Scandinavia · NORWAY TOURS
Norway is long, and every good day out is a boat or a drive. These 15 sort the fjord cruises, the aurora chases and the rock ledges by what they cost, how far they go and which town they actually leave from.
Join Rødne Fjord Cruise at Bergen’s Fish Market for a 3.5-hour round trip through Osterfjord to Mostraumen. You’ll pass Bryggen, watch for eagles, feel waterfall spray from the sun deck, and warm up inside with coffee, waffles, or cinnamon buns. English and Norwegian audio commentary is included.
“Good view. But a little bit cold and windy on the deck in winter due to the weather.”
From Tromsø’s Prostneset bus terminal, ride to a Sami reindeer camp for a sled ride, hands-on feeding, hot stew, and stories by the fire. English-speaking Sami guides such as Ilya, Inga, Maria, and Ana have led recent departures. Plan on four hours, warm layers, and time outside in serious Arctic cold.
“was a big group so there was a bit of waiying around.ilya the sami guide was absolutely fantastic.the talk on sami culture was really interesting.”
From Strandkaien in Stavanger, you’ll ride Rødne’s electric catamaran into Lysefjord for 3.5 hours. Expect clear English or Norwegian commentary, panoramic windows, sun decks, a kiosk, and close views of Preikestolen, Fantahålå, waterfalls, and sometimes seals.
“The boat was spacious. They stopped and slowed down for us to take pictures.”
Cruise Oslo’s inner fjord for 90 minutes on a modern electric ship. From the meeting point by the Opera House, you pass Akershus Fortress, Bygdøy, Gressholmen, Hovedøya, Sørenga, and more. Use the Voice of Norway app for commentary, or simply enjoy the quiet ride, wide windows, open deck, café, and bar.
“Really enjoyable tour, the boat was very new and allowed good views all round while remaining warm. (I think it was -6 on my tour) The audio guide was helpful, though a little clunky knowing which parts went for where you are which could have been my fault not understanding it correctly.”
Set out from Tromsø on Brim Explorer’s hybrid-electric catamaran for a full day in Arctic fjords. Expect heated lounges, panoramic windows, English-speaking guides, and roughly 1 to 1.5 hours near whale-feeding grounds. Guides such as Connor, Bee, Adrian, and Ivan may share whale facts and local stories while you search for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and sperm whales.
“I really enjoyed this experience! The combination of bus and boat was a great arrangement, especially for someone like me who gets a bit seasick. The views from the bus were incredible and offered a completely different perspective compared to the boat. I initially brought some reading material to pass the time since it was a long journey, but I ended up just admiring the scenery and relaxing. Seeing whales multiple times was truly unforgettable! The guide was excellent, providing introductions to the places we visited and sharing fascinating stories about the whales along the way. A big thank you to the driver and captain for making the trip smooth…”
Join Arctic Breeze AS for a six-hour Aurora hunt from Tromsø in a comfortable 19-seat coach. Guides such as Brynjar, Oscar, Andy, and Mattia use weather reports and local knowledge to search for clear skies, sometimes driving toward Finland. Thermal suits, hot drinks, tripods, camera help, portraits, and central hotel drop-off are included.
“What an incredible evening! We were so lucky and saw the northern lights for hours and at every stop. Brynjar was our guide and looked after us so well. He was incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming. The bus was very comfortable and the pick up location was clear and easy to find. Hot chocolate and biscuits were provided during the tour, which was perfect! Would highly recommend to anyone looking to take a tour like this! Thank you!”
Spend five hours aboard Capella with an English-speaking crew, cruising Tromsø’s fjords and straits, fishing in Ramfjorden, and watching for eagles, dolphins, otters, and seasonal puffins. Warm up with fish or vegan soup, hot drinks, and biscuits while guides such as Thomas, Jack, and Estefania share local stories.
“It was our last day in Tromso, and it exceeding our expectations! We had closed the Tromso chapter with an amazing memory, amazing views, experience and the people! We had chance to fishing in the fjords which might be unbelievable to imagine before. Didn't want to miss any moment, that's why we stayed outside the boat, and observed every corner in the landscape. And very lucky the weather was very bright, chill and warm. Couldn't imagine any other boat tour if you visit Tromso. The crew of the ship was also very friendly, warm and informative. We are very happy that we met these people. Eventhough I am not a…”
Ride from central Tromsø to fjords and Sommarøy with an English or Spanish-speaking guide such as Andreas, Cande, or Joana. Stop for views, local treats, and a beach tasting of smoked salmon, cheese, fruit, sweets, and reindeer or moose sausage. Bring swimwear and a towel if you want a quick Arctic dip.
