TTXperience! #13: The Fjord Paradise!

Hei guys! Hva skjer? :)

Here comes another special TTXperience!

We all have one place that we fell in love with, in my case, it is Norway! I was in Lofoten several years ago, and it remains my favorite place on Earth. This time, we will be travelling by ourselves to an area surrounded by magnificent mountains and countless majestic waterfalls. 

Yes, you got it right, the mighty Norwegian Fjords! 

Perhaps from my own experience, you might get inspired to try the same!

Where did it all start?

On a beautiful day in June, the news was confirmed that my mom will be visiting me and flying to Finland soon in July. I stressed out thinking, hmm, what would be a good place to take her around in Northern Europe? She’s been travelling to other mid-southern European countries and would prefer to stay in the North this time.

And right from the moment I saw the breathtaking landscape pictures of the Fjords, I decided to choose here without any second thought. Due to a shortage of time, I was totally in a “now or never” mindset. 

It all started in Bergen - the second-largest city in Norway, also known as the gateway to the most beautiful fjords! It has everything! - from the perfect combination of Nordic architecture to natural scenery. 

Bergen on a cloudy day

I know, you might wonder why we did not pass Oslo, as it’s one of the most popular destinations too. Simply because, its fellow city Bergen, in my opinion, is much more scenic and picturesque.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Land in Bergen - Explore Bergen

Landed in Bergen in the morning, we were welcomed by the crisp, cool air and the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. In the middle of July, it’s much cooler than we thought!

We took the tram to the city and checked into our accommodation. The host was super nice to have us checked in early, as there were no guests on the previous night. We were too excited to rest, therefore, our roam began.

As we walked through the neighborhood, we were wowed by the charming and colorful wooden houses that lined the streets. They were like something out of a fairytale, and I felt like I had stepped into another world. As a literature graduate, my mom described the houses as “timeless masterpieces where every soul could find solace”.

We strolled through the charming streets of the city heading to the bustling fish market. 

Fishing has been a significant industry in Bergen for centuries, and the Fish Market provides a platform for local fishermen to proudly sell their fresh catches to customers. Known as the Bryggen Wharf, it is located along the scenic waterfront of Bergen. As we entered, we were immediately welcomed by the briny scent of the sea. With an impressive variety of seafood, the market offered from traditional Nordic delicacies like salmon, cod, and herring, to more exotic treats such as king crab, mackerel, giant octopus, and shrimp.

They were giants!

Here we got to try the special king crab and whale meat!

In the afternoon we went on the funicular up to Mount Fløyen, where we were “rewarded” with a sudden foggy experience.

The thick foggy blanket slowly embraced the mountain creating a mystical ambiance on the ride. As we rode to the top of the mountain, the fog became denser and visibility decreased. Our funicular seemed to float through the fog, giving a sense of flying amidst the air.

Despite the limited visibility, the fog creates a unique and beautiful atmosphere. The quietness of the mountain with surrounding mist created a dreamy landscape and evoked a sense of serenity. It was reminding us to slow down, take a breath and immerse ourselves in the simple moment.

Bergen's view after the fog disappeared

Nevertheless, as we hiked down from the mountain, the fog slowly lifted showing the spectacular view. My advice for you would be, don’t be disappointed if the forecast was not on your side. From a cloudy sky, the sun could show up and beat all the fog in just a short moment.

DAY 2 - Fjords tour

The highlight of the tour is here! Too excited for the trip, we got up early, packed our lunch, and headed to the train station.

Due to a shortage of time, to make the most out of the Norwegian Fjords, we decided to sign up for a roundtrip tour which took us to the most beautiful spots in the area. The tour started from Bergen - Myrdal - Flåm - Gudvagen - Voss - Bergen.

Part 1: Train from Bergen - Myrdal 

The first leg of the trip passed through some stunning landscapes in Norway. The train first climbed up the steep mountainside from Bergen, passing through several tunnels and numerous bridges. I would say it was a peaceful ride, but not yet the best part.

Train view on the way to Myrdal

Fascinatingly, located at an altitude of 867 meters above sea level, Myrdal is a small mountain village that serves as a gateway to the Flåm Railway, one of the most scenic train rides in the world!

Part 2: Train from Myrdal - Flåm

You might have already heard about Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) - a unique train journey that takes you through the best landscapes in Norway. The train ride was relatively short, only 20 km long, but it packed itself with picturesque views that left our hearts stumbling.

The journey begins at Myrdal station, as we hop off the modern train and moved to a more mountainous one.

