Exploring the Arctic

A scenic cruise along the shores of Toget Island allows you see one of Norway's most astonishing natural wonders - Torghatten Mountain. The mountain is known affectionately as 'the mountain with the hole', Torghatten is famous for the huge tunnel that strikes right through the middle of it and has has to be seen to be believed.

Forming a majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel, the Seven Sister mountain range is an awe-inspring backdrop to the myriad of islands and Norwegian landscapes. Standing 1,000 feet above the shoreline, these beautiful women are perhaps best observed in all their glory from your ship. It is possible to climb them, and to learn the legend of the trolls who were turned to stone!

The island city of Tromsø is one of northern Norway’s true delights. Rich with neo-classical architecture, the city known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ contains the largest number of wooden houses in Northern Norway, and its old world charm makes it a joy to explore.

A major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is famed as a viewing point for the colourful Northern Lights that often light up the night sky. The city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, the cathedral’s distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of Northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.

The many museums and galleries in the city include the Perspektivet Museum – set in a neo-classical building built in 1838 that has exhibits from Tromsø’s past, plus the Art Museum of Northern Norway and the Mack Brewery. Tromsø is also home to Polaria, an Arctic aquarium that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The aquarium’s tanks are full of Arctic fish species, and the friendly bearded seals always delight the visiting crowds.

Tromsø, and the stunning landscapes that surround it, are best viewed from the top of the Storsteinen Mountain, which stands 420 metres above sea level. Accessible via cable car, the peak is easy to reach and one of the most popular spots on the edge of the city.

Honningsvåg, on Norway’s North Cape, a fishing community characterised by its charming, pastel-shaded wooden buildings, attracts tourists from all over the world. Often referred to as the top of Europe, Honningsvåg is framed by dramatic rugged mountains and the remoteness of the Arctic Ocean.  

Honningsvåg is the gateway to the Nordkapp (North Cape), Europe’s most northernmost point. Its rocky coastlines, picturesque villages, endless cliff faces and vast snow-capped mountains are a joy to explore. For two months of summer, the sun is visible 24 hours a day from Nordkapp, and when the sun does set on this extraordinary landscape, the Aurora Borealis lights up the Polar sky. More on these wonderful seasonal changes can be experienced in the North Cape Hall visitor centre, which offers wide-screen film presentations about this Arctic region.

Honningsvåg was completely destroyed during the Second World War, but rapidly rebuilt. The Artico Ice Bar in the city centre – made entirely of ice sourced from the natural lakes of Norwegian Lapland – is worth a visit. While the sea views from the Kompasset Restaurant, and the freshly baked waffles of the Grotten Bar – a huge cave cut into the face of the Cape cliff, both need discovering. 

This beautiful island in the Barents Sea was first discovered in June 1596 by Willem Barents and fellow Dutch explorer Jacob van Heemskerk who named it Bear Island after spotting a polar bear here. Since its discovery, the island served as an important base for whale, seal and walrus hunting in the 17th century and was once home to a busy coal mining station. These settlements didn't stay for long however and today the island's only inhabitants are a small group of people that study local weather and sea conditions at the meteorological centre.

As one of only a few protected Arctic nature reserves, Bear Island boasts breathtaking untouched landscapes and an abundance of wildlife. Despite the island's name, it's unlikely you'll see polar bears here anymore – although they do occasionally float by on drifting icebergs – however you're sure to spot some of the northern hemisphere's largest seabird colonies perched on the magnificent cliffs as you sail along the island's striking shores. Be sure to keep an eye out for arctic foxes, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and various seal species too. 

Situated at 78° north, deep within the Arctic Circle, Longyearbyen is widely regarded as the world's northernmost town. It is also the largest settlement in Svalbard, located amongst incredible Norwegian Arctic wilderness on the archipelago's largest island, Spitsbergen. 

Set at the end of the Advent Fjord, and framed by flat-topped, snow-covered peaks, Longyearbyen is home to some 2000 inhabitants, several reindeer and the odd polar bear. The town Longyearbyen was only established as a permanent settlement in 1906 to exploit local coal reserves, and is named after American mining specialist, John M. Longyear.

Only one mine remains working, but Mine 3, which was turned into a living museum in 1996 on its closure, can still be visited. The museum guides are all former miners who give first-hand accounts about life underground. The Svalbard Museum also provides insights into the life of miners, and the other local industry, whaling. The 24-hour sundial reminds visitors that the sun doesn’t set for months during summer, and the Spitsbergen Airship Museum, which has exhibits from the era of polar exploration, is worth discovery.

Located far above the Arctic Circle at the foot of the beautiful Billefjord on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, Pyramiden – a former Russian coal mining town, was once one of the Svalbard Archipelago’s most important and busiest settlements, but is now home to only a handful of people who dedicate their time to renovating the town and conserving the natural environment in which it is situated. 

