Norwegian Highlights

Lofoten Islands, cities & fjords
 

Holiday Highlights

Arctic Circle | Unforgettable journey from beyond the Arctic Circle down the coast to the fjords.
Iconic travel | Journey on the Hurtigruten steamer and the globally known Flåm railway.
Breathtaking islands | Uncover the unique landscapes of the Lofotens.
Full Norway | Stays in Bergen and Oslo complete the full Norwegian experience.
Glacier Museum | A modern museum in Fjærland showcasing the history and science of glaciers in Norway.
Norwegian Highlights. 14 nights
Norwegian Highlights. 14 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A touring holiday in Norway

Norway’s magical Lofoten Islands, breathtaking fjords and dramatic mountains are contrasted with the beautiful cities of Oslo and Bergen on this thrilling, self-guided adventure by boat, train and car. Highlights include the famous Flåm railway and three nights aboard the Hurtigruten steamer.
Norway is a land of many faces, each one seemingly more extraordinary than the last. If the western fjords, where mountains plunge into ink-blue waters, are incomparable, then the Lofoten Islands are incredible, with jagged peaks that seemingly rise straight out of the ocean, leaving room for only tiny slivers of sand. Between these lie mile upon mile of rugged coastline, wild moorland and high green valleys, and, to the south, the bustling, friendly cities of Oslo and Bergen.