“I loved the excursion! It was punctual, very well organized, and super interesting. I learned a lot about the local culture. Our guide, Cande, was lovely and very attentive, and she did everything possible to make the experience truly unique. The picnic was amazing as well, and guides took some beautiful photos of us. 100% recommended. I’d love to do the excursion again in summer!”
Meet more than 130 Alaskan huskies on Kvaløya, learn to handle your own sled, and take turns driving across snowy Arctic trails. A guide leads the way while you help the dogs on hills and fresh snow. After roughly 70 to 80 minutes on the trail, warm up in a Sami lavvo with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and Hege’s famous chocolate cake.
“Excellent day. Loved meeting all the dogs. All the staff were super friendly and it was great to hear about the dogs life and training. Also the best hot chocolate we have ever had.”
Travel about 35 to 40 minutes from Tromsø to a Sami reindeer camp, where you feed a herd of roughly 250 to 300 animals. Warm up with hot drinks, cookies, and reindeer or vegetarian stew, then hear Sami stories and a traditional joik song from guides such as Johannes, Inga, or Daniel.
“The activity was not rushed at all. The location was superb and we got ample time to feed the reindeers. We were served hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and then reindeer stew as lunch. The food was very tasty. Then the Sami storytelling and song session went on. Got to learn many things. The trip is 100% recommended.”
Leave Bergen by boat and cruise past Bryggen into the 27-kilometer Osterfjord. The route narrows at Mostraumen, where strong currents run between steep cliffs. You can watch from the outdoor decks, stay warm inside, or buy drinks from the kiosk. English commentary, wheelchair access, and round-trip service make this an easy half-day outing.
“I would really recommend this trip, it was such an amazing experience.”
From Svolvær, Brim Explorer takes you by hybrid-electric catamaran through Høla, Oddvaer, and Reknesbukta to Trollfjord. Expect warm lounges, open decks, live English guiding, possible underwater-drone viewing, and good chances of seeing white-tailed eagles. Guides such as Tobias, Bee, Margot, and Ivan have led recent departures.
“Erik and Dilota(?) were excellent and went above and beyond to make our trip enjoyable and helpful to make sure we made it to our flight on time!”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Patrick, Shaf, Giovanni, or Carolina for a 4-hour island-hopping trip from Oslo’s harbor. Ride public ferries to Hovedøya, Gressholmen, and Lindøya, walk about 7 kilometers, see abbey ruins and old military sites, and pause for fjord views. Winter tours visit two islands and include hot drinks.
“Neil was very friendly, funny and informed us well about the islands and Norway’s history. Even gave tips for eating spots. Hearty recommendation!”
Join Polar Adventures for a seven-hour Northern Lights chase from Tromsø. Guides such as Juan, Romain, Aneta, Vera, and Hans Eric adjust the route for cloud cover, sometimes driving toward Finland. You’ll get hot chocolate, marshmallows, thermal suits, two professional photos, and hotel drop-off, but bring proper boots and expect a long, cold night.
“Juan and Socrates did a great job with our tour. They took us to great locations with terrific views of the northern lights. They were friendly and informative.”
Travel by bus from Tromsø to a Sami reindeer camp for hands-on feeding, a nighttime sled ride, a three-course meal, and stories about Sami life. Guides such as Anna, Luona, and Thea have led recent visits, with joik singing around the fire. The aurora is possible but never guaranteed.
“Everyone at the camp was incredibly kind and welcoming. The reindeer were very friendly and happily let us feed them, which was a truly special experience. Anna and Luona were wonderful storytellers, deeply passionate about the culture and history of Sámi people. Anna also has a beautiful voice and sang traditional Sámi songs for us, which made the evening even more memorable. The dinner was delicious and very nicely served. Although the forecast predicted cloudy skies, we were incredibly lucky to witness the most stunning Aurora. Truly unforgettable experience, I highly recommend.”
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