Northwest Norway

What makes Northwest Norway truly special is how its contrasts are arranged side by side, effortlessly close. Sea and fjord. Peak and valley. Town and fishing village. Here, you don’t have to choose between wildness and peace, or between nature and culture – you’ll experience both. And with everything so nearby, you can enjoy more in just a few days than you might expect from an entire journey.

In Møre og Romsdal, nature can take your breath away – and gently bring you back to calm. Northwest Norway is inner peace and outer wildness.

Flavours from the sea, fjord and mountains

Norwegian “Klippfisk” (dried and salted cod) from the Northwest is a worldwide recognised delicacy. Here, it is also a vital part of the region’s identity. The proximity to the sea influences the cuisine across the area, with seafood often going straight from the ocean to the kitchen. In the fjord villages, berries and fruit ripen slowly in the light falling across fjord slopes, and people travel far for the finest produce and drinks. In the forests and on the mountains, cows, goats, and sheep graze throughout the summer, their milk reflected in the flavour of world-class cheeses.

Accommodation in Northwest Norway

For more than a century, travellers from all over the world have visited Northwest Norway to experience its landscapes, fishing traditions, and culture. Today, you can stay in historic hotels, cosy cabins and lodges set amidst breathtaking scenery.

If you're seeking something different, you will also find unique places to stay, from architect-designed cabins and hammock parks beneath the open sky to other memorable settings that add an extra dimension to your journey through Northwest Norway.

Quiet fjords and snow-capped mountains

In winter, snow-capped peaks extend across Northwest Norway. Heading out on a summit walk with snowshoes or skis, accompanied by a local guide, you can explore the Sunnmøre Alps and the valleys of Romsdalen and Sunndal. Enjoy warm baths and saunas in hotels beside the fjords. Take in towns and villages dressed for winter, or glide across the water in a kayak.

Explore with care

The fjords and mountains were shaped by the Ice Age, while culture has evolved over generations. We aim to preserve Northwest Norway for the future. As a visitor, you can help by using local guides and operators, sticking to marked trails, taking your litter home, and respecting fire bans and leash requirements for dogs. Two of the region's most visited destinations have taken their own steps. Åndalsnes and Geiranger are part of Norway’s Sustainable Destination certification scheme.

Getting to Northwest Norway

Getting to Northwest Norway is straightforward. Express coaches run from Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim to various destinations in the region. A high-speed ferry links Trondheim and Kristiansund, and you can travel by rail on the Raumabanen to Åndalsnes — a route voted Europe’s most scenic train journey by Lonely Planet. The region has airports in Ålesund, Molde, Kristiansund, and Ørsta–Volda, with daily international departures from Ålesund. Both Havila Kystruten and Hurtigruten call daily at Torvik, Ålesund, Molde, and Kristiansund.