Things to see and do Vestlandet

This regional tourist office is very attentive and speaks several languages. They'll give you all the advice you need to discover Stavanger and its beautiful region. Highlights include the city of Stavanger, but also the neighboring islands, mountains, fjords, the famous viewpoints from Kjerag and Preikestolen, not forgetting the magnificent beaches of Jaeren, the lunar landscapes of the UNESCO-recognized Magma Geopark or the winter landscapes of Sirdal.

The Troll Road is the most visited tourist route in Norway. This route includes the famous section called Trollstigen, the Troll Ladder, or The Golden Route. From the end of June to the 10th of August, the Troll Route Museum is open. Climb up Ørnesvingen, the Eagle Bend, a ledge from which you can enjoy a last magnificent view of Geiranger and the fjord. After 20 km, take the Eidsdal-Linge ferry. The road passes through high mountain scenery for about 40 km before starting the descent to Trollstigen. For hundreds of years, an old mule track, climbing up the 180 m high Stigfossen waterfall, was the only communication route between the fjords in Sunnmøre and Romsdal counties. It is now a hiking trail (for those not prone to vertigo). The new Trollstigen road, completed in 1936, winds its way up the side of the mountain with 11 sharp bends and a gradient of 12%. The road, which closes for the winter from mid-September, is not recommended for caravans. Before starting the descent there is a mountain hut, Trollstigen Fjellstue, with a souvenir stand and a cafeteria. A footpath behind the lodge leads to a breathtaking viewpoint near the Giant's Potholes. On the road, from the bend called Bispesvingen, or Bishop's Bend, there is a beautiful view of Åndalsnes and the Romsdal Fjord.

Trolltunga Active is one of the best known and recognized local actors in the region. They offer more than 12 different activities on and around Trolltunga, with a focus on sustainability, quality, surprise effect and above all safety. They will share their knowledge about nature and wildlife, Norwegian traditions and history, and of course trolls and Vikings! To do: combine the hike with a night in one of the Arctic domes! Incredible staff dedicated to making your vacation unforgettable.

The Ryfylke is best known for the iconic Preikestolen and Kjerag, both of which are located along the spectacular Lysefjord, but the area has much more to offer. There are marked hiking trails for beginners and more experienced hikers. You can explore the fjords by kayak, boat and why not float on the river while studying the large salmon up close. We'll give you lots of tips for your vacation.

It is one of the most spectacular railroads in the world and one of the most popular sites in Norway. Opened in 1940, this 20-kilometer-long railroad is one of the steepest in the world, with a vertical drop of 864 meters. As you travel up the steep, narrow valley, you will see powerful waterfalls, gorges, rivers and small farms. Arriving at the Myrdal train station, located at 867 meters above sea level, you can continue your journey to Oslo or Bergen, or rent a bike and ride back down the valley

The tourist brochures praise two beautiful views of the city: Fløyen and Ulriken. The Ulriken cable car is further from the centre. The funicular to Fløyen Hill is undoubtedly the most pleasant, taking you up to 320 m in 7 minutes and offering a superb view of the fjord. It is only 150 m from the market. It is also possible to go for a walk... or to go back down on a perfectly marked path, on the side of the mountain and in a beautiful vegetation. There is also a nice café and a shop.

Fjord Tour organizes trips throughout Norway. Since 2010, the company has been awarded the Norwegian Miljøfyrtårn label, a label that certifies the company's pro-environmental strategy. Fjord Tour's two most popular products are the Fjord Pass and their famous Norway in a nutshell, which takes you to many of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Aurlandsfjorden and the Naerøydalen Valley, which are not to be missed! You can choose your mode of transport - train, bus, boat - combined or not.

On the port, there is the Fisketorget, the fish market. It is a very lively market where shrimps and fresh fish abound. But we also sell frozen crab sandwiches and souvenirs. Enjoying fresh salmon, grilled or smoked, is an unforgettable pleasure. It is a visit to make, but be aware that the prices are quite high because of the tourist traffic. However, you can simply stroll around and let yourself be tempted by a small fishcake for the taste.

Formed during the Ice Age, this long fjord of 40 km imposes itself. It is recognizable by its high cliffs of more than 900 meters above sea level. If a cruise on the fjord from Stavanger is an exceptional adventure, the more adventurous (and sporty) can choose to hike to the famous peaks of Preikestolen or Gjerag, offering breathtaking views and the feeling of being at the end of a dream. Beware, the roads are cut in winter and think of contacting the tourist office to get there safely.

