In Vestland, Norway, Tap Into Nature at Its Most Elemental
From history and gastronomy in Bergen, the capital, to the stunning fjords and parks nearby, the region offers a panoply of Nordic pleasures in a small package.
With its deep fjords and high mountains, Vestland, a county in southwestern Norway created in 2020 through the merging of two other counties, looks like something out of a Tolkien novel. The region is a global leader in sustainable outdoor adventure, with noiseless, zero-emission catamarans that glide through the fantasy landscapes.
In Bergen, the charming coastal capital, the Hanseatic Museum, which tells the story of the medieval Northern European merchant class, will reopen after a renovation, while the restaurant Gaptrast, which earned a second Michelin star in 2026, continues bringing the Nordic wilds to diners’ plates. The city will also be getting its own state-of-the-art boat in 2027 for nearby fjord cruises. Farther afield, visitors can venture on thrilling treks in national parks like Jostedalsbreen, capped by Europe’s biggest glacier, and Folgefonna.
(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)
When to Go
Summer is full of long, bright days that maximize opportunities for hiking, kayaking, fjord cruising, and wildlife watching—it’s prime time for whales and sea eagles. Come a bit early for the Bergen International Festival, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, which brings world-class orchestras to the stage from late May to early June.
Autumn is cool and wet, with plenty of colorful foliage. Spring brings lush, green landscapes but also fickle weather, with copious amounts of fog, rain, and icy winds. Winter is very cold, but that doesn't stop skiers from carving up the slopes in Myrkdalen and Voss.
What to Do
Go Back in Time in Bergen:
The city’s Bryggen quarter is a time portal to medieval Norway, when Hanseatic merchants made their fortunes exporting dried cod. To learn more about this elite class, active between the 14th and 18th centuries, visit the Hanseatic Museum, reopening in 2027 after a major makeover. Afterward, explore the cobbled alleys and brightly painted timber wharf buildings of the area, a UNESCO World Heritage district.
Hike to a Spectacular Rock Formation:
Trolltunga, which translates as “troll’s tongue,” juts 2,300 feet above Ringedalsvatnet Lake like a diving board for the gods. Reaching it involves a challenging 16.7-mile trek from the village of Skjeggedal, which can take up to 12 hours. Hire a guide from Trolltunga Adventures or Trolltunga Active and arrive at sunrise or sunset.
See a Ravishing Fjord:
In a country famous for its astonishing glacier-carved inlets, Nærøyfjord might be the most beautiful of them all. With rock walls soaring 5,900 feet above prismatic blue waters, this narrow fjord stuns with its wispy falls, farms pinned to steep hillsides, and abundant seals, porpoises, and white-tailed eagles. Immerse yourself in its drama on a two-hour electric boat cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen. Or rent a kayak or standup paddleboard in Flåm for closeups.
Getting Around
There are no direct flights from the U.S. to Bergen Fresland Airport, about 45 minutes from the city center by light rail or 20 minutes by taxi or rental car. Alternatively, fly into Oslo Airport Gardermoen and take an overnight train; beginning in 2027, comfortable lie-flat PlusNight seats will become available for the seven-hour trip to Bergen. The city is highly walkable, but you may want a car to reach Vestland’s remote corners. To get to Trolltunga by public transport, take a three-hour ride on Skyss bus 930 to Odda, which is 20 minutes’ drive from the Skjeggedal trailhead. Nærøyfjord can be reached from Bergen on the unforgettable Norway in a Nutshell journey, which combines bus, electric boat cruise, and a ride on the Flåm Railway, one of the steepest railways in the world.
