In September 2025, we were back to Norway for its beautiful fjords and cities in the central and western regions of Norway, which included Andalsnes, Geiranger, Alesund, Molde, Kristiansund, and Trondheim. We took a train from Stockholm to Oslo. Our itinerary was as below:

Lilihammar 1 night- a break of the long train journey

Alesund 2 nights

Geiranger 1 night

Andalsnes 1 night

Kristiansund 1 night

Trondheim 3 nights

Oslo 3 nights

We had a long train ride from Stockholm to Lillehammer, with a change of train in Oslo. It was quite a long boring train journey. We arrived in Lillehammer in the late evening and it was raining. After dinner, we just went right to bed. We left early the next morning for Alesund by train.

Lillehammer was just a passing through on this trip. We walked through part of the town to the train station. The train ride was quite scenic to Andalsnes but it was underwhelming when compared to the bus trips that we had done in Lofoten Islands, and the bus journey from Stavanger to Bergen.

Due to rockslides in the section from Dombas to Andalsnes, we were transferred to a bus and not the train.

We then took the public bus from Andalsnes to Alesund, the journey was actually a lot more scenic and pleasant. We enjoyed the bus ride more than the train ride.

We arrived in Alesund in the early afternoon, and our hotel was just a block away from the bus station. We were happy that we had a panoramic view room on the 6th floor, but we would soon discover that it was too good to be true.


Lillehammer library

Lillehammer Kunstmuseum

On the train to Dombas

Scenery along the train ride

Beautiful lakes along the way

Farmlands

Arriving Dombas

Beautiful rainbow by the waterfall

Beautiful inlets

Misty fjords



Beautiful bridge connecting the towns

Our panoramic room

Twisted staircase with an ocean view

Norway again!! I envy you. Your last TR got me thinking about Norway very seriously - am very likely to return in May 2026 (fingers tightly crossed).

ANUJ when May comes, I will say the same thing to you likewise. Where are you planning to visit in Norway this time? My guess is Lofoten Islands and beyond.

We were anxious to explore this beautiful small city of Alesund, so we soon dropped our luggage and went on foot to survey this much famed city.

Ålesund was rebuilt in a colorful Art Nouveau style, with towers, spires, and colourful facades after the fire in 1904. We walked through the Art Nouveau streets on foot, checking out the beautiful facades that dotted along the bank of Ålesundet (or Ålesund Strait).


Alesundet
[img alt="Monument of the People Going to England During 2nd World War
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Monument of the People Going to England During 2nd World War

Art Nouveau Buildings



Art Nouveau Buildings along the strait of Alesund








Sildekona-Herring Woman statue








Lighthouse hotel


Lighthouse hotel



After our early dinner, we decided to climb the 418 steps to the Aksla viewpoint, hoping to have a sunset panoramic views of the city, islands, and fjords.

After the Aksla viewpoint, we walked back to our hotel. When we walked into our room, our eyes were just opened wide, and our mouths just dropped!




We did not realize that our hotel room was just outside where the Hurtgruten cruise ships docked. Luckily it only docked for an hour or two then left. It also doesn’t make the loud cruise horn sound, and it is a lot quieter when it leaves as it is hybrid powered. We found out later that there was another hurtigruten cruise docking at midnight, but we just slept through and was not woken by the cruise ship.

We did have a beautiful sunset view from our panoramic room. 🙂 All things were not lost!

Thanks, Cherthor. There's a few omissions from our last visit (Lysefjord/Pulpit Rock, Hardangerfjord) which I want to include, but yes - the focus is the north- Lofoten, Vesteralen, Senja, Tromso....

Nice! That is my favorite region in Norway. Get ready to tie up your hiking boots to see the mid night sun. I will be waiting for your trip report. Driving would be the best way to see this part of the country. I am dreaming of driving a camper van someday to visit North Norway.

Our next day's plan was to visit the Atlantic Sea Park, Atlanterhavsparken. The Aquarium was built into the coastal landscape at Tueneset.

We took an early morning public bus#1 around 9:30 to the Atlanterhavsparken, and walked 17 minutes to our destination. It costs 250 Nok per person to enter the aquarium and is definitely worth the money to spend half a day inside the aquarium.
























There is a big show tank, a variety of fishes and sea creatures for leisure viewing. There are feeding shows in the big tank, otters show, penguins show, and seal feeding time. We thoroughly enjoyed spending our time there. The outside seal tank, otter pond, and penguin pool are in a very beautiful surrounding. The ocean and mountains just mingled together in a natural environment.

There are also hiking trails outside the aquarium if you have time to explore. We just spent our time inside the aquarium.

We were excited about the next few days forecast: absolutely beautiful sunny days for the Geiranger Fjords area. We had booked the one way Fjord cruise from Alesund to Geiranger. It was a 3-hour cruise. It started at 10am, and would arrive around 1pm. I only booked the cruise at the last minute as I wasn’t sure of the weather. It cost around 1000 Nok per person.

