’s 28 remaining stave churches) as well as some other historic buildings. 

    Tvindefossen

    Waterfall

    It is worth stopping and taking some photos of Tvindefossen Waterfall. It will be clearly marked with signs as you approach it. The waterfall is 152m high and has two streams (tvinde=twin). In the late 1990s, the waterfall acquired a reputation for having special powers of reviving sexual potency, so it became common to see visitors from the U.S., Japan and Russia visiting and filling containers with water. 

    Voss

    If you are following the E16, you will take a bypass and not see Voss at all. It is possible to drive into Voss, park by the lake, and see some of the town. 

    Voss has a population of around 14,000 people. The town is known for its cultural traditions in folk music, art, handicrafts, and traditional foods. Voss sits on the shore of the lake Vangsvatnet.

    During World War II, the town was bombed by the Luftwaffe and almost all the buildings were destroyed. 

    In Voss it’s worth visiting Voss Church. According to legend, the people of Voss was forced to convert to Christianity by King Olav (later Saint Olav). A stone cross can be seen by the lake which is believed to have been erected by St. Olav himself. The church was built in 1277 and is one of the only buildings to survive World War II. 

    In Voss you can do the Voss gondola to the top of the mountain, where the open-air museum is. 

    Voss Travel Guide

    Evanger

    Village

    Evanger has a well-preserved village centre that is believed to be one of the better-preserved villages in the area. Most of the wooden houses are from the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Evanger is known for its production of cured meat because the village is home to several companies that specialise in the production of traditional meats such as pinnekjøtt (dried, salted rib of lamb), cured lamb, and sausages. 

    Bolstadøyri

    Village

    Bolstadøyri is located at the end of the fjord. When the old postal road came through here, this is the point where the workers would leave their horses and take a boat to Bergen. This has always been an important meeting place for the courts as well as a trading post. 

    Vaksdal Municipality

    Vaksdal is a small industrial municipality in Western Norway. The coat-of-arms show three black shuttles for weaving. The shuttles were chosen to represent the textile industry of the municipality. The municipality is located alongside the fjord and is also very mountainous. 

    Dale

    Village

    Dale is a small industrial village with a population of around 1,100. The village was built around the Dale power planet and factory that were founded and constructed in the 1870s. The machines were brought over by boat from England – carding machines, spinning machines and 200 looms, as well as finishing and dyeing machines. When the factory was built, there was only a homestead here. However, by the end of the 19th century the factory had 500 employees and the village had 1,000 inhabitants. At its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, Dale had a population of 4,000. 

    Dale is where the Dale of Norway company is based. This is arguably Norway’s most famous textiles company. They make the sweaters for the Norwegian Olympics Team and are known for their classic patterns. There is an outlet store in Dale, if you wish to visit that. 

    Osterøy

    Island

    Soon you will reach the wider part of the Osterfjord, which you will follow for the journey into Bergen. Across the fjord is an island called Osterøy. Osterøy is the largest inland island in Norway at around 330km2. Around 8,000 people live on the island and it is largely an agricultural island. You’ll see the bridge to the island soon.

    Vaksdal

    Village

    Vaksdal is a small village located on the fjord. Like Dale, it is an industrial town. In the late 19th century, the Vaksdal Mølle (Mill) opened here, utilising the hydropower in the region. This is where flour would be made. At the time it was built, it was the largest mill in Northern Europe. 

    Bergen Municipality

    Welcome to Bergen! We are now on the outskirts of Bergen municipality. 

    Trengereid

    Village

    Trengereid is the next village you will pass on your way into Bergen. Like the other villages along the fjord, Trengereid was established in the late 19th century around a factory. The factory (Trengereid Fabrikker) specialised in ribbon and lace production. 

    In Trengereid you will see the round-a-bout that leads off to the Hardangerfjord and Hardanger Tourist Road. However, you have been driving from Oslo, so probably save that for a separate road-trip. 

    Arna

    Village

    Arna is one of Bergen’s eight districts and was incorporated into the city in 1972. Around 14,000 people live in Arna and are connected to the city centre of Bergen by the railway. The train between Bergen and Arna takes only 10 minutes as it cuts through the mountain Ulriken; the road follows the coastline and takes 30 minutes to get to the same place. 

