Visit Tromsø and the Arctic Circle: Southbound (Hurtigruten)

Your Nordic adventure begins in the Arctic Capital, Tromsø. After making your own way to your hotel, the rest of the day or evening is free to spend at your leisure.

Often called the “gateway to the Arctic”, Tromsø is buzzing with everything from trendy restaurants and cafés to boutique shops selling local crafts and produce. Sitting around 217 miles/350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the city usually has a blanket of snow in the spring and winter, giving the surrounding landscapes the look and feel of a winter wonderland.

Tromsø’s position under the Auroral Zone also means it is a great place to spot the Northern Lights during winter, and even in spring and autumn too. Scan the skies as you go for an evening stroll on your first night in Norway.

After breakfast in your hotel, you can discover what Tromsø has to offer. On the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, the world’s northernmost aquarium, while on the other side of the fjord from the harbour is the iconic Arctic Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

For a bird’s-eye view of the city, take the cable car up to the mountain ledge at Storsteinen, some 420 metres above sea level. From the viewing platform at the upper station, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding islands, mountains, and fjords.

In the afternoon, a transfer will whisk you from your hotel to MS Trollfjord, your home for the next week. Once you’ve settled into your cabin or suite, you’ll meet your Coastal Experience Team. You’ll get to know each member of the team well as they give lectures and organise onboard activities for you throughout your voyage.

Grab yourself a drink in the ship’s two-storey 1893 Bar, meet your fellow guests, and settle in as we set sail south.

After enjoying your first night on the ship, we’ll arrive at Lofoten, a striking group of islands that rise out of the Norwegian Sea. As soon as you see the towering peaks around you with fishing villages clinging to their sides, you’ll understand why this island chain is so often praised as one of Norway’s most stunning locations.

We can’t visit the area without spending some time in Stokmarknes. This historic town is part of Vesterålen, an archipelago just northeast of Lofoten. Of all the places we visit, this one is particularly special to us. It was here that the Original Coastal Express was founded in 1893 by shipping pioneer Richard With.

The Coastal Express soon became a lifeline for Norway’s remote coastal communities, and fittingly, our legacy has been immortalised in the place where it all began. Standing on the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken, encased in a glass building like a ship in a bottle.

This is Hurtigrutemuseet, the museum that chronicles our history as Norway’s leading expedition cruise line from start to now. On a guided tour, you can explore the retired vessel and experience the atmosphere of a past era.

We’ll dock in the town of Svolvær in the afternoon. Located on the island of Austvågøya in the heart of Lofoten, Svolvær is the biggest town of the archipelago, humming with shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés to enjoy. You can also admire views of the Svolvær Goat, a nearby mountain named for resembling a goat and its horns.

A variety of optional excursions are available from Svolvær, including winter fishing, paddling along the coastline in a kayak, or embarking on a bus tour to learn more about Lofoten’s history.

Surrounded by islands and water, Brønnøysund sits on a narrow peninsula that juts out of the mainland. Around 5,000 people live in this small town, many in colourful houses against a backdrop of gentle slopes and dramatic mountain peaks.

Enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the harbour and take a walk along Havnegata. Drop into one of the pubs for a snack, or treat yourself to a meal in a local restaurant. Wander the visitors’ marina, or visit an 1870 Neo-Gothic stone church.

As we sail, look out for the Vega archipelago, a cluster of some 6,500 islands, skerries, and islets. There’s a UNESCO World Heritage Centre on the island of Gardsøy which showcases how highly prized eider down is harvested from the local eider ducks by providing little huts for them to build their nests in.

On an island south of Brønnøysund, you’ll find Torghatten mountain, recognisable by a natural tunnel that runs through the centre. According to local lore, the hole is the result of a troll who fired an arrow at a young woman who had rejected his advances. As the Troll King threw his hat to protect her, the sun began to rise, turning the hat to stone with a hole in the middle from the arrow.

On an optional excursion, you can take an hour’s walk up to the hole in the mountain. Peer through the tunnel and enjoy the view of the islands around.

After a hearty breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock mid-morning at Ålesund, a town that spreads out across a string of islands.

