Bergen, Norway is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. You can stroll the streets of Bergen for days and immerse yourself in its charm. Bergen is known for lots of things but it is best known as the gateway to the great fjords of Norway.
My second time in Bergen was spent much like my first. In fact, we are staying at the exact same hotel as I did back in March 2005. Plus, like my last time, our first move was to go to the Tourist Information Center and book the Norway in a Nutshell Tour.
This particular tour was developed for people who only have a day or two to see the city and some of the smaller towns plus the incredible views of towns, waterfalls and fjords. It can also be customized.
It combines trains, busses and ferries to maximize your experience and you really get to see a lot. They have it down to a tee and you will not be disappointed with the Norway in a Nutshell Tour.
The most popular tour (and the one we did) costs about $200 and it starts out at 8:40am at the Bergen Railway Station where you hop a scenic train to Voss, the adrenaline capital of Norway. You have a short time in Voss and then you catch a sightseeing bus to Gudvangen.
The ride is stunning and passes by some awesome waterfalls, small towns and mountains. You are constantly staring from side to side trying to get pictures as the bus weaves in and out through the Norwegian countryside.
As the bus approaches the famous Stalheim Hotel, which is renowned for its amazing views of the fjord and valley below, it starts descending a steep, windy road.
The steep, twisty road is dotted with amazing views and even better shots of the waterfalls. You have to be careful though that there aren’t any tourist cars coming up the one-way road that got lost as we had to deal with. The slight delay was actually cool because it allowed for some great pictures.
After another 10 minutes or so, you arrive at Gudvangen and catch the ferry across the stunning Naeroyfjord to Flam.
The ferry is a typical kind of ferry that has a lot of outdoor space for viewing the huge mountains surrounding the fjord. Tons of small waterfall empty out into the fjords and it makes for some great pictures. The fjord also boasts some very cool little towns all throughout the fjord. The boat actually makes some deliveries to these towns on your tour.
There are only two real issues with the ferry and the whole process. First, the food stand on the ferry is awful. So if you are hungry, you need to eat beforehand, bring food or wait until you arrive in Flam. Second, there are a ton of seagulls that fly along with the ferry and look really cool. However, they also poop a lot and unload upon the ferry and the people below. I actually got pooped on by a seagull. Although it only grazed me. But still, you find yourself constantly looking up as they fly overhead!
After two hours, you arrive in Flam, which is basically just a place for buying souvenirs and a quick bite. Some people stay a night and do some small hikes around town but the main attraction is the Flam Railway, which is said to be the most scenic in Scandinavia.
The one-hour rail trip is pretty awesome I must say. The train is an old fashioned train with wooden seats and great viewing windows to see the great scenery below in the Flam Valley.
The best site was surely the Kjosfossen Falls. They were pretty awesome, powerful and certainly gorgeous. The train makes a five-minute stop for pictures and it also features two dancing women next to the Falls and loud Norwegian music. It is a very strange show and hard to properly explain but hopefully the picture can give you some idea.
After an hour, we arrived in Myrdal where we catch a final train back to Bergen. This train is also scenic. However, by this time we were completely exhausted from all the transport and touring that we basically just passed out; I know I did!
Finally, we arrived back in Bergen after a great but really long day. I do recommend Norway in a Nutshell but just be prepared for a long day. Also, even in summer it gets pretty cold out on the fjords so bring a jacket and don’t wear shorts like we did. It really is a great way to see a lot of Norway in a short period of time. I’ve done the same thing twice now and would probably do it again.
Norway in a Nutshell Tour
June 9, 2012 by 32 Comments
Looks like the weather didn’t really cooperate with you guys? Still the pictures came out great and it looks awesome.
Ya it was overcast and cold but never really rained so we lucked out a bit…still a great day regardless…was same weather I had back in 2005 doing the same tour
Norway is one of my favorite places to visit, thanks for sharing your pictures and words.
No problem and thanks for commenting
Your pictures are amazing. I would love to visit Norway some day. I was in Denmark a few years ago and loved it! Safe travels.
Thanks, I love Denmark and all of Scandinavia…expensive as hell but a great place to visit
The Flam Railway is amazing, one of my favorite train journeys ever. I have a picture in front of the same falls, beautiful mate! Enjoy Norway mate, it’s a great spot on the world.
Thanks Noah, ya it’s a great rail journey!
Beautiful Lee
Wonderful pictures Mr. Lee. I love your travel webpage.
I have only been in Oslo on business but have always wanted to see the fjords. I am scheduled to return this Fall and hope to get out to Bergen or Stavanger. It seems like such a waste not to see the most famous things in Norway. I’d like your job!
Haha, sounds like your job is pretty good if they’re sending you multiple times to Norway. You should definitely get out of Oslo next time
I wish to see Scandinavia. Norway looks so pretty.
I hope you do and it is pretty
I love the top picture at night of Bergen that you put onto Facebook last night, it’s gorgeous…looks like a great place
Thanks Stephanie, it is
Definitely on my bucket list!
Should be for sure
One of the most beautiful places I have yet to visit. Thank you.
I hope you get here soon DIanne, take care
Dude, this looks amazing. I just saw your Twitter update, that’s so lame about your shoes but funny about the mohawk kid!
Haha, ya was ridiculous but I didn’t even mind bc I am exhausted and wanted to come home anyway…it’s been hard to sleep last week or so bc it’s so light out at night-my whole schedule is way off
Your pictures were great and brought back some very recent memories. We were in Norway in May and did the same Norway in a Nutshell tour, only starting in Myrdal and ending in Voss, with Bergen as our start and finish cities. It was a great tour and so very beautiful; thanks for sharing your photos.
Thanks Kathy, I appreciate the note
Lee — does the tour stop at the Stalheim hotel for pictures back into the fjord valley? Now that you’ve done the tour, would you have preferred descending into the Flam valley? We are doing the tour in a few weeks and are trying to determine if it makes any difference whether you go from Bergen to Myrdal or Bergen to Voss (like you did), especially now that the road to the Stalheim hotel is one way. I’m assuming they stop a lot along the way so maybe the direction doesn’t matter. Great pictures — thanks!
Hi Joan, it doesn’t matter which way you go, the Flam Valley is amazing and the train goes slow enough to take pics everywhere and it also stops to have pics at the best spots. You can also bike the whole thing if you are into that. The tour does stop at the Stalheim hotel and then descends down the 18 degree windy road into the valley below stopping several times for waterfall and valley pics…you will love it but the direction doesn’t really matter in my opinion. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks, Lee, for the insight and prompt response!
No problem, you timed it perfectly as I am on as we speak…have fun and let me know how you like it!
We were there, Loved it .. about 5 years ago…Trip of a lifetime! Loved it all!
I get “Homesick” to go back. Homesick, because my roots are in Norway
I hope you get back Elroy…take care
Great to see so many positive comments about Norway. If you, Lee, or any of your readers need free tips for travelling in Norway, norwegian culture etc, feel free to send us an email ([email protected]) or tweet us (smartreise.com). We are travel enthusiasts based in Norway and are commited to share experiences with other travellers.
I am about trying this tour. Very excited. Thank you for your great reports.