Open-arm welcome to culture & charm in Fjord Norway

These snug and rustic slices of small-town life, where the pace runs just a little bit slower, are the best spots to authentically sample the culture, traditions — and sometimes quirks — of the “Vestlendingen,” as locals are known. Descended from Vikings, fjord villagers are a hardy, industrious and self-sufficient lot. Living in isolated fjord hamlets and island fishing villages, or on small mountain farms perched high above the fjords, they’ve long had to fend for themselves — winter, spring, summer and fall, across the centuries.

Things have gotten considerably easier, but fjord villagers still might strike you as a bit shy or reserved — maybe even a little hard-edged. But they’re actually warm and welcoming. Get to know them, and you’re a friend for life. You might even be invited for a chat, a cup of fresh-brewed coffee and a plate of traditional “sveler,” “lefse” or “vafler” (That’s pancakes, potato flatbread and waffles to you).

Local food

That’s just a small taste of village life in Fjord Norway, thoroughly modern yet still powered by nature. Where children of boatbuilders and fishermen ride ferries to schools so small that classes still mix ages and grade levels, as in days of yore. And where organic juices and jams, artisanal cheeses and meats are proudly crafted on family  farms that still hew to time-honoured practice — while at the forefront of innovation. “Locally sourced” and “farm to table” aren’t  just catchphrases here; they’re a longstanding way of life. Have a taste at spots like Svinvik Gård restaurant, a centuries-old farmstead on the Todalsfjord that’s traded milk production for world-class culinary innovation optimizing local ingredients.

Fjord villages

Fjord Norway’s villages may have a lot in common but if you’ve seen one, you have definitely not seen them all. Each oozing with unique charms, attractions and traditions, thanks to centuries of steadfast self-sufficiency. Head to Kaupanger, for instance, to hike with Sognefjord Guiding from idyllic farm to idyllic farm, ending at Furehaug to visit a highly skilled artisan who sews Norway’s beautiful “bunad” folk costumes by hand.

Go coastal

Explore coastal culture at Skudeneshavn, a fishing village on the island of Karmøy, where the charming white wooden houses are a testament to a prosperous herring trade. Or travel the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke to the Salmon Studio at aptly named Sand. There, peer through underwater windows at salmon leaping through the spectacular local waterfall.

Traverse the fjord village landscape, hopping from hamlet to town, on the breathtaking Norwegian Scenic Routes stitching Fjord Norway together by car. Or really go native and travel like the locals: Take to the waves like the Vikings old, boarding the boats and ferries that connect our myriad ports by sea. For a slower trek through time and territory, ride a Fjord horse — one of the world’s oldest breeds — through the stunning Nordfjord landscape, home to Nordfjord Folk Museum. The open-air museum boasts 44 preserved houses dating back 400 years, many decorated the way they were of old.