The Most Famous Fjord in Norway

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It was drizzling slightly as I pulled my rental car into the car ferry line atย Hellesylt and popped into the gift shop for a last-minute purchase of some gloves (who knew it would still be so cold in Norway in May?).

As I sat in line and waited for the ferry to arrive, I did some people watching and attempted to do some reading about the fjord that now lay in front of me. As I waited, a bus full of tourists rolled up and emptied into the ferry line, pulling plastic rain ponchos up over their heads.

This wasn't surprising, however: Geirangerfjord is arguably the most famous fjord in all of Norway – which is saying something, considering how many fjords Norway contains. The S-shaped fjord on Norway's west coast is one of the longest and deepest in the world, and is considered an “archetypical fjord landscape and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere,” according to UNESCO.

Above Geirangerfjord

As of 2005, Geirangerfjord – along with nearbyย Nรฆrรธyfjord – was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site thanks to its incredible beauty.

I was understandably excited to see more of it.

Sailing Geirangerfjord in Norway

After I parked my car on the ferry, I headed up to the upper decks for the next hour of sailing 16 kilometers of the famous fjord. All the seats on the top deck were already claimed by the walk-on bus passengers by the time I got up there, but I ended up enjoying the ride much more by switching between the walkways on either side of the ferry.

Geirangerfjord car ferry

Sailing Geirangerfjord in Norway

There's no denying that Geirangerfjord is gorgeous. It reminded me a lot of some of the fjords I've visited in New Zealand, with sheer cliffs, dark waters, and cascading waterfalls.

Geirangerfjord in Norway

Geirangerfjord in Norway

I was slightly put off by the fact that everyone on the top deck of the ferry spent almost the ENTIRE cruise buying french fries from the onboard cafe and throwing them to the seagulls following the boat, though. Because, you know, we've NEVER EVER seen SEAGULLS before OMG! (/sarcasm)

Sailing Geirangerfjord in Norway

Sailing Geirangerfjord in Norway

Thankfully the cruise was just the beginning of my adventure in and around Geirangerfjord. As much as I enjoyed sailing through the fjord (yes, even with all the squawking birds), the rest of the day just got better.

Things to do in Geiranger, Norway

My cruise into the tiny port town of Geiranger was just the start of my Norway fjord adventure. For the rest of the afternoon, I spent my time exploring everything Geiranger has to offer.

If you find yourself in this town for a day (perhaps off a cruise ship, since Geiranger is a popular cruise port), here are a few things you can consider doing:

Lunch with a view

First order of business once getting off the ferry in the tiny town of Geiranger: food! I headed up the winding roads above the fjord toย Westerรฅs Farm, a combination farmstay and rustic restaurant with some AMAZING views.ย My host, Ove, from the local tourism board recommended the goat to me, but I wasn't quite brave enough to try it (though, lo and behold, I ended up eating goat that night for dinner – and guess what? it was delicious!).

Geiranger, Norway from Westerรฅs Farm

Whether you are hankering for goat or not, the views fromย Westerรฅs Farm alone are worth visiting for lunch.

Driving a Twizy

Yes, it's true I had a rental car for my time in Geiranger. However, my hulking Volvo station wagon was a little unwieldy on the narrow, twisting mountain roads surrounding Geiranger. So Ove and I traded my car in for a Twizy from eMobility Geiranger for a couple of hours.

This is a Twizy in case you haven't seen one:

Electric Twizy in Geiranger, Norway

Basically it's the tiniest of electric cars with doors that open upwards. The company's slogan in Norway is “Travel without a trace – with a smile!” And that's exactly what we did. I had a smile plastered on my face and was laughing almost the entire time I was driving that tiny car.

Driving a Twizy electric car in Geiranger, Norway

Driving a Twizy electric car in Geiranger, Norway

The way these work in Geiranger is pretty cool. You tell eMobilityย how long you want to rent a carย for (it's 800 NOK or about $98 USD for an hour) and what you'd like to see. They then set you up with a GPS that also acts as a digital guide, sharing fun facts with you about the things you drive past.

Ove and I drove to “the Knot,” which you can't drive a regular car through, and stopped off at some of Geiranger's best lookouts along the way.

At The Knot in Geiranger

This would be a great option for cruise ship passengers stopping for a day in Geiranger.

Becoming Queen of the Fjord

Speaking of those lookouts, you really, really don't want to miss them. Namelyย Flydalsjuvet, where you can see one of the most famous views in Norway.

View of Geiranger from Flydalsjuvet

This lookout has two parts – an upper and a lower. The lower section is where you'll findย an installation called “Fjordsetet,” also known as the “Queen's Chair” since itย was unveiled by Norway'sย Queen Sonja in 2003. Best seat in the house