Bergen — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetOct 4, 2026

What to Eat and Drink in Norway

Abundant seafood, regional specialties, and cutting-edge cooking using hyperlocal, seasonal ingredients make eating in Norway a locavore’s delight.

25 things in this story

BryggeloftetRestaurantBergen's oldest restaurant, atmospheric option for fish soup
Elsewhere
Lofoten IslandsNeighborhoodNorwayislands with wooden racks for drying Atlantic cod
fårikålRestaurantNorwaynational lamb-and-cabbage stew, often on autumn menus
BrunostRestaurantNorwaysweet brown cheese, a classic Norwegian snack
aquavitPubNorwaypotent dose of Norwegian culture made from potatoes and caraway
king crabRestaurantNorwayrich meat that rivals lobster, prepared steamed or baked
ribbeRestaurantNorwaystar of the Christmas table, pork belly with crispy rind
tørrfiskRestaurantNorwaydried cod, eaten as a snack or rehydrated and cooked
Emma’s DrømmekjøkkenRestaurantTromsø, Norwayrestaurant in Tromsø where reindeer is prevalent
KaffistovaRestaurantOslo, Norwayrestaurant in Oslo specializing in old-school Norwegian fare
Børsen SpiseriRestaurantLofoten, Norwayplace in Lofoten to try Norwegian lamb dishes
bidosRestaurantNorwaytraditional stew made with reindeer, carrots and potatoes
Sami WeekFestivalTromsø, Norwaycultural experience in Tromsø for trying bidos
GudbrandsdalsostRestaurantNorwayfamous kind of brunost made with goat's and cow's milk
GeitostRestaurantNorwaybrunost made using only goat’s milk
fløtemysostRestaurantNorwaybrunost made using only cow’s milk
BacalaoRestaurantSvolvær, Norwaycasual harborside place in Svolvær to sample tørrfisk
FisketorgetRestaurantStavanger, Norwayseafood restaurant in Stavanger serving marinated salmon
MaaemoRestaurantOslo, Norwaythree-Michelin-starred restaurant in Oslo known for waffles
Haralds VaffelCaféOslo, NorwayOslo restaurant offering what could be the best waffles
multekremRestaurantNorwaydecadent dessert made of cloudberries, whipped cream, and sugar
Inderøy BrenneriRestaurantInderøy, Norwayboutique distillery at Berg Gård for aquavit tasting
VinmonopoletMarketNorwaystate-run liquor stores to buy aquavit
rømmegrøtRestaurantNorwaysour cream porridge, a staple Norwegian soul food
Hjerkinn FjellstueHotelNorwaymountain lodge serving authentic rømmegrøt

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AfarSep 23

12 Days, from Norway’s Fjords to Lapland’s Forests

For more than 130 years, Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express has gone beyond famous landmarks to reveal the people, traditions, and landscapes found along these Scandinavian shores.

4 things in this story

HurtigrutenFerry terminalSailed Norway’s coast for over 130 years.
Elsewhere
Lofoten IslandsNeighborhoodLofoten, NorwayTake a Viking tour.
Seven SistersSightHelgeland, NorwaySail past this mountain range.
TrollfjordSightHadsel, NorwaySail through the fjord.

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Atlas ObscuraSep 8

AO’s Favorite Unusual Sites to Spend a Night

Where to stay is a pivotal part of any trip, sometimes just as important as the destination itself. The place you rest your head can dictate not just the quality of sleep you get but the kinds of activities you choose, the people you meet, and the way you engage with the culture around you. That’s especially true at these accommodations, which are anything but ordinary—combining thoughtful desi…

10 things in this story

TubakubaAttractionRabbit-hole-esque cabin overlooking the city from a cliff.
Elsewhere
The Rabbit Tree HostelHotelGili Meno, IndonesiaWacky hostel with fantastical decor and maze-like structure.
Libušín a MaměnkaHotelPustevny, CzechiaOde to mountain traditions with woodwork inspired by folklore.
Grand Circus HotelHotelMalmö, SwedenQuirky wagon park on an abandoned railway lot.
Big Idaho Potato HotelHotelBoise, United StatesSix-ton potato invites visitors to try life in its belly.
Attrap'Rêves Bubble HotelHotelAllauch, FranceSee-through cocoons offer 360-degree forest and starry sky views.
Kakslauttanen Arctic ResortHotelSaariselkä, FinlandGlass igloos for northern lights views; houses with saunas.
Villa CheminéeHotelBouée, FranceTiny hotel atop a 50-foot tower resembling power plant chimneys.
Brown Bear Watching HideHotelPalasi, EstoniaRustic hideaway cabins for close-up brown bear viewing.
Atlanta Glass TreehouseHotelAtlanta, United StatesTwo-floor home made from recycled materials, tucked in trees.

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National GeographicJul 12

Try Europe’s best city-to-swim rail trips this summer

Whether you’re in Turin, Bergen or San Sebastián, a wild swimming experience is often only a short train ride away.