To get to Ulriken, Bergen's cable car takes you 643 metres above the city, to the top of one of the city's seven mountains. You can buy a combined bus and cable car ticket at the Tourist Office (you will get all the information you need) or take the bus from the Småstrandgaten stop to Haukelandsbakken and get off at the Haukeland Hospital N stop. Then follow the signs to "Ulriken" and you will reach the cable car doors in a few minutes. Reduced fare with the Bergen Card. The view of Bergen, the fjord, the mountains and the sea from the top is spectacular. It's best to go up on a clear day. From the summit, several hiking trails start. Mount Ulriken is a bit out of the way, but it offers the best views of the city, and the opportunity to get away from the noise and crowds. It is also a way to realize how nature is never far away in Norway. It is also possible to go up to the top on foot, a very nice walk that takes about 2h30. The cable car was renovated in 2021, as was the restaurant at the top, which is a very pleasant place to take a break from eating with a great view of the city and especially of the fjords and islands in the distance. Free internet connection in the building, toilets and also a souvenir shop. Whether you stay two days or a week in Bergen, we think a visit to Ulriken is a must.

Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in Europe (474 km²) and is a vast glacial plateau from which several tongues of ice stand out. The contrast between the fertile, trough-shaped valleys and the glaciers that slope almost to the sea is spectacular, to say the least. Note that hiking on the glacier is difficult, and even dangerous, so if you want to try it, take a guide! There are many trails to see the glacier up close.

Board their boat to discover the fjords from Bergen during a half-day trip. Bergen-Mostraumen cruise and Hardangerfjord tour all year round by reservation. Departures also from Stavanger (visits to Preikestolen, Pulpit rock) and Tromsø, especially to see whales and the Northern Lights in winter on cold, clear days. In Bergen, the departure is next to the Fish Market. Depending on the cruise you choose, you can expect to spend anywhere from 3.5 hours to a full day.

This monument is a faithful copy of the original building, which was destroyed by arson (by a satanist group) in 1992. The church was originally located in the hamlet of Fortun in Sogn and dates back to 1150. In 1883 it was moved to Fantoft in Bergen. It is quite interesting to see that it is possible to rebuild the church exactly as it was. Even without the original history, this church is very beautiful and worth a visit.

The small, enchanted villa of the great Norwegian composer and pianist of classical music (Romantic period) is situated high up on a point of greenery overlooking Lake Nordås. Built in 1885 for Bergen-born Edvard Grieg, the house has been preserved in its original state since his death. This museum, which houses all Grieg's period furniture and personal objects, is a house that lives on thanks to the intimate concerts that are still held on the master's old piano. Grieg lived here for over twenty years at the end of his life. Today, there are concerts every day during the International Music Festival, as well as summer concerts on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are on sale at the tourist office. The new, larger concert hall is fortunately hidden under the bridge just before the house. A little further down the road, Grieg's very basic little working hut is practically at the water's edge. His coat, hat and violin still hang on the wall. From the only window, you can see the lake through the branches of the large weeping birches. Another historic building nearby, the Fantoft Stavkirke, a wooden church dating back to 1150, sadly went up in smoke in June 1992, in the wave of arson and Satanism that swept the country. It has since been rebuilt to its original appearance.

Built in 2005, the Atlantic Ocean Route is an 8.9 km stretch of Route 64. It connects the village of Vevang to the island of Averøy by 8 bridges crossing a string of islands. This route is the second busiest tourist route in Norway after Trollstigen (Route 63, from Langvatnet to Åndalsnes via Geiranger).

Located just a few minutes from Stavanger, on the shores of the pretty Hafrsfjord to be precise, these giant bronze swords, almost 10 m high and planted on rocks, commemorate the naval battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, which resulted in the unification of Norway into a single kingdom. In 1983, King Olav V inaugurated this monument to celebrate the ^1111th anniversary of the battle. The swords also represent peace, as they cannot be removed.

This open-air museum features 50 wooden houses from an old district of Bergen dating back to the ^17th century. In the old bakery, you can watch the making of Skillingsboller, Bergen's buns. There's also the old barber's shop, the photographer's, the tooth puller's... The rich bourgeois interior could have been the perfect setting for Ibsen's play Doll' s House. An attractive restaurant serves dishes that can be enjoyed on the terrace.

During the renovation of the city's iconic museum, the tour is in Schøtstuene and provides an opportunity to learn more about the wealthy Hanse traders who had a monopoly on trade in the north (dried cod, grain, salt). Bergen and Novogorod were among their most important trading posts. These great merchants lived separated from the rest of the population of Bergen in high houses lined up a few meters from the harbour. A nice visit.

This company organizes 3-hour boat tours in the Lysefjord and to see the famous Preikestolen. The company also offers departures from Bergen and Tromsø. Crossings and cruises all year round. Group rates. A nice way to discover the surroundings as you only have to let yourself be driven. Remember to take warm and waterproof clothes when you go to sea. You can contact them by mail or book directly from their website. There is almost always a small cafe on the boat for refreshments.