Geology’s gift to the planet, Norway’s majestic fjordscapes top travellers’ bucket lists with the sort of scenery that leaves you lost for words.
Home to some of the longest, deepest and most awe-inspiring fjords in the world, Norway is the best place to get up close to these natural wonders. Avoiding the most visited spots, Up Norway has the insider expertise and local knowledge to take you on an unforgettable journey around pristine landscapes. You’ll discover remote communities (and warm welcomes), rich cultural heritage and of course, those breathtaking views.
Tailor your own unique fjord vacation. Come on Up!
Tailor your own unique fjord vacation. Come on Up!
As local experts and travel curators, we'd love to tailor your perfect fjord vacation. Just answer five simple questions so we'll know where to start.
What is a fjord?
Behind those iconic images of towering cliffs plunging down to glittering cobalt waters lies a fascinating geological phenomenon. Carved by massive glaciers over millions of years, fjords are actually submerged U-shaped valleys, some reaching incredible depths. These long fingers of water often reach far inland, hemmed in on either side by spectacular, steep-sided mountains and waterfalls that seem to spill from the sky. No wonder many consider them to be one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights.
UNESCO World Heritage Landscapes
Recognised for their exceptional natural beauty, two of Norway’s fjords, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 2005. It’s not hard to see why, as you glide through crystalline waters, passing sheer cliffs where waterfalls thunder in a mist of spray, while ancient farmsteads nestle on the slopes high above.
The best fjords in Norway
There are over a thousand fjords threaded through Norway’s rugged coastline, many in the western part of the country. From UNESCO-listed showstoppers to tranquil, seldom-visited gems, the Up Norway team can help match visitors with the most rewarding & fitting trip according to fitness, ability & interest whether it is hiking, swimming, kayaking or skiing. The Austrian philosopher Ludvig Wittgensten found the Norwegian fjord landscape so transformative it allowed him to delve deep into his philosophical concepts. Here are our favourite picks:
Spring months in Hjørundfjord
Best for: A one-of-a-kind skiing experience
Reflected in the sparkling waters of Hjørundfjord are the towering peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, reaching over 1,700 metres. A 35-kilometre arm of the larger Storfjord, its densely forested slopes rise to lofty summits swathed in snow, making this the perfect place for a unique summit-to-fjord ski adventure. Imagine carving fresh tracks from a mountaintop right down to the water’s edge. It’s a truly memorable experience, especially with private guides who know where to find the best powder for your level of expertise.
What to book: ‘Ski Down the Fjords of the Sunnmøre Alps’ is a thrilling four-day ski adventure. You’ll cruise through the fjords by private boat, with experienced guides picking the best spot for the day’s skiing, before staying the night at luxury boutique retreat Storfjord Hotel.
A fjord cruise along the majestic Nærøyfjord
Best for: Capturing that classic fjord photo
This UNESCO World Heritage site, Nærøyfjord ticks all the boxes: dramatic mountainsides, gushing waterfalls, postcard-worthy villages and idyllic farms clinging to the slopes. The best known of the many arms of the mighty Sognefjord, it’s petite by Norwegian standards: around 17 km long and a mere 250 metres wide at its narrowest point.
How to book: ‘Hop on the Arctic Circle Express Train’ is an epic 12-day rail journey taking in some of Norway’s most stunning sights, including a cruise on majestic Nærøyfjord.
Experiencing 'Kos' in Aurlandsfjord
Best for: A unique stay in the heart of the fjords
Like its twin, Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord is another branch of the Sognefjord. Rivalling its neighbour in the beauty stakes, it’s regularly named one of the most picturesque fjords in the world, with its sheer rocky walls swooping down to glassy waters. Its good looks mean that visitors flock here in the summer months, but you can beat the crowds by checking into a tranquil hideaway tucked away on the verdant floor of the Aurlandsdalen valley. Once an aristocratic fishing lodge, 29|2 Aurland is now a family-run retreat and the perfect base for exploring the area’s pretty villages and iconic wooden stave churches.
What to book: ‘Finding Kos by travelling slow’ is a very special four-week itinerary embracing the uniquely Norwegian concept of ‘kos’, the art of consciously appreciating your surroundings. You’ll spend a glorious week at 29|2 Aurland, where hosts Tone and Bjørn will help you explore the spellbinding surrounding landscapes.
