There’s always something magical about travelling to the very end of a continent, especially when that end is a sheer cliff plunging more than three hundred metres into the restless waters of the Barents Sea. Nordkapp in Norway, also known as the North Cape, has drawn travellers for centuries, because this is the spot where you feel like you simply can’t go any further, and all that lies ahead of you is the endless ocean and the North Pole.

The island of Magerøya, home to this famous point on the 71st parallel, offers a breathtaking Arctic landscape full of bare hills, herds of grazing reindeer and dramatic cliffs. Although it’s a hugely popular and often windy destination where the weather changes from one minute to the next, the moment you stand beside the iconic steel globe is one you’ll remember forever.

I’ve put together a detailed guide with eight tips on what to see at Nordkapp and in the surrounding area, so you won’t miss anything important. Together we’ll look at how best to get here, where to rest your head, and why you might just want to lace up your hiking boots and head out to a far more deserted, but all the more authentic, headland next door.

TL;DR

• Most photographed spot: The steel globe on the Nordkapp cliff is an absolute must, ideally with the midnight sun in the background.
• Hidden geographical catch: If you want to stand on the truly northernmost point of Europe, you’ll need to hike out to the neighbouring headland of Knivskjellodden.
• Visitor centre: Nordkapphallen has a cinema and a restaurant, but expect a fairly steep entrance fee of around 300 to 350 NOK (roughly €26 to €30).
• Ideal base: The little town of Honningsvåg offers the best facilities, hotels and shops, and the famous Hurtigruten ship stops here too.
• Nature nearby: Don’t miss the boat trip to the Gjesvær bird cliffs and reindeer spotting on the plateaus of Magerøya island.
• Undersea journey: Simply arriving by car along the E69 road through the deep subsea tunnel is a huge experience in itself.

When to visit the Nordkapp area

Your choice of season completely changes what you’ll experience in the north of Norway, and the main season here runs from mid-May to the end of July. During this period the sun never dips below the horizon at all, which means you can enjoy the magical midnight sun and all the roads and tourist attractions are fully accessible. But the weather in Nordkapp, Norway can be unpredictable even in summer — thick fog often rolls in out of nowhere, so I’d recommend building a little extra time into your itinerary so you get to see the cliff without the grey curtain.

If you’re drawn to the harsh Arctic winter and want to chase the northern lights, head here between September and March, when the nights are long and dark. You do need to be prepared for the fact that the journey to Nordkapp itself is far more demanding in winter — roads are often blocked by snow, and the last few kilometres to the cliff can frequently only be driven in organised convoys behind a snowplough. A winter visit calls for good clothing, flexibility and ideally a car with quality studded winter tyres.

Where to stay near Nordkapp

💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, where the cancellation terms are usually the best. Tickets, tours and activities are then worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.

The best strategic choice for accommodation is undoubtedly the harbour town of Honningsvåg, which lies about half an hour’s drive from the cliff itself. Here you’ll find not only grocery shops and petrol stations, but above all a solid selection of hotels offering a welcome refuge after a windy day on the coast. Prices for a night for two people usually range between 1,400 and 2,400 NOK, which works out at roughly €120 to €210, so it pays to book your stay well in advance through Booking.

If you’re after comfort right by the water, Scandic Bryggen is an excellent option right by the harbour, where you can watch the ships sailing past and you’re just a short walk from the centre. For those who prefer a cosier atmosphere and stylish design, I’d recommend the smaller The Duke Boutique Hotel, which travellers rave about for its great breakfasts and personal service. And if you’d rather be closer to nature and are travelling on a smaller budget or with your own tent, take a look at Nordkapp Camping, which sits closer to the cape itself and also rents out classic Norwegian cabins.

On the roof of Europe: 8 things to see and do

The island of Magerøya isn’t just about one single cliff — it offers a whole host of fascinating spots that would be a shame to skip on a quick visit. Let’s take a look at the eight most interesting places and activities you should slot into your plans to get the absolute most out of your trip to the far north.

I’ll show you how to dodge the crowds at the main attractions, where to find the best views over the wild ocean, and why it’s worth exploring the more remote corners of the island too.

1. The Nordkapp cliff and the famous globe

The Nordkapp headland itself is where the steps of absolutely every visitor lead, and it’s no wonder — standing on the edge of a cliff that drops 307 metres straight down into the sea is an incredible feeling. The main point of interest here is the large steel globe dating from 1978, which everyone longs to get a photo beside, so in high season fairly decent queues form. The views over the endless Arctic Ocean are phenomenal, and on a clear day you feel as though you could see all the way to Svalbard.

Just a short walk from the globe you definitely won’t miss the Children of the Earth monument, created in the late 1980s and made up of seven large circular reliefs designed by children from different corners of the world. 💡 Tip: If you want to avoid the biggest crowds from the cruise ships, come here early in the morning or, conversely, very late in the evening, when the car park thins out a little and you can soak up the roar of the wind and the crashing waves in relative peace.

