Ålesund
Population 67,000 / 62.4 degrees north Ålesund, Norway Regularly called the most beautiful city in Norway because of its Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture, Ålesund is a true gem on the
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Coastal Ferry
Welcome to my guide for Norway’s coastal ferry. This guide is for both the Hurtigruten and Havila ferries, and includes a day-by-day overview of what the ferry passes and stops at along the way.
Northbound Journey
Day 2: Ålesund, geiranger
This day varies depending on what time of year you visit. If you come in summer, the ship visits Geiranger. In autumn, the ship visits the Hjørundfjord. In winter, the ship spends the day in Ålesund.
Day 3: Trondheim
The day starts with a visit to Trondheim, the third-largest city in Norway. The afternoon is spent sailing the longest stretch on the northbound journey. The ship docks in Rørvik in the evening.
Day 4 Bodø & Lofoten
This day is arguably the most beautiful stretch of sailing on the northbound journey. The morning is spent around Ørnes, where you cross the Arctic Circle. After a couple hours in Bodø, the evening is spent in the incredible Lofoten Islands. In summer, the ship visits Trollfjord at around midnight.
Day 5: Tromsø
After a morning in Finnsnes, half of the day is spent in Tromsø, the largest city above the Arctic Circle in Norway. Tromsø is a vibrant city and there’s a lot to do here.
Day 6: North Cape
Today the ferry sails along the Finnmark coast, stopping in several small coastal villages. The highlight of the day is when the ferry docks in Honningsvåg long enough to allow passengers to go and visit the North Cape, the northernmost point in mainland Europe.
Southbound Journey
Day 7: Eastern Finnmark
The ferry docks in Kirkenes at 9am and after a few hours starts its journey south. In the afternoon, the ferry docks in Vardø, the easternmost city in Norway.
Day 8: Hammerfest
The morning is spent in the port of Hammerfest, which claims to be the northernmost city in the world with a population over 10,000. In the afternoon the ferry docks in Øksfjord and then in Tromsø at around midnight.
Day 9: Vesterålen & Lofoten
This day is probably the most beautiful day on the whole journey. After a morning in the traditional Vesterålen, the afternoon is spent sailing through the Lofoten Islands. The ferry sails through Raftsundet and Trollfjord at around 4pm.
Day 10: Helgeland Coast
Today the ferry sails down the Helgeland Coast, crossing the Arctic circle. Just after the port of Sandnessjøen at midday, the ferry sails alongside the famous Seven Sisters. After visiting Brønnøysund, the ferry sails along Torghatten.
Day 11: West Coast
The ferry docks in the port of Trondheim early in the morning and then Kristiansund in the afternoon, allowing passengers to take the Atlantic Road excursion.
Day 12: Bergen
After a stop in Florø in the morning, the ferry sails along the west coast of Norway and across the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord. The ferry docks in Bergen at around 2:45pm.
Ports
Båtsfjord
Population 2,165 / 70.2 degrees north Båtsfjord, Norway Located in a fjord, Båtsfjord is a sheltered fishing village on the northwestern coast of the Varanger peninsula in Finnmark. Båtsfjord boasts
Bergen
Population 285,000 / 60.3 degrees north Bergen, Norway I think Bergen is the best city in Norway, but that may be because it’s the city I call home. Norway’s second
Berlevåg
Population 867 / 70.5 degrees north Berlevåg, Norway Located on the corner of the Varanger Peninsula facing the Barents Sea, Berlevåg is a truly special place. It is one of
Bodø
Population 53,000 / 67.2 degrees north Bodø, Norway Bodø is a lovely town. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, the city is currently undergoing a huge transformation. It was
Brønnøysund
Population 4,995 / 65.2 degrees north Brønnøysund, Norway Located in the geographic centre of Norway, Brønnøysund is the beginning of the Coastal Road – one of Norway’s 18 national tourist
Finnsnes
Population 4,900 / 69.3 degrees north Finnsnes, Norway Finnsnes is a small town just across from the famous island of Senja. While the town itself isn’t particularly historic, it is
Geiranger