The train slowly climbed up the mountain and passed through various tunnels and bridges. The train traveled at a calm pace, allowing us to immerse in the stunning scenery offered: majestic waterfalls, deep gorges, and emerald-green fjords gradually appeared. There was a lot of space to move around, as the scenery changed on both the left and right sides.

Emerald-green river

The train stopped at Kjosfossen - the Signature Waterfall of the Flåm journey - for us to have a photo stop. The waterfall is over 225 meters high, the continuously bustling waters created a magical mist that covers the area. 

Kjosfossen Waterfall

We were lucky enough to see the dancing witch dressed in red. There was an old Norwegian legend that once there was a witch who lived at the Falls. She appeared as a beautiful girl, lured the unsuspecting into the Kjosfossen, then left them forever at the waterfall. 

Tips: Bring your waterproof jacket! Otherwise, you will be fully wet after just a few minutes stop!

The train finally arrived at Flåm station, which is located on the edge of the Aurlandsfjord. Having a bit of time, we booked another leg to Stegastein viewpoint, which is situated 650 meters above sea level and extended 30 meters out from the side of a mountain.

Felt like we were floating above the fjord!

Stegastein viewpoint

It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left me speechless. 

Although the weather was not really the best, we were lucky enough to catch the best temporary weather as we go on. 

In Flåm, there were souvenir shops that also accept euros in payment. Nevertheless, there were not that many options for meals, so pack your own lunch on the trip!

Part 3: Cruise from Flåm - Gudvagen - Voss - Bergen

Time ticked, and we start lining up for the cruise to immerse in the beauty of the Norwegian fjords up close. For me, this was the most expected leg of the trip! We are finally at the best part!

Said goodbye to Flåm, we hopped on the cruise journey that took approximately two hours, covering a distance of roughly 20 kilometers through the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord (UNESCO World Heritage).

It was such an enjoyable ride and the scenery was breathtaking.

The boat itself is incredibly well-maintained and comfortable. From the window, you could already observe the Fjords nicely. But it’s much better to go out on the viewing decks, where we truly felt. We kept moving inside out, as it got extremely cold when closer to Gudvangen. However, it was very warm inside the boat so we were quickly warmed back up.

Colorful houses

The water was so still and clear that I could see the reflection of the mountains on its surface. As we sailed further into the fjord, the landscape grew more and more dramatic, with towering cliffs and waterfalls cascading down on the sides.

The dreamy landscape

We had a short stop at Gudvangen. The scenery was mesmerizing, as the clouds embrace the mountain tightly. I did not expect the bus ride scenery would be better, but I still managed to get some good pictures at this point. 

At Voss, we waited around the train station for our train back to Bergen, which got us back at about 9pm.

In general, the day was pretty intense, but we got to explore Norway’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in a short period of time.

DAY 3 - Morning in Bergen - Back to Helsinki

We had a peaceful morning in Bergen as the flight was in the afternoon. We went hunting for souvenirs and strolled on the charming streets full of cozy coffee shops throughout the city.

It’s sad to leave Bergen, as we enjoyed the town so much! 

Ending

We were left fulfilled when we were able to see so many things in such a short time.

As the city is surrounded by seven mountains and is a perfect gateway to the fjords, Bergen residents 'enjoy' 239 rainy days of the 365 days of the year. When we checked the forecast, it said that it would rain the whole time, but I was surprised at how abruptly the weather changed in a day.

Looking on the positive side, luckily, it only rained when we were inside. 

On the other hand, some other thoughts that I gathered after the trip:

• First, the price in the tourist season. All flight tickets, accommodation, and tour packages are raised during this time. Nevertheless, we took the chance to travel anyway!
• To save costs, it would be a wise idea to cook your own meals at all times. Although mentally prepared, I was still shocked by the eat-out price in Norway. One roll of kebab and one takeaway box of fries could cost 360kr! (∼31€)
• It was pretty crowded with tourists, so we were always on alert to queue in the line early to get a good spot on the transportation. 
• Again, the weather. Although it’s warm and sunny everywhere in Europe, it was around 13-14 Celcius degree in the middle of July in Bergen with a cloudy sky.
  Do umbrellas help? Maybe? But, sometimes the city is referred to as an ‘umbrella graveyard’. If you’re looking to stay dry, better go for a rain jacket and rain pants instead!
  The best time to travel would be around May when there is less chance of rain.
• If I had more time, I would definitely like to join other activities, like kayaking, visiting waterfalls, and doing another fjords tour in a speedboat!

What about you? Have you ever been to the Norwegian Fjords?

Bergen and Fjords trips are just small parts of the Norwegian exploration! Glacier Hike would be something I would like to do next!

If you would like to get more inspiration on traveling to Norway, check out our page here!