2. The midnight sun over the Arctic Ocean

Seeing the sun sink right down to the horizon at midnight, painting the sky in unbelievable shades of gold and red, and then start to climb again, is probably the single biggest reason people come here in summer. You can watch this natural phenomenon roughly from mid-May to the end of July, and believe me, it will completely throw off your body clock. People wander along the cliffs at midnight, sipping coffee from flasks, and the atmosphere is full of a strange, quiet euphoria.

The catch is that Nordkapp is notorious for its highly changeable weather, so you never have a hundred percent guarantee that you’ll see the sun through the fog and clouds at all. Travellers often recommend setting aside at least two or three nights for the area to boost your chances of a clear sky — because when the clouds part and golden light floods the ocean, it’s a sight you’ll never forget for the rest of your life.

3. The Nordkapphallen visitor centre

Right on the cliff sits the large Nordkapphallen visitor centre building, partly built into the rock, which serves as a shelter from the harsh Arctic weather. Inside you’ll find a panoramic cinema showing a beautiful film about the changing of the four seasons on the island, an extensive souvenir shop, a café with huge windows, and even a small ecumenical chapel of St John, the northernmost in the world. It’s the perfect place to warm up if a gale is raging outside or freezing rain is falling.

The sticking point, however, is the entrance fee, which runs at around 300 to 350 NOK per person (roughly €26 to €30) and officially includes entry to the building and parking. Under Norway’s freedom-to-roam laws, access to the cliff and globe themselves should be free if you arrive on foot or by bike, but the operators of the site collect this fee at the entrance gate for all vehicles, which occasionally sparks heated discussions among travellers.

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to Stay at Nordkapp

4 accommodations — campsites, wellness hotels and other lodging options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏨 Hotel

Scandic Bryggen

Excellent choice right by the harbor in Honningsvåg, where you can watch ships passing by and you’re just a short walk from the center. Provides a comfortable refuge after a windy day on the coast.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability ⭐ Luxury

The Duke Boutique Hotel

Smaller hotel with a cozier atmosphere and stylish design. Travelers highly praise the excellent breakfast and personal approach of the staff.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability ⛺ Camping

Nordkapp Camping

Campsite located closer to the Nordkapp cape itself. Ideal for travelers on a budget or with their own tent. Also offers rental of classic Norwegian cabins.

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View all accommodations at Nordkapp

Explore all available accommodation options at Nordkapp and find the best one according to your preferences and budget.

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4. The hike to Knivskjellodden (the truly northernmost point)

Here comes the big geographical catch of the whole area, because famous Nordkapp isn’t actually the very northernmost point of Europe. That title belongs to the neighbouring, much flatter headland of Knivskjellodden, which reaches into the sea about a kilometre and a half further north — but there’s no road leading to it and you can only get there on your own two feet. If you love hiking and want to stand on the truly last scrap of mainland, this is the trek for you.

The route starts at a small car park by the road about seven kilometres before Nordkapp, and you’re looking at roughly 18 kilometres of walking there and back, which will take you five to seven hours of actual walking time. The path leads across stony Arctic terrain, marked by stone cairns, and at the very end you’ll find a small monument where you can sign your name — plus you’ll have an amazing view of the majestic Nordkapp cliff from a completely different perspective, entirely free of charge and without the crowds.

5. Magerøya island and the subsea tunnel

The journey to Nordkapp is itself a huge adventure, because the island of Magerøya is connected to the mainland by an impressive feat of engineering. From the mainland town of Olderfjord, the E69 road takes you all the way to the Nordkapptunnelen tunnel, which descends an incredible 212 metres below sea level and measures almost seven kilometres. Driving through the tunnel is a little eerie, your ears will pop from the steep descent and climb, but it gives you that genuine sense of travelling to the end of the world.

As soon as you emerge from the tunnel onto the island, you’re greeted by a harsh, almost lunar landscape without a single tree, because you’re high above the tree line. The road winds across barren plains, passes dark lakes and cuts into the cliffs above the sea, so driving around the island demands your full attention — but it also offers views that will make you want to stop at every layby.

6. Honningsvåg as the ideal base

Honningsvåg proudly boasts the title of Norway’s northernmost town, and although it’s more of a large fishing village with just under three thousand inhabitants, it works as the perfect starting point for exploring the island. The town lies in a sheltered bay, its colourful wooden houses reflected in the surface of the harbour, and you’ll find all the infrastructure you need here, from supermarkets to pleasant cafés where you can hide from the bad weather.

What’s more, the ships of the famous Hurtigruten coastal route call in here every day, which always briefly brings the streets to life with dozens of tourists boarding buses bound for Nordkapp. The local Nordkappmuseet museum is well worth a visit too, beautifully documenting the hard life of fishermen in the far north, the history of coastal shipping, and the harsh events of the Second World War, when the area was almost razed to the ground.