Population 250 / 62.1 degrees north Geiranger, Norway Located at the end of the Geirangerfjord, Geiranger is one of the most special villages in all of Norway. Since 2005, the
Hammerfest
Population 250 / 62.1 degrees north Hammerfest, Norway Hammerfest is a true Arctic capital. In fact, until 1996 it was considered to be the world’s northernmost point. Today Hammerfest has
Harstad
Population 25,000 / 68.4 degrees north Harstad, Norway Located on Norway’s largest island, Hinnøya, Harstad is an administrative centre for the region. Fun Facts About Harstad Latitude: 68.4 degrees north
Havøysund
Population 970 / 70.5 degrees north Havøysund, Norway Located at what feels like the end of the world, Havøysund is a special little fishing village. Fun Facts About Havøysund Latitude:
Honningsvåg
Population 2,237 / 70.5 degrees north Honningsvåg, Norway Honningsvåg is one of the most popular places to visit. After all, it is the home to North Cape, the northernmost point
Kirkenes
Population 3,500 / 69.4 degrees north Kirkenes, Norway Welcome to the end of Norway! Kirkenes is only a short drive from the Russian border and is further east than all
Kjøllefjord
Population 845 / 70.5 degrees north Kjøllefjord, Norway Kjøllefjord is a charming fishing village on the northern tip of the Nordkyn peninsula. While fishing has traditionally been the main industry,
Kristiansund
Population 24,000 / 63 degrees north Kristiansund, Norway Kristiansund is a coastal town built over three islands – Kirkelandet, Innlandet and Nordlandet. Fun Facts About Kristiansund Latitude: 63 degrees north
Måløy
Population 3,282 / 61.9 degrees north Måløy, Norway Located on the west coast of Norway, Måløy is an important fishing town and port area. The town was founded in the
Mehamn
Population 700 / 71 degrees north Mehamn, Norway The village of Mehamn sits on the northern edge of the Nordkyn peninsula where the mountain plateau ends in a flat plain.
Molde
Population 32,000 / 62.4 degrees north Molde, Norway Known as the ‘City of Roses’ for its beautiful gardens, Molde hugs the shoreline of the Romsdalsfjorden, Molde hosts a famous jazz
Nesna
Population 1,902 / 66.1 degrees north Nesna, Norway Nesna is a small village on the Helgeland coast that is surrounded by some spectacular scenery. If you are doing Norway’s Coastal
Øksfjord
Population 496 / 70.1 degrees north Øksfjord, Norway The fishing community Øksfjord lies at the foot of the mountain Grasdalsfjellet (830m). Almost half of the municipality lived in Øksfjord. Øksfjord
Rørvik
Population 3,300 / 64.1 degrees north Rørvik, Norway Located on the central coast of Norway, Rørvik is a historic communications centre for all shipping traffic. Fun Facts About Rørvik Latitude:
Sandnessjøen
Population 5,900 / 66.1 degrees north Sandnessjøen, Norway Sandnessjøen is worth visiting thanks to its Viking history as well as the Seven Sisters, one of the most famous mountain ranges
Sortland
Population 10,400 / 68.4 degrees north Sortland, Norway Sortland has a reputation around Norway for being the ‘blue city’ after an initiative to paint the town blue in the early
Stokmarknes
Population 3,496 / 68.3 degrees north Stokmarknes, Norway Stokmarknes is located in the traditional region of Vesterålen at the northern end of the incredible Raftsundet strait. This is the place
Svolvær
Population 4,700 / 68.2 degrees north Svolvær, Norway Svolvær is the capital of the Lofoten Islands. Here you will find all the major activities on offer, including the famous excursions
Tromsø
Population 78,000 / 69.4 degrees north Tromsø, Norway Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway and a major hub both for tourism but also industry. It is also a
Trondheim
Population 202,000 / 63.2 degrees north Trondheim, Norway Trondheim is Norway’s third-largest city and today one of the most important university towns in the country. However, Trondheim is the original
Vadsø
Population 5,568 / 70 degrees north Vadsø, Norway Located on the Varanger peninsula close to the Varanger National Park, Vadsø is a charming town with a fascinating history. The town
Vardø
Population 1,897 / 70.2 degrees north Vardø, Norway Vardø is Norway’s easternmost city. It is further east than St. Petersburg and Kiev, and is at roughly the same longitude as