    Bergen

    Welcome to Bergen! Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city and is regarded as the Capital of the Fjords. 

    Bergen Travel Guide

    If you liked this drive, or if you have any travel tips, please leave a comment in the section below!

  • Bergen, Where to Stay

    Where to Stay in Bergen From a Locals Perspective

    Where to Stay in Bergen From a Locals Perspective

    So you are planning a trip to Bergen – excellent! We think that Bergen is the best city in Norway, but I must admit that we also have some bias here. It is, after all, our home city. Still, no trip to Norway is complete without a visit to Bergen.

    In this guide I’ve put together a list of the best hotels to stay at in Bergen. This is based on my years of tour guiding experience, feedback from groups, and also places that I’ve stayed at myself.

    The list is divided into parts of the city and then again into different grades of hotel. They are as follows:

    • High end: 1500+ NOK a night
    • Mid-range: 1000 – 1500 NOK a night
    • Budget: Less than 1000 NOK a night

    Here’s my top list of places to stay in Bergen, sorted by area.

    In this article...

    Bergen Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    Be sure to check out our Bergen travel guide! Here you can find all our recommendations of things to do and see, including our self-guided walks. 

    Bryggen

    Why Stay Here?

    Okay, so Bryggen is of course one of the most popular places to stay in Bergen. Bryggen is Bergen’s UNESCO World Heritage site. Located approximately 10 minutes from the city centre, Bryggen is where you’ll find several museums as well as Bergen’s best Norwegian restaurants. It is close to everything you need: museums, restaurants, shops, hikes and scenic points. While it is a bit of a walk from public transport and the city centre, if you are interested in Bryggen then this is the place to stay.

    Of course, being the most popular place in town means there aren’t too many budget options.

    High End

    • Clarion Havnekontoret.
    • This hotel has beautiful views out to the harbour as well as parking and an amazing breakfast. They also offer light dinners for free. Within a minute walk is St. Mary’s Church, the Bryggens Museum and Bryggen. Both this hotel and the Radisson Blu have the airport bus leave right outside. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
    • Radisson Blu Hotel
    • The Radisson Blu Hotel is a gorgeous hotel located just seconds from Bryggen. The breakfast is delicious! Note that often there are conferences here, so it can sometimes feel a little busy. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
    • Hanseatic Hotel Bergen – top pick! If you want to get away from chain hotels then the Hanseatic Hotel is for you. Most of the hotel is situated inside the historic wooden houses of Bryggen, meaning your room has a clear rustic feel. There are also very few rooms here, giving the hotel a boutique feel.
    •  
    • Bergen Harbour Hotel
    • I’ve heard a lot of good about Bergen Harbour Hotel. It has modern rooms and is a relatively small hotel, so there’s certainly a personal touch to it. Check Availability & Prices

    Mid Range

    Thon Orion

    I do like the Thon Orion. In fact, it is the hotel I stayed in when I first came to Norway back in 2011. The hotel has had a major renovation since then. Thon Hotels are typically known for their good breakfasts. The hotel is approximately halfway between the fortress and Bryggen. Check Availability & Prices

    Thon Rosenkrantz

    The rooms are a little on the small side, but that’s okay because you’ll be out exploring Bergen! The staff at this hotel are lovely; I haven’t had a bad experience here. it is also one block behind Bryggen, so you’re away from a lot of the crowds. No public transport close by, but you’re a block from the taxi rank outside the funicular station. Check Availability & Prices

    Around the City & Train Station

    In this part of the city you’ll find some of Bergen’s major landmarks, shopping centres, restaurants and part of the university. The city still keeps its small-town charm; there are no skyscrapers or busy streets here. Staying in the city centre has its advantages; Bryggen can get crowded in the summer months and the city centre has all the public transport connections. It is also centrally located, meaning you can get around Bergen easily.

