Silversea Luxury Cruises A NARVIK

Explore the splendid beauty and wartime past of Narvik during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion and cable car-ride up Mount Fagernes.

Narvik Town, Statues, Flowers, Rombaksfjord, Beisfjord, Kongsbakktind Mountain

Depart the pier for the short sightseeing drive through the centre of Narvik Town, whose statue groups and flowers impart a special charm. Narvik is nestled in a lovely setting at the tip of the peninsula between the Rombaksfjord and Beisfjord, and surrounded by impressive peaks like the 5,167-foot-high (about 1,575-metre-high) Kongsbakktind Mountain, also known as the 'Sleeping Queen'. The town owes its existence to the export of iron ore being mined in Kiruna, Sweden, and shipped to the ice-free port of Narvik for export overseas. The town is a relatively young one, as the Ofoten Railroad was opened in 1902.

War Cemetery, Market Square, War Museum

Following your orientation tour of Narvik Town, proceed for a visit to the War Cemetery, where soldiers from both the Allied Forces and Germany are buried. Afterward, a visit is made to the War Museum, located near the market square. Founded in 1964, the War Museum is divided into sections depicting the various chapters of the war through objects, models and photographs. Narvik is a well-known name from World War II. Fierce fighting went on here in May 1940, when the Allies managed to free the town from the German occupants, albeit not for long.

Mount Fagernes via Cable Car

Next, re-board your coach and head to the lower-station of the new Cable Car, which opened in 1995. Upon arrival, board a cable car and begin your ascent of Mount Fagernes en route to the upper-station, situated at a height of approximately 2,152 feet (about 656 metres). The breath-taking panoramic views are incredible, and the area is ideal for hikers and sporting activities such as hang-gliding. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your cable car for the ride down to the lower-station. Upon arrival, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven surfaces, hills and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, board/de-board the cable car and at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary. If weather conditions do not permit operation of the cable car-ride, the tour duration is reduced to three hours and a partial refund is provided.

Explore the scenic splendour of Narvik and the most northernmost zoo in the world during this memorable, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Narvik Town Drive, Ofotfjord

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive to the Salangs Valley Wildlife Park (Polar Zoo). En route, drive through the town centre of Narvik, a relatively young town founded in 1902. The town owes its existence to the export of iron ore being mined in Kiruna, Sweden, and shipped to the ice-free port of Narvik for export overseas. Although the railroad was built to enable year-round shipments of iron ore, it has also become very popular over the years among tourists visiting Narvik. The town has an attractive setting near the Ofotfjord, with a backdrop of impressive peaks.

Shoreline, Rombakfjord, Romback Suspension Bridge, Herjangsfjord, Bjerkvik, Gratangs Valley

Your drive follows the shoreline eastwards to the Rombakfjord. Here, cross the 1,968-foot-long (about 600-metre-long) Romback Suspension Bridge, which offers an impressive view out to the narrow fjord where fierce battles took place during World War II. After a brief photo stop, continue along the Herjangsfjord. At Bjerkvik, head inland up the Gratangs Valley, then drive through typical mountain scenery replete with birch trees and charming log cabins. This is a very popular recreation area for the people of Narvik in both summer and winter.

Salangs Valley Wildlife Park (Polar Zoo), Wild and Domestic Animals, Salang River

Next, proceed for a visit to the Salangs Valley Wildlife Park (Polar Zoo). Situated at 69° northern latitude, it is the northernmost zoo in the world. An approximately 2.5-mile (four-kilometre) asphalt road runs through this expansive nature park to enable the observation of the region's four predators, wolves, lynx, bears and wolverines, in their natural habitat. In addition, musk oxen, elk, reindeer, mountain fox, and badgers are also found here. During your visit to the Polar Zoo, view a wide array of wild and domestic animals in the park. The Salang River runs through the valley; wild animals can be found on one side of the river, and domestic animals on the other. Following your visit and refreshments, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.6 miles (about one kilometre), at times over uneven surfaces, hills and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the Polar Zoo. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary.

Discover the spectacular fjords, mountains, and lakes between Norway and Sweden during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion via coach and train.

Narvik, Ofoten Railway Train-Ride, Narvik Myr, Tjøtta and Fagernes Mountains

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Narvik Train Station. Upon arrival, board your train for the approximately 90-minute drive to Björkliden. Along the way, enjoy a spectacular view of the Tjøtta and Fagernes mountains. The Ofoten Railway opened in 1902. It was created for the export of iron ore being mined in Kiruna, Sweden, and shipped to the ice-free port of Narvik for export overseas.

Mountainside Ride, Rombaksfjord, Rombak Station, Rombaksbotn, Bjørnfjell Station, Tunnel

Most of the way, the train runs high up in the mountainside, along the Rombaksfjord and at the Rombak Station, which is well over 1,000 feet (about 305 metres) above sea level. At the head of the fjord lies Rombaksbotn, once a busy place during the period when the railroad was constructed. Rombaksbotn was also the site of the high drama in 1940, when ships from the Royal Navy defeated six German destroyers, which were all abandoned here. The wreck of one of them can still be seen to this day. The last station on the Norwegian side is Bjørnfjell, situated at a height of approximately 1,600 feet (about 488 metres). In this location, approximately 1.24 miles (about two kilometres) from the Swedish border, pass inside a tunnel where you can see the Swedish and Norwegian flags painted on the wall.

Björkliden, Polar Road, Mountain Scenery, Lakes, Rombaksfjord, Romback Suspension Bridge

Upon arrival at Björkliden, leave the train for a refreshment stop at a nearby hotel. Afterward, board a coach and commence the approximately 75-minute return drive to Narvik via the Nordkalott, or 'Polar Road', which opened in September 1984 in the presence of the Swedish and Norwegian kings. Along the way, pass through typical mountain scenery with lots of small lakes, then descend to the fjord once more and cross over the impressive Romback Suspension Bridge. Your tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 87 yards (about 80 metres), at times over hills and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and board/de-board the train. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a weatherproof jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary. This tour may operate by bus first and then return by train, or vice versa.