7. The Gjesvær bird cliffs and Sámi reindeer herds

If you love wild nature, you mustn’t skip the detour to the picturesque fishing village of Gjesvær on the western side of the island, from where small boats set sail to the Gjesværstappan nature reserve. This cluster of little islets is home to enormous colonies of seabirds — in season, hundreds of thousands of adorable puffins with their colourful beaks nest here, along with majestic gannets, white-tailed eagles and various species of auk. These boat trips can be easily booked, for example through GetYourGuide, and they’re probably the best wildlife experience in the area.

But animals will keep you company even during ordinary driving around the island, because Magerøya serves as a summer pasture for thousands of reindeer, which local Sámi people bring over from the mainland every spring. The reindeer roam completely freely across the bare plains, very often wander right onto the road, and aren’t the least bit fazed by passing cars — so drive really carefully and always keep your camera close to hand.

8. The northern lights and harsh winter beauty

While summer belongs to the midnight sun, the winter months from September to March dress Nordkapp in a completely different, darker and no less fascinating coat. Because you’re deep within the Arctic Circle, it’s an absolutely fantastic place for watching the northern lights, which dance across the sky here in green and purple ribbons of incredible intensity. The Arctic winter has its own unmistakable charm — snow-covered cliffs contrast with the dark ocean and the sky is full of stars.

A winter trip does require far more planning, though, because access to the cape itself is often very limited due to snowstorms. The final stretch of road from the junction at Skarsvåg is frequently closed and can only be driven at set times in a special convoy, when your car has to follow a large snowplough. It’s a huge adrenaline rush and an experience in its own right, but don’t forget to check the current road conditions on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration websites.

Where to go next from Nordkapp

The north of Norway is enormous and the distances between individual sights might surprise you, but once you’ve come all this way, it’s worth exploring the other gems beyond the Arctic Circle too. If you’re planning a longer road trip, be sure to get inspired by our big article Norway: 50 things to see, where you’ll find plenty of practical advice for the whole country.

From Honningsvåg there’s a wonderful option to continue south by sea, because the ships we describe in detail in our guide Hurtigruten — cruising the coast stop here. By boat or a longer drive you can then reach the lively Arctic metropolis you can read about in our article Tromsø — the gateway to the northern lights. And if you’re craving the most photogenic mountains rising straight from the sea, head even further south and explore our piece What to see in Lofoten (the big guide).

Frequently asked questions

Norway is stunning from land, but it’s only from the deck of a ship that those enormous fjords and sheer cliffs take on a completely different perspective. By far the most iconic way to experience the Norwegian coast is the legendary Hurtigruten Norway voyage, which links the south with the far north. Along the way you’ll see remote fishing villages and jaw-dropping natural scenery you’d struggle to reach by land.

Originally this route worked mainly as a postal and supply line for remote regions, but over time it grew into a worldwide phenomenon. Today it’s a hugely popular travel destination offering an incredibly authentic glimpse of everyday life in the north. In this article we’ll break down exactly what to expect from the famous voyage from Bergen to Arctic Kirkenes and how to plan the whole trip as smoothly as possible.

We’ll take a detailed look at the best time to catch the northern lights or the midnight sun, how much the whole thing costs and what accommodation options you have on board. You’ll also learn why you don’t have to do the full seven-day route and how to pick just the most beautiful stretch by ship, so you can drive the rest of Norway comfortably at your own pace.

TL;DR

• The route: The classic coastal line runs from Bergen to Arctic Kirkenes, takes roughly 7 days one way and calls at 34 ports along the way.
• Best time to go: In winter travellers come for the magical northern lights and whales, while the summer months offer endless midnight sun and vivid green fjords.
• Competition: Besides the traditional Hurtigruten company, the same route is now sailed by the more modern Havila Voyages with brand-new hybrid ships.
• Flexibility: You don’t have to sail the whole route — the ships also work as a regular ferry between towns, ideal for a more affordable taster.
• Price: The full route costs roughly 10,000 to 20,000 NOK (about €880 to €1,760) per person depending on season and cabin.
• Extra experiences: On longer stops you can join organised excursions — a trip to the North Cape or a dog-sledding ride through snowy landscapes are popular.

When to go to Norway for the voyage

Choosing the right season completely shapes what you’ll see during the trip and the overall atmosphere on board. If you set off in the summer months from June to August, you’ll experience the famous midnight sun. Up north the days are endlessly long, nature glows in every shade of green, and you can sit on deck at midnight admiring the sunlit mountain peaks and the shimmering surface of the sea.

Winter voyages from November to March, on the other hand, are a huge draw for keen aurora hunters. Some cruises even offer an intriguing guarantee: if the aurora borealis doesn’t appear during your trip, you get another voyage completely free. The days are very short and polar night reigns in the far north, but the snowy coastal scenery and the real chance of spotting whales in the dark waters have enormous charm.

A great compromise can be spring or autumn, when you avoid the biggest crowds and cabin prices tend to be a little friendlier. In autumn nature turns a beautiful orange and you already have a decent chance of catching the nightly light shows, while in spring you can admire the melting snow on the peaks of the majestic fjords and the northern wilderness slowly waking up.

