Itinerary advice: Bergen, Hardangerfjord, and Sognefjord?
 

We have 6 nights, coming from Stockholm and departing to Copenhagen after our Norway experience. We'll fly into Bergen, but are not sure where to stay around Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord - and how to get there.

Rosendal seems nice but how does it compare to Eidjord or Loftus?

Same thing with our base for Sognefjord: Gudvangen or Voss or somewhere else?

We're especially interested in seeing culture in addition to the scenery and it seems there are many good spots for this in the Hardangerfjord region. Any ideas on where and our transportation options? Thanks so much.

For Sognjefjord definitely Gudvangen, on Hardangerfjord I've only been in Eidfjord. Small town with a gas station a farmer's store and a supermarket. And cruiseships dock there. You can get to Eidfjord and back in a day using local bus and ferry from Bergen I believe. Maybe with 6 nights it doesn't warrant a night of its own. Or if you rent a car you can drive there.

I think it's the 925 from Bergen to get you to Norheimsund and from there you can take the ferry through Hardangerfjord to Eidfjord.

http://fjordcruise.norled.no/RoundTr...s.aspx?id=1300

Gudvangen? There is only one hotel and a petrol station there. If you are using public transport then perhaps Flåm. Consider also Balestrand. With a car you have access to many places away from the crowds - stay north of Sognefjord - perhaps Sogndal.
Consider also doing the Norway in a Nutshell route from Bergen to Oslo and taking the overnight ferry to Copenhagen - sightseeing all the way - better than wasting time at airports.

That's the case with many Norwegian towns of course. They're terribly small. But if it's a choice between Voss or Gudvangen, I'd choose Gudvangen. Although Voss is good for shopping. Sogndal is another town with a petrol station, and a supermarket. Flåm isn't much better, but it has more souvenir shops. And a brewery with outrageously priced craft beer.

I think Gudvangen is good because of the ferries, in summer it's a modest Norwegian tourist hub (kayaking, hiking, that sort of thing) And fantastic views, but that's a given on fjords, but you won't have those in Voss so much.

Plus Gudvangen has Vikingrock in july

When are you going? Are you planning on any time in Bergen itself? You mention 'culture'. While the fjords are beautiful, if you want history and 'culture' Bergen would be the place to be. I went through Voss, Gundvangen and Flam on my day trip from Bergen to Sognefjord and I'm glad I didn't stay in any of them. Now if you want a very quiet experience that would be one thing but for history and culture then stay in Bergen. It is possible to do day trips to both fjords from Bergen.

Here's my trip report from last summer: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-four-day.cfm

I agree, Isabel. Norway in summer can be all about "friluftsliv", but the city things are to be found in Bergen. Express busses, fast ferries, all to the fjords: Bergen is the departure point for that, and even bus travel is incredibly good, even to rather remote areas (do plan ahead though)

I've been in Bergen 4 times now, and yes, there is a whole city beyond Bryggen ;)