THE FJORDS

An unforgettable experience

Once in your lifetime, you should experience this.

Impressive waterfalls. Grazing goats. A world where time passes at its own pace.

Giant glaciers carved out valleys, where the arms of the salty sea meet the feet of majestic mountains.

The word fjord stems from the Norse fjorðr, meaning to go, pass or cross over.

It has the same origin as the verb fare, to travel.

Travelling was something the many Vikings that once resided in this area were particularly good at.

PS: Guess where the word farvel (farewell) originates!

Today, modern Vikings cross the fjords in lots of different ways.

Wooohaa!

Oraaaah...

Enjoy a super-quiet day cruise onboard an electric vessel on a UNESCO-listed fjord.

Norway has thousands of fjords, the most famous of which are in Fjord Norway, in the western part of the country.

Fjord Norway is also a hiking paradise (don't worry, you can also simply catch a ride to the top in a gondola on some mountains!).

Top hikes in Fjord Norway

Experience the fjords when the leaves change colour by visiting in the autumn!

Stay for a while and experience the quiet tranquillity of one of the many quaint fjord villages.

You will also find pristine, dramatic fjordscapes in Northern Norway, like the famous Trollfjorden (pictured here).

A cruise along the Coastal Route aboard Hurtigruten or Havila lets you see all the most famous fjords in one trip!

Norway also has urban fjords, like the Oslofjord, full of fascinating WWII history, including sites like Oscarsborg Castle.

The fjords also provide exceptional flavours, like the renowned apple and cider heaven, the Hardangerfjord.

There are more than a thousand fjords in Norway. Most of the iconic fjords– those you may have seen on Instagram, like the Sognefjord, the Lysefjord, and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord – are in Fjord Norway, in the western part of the country.

But you can also find dramatic fjordscapes in Northern Norway and smaller and more tranquil fjords in the South.

Many fjords resemble still blue lakes yet consist of saltwater (mixed with freshwater from rivers and glaciers). They are prolonged arms of the sea, often reaching deep inland with majestic mountains towering above them on both sides.

Even though the fjords are often intertwined, and you can sail from one fjord to another or back out to sea, visiting them is like stepping into a secluded universe – especially when visiting the region in winter.

From past to present

However, the key to understanding why the fjords are perhaps the most important symbol of Norway – and amongst the country’s most popular attractions – lies in what they represent.

More than anything, the fjord landscapes evoke images of Norway in the past: a time when people made a living as farmers in impossibly steep and rocky surroundings (in some places they still do). A time when you could harvest from bountiful fruit trees, and a sheep’s head was considered a delicacy (it still is).

Although the landscapes may seem untamed and wild, the fjord areas are nevertheless easy to explore both on your own and on guided tours. There are small villages spread throughout, and trails for both glacier walks and mountain hikes are plentiful.

Book your very own Norway in a Nutshell tour to the fjords with Fjord Tours.

The fjords have their own charm in every season but autumn’s vibrant colours should not be missed.

Autumn escapes to Bergen-Flåm-Oslo

In winter, snow-capped peaks and frozen landscapes create a stunning backdrop for adventure.

A winter journey from Bergen to Flåm

Things to do by the fjords

Whether you want to experience the famous peace and quiet or get an adrenaline rush, the fjords are the ideal destination.

Start off with a fjord cruise, an easy hike or relaxing walk by the fjord, or take a guided tour to viewing points of the fjords, mountains, and waterfalls.

More challenging trips include steep hikes up to rewarding views at the top. You can also explore by kayak, or go SUP boarding, rafting, glacier hiking, rock climbing, and climbing on a via ferrata route. There are guided fishing tours in many places.

Go skiing all year round high above the fjord in the Hardangerfjord region, among other places. Summer skiing is a popular activity that may be combined with swimming in a fjord on the same day.

There are many fascinating sites for history buffs, ruins of ancient buildings, art and folklore museums, open-air museums, and Viking Age sites. Unesco World Heritage sites include Bryggen in Bergen, Urnes Stave Church, the fjords of Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord, and the surrounding landscapes.

There are several national parks in Fjord Norway with marked trails, where you can experience everything from wildlife, lakes, rivers and glaciers to mountain cabins and visitor centres.

Stunning World Heritage landscapes

The fjords of Fjord Norway, exemplified by the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, were granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2005.

“Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 metres from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 metres below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains,” writes UNESCO.

Not sure which fjords to visit?

With more than a thousand fjords around the country, it’s not surprising that many travellers wonder where to go and which fjords to see. Learn how to identify the most famous ones, and narrow things down with our recommended trips below.

The most famous fjords

5 trips around Fjord Norway

You can also discover the most famous fjords by train, bus or boat! With these trips you will get plenty of fjord views, fabulous hikes and tasty treats.

5 spectacular trips in Fjord Norway

Explore the fjords

See Norway’s longest, deepest and most famous fjords.

Stories from Fjord Norway

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A winter journey from Bergen to Flåm

Ålesund and Sunnmøre

The Sognefjord area

Fjord Norway

Winter adventures in the Geirangerfjord