Where to stay before and after the voyage

💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We like to search for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. For tickets, tours and activities it’s worth comparing and buying through GetYourGuide.

Since the whole coastal route starts in southern Bergen and ends in far-flung Kirkenes near the Russian border, you’ll very likely need a night on land. It always pays to fly in a day or two early so you can explore the city at your leisure, soak up the atmosphere, and avoid the risk of watching your ship sail off before your eyes because of an unexpectedly delayed flight.

In Bergen, a great and practical choice is the Thon Hotel Orion, just a short walk from the historic wooden Bryggen quarter, with an absolutely phenomenal breakfast and a huge selection of everything. If you’re after something special and love beautiful historic buildings, try the more upscale Opus 16, a gorgeous boutique hotel right in the city centre, just a stone’s throw from the harbour.

At the opposite end of the route in Arctic Kirkenes, the obvious choice is the Thon Hotel Kirkenes, right by the water, so you can watch the ships arrive and the harbour bustle from the comfort of your room. For a truly unique winter experience, there’s the famous Snowhotel Kirkenes, where you can sleep in stylish cabins or try a night in the ice rooms — the perfect finale to a Nordic adventure.

What Hurtigruten is and what you’ll see along the way

Let’s take a closer look at what this legendary line actually means in practice and what incredible scenery northern Europe has in store for you. The journey along the coast isn’t just about aimlessly sitting on deck — it’s above all about the constantly changing landscape and fascinating stops in towns big and small.

Over the course of the multi-day voyage you’ll pass thousands of tiny islands, weave through narrow straits and reach remote spots that no proper roads lead to. Be prepared to keep your camera in hand almost constantly, because the views from the outdoor deck are simply phenomenal in any weather.

1. What Hurtigruten is and how it works

The history of this iconic coastal line dates back to 1893, when it began as a vital connection for remote Norwegian settlements along the endless coastline. Even today it’s not a classic giant cruise ship full of casinos and noisy water slides, but rather a floating village that regularly carries not only foreign tourists but also local residents and essential cargo for island communities. That gives the whole experience a huge dose of Nordic authenticity.

The classic route runs from southern Bergen all the way to Kirkenes and takes roughly 7 days one way, while the full round trip takes about twelve. The ship operates completely non-stop, so it calls at ports both day and night. The schedule is cleverly designed, though, so the captain tries to sail into the most interesting spots and larger towns at reasonable daytime hours, so you don’t miss out.

There’s an incredible 34 stops along the way, and their length varies enormously depending on the size of the town and the volume of cargo. In some places the ship docks for just fifteen minutes so workers on shore can quickly unload pallets of goods and postal staff grab fresh letters, while elsewhere you have several hours to head ashore in peace and properly explore the local sights.

2. The most beautiful stretches of the route

The landscape changes constantly and dramatically throughout the voyage, and each new day brings entirely different visual experiences. Among the absolute highlights of the whole trip is sailing through the narrow Trollfjord, where the steep rock walls are so close to the ship that you feel you could reach out and touch them from the deck. Here the captain has to show real mastery of ship handling to safely turn the enormous vessel in the fjord’s tight throat.

Another huge draw is sailing past the magical Lofoten and Vesterålen islands, whose sharp granite peaks rising straight out of the wild ocean look absolutely fantastic. This is exactly where the most iconic photos of the entire Norwegian voyage are taken, especially when the low evening sun catches the rock and the whole landscape takes on a golden hue.

In the summer months some ships make a special scenic detour into the famous Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO-listed wonder boasting gorgeous thundering waterfalls. In the far north you’ll surely be blown away by the harsh, barren landscape around the North Cape and the Helgeland islands with their mystical mountains, like the legendary Seven Sisters range or Torghatten mountain with its famous hole right through the middle of the hill.

3. Port stops and shore excursions

Because the ship docks for several hours in bigger towns, you have a perfect opportunity to head out and properly explore the surroundings. In historic Trondheim you can comfortably walk to the stunning Nidaros Cathedral, the most important religious building in the country, while in Arctic Tromsø you can stroll the lively centre and visit the fascinating polar museum. In these ports the ship usually stays for a whole morning or afternoon.

The company also offers a very wide range of organised excursions you can add to your voyage and simply be pampered. Very popular are the midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral, a bus trip to Europe’s northernmost point, the North Cape, from the port of Honningsvåg, or an adrenaline-fuelled dog-sledding ride through the snowy wilderness. These activities tend to be quite pricey, but the organisation is top-notch and the ship always reliably waits for you.

💡 Tip: If you want to save money and be more flexible, you can book many of the port activities independently in advance, for example through the popular GetYourGuide platform. Just always keep a very close eye on the exact departure time, because once the mighty ship’s horn sounds, the captain waits for no one and you’d have a tricky time catching up with the rest of the route by land, at your own expense.

