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16 days | Small group tour | Jun–Sep | Bergen to Helsinki
Small group summer journey linking Norway’s fjords with five Nordic capitals, travelling by rail, ferry and scenic coastal routes in boutique comfort.
Travelling by premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach through Geiranger, Sognefjellet and Aurlandsfjord, this summer journey combines dramatic fjord landscapes with guided city discoveries in Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn and Helsinki. Fjordside stays, RIB adventures and express rail connections create a varied yet well-paced experience across Scandinavia.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Transportation (by buses, trains, ferries and boats) between destinations is included in the price (not arrival and departure transfers). This includes travel between Aurland and Lillehammer by premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach, which will accommodate spontaneous photo stops, as well as food and rest stops.
Portage is not included - you will be responsible for carrying all your luggage which at times is lengthy such as getting out of ferries and around ports.
A small tip for the bus driver will be appreciated - your escort will advise you with details about this.
Arrive and make your own way to your hotel.
Before meeting your group, discover some of Bergen's many attractions and sights, many of them within walking distance. Recommended sights of interests are the Hanseatic harbour Bryggen, Ulriken, Troldhaugen, the Fish and Flower market, Bergen Aquarium and Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen Open Air Museum). If it is a nice day, be sure to ride the Fløyen funicular to the top of the nearby mountain.
Meet your tour leader and group this evening for a welcome dinner.
Bergen's centre is very compact, with much to see and hear about within a very short walking distance. Stroll around Bryggen, a World Heritage Site, where you will hear of life in times gone by, dried cod fish, Hanseatic merchants, fires, Norwegian resistance fighters and present-day life at the wharf. Pass by the lively waterside Fish Market and explore the Bergen Fortress area, where you will find Håkons Hall from 1261 and the Rosenkranz Tower from 1560s, or wander down the old cobblestone alleyways in the heart of Bergen and see typical, quaint Bergen houses and chimney houses while hearing about life in Bergen past and present.
The afternoon and evening is free for your own exploration.
This morning, board an express boat from Bergen to Flåm. Take in the fresh air on Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, during this 5-hour ferry-ride. Then take a trip on one of the world's best rail journeys, the Flåm Railway up to Myrdal Station. On your return to Flåm, you will privately transfer to Aurland to your centrally located hotel by the fjord.
Depart Aurland for another scenic journey through the spectacular mountain and fjord country. Firstly, your drive will take you over the old road and remote mountain region of Aurlandsfjellet, enjoying a stop at Stegastein and enjoy a local lunch.
Then it is time to be amazed at the old, narrow mountain highway as you share the roads with wandering sheep, stop at Oscarhaug, the cubist stone at Mefjellet and Sognefjellshytta for a coffee/tea break.
Lom is a small town encapsulating the very essence of the Norwegian countryside surrounded by majestic nature. Check into your charming historic hotel and then browse design shops, local cafes and galleries. Dinner is included this evening.
Join the 50 Degrees North mini-van for a day tour to Geiranger, which is 1.5 hours’ drive away from Lom. On arrival, join a fjord rib boat cruise and experience the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. Take a closer look at the “Seven Sisters”, “Bridal Veil” and “Suitor” waterfalls, the majestic fjord cliffs and abandoned mountain farms. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see porpoises playing in the fjord.
Please note that the Geirangerfjord visit is subject to change due to weather and snow conditions. The mountain road from Lom to Geiranger normally opens from end of May. Alternatively, have a day to yourself in Lom. We suggest visiting Brimi Bue, a popular Lom hot-spot for fresh local produce and traditional Nordic flavours. Indulge yourselves in the historic atmosphere of Lom open-air museum and its houses dating from the early 1600s and experience the old farmer culture.
Sit back for the final 3-hour scenic drive to Lillehammer. This bus trip takes you through some of Norway’s most beautiful highlands and lush valleys. Experience the valley of Gudbrandsdalen surrounded by the national parks, an abundance of locally produced food, old architecture, and good hiking.
Arrive into Lillehammer, the small town that rose to international fame when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994. Transfer to the train station and 2.5hr train journey to Oslo.
Discover the must-sees of beautiful Oslo including the Royal Palace and Vigeland Park on a private walking tour of its most famous sights. Enjoy all the landmarks of Oslo's city centre on a 3-hour walking tour with a local guide. Get a taste of the life in this vibrant capital through its famous sights, and enjoy its architectural and cultural diversity.
See the Royal Palace, the Norwegian Parliament, and the University of Oslo, and stroll the bustling Karl Johan pedestrian shopping area.
Free morning in Oslo before later this afternoon, boarding the overnight ferry to Copenhagen. Accommodation in seaside cabins with shower/WC. Enjoy the hot tub on the back deck, the entertainment and various dining establishments. Be sure to sit on the deck as you leave the Oslo fjord for beautiful views and locals enjoying the summer.
