Say “Norway” and most people picture the fjords — those deep blue arms of the sea reaching far inland between towering cliffs. Carved by ancient glaciers and laced with waterfalls, they are the country’s defining natural wonder. Here is a journey through the most spectacular of them.
Meeting the Giants
The fjords are the work of millions of years: glaciers gouging deep valleys that filled with seawater as the ice retreated. Of Norway’s many fjords, two stand above the rest — Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord — both listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their sheer, unspoilt grandeur.
Geirangerfjord
Cruising Geirangerfjord is like sailing through a fairy tale. Waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters and the Suitor tumble hundreds of metres straight down the cliffs, and tiny abandoned farms cling to impossibly steep ledges above the water. It is the most famous fjord in Norway, and deservedly so.
Nærøyfjord
A branch of the great Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord is one of the narrowest fjords in the world — barely 250 metres across at its tightest, with cliffs rising more than 1,000 metres on either side. Gliding through its still, dark water past a handful of tiny shoreline villages is an unforgettable experience.
Adventures Await
The fjords are not just for looking at. You can hike to famous viewpoints like Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and Trolltunga, kayak on mirror-calm water, or take the celebrated Flåm Railway down through the mountains — one of the world’s most scenic train journeys.
Room for the Soul
For all the adventure, the fjords’ greatest gift is their stillness. Drifting through these vast, silent landscapes, far from the rush of daily life, is a reminder of just how grand — and how worth protecting — the natural world can be.
FAQ
What is the best way to see the fjords?
A fjord cruise is the classic option; combining a train (the Flåm Railway) and a boat on the “Norway in a Nutshell” route is a popular way to take in Nærøyfjord.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September, when the waterfalls are full, the days are long, and cruises and mountain roads are running.
What is the nearest airport?
Bergen (BGO), the “gateway to the fjords,” is the main hub; Ålesund (AES) is handy for Geirangerfjord in the north.