4. Winter aurora vs. summer midnight sun

The experience of the coastal voyage differs radically depending on the season you choose for your trip to Scandinavia. Winter voyages have a huge advantage in that the ship sails far from the light pollution of big cities, giving you absolutely ideal dark conditions for watching the northern lights. What’s more, at night the captain announces sightings over the intercom straight into the cabins, so you definitely won’t miss anything important.

On the other hand, you have to reckon with polar night in the far north above the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon at all. Natural light is only available for a few hours in the form of a kind of mystical twilight. There’s also often a very strong wind, it’s properly freezing on deck and the sea can be quite rough — but that’s a fair price to pay for the gorgeously snowy Arctic landscape.

In summer it’s a completely different story and the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed. The midnight sun means you can sit outside with a glass of wine at two in the morning and admire perfectly clear views of the green hills. The days are long, temperatures are usually quite pleasant and you have plenty of energy for all those coastal excursions — though you can obviously forget about the northern lights during this period.

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to Stay on the Norwegian Coast

5 accommodations — wellness hotels, hotels and other lodging options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏨 Hotel

Thon Hotel Orion

An excellent and practical choice in Bergen, located just a short distance from the historic wooden district of Bryggen and offering absolutely phenomenal breakfasts with a huge selection of everything.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability ⭐ Luxury

Opus 16

A more luxurious boutique hotel in a beautiful historic building right in the center of Bergen, from where you’ll be very close to the harbor.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Thon Hotel Kirkenes

A hotel located right by the water in arctic Kirkenes, so you can watch arriving ships and the harbor bustle from the comfort of your room.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability ⭐ Luxury

Snowhotel Kirkenes

An absolutely unique experience for the winter months, where you can stay in stylish log cabins or try a night directly in ice rooms, which is the perfect finale to a Nordic adventure.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🔍 Search

View all accommodations on the Norwegian Coast

Explore all available accommodation options on the Norwegian Coast and find the best one according to your preferences and budget.

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Practical info: cabins, prices and booking

Before you excitedly buy your tickets and start packing warm jumpers, it’s worth getting your bearings on the practicalities of booking. You’ll discover that it’s no longer just one company running the route, and that the full seven-day voyage is far from the only way to fully enjoy Norway’s dramatic fjords from the deck.

We’ll take a detailed look at exactly how dining works on board, how much the whole thing costs and why you should seriously consider the intriguing combination of a shorter voyage with a classic road trip on land.

5. Hurtigruten vs. Havila Voyages

For decades the traditional Hurtigruten company held an exclusive monopoly on this coastal line, but since 2021 it has faced some very capable competition. The same route with exactly the same port stops is now also sailed by Havila Voyages, which is great news for travellers and for healthy competition. Incidentally, both companies receive state subsidies for operating this important transport artery.

While the traditional Hurtigruten offers a fleet of tried-and-tested ships with that pleasant classic maritime character and often an experienced expedition team on board, Havila has come out with brand-new hybrid vessels. These modern ships can sail for several hours purely on huge batteries, which means that in the most precious fjords you’ll experience total silence with no unpleasant vibrations or smoke from the funnels.

Choosing between the two operators is mainly a matter of your personal preferences and the current prices. If you’re after the most modern design, more spacious standard cabins and a greener approach to nature, go for Havila with a clear conscience. If, on the other hand, you prefer the established classic with huge tradition and a wider range of add-on programmes, the traditional company will be the better choice for you.

6. Cabins, food on board and prices

You can choose your accommodation on board exactly to suit your budget and needs, from the simplest inside cabins without windows to luxury suites with a balcony and hot tub. Even the cheapest available cabins are always perfectly clean, comfortable and fitted with their own small bathroom. Since you’ll spend most of your time out on deck or in the glass-walled panoramic lounges anyway, a window in the cabin isn’t a must if you want to save money.

The food on board is a huge culinary experience for all the senses. Both companies’ concept is built around using local ingredients straight from the regions you’re currently sailing through. The ships offer excellent vegetarian choices packed with fresh vegetables, great cheeses and pulses, and they handle various diets very well — you just need to let them know in advance. The local meat and fish dishes Norway is famous for are there for those who specifically want them.

As for the overall budget, you simply have to accept that Norway isn’t cheap, and sailing along it even less so. For the complete seven-day route from Bergen to Kirkenes you’ll pay, depending on season and cabin, roughly 10,000 to 20,000 NOK (about €880 to €1,760) per person. This base price usually includes full board, but you’ll pay handsomely on top for alcoholic drinks and organised excursions.

7. The full route vs. just one stretch

Most foreign tourists automatically buy the complete seven- or even twelve-day package, but few people know it isn’t compulsory at all. The ships work primarily as reliable public transport for locals, so you can buy a ticket for just any shorter stretch between any two ports. That’s an absolutely brilliant way to save significantly while still not missing out on this amazing experience.

You could, for example, board in Tromsø and spend just a single night on the ship on the way to Honningsvåg, from where you can comfortably head to the North Cape. Or pay for just a short daytime voyage through the majestic Trollfjord and disembark in the evening in Lofoten, where you’ll continue on your own. It’s simply the ideal taster for those on a limited budget or prone to seasickness who don’t fancy spending a whole long week on the waves.

