SUGGESTED ITINERARY
WHAT, WHERE & WHEN
Day 1: Fly to Bergen
On arrival at Bergen Airport take the Flybussen airport shuttle to the city centre. The journey takes 25 minutes and stops at six locations in the city. Tickets can be pre-booked online or on board the bus. Then make your way to the hotel. There is also the Bergen light railway, the cheapest option, taking you from the airport to the city in 45 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi can be taken directly to your hotel. There is an excellent choice of accommodation in Bergen, please ask our Sales team for the options available. The hotel will be based on a bed and breakfast basis.
Bergen is a lovely small city to explore on foot. Perhaps visit “Fisketorget” the fish market, Bryggen - on the UNESCO World Heritage List for it’s Hanseatic Wharf, quaint cobbled shopping streets, the Aquarium, one of the museums and not to be missed, the Floibanen funicular railway taking you to Mount Fløyen for amazing views over the city. This is particularly impressive at sunset!
Bergen Card
The Bergen Card allows you free access or discounted tickets to many attractions; free travel on buses and the Bergen Light Railway and discounts at many shops, restaurants and cafes. It is valid on the Light rail from the airport so we recommend purchasing this in advance. Please speak to one of our team who can arrange this for you.
Day 2: Bergen to Balestrand
Make your way to collect the rental car and start the first leg of your grand tour. Head out the city driving north crossing the Nordhordlandsbrua bridge and continuing to Ytre Oppedal, where you will take a car ferry (payable locally), crossing the Sognefjord to Lavik. Drive east along the fjord road, enjoying the magnificent views and making your way to Balestrand, your destination for 2 nights. We have based your stay at the Historical Kviknes Hotel on a half-board basis.
Driving time 3 hours 30 minutes / distance 207 km.
Day 3: Time in Balestrand
Situated in the heart of Sognefjord, Balestrand is a popular destination to visit due to its unique combination of alpine peaks, panoramic fjord views, architecture and rich history and tradition dating back to the Viking age. Visit St. Olaf Church, a 17th century wooden church, The Norwegian Museum of Travel and Ciderhuset, famous for making international award-winning cider. There are also several hiking trails in the area, as well as boat trips from the quay.
Day 4: Balestrand to Loen
Depart Balestrand for Hella and take the ferry to Dragsvik (payable locally). Continue along the fjord road to Sogndal, where you will leave Sognefjord and head north passing through the outskirts of Jostedalsbreen National Park, one of the largest intact wilderness areas in Southern Norway and home to the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest ice cap in mainland Europe. Perhaps stop at Bøyabreen Glacier viewpoint for a photo opportunity. Continue north to Skei and another chance for photos at Stardalselva Valley viewpoint. Head to Utnik, and then follow the road along the Innvikfjorden to Olden, finally arriving shortly after in Loen for an overnight stay on a half-board basis.
If you have time, the Loen Skylift is one of the steepest cable cars in the world, taking you from the fjord to the top of Mount Hoven for spectacular views and walking trails. It operates every half an hour and is open from 9.00am to 22.00 or 23.00 depending on the date.
Driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes / distance 175 km.
Day 5: Loen to Alesund
Follow the E15 and E39 north through Stryn, Grodås, Fyrde, Volda and Liadal on the way to Festøya, where you take the ferry to Solavågen (payable locally). Continue north, joining the E136 to Ålesund. We have based the stay at the luxurious Hotel Brosundet with breakfast included.
Driving time: 2 hours 45 minutes / distance 138 km.
Famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, Ålesund is a city for adventurers. Explore the quaint streets and enjoy one of the coffee houses, stretch the legs a little more and take the 418 steps up to Mount Aksla, where you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view. At the top you’ll find a restaurant and viewing platform. Or explore the city by water, kayaking along the canals that snake through the centre of Ålesund. Head outside the city to Atlanterhavsparken, Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquarium and marine science centre.
Day 6: Time in Alesund
There is plenty to keep you busy in Ålesund itself. But there are also opportunities to venture out of the city to explore the amazing nature in the region. Explore on foot, on one of the many hiking trails or by sea on a Wildlife safari, visiting Runde Bird Sanctuary and a seal colony nearby. Perhaps try your hand at fishing, with direct access to the fjords and open sea the fishing opportunities are literally on your doorstep. Our team will be happy to discuss the options for these optional excursions.
Day 7: Alesund to Geiranger
Today’s journey can be considered as epic. There are two routes possible - the shorter drive (2 hours 15 minutes) skirts round the Storfjorden taking you back south to Linge for a ferry to Eidsdal (payable locally). Perhaps take a stop at Eidsvatnet lake viewpoint or carry on to Ørnesvingen viewpoint for an amazing panoramic view of the fjords. Shortly after, start driving down the hairpin bends on Ørnevegen “Eagle Road”, with several photo stops possible on route, heading towards the village of Geiranger.