    High End

    Hotel Norge by Scandic

    The newly renovated Hotel Norge has beautiful rooms with views out to the city as well as free breakfast, private parking, and an upscale spa. The hotel is close to the airport bus and light rail, making it easy to get in and out of Bergen. It’s very fancy – sometimes a little too fancy for a travellers liking – and I found the cheaper rooms were tiny. Check Availability & Prices

    Opus XVI

    Opus XVI is owned by the descendants of Edvard Grieg. The building dates from 1876 and used to be the bank. The rooms are incredible, as is the lobby (they’ve preserved most of the old bank), and I’ve always found the staff to be friendly. Check Availability & Prices

    Bergen Børs Hotel

    The Bergen Børs Hotel was formerly a stock exchange. One of Bergen’s two Michelin star restaurants, Bare, is located inside the building. The hotel itself is huge and is used by groups, so it can feel a little crowded. Check Availability & Prices

    Hotel Skostredet

    This is Bergen’s newest hotel, and it looks wonderful! Hotel Skostredet, which opened in June 2024, combines Scandinavian minimalism with Japanese finesse to create a 5* luxury feel. Inside the hotel is a high-end sushi bar. Check Availability & Prices

    Mid Range

    • Zander K Hotel
    • This hotel is located across the street from Bergen train station, so it’s perfect if you are coming in or out of Bergen by train. It’s a 15 minute walk to Bryggen and only a 5 minute walk to the city park. I’ve only ever heard good things about this hotel. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
    • Scandic Ørnen
    • Scandic Ørnen is located only a few minutes from the city park and it’s across the street from Bergen’s largest shopping centre. Scandic’s are a reliable hotel chain in Norway – all of them are pretty much the same and they are all pretty great. There’s no frills in the room, but that’s fine. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
    • Scandic Byparken
    • The hotel is a little smaller and in a slightly odd part of town – there’s not much here but the main bus road, but the city park is only a block away. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
    • Magic Hotel Xhibition
    • Magic Hotel is located in a shopping centre, and honestly I kind of like staying in shopping centres sometimes – especially if I’m travelling alone and on a budget. It’s a quick way to grab a meal! Rooms are small but have what you need. Check Availability & Prices

    Budget

    • Bergen Budget Hostel
    • The train station is just a five minute walk away. The rooms look nice and clean, and the location itself is pretty good.
    •  
    • Citybox Bergen
    • Citybox is a chain of budget friendly hotels in Norway. There is no breakfast included, but the rooms are cosy. To keep the costs down, there’s no standard reception or cleaning service. Rather the keys are kept in a safe place and you check yourself in and out. Check Availability & Prices
    • Marken Guestehus
    • Marken Gjestehus is a no-frills hostel with shared rooms for only 250 NOK a night, which is a bargain in Norway. There’s a common living area and kitchen, so it has everything you need.

    Nordnes

    Nordnes is the peninsula that separates the Bergen harbour into two. The peninsula is home to trendy bars and cafes and is also where some of the oldest houses in Bergen city centre are located. Close by is the aquarium, Nordnes park, and the charming alleys.

    High End

    Clarion Admiral

    This hotel is beautiful and definitely one of my top picks for a stay in Bergen. Here you can look out to Bryggen as you have breakfast! The rooms are very cozy. Check Availability & Prices

    Mid Range

    • Comfort Hotel Bergen
    • The Nordic Hotel chain is a fairly decent chain to stay with. I’ve had mixed stays with them; in general the rooms are fairly simple. Still, breakfast is included and this one is in a great location. This part of Nordnes is nice and quiet but it’s only a short walk to the city centre. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
    • Heimen Hotel
    • This hotel has just had a new renovation and looks very charming inside. Check Availability & Prices
    •  
      Best Western Hotell Hordheimen
    • This is a nice hotel within Nordnes. Hot breakfast is complimentary. There’s also a traditional restaurant and a coffee shop, plus guest laundry facilities – finding a laundry in a hotel in Norway is something of a luxury in itself. Check Availability & Prices

     

    Budget Friendly

    Klosterhagen Hotel

    Located in arguably one of the most beautiful spots in Nordnes, Klosterhagen is a unique independent hotel. There are only 15 guest-rooms with private bathrooms and a home cooked breakfast. The hotel hires people who are training to work in the hotel industry; perhaps they have had a rough past but are now looking to change their lives. Check Availability & Prices

    Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Bergen

    These are my top picks for hotels in Bergen. All of them are in good locations and have a lot of facilities included, ensuring that your stay in Bergen is relaxing.

    Enjoy your stay in Bergen!

    Bergen Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    Be sure to check out our Bergen travel guide! Here you can find all our recommendations of things to do and see, including our self-guided walks. 

