Self-drive Holidays in South-West Norway for the Independent Motorist.

South-West Norway. Tourist information for the fjords of south western Norway

The fjords - as spectacular as their reputation and perhaps the main draw for tourists coming to Norway. Mighty peaks towering over deep blue water, with occasional towns of brightly coloured houses clinging to the shoreline. Plunging waterfalls born in the snow fields which in some places never melt. Wonderful walking and hiking and an excellent public transport network to help you get around. Plus the larger towns, especially Bergen and Stavanger.

Bergen is the self-styled Capital of the Fjords, and with some justification. In fact the main fjords are a little to the north, as the town itself is beautifully placed on one of the lesser fjords. Bit it's very easy to reach the mighty fjords to the north, the Sognefjord, the Nordfjord and the Geirangerfjord. You can do this by car, or there's a variety of excursions by boat, train and bus. Don't miss the train journey down the Flam valley to the Aulandsfjord/Sognerfjord on one of the steepest conventional railway lines in the world.

Sognerfjord

Bergen itself is a lovely town with an easy going atmosphere and much to keep you occupied. There's the world heritage site, the Bryggen - ancient wooden buildings on the quayside - cable car and funicular rides to the hills around the town, an excellent aquarium, and Grieg's birthplace. It's also big enough to have a lively nightlife, mostly concentrated around the port.

There's so much to see and do, and so many walks, drives and cycle rides that we can only hint at the possibilities. Visit the Official Bergen Tourist site for more information.

Bergen.

Stavanger in the south is the other main town on the fjords, and for a relatively small place is very lively and well worth visiting. The bustling waterfront is crowded with bars and restaurants where you can sit and watch the boats come and go. Fishing was once the main industry, but now the town is active in supplying and maintaining the oil industry and the offshore rigs. The fjords may lack the grandeur of their more northern counterparts, but they are still beautiful, especially the Lysefjord. For more information visit the Stavanger Web Site.

Stavanger. (Photo: Stavanger-Web)