For an even more spectacular descent, you may wish to try the longer route taking you on the National Scenic Route between Trollstigen and Geiranger. The drive initially takes you further east following the road along Romsdalsfjorden towards Åndalsnes before heading south on route 63 and down the famous Trollstigen “The Trolls Ladder” with several hairpin bends and photo opportunities. There is a café here for a well deserved stop or explore the walkways and viewing points scattered along the way. Continue south to Linge for the ferry (payable locally) to Eidsdal, and carry on towards Geiranger, driving down your second set of hairpin bends on “Eagle Road”. The hotel we have chosen is Grande Fjord Hotel on a half-board basis. It is located in an elevated position overlooking the village.
Driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes / distance 191 km.
Day 8: Time in Geiranger
Located in a UNESCO listed area, you can appreciate the beauty of Geirangerfjord, whether you’re hiking or sightseeing. There is plenty to see and do here. Walk the Fosseråsa national hiking trail and pass behind the Storsæter waterfall, viewing the small farms clinging to the mountainside. Rent a kayak and marvel at the majestic mountains from the water, seeking out The Seven Sisters waterfall. Visit the Nature park and whizz through the air on a zip line or join a boat trip on a fjord sightseeing tour. You can also hire e-bikes to explore the area at your own pace, albeit with a little help!
Day 9: Geiranger to Fjaerland
Driving south from Geiranger will once again include several viewpoints for photo opportunities and stops on route. One in particular, Dalsnibba viewpoint showcases the uninterrupted views of Geiranger and Blåbreen Glacier. It boasts Europe’s highest fjord view by road at 1,500 metres above sea level and has a skywalk where visitors get a sensation of floating with a clear drop below you of 500 m. Continue on route 63 until it joins with route 15, then drive through Grasdal tunnel (3720 meters long) and carry on all the way to Loen, where you had an overnight stay previously, but this time passing by. Continue south, and through Josterdalsbreen National Park to Fjaerland for your overnight stay at Fjaerland Fjordstove Hotel with half-board included.
Driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes / distance 182 km
Day 10: Fjaerland to Flam
Leave Fjaerland, heading around the small fjord and back on route 5, then continue south passing through Sogndal and on to Mannheller, taking a ferry to Fodnes (payable locally).
From here drive to Laerdal and take the Laerdal tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5 km long, taking you to Aurland. After the tunnel you may wish to branch off to the Stegastein viewpoint, located near the top of Aurlandsfjellet. The road is narrow and steep with hairpins, so you need to be a confident driver, but it is definitely worth it. The panoramic views are incredible!
The last leg of this journey takes you to Flåm, one of the most popular and visited places in the Fjords. During the summer months the village gets busy, so you have the option of stopping here to experience the famous Flamsbana train, before continuing on the journey. Or you can stop overnight at one of the hotels, giving you more time to explore the village, as we have included. Or if you prefer to stay in an alternative hotel in the area, there are several possibilities.
The Flåm Railway has been described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, taking you from the village to Myrdal. The train journey takes approximately 1 hour in each direction, with spectacular scenery along the way. We highly recommend booking the return train tickets in advance.
Driving time: 2 hours / distance 108 km
Day 11: Flam to Lofthus
Leave the area of Sognefjord behind and head to Hardangerfjord. From Flåm drive to Gudvangen and continue on route 16 passing through the village of Vinje towards Vossvangen, where the road changes to route 13. Continue to the Hardangerbrua bridge (toll fee payable) and cross, driving south through Kinsarvik to your destination of Lofthus and the Hotel Ullensvang for a 2 night stay on half-board basis.
Driving time: 2 hours / distance 122 km
Day 12: Time in Lofthus
The area of Hardangerfjord is known for producing cider. You can enjoy trying the local drink by joining a cider safari, take part in some cider tasting in the village or combine a rib boat fjord safari with some cider tasting included. Popular attractions in the area also include Vøringsfossen waterfall, Queen Sonja’s hiking trail, Hardangervidda nature centre, Folgefonna centre and Kjeåsen Mountain Farm.
Day 13: Depart from Bergen
On the final morning, make your way back to Bergen Airport to return the rental car and for your flight home. The journey takes you back over the Hardangerbrua Bridge (toll fee payable), following route 13 to Vossevangen and E16 west bound to Bergen. At Arna, the road heads south to Bergen Airport. Please allow plenty of time for the journey and checking in for your flight. You may wish to extend your holiday further with additional days in Bergen.
Driving time: 3 hours / distance 160 km.
The itinerary is a guide only and can be tailored to suit your personal requirements. Please ask our team for the different options possible.
Please be aware, some routes through the fjords have toll roads. Some car rental companies have automated systems to pay for the tolls. Please check when collecting your rental vehicle.
Upgrade Options
Depending on each hotel, it may be possible to upgrade the room type at an additional charge, subject to availability, and also the actual hotel if required. However, this may alter the planned route as described in the itinerary.
The rental car is based on an economy size vehicle. Upgrades to a mid-size, intermediate and SUV are available.
