A cruise to Norway is likely to have many highlights – but one of the main talking points will surely be the chance to see the world famous aurora borealis.
Known as the Northern Lights, this spectacle is an awe-inspiring moment that is likely to be the most unforgettable part of any Norwegian cruise.
One of the best places to view the Northern Lights from is the North Cape in the county of Finnmark, which harbours an impressive cliff that is between 500 and 600 million years ago and rises more than 300 metres above sea level.
The area boasts some amazing sea views thanks to its position, so if you don’t get to see the Northern Lights – which are best sighted in the late autumn, winter and early spring, ideally in October, February or March – you can still delight in the local scenery.
Visitors to the North Cape will find much to occupy them both within this part of Finnmark and elsewhere in the county.
You could go on a bird safari, visit a fishing village or take in the views from Knivskjelodden, the northernmost part of the region.
Elsewhere in Finnmark, there are five national parks to explore, each offering a unique experience.
For example, you could visit Seiland to see two of Scandinavia’s northernmost glaciers, or go to Stabbursdalen to immerse yourself in the most northerly pine forest in the world.
You may also want to take in northern Europe’s biggest canyon, or perhaps explore the culture of the local Sami people at the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.
Here you will also be able to indulge in summer and autumn activities such as hiking and winter pursuits like dog sledging, snowmobile safaris and cross-country skiing.
Other popular cruise stops around Norway include Bergen – the gateway to the country’s famous fjords – as well as the historic Viking city of Trondheim, the picturesque mountain town of Tromso and Hammerfest, the northernmost town in the world.
Whether you choose to sample each of these in turn on a normal cruise or make them part of a longer cruise holiday stay in the region, you’re likely to have a memorable break during your time in Norway.