When buying a ticket for just a selected stretch, you also have the option to travel without a cabin if you’re only sailing during the day, which brings the price down to an absolute minimum. You pay only for the transport itself along the coast, and you can either bring your own food in your bag or grab a bite in the onboard bistro with a view.

8. The coast by car vs. by ship

When planning your dream Norwegian holiday you’ll definitely run into a fundamental dilemma: whether to explore the stunning coast from the deck of a ship, or rather hire a car and set off on an independent road trip. Both options certainly have their appeal. Travelling by ship is incredibly comfortable — you don’t have to deal with ferries across fjords, the daily hunt for accommodation, or dangerous fatigue behind the wheel. You just sit, drink coffee and take in the views.

On the other hand, your own car gives you absolute freedom and flexibility in planning. You can stop spontaneously at every pretty waterfall, head out on a full-day hike into the mountains and stay overnight in a remote, charming campsite. From a huge ship you’ll only reach long mountain treks with great difficulty, because the port stops are simply too short for a proper hike.

The best possible solution is often a smart compromise. You can drive southern and central Norway along the scenic roads, then return the car in Trondheim or Tromsø and cover the rest of the journey north by ship in complete peace. In these harsh Arctic regions the roads are often very time-consuming and hard to drive in winter, so the ship is simply the best possible choice here.

Where to go next from Norway and what to read

If you’re planning a big Nordic trip, you’ll definitely find some further practical information useful to help you decide. Get inspired by our detailed guides and plan the holiday of your dreams exactly the way you imagine it.

• For an overall overview of the country, check out our article Norway: 50 tips on what to see.
• If you’re drawn to dramatic scenery, read our Norwegian Fjords — guide.
• For planning a stop in the north, our article What to see in Lofoten (the big guide) will come in handy.
• And if your journey starts in the south, don’t forget to explore Bergen: what to see.

Frequently asked questions

Norway is a vast country full of natural extremes, where the simple act of driving becomes an utterly unique experience. When it comes to scenic Norway roads, the Møre og Romsdal region on the west coast is hard to beat — it boasts two architecturally unique roads that regularly top the world rankings of the most beautiful viewpoint routes.

On one side you’ll find the Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien), which gracefully leaps across tiny islets and reefs right above the surface of an unpredictable ocean. A little further inland, the famous Trollstigen — or the Troll’s Path — cuts into steep mountain cliffs, testing the nerves of even the most experienced drivers with its hairpin bends.

If you’re thinking of heading north and you love the freedom of travelling by car, skipping these two engineering marvels would be a serious mistake. In this guide I’ll show you how best to plan this iconic Norwegian road trip, where to find a strategically located base, and what to watch out for when driving through the mountain passes.

TL;DR

• The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien): An 8.3-kilometre stretch between the towns of Kristiansund and Molde that links small coastal islets via eight bridges.
• Storseisundet Bridge: The most famous, photogenic spot on the Atlantic Road, which from a certain angle looks like a launch ramp into the sky.
• Trollstigen (the Troll’s Path): An extremely steep mountain road near the town of Åndalsnes with 11 sharp hairpin bends and breathtaking viewpoints.
• Trollveggen: The tallest vertical rock face in Europe, found close to the foot of the Troll’s Path in the Romsdalen valley.
• The Golden Route: A popular connection from Trollstigen via a ferry and the Eagle Road (Ørnevegen) all the way to the famous Geirangerfjord.
• Opening times: While the Atlantic Road is open year-round, Trollstigen opens only for the summer season and frequently suffers unexpected closures.
• Bases for exploring: The best places to look for accommodation are the towns of Molde, Ålesund, or the mountain resort of Åndalsnes itself.

When to Visit Western Norway

Planning a trip to Norway always revolves around the unpredictable weather, and when it comes to mountain roads that goes double. The Atlantic Road may be open all year, but its atmosphere changes dramatically depending on the season and the current conditions.

Many travellers agree that the most dramatic experience comes during the autumn storms, when enormous waves crash straight into the bridge piers and water occasionally splashes right up onto the cars. In summer, by contrast, the sea here tends to be calm and turquoise, creating ideal conditions for spotting seals and a relaxed bit of fishing from the coastal walkways.

Completely different rules apply to the Trollstigen mountain road, which operates strictly seasonally. It usually opens around mid-May and closes again uncompromisingly with the first snows in October. On top of that, in recent years the Troll’s Path has faced frequent closures due to dangerous landslides, so it’s absolutely essential to check the latest traffic information right before you set off.

Where to Stay Near the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen

💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. For tickets, tours and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.

Choosing the right base is absolutely crucial for this road trip if you want to avoid wasting hours in transit. The most strategic locations are the towns of Molde and Åndalsnes, from which you can easily reach both the ocean and the steep mountains.

