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Photo credits
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Pre-Christmas in the Fjords and in the North
Christmas is a big deal with lots of traditions and fun things to do, and a pre-Christmas trip to Norway is always a treat. There’s celebrating Christmas, and there’s celebrating the Norwegian way!
How about combining two of our most spectacular regions in one short break for a truly memorable yuletide warm up? Start the celebrations in Fjord Norway and experience the timeless fjords. From Bergen a short flight connects you with Tromsø above the arctic circle in Northern Norway. Up here, above the arctic circle is where you have the best chance to see the Northern Lights.
Magical Fjord Norway
The fjords are a magical and mysterious place, carved by the gods themselves, where time seems to work differently. A majestic blue light kisses the landscape during the “blue hour” right before the sunset in the early afternoon. As the shadows bounce off the mountains, the fjords become a place of wonder and majesty. The winter solstice in December marks the return of the sun after the longest night of the year and is welcomed at Christmas time with rows of candles and explosive fireworks.
From the tiny villages hidden in Sognefjord and the winding road round down to Flåm to the Fretheim hotel, everywhere is enveloped in Christmas lights. You can explore the Sognefjord in winter by Norway in a Nutshell.
Bergen. Gateway to the Fjords and the ideal Fjord base
Bergen is a compact and walkable city, steeped in history and with a well-deserved reputation for fine food. The combination of nature, culture and a cosmopolitan feel give you an authentic fjord experience. Bergen is a European city of culture with countless museums and galleries, cafés and restaurants. The city still pulsates with life in winter. It’s the sort of place that can be relied upon to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Christmas specialties
Have you ever built a Gingerbread house and thought “this looks like it could be lived in?” Bergen is home to the largest Gingerbread town in the world. At the Christmas market right in the heart of the city, you’ll have your pick of seasonal delights, anything from hot food to sugary treats, or handmade Christmas gifts. Even if you’re only going to soak up the ambiance, it’s an experience in itself just walking around and seeing the market in full flow.
Festival of Lights and candlelit nights
The Festival of Lights is a tradition that takes place every year in the city centre. Families are invited to light torches and enjoy seasonal music, surrounded by the Christmas lights from the city and a brilliant firework display. Another tradition is lighting candles on Mount Fløyen every Sunday leading up to Christmas. The hike up to the restaurant at the top takes around an hour and the winding paths are all lit during the evenings. When it snows it's perfect for a sled ride!
Festive food and drink
In the months leading up to Christmas, the local restaurants serve traditional regional specialities that are not to be missed. The most popular dish is ‘Pinnekjøtt’ which is salted mutton rib that you can wash down with a refreshing glass of locally brewed beer. Read more about Christmas in Bergen.
©Top photo Robin Strand/Visit Bergen
Tromsø - The perfect place to get that lovely Christmas feeling
A visit to Tromsø in the Polar night season can really be something special. Surrounded by snow covered mountains and maybe with the Northern lights dancing over your head, you are destined for some Christmas magic. The city centre streets, shops and restaurants will all be filled with beautiful Christmas decorations, and the polar nights create a cosy atmosphere in town. There will be many things to do during your stay. Make a stop by the Christmas markets or go skating in the city centre ice rink with beautiful views of the Arctic Cathedral and the Cable Car. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or our Christmas speciality "gløgg".
Christmas cheer and Christmas Beer
One of the best ways to discover Tromsø is to visit cafes and restaurants. They’re warm, welcoming and weary shoppers will often find an empty chair calling to them as they take a well-earned rest from their Christmas activities and refuel with a coffee or a glass of something tall and refreshing.
Adventures in Arctic Cooking
Christmas is a cherished holiday for many Norwegians, and the food traditions are very important. Tromsø is home to an ever-expanding range of eateries. Most have a strong emphasis on locally sourced or produced ingredients, pulled from the ocean or plucked from the mountains and lovingly prepared by top chefs who in recent years have placed Tromsø on the map of international gourmet cuisine. Local delicacies include Skrei (cod that migrate to local waters at Christmas time), reindeer steak, lingonberries and king crab, washed down with aquavit or Mack beer from the local brewery (the Northern-most brewery in the world).
There’s No(r)way you can miss out this Advent
Christmas in Norway is full of traditions, whimsy and wonder, something that you can’t help but fall in love with. Whether you’re looking for the beauty of the fjords, tick the Northern Lights off your bucket list, or simply get into the festive spirit, Norway knows no limit to its Christmas cheer and neither should you!
With 4 daily direct flights between Bergen and Tromsø – it is easy to combine a visit to the Fjords with an adventure up north! Start your pre-Christmas adventure with a flight to Bergen.