The island escape of your dreams

Like the sound of island escape? Look no further than Fjord Norway. What? Didn’t think of us as an island destination? Think again. Norway boasts some 55,000 islands, islets and skerries … and many of the most beautiful and beguiling ones hug our stunning shores. Explore as many as you can, on day trips or overnight stays, for the ultimate island getaway … in Fjord Norway. 

Looking for tour suggestions? You will find all of them here.
Travel along the coast: A coastal expediton from Bergen to Trondheim

As you drive or cruise from isle to isle, be on the lookout for seals, porpoises and sea eagles. While you’re at it, go ahead and tailor a Fjord Norway safari to your own tastes. Into birdwatching? Utsira island, just 70 minutes by boat from Haugesund, may be Norway’s smallest municipality … but it’s big with birders, who flock there to espy the 300 avian species in residence. Other draws include street art by world-renowned taggers and the country’s highest-set lighthouse. Also popular for birdwatching is Runde, near Alesund. Circle the tiny island by boat to catch a glimpse of the 230 types of bird in evidence. 

If you’re an animal lover, hop a ferry in Florø bound for Svanøy, “pearl of the Sunnfjord,” for a guided tour of the Norwegian Deer Centre and close encounters with red deer. Flora rather than fauna your thing? Stunning Flor & Fjære bursts with fragrant blossoms, ornamental plants and exotic palms each summer on Ryfylke island, just a 20-minute ferry ride from Stavanger. Enjoy the guided garden tour before tucking into Chef André’s seafood spread for lunch.

Speaking of cuisine, Fjord Norway’s islands are rich in traditional tastes and world-class dining. Fishing has been the lifeblood of coastal communities since Viking times, so it’s no surprise seafood’s on the menu. Visit the small fishermen’s island of Håholmen, just off the Atlantic Road, for a taste of “klippfisk” — salted cod traditionally dried on rocky skerries by the inhabitants of the area’s iconic seaside cottages. If you’re a tad more hands-on, prebook a fishing or crabbing excursion off exclusive and isolated Flatflesa. After you dock for dinner, lighthouse hotel staff will prepare your catch while you soak in a wood-fired hot tub or seawater pool. 

Lean into local life by making like an islander. Clamber aboard a postal boat in the Solund archipelago, just north of Bergen, for a guided cruise with residents — and the odd sheep — through a seascape of islets and skerries. Must-sees include the likes of lonely Utvær, where a lighthouse still guards Norway’s westernmost solid ground, and bustling Gåsvær, renowned for its colorful fishermen’s homes. Farther north, tiny Ona shelters the residents of Norway’s southernmost traditional fishing village from Atlantic gales and storms. The windswept island boasts a historical lighthouse. Ferry it back toward Molde for a stop at Hjertøya, where you can row, hike and picnic to your heart’s content. 

After some fun in the sun? Karmøy, south of Hagesund, is home to the Blue Flag-certified Åkrasanden, voted Norway’s most beautiful beach in 2014. Stretch out in the sands to catch some rays before soaking in the charm of Skudeneshavn port or reliving ancient Viking exploits at Avaldsnes’ Nordvegen History Centre.

Wildlife or cuisine, culture or nature. Action or relaxation, or just some simple sun and fun — the islands of Fjord Norway are the escape from the everyday you’ve been dreaming about.

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