  • Balestrand, Bergen, European Highways, Road-trips, Sogndal, Sognefjord

    Drive it Yourself: Bergen to Balestrand on the E39

    Drive it Yourself: Bergen to Balestrand on the E39

    This drive really grew out of boredom. I was tired of always doing the same road out of Bergen. Follow the E16 towards Oslo. Surely there’s more to Bergen than that!

    The area north of the city always felt like a mystery to me, and it was one I wanted to explore.

    Balestrand, on the other hand is a place I knew very well. I have met many travellers who have passed through Balestrand as an alternative to touristy Flåm, and they loved it. I was curious – what was Balestrand like? Was it was amazing as I was hearing?

    So off we go. Exploring the hidden north above Bergen before visiting one of the most popular fjord towns in the country. 

    This drive was a delight. It’s so diverse and so scenic. The best part is that it doesn’t get crowded with tourists. 

    Be sure to combine it with the Gaulafjellet Tourist Road. 

    In this article...

    Download this Guide

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    We offer downloadable versions of our self-guided drives on our online store. 

    View at the Store

    Online Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the neighbourhood
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Information about facilities along the way

    Downloadable Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the region & towns
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Facilities including supermarkets, toilets, petrol, hotels, cafes, restaurants with addresses.

    Watch on Youtube

    All of our roadtrips are available on YouTube to watch. They include information about the area provided in text and voiceover form, plus they show the drive in full (sped up in some spots!) so you can get an idea what the drive is like. 

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    The drive: Bergen to Balestrand

    Bergen

    This drive begins in Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway. You can read our detailed guide to Bergen via the button below. 

    Bergen Travel Guide

    Nordhordland Bridge

    Bridge

    The bridge that we are going to cross first is the Nordhordland Bridge, a combined cable-stayed and pontoon bridge. It is 1.6km long. Plans have existed for the bridge since the 1960s, but it wasn’t funded until 1989. Construction started in 1991 and it opened in 1994. The bridge is the second-longest in Norway. 

    The floating section is a steel box girder bridge with ten pontoons, and it is like this because of the fjord’s depth. The fjord end of the main span is supported by a 30m (98ft) deep foundation, where the two bridges meet. It is the second pontoon bridge to be built in Norway. 

    The European Highway 39 is sometimes referred to as the coastal highway. It starts on the south coast of Norway, close to Kristiansand, and then follows the coast all the way up to Trondheim. There are many ferries along the road because the road practically hugs the coastline. 

    Alver Municipality

    Alver is a municipality just north of Bergen. Mongstad is Norway’s largest oil refinery, owned by Equinor and Shell, and is in the municipality. It is important to the business life here. Petrol, diesel oil, jet fuel and other products are produced at the factory and then sent abroad.  

    Knarvik

    Town

    The town we can see is Knarvik, the administrative centre of Alver. The E39 runs right through the middle of the village, cutting it into two. On the north is the Knarvik Senter, the largest shopping centre in the region. The southern part is older with its original buildings and shops. Knarvik has schools, a church, and an active community. The Knarvik upper secondary school is one of the county’s largest. 

    Before the 1970s, the community didn’t have more than 30 people in it. However, the council decided that Knarvik should be built up as a regional centre, and this caused the population to grow quickly. Because of this, Knarvik isn’t a very historic town, and the city centre does look a little 1970s. Now they are redoing the road, so it’s going to look like a messy construction site. 

    Masfjorden Municipality

    Masfjorden is a small municipality around the Masfjorden (a fjord). The entire municipality has a population of around 1,630 people. Masfjorden is an industrial municipality with construction, power, and water companies. There are large hydropower resrouces here because of the mountains and high rainfall. 

    Matre

    Town

    Matre is a small village with around 100 people living here. The Institute for Marine Research has a research station here. There is a fantastic museum here called the Bjørn West Museum, which shows the resistance struggle during World War II. 

    Gulen Municipality

    Gulen is a historic municipality. In historic times, the region was strategically located to both Hordaland (where Bergen is) and Sunnfjord (close to Ålesund). This was also the starting point for sailing into the Sognefjord. Finds from the Stone Age, Iron Age and Bronze Age indicate that this area has been used for thousands of years. 