This is a truly unforgettable journey, one that will leave you with memories of awe-inspiring landscapes quite unlike any other in Europe. Over the course of just 13 days, you discover Norway’s first and second cities, impressive fjords and the Lofoten Islands deep within the Arctic Circle. The dramatic journeys by rail and boat are part of the experience – transport runs on time and is clean and efficient – and reveal two more landscapes: the highlands and rocky coastline.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • Arrival in Svolvær
    Night 1: at Svinøya Rorbuer (the first of three nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Explore the Lofoten Islands
    The wild beauty of the Lofoten Islands is humbling. Rugged granite spires frame silver beaches and an impossibly blue sea, while rocky headlands are dotted with small communities of wooden houses and distinctive, red-and-white rorbuer (fishermen’s huts). Given your included hire car and self-guided route notes, we suggest a combination of walking and driving. Visit one or two of the islands’ museums, such as the Viking Museum with its impressive reconstruction of the chieftain’s longhouse that was found here; take a boat trip to the incomparable, sheer-sided Trollfjord, the two-kilometre-long stretch of water separating the Lofotens from the Vesteralen archipelago; stroll through the UNESCO designated fishing village of Nusfjord; or enjoy the near-deserted walk from Brenna.
    Enjoy a peaceful walk from Brenna
    Visit pretty Henningsvaer
  • Svolvær to Bergen
    You have one last day to admire the special beauty of these islands before boarding the evening Hurtigruten sailing, bound for Bergen. The Norwegians proudly describe this journey as ‘the world’s most beautiful voyage’. Established in the late-19th century to connect the relatively prosperous south with the country’s northern wilderness, Hurtigruten’s red-and-white fleet still carries cargo and calls in at ports both large and small, but these days the emphasis is firmly on comfort, good food, and – of course – the spellbinding scenery.
    Admire the special beauty of the Lofoten Islands
  • On board the Hurtigruten
    With three nights on board, you can marvel at the magnificent, ever-changing scenery, keep a look out for the many bird species which can be spotted along this coastline, and enjoy the Hurtigruten’s fine hospitality. There are several on-shore excursions to choose from, including a visit to Trondheim, Norway’s original capital.
    Take a shore excursion in Trondheim
    Journey on the Hurtigruten
  • Arrival in Bergen
    You arrive in the middle of the afternoon in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, which has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is overlooked by forested mountain slopes. The centrally located Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz is your base for two nights.
    Arrive into Bergen
  • Explore Bergen
    Today is free to explore Bergen on foot using our self-guided tour. There’s a real sense of history here, and the famous Bryggen – the UNESCO-listed, Hanseatic harbour district – has long been a melting-pot for traders from all over the world. Wander amid its brightly painted shops and warehouses, and peek into the large, glass-sided Fisk Torget (fish market) – a riot of sound and colour, especially when the catch comes in. It’s also worth taking the funicular up the mountain behind the city for views over the fjords.
    Take a trip on the funicular to admire the views over the city
    The Fish Market (C)Bergen Tourism Terje Rakke Nordic Life
  • Bergen to Balestrand
    Leaving Bergen, you travel by express boat along the coast and into majestic Sognefjord. From water level, the mountains framing it seem even grander, and all you can see ahead is headland after headland plunging into the sapphire waters. Your destination is Balestrand, for two nights in Kvikne’s Hotel, offering sumptuous fjord-side views. (Journey time: 4hrs)
    Journey by Express boat to Balestrand
  • Explore Balestrand
    There are plenty of ways to spend day here: enjoy a bike ride, or stroll along Balestrand’s heritage trail to learn about the artists who have visited the village. You could also seek out the fjord-side Cider House, a distillery and restaurant run by a Norwegian-Turkish couple amid over 100 varieties of fruit trees. Other options are to walk up the slopes behind the hotel to gain a different perspective on the splendid scenery, or to visit one or more of the area’s remarkable ‘stave churches’ – elaborate, 12th-century wooden structures, often topped with dragons’ heads, much like the prows of Viking longships.
    Balestrand Cider House
    St Olaf's church Balestrand
  • Balestrand to Flåm
    You leave Balestrand as you arrived: by express boat. This time you head further inland, along steep-sided Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, where you spend two nights at the historic Fretheim Hotel. (Journey time: 1.5hrs)
  • Explore Flåm
    Take an exhilarating bike ride down the old 'Navvies' Road from Myrdal, enjoy the more sedentary sipping of award-winning ales in surroundings (including a nine-metre-high fireplace) inspired by Norse mythology at the Ægir Brewery, or take a boat trip along beautiful Nærøyfjord, where waterfalls plunge 1,200 metres from the clifftops.
    Boat trip on Future of the Fjords electric boat along Naerøyfjord (C)sverrenhjornevik.com-Flåm AS
    Enjoy a bike ride down the old Navvies Road
  • Flåm to Oslo
    Take your seat on the Flåmsbana, one of the world’s great train journeys that rivals even the Hurtigruten voyage. From the fjord, you ascend ever higher into the mountains, past lush woodland and thundering waterfalls. At the top, you change trains and over the next couple of hours descend gradually to Oslo, where you have two nights at the Hotel Bristol. (Journey time: 6hrs)
    Take the Flâm Railway and then onwards to Oslo (C)sverrenhjornevik.com-Flåm AS
  • Explore Oslo
    Spend your last day exploring Norway’s flourishing capital, using our self-guided walking tour to take in some of its many sights. Stroll around the bustling harbour, see the fortress on the headland overlooking Oslofjord, or tour attractions such as the sculpture park, and fascinating museums such as that devoted to Viking ships. You could also admire the ship that took Amundsen all the way to the South Pole in 1911; visit the Nobel Peace Centre; or explore Aker Brygge, the waterfront district which typifies the Norwegian capital’s bold sense of style. Here, you can ascend the 90-metre Tjuvtitten Tower (the ‘Sneak Peak’) for sensational views over the city.
    Oslo
 

Accommodation

You stay in an appealing mix of accommodation, including the Hurtigruten coastal steamer.

In some places we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Wherever you stay in each city, we recommend adding an extra night to give you more time to explore.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 14 nights: 15 May 2024 - 30 September 2024 & 15 May 2025 - 30 September 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    14 - 28 May 2024 £3750 £1085
    29 May - 28 Jul 2024 £4530 £1370
    29 Jul - 28 Aug 2024 £4390 £1200
    29 Aug - 16 Sep 2024 £4065 £960
    15 - 28 May 2025 £4290 £1130
    29 May - 28 Jul 2025 £4710 £1425
    29 Jul - 28 Aug 2025 £4565 £1250
    29 Aug - 16 Sep 2025 £4230 £1000
    3rd & 4th person discount -£465 to -£585
    Single traveller supplement £470 to £595

    Includes accommodation, meals, travel between hotels and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus a detailed information pack, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Included travel: 4 days' category B car hire (eg Citroen C3 or similar with automatic transmission) on the Lofotens. Coastal steamer. Bergen – Balestrand – Flåm – Oslo by boat/rail.