Visit Geirangerfjord for spectacular mountain roads and hidden gems
Best for: Waterfalls with the wow factor
Its evocatively-named waterfalls are just one reason why this UNESCO-protected fjord landscape is a must-see. The ‘Seven Sisters’ (De Syv Søstre) and the ‘Suitor’ (Friaren) face one another across the fjord, with the suitor said to be trying to woo the sisters opposite. There’s also ‘Bridal Veil’ (Brudesløret), named for the way it tumbles delicately over a ledge, resembling a shimmering veil. It’s a place of remarkable beauty, so magical that the fjord inspired the fantasy kingdom of Arendelle in Disney’s Frozen.
How to book: ‘Bergen, Ålesund and Beyond’ is a 12-day journey connecting coastline, fjords and mountains, with time spent exploring the Geirangerfjord area with a private guide.
Famous hiking trails and Pulpit Rock in Lysefjord
Best for: Head-spinning hikes
The Lysefjord is the southernmost of Norway’s big fjords, just 45 minutes from Stavanger. Flanked by rugged peaks, it is in places as deep as the mountains are high. It’s home to the famous Pulpit Rock, a spectacular rock formation with dizzying views which appeared in a Mission Impossible movie. There’s also the world’s longest wooden staircase at Flørli (a thigh-burning 4,444 steps), with bird’s eye views from the summit and the mighty Kjerag Boulder, wedged in a crevice 1,000 metres above the fjord. The Lysefjord area has received the Sustainable Destination certificate for its work in reducing the negative impact of tourism.
How to book: ‘The Discovery Route’ is a beautiful 14-day journey with an emphasis on sustainable travel, which includes a visit to Lysefjord for off-the-beaten track hiking and a scenic cruise on the fjord itself.
Hardangerfjord: Historic hotels and Arctic cider
Best for: Cider heaven
Known as Norway’s orchard, the lush Hardanger region is famous for its fruit trees, first planted by Cistercian monks in the 13th century. It’s now a world-class cider producer, with artisanal farms reflecting a unique cultural heritage. Visit in springtime and you’ll be rewarded with clouds of pale blossom. The fjord itself is a stunner, and Norway’s second longest, stretching an astonishing 179 km inland from the Atlantic.
What to book: ‘The Discovery Route’ includes a visit to Hardanger’s award-winning artisanal cider farms, with plenty of tastings and scenic orchard walks.
When to go: Tailor a Hardanger-experience around Hardanger International siderfest in May.
Lyngenfjord in Northern Norway
Best for: Arctic thrills
Wild and remote, Lyngenfjord lies between Tromsø and Alta in the Arctic North. This is a region of unspoiled wilderness, where reindeer graze at the fjord’s edge and Sami culture is strong. The best way to experience it all is by staying at Lyngen Lodge, a luxurious pine-and-stone lodge overlooking the glittering blue waters of the fjord, with the snow-dusted Lyngen Alps beyond. Here you can tick off a bucket list of Arctic adventures, from whale watching and mountain biking to dog-sledding and skiing in winter. The remote location means there is almost no light pollution, so the Northern Lights shine brightly here.
How to book: Up Norway can tailormake a trip including a 3-4 night experience at Lyngen Lodge Summer or Winter. It can also be booked as an exclusive stay – a handpicked collection of high-end retreats.
For more details see: Lyngen Lodge in Northern Norway and other exclusive stays.
Varangerfjord: Roadtrip above the Arctic Circle
Best for: A gloriously remote roadtrip
The country’s easternmost fjord has a rugged Arctic feel, with a wild lunar landscape and bountiful birdlife such as eider ducks, barnacle geese, puffins and kittiwakes. Colourful villages dot the shoreline, where hardy communities base their livelihoods on the sea. Join a fisherman for the day for a unique insight into life here – it’s an experience to be treasured.
How to book: ‘The World’s Northernmost Roadtrip’ is a 14-day off-the-beaten-track adventure including a stay at Varanger Lodge, the brainchild of Edgar Olsen, a local fisherman who takes guests out on his boat to catch their own king crab supper.
Midnight sun and a feel of the Arctic in Isfjord
Best for: The ultimate escape
One of the Arctic’s largest, this far-flung fjord is a frosty wonderland. Partly located within a Norwegian national park, its chilly waters are home to an amazing array of species, including fin, humpback and blue whales, along with Arctic birdlife such as puffins, auks and fulmars.
How to book: ‘Far out in Svalbard’ is an extraordinary seven-day journey around one of the planet’s last great wildernesses, including a cruise on the icy waters of Isfjord, home to wildlife galore.
For more details see: Experience the midnight sun far out in Svalbard.
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