As we approach the shore, you might first notice the distinctive style of architecture. Every detail of the buildings, from the bright colours to the rounded spires, was inspired by the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the early 1900s. Almost the entire town received a makeover in the style when it was rebuilt after a major fire in 1904.

As you leave the waterfront, you’ll find yourself in a fairy-tale town, wandering narrow streets lined with unique houses. If your camera’s memory card isn’t already full after this, you can get impressive photos of the archipelago from the nearby Mount Aksla viewpoint. The 418 steps leading there might look intimidating, but the views are well worth the effort.

You can also visit the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway’s first marine science centre. This is one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums, providing a home to seals, otters, and crabs, as well as many other kinds of marine life. You can even see Humboldt Penguins here, a species otherwise absent north of the equator.

Journeying south along Norway’s west coast, we’ll enjoy a short scenic cruise into Hardangerfjord, one of Norway’s most impressive waterways.

At 179 kilometres in length, it is the second-longest fjord in the country, and fifth longest in the world. See mountain scenery everywhere you look, with the white peaks that tower over the fjord reflecting in the shimmering water below.

We’ll reach Haugesund, the ‘Home of the Viking Kings’, in the afternoon. This nickname is inspired by sites such as St. Olav’s Church, built in 1250 by King Håkon Hå. There’s also Haraldshaugen, a national monument reputed to be the first king’s burial site.

Why not step back in time to the Viking Age at Nordvegen Visiting Centre, which features exhibitions presented by a fictional Harald Fairhair himself?

Located on the southern tip of the country, Kristiansand is Norway’s fifth-largest city. We aim to be at port from morning to late afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore.

As you walk around Kristiansand, you might notice that the city is built on a uniform grid plan, with several straight roads running from the harbor all the way through the city. These roads are lined with architecture from different eras – evidence of the extensive rebuilding the city underwent after major fires in the 18th and 19th centuries and an attack during World War II.

Kristiansand is on a mission to become the most sustainable port in Europe. Find out more about this admirable goal on an optional excursion that includes a visit to Odderøya Island. Here, you can see beautiful views of the ocean and city and visit 18th-century military barracks that have been transformed into creative artist studios running several sustainable initiatives.

Kristiansand’s 20th-century military past is the focus of an optional excursion to Batterie Vara. Originally built as a German fort in World War II, it features the world’s second-largest cannon ever mounted on land.

Another optional excursion takes you to the working Lindesnes Lighthouse, which marks Norway’s southernmost point. See the beacon that has been guiding seafarers to safety on dark nights since the early 20th century and learn about the site’s long history, which goes all the way back to 1656.

Back on the ship, we’ll end our cruise on a high note with a farewell dinner. Take this chance to swap stories and show photos to your fellow travelers one last time.

This journey has taken you from Tromsø in the far north, all the way down to the south. Reflect on your journey as you watch our approach to our last port of call, Oslo, in the early morning. Say your goodbyes to the crew and disembark for a transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day or evening is free to spend at your leisure. Featuring forested hills, lakes, and plenty of world-class restaurants and museums, you won’t be short of things to do in Norway’s fjord-side capital.

You’ll find Oslo is a mixture of neighbourhoods and characters. Trendy Grünnerløkka is the place to go for bars and restaurants, while Aker Brygge offers beautiful views of Oslofjord. In the city centre, be sure to take snaps of the architecturally distinct Rådhuset town hall, grand Royal Palace, and Baroque Oslo Cathedral.

If time permits, you could even jump on the metro from Central Station. A short 20-minute ride is all it takes to bring you to the edge of a tranquil alpine forest that overlooks the city.

Checking out of your hotel in Oslo after breakfast marks the end of your travels with us.

You’ve sailed on The North Cape Express, exploring Norway’s coastal landscapes, cities, and villages. During the journey, you’ll have experienced Norway’s varied climate, seen majestic mountains and fjords, and maybe gazed up in awe at the Northern Lights once or several times.

We hope you’ll cherish each of the memories of The North Cape Express that you’ll take home with you. Come sail with us again soon on another iconic voyage of our spectacular home: the Norwegian coast.