    Driving time to first hotel: Svolvær 0h10

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen
    Superior double (no twins): 15 May - 30 Sep 2024 £22
    Superior double (no twins): 15 May - 30 Sep 2025 £23
    Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand
    'Demi-suite' in the historic building: 14 May - 30 Sep 2024 £46
    'Demi-suite' in the historic building: 15 May - 30 Sep 2025 £48
    Fjord view in the historic building: 14 May - 30 Sep 2024 £18
    Fjord view in the historic building: 15 May - 30 Sep 2025 £19
    Fretheim Hotel, Flåm
    'Historic': 14 May - 30 Sep 2024 £0
    'Historic': 15 May - 30 Sep 2025 £0

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen (B&B) Double room Single room
    14 May - 30 Sep 2024 £91 £124
    15 May - 30 Sep 2025 £95 £129
    Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand (with dinner) Double room Single room
    14 May - 30 Sep 2024 £180 £224
    15 May - 30 Sep 2025 £190 £236
    Hotel Bristol, Oslo (B&B) Double room Single room
    14 May - 30 Sep 2024 # £112 £174
    15 May - 30 Sep 2025 # £116 £180
    # Add £13pp/n if staying in Oslo Mon-Thu 14 May-28 Jun & 7 Aug-30 Sep
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Svolvær via Bodø or Oslo for the outward flight; Oslo for the homeward flight

    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Oslo.  To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Bergen & Oslo) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Bergen) Wideroe 
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Stavanger & Oslo) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen) Loganair,  SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Amsterdam KLM 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Bergen SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Copenhagen SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Stavanger SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Bodø (via Copenhagen & Oslo) SAS 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Copenhagen) SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Edinburgh - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Edinburgh - Oslo (Gardermoen) Norwegian 
    Edinburgh - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Gatwick - Oslo (Gardermoen) Norwegian 
    Gatwick - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Copenhagen) Norwegian 
    Gatwick - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Stockholm) Norwegian 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Bodø (via Bergen) Wideroe 
    Heathrow - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Trondheim) SAS 
    Heathrow - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Heathrow - Oslo (Gardermoen) British Airways,  SAS 
    Heathrow - Svolvær (via Bergen & Bodø) Wideroe 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Oslo (Gardermoen) Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Oslo (Gardermoen) Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Bodø (via Copenhagen & Oslo) SAS 
    Manchester - Bodø (via Heathrow & Oslo) SAS 
    Manchester - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen) Norwegian,  SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Copenhagen SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Heathrow SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Stockholm SAS 
    Manchster - Oslo (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Oslo Loganair 
    Newcastle - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Teesside International - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Oslo.  To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Bodø

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    domestic flight Bodo to Svolvær (0h25), drive hire car from Svolvær airport to accommodation (0h10) contact us flexible
    Homeward route
    not recommended in this direction

    Connecting travel options - flying via Oslo

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    domestic flight Oslo to Svolvær (2h25), drive hire car from Svolvær airport to accommodation (0h10) contact us flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    own travel arrangements from hotel to airport pay locally flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Svolvær

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    drive hire car from Svolvaer airport to accommodation (0h10) included flexible
    Homeward route
    not recommended in this direction
What is included
  • 14 nights
  • 9 dinners
    14 breakfasts
  • city maps and notes for city walking tours
  • detailed cultural information
  • 4 days’ category B (automatic) car hire on Lofotens
  • coastal steamer Lofotens-Bergen
  • boat/rail travel Bergen-Balestrand-Flåm-Oslo
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • The information that we send to you 2-3 weeks before your holiday includes practical information about each stage of your journey so that you can travel confidently from one hotel to another, recommendations for places to visit and eat out in each place, plus cultural information about the area. Where applicable, we also provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of most cities, and some large towns. Sample travel pack >
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Norway, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). There is no need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as this (and still-current EHICs) is not valid in Norway. However, should you need medical help, you can show your UK passport at the medical facility and treatment will be provided on the same terms as for Norwegian nationals. It is important that, if you already have travel insurance in place, the terms do not exclude medical cover, especially for existing conditions, in the absence of an EHIC.
  • The most widely spoken language is Norwegian. The currency is the Kroner. Norwegian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
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