Arrive into Copenhagen this morning and transfer to your hotel. Copenhagen has a long history, and many delightful attractions and sights - you will never run out of something to see or to do. The city is small and cosy, an ideal way to explore the city is by foot, and public transport.
Your local guide will meet you for a walking tour to discover some of the must-see sights of Copenhagen. Stroll through the charming streets and squares of Old Town, and see the impressive Danish Parliament, colourful Nyhavn, the elegant Royal Palace of Amalienborg, and more.
Today is a completely free day so you can sleep in, explore the cafes and restaurants or venture out of the city on a day tour.
Roskilde isn't too far out of town if you want to visit the Viking Museum or art lovers can train to Louisiana. There is also a new adventure park with impressive towers and gardens to visit. Ask your local guide for some options. Enjoy this super cool city!
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and more of Copenhagen before transferring to the train station for your express train journey to Stockholm.
Sweden's capital is charming, vibrant and surrounded by beauty and water - hence its nickname, Venice of the North! Stockholm offers interesting museums and castles; the city offers a warm atmosphere and the old town has charming small alleyways boasting several famous restaurants.
This afternoon, discover the must-sees of Stockholm's historic Old Town, including the Royal Palace and the Cathedral on a guided walking tour of its charming cobbled streets.
After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore the city even further.
Be sure to make time for a visit to the ABBA museum with great interactive exhibits - a glass of champagne (for Dutch courage to get on stage & the pure fun of it) to accompany your tour is recommended! On the other hand, take the serious option & visit the Nobel Prize museum in the Old town.
Spend some time shopping or even explore the waterways of Stockholm before transferring to the port to board the overnight ferry to Helsinki, Finland. Again, be sure to sit outside to watch the archipelago of islands go past - one of our favourite places in Scandinavia.
The Finnish capital is a compact city where the most important sights can easily be explored on foot. Meet your local guide this morning for a 3-hour stroll through the streets and squares of Helsinki. Senate Square, surrounded by the historical quarters and the iconic Lutheran Cathedral, is the place where the East meets the West and you will become familiar with Finland’s unique position between Sweden and Russia. A walk along the colourful Kauppatori market is an absolute must and entering the Old Market Hall will give you a taste of local delicacies such as reindeer meat and rye bread.
Crossing the Esplanade Park, and past Railway Station, one of the main landmarks, you will arrive to another square, Kansalaistori, which showcases the pulse of modern Nordic city. The walk will continue through the Töölö district to pay a visit to the Rock Church, a Lutheran shrine build inside a solid rock in the 1960’s and the most visited site of Helsinki. Return to the city centre like a local by tram. A panoramic tram ride passes through south Helsinki’s Art Nouveau and diplomatic districts.
Catch the express ferry from Helsinki this morning and travel acrosss to Tallinn. Meet your local guide and discover the sights and stories of Tallinn's beautiful Old Town and beyond on a 3-hour walking tour with a local guide. Winding cobblestone lanes and iron street lamps. Gothic spires and medieval markets. Centuries old buildings with their red tile roofs and hidden courtyards. This is the city's famous Old Town.
Explore the most interesting sights of the medieval Old Town, as well as some of the most modern architecture of the town. The excursion will start with a brief history of Estonia and Tallinn as you enter one of the best-preserved Hanseatic towns in the world. In the Upper Old Town, you can admire Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - the largest Orthodox church in the city - as well as the Houses of Estonian Parliament and one of the oldest churches in Estonia, the Dome Church. Experience the panoramic views from Toompea Hills over the Lower Town and the rest of the city of Tallinn.
Later in the afternoon, you will take the ferry back to Helsinki. Enjoy an early dinner on board as you celebrate this Scandinavian and Finnish adventure before saying farewell to your escort and fellow travellers.
After breakfast, make your own way to the airport.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room.
NOTE: Accommodations are subject to change and twin rooms can be requested but not guaranteed. Upgrades are not available.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy group travel. Please consider carefully how much luggage you bring as you will be responsible for carrying all the luggage. There is limited portage service in Scandinavia and your tour escorts cannot help you, beyond reason. This includes carrying luggage off boats and around ports.
Scandinavia is a fairly accessible destination for people with restricted mobility and other disabilities and is actively working to be more accessible every day. However, please note that our group tours are often not suitable for persons with limited accessibility due to inclusions and pace. 50 Degrees North is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability and we can tailor-make independent itineraries for travellers when needed. Please contact us for further details.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:
As a Nordic specialist we are keen to show travellers the hidden gems of the countries we visit, and as an anti-dote to over-tourism to reduce the environmental pressures on the traditional and busy routes that most travel companies will take. This itinerary has been designed to do just that.
Our premium mini-coach tours are one way in which we are looking at how we can reduce carbon emissions over all styles of travel that we offer, not just on our group tours which by their nature have shared transport, but also on our private options.
