Culture, Food and Heritage history
- in the Go Viking season!

To visit during the Go Viking season from October to April in Fjord Norway means to experience our culture, traditional food as well as our history up close. This is the time when you can feel the toughness of what Fjord Life is all about. Discover the beautiful fjord villages and cities and enjoy a traditional meal before venturing out to one of the many museums or galleries to learn more about our culture and history. Explore Fjord Norway during the winter season and Go Viking in the fjords!
Read here our last newsletter about Adventures in the Go Viking season.
More inspiration on fjordnorway.com

Urban culture break and small city charm in Region Stavanger

For people with an interest in history and architecture, the city of Stavanger should be your first choice. Here you can find exciting architecture from different periods as well as the old part of Stavanger with the largest collection of wooden houses in Europe. More information on the history and heritage of the region can be explored in the different museums. Great culinary experiences are equally important during a city break and fortunately you’ll find some of the best restaurants of Norway in Stavanger as well. A visit to the three swords in rock monument should be on your to-do list while in Stavanger, a commemoration to the region’s Viking heritage.

Those who prefer some small city charm will find in Egersund, one hour south of Stavanger, the perfect place. This picturesque city has a well-preserved wooden house settlement, and large parts of the town are designated as an area of special historic interest like the Grand Hotel Egersund from 1895. Eigra Kjøkken & Bar is the hotel’s restaurant which is a culinary hidden gem! Egersund is also a great base for adventures in the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark.

More info on  regionstavanger.com

Don’t miss out on the Borgundfjord cod!
One of the main reasons why Ålesund has become the “seafood capital” is the access to the fishing grounds that literally are amid the city. From the first full moon after new year until Easter the coastal cod swims into the Borgundfjord by Ålesund for spawning. You can go fishing, buy the catch of the day from the local fishermen along the pier, or enjoy a lush meal prepared by the chefs on the restaurants along Brosundet. Try the coastal gastronomy from BRO, the topographic menu of Apotekergata No5, or the bacalao at XL-diner.

More info on visitalesund.com

Bergen Silver Heritage - Silverware & Jewellery by Arven

Visit one of Norway’s most influential gold and silversmiths, still producing locally in Bergen. Arven is attracting worldwide attention for their products and design. Learn about the heritage dating back to 1868 and its current production during your visit to the factory. Get a guided tour of the production facilities, meet skilled artisans in their work environment with both over 100-year-old equipment and modern technology, and discover the details and complexity of how these beautiful products are made. Experience how craftsmen work to take care of culture and tradition and bring this into the future with a combination of creativity and unique craftmanship.
More Info on visitbergen.com

Go Viking or go chicken - Sheep’s head at Smalahovetunet
Sheep’s head, called “Smalahove” in Norwegian, is one of the oldest traditional dishes from Voss. In the olden days the people in Voss ate the smoked sheep head to use every part of the animal, when they didn’t have a lot of food. In the current times this has become a festive meal in Voss, which is often enjoyed on special occasions like weddings or anniversaries. At the same time it is a very traditional meal for the autumn season that is now known all over the country. Smalahovetunet, a family run business, has a farm building from the 1700s, where you can have a guided tour and be served smalahove with potatoes, beer and aquavit.

More info on visitvoss.no

Selja Monastery and fjord to sky in 5 
Experience the majestic Selja Monastery on a journey back in time. Considered as one of Norway’s first pilgrimage sites, people have traveled here for over a thousand years. Here you’ll encounter a unique cultural heritage from the Viking Age and the Middle Ages. Join a guided boat cruise to the Island of Selja and Selja Monastery - probably the oldest monastery in Norway.

The spectacular Loen Skylift takes you from fjord to sky in 5 minutes – to the winter wonderland at Mount Hoven, at 3316 ft. This is where adventure awaits you, either by foot, on sleds or skis. Enjoy a gourmet meal and relax by the fireplace in Hoven Bar, and then spend the night in one of Norway’s best hotels at the foot of the mountain. Here you can also indulge in the spa, or in the heated indoor or outdoor pools at the hotel.

More info on nordfjord.no

A taste of the “Silver of the sea”
Herring, known as the silver of the sea, plays an important part in the history of Haugesund. The rich herring shoals along the coast of western Norway laid the foundation for the development of Haugesund. The Kyvik family have since 1866 attained a vast knowledge about the salting, seasoning, preservation and finishing of herring. It’s a subject that requires specialized knowledge and experience - which the Kyvik’s have passed on from generation to generation. The H.J. Kyvik Herring Factory was established in 1940 and is still the manufacturer of delicious local produced herring in Haugesund.
More info on visithaugesund.no

Local food and fruity tastes in Hardanger
Syse Gard in Hardanger is a traditional Western Norwegian farm and Economusée, specialized in fruit and sheep farming as well as the processing of fruits and lamb meat. Gro and Hans run the farm in the fifth generation and welcome visitors for guided farm tours and sample tastings. In their farm restaurant, they offer local cuisine with meals based on the farm’s products. Guided tours and meals are available for groups on request – all year round! The farm shop is open for groups and individual travellers, offering local products as fruit preserves, lamb meat, apple juice, cider and fresh fruit of the season. As one of three farms in Ulvik, Syse Gard is part of the only fruit and cider route in Norway.
More info on hardangerfjord.com

Balestrand - where royalty meets traditional culture

The village of Balestrand, located right at the Sognefjord, is a place full of history and looks during winter
time like it has come straight out of a fairytale. In the end of the 19^th century it was one of the favourite places to visit for emperor Wilhelm II, the last emperor of Germany. With such a distinguished character as a former guest, visitors can now follow his footsteps as well as learn more about his many artist friends from the region while enjoying the exquisite local hospitality. During a RIB-boat excursion, explorers can see the famous statue of Fridtjov, located in Vangsnes on the other side of fjord - a gift from Wilhelm II to the people of Balestrand. A must-do stop for foodies is Ciderhus. In addition to tasting the wonderful ciders produced and its pairing with the delicious food served, visitors can learn about the importance of cider throughout the region's history.

More info on sognefjord.no

Travel back in time at Sunnfjord Museum
At the open-air museum, situated outside Førde, you are offered a genuine journey back in time. The museum showcases a variety of building traditions and techniques from the 16th to the 19th century in the Sunnfjord region and is renowned for its high level of cultural-historical quality. As part of a visit to Sunnfjord Museum you are invited to take in and relax in the beautiful surroundings. Take a look at the herb garden or go for a walk on our cultural paths. Watch this video to learn more about Sunnfjord Museum.
More info on visitsunnfjord.no

Håholmen – The fishing village by the Atlantic Road

Håholmen, a former fishing community worthy of preservation in the Hustadvika bay, has served as a meeting place, harbour, home and workplace for fishermen, sailors, shopkeepers and travellers for hundreds of years. The guests roam between the buildings here, just like they did in a living fishermen’s community in the olden days. It is very inspiring to experience the coastal culture and nature this way. From October to April, you can join us on a boat trip where you can see and photograph the amazing Sea Eagles.
More info on visitnorthwest.no

Join one of the local fishermen and go fishing
Surrounded by the open sea and fjords along Norway’s most beautiful archipelago, the conditions at the Fjord coast are perfect for sea fishing. Join one of the local fishermen and go fishing. Enjoy local food in combination with beautiful nature and cultural experience. With the sea so close, you hardly find seafood fresher than here. In addition, you can choose between local specialties like Norwegian wild sheep, salmon and deer, combined with other fresh produce from the region. Enjoy your meal with local produced handcrafted beers in English and Belgian style. And maybe you’ll hear some good stories from the locals.
More info on fjordkysten.no