Romantic roundtrip in Ryfylke and Hardanger

One of the city's biggest attractions is Old Stavanger, Northern Europe's largest concentration of old wooden houses. You should make time for a walk across the square and along the harbour and see who can spot the most works of art along the way. Stavanger attracts renowned street artists from near and far during the NuArt festival every September.

Tropical beaches and palm trees are closer than you think; only a twenty-minute boat ride from the city centre you will find Flor & Fjære, where you can walk around a lush park with palm trees and exciting plants, followed by a delicious dinner.

The next day, don’t miss a boat trip on the Lysefjord, past the majestic Pulpit Rock. For those who wish to earn the reward of a fantastic view of the fjord, the walk up to the Pulpit Rock takes around four hours and has become one of Norway's most popular walks.

When you get back to Stavanger, you can head for one of the beaches Solastranden or Borestranda, which are perfect for a romantic picnic or a refreshing swim, or watching the sun set at the end of the day.

After a day spent among fjords and mountains, you can stay at charming hotels such as Verkshotellet, Lilland Bryggerihotell and Høiland Gard.

Etne is home to one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, Langfossen, which falls like a veil down the sheer mountain side. After stopping to admire the waterfall, continue on to Rosendal.

In Rosendal, you spend the night at the Baroniet Rosendal Avlsgård & Fruehus, which has great views of both the Hardangerfjord and the surrounding mountains.

The next morning you can visit Norway's only barony, known for its impressive rose garden. After a guided tour of the estate built in 1665, you can enjoy a relaxing lunch in the herb garden. Back in the village of Rosendal, you will find the Folgefonna National Park Centre, art galleries and cafés. Your journey then continues to Bergen.

Bergen has lots of great restaurants and hotels. After a delicious dinner, you can get a good night’s sleep at the hotel Opux XVI, which is in a historical building from 1876, in the very heart of the city.

We recommend a stroll through the city centre the next morning. Visit Bryggen – the old wharf that is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List – and explore the charming neighbourhoods of old wooden houses in Sandviken or Nordnes.

For a bird’s eye view of the ‘city between the seven mountains’, take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. From there, there is a network of walking trails; take a map from the station and follow the signs to explore the mountains or walk back down to the city centre.

The city's art museums and many galleries are concentrated around Lille Lungegårdsvannet lake in the heart of the city. Music lovers should visit Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, where you can see the villa of Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina.

Travel on to Haugesund the next morning, which offers great culture, nature and shopping opportunities – all within walking distance. Stroll around this charming town and visit interesting specialist shops, enjoy a meal at Indre kai and conclude the evening with a stroll along the coastal path and watch the sun set from Kvalen Lighthouse.

Waking up with a view of Smedasundet sound and eating Rogaland’s best breakfast at Scandic Maritime makes for a great start to the day.

You can take a boat from the centre of Haugesund to the idyllic island communities of Røvær and Utsira, both perfect for a romantic experience at the ocean’s edge. On Utsira, you can spend the night at a lighthouse complex and enjoy fresh seafood for dinner. And there is no better way of experiencing the island than cycling among its flower meadows and street art in the bracing sea air.

Back in Haugesund, drive a little further south to your next accommodation: Panoramahyttene on Karmøy. Here you can get up close to the wild and beautiful coastal landscape and enjoy the changing weather and wind from the front row. The cabins are located near the beautiful beaches of Karmøy, and a picnic on the beach is always a good idea! Before heading home, be sure to stop by charming Skudeneshavn, at the southern tip of Karmøy. Stroll around the narrow streets surrounded by white wooden houses and soak up the special atmosphere, and enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the town's cosy cafés.