Shore Excursions for Norway - 2018 Coastal Cruises

Physical Level: For most guests, requires some physical effort
Port: Hjorundfjord
Season: Sep-Oct

We arrive in Hjorundfjord by sea. Today, we will get "a taste of Norway" and see places that have fascinated visitors for centuries. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany visited this area several times. We anchor outside the village Urke, where a tender boat takes us to shore. We continue by bus through what is often referred to as "Norway's narrowest valley" - Norangsdalen. Because of its shape and location, this valley is often closed in winter. Along the way we will stop and look at some spectacular places. One of them is Lyngstol Lake. Here you can see sites of ancient settlements in the water that was naturally dammed in 1908 after a large landslide, a fascinating sight. We will also visit the historic Hotel Union Oye, which has played an important role in Norwegian history. Here we will provide you with local specialties and a drink.Next, we go to the community Urke which can offer local history in various forms. We guarantee a different experience in magnificent scenery.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Alesund
Season: Jun-Aug

As with Geiranger Panorama, this excursion gets you closer to the UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord. Your day begins with a drive up Orneveien (Eagle Road), enjoying magnificent views of Geirangerfjord en route to the beautiful Eidsdalsvatnet Lake. From there you take a picturesque ferry ride from Eidsdal to Linge. Back on dry land, we head for the stark, wild, high-alpine areas, stopping en route for photos at the impressive Gudbrandsjuvet (Gudbrands Gorge). One of the many highlights of this trip is the series of 11 hairpin bends down the winding Trollstigen Pass. Once you've reached the bottom, it's time for a hot drink and a bite to eat before you continue on to the gentler landscape of the Romsdalsfjord. You conclude with dinner in Molde before embarking the Hurtigruten ship again.

Physical Level: For most guests, requires some physical effort
Port: Alesund
Season: Nov-May

Distinguished by its numerous spires, towers and highly detailed ornamentation, Alesund is a town renowned across the world for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. It owes this to the devastating fire which burned a large proportion of the city to the ground in 1904, following which the town was rebuilt in the fashionable style of the time, Art Nouveau. Your guide will take you on an informative walk through the streets of this enchanting town. Along the way you will pass the picturesque fishing port of Brosundet, the special Apotekertorget square and the beautifully decorated main street. You will also visit Jugendstilsenteret, which is the national centre for Art Nouveau. The museum offers everything from modern multimedia presentations to original interiors and provides a fascinating insight into the history of Art Nouveau.

Physical Level: For most guests, requires some physical effort
Port: Alesund
Season: Nov-May

Atlanterhavsparken is one of Northern Europe's largest salt-water aquariums and offers an opportunity to enjoy close encounters with some of the marine life that can be found in and around the coastal waters of Norway. The tour to the Aquarium includes a spectacular diving show in Norway's largest aquarium tank, where the fish can be seen being hand-fed by the divers, and a visit to the open-air pool to see the resident penguins. After the visit to Atlanterhavsparken you continue onwards and upwards to Aksla where you can admire the view of Alesund below.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Trondheim
Season: Sep-Mar

Norway's original capital, Trondheim was founded as early as 997 by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason, who gave the town the name Nidaros. Trondheim is a large city by Norwegian standards, though it has still managed to preserve many of the charms and intimacy of a small town. It is also a city full of contrasts, with monastery ruins, impressive wooden buildings, colourful wharves, and a beautiful red-painted city bridge dating back to 1861.Trondheim is home to a world famous research and educational community, modern sports facilities and a lively night life. You will hear about the city's many features as the bus takes us through Trondheim's streets and boroughs, including a short stop at Utsikten (The View) to admire the city from a high elevation. We continue to the impressive Nidaros Cathedral. Built over the burial place of St. Olav, the patron saint of Norway, the construction of this enormous building with its countless details and decorations, began as early as 1070. After a guided tour around the cathedral, you will understand why many describe it as the most beautiful religious building in Norway.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Trondheim
Season: Apr-Aug

Few large cities have managed to preserve their intimacy as effectively as Norway's third largest city, Trondheim. An ancient city, it was founded by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason as early as 997. Your tour starts from the pier and takes you to Norway's national shrine, Nidaros Cathedral - Norway's only Gothic style cathedral, built over the burial place of St. Olav, Norway's patron saint. Here you can marvel at the cathedral's incredible architectural details and exquisite works of art. After a guided tour of the cathedral, you have some free time to explore. From Nidaros Cathedral, the bus takes you to the Ringve Museum of Musical History, where your enthusiastic tour guide will bring the history of Norway's music to life. This beautiful manor house was the childhood home of Norwegian naval hero Petter Wessel Tordenskiold, and is surrounded by a wonderful botanical garden. The Museum is conveniently located just outside Trondheim, and so represents an idyllic spot to enjoy the beautiful views of both the city and the fjord.

