10 Most Beautiful Fjords in Norway
Between villages with picturesque little houses, northern lights, outdoor activities, and communion with nature, a trip to the heart of the fjords will bring you all the change of scenery you need. Discover in this article the 10 most beautiful Norwegian fjords to visit.
For nature lovers, the Norwegian fjords represent one of the most beautiful trips. A place between dream and reality where nature leads the dance.
If you want to live an extraordinary adventure to discover the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, the fjords of Norway are the ideal destination.
Majestic, and wild, but with a dreamlike aura that seems to hover above them, the Norwegian fjords are true masterpieces for the country.
With more than 1,700 km of coastline, Norway offers a myriad of magnificent landscapes of which the fjords are the highlight.
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they have managed to preserve its beauty and purity in order to offer tourists unforgettable travel destinations.
What is a Fjord?
The fjord is a natural phenomenon that results from the encounter between ocean water and melting glaciers.
From a geological point of view, the fjord will be formed when a mountain will dig a valley during an ice age, and the latter will be filled with water from the sea.
The fjord will thus become an arm of the sea with several ramifications and penetrate inland.
Fjords are most often observed in areas of the globe located in the northern hemisphere. We find them in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Iceland, but also in certain parts of Russia and even in Argentina and Chile.
However, Norway is the country with the greatest concentration of fjords and certainly the most beautiful fjords in the world. The country has no less than 1000 spread over its entire territory.
Most Beautiful Fjords in Norway to Visit
For a deep immersion in the heart of Norway during your trip to the northern lands, you cannot miss a visit to the most beautiful fjords in Norway. To make the most of it, nothing better than a Norwegian cruise. Here is our list of the 10 most beautiful destinations!
1) Le Geirangerfjord
A real jewel nestled in the hollow of the mountains, the Geiranger fjord is absolutely beautiful. This site is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. Among the essential spots to discover in Geiranger, we can mention the waterfall of the 7 sisters or Sju Søstre. It rises to more than 250 meters high.
The Trollstigen route is also a wonderful place to discover during a hiking tour. It allows you to enjoy the panoramic view. You can also opt for a cruise in the fjordin in order to admire the landscape of steep cliffs.
For your holidays in the region, you will need to book well before your departure date in a hotel in the village. Indeed, the site is very touristy.
2) Le Sognefjord
The Sognefjord fjord is located in the north of the Bergen region. It is overlooked by mountains over 1700 m high and has a depth of 1300 meters.
Sognefjord is considered the longest fjord in the world with its 200 kilometers which divide the country in two from east to west. It has several offshoots with Naerøfjord, Finnafjord, and Lusterfjord.
You should not miss a visit to the villages with their picturesque houses planted on the hillside. As an indication, to find a hotel you will also have to do it well in advance.
3) L’Aurlandsfjord
It is a branch of the Sognefjord which is located in the county of Vestland. It is known for its majestic mountains and its width.
The fjord attracts light in such a way that a ghostly atmosphere seems to reign there with the mountains that surround it.
It is a magical spectacle that you can discover either on a hike or by taking a cruise from the town of Flam to Gudvangen.
4) Le Naerofjord
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Naerofjord is Sognefjord’s best-known fjord. Only 17 km long, it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful Norwegian fjords.
It also has the most beautiful landscapes with its cliffs, the famous Styvi farm which has become a museum and houses the smallest post office in the world, and also the charming white wooden church of Bakka.
To visit Naerofjord, you have to leave Bergen by ferry to reach Gudvangen and start your cruise in the Norwegian fjords.
5) Le Hardangerfjord
The Hardangerfjord is the 4th longest fjord in the world. It is home to glaciers like that of Folgefonna, recognizable by its blue color, mountains, sumptuous waterfalls, and, more surprisingly, fields of apples as far as the eye can see.
So much so that it is nicknamed the orchard of Norway. Do not miss a tasting of the regional cider which is worth the detour.
It is also here that you can admire the rock of Trolltunga which is 700 meters high and overhang the lake of Ringedalsvatnet.
