Latest news with #NorwegianFjords
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Forbes
How To See The Best Of Bergen On A Norway Cruise
This iconic view of Bergen is easy to get thanks to the funicular railway Fløibanen, easy to do independently for cruise ship visitors. David Nikel Bergen remains Norway's top cruise destination, even as other ports like Ålesund and Tromsø grow in popularity. In 2024, the city welcomed 328 cruise ships and nearly 600,000 passengers. With even higher numbers expected in 2025, Bergen continues to cement its reputation as the leading gateway to Norway for cruise travelers. Why so popular? Bergen is ideally placed for Norwegian fjords cruises but also as a pit-stop on longer itineraries to the Arctic. It's also the starting point for the Norwegian coastal express, which offers daily departures on the cruise ferries of Hurtigruten or Havila. Surrounded by seven mountains and steeped in maritime history, Norway's second-largest city offers intriguing architecture and cultural heritage, but with easy access to the best of Norwegian nature. The waterfront area of Bergen can get busy on a warm summer day. David Nikel Even better? The compact cruise terminal places you just minutes from the heart of the action. Where Cruise Ships Dock In Bergen Most cruise ships dock at Skolten or Bontelabo, two piers located just a short walk from Bergen's historic city center. These are working port areas, so passengers may be required to follow a designated pedestrian route when disembarking. Signs and port staff help ensure everything runs smoothly. On occasions when exceptionally large cruise liners visit, they may berth at Jekteviksterminalen, a dedicated terminal a bit farther out. In those cases, shuttle buses or coordinated transfers typically bring passengers into the city center. If you're planning to explore Bergen independently, it's worth checking your docking location at Bergen Port Authority in advance. Just keep in mind that berth assignments can change at short notice. Things To Do In Bergen Near The Cruise Port Wherever your ship docks, many of Bergen's main attractions are easily accessible, whether by foot or a quick shuttle ride. A postcard-perfect row of colourful wooden buildings, Bryggen is one of the most iconic and accessible sights from the cruise port. Once the heart of the Hanseatic League's trading empire in Norway, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is now home to artisan workshops, independent galleries, and cosy cafes. The colorful facades of Bryggen, the UNESCO World Heritage site at the heart of Bergen, Norway. David Nikel Step into the narrow alleyways behind the facades to soak up the medieval atmosphere and discover a quieter side away from the busy main street. Just five minutes from Bryggen lies the lower station of Fløibanen, a funicular railway that whisks you up Mount Fløyen in under 10 minutes. From the top, you'll enjoy outstanding views of the city and surrounding mountains. Other than exploring easy walking trails or grabbing a coffee with a view, seek out the playful troll statues nestled in the forest (Trollskogen) for a dose of Norwegian culture and a memorable adventure in nature. Bergen's central area is wonderfully walkable from the piers. Take in the 13th‑century Rosenkrantz Tower, admire the grand facades around Torgallmenningen, and browse independent boutiques along Strandgaten. Between Bryggen and the main square, the Fish Market (Fisketorget) offers seafood stands and other local delicacies in a lively atmosphere. It's busier with tourists these days but remains a fun stop for quick bites like salmon, shrimp, or a taste of reindeer sausage. Worthy Cruise Excursions In Bergen Bergen is one of those rare ports where you definitely don't need an organized tour to enjoy your day. But if you're keen to see more than the city center, or dig deeper into Norwegian culture and nature, there are some excellent cruise excursions worth considering. Edvard Grieg's Home at Troldhaugen: One of Norway's most celebrated composers, Edvard Grieg spent much of his life in a lakeside villa just outside Bergen. Today, Troldhaugen is a museum dedicated to his life and work, featuring his preserved home and beautiful gardens. Cruise excursions typically include a short recital of Grieg's music, which adds a special dimension to the visit. It's a relatively short trip and often bundled up with a city tour, making it ideal for a half-day outing. Hardangerfjord in the summer. getty Hardangerfjord Day Trip: If you're craving a taste of Norway's dramatic natural beauty, a day trip to the Hardangerfjord could be the highlight of your cruise, especially if your itinerary is light on fjord sailings or you've visited Bergen before. Famous for its photogenic waterfalls and blossoming fruit orchards, the Hardanger region is a favorite among Norwegians for its richness in both natural beauty and cultural heritage. Excursions vary, with some traveling exclusively by coach, while others include a scenic fjord cruise as part of the journey. Bergen