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Island escape in Fjord Norway
Looking for an island escape? Look no further than Fjord Norway. Norway boasts more than 50.000 islands, islets and skerries and many of the most beautiful ones can be found along the Western coast. Whether for day trips or overnight stays – the islands of Fjord Norway are the escape from the everyday everyone has been dreaming about.
When driving or cruising from isle to isle it is worth to be on the lookout for seals, porpoises and sea eagles. One of the perfect places for birdwatching is Utsira island. Just 70 minutes by boat from Haugesund it is Norway’s smallest municipality, but every year it attracts many birders because of the 300 avian species in residence. Other draws include street art by world-renowned artists as well as the country’s highest-set lighthouse. Another popular island for birdwatching is Runde, near Ålesund, home to 230 types of bird in evidence.
Animal lovers can hop on a ferry in Florø bound for Svanøy, also called the “pearl of Sunnfjord”, for a guided tour of the Norwegian Deer Centre and close encounters with red deer. Those who prefer flora over fauna will find a garden paradise at Flor & Fjære. Each summer this island in the Ryfylke district bursts with fragrant blossoms, ornamental plants and exotic palms, just a 20-minute ferry ride from Stavanger.
Fjord Norway’s islands are also rich in traditional tastes and world-class dining. Fishing has been the lifeblood of coastal communities since Viking times, so it is no surprise seafood is on the menu. For a taste of “klippfisk”, salted cod traditionally dried on rocky skerries, a visit to the small fishermen’s island of Håholmen, just off the Atlantic Road, is highly recommended. Another unique experience is a fishing or crabbing excursion off the exclusive and isolated Flatflesa island. After the guests dock for dinner, lighthouse hotel staff will prepare the guest’s catch while they may relax and soak in a wood-fired hot tub or seawater pool.
How about some island hopping? Aboard a postal boat in the Solund archipelago, just north of Bergen, visitors can feel like the locals by being part of a guided cruise with residents — and the odd sheep — through a seascape of islets and skerries. Must-sees include the likes of lonely Utvær, where a lighthouse still guards Norway’s westernmost solid ground, and bustling Gåsvær, renowned for its colorful fishermen’s homes. Farther north, just two hours from Molde, a tiny island called Ona shelters the residents of Norway's southernmost traditional fishing village from Atlantic gales and storms. The windswept island also boasts a historical lighthouse.
After some fun in the sun? The island of Karmøy, south of Hagesund, is home to the Blue Flag-certified Åkrasanden, voted Norway’s most beautiful beach in 2014. Here, both residents and visitors, can stretch out in the sands to catch some rays of sunshine before soaking in the charm of idyllic village Skudeneshavn.
