Romantic Evenings in Åndalsnes
Romantic options in Åndalsnes are few, and they all revolve around the mountain views. The town is small, so a couple’s stay here is built from a gondola ride, a dinner with a view, a viewpoint walk and a train journey rather than a long list of venues. Prices are in Norwegian krone (NOK).
Dinner at Eggen
Eggen restaurant sits at the top station of the Romsdalsgondolen on Nesaksla, 708 m above the fjord. It serves a Nordic menu with views in every direction, taking in the fjord, the river and the Romsdal peaks. Opening hours vary by date, so check romsdalen.no and book a table before you go. The gondola ride up takes about 5 to 7 minutes, and a return ticket for an adult costs roughly NOK 460 to 625 depending on the season. The station is directly across the street from the railway station.
Plan the return carefully. Gondola hours vary by date, so find out the time of the last ride down before you sit down to dinner.
Golden Train and gondola packages
VisitNorway lists packages that combine the Golden Train tourist service, the gondola and a lunch or dinner at Eggen. They are seasonal, so look at the dates, what is included and the return times before you book. The Golden Train runs between Åndalsnes and Bjorli in summer.
Sunset at Rampestreken
Rampestreken is a steel viewing platform at 537 m, about a 15-minute walk down from the top gondola station. It faces out over the valley, which suits a clear evening. The platform is open year-round, and crampons are advised when the path is icy. Deep snow can make it unreachable. Queues form in summer.
A train ride together
The Rauma Line runs 114 km from Åndalsnes to Dombås, with regular trains taking about 1 hour 17 minutes. It follows the Rauma river and crosses the Kylling Bridge, a stone arch 59 m above the water. SJ Norge runs four services each way daily, and the line operates all year. A return trip fits easily into a day.
A quiet walk
For a gentle stroll, the waterfront and river area near Norsk Tindesenter and the gondola station is flat and close to the town. Norsk Tindesenter, at Havnegata 2, has a restaurant called Tindestua and a museum if the weather turns. Entry to the centre is from about NOK 90.
Where to stay
Rooms and apartments in town can be compared on Booking.com . Pick a place within walking distance of the station if you plan to take both the train and the gondola.
Read more: sightseeing in Åndalsnes lists the other landmarks and viewpoints around the valley.