Explore Norway’s epic fjords and cities through the Viking lens on a voyage unlike any other

Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen hails from this storied country and began his business career here, so he knows how to explore its treasures better than almost anyone else.

Viking offers an immersive set of itineraries in its ancestral home, including the captivating 22-day Icons of the Viking Age voyage that circumnavigates the Baltic Sea.

Visit charming Bergen in the country’s south east before taking in epic mountains and inland fjords, then explore the bustling Norwegian capital Oslo.

Those looking for a more remote experience can embark on the Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer itinerary, which goes well into the Arctic Circle and as far north as snow-capped Svalbard.

The shorter Viking Shores & Fjords voyage visits the vibrant old city of Kristiansand as well as the out-of-this-world landscapes that line the breathtaking Aurlandsfjord.

Guests experience these itineraries on board one of Viking’s elegant ocean ships, each of which prioritises the tranquil spaces and connection to nature that embody Scandinavian culture.

Experience epic fjords in the capable hands of a cruising leader

The Viking Shores and Fjords itinerary visits idyllic Flåm, which sits inland along the Aurlandsfjord. Marvel at this area’s stunning landscape on a guided Viking excursion that takes guests to a viewpoint more than 2,000 feet above the fjord.

Then return to your Viking ocean ship and retire to your veranda stateroom, or unwind in the Nordic Spa.

This a wellness space designed around Norwegian culture that boasts a sauna, hot tub and an ice-cold snow grotto.

 Arctic exploration woven into a tapestry of intellectual discovery

Take a step into the icy, mountainous unknown on the Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer voyage by venturing into the Arctic Circle and stopping off at Narvik.

This small town is encircled by mountains and a glacier that goes right up to the water’s edge.

Narvik is steeped in history and forever shaped by the discovery of iron ore in the nearby Swedish town of Kiruna.

Discover this area’s industrial past on a two-hour guided driving tour that takes in the Arctic Ofot Fjord and educates guests on the construction of the Ofoten railway line, built in 1902 to move iron ore from Swedish Lapland to Narvik’s year-round, ice-free harbour.

Twenty million tonnes of iron ore are moved through Narvik each year.

Later on in this snow-swept itinerary, explore the stunning beauty of the Svalbard archipelago north of the mainland.

Journey to Camp Barentz in the island’s remote Advent Valley on a guided excursion and meet adorable husky dogs and their handler, known as a “musher”.

Then step inside a “gamme”, a traditional Norwegian dwelling centered around an open fire, and enjoy a warming beverage.

Alternatively, enjoy afternoon tea on the top-deck Wintergarden, a serene space under the canopy of trellised wood inspired by Yggdrasil, a sacred ash tree in Norse cosmology. This is one of a variety of spaces on Viking’s ships that help guests immerse themselves in Scandinavian culture and history both on board and onshore.

Viking’s onboard staff also wear sweaters that have a Norwegian connection, and the staterooms feature Marius-pattern woollen blankets. This style bears the colours of the national flag and has a distinctive alpine pattern known around the world.

Charming towns and cities explored the Viking way

Perhaps the best part about Viking’s Scandinavian voyages is the variety on offer. You could be crossing an epic fjord on one day and exploring a cosmopolitan melting pot on another.

On the eight-day Viking Shores and Fjords journey, enjoy a Privileged Access® tour of the Munch Museum in Oslo and get a glimpse of its inner workings. This museum is home to 26,000 works bequeathed to the city by local artist Edvard Munch.

Your historical discovery continues when you return to your Viking ship, with guests welcome to explore the onboard art collection that consists of more than 700 Scandinavian-inspired pieces.

It is the largest collection of Norwegian art at sea and includes some of Munch’s finest expressionist works.

This itinerary also visits Stavanger, home to 18th century wooden buildings in its historic CBD and a flourishing petroleum industry thanks to its strategic location as the gateway to the magnificent Lysefjord. Take a walking tour of this charming city and find out more about its trading past at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.

Before setting off on its spellbinding journey through the Norwegian Sea to Iceland, the Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer tour visits Tromsø, Norway’s most northerly city, long considered a gateway to the Arctic.

Take in the city’s sights on a guided tour that will take you into the stunning Arctic Cathedral, whose soaring white roofline has been compared to that of the Sydney Opera House.

Alternatively, take in breathtaking vistas above the city via cable car and see how it is nestled among a sea of fjords and islands.

Viking’s competitive advantage

Viking voyages feature no children & no casinos onboard, allowing guests to enjoy an authentic travel experience far away from the noise and crowds that characterise its competitors.

There is also a wide selection of pre and post cruise extensions available on these itineraries, such as a two-night stay in Reykjavik, Iceland after the Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer tour or a three-night extension following Viking Shores & Fjords that starts in the city before touring the Golden Circle, a 300km scenic loop that includes the Strokkur geyser, as well as the famous Blue Lagoon.

If exploring Norway and its Scandinavian neighbours on a voyage of intellectual discovery sounds like a travel experience for you, consider booking an ocean voyage with Viking.