Fjord Tours & Travel in Norway

Created in the ice age, fjords were formed when glaciers retreated from land, leaving behind U-shaped valleys and steep cliffs.

Norway is home to more than a thousand fjords and most of these are located on the north and west coasts of Norway. There are no fjords in Norway’s interior east coast or on its south coast.

The fjords of Norway are must-see attractions that are renowned for stunning natural beauty. There are a variety of ways to see them, but the best way will depend on how you prefer to travel.

One of the most popular ways to see Norway is via its reliable and highly-rated railway network and picturesque Norwegian cruise routes. Everything on our tours is arranged for you, so you’ll already have your tickets and timings well in advance of your journey. Our train and cruise packages also give you a great amount of flexibility, with you choosing how much time you want in each area and where you want to add days and activities within the tour.

Another reason to travel this way is for spectacular views. You’ll get to see beautiful landscapes from Northern Europe’s highest railway the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), and seascapes from the historic Hurtigruten coastal ferry. You can also travel the same scenic coastal route on a more modern Havila voyage.

However, if you want to discover Norway by car and drive the renowned roads such as Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) with its beautiful views over the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, then a self-drive package is for you. With the independence that comes from renting a car, you can visit areas and attractions that are off the beaten path, and dine in restaurants that are further away from the city or town centres. As well as this, your package will include a detailed map of Norway with your accommodations and personalised route marked.

If you want a local guide to take you to each attraction and share their knowledge of Norway, then a small group tour could be an ideal way for you to travel. Unlike many other tour operators, we have smaller groups so that you can spend more time with your guide and don’t feel rushed at any of the attractions. These packages are also more agile as you travel on minibuses which can get you to harder-to-reach areas.

Whichever travel style you prefer, you can put your trust in your dedicated consultant to plan an amazing journey for you and look after all the bookings and logistics.

On your adventure along Norway’s fjords, you get to enjoy the surrounding green areas, fjord villages and plenty of must-see attractions.

UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is well-known for its beautiful mountains as well as the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls. Named after a local folktale, the Seven Sisters waterfall is divided by separate streams that “dance” down the mountainside. The Bridal Veil waterfall drops off a cliff edge, appearing like a delicate thin veil over the rocks.

Another waterfall you should visit is 183-metre high Vøringfossen waterfall. One tip is to view it from the Måbødalen valley where you’ll get a great view of it crashing over the rocks below. This viewpoint will take some walking though, so be sure to bring walking boots and ask your travel consultant about activity levels.

If you’re a nature or geology enthusiast, then you may have heard of the Jostdal glacier (or Jostedalsbreen) the largest icecap in mainland Europe which covers nearly half of Jostedalsbreen National Park. Visit for rocky landscapes, moraines and pretty glacial rivers.

Your trip would not be complete without trips to the many surrounding towns and villages. Stop off at the Old Town of Stavanger for narrow streets and traditional 18th-century houses as well as the oldest church in Norway, Stavanger Cathedral. The charming village of Flåm is nested in Aurlandsfjord and is popular for wildlife watching and as a stop off point for the Flåm Railway.

You can find all these attractions and more in our itineraries, but if want to visit an area or sight that isn’t on the route, speak to your travel consultant to arrange this.

Want more inspiration for your trip to Norway? Read our article on the must-see attractions in Norway or the best Norway getaways for couples.

Norway's seasons each carry different benefits that will affect the sightseeing you do, and the activities on your fjord travel wish list.

If you visit from June through August, you’ll get to enjoy the sunshine during the days and nights thanks to the midnight sun phenomena. As well as this, you can join fun activities such as bird watching and kayaking.

The winter months are colder and will require more layers, but the mountains are usually snowy and you’ll have a better chance of seeing the northern lights if you visit between September and March.

Whatever season you choose, our tours have reliable departure dates that can be reserved online.

Read our extensive guide to Norway’s seasons and when to visit, on our blog.

With over a thousand fjords in Norway, it’s difficult to pick the best one. We can certainly share the most popular and well-known ones though, starting with the King of the Fjords, Sognefjord.

The deepest and longest fjord in Norway, Sognefjord stretches over 100 miles inland and is home to the famous Flåm Railway and UNESCO-listed Urnes Stave Church. Aptly named for its magnificent views and vast green landscapes, this fjord is a must-see for nature lovers. The Sognefjord in a Nutshell® route or the more popular Norway in a Nutshell® route are great ways to explore the fjord.

Home to Trolltunga, a famous rock formation and viewing point, Hardangerfjord is a perfect destination for lovers of outdoor activities and hiking. You can even walk behind waterfalls such as Steinsdalsfossen and try the cycling and hiking trails of Hardangervidda National Park.

Named after the colourful city of Trondheim, Trondheim Fjord is one of the most convenient fjords to explore. In the summer, there are plenty of car and passenger ferries that will take you to coastal towns like Kristiansund and the island of Munkholmen.

These are but a few suggestions, discover more beautiful fjords and the best way to visit them in our online guide.

In Norway, two fjords are awarded UNESCO World Heritage status: Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord. Both sit in the western region of Norway and are 120 km apart from one another. They are awarded protected status by UNESCO for being the “most scenically outstanding fjord areas on the planet”.

Norway’s fjords have varying depths but the deepest fjord in Norway is Sognefjord, which measures at 1308 metres (4291 feet) from its basin to ground level. To put that into perfective, it’s the length of more than 14 American football fields or taller than 14 Statues of Liberty.

When travelling to Norway’s fjords, Bergen Airport is an ideal arrival point as it is situated on the west coast of Norway and close to the likes of Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. However, Oslo Gardermoen Airport is the most convenient for international flights in and out of Norway and a major transport hub to the rest of Norway.

We advise that you start your tour in Oslo and travel to the fjords, as this would mean you also get to explore Norway’s capital city.

For an in-depth look at Norway’s airports and airlines, check out our travel guide on flights to Norway.

Yes, we have a wide range of arrival dates depending on the package and season. All our packages can be purchased online, so you can immediately see if your preferred dates are available. However, if you want to book your trip to Norway longer than a year in advance, contact our travel consultants.

The amount of customisation you can choose depends on the way you are travelling. Self-guided train and cruise and self-drive tours are more flexible than small group tours as dates are not pre-booked. Our self-drive packages are created with independence in mind, giving you the choice to spend time at the attractions you want. Similarly, our self-guided tours can be altered with extra nights along your journey.

However, for small group tours, you can personalise them by extending your stay at the beginning and end of your journey. You can also alter your trip with additional activities such as kayaking through the fjords and taking a tour of the Stegastein Viewpoint.

We suggest that you hold off booking your flights until you’ve received confirmation that your preferred tour is secured. Of course, you can look over flights for timings and dates. Once you’ve had your tour confirmed by your personal travel consultant, you should then choose and pay for your flights.

If you have any questions or if your flights have changed, you can always contact your consultant.

The weather in Norway can change at a moment's notice, so we advise that you bring plenty of warm layers, waterproofs and accessories like a light backpack for day tours and gloves and insulated socks. You should also bring:

• Warm jumpers or fleeces
• Flask or travel cup
• A waterproof jacket
• Gloves, scarves and hats
• Sensible walking shoes, boots or trainers
• Warm socks (specifically for winter travel)
   

For more ideas on how to dress well for the Nordic climate, check out our convenient packing guide.