Romantic Norway Trip Guide: Historic Hotels, Fjords & Slow Travel

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For a milestone as meaningful as a 25th wedding anniversary, a cruise to Norway felt too scripted. We wanted something slower, more unexpected. So, instead of the customary Norwegian cruise port stops, we chose winding roads, ferry crossings and fjord-side villages. It was the perfect setting to celebrate together: unhurried, romantic and full of surprises waiting around the next bend.

Highlights

Discover where to stay in Norway beyond the cruise ships, with three historic hotels that offer authentic local culture, stunning scenery and a deeper connection to Norwegian life. Bonus: Lodging in Norway is very affordable, even at Michelin-star properties.
Experience Norway on your own terms, choosing independent adventures from Viking history and forest trails near Oslo to glacier excursions and fjord exploration further north.
Celebrate Norway’s most unforgettable treasures, including dramatic fjords, spectacular landscapes, exceptional cuisine and unique stays that made our 25th wedding anniversary trip truly memorable.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.

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Explore Norway from the Inside View

Woman inside the bow of a traditional Viking-style wooden ship at sunset, with calm water reflecting golden light and a tree-covered shoreline dotted with lights in the background. — As the sun dipped below the horizon, standing inside a Viking ship in Sundvollen felt less like sightseeing and more like stepping into Norway’s living history. Photo credit: Brian Chism

Having experienced two European river cruises, I knew how wonderful it could be to see multiple destinations in one trip, but for our anniversary, I wanted something more immersive. Rather than experiencing Norway through brief port stops, I wanted time to slow down, soak in the scenery and get to know the places and people that make the country so special.

What made the journey memorable was discovering WorldHotels’ partnership with De Historiske, a Norwegian collection of historic hotels and restaurants celebrated for their character, heritage and sense of place. These aren’t cookie-cutter luxury properties; each has its own story, rooted in the surrounding landscape and local culture.

From Sundvolden Hotel to Kviknes Hotel and Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri, we found that the accommodations were as much a part of the experience as the destinations themselves. For me, that’s what makes this collection so special: it offers a more personal, authentic way to discover Norway, with history and locals’ hearts woven into every stay.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Don’t rush through the Oslo airport! It’s more like a shopping mall with duty-free gift shops, good restaurants, bakeries and high-end clothing stores. Save room in your suitcase for some Norwegian chocolates.

Sundvolden Hotel, WorldHotels Crafted (near Oslo)

Sundvolden Hotel viewed through a canopy of green leaves, with landscaped gardens, outdoor seating, and forested hills surrounding the historic hotel in Norway. — Our first glimpse of Norway was a stay at Sundvolden Hotel, which felt like uncovering a secret historic retreat tucked between forested hills and fjords. Photo credit: Lisa Chism

Property: Sunvolden Hotel, WorldHotels Crafted | Address: Dronningveien 2, Krokkleiva, 3531, Norway | Phone: 1(800) 772-7081 | Hours: Open 24/7 (Check-in 4:00 PM, Check-out 11:00 AM) | Rooms: Historic and modern rooms from $137 USD/night

Nestled between forested hills and the sparkling waters of Tyrifjorden, Sundvolden Hotel combines nearly four centuries of history with contemporary Scandinavian luxury, having served travelers, royalty and nobility since 1648.

273 total rooms, including five historic rooms in the original building and many more modern rooms adjacent to a conference center.
Located beside Tyrifjorden and the legendary Krokskogen Forest, about 40 minutes from Oslo. Ample hiking with panoramic views nearby.
A large on-site fitness center and spa with complimentary wet and dry saunas and an outdoor jacuzzi. Massage treatments can also be scheduled for a fee. My husband and I each enjoyed a massage after arrival to recover from jet lag.
Complimentary Scandinavian buffet breakfast and free parking.

Activities Near Sundvolden Hotel

Hiker descending the Mørkgonga trail in Norway, overlooking a dramatic rock cleft, forested mountains, and a blue lake in the scenic Ringerike region. — A rewarding pause on the Mørkgonga hike reveals one of Norway’s most dramatic viewpoints, where rugged cliffs, dense forests, and shimmering blue waters create an unforgettable Nordic landscape. Photo credit: Lisa Chism

Easy Hike Option: Two-mile hike from Sundvolden Hotel to King’s View, with panoramic views of the fjord and town below.
Advanced Hike Option: A day hike of six miles and approximately six hours; we took our time and challenged ourselves to the Mørkgonga trail with fjord views and waterfalls.
Day Trip to Kistefos: Less than 20 miles from Sundvolden Hotel is an expansive outdoor sculpture garden and home to The Twist, an art museum that is an architectural wonder.

Kviknes Hotel, WorldHotels Crafted (Balestrand)

Sunrise view from Kviknes Hotel overlooking the Sognefjord in Norway — Sunrise over the Sognefjord reveals layered mountains, drifting mist, and dramatic cloud formations, showcasing the serene beauty from the shoreline of Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand. Photo credit: Lisa Chism

Property: Kviknes Hotel, WorldHotels Crafted| Address: Kviknevegen 8 Balestrand, 6899, Norway | Phone: 1(800) 772-7081 | Hours: Open 24/7 (Check-in 4:00 PM, Check-out 11:00 AM) | Rooms: Historic and modern rooms from $208 USD/night

Rising gracefully from the edge of the Sognefjord, Kviknes Hotel looks like something pulled from a Nordic fairy tale. Its historic Swiss-style architecture, preserved through generations of family ownership, has made it one of Norway’s most recognizable hotels.