The spot is ideal for hiking, and mountaineering, but also to have the chance to observe one of the most beautiful aurora borealis in Norway.
6) L’Oslofjord
The Oslofjord is a must-see walk on a trip to the Norwegian fjords. The area is renowned for the quality of its hotels, but of course for hosting the most beautiful landscapes in the region. Indeed, the Oslo Fjord is a kind of creek located in the southeast of the country, not far from the Kattegat maritime area which recalls Viking legends. During your stay in Norway, you can also admire the magnificent boats of these warriors at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
7) Le Nordfjord
It is a place that still seems raw as the landscapes are preserved there. The Nordfjord goes inland for more than 100 km and is one of the largest Norwegian fjords.
On-site is the largest glacier in Europe, the Jostedal massif. During your trip, you will have to let yourself be tempted by a visit to the Briksdal glacier.
Its road which leaves Olden and runs along Lake Oldenvatne t is worth the detour. This scenic getaway takes place in a sort of makeshift horse-drawn carriage. It will allow you to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the region.
8) Le Sunnmore
Spectacular and majestic, the Sunnmore Alps are a key stop on your tour of the Norwegian fjords. The only way to get there is to board a cruise from the town of Alesund.
On-site is the Hjørundfjord with its sublime peaks, but the most picturesque is undoubtedly the art nouveau architecture that you can admire in Alesund.
If you are in love with mountain landscapes, the Sunnmore is a unique opportunity to go hiking to discover the most beautiful of them, the Slogen.
9) Le Lysefjord ou Pulpit rock
The site is legendary because of its magnificent panorama. It also has the longest wooden staircase in the world. The latter has 4444 steps.
They allow hikers to reach the top of the mountain where the village of Florli is located. Of course, the Preikestolen rock which overlooks the fjord remains the unmissable attraction on site.
It is one of the most spectacular in the world with its 600 m² surface area. You can also admire the Kjeragbolten which is a rock that seems wedged between two cliffs.
The region is also known to be a corner of unspoiled nature. It even won the sustainable destination certificate in 2018 after adopting a responsible tourism approach.
10) Le Trollfjord
This magnificent spot in the Norwegian fjords has the shape of a long corridor surrounded by cliffs with snow-capped ridges.
It is located near the Lofoten Islands which offer an incredible landscape of raw and picturesque nature. This is the perfect place to observe the midnight sun.
This happens during the period from June to August during which most often, the star does not set. The opposite phenomenon, the polar night is also worth seeing.
It is also a privileged place to observe the magnificent aurora borealis. It is easy to reach the island from Oslo by train, by plane from all major Norwegian cities, or by boat. Ferries cross from Bodo to the Lofoten Islands.
When and How to Visit the Norwegian Fjords?
The Norwegian fjords enjoy great popularity among nature lovers. To discover them and make the most of your trip to Scandinavia, here is our advice.
The best time to visit the fjords is in summer. Of course, you will not forget to book a hotel room in Oslo or in a city on the coast that you wish to visit before your departure date.
It is possible to find hotels at very reasonable prices, in the city center or in a remote area.
To go on a Cruise
You can also hire a French-speaking guide. This person who will accompany you during all your travels will make you discover all the splendors of Norway.
To reach the Norwegian fjords, you can choose a cruise in Norway for one day or over several days.
This will be an opportunity to walk the coast and admire the colorful houses of Bergen listed as UNESCO heritage. We must not forget the cathedral of Tromso which is also called the “Paris of the North”.
By Train
It is possible to reach Nærøyfjord by train from Oslo. The rail route reaches as far as Bergen and is considered one of the most beautiful train routes in Europe.
The route allows you to discover the Norwegian fjords. Without forgetting all the sublime natural landscapes that make Norway a tourist destination par excellence.
By the Road
If you are a fan of extraordinary adventures, you can take a hike in the fjords. During your stay, you will rent a car to explore the Norwegian coast and visit the fjords.
From the west coast of Norway to the capital Oslo, a road trip will offer you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of this country. Symbol of freedom, nature, and beauty.
Also Read: 15 Best (Most Popular) Interrail Routes in Europe
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