Hurtigruten in Norway - The world's most beautiful cruise

With Hurtigruten you can experience perhaps the world's most beautiful cruise along the coast of Norway. Hurtigruten goes between Bergen in the south to Kirkenes near the Russian border in the north. If you want to travel along the entire coast, the cruise with Hurtigruten takes 12 days round trip. But you can choose from several cruises with Hurtigruten both with different numbers of days and routes.

Hurtigruten is more than just a cruise in Norway – it is a historic journey along one of the world's most beautiful coasts, with roots in Norwegian history and a chance to experience nature and culture up close. Don't make the trip of a lifetime too late in life, don't wait until you retire. Many people put Hurtigruten on their "bucket list" and plan to go on it after they turn 65. Simply think again and prioritize the trip with family, friends, partner, parents or a group of friends when you are in the middle of life! Dare to be different. You won't regret it!

During a cruise with Hurtigruten you will travel through fjords, past high mountains, small islands and dramatic coastal landscapes. Depending on the season, you may experience the midnight sun in summer and spectacular northern lights in winter.

We advertise trips with Hurtigruten together with Rolfs Flyg & Buss, which provides affordable package tours to Norway.

This is how Hurtigruten started

Hurtigruten began in 1893 when Captain Richard With started a fast and reliable sea route along the inaccessible coast of Norway. With the ship DS Vesterålen, he demonstrated that mail and passengers could be transported significantly faster than before between Trondheim and Hammerfest. The journey took a few days, which previously took weeks. The route quickly became an important lifeline for coastal communities and over time developed into the famous travel route that still connects Bergen with Kirkenes today.

The route was named Hurtigruten precisely because it was fast - the name means “the fast route”. Today, Hurtigruten cruising is known all over the world and attracts tourists from all corners of the globe every year.

The Hurtigruten ports along the Norwegian coast

Hurtigruten calls at 34 different ports from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north. The ports along the Norwegian coast consist of both larger cities and small, cozy coastal communities. The journey takes you to Norway's second largest city - Bergen - and Norway's third largest city - Trondheim. But also to the very popular city of Tromsø.

Depending on which cruise you book with Hurtigruten, you will visit different places. Here are some of the ports you can experience during a Hurtigruten cruise:

Bergen - Known for its UNESCO-listed harbor district and being the "gateway to the fjords".
Ålesund - A beautiful city with fabulous architecture.
Geirangerfjorden - The deep, blue fjord, considered the crown jewel of the Norwegian fjords, is surrounded by fairytale landscapes.
Trondheim - Known for its Viking history and the world's northernmost Gothic cathedral.
Bodø - The world's brightest city just north of the Arctic Circle.
Reine - Lofoten's photo paradise. See spectacular mountains and fjords in contrast to fishing cottages and cozy houses.
Harstad - Wilderness adventure and culture are mixed here.
Tromsö - The gateway to the Arctic. Experience the midnight sun and the northern lights.
Hammerfest - The world's northernmost city. Located at approximately the same latitude as northernmost Siberia and Alaska.
Honningsvåg - A cozy Arctic city. Known as a starting point for visits to the North Cape.
Alta - The city of the Northern Lights. With the Northern Lights Cathedral and the ice hotel.
Longyearbyen - Arctic wilderness surrounding the remote town in the heart of the Svalbard archipelago.
Kirkenes - Located in the very northeastern part of Cape Norway near the Russian border. 400 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The turning point for Hurtigruten.

Take the trip of a lifetime with Hurtigruten and experience several of Norway's ports during the journey.

Feel the stress go away when you step aboard Hurtigruten

Stepping aboard a Hurtigruten ship feels like slowly entering a different pace. As the ship glides away from the dock, you leave your everyday life behind and step straight into a landscape so dramatic, still and fairytale-like that it almost doesn't feel real.

Imagine waking up to quiet fjords where the morning mist dances between the mountains. Sitting with a hot cup of coffee while the midnight sun paints the sky in gold. Standing on deck as the Northern Lights sweep across the winter sky like green flames. Every day is a new scene, a new story – and you have a front row seat.

One moment you pass narrow straits where the mountains are close enough that you think you can reach out and touch them. The next the world opens up into vast, silent expanses of sea where the horizon becomes a thin line. When the ship stops at exciting places along the route, you choose whether to stay on board or go on an interesting guided tour.

What to experience on board Hurtigruten

Aboard Hurtigruten, a unique mix of relaxation, adventure and nature experiences awaits you. Here you can enjoy magnificent views from the panoramic deck, participate in inspiring lectures about Arctic nature and culture. Relax in the lounge with a view of the fjords, taste local produce in the restaurants or take a quiet moment in the sauna and spa.

The food on board
Food onboard Hurtigruten is one of the highlights of the trip. Local produce from the Norwegian coast is served, often caught or produced by small-scale suppliers along the route. Menus follow the seasons and offer everything from fresh seafood to game, cheese and homemade bread.

In the various restaurants you can enjoy Nordic dishes with a modern twist, buffets inspired by the flavors of the coast and multi-course dinners where the chefs present the origin of the ingredients. Thanks to the culinary breadth, every day on board becomes a gastronomic journey of discovery.

Things to do during a Hurtigruten port stop

Depending on how long the cruise ship is in port during your Hurtigruten cruise, you may be able to participate in various activities in port. Be sure to check the date you arrive at each port and how long the ship will be in port.