A landmark fjord hotel on the shores of Norway’s largest and deepest fjord, the Sognefjord, with hospitality traditions dating back to 1752.
Known for its iconic Swiss-style architecture, historic art collection and breathtaking waterfront setting, we took a short hop flight from Oslo to Forde to reach this destination.
The hotel offers 190 rooms, many with spectacular fjord views and balconies.

A hotel room at Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, Norway, featuring a large bed and window. — A standard hotel room at Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, Norway. Photo credit: Lisa Chism

SheBuysTravel Tip: Hotel rooms in Norway and many European countries use duvets so that each person in the bed has their own blanket system. No more tug-of-war over the blankets!

Activities Near Kviknes Hotel

Hike around the small village of Balestrand and visit Ciderhuset for a lunchtime cider tasting. (Seasonally open from May through September).
Explore the elegant lounges and common areas at Kviknes Hotel filled with antiques and artwork collected over decades, creating a living museum-like atmosphere.

Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri, WorldHotels Crafted

Historic hotel in Bekkjarvik with flags flying out front and a more modern Beckerwyc Hotel on the hill in the distance. — Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri is a historic hotel on the water, nearby upon the hill is the new Beckerwyc House which offers 20 Michelin-key hotel rooms.

Property: Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri, WorldHotels Crafted| Address: Bekkjarvik 61 Bekkjarvik, 5399, Norway | Phone: 1(800) 772-7081 | Hours: Open 24/7 (Check-in 4:00 PM, Check-out 11:00 AM) | Rooms: Historic and modern rooms from $208 to $510 USD/night

For travelers who plan their adventures around food, Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri is a destination in itself. Located on a small island in Norway’s Austevoll archipelago, made up of 667 islands south of Bergen, the historic guesthouse has welcomed visitors for more than three centuries.

Bekkjarvik is a charming coastal fishing village in Austevoll, south of Bergen, with generations of families who have lived off the sea and land.
Celebrated for world-class culinary experiences inspired by the surrounding sea and local ingredients.
Easy access from Bergen via a scenic boat journey.
We splurged for the last leg of our trip and stayed at the Michelin-key Beckerwyc House in a modern suite with a sea view. This included in-room breakfast delivered each morning with fresh croissants, an assortment of fruit, eggs, fresh orange juice and French press coffee.
What’s magic: Authentic private coastal experiences including fishing and RIB boat tours with local fishermen born and raised by the sea via Bekkjarvik Experience.

A couple in rain gear holding fresh crabs on a boat near water. — Our favorite activity of the trip was a fishing expedition in Bekkjarvik. We got to pull crab pots and hold living crabs. Photo credit: Lisa Chism

SheBuysTravel Tip: It rains a lot in Norway! Being by the coast and surrounded by water, if you are visiting at least a week, you’ll likely have at least one rainy day. Take a raincoat and rain boots and embrace it. The rainy day we had made us slow down and enjoy the moments even more.

Activities Near Bekkjarvik

The best part of this sleepy fishing village is the people. We experienced a multitude of private hosted activities through guided tours with Bekkjarvik Experience.

We toured the largest commercial fishing ship in Norway, which happened to be docked on the island. This vessel can catch up to 100,000 fish per trip!
From there, we did our own private fishing expedition with a native of the island. We lifted crab pots from the bay and toured the rugged coastline to fish for fresh cod.
Our fresh catch was enjoyed the next day in a private cooking class at Beckerwyc House.
We also enjoyed the 16-course wine-paired tasting menu at Mirabelle, a Michelin-star restaurant at Beckerwyc House.
We took an exhilarating RIB boat tour across the ocean to a lighthouse and saw sea lions and eagles.
We visited a working wild fish farm and were treated to fish soup by the staff!

Bekkjarvik seafood tartlet topped with salmon roe, creamy sauce, and fresh greens, showcasing Norwegian coastal cuisine and local seafood specialties. — Bekkjarvik seafood tartlet topped with salmon roe, creamy sauce, and fresh greens, showcasing the island’s coastal cuisine and seafood specialties. Photo credit: Lisa Chism

Famed for its dramatic fjords, epic landscapes and mouth-watering food, Norway is one of those bucket list destinations that I truly believe is worth the investment. These three WorldHotels Crafted properties showcase very different sides of Norway.

All of these destinations allowed us to experience the true coastal culture, far from the tourist trails. This 25^th wedding anniversary trip was about more than only visiting a place; it was about understanding the people who have lived here for centuries and doing unique immersive experiences that no larger cruise itinerary could touch.

Getting There

Oslo and Bergen, Norway, both have large airports with connections to major international airports, including Amsterdam. Both Oslo and Bergen airports have easy taxi service to these hotels. Surrounded by water, Norway also has a robust boat and ferry system that is not difficult to navigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit Norway?

Citizens from the US, Canada, the EU and the UK do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date.

What is the currency, and do I need cash?

Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK). The country is almost entirely cashless. You can pay for everything—from high-end dinners to street parking and public restrooms—using a credit card.

Do people speak English?

Yes, most Norwegians speak excellent English. You will have absolutely no trouble communicating in hotels, restaurants or while navigating public transit and Norwegians are very friendly.

When is the best time to visit?

It depends on what you want to see. For hiking and experiencing outdoor activities that don’t involve snow, July to mid-September are optimal. Some hotels close by the end of October, depending on location and accessibility.

What should I pack?

The golden rule for Norway is layers. The weather can cycle through all four seasons in a single day, regardless of the month. Pack high-quality waterproof and windproof outer layers, thermal base layers and sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots. Throw in a skirt or dress pants with a sweater or two, and you’re set for a one-week trip.

SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.