We woke up with a beautiful sunrise and went to the cruise dock for our journey. It was a fully booked fjords cruise and there were people waiting in line hoping that there were last minute vacancies opened up for them. We were glad that we booked it just a few days ahead. The cruise departed on time and the sail was smooth and beautiful.

The cruise was full but not too crowded. It was an absolutely delightful journey with such a beautiful day.

I have too many photos, just a few for your enjoyment.


Leaving Alesund


















Our hotel in sight- hotel Havila

The Eagle road in the background The captain later told us of a surprise: The royal highness Queen Sonja was in town the same day.

The Queen’s ship anchoring at the harbor!


The Queen’s vessel

It appears we were there at the same time.

You are right!

On September 6th.: Queen Sonja of Norway will unveil the “Fjordafolket” monument at the Norwegian Fjord Centre (Geiranger).

Our hotel was just by the port. We arrived around 1pm, and the hotel room was not ready for check in. We just put our luggage in storage and ventured out looking for our lunch. After having a pizza lunch recommended by the cruise captain, we decided to take the trail to the waterfall rather than renting the electric car to the Dalsnibba skywalk, which cost around Nok 2000 for 3 hours even though it was a gorgeous day for the tour.

It turned out to be a big surprise for us when we reached the waterfall and went slightly beyond to the Norwegian Fjord Center.

The Geiranger waterfall walk was a 20-30 minutes scenic hike right from the cruise port, featuring 327 steps to the powerful Storfossen waterfall, with amazing fjord vistas along the way.


Waterfalll trail

A lot of steps going up

Beautiful day for the hike

Queen’s ship in the fjord

Powerful Storfossen waterfall




Grand Union hotel on the hill



Norwegian Fjord Centre


Wondering what ceremony was going on by the Norwegian Fjord Centre.

There was a big crowd gathered in front of the center and we wondered what the occasion was. We asked and were told that the Queen was here for the ceremony.


The Queen unveiled the monument





Music for the ceremony





The Queen was in town! It was such a special moment to witness the Queen unveiled the monument! We were indeed fortunate to see this ceremony.

We walked back to town and checked into our hotel. Our room had the fjord view, and the Queen’s ship was still anchored in the harbor, no cruise ship in view!









We woke up with another beautiful day the next morning. After breakfast, we were thinking about renting the electric car to Dalnisbba skywalk, but the rental was not available until 10am. Our bus to Andalsnes was at 1pm. After much consideration, we decided to drop the idea and just wandered around town until departure time. We hiked the waterfall trail to a further distance before turning back to town for our departure to Andalsnes.

The bus stop was not far from our hotel and it was on time. There were not many people taking the bus. We had front row seats, and the views were absolutely spectacular. This bus route will close with the snowy season. I had monitored this route often and had a backup plan if there was a road closure for my visit. It only operates from June 1 through September 15, and is weather dependent.

Ohh my goodness, this road was absolutely spectacular on a beautiful day like this. Every twist and turn would offer non-stop beauty of the fjords, farm houses, waterfalls, with a ferry crossing from Eidsdal to Valldal, and onto the Trollstigen road, before reaching Andalsnes.


Beautiful morning in Geiranger

Leaving Geiranger

Climbing up the Eagle road

Beautiful fjord view

Eagle bend




Eidsdal

Ferry crossing


Strawberry farms




Towards Trollstigen




Trollstigen visitor center






Trollstigen road

Trollstigen viewing platform


Trollstigen Stigfossen waterfall





Arrived Andalsnes

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Wow Cherthor, what serendipity to be there with the Queen! And the blue skies! The scenery is amazing. We haven't gone on our first trip to Norway yet (well, technically my second, first for my husband and son), and I feel like I need to plan a second trip already.

Oh gorgeous! And you got good weather!

I would go for my third trip if given the chance to visit northern Norway in the Fall. Hopefully I will see the northern lights and do some hiking in the area.

Thanks for checking out. Norway is beautiful!

We were blessed with beautiful weather when we were there. Thanks for following along.

Andalsnes is known for its location at the mouth of the Romsdalen valley, surrounded by dramatic peaks like the Troll Wall. It is the final stop on the Rauma railway known for its ‘Golden Train’. It is also well known for hikes which include Romsdalseggen Ridge and Rampestreken viewpoint. Visitors also can take the Romsdalsgondolen, a cable car which offers panoramic views on top.

Due to the limited time we had, we did not do any of the above. The treks are also too difficult for us.

We got off the bus at the Andalsnes station, it was a short uphill walk to Grand hotel. After checking in the hotel, we set off towards the harbor, looking for a place for dinner. After dinner, we took a stroll along the bank of the harbor. It was a beautiful evening.


Gondola station building


View from hotel room’s window

Hotel sitting area

Andalsnes harbor





We had a good breakfast provided by the hotel before we took the bus to Molde. The bus was departing at 10am. After breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and walked to the bus station which was just next to the gondola station.

It turned out the bus ride was absolutely scenic and comfortable. We enjoyed the journey to Molde, which is also nicknamed as the Town of Roses. Our bus ride also included a ferry crossing at Afarnes.