About
Hordaland is a former county on the west coast of Norway, in northern Europe. It is a region shaped by water and mountains, where deep fjords cut inland between steep slopes, and where the sea and the high ground are never far apart.
What the region is known for
The landscape is the main draw. Hordaland is known for its dramatic fjords and its mountains, and a visit here is usually built around being outdoors and moving through the scenery. Travellers come to look at the water, to walk among the hills, and to take in views that change with the weather and the light.
Bergen and the wider area
The region contains Bergen, the major city of the area. Bergen makes a natural base for a stay, offering a city setting from which to explore the surrounding coast, fjords and mountains. Visitors often combine time in the city with day trips into the countryside around it.
Hordaland was a county in its own right, but it is now a former administrative unit, so you may see it referred to in older maps, timetables or guides. Whatever the name, the place itself remains the same: a western Norwegian coastline of fjords, mountains and a lively city at its heart.
Is it worth a visit?
If you enjoy wild scenery, water, and the mix of a working city with open country nearby, Hordaland suits a slower, outdoor-focused trip. Plan your time around the landscape and around Bergen, and allow for the changeable weather that is typical of the Norwegian west coast.