    In Gulen was the Gulatinget, a place where chieftains and farmers from Western Norway gathered to settle legal disputes and pay homage to Norwegian hereditary kings. The ‘ting’ was established in 930 and the Gulating took place here for 400 years, when it was moved to Bergen. The kings, lords, and landowners met once a year and the hearing was governed by the appointed lawman. The Gulatinget is one of the most important institutions in older Norwegian history. The Gulating Act applied to most of Western Norway, the mountain areas of Valdres and Hallingdal, and the Faroe Islands and Shetland. The Gulating Act was considered one of the freest and most democratic laws in Europe 1,000 years ago. The laws in Norway today are based on the old Gulating laws. It is possible to visit the Gulatinget site today. 

    Gulen was important in the Christianisation of Western Norway. The first cross stood here before it was moved to the church Håkon Håkonsson built at Kyrkjehaugen. The areas importance eventually declined but remained an important agricultural area for the region. Gulen has many cultural relics from the Stone and Bronze Ages along the coast, and from the Viking Age around Eivindvik. There are also many old stone-built houses. 

    Otherwise, the municipality is important for agriculture and fishing. Fish farming is especially important to the community. The climate is like Bergen but snowier. 

    Oppedal - Lavik Ferry

    Ferry

    This is a short 20 minute ferry trip across the Sognefjord. 

    Høyanger Municipality

    Høyanger is part of the traditional region of Sogn, which surrounds the Sognefjord. Høyanger is known as having one of the first industrial towns in Norway. The steep mountains and rainfall were used for producing hydroelectricity needed for electrolysis. The main product produced here is aluminium. 

    The Sognefjord divides the municipality and is the fjord you will be following for the rest of the journey. The Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, reaching 205km long and 1303m deep. The Sognefjord is the third-longest fjord in the world. 

    Aven

    Town

    Aven is a small village with around 15 people living here. The name comes from the word ‘vin’, which meant fertile plain in the Viking Age. There has been a settlement here for over 1,000 years but experienced depopulation after the Second World War. 

    Vadheim

    Town

    Vadheim is a small village with a population of around 238. 

    Høyanger

    Town

    Høyanger is a small settlement with around 1,983 people living there. It is an industrial town with an industrial park. The Høyanger Aluminium Works produces raw aluminium. There is also a car rim factory that supplies rims to the car factory Audi. 

    Sogndal Municipality

    Sogndal is a relatively new municipality; it was a merger between several different municipalities, including the old Balestand municipality. Sogndal is an old place and archaeological excavations show that people have been living here as far back as 700BC. Since ancient times, agriculture has been the most important trade. Fruit, especially apples, has been grown back as far as written sources.

    Sogndal emerged as an industrial community towards the end of the 19th century. There has been a matchstick factory here and later a wool mill and then a bottling plant for softdrinks and fruit juices. A hydroelectric plant was built here in 1911 and was one of the first ones to be built in rural Norway. 

    Balestrand

    Balestrand is the last stop on today’s drive and a perfect place to spend some time if you want to enjoy the fjords. Balestrand has been a well-known tourist spot since the end of the 1800s.

    Balestrand is home to Kviknes Hotel, a historic hotel from 1877. This hotel is where Kaiser Wilhelm II received the message about the outbreak of the First World War. The church has been owned by the Kvikne family ever since it opened. The hotel has 195 rooms.

    St. Olafs Church is a well-known wooden church from 1897. It is often known as the English church because one of the English tourists who visited in the 19th century, climbing pioneer Margaret Sophia Green, enjoyed the Norwegian mountains so much that she married the innkeeper of Kviknes Hotel, Knut Kvikne, and moved to the area. Sadly, she contracted tuberculosis and died in 1894. On her deathbed, she told her husband that she had a dream that an English church would be built in Balestrand.

    Knut Kvikne allocated a big plot of land close to the hotel and, with the generous help of monetary gifts from two American women, built the church. The church is designed to look like a stave church.

    Balestrand is also where you can visit an apple farm called Ciderhuset to go on a tour or buy some cider. There is also the Norwegian Reiselivsmuseum, or the Museum of Tourism in Norway, and the Sognefjord Aquarium. Tours on the fjord and to a nearby glacier can be organised from Balestrand.

