Scandinavian cuisine has burst onto the international scene over the last few years, creating buzz and excitement thanks to its innovative techniques, unusual and interesting traditional ingredients, and the fascinating blend of flavors it offers.
As a result, Norway has become something of a culinary destination, and a cruise that takes in both the stunning natural beauty of the Norwegian fjords and the remarkable cuisine of the country is a brilliant experience.
A seven-night Norwegian fjords cruise from Bergen to Ålesund offers a feast for the senses while navigating some of the world’s most breathtaking waterways. From incredible seafood to alternative twists on traditional Norwegian cooking, here’s how to make the most of your fjord foodie adventure.
Bergen: The Gateway to the Fjords
Bergen is known as the ‘gateway to the fjords’, which makes this vibrant port city the perfect place to start your culinary adventure. Here are a few of Bergen’s foodie highlights:
Bergen Fish Market: This local market is an amazing place to try the freshest seafood Norway has to offer. Try salmon, king crab, and prawns, or give your tastebuds a challenge with the traditional rakfisk (fermented fish).
- Bryggen: This charming, UNESCO World Heritage-listed district is filled with colorful wooden houses, as well as plenty of lovely cafes and eateries. Don’t miss out on “klippfisk” (dried and salted cod) or “plukkfisk” (fish and potato stew) for an authentic taste of Norway.
- Mount Fløyen: Jump on the funicular railway and fly up to the top of Mount Fløyen for dinner accompanied by extraordinary panoramic vistas of the breathtaking fjords.
Hardangerfjord: The Orchard of Norway
Hardangerfjord will likely be the first stop on your cruise. Renowned as the orchard of Norway, it is full of fruit farms, with apples, cherries, and plums a particular specialty. Make sure you taste the extraordinary Hardanger cider, as well as plenty of sweet treats made with local jams and preserves.
Sognefjord: The King of the Fjords
Sognefjord is the deepest and longest fjord in the entire country, a resplendent offering of majestic scenery and wonderful culinary delights.
Start off in the tiny village of Undredal which has an outsized reputation thanks to its goat cheese. Geitost (brown cheese) and kvitost (white cheese) are both exceptional, and are excellent accompanied by smoked reindeer, fish soup, and a few brews from the local Ægir BrewPub.
Geirangerfjord: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Geirangerfjord is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous even amongst the stunning natural beauty of Norway for its particularly dramatic waterfalls and gorgeous landscapes. It is a great spot to get out into the countryside and explore the local farms, enjoy tasting local produce, and try the farm-to-table cuisine that the region is famous for. Another particular highlight is the Geiranger Chocolate Factory, a wonderful addition to any fjord cruise, where they combine chocolate with locally-sourced ingredients like cloudberries and lingonberries, for a uniquely nordic twist.
Ålesund: The Art Nouveau Culinary Finale
Your culinary cruise ends in the gorgeous city of Ålesund. This charming town is full of delightful Art Nouveau architecture, as well as a thriving food scene. Freshly caught fish and seafood dominate the local restaurant menus, while bakeries abound with delights such as skillingsboller (cinnamon buns) and kransekake (almond ring cake).
A cruise through the Norwegian fjords from Bergen to Ålesund isn’t just a feast for the eyes, but an extraordinary opportunity to experience the best of Norwegian and Nordic cuisine at the same time. From fresh seafood and artisanal cheeses to amazing baked goods and fresh fruit preserves, a Norwegian fjord cruise packs so much more than just stunning natural beauty into your adventure and is well worth the trip!