If you’re looking for accommodation right in the thick of it beneath the mountains, the renowned Hotel Aak in the town of Åndalsnes is a fantastic choice. It’s a historic mountain hotel with a wonderful atmosphere and views of the surrounding peaks, where a night in a double room will set you back around 2,000 NOK (about €175).

For lovers of modern design and fjord views, there’s Scandic Seilet in the town of Molde. This sail-shaped hotel stands right on the fjord’s edge and makes an ideal starting point for a trip to the Atlantic Road, with a night costing roughly 1,800 NOK (around €158).

Travellers on a tighter budget, or those who prefer being close to nature, often go for Trollstigen Camping, which sits close to the foot of the famous hairpins. Renting a cosy wooden cabin here costs around 1,400 NOK (roughly €123) a night, and naturally it’s best to book well in advance via Booking.com.

The Atlantic Road: Island Hopping by Car

The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien in Norwegian) is regarded as a masterpiece of modern Norwegian engineering. This relatively short but incredibly intense stretch of road connects the towns of Molde and Kristiansund, crossing the open sea via a series of bridges and causeways.

Driving through this area feels more like sailing on a boat than driving a car. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what this national tourist route has to offer and where it’s definitely worth hitting the brakes.

1. The Atlantic Road in All Its Glory

The Atlanterhavsveien itself measures just 8.3 kilometres, yet even on such a short stretch Norwegian engineers managed to build an astonishing eight bridges. The road winds across the Hustadvika archipelago, notorious as one of the most dangerous stretches of sea along the entire Norwegian coast.

On calm summer days it’s a very relaxing drive with gorgeous views into the blue distance. But once an autumn low-pressure system rolls in, the road reveals its true face and the journey turns into an adrenaline-fuelled experience, where you have to battle strong gusts of wind and sea spray.

This engineering marvel was completed in 1989 and has since picked up a string of architectural awards. What’s more, the road is completely free with no tolls to pay — a rather pleasant exception in Norway, where toll roads are common.

2. The Storseisundet Bridge, the "Bridge to the Sky"

The largest and undoubtedly most photographed feature of the whole route is the cantilever Storseisundet Bridge. It measures 260 metres and its main arch rises an impressive 23 metres above sea level so that ships can pass safely beneath it even at high tide.

Thanks to its asymmetric shape, it creates a perfect optical illusion from certain angles. As you approach from the south-west, it looks as though the road suddenly ends in mid-air and the cars plunge straight into the ocean — which earned it the nickname the “bridge to the sky”.

💡 Tip: To get the best photos of this bridge, stop at the dedicated car park just before it. You’ll find safe walking paths there from which to capture the perfect angle of the curve.

3. Stops and Viewpoints on the Islet of Eldhusøya

So that visitors can truly soak up the rugged nature up close, the Norwegians built a modern architectural complex on the islet of Eldhusøya. Its main feature is an elevated viewing walkway made of steel grating, which safely loops around the entire island.

From this walkway, fantastic views open up over the open ocean, and in good weather you can supposedly even spot whales or seals in the distance. The complex also includes an elegant glass café that, from the outside, looks more like a work of art blending into the surrounding rocks.

Many of the bridges on the Atlantic Road are also specially adapted for sport anglers. The secured side walkways allow you to safely cast your line straight into the powerful sea currents, where large shoals of cod are said to gather.

Trollstigen and the Golden Route: a Mountain Adventure

As you move from the flat coast deeper inland towards the town of Åndalsnes, the landscape begins to rise dramatically. Suddenly you’re surrounded by steep granite massifs enclosing deep, dark valleys.

This is where the legendary Trollstigen lies — a road that, since opening in the 1930s, has held the status of one of the country’s greatest engineering achievements. Driving carefully through these places leaves a deep impression on absolutely everyone.

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Where to stay near the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen

4 accommodations — campsites, hotels and other lodging options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏔️ Mountain

Hotel Aak

Historic mountain hotel in the town of Åndalsnes with fantastic atmosphere and views of the surrounding peaks. Located right in the center of action beneath the mountains.

★★★★ approximately 2,000 NOK (about €180)

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Scandic Seilet

Sail-shaped hotel standing right on the fjord shore in the city of Molde. An ideal starting point for a trip to the Atlantic Road with modern design and fjord views.

★★★★ around 1,800 NOK (about €162)

Check availability ⛺ Camping

Trollstigen Camping

Campsite with cozy wooden cabins near the entrance to the famous Trollstigen serpentines. Ideal for travelers on a moderate budget and those who prefer being close to nature.

★★★★ around 1,400 NOK (about €126)

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View all accommodations near the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen

Explore all available accommodation options near the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen and find the best one according to your preferences and budget.

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4. Trollstigen and Its 11 Hairpin Bends

The Troll’s Path is the very embodiment of a driving challenge. This narrow road cuts into a sheer rock face and climbs more than 850 metres via eleven extremely sharp hairpin bends, with an average gradient reaching a respectable nine percent.

