Cruising the Norwegian Fjords – with Smithsonian Journeys

Situated at the end of Byfjord, Bergen once served as Norway’s capital in the 12th and 13th centuries. The city retains significant landmarks from its royal past. Walk through its historic streets and uncover UNESCO-listed heritage sites. Bergen feels like an open-air museum, with a vibrant community of painters, potters, and jewelers. Ride the cable car for a sweeping view of the harbor and fjords. Explore the old quarter, where narrow alleys reflect the influence of the Hanseatic League, which dominated Northern European trade in the late Middle Ages.

Alesund sits among islands, fjords, and towering mountains, offering striking scenery. Known for its Art Nouveau design, the city was rebuilt in this style after a devastating fire in 1904. Walk through streets lined with ornate buildings showcasing intricate details. Nearby, visit Giske, the birthplace of Viking leader Rollon, who led Norse expeditions to Normandy. Explore Godoy and the village of Alnes, where a scenic viewpoint overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands.

A must-see stopover in Norway, located halfway between Bergen and Trondheim, Geiranger offers the stunning beauty of natural decor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will be able to admire the splendor of the sheer cliffs, dark rocks, and crystal-clear water that make the place famous, like the majestic and mythical Seven Sisters waterfall. The sides of the fjord offer many possibilities for hiking: the Eagle’s Road takes you up to a steep stretch offering a gorgeous panoramic view. A visit to Geiranger village will immerse you in the rhythm of life in the little local community.

Hellesylt is a small village located 20 kilometers from the Geiranger site. Here, you’ll get a taste of a traditional Norwegian village. Colorful houses, wooden walkways, and rustic stalls where you can have a refreshment before heading off to discover more of the local color. The surroundings are simply magnificent with cliffs, mountains, and lakes with peaceful waters. The village is crossed by a river whose charming cascade tumbles into the fjord waters

With its two wooden churches, one red and the other white, plus its breathtaking view of the mouth of the river Oldeelva, Olden looks just like a picture postcard. Located a few kilometers from the Jostedalsbreen Park, home to one of the last glacier polar icecaps, this little village is a definite must for exploring the blue languages of the Briksdal or Kjennalen glaciers. Make sure you find some time to visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Absolutely amazing. Another gem is Lake Lovatn and its turquoise waters inviting you to quiet contemplation.

You will sail into the heart of one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, its marvelous decor dominated by pristine nature, between vertiginous granite cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and luxuriant vegetation. Very close to Stavanger, the quiet waters of Lysefjorden stretch out over around forty kilometers, beneath impressive rocks. Admire the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises to more than 600 meters above the waters. A bit further on, Florli, from the top of its 4,444 steps, is the world’s longest wooden stairway, whereas the Kjerag, with its mythical boulder wedged between two rock faces, provides an unusual and unforgettable spectacle.

At the far end of the country, stands the harbor town of Stavanger, with its warm, friendly atmosphere. A friendliness you’ll notice in the little old town's cobbled streets, which has some 170 old wooden houses, as well as in its modern city center, always bustling. Strategic place during the Viking era, you will be able to discover a recreated traditional village as well as the famous Swords in Rock, three granite swords standing 10 meters (33 ft) tall, symbolizing the last victory of the King of Norway Harald I, in 872.

A port city located on Norway’s southern coast, Arendal is considered the municipality enjoying the best climate in the country. This town in the Sorlandet region has also long been renowned for its iron ore mines: their operation in the 19th century produced a particularly resistant magnetite ore. The Raet National Park, the only protected area on the eastern coast of Norway, is not far away; here, you will fall in love with its raw nature, with silver and emerald reflections, dotted with immense coniferous forests and long pebble beaches.

Nestling on the western coast of Sweden, at the junction of the Gota River and the Kattegat Sea area, Gothenburg enchants and surprises. Authentic and welcoming, this city of canals, edged with many green spaces, has a rich maritime history, making it Sweden’s most important port. Going beyond its commercial influence, “the cultural capital of Scandinavia” is a perfect blend of historic monuments, neo-classical architecture, and eco-districts featuring modern urban spaces. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafes on the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the hills of the city, fall under the spell of the Lutheran Masthugget Church, a sumptuous 18th-century building.

The capital of Norway, Olso, is a green city. Its many parks and gardens make it the reputedly pleasant city it is. The 80 hectares of Vigeland sculpture parks and its 212 open-air exhibitions, the Munch Museum dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, plus the Akershus fortress which symbolizes Oslo’s rich history, are both must-sees. For culture, the national gallery shelters the largest Norwegian collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures open to the public. And, for sports enthusiasts, the Holmenkollen district with its Ski museum and famous ski jump offers the most stunning, all-encompassing view of the city.