Bergen - Ålesund - Trondheim - Bodø - Tromsø

West Fjords to the Arctic Capital

On The Coastal Express

Price from

£597

Departures

Regular departures

Duration

5 days

Ships

A Hurtigruten ship sailing in Hjørundfjord in autumn

West Fjords to the Arctic Capital

Price from

£597

Voyage overview

There’s always a sense of excitement in the air when you travel north from Bergen, into fjord country, passing by the Helgeland coastline and through Lofoten to the Arctic. Along the way you’ll see beautiful and varied coastal nature, large and small towns, while also enjoying talks and activities with the Coastal Experience Team on board.

Itinerary

The day-by-day programme will give you some ideas about what you can see during your voyage, but bear in mind that this itinerary is just an indication. After all, this is a sailing where the elements rule and weather conditions might vary.

A tourist takes a photo of the wooden buildings in Bryggen, Bergen

Day 1

All Aboard!

Bergen – gateway to the fjords

All Aboard!

Bergen – gateway to the fjords

Your voyage starts in Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway and gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen boasts architecture influenced by prosperous 14th-century German trading organisation, the Hanseatic League.

If you’ve time before your ship departs, visit the UNESCO-listed wharfs of the colourful Bryggen district, now an artisan quarter complete with cobblestone streets. Just across the street is the famous Fish Market which serves delicious seafood. There’s also the Fløibanen funicular which takes you up to the top of Mount Fløyen for views of the city.

To get the most out of your visit to Norway, don’t forget that we can also help you to arrange tours before or after your voyage, such as the Norway in a Nutshell programme.

Your voyage begins

Before boarding, you can relax in our comfortable guest lounge at the terminal. Once aboard, enjoy the first of many delicious meals made from fresh coastal produce as we depart Bergen and sail the old Viking route along Hjeltefjord.

You’ll also meet your ship’s Coastal Experience Team who will be your guides as we cruise Norway’s coastline, organising lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes.

Time in port:

MS Nordlys sailing through the Geirangerfjord in Norway

Day 2

Iconic Architecture and Fantastic Fjords

Ålesund

Iconic Architecture and Fantastic Fjords

Ålesund

Enjoy early morning in the Nordfjord near Torvik. We then sail past West Cape for our approach to Ålesund.

Art Nouveau city

Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums. If you’re travelling with us in spring or winter, you’ll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town.

Into the fjords

In the summer, from June to August, we set course for UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord*. This is a protected and preserved piece of paradise with towering mountain cliffs and waterfalls like the famous Seven Sisters cascading into the fjord.

*Notes:

Geirangerfjord is replaced by Hjørundfjord for the following sailings: 2025: 1st June, 12th June, 23rd June, 4th July, 15th July, 26th July, 6th August, 17th August, 28th August

In spring, from April to May*, and in autumn, from September to October, your ship will sail to Hjørundfjord, hidden away in the Sunnmøre Alps. There’ll also be a call at the scenic village of Urke to gaze at the view of thousand-year-old farms, the fjord, and the lush mountainsides. *Only on voyages departing in 2025-26. 

Mountains and roses

The last port of the day is Molde. In summer, there might just be enough daylight to see the amazing view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called ‘the Molde Panorama’.

From mid-June to late August, the streets and gardens here will be adorned with the sight and scent of roses of all shades, living up to Molde’s nickname as ‘The City of Roses’.

Time in port:

  • Florø: 02:45 - 03:00

  • Måløy: 05:15 - 05:30

  • Torvik: 08:20 - 08:30

  • (01.11-31.03) Ålesund: 09:45 - 20:00

    • (01.04 – 31.05* & 01.09-31.10) Ålesund: 09:45 - 10:00 & 18:00 - 20:00

    • (01.04-31.05* & 01.09-31.10) Urke: 12:15 - 15:45 

    • (01.06-31.08) Ålesund: 09:45 - 10:00 & 19:00 - 20:00

    • (01.06-31.08) Geiranger: 14:25 - 14:45 

  • Molde: 22:35 - 23:05

Nidaros Cathedral is one of Trondheim's most famous sights

Day 3

City of Kings and Palaces

Trondheim – Norway’s capital of technology

City of Kings and Palaces

Trondheim – Norway’s capital of technology

This section of the voyage sees us enter the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements.

Magical, medieval, and modern

Founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim today is Norway’s third largest city and a mix of historic buildings and a vibrant student population.

You’ll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its array of highlights, either by yourself or on one of the optional excursions we offer.

A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed “Norway’s Notre Dame” for its Gothic style and considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace where Norway’s crown jewels are on display.

Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighbourhood’s colourful wooden wharves propped up on stilts by the river’s edge now house a variety of eateries. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort which has beautiful panoramas of the city and fjord.

Back on board

In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we head towards charming Rørvik.

Time in port:

saltstraumen-bodoshutterstock_2500x1250

Day 4

Into the Arctic

Bodø

Into the Arctic

Bodø

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up.

Above the Arctic Circle, you can see the sun 24 hours a day in summer, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve.

Forces of nature

At 10:00, we call into Ørnes, near to Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen. The pier here is popular for the Love Bench where sweethearts have declared their lasting romance with a padlock.

We then sail to Bodø, the second largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the world’s most powerful maelstrom. 

Welcome to Lofoten

That afternoon, the ship enters the Lofoten archipelago. The 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall is a stunning sight on the horizon, as if there to welcome us.

Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands and busiest between January and April when Arctic cod, known locally as skrei, swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn.

Come evening, when you see rows of traditional fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer, you’ve arrived in the pretty harbour of Svolvær, the main town of the Lofoten Islands.

Time in port:

The Arctic Cathedral is the most impressive landmark in Tromso

Day 5

Capital of the Arctic

Tromsø – gateway to the Arctic

Capital of the Arctic

Tromsø – gateway to the Arctic

We dock into Harstad just after 07:00. You can go for a peaceful early morning stroll around town. 

The ship will then continue to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep on the lookout for a variety of seabirds with several colonies nearby, including puffins.

Gateway to the Arctic

We then sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø where your voyage with us comes to an end just after lunchtime.

Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, a centre exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Take your pick from the many shops and restaurants in the city centre, including Mack Brewery and favourite local watering hole Ølhallen pub. There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

Across the water from where the ship docks, you should also be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

5-Day Norwegian Voyage | Bergen to Tromsø

About your trip

What's included

  • Cruise with Hurtigruten in an unspecified cabin. Your cabin will be allocated when you check in

What's Not Included

  • Flights and transfers

  • Meals and drinks

  • Travel insurance

  • Optional seasonal excursions

  • Luggage handling

Notes

  • Prices are in GBP per person based on two people travelling together sharing a cabin

  • Not all cabin categories are available for all departures

  • Single cabin pricing available on request

  • Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and all prices are capacity controlled and subject to availability.

Optional Excursions

Explore your destination even further with our wide range of exciting excursions. The excursion programme presented is an indication of some of the excursions that may be available during your voyage.