Throughout your stay we have hand-selected accommodations which are locally owned, have deep roots in their communities, and pride themselves on supporting local facilities and producers. This is done through shopping locally, and buying sustainably sourced options, so in the words of one of the chefs in the accommodation you will be staying in 'you should taste what’s here in the surroundings, from lakes, mountains and farms'
On this itinerary we also support Nordic Choice Hotels, a collection of hotels renowned for their environmental efforts. The hotels are ISO 14001 certified, have launched plastic free initiatives in partnership with WWF, where possible are powered by renewable energy and are taking great strides to reduce water consumption and reduce the use of chemicals. Even though access to water is not an issue in Norway compared to other parts of the world, this hotel group is conscious of the energy consumed for heating, and chemicals required for purification, so reduction makes up part of their overall environmental policy. In addition to this they provide sustainable, organic, fair-trade food, and only use sustainably produced palm oil.
Front Image: Fredrik Ahlsen - Maverix Media
Please note this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 14.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Take a closer look at the boutique hotels and restaurants that we recommend as a part of our independent 'Beautiful Norway' tour across the fjords. We start in Lom, take a culinary stopover in Skjolden after having journeyed along the mountain pass across Sognefjellet, and finish at our beautiful accommodation in Aurland.
Recognised among the world's best by the World Travel Awards, 50 Degrees North has spent 15+ years doing one thing: helping people experience Norway, and the wider Nordic region, the way it deserves to be seen.
Discover three distinct escorted summer journeys through Norway, from classic fjords and scenic rail routes to remote Arctic landscapes under the midnight sun.
Oslo's restaurant scene reflects the depth and ambition you would expect from a Scandinavian capital. Drawing on the principles of the New Nordic Food Movement, many of the city's best kitchens build their menus around wild, organic and locally sourced Norwegian ingredients, turning traditional flavours into something genuinely contemporary. But the range here is wide, from long-established institutions to casual neighbourhood spots that reveal a different side of the city altogether.
Norwegian cuisine in its traditional form is rooted in the raw materials available across the country's mountains, wilderness and coast. It differs from its continental counterparts in its stronger focus on game and fish, and many of the classic dishes reflect a long tradition of preservation, shaped by the demands of long winters.
Lofoten Fiskerestaurant: a long-established seafood restaurant at Aker Brygge, with a maritime menu built around the freshest Norwegian fish and shellfish, and harbour views to match.
Kontrast: near Mathallen, in Oslo's former industrial Vulkan district. Now holding two Michelin stars and a Green Star for sustainability, this is one of Norway's most celebrated kitchens. Chef Mikael Svensson's menu is rooted in wild, organic Norwegian produce, and the experience is firmly in the fine dining category.
Maaemo: Oslo's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, and one of the most acclaimed in Scandinavia. A seasonal tasting menu built entirely on organic, biodynamic and wild Norwegian ingredients, served in a dramatic dining room near Oslo Central Station.
Nedre Foss Gård: a beautifully restored historic farm complex beside the Akerselva river in Grünerløkka. The building was gutted by fire in December 2015 and reopened in 2017, and today it is one of the most atmospheric places to eat in Oslo, with a seasonal menu focused on local producers and an outdoor courtyard that comes into its own in summer.
Theatercafeen: a piece of Oslo cultural history, located in the Hotel Continental opposite the National Theatre. In operation since 1900 and beloved by the city's arts and literary world, it remains one of the most characterful places for a long lunch or dinner.
Solsiden Restaurant — a celebrated seasonal seafood restaurant in a former harbour warehouse, directly below Akershus Fortress, with views across the Oslo Fjord. Open from May to September only, so plan accordingly.
De Fem Stuer — set in the historic 1894 Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel, high on the hill above the city. The views over Oslo and the fjord are exceptional, and the menu draws on Norwegian ingredients with a modern Nordic sensibility.
Ekebergrestauranten — perched on the Ekeberg hillside with sweeping panoramic views over the city and the Oslo Fjord, housed in a beautifully restored functionalist building from 1929.
Engebret Café — one of Oslo's oldest restaurants, in a 17th-century building in the heart of the old town. Traditional Norwegian food in a setting that has changed little over the centuries.
Frognerseteren Restaurant: Finstua — at the top of the Holmenkollen metro line, with a rustic lodge interior and one of the finest views in the city. A good stop after a walk in the Nordmarka forest.
For more affordable dining, head to the Grünerløkka district. This once working-class area on the east side of the city is now one of Oslo's most vibrant neighbourhoods, with a strong concentration of independent restaurants, cafés and bars grouped around the streets Markveien and Thorvald Meyers Gate. The food here ranges from casual Nordic to international, and the atmosphere on a busy weekend evening is hard to beat.