16 things in this story

Itzurun beachSightGolden sand beach backed by towering, striped cliffs.
Mole AntonellianaAttractionSoaring spire in Turin, home to the National Museum of Cinema.
National Museum of CinemaMuseumIt is operated by the Maria Adriana Prolo Foundation, and the core of its collection is the result of the work of the…
Punta CrabbiaSightRocky headland on Lake Orta with calm, blue-green water.
Isola San GiulioSightTiny, car-free island at the centre of Lake Orta.
Ljubljanica RiverSightRiver that snakes through Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Most na SočiNeighborhoodConfluence of Soča and Idrijca rivers, ideal for swimming.
Nové Mlýny reservoirsSightMan-made chain of lakes and wetlands in Czechia.
Lake OrtaSightLake in Italy's Piedmont region, accessible by train.
Tromostovje (Triple Bridge)SightBridge in Ljubljana designed by architect Jože Plečnik.
Pálava HillsSightLimestone ridges near the Nové Mlýny reservoirs.
BryggenNeighborhoodBergen’s historic Hanseatic harbour district.
Bergen Fish MarketMarketHistoric market dating back to the 13th century.
HardangerfjordSightFjord in Norway accessible by train and bus from Bergen.
ZumaiaNeighborhood
Soča ValleyNeighborhood

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The GuardianJun 12

Hairpin bends and bears on the highway: readers’ favourite European road trips

From Iceland to Italy, you share your best adventures behind the wheel • Tell us about your favourite European hike – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Jeremy Clarkson described Romania’s Transfăgărășan Highway as “one unbroken grey ribbon of motoring perfection”. The route (the second highest in Romania after the Transalpina) with its hairpin bends and climbs over the mountain was thril…

23 things in this story

HardangerfjordSightSecond longest fjord in Norway.
NeseNeighborhoodSecluded village on the western shore of Arnafjorden.
SognefjordSightNorway’s longest and deepest fjord.
Elsewhere
Transfăgărășan HighwayTrailCurtea de Argeș, RomaniaSecond highest route in Romania, with hairpin bends.
Bâlea LakeSightAvrig, RomaniaSection of road open only summer, proved beautiful.
Ellison HotelHotelCastlebar, IrelandThe favourite hotel of the writer in Castlebar.
Ring of KerryTrailKillarney, IrelandPeninsula drive with incredibly varied scenery.
BurrenSightEnnis, IrelandDiscover the Burren, a rocky limestone paradise on the Wild Atlantic Way shaped over time.
GlassilaunSightClifden, IrelandGlassilaun Beach - Discover sights like Glassilaun Beach and many other highlights of Ireland.
FlåmTrain stationAurland, NorwayVillage visited for a sauna and dip.
MyrkdalenTrailVoss, NorwayRoad with hairpin bends, waterfalls, and descent.
VikøyriNeighborhoodLærdal, NorwayVillage at the end of an exciting descent.
DingjaNeighborhoodSolund, NorwayThe village is located along the Sognesjøen, near the mouth of the Sognefjorden, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of…
ring roadTrailReykjavík, IcelandDrove the whole country on this road.
Falkirk WheelSightFalkirk, United KingdomIt opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project, reconnecting the two canals for the first time since the…
KelpiesAttractionFalkirk, United KingdomThe Helix is a park and major tourist attraction covering 350 hectares.
Scone PalaceSightPerth, United KingdomAncestral seat of Earls of Mansfield, built in red sandstone with a castellated roof, it is an example of the Gothic…
Dunrobin CastleTrain stationGolspie, United KingdomMost northerly of Scotland’s great houses.
Caithness coastlineSightWick, United KingdomSpectacular coastline, mainland Britain's most northerly point.
Dunnet HeadSightThurso, United KingdomMainland Britain's most northerly point.
River BothyCaféBerriedale, United KingdomSitting on the North Bank of the Berriedale River, just off the A9 and the NC500 route, The River Bothy is a little…
Romantische StrasseTrailWürzburg, GermanyThemed tourist route through Bavaria.
Paesano PizzaRestaurantGlasgow, United Kingdom

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The GuardianMay 22

‘An unforgettable train ride through deep gorges, canyons and mountain peaks’: readers’ favourite European rail journeys

Vintage locomotives, alpine classics and a dramatic urban ride feature in your memorable train journeys • Tell us about a favourite family summer holiday – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher I travelled across Norway by rail on the spectacular Bergensbanen , running between Oslo and Bergen, and the unforgettable Flåmsbana branch line . The Bergensbanen crosses the high mountain plateau of…

25 things in this story

BergensbanenTrailCrosses Hardangervidda plateau, passes lakes, forests, snow-covered peaks.
FlåmsbanaTrailSteep branch line dropping dramatically to Flåm on Aurlandsfjord.
OmioPlaceBooked train journey from Vienna to Zagreb.
Treno NaturaPlaceReal steam engine with classic coaches for Tuscan countryside trips.
RB26PlaceTrain from Berlin-Lichtenberg to Müncheberg.
Buckower KleinbahnPlaceHistoric narrow-gauge train running April to October.
Lake SchermützelSightPeaceful reedy shore visited after hike.
MOB railwayPlaceRailway from Montreux station to Interlaken.
Märkische SchweizNeighborhoodSeen und Bäche, Laubwälder, Schluchten und Täler, Sölle und Quellen, Moore und Fischteiche, Felder, Wiesen und Hecken -…
Château-d’ŒxPlaceTown reached after MOB railway journey.
Mala Rijeka viaductSightHighlight of the Belgrade to Bar train route.
BesançonNeighborhoodFrench town the railway line drifts from into Switzerland.
Le LocleNeighborhoodTown in the Swiss watchmaking industry.
La-Chaux-de-FondsSightTerminating town of the French railway line.
L’Hôpital-du-GrosboisSightByway station named after a leprosy hospital.
MorteauSightFrench border station.
Le Train JauneSightClimbs to 1,595 metres at Bolquère-Eyne in the Pyrenees.
PyreneesNeighborhoodMountains discovered on Le Train Jaune route.
Porto’s metro D lineSightUrban rail line that skims rooftops and crosses Dom Luís I bridge.
Dom Luís I bridgeSightEiffel-inspired bridge crossed by Porto's metro D line.
Le Pays d’EnhautNeighborhood
PescaraPlace
SulmonaNeighborhood
AvezzanoNeighborhood
Bolquère-EyneSight

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