Havila Voyages: Norway Winter Explorer from Bergen to Kirkenes

Your Norwegian winter adventure begins in Bergen, a beautiful coastal city surrounded by mountains and fjords. On arrival, transfer to your boutique city center hotel, which is run by relatives of the famous Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg. Housed within a brown brick building that was once Bergen’s largest bank, it pairs grand marble columns and polished granite walls with contemporary Scandinavian design. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to spend the rest of the day exploring Bergen at leisure. If you’re visiting during December, be sure to check out the cosy Christmas market at Festplassen – a perfect spot to enjoy local food, drinks, and hunting for souvenirs. In the evening, nearby Frescohallen is an excellent choice for dinner, although you’ll find no shortage of other fabulous places to eat in Bergen. 

Start your day with a plentiful buffet breakfast at your hotel. As your Havila cruise doesn’t depart until the evening, you’ll have the day to explore Bergen as you please. Bryggen, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed harbour district, is a particular highlight, with its colourful wooden Hanseatic wharf buildings. We’ve also included a return journey on the Fløibanen funicular that brings you up to an observation deck on Mount Fløyen, offering magnificent views over Bergen and its dramatic surroundings. If time allows, you could also visit Bergenhus Fortress and Bergen’s famous fish market. Later on, make your way to the ferry terminal to board your Havila ship, which will be your home at sea for the next six nights. Settle into your stylish sea view cabin and enjoy your first delicious dinner onboard as you begin your voyage north along the Norwegian coast. While all meals are included in the ship’s Havrand restaurant, with menus inspired by the regions you’ll be sailing through, it’s also possible to book a five-course fine dining experience at Hildring restaurant for an additional supplement.

If you’d like to upgrade your onboard accommodation to a suite – which comes with either floor-to-ceiling windows or a private balcony, along with a complimentary welcome pack and premium dining options – please speak to one of our specialists to discuss pricing. 

Stay: Havila Voyages

Sailing north overnight, you’ll soon arrive in Ålesund, a picturesque port town spread across several small, interconnected islands and renowned for its elegant Art Nouveau architecture. You’ll have the option to join a sea kayaking and sauna experience here, or enjoy a guided walking tour that’ll provide a fascinating insight into Ålesund’s history and take in the panoramic views from the summit of Mount Aksla. Alternatively, you may wish to take a cruise through the nearby fjords, culminating in the spectacular Geirangerfjord, which forms part of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of Norway’s most emblematic fjords, flanked by steep mountains that rise over 1,500 metres above sea level and a series of waterfalls that tumble down sheer cliffs. Afterwards, you’ll return to Ålesund and reboard your Havila ship as your journey continues north towards Molde. 

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This morning, you’ll arrive in Trondheim, Norway’s third-largest city and ancient capital during the Viking era. Highlights include the majestic Nidaros Cathedral (the world’s northernmost medieval cathedral), the charming Bakklandet neighbourhood, and the colourful wharves that line the banks of the Nidelva River – best viewed from the Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro). Explore it all on a guided walking tour, a kayaking tour on the Nidelva River, or a scenic journey on a vintage tram that takes you from the city center up to the forested hills nearby. If you’re there in December, there’s also the possibility to visit Trondheim’s Christmas Market, one of the largest festive markets in Scandinavia. Once back onboard, your voyage continues through the Trondheimfjord before weaving along the coast through a scattering of islands en route to Rørvik.

Stay: Havila Voyages 

The next stretch of your voyage sees you cross the Arctic Circle, which is marked by a ceremony onboard. After passing by the villages of Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna and Ørnes, you’ll arrive in Bodø, one of the largest towns in Northern Norway and the former European Capital of Culture in 2024. You’ll have the option to disembark for a guided walk through Bodø or a short hike along the nearby coastline; alternatively, take a tour to visit Salstraumen, the world’s strongest tidal current. Later on, your voyage continues to the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago that’s home to some of Norway’s most striking scenery. Think razor-sharp, snow-capped granite peaks rising from the ocean, pristine sandy beaches, and colourful, timber-clad fishing villages clinging to rocky shorelines. As darkness falls, be sure to keep a lookout for the Northern Lights; at these latitudes, if the skies are clear, nights bring strong possibilities of aurora sightings. 

Stay: Havila Voyages 

Sailing through a vast network of narrow fjords, remote islands and soaring mountains, your next stop is Tromsø, Norway’s ‘Capital of the Arctic’. There’s no shortage of intriguing museums, eye-catching architecture, cosy cafes and buzzing bars in this small but vibrant university city, while the opportunities for adventure in the surrounding wilderness are plentiful. You could join a guided walking tour to learn all about Tromsø’s history as a major hub of polar exploration, or take a bus tour that includes a stop at the resplendent Arctic Cathedral and a return journey on the Fjellheisen cable car, from which you’ll be treated to terrific views overlooking Tromsø and the surrounding Arctic landscape. There’s also the possibility to go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, or visit a local reindeer camp where you’ll learn about the region’s deep-rooted Sámi heritage and, conditions permitting, enjoy a reindeer sled ride through the snow-blanketed countryside. At 69 ⁰N, Tromsø lies directly beneath the auroral oval and is considered one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, so in the evening, you may be fortunate enough to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon illuminating the Arctic sky. 

Stay: Havila Voyages 

Today, you’ll sail along the wild and rugged coastline that marks the northernmost point of mainland Europe, where towering cliffs plunge into the frigid waters of the Barents Sea. After docking at the village of Honningsvåg, there’s the option to take a bus excursion to the North Cape plateau, a barren, rocky outcrop that rises 307 metres above the ocean. It’s marked by a globe-shaped monument that stands as an iconic symbol of this remote outpost. There’s also the possibility to join a thrilling ATV excursion across the snow-cloaked Magerøya peninsula, or you might be tempted to try your hand at snowmobiling or ice fishing. However you choose to spend your day, it’s one of the most memorable sections of your voyage as you get to experience a snapshot of life deep inside the Arctic at the final frontier of Europe. 

Stay: Havila Voyages 

The final stretch of your voyage brings you to Kirkenes, a town tucked away in the northeastern corner of Norway, around 400 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle. On arrival, an included transfer will bring you from the port to Snow Resort Kirkenes, where you’ll spend the final night of your trip – either in a hand-carved ice room or a warm gamme cabin. As you’ll arrive in the morning, there’s ample time for an excursion today, such as husky sledding, snowmobiling or King Crab fishing. Cap off your trip with a three-course dinner at Snow Resort Kirkenes this evening and take a look outside for the Northern Lights one last time before bedding down for the night. 

Stay: Snow Resort Kirkenes

Enjoy breakfast at Snow Resort Kirkenes this morning before taking a shuttle transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.