Physical Level: For most guests, requires some physical effort
Port: Ornes
Season: Jun-Aug

Situated near Ornes, Svartisen is Norway's second largest glacier. Your Hurtigruten ship will make a stop to allow you to transfer to another smaller boat for the excursion. This boat will then sail between islets and skerries whilst the guide tells you all about the area and the scenery - an impressive view best enjoyed out on the deck. It's important not to forget your camera for this part because you will now be in the realm of the sea eagle, Europe's largest predatory bird. Once we move on to the Svartisen Tourist Centre, you will be able to admire the beauty of this enigmatic ice world whilst enjoying a warm drink and the centre's varied buffet of delicious cakes. Afterwards, you continue your journey along the beautiful coast of Helgeland back to Bodø where you rejoin the ship.

Physical Level: For most guests, requires some physical effort
Port: Bodø
Season: All Year

We start the tour with a sightseeing through the town of Bodø, the second largest town in the northern part of Norway. Bodø has 50.000 inhabitants and lies just north of the Arctic Circle. We continue through a fantastic landscape on our way to Saltstraumen – the strongest tidal current in the world, with water speeds reaching 22 knots. Up to 400,000,000 cubic meters of seawater forces its way through a 3-kilometre wide strait every six hours. Saltstraumen has existed for about three thousand years. The height difference between the sea level and the fjord inside can be up to 1 meter. When the current turns, there is a period when the strait is navigable. We stop to take pictures of this phenomenon, before returning to the ship.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Stamsund
Season: Apr-Oct

Join us on a historical journey as the bus takes us from Stamsund to Borg, and on to the Lofotr Viking Museum. On the trip to Lofotr, the guide will tell you about the Viking Ages, the museum and how life was for the Vikings who lived here. Upon arrival we are invited in to experience the Chieftain's house, which has been recreated in full size, and features exhibits of finds from the Viking age. The Chieftain and the lady of the house welcome us to join them for a real Viking feast in the banquet hall; a taste of the Viking age, with traditional food, costumes, singing and dancing in authentic surroundings. After the feast, served with home-brewed mead, we then travel by bus to Svolvaer, learning more about the history of Lofoten along the way before re-joining the ship.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Stamsund
Season: Apr-Aug

Our first photo stop is Gimsøy Church, situated in the village Gimsøy. We continue to Kabelvåg, the oldest fishing village in Lofoten and previously also the largest. It was here the commercial part of the Lofoten fishery started more than 1000 years ago.In Kabelvåg we visit Gallery Espolin, which has the largest collection of the beloved artist Kaare Espolin Johnson’s works. He is known for his depiction of the sea, Lofoten and the fishermen’s hard life. Close to the gallery lies the Lofoten Museum where you can experience the local fishermen's history at one of the most preserved squires in Lofoten. Here, on the site of the medieval town Vågar, you’ll find the main building from the year 1815, authentic fishermen's cabins and boathouses featuring Nordland boats. Our last stop is Vågan Church in Kabelvåg, also known as the Lofoten Cathedral. The church was built in 1898 in the Gothic Revival style and is with its 1100-1200 seats one of Norway's largest.

Physical Level: For most guests, requires some physical effort
Port: Tromso
Season: May-Oct

On this excursion you head to the Tromso Wilderness Centre on Kvaloya Island, a scenic area with views of the ocean and mountains. Here you will meet more than 250 huskies and puppies, receive an introduction to dog sledge driving and learn about the world's longest dog sledge race, the Iditarod, presented through pictures and film footage. It's important to wear good footwear if you want to join the Wilderness Centre's guide in exploring the plant and bird life around the centre, before meeting back in the traditional Sami lavvo (tent) for a hot drink and a slice of cake.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Tromso
Season: All Year

Tromso is located beside the mighty Arctic Ocean, surrounded by towering mountains. Not only is it the largest town north of the Arctic Circle, it also has a fascinating history that includes walrus and polar bears hunting in the Arctic Ocean, the transporting of logs from Russian rivers, the Pomor trade, coal mining and sealing. The battle to survive in the hard but naturally resource-rich far north provided hard-earned experiences that, more recently, have turned Tromso into a research and education centre. During your excursion here, you will visit the Polaria centre, where you will find an Arctic aquarium, seal pool, educational displays and a panorama cinema. Here you'll be able to watch the movie 'Svalbard - Arctic Wilderness', which will take you on a fantastic journey through Svalbard's spectacular scenery. After the movie, you will go on an Arctic 'expedition', experiencing a close-up look at natural phenomenon such as the Northern Lights, tundra, and blizzards. The tour also includes a stop at the famous Arctic Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece inspired by the natural surroundings. The church, built in 1965, is a town landmark and features northern Europe's largest stained-glass window.

Physical Level: For all guests
Port: Honningsvag
Season: All Year

Enjoy the magnificent landscape as you cross the 71st parallel on our journey toward the North Cape, the northernmost point of the European continent. In the summer, you might come across herds of grazing reindeer and a small camp belonging to Sámi reindeer herders. In the winter, the endless white plains and snow-capped mountains are highlighted by dramatic weather and that special Arctic light. The bus has to follow the snowplow the last few miles before reaching the cape. The North Cape plateau itself rises over 1,007 feet above the Arctic Ocean. The ‘globe’ sculpture has become the symbol of the North Cape, and is always a popular place to get that all-important picture. At the North Cape Hall you can see an impressive 180° panoramic film about Finnmark and the North Cape. Inside the cliff you also find a souvenir shop, a viewpoint, a small chapel, and a Thai museum.