Travel Tips Bergen's weather is famously unpredictable, and frequent light rain is all part of Bergen's charm. Even during summer, it's wise to pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, and layerable clothing like wool sweaters and scarves to stay comfortable, especially if you're heading into the hills or on a fjord excursion. Spring and early summer in Bergen is festival season. For example, Bergen International Festival runs late May to early June and is a major cultural highlight, filling the city with music, theatre, dance and many thousands of visitors. If your cruise stop coincides with a major event, expect busy streets, full restaurants, and limited availability of taxis. Consider booking entry and seats in advance, particularly for concerts featuring Edvard Grieg's music. Even rides on the funicular may have longer queues thanks to increased foot traffic. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Plan A Norwegian Fjords Cruise In 2025 By David Nikel Forbes Why European Cruise Itineraries Don't Always Tell The Full Story By David Nikel Forbes Avoid These 10 Rookie Mistakes On Your First Cruise By David Nikel
Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
The Coolcation Trend Is Heating Up, And The Numbers Prove It
The Norwegian fjords are an attractive coolcation option for travel in Norway. getty Once considered a niche escape for adventurers and cruise lovers, Norway is now a summer destination in demand. The rise of so-called coolcations is no longer just a talking point among media and travel influencers. The latest data shows the trend is real, measurable, and only gaining momentum. Coolcations are vacations to cooler climates, as opposed to a typical sun-soaked summer break. In Europe, it signals the move away from traditional Mediterranean resorts and towards Scandinavia. According to Scandinavian airline SAS, bookings from southern Europe to Norway have surged dramatically for the summer 2025 season. Compared with last year, flight bookings from France are up 22%, while Stavanger has seen a 38% increase in arrivals from Spain, Italy, and France. The southern city of Kristiansand is experiencing a 52% jump, pointing to a broader shift in how Europeans are planning their summer holidays. 'For many, Scandinavia's cool climate is no longer a disadvantage,' said Thomas Thessen, chief analyst at SAS, in an interview with Norwegian newspaper VG. 'In fact, it's become a key reason to book a trip.' It's not just airlines seeing the shift. A recent report from the European Travel Commission (ETC) found that 28% of European travelers now actively seek cooler-climate destinations in order to avoid extreme heat during the summer months. The change is especially pronounced among visitors from countries that were heavily affected by heatwaves in 2023 and 2024, including Spain, Italy, and Greece. Data shows 2024 was Europe's warmest ever year on record, with record temperatures in central, eastern and southeastern regions. Severe storms and flooding were widespread, claiming at least 335 lives. The term coolcation is a portmanteau of "cool" and "vacation", and it first entered use in mainstream travel media around 2023. But it was 2024 that saw the idea explode. Search interest in related terms has grown 300% year-on-year, and global travel network Virtuoso reported a 44% increase in bookings to cool-climate destinations like Norway, Iceland, and Canada. The appeal of Norway lies not just in the temperature, but in what it offers in contrast to the south. Think: glacier hikes instead of beach clubs, mountain cabins instead of mega-resorts and clean, quiet fjords instead of overcrowded coastlines. With long daylight hours and a growing number of sustainable tourism options, the country checks multiple boxes for climate-conscious travelers. Tour operators and airlines are responding accordingly. Norwegian Air is among several airlines to add new routes to Tromsø, while smaller cities like Ålesund, Bodø and Kristiansand are seeing a spike in both land-based and cruise arrivals. The implications go beyond summer 2025. 'We expect this trend to continue. Climate is becoming a primary factor in destination choice,' said Thessen. However, not everyone in Norway is happy about the developments. Mass tourism complaints are on the rise and have led to the upcoming introduction of a 3% tourism tax. However, Norway's issues are different from the ones facing major European vacation destinations such as Amsterdam or Barcelona. The biggest problem is pressure on nature. Popular hiking trails and remote fjord villages are seeing visitor numbers that far exceed their capacity to manage them sustainably. In places like Lofoten and Geiranger, locals have expressed concerns about traffic congestion, waste management, emergency vehicle access and the environmental impact of cruise tourism. That's not to say urban areas escape the issues completely. The influx of new flights to Tromsø led to a 15% increase in tourist arrivals between 2023 and 2024, with yet more expected in 2025.