    Balestrand Travel Guide
  • Bergen, Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord, National Highways, Road-trips, Voss

    Drive it Yourself: Voss to Eidfjord

    Drive it Yourself: Voss to Eidfjord

    The drive between Voss and Eidfjord may be short, but it is definitely beautiful. The drive takes you from central Voss down along the old Hardanger Train Line, through a few tunnels, and then into Eidfjord. Eidfjord is located at the end of the Hardangerfjord, and is a popular place to visit for those heading up to Hardangervidda. Along the way you’ll also cross the famous Hardanger Bridge. 

    In this article...

    Watch on Youtube

    All of our roadtrips are available on YouTube to watch. They include information about the area provided in text and voiceover form, plus they show the drive in full (sped up in some spots!) so you can get an idea what the drive is like. 

    Visit Our YouTube Channel

    The drive: E6 between Voss and Eidfjord

    Voss

    This drive begins in Voss. You can find a detailed guide to Voss below. 

    Voss Travel Guide

    Skjervsfossen

    Waterfall

    If you’re doing this drive in summer, the detour via Skjervsfossen is very nice. You can stop by the waterfall for some photos. This road is actually the old highway down to Hardanger – if you don’t take the detour, you go through a very long tunnel instead!

    We didn’t go past the waterfall on this trip, but we have been there before. The first stop on the road is at the top of the waterfall (middle photo), and you can see the hairpin road and the road across the waterfall (right photo). Once you drive down the road you can stop for a photo of the lower part of the waterfall (left photo). 

    Granvin Lake

    Natural Attraction

    We are now driving along Granvin Lake. The lake is 4 sq km (1.56 sq mi) and has tunnels on both sides of it. The old Hardanger Line used to run along the west side of the lake.

    Granvin Church

    Historic Site

    Granvin Church sits on the eastern shore of the lake in a small farm area known as ‘Granvin’. The church was built in 1726 and seats about 300 people. The earliest church was mentioned in 1306, but it was not built in that year. It was likely a wooden stave church. The church was expanded in the 17th century. In 1726, the church was sold to private landowners, who tore it down and replaced it with the current church. The church was sold to the parish in 1857.

    Granvin

    Village

    On this drive we don’t go into Granvin, but if you want a short detour then Granvin is a lovely town. Kjerland Gardsbutikk is located just off Highway 13 and is a great place to buy Hardanger apples, Hardanger cider, or fresh produce.

    Hardanger Bridge

    Bridge

    The Hardanger Bridge is a suspension bridge across the Eidfjorden branch of the Hardangerfjord. It used to be a ferry connection, but this bridge has replaced that and significantly improved the driving time between Bergen and Oslo. It is the longest suspension bridge in Norway.

    Construction began on the bridge in 2009 and it officially opened in 2013. The bridge had a budget of 2.3 billion kr (312 million USD) and more than half was to be paid with tolls and saved ferry subsidies.

    The bridge is 1,380m (4,530 ft) long with a main span of 1,310m (4,300 ft). The maximum dock height is 55m (180ft) and the towers reach 200m (660ft) above sea level. The largest cruise ships can’t go under the bridge, but smaller ones can. It is one of the longest suspension bridge spans in the world, and it is the longest tunnel-to-tunnel bridge.

    When you cross the bridge, you’ll pay a very expensive toll. That’s for paying off the bridge!

    Eidfjord Municipality

    Eidfjord municipality is located at the end of the Eid Fjord, which is a branch of the Hardangerfjord. The Eid Fjord is 29km (18 mi) long and is the fjord you’re driving along now. 90% of Eidfjord municipality is 900m above sea level; mostly in Hardangervidda. The nature provides the basis for power production, agriculture, hunting, fishing and tourism. 

    Eidfjord

    We have now arrived in Eidfjord! If it’s a summer day, it may be very busy. I’ve had luck parking outside the Joker supermarket, but you can also park a little ways out of the town and walk in.

    All the information you need for Eidfjord can be found on the travel guide section of the Hidden North. 

    Eidfjord Travel Guide

    Where to Go From Here

    Eidfjord to Flåm via Vøringsfossen and Hardangervidda on the Hardangervidda Tourist Road

    Cross the Hardangervidda Plateau from Eidfjord and end up in Flåm. 

    Hardangervidda Tourist Road

    If you liked this drive, or if you have any travel tips, please leave a comment in the section below!