In places the road is so narrow that two larger vehicles can barely pass one another, which is why there’s a strict ban on vehicles longer than 13.1 metres. Each bend even has its own name, usually after the foreman of the construction crew that carved that section into the rock by hand back in the 1930s.

Driving here demands total concentration, as the crash barriers in many spots consist only of low stone walls. The reward for all that stress behind the wheel, however, is utterly incredible views into the valley, which keep getting better with every bend.

5. The Stigfossen Waterfall and Viewing Platforms

As you climb the hairpins, the roaring Stigfossen waterfall will keep you company. This mighty mass of water plunges from a height of an impressive 320 metres and flows through old stone bridges just beneath the road in several places, so in the spring months it often splashes icy water onto the cars.

Once you’ve negotiated every bend up to the summit, you’ll reach the sprawling Trollstigen visitor centre. From here a short, easy concrete path leads to a set of modern steel viewing platforms that hang high above the abyss.

The view from the furthest platform, which juts straight out into the void, is supposedly only for the brave. From this bird’s-eye perspective you can see the full zigzag of all eleven bends deep below you, carved into the rugged Nordic landscape.

6. The Romsdalen Valley and the Vertical Trollveggen Wall

Even before you start the climb up the Troll’s Path, it’s worth taking a short detour through the Romsdalen valley. This is home to the famous Trollveggen, or the Troll Wall, which is the tallest vertical rock face in all of Europe.

From base to jagged summits this rock massif measures roughly 1,100 metres, and in places it even overhangs menacingly. No wonder it has become a global mecca for the most experienced climbers and, in the past, attracted lovers of extreme base jumping too.

Due to the enormous risk and several tragic accidents, however, jumping from the Troll Wall is now strictly forbidden. You can still admire this natural giant safely from the modern Trollveggen Besøkssenter visitor centre, which sits right beneath the wall and offers an excellent café with huge panoramic windows.

7. The Golden Route: Geiranger–Trollstigen and Ørnevegen

Many travellers fold the drive over the Troll’s Path into a longer itinerary nicknamed the Golden Route. This stretch of roughly one hundred kilometres links Trollstigen with the famous Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After cresting the summit of Trollstigen, the road continues across a mountain plateau dotted with lakes and snowfields all the way to the town of Valldal, where you need to take a short ferry across the fjord on the Linge–Eidsdal route. The route then climbs towards another iconic road known as the Eagle Road (Ørnevegen).

Ørnevegen offers hairpins every bit as steep as Trollstigen, with the difference that from its top you get one of the most famous views of the deep-blue Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters waterfall. This whole route is said to be the absolute best that Norway roads have to offer.

8. Closures, Safety and When the Roads Are Open

While the Atlantic Road troubles drivers with strong winds at most, on Trollstigen nature poses a far more real threat. The mountain pass usually lies under a thick layer of snow from late October until mid-May, when the road is completely closed off by a barrier.

In recent years, though, a far more serious problem has emerged in the form of falling rocks and large landslides. Due to melting snow and unstable ground, the Norwegian authorities have already had to close the Troll’s Path for extended periods several times, even in the middle of the main summer season.

💡 Tip: Before every trip into these mountains it’s absolutely essential to check current road conditions on the official Norwegian roads website (Statens vegvesen). If the road were closed, you’d have to take a very long detour through a neighbouring valley.

How to Plan a Western Norway Road Trip

The ideal road trip linking the Atlantic Road and Trollstigen takes roughly two full days at a relaxed pace. If you decide to add the Golden Route all the way to Geiranger, plan for three days instead, so you have plenty of time for photos and soaking up the scenery.

The beautiful Art Nouveau town of Ålesund is the most common starting point, followed by the Molde and Kristiansund areas. The route from the Atlantic Road south to the mountains requires crossing the Romsdalsfjord, which means taking the regular ferry between the ports of Sølsnes and Åfarnes.

Time passes very differently on Norway’s roads than in the rest of Europe. Speed limits are very strict (often just 60 or 80 km/h) and mountain roads don’t allow for fast driving, so budget about a third more time for each section than your sat nav suggests. For getting here from the UK, the easiest route is to fly direct from London or Manchester to Ålesund (or via Oslo with SAS/Norwegian) and pick up a hire car at the airport.

💡 Tip: If you don’t fancy driving your own car on roads this extreme, definitely check out GetYourGuide. Local agencies there regularly offer safe, organised coach tours that depart straight from Ålesund or Molde.

Where to Go Next from the Møre og Romsdal Region

Norway’s west coast is laced with jaw-dropping places, and these two roads are just a small taster. If you’re looking for inspiration on where to point the steering wheel after conquering the Troll’s Path, I’ve put together links to a few more useful articles:

• Discover the perfect streets in the article Ålesund — the Art Nouveau town by the sea.
• Plan a cruise in the guide to Geirangerfjord.
• Explore the whole country with the article Norway: 50 tips on what to see.
• Or read the comprehensive manual Norwegian Fjords — a guide.

Frequently Asked Questions