However, as much of the town’s original infrastructure and buildings still exist, there is still much to see on a visit to this eerie settlement. The most ethereal feature is undoubtedly the ‘bottle shop’, a house made entirely from white and green glass bottles, whose beauty and delicacy is a bizarre contrast in the harsh climate.

Large Soviet-era warehouses, living quarters and an old coal-fired power plant stand defiantly in the town centre and the network of empty mine shafts have been locked in time and offer a deep insight into the Soviet’s industrial past.

The awe-inspiring Nordenskiöldbreen is one of Norway’s largest glaciers, a 16-mile-long, 6.8-mile-wide crumbling wall of glistening Arctic ice that dominates the landscape of the spectacular Isfjord and Billefjord.

A Fred. Olsen cruise to Northern Norway and the remote Svalbard archipelago could include a memorable sail by Nordenskiöldbreen, affording you a rare opportunity to see this magnificent natural wonder in all its breathtaking scenic splendour.

Tempelfjorden is a fjord branch at the inner end of Sassenfjorden, a part of Isfjorden at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It is located between Sabine Land and Bünsow Land. The fjord is named after the mountain Templet, which resembles a temple. Every winter, the sailing vessel Noorderlicht is intentionally frozen into Tempelfjorden.

The desolate volcanic island of Jan Mayen is located in the Arctic Ocean between Greenland and Norway. Inhabited by only a few people, the island is largely unmolested and boasts stunning natural landscapes that are dominated by the incredible Beerenberg stratovolcano - the world's northernmost subaerial active volcano. A cruise alongside this beautiful remote island is a truly unforgettable experience.

Nicknamed the 'Capital of the North', Akureyri is an important port and fishing centre. Here, you can gain an insight into Icelandic culture and history at the many museums, galleries and exhibitions. In addition, the area is considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching and is also the starting point for discovering Iceland's iconic natural wonders, such as the Godafoss Waterfall and Lake Mývatn.

Ísafjörður has been one of Iceland’s busiest and most important fishing and trading centres for over 250 years. Perched on the peninsular of the Westfjords, it’s beautifully isolated and is set against a backdrop of steep mountains and an arcing spit that extends out into the deep Skutulsfjörður.

Reykjavík, Iceland's stunning coastal capital and cultural centre, is the world's northernmost capital. The city combines colourful buildings, creative people and extraordinary design, and some of the country's most beautiful natural wonders are within easy reach. This cosmopolitan city is home to the Althing, the world's oldest parliament, the National and Saga Museums, which trace Iceland's Viking history, and many galleries and exhibitions, including the outstanding Reykjavík Art Museum. The capital has benefited from a surge in high-quality restaurant openings, offering a broad mix of creative cuisine.

Located in southwest Iceland, which is characterised by vast peninsulas, coves, straits, and islands, Reykjavík is within easy reach of several must-see geological attractions. The iconic Golden Circle trail includes the Thingvellir National Park, the renowned Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Hot Springs. It's also home to Nauthólsvík Beach, Reykjavík's little bit of paradise, where cold sea and hot geothermal water meet to produce warm waters.

Frequently isolated by winter sea ice, the ‘White Palace’, Qaqortoq, is southern Greenland’s largest town. Founded by Norwegian traders in 1775, Qaqortoq still retains some beautiful colonial buildings from that time. The challenging landscape and harsh climate have ensured the preservation of Greenland’s traditional culture, and the many ancient Inuit skills of fishing, hunting and kayaking.

Qaqortoq is very proud of its ancient fountain – for many years the only one in Greenland – which has carvings of whales spouting water out of their blowholes, and the names of all of the town burghers in brass letters around its base. The Stone and Man project is also fascinating, featuring natural rock that’s been carved by local artists into abstract shapes and figures.

The charming Church of Our Saviour, dating from 1832, is found in the town centre, and the two local museums are also worth seeing. The ancient but well preserved Hvalsey Norse ruins are just outside the town. Hvalsey is mentioned in the Icelandic annals, the Flateyjarbók, and has extensive and substantial remains of dwellings dating back over a thousand years.

Narsarsuaq is a small settlement in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland, with a population of no more than 200 inhabitants. Around Narsarsuaq, the attractions include a great diversity of wildlife, gemstones, tours to blue-ice glaciers, and an airfield museum.

Just outside of Narsarsuaq is Signal Hill, offering panoramic views of the fjord and the icebergs which can occasionally be seen floating past. Inland is the stunning Narsarsuaq Glacier which grows out of the ice sheet of Greenland's interior. The stunning blue ice of the glacier is within walking distance and is reached via the picturesque Flower Valley.

Based around its international airport – a former US Military Airbase – Narsarsuaq is one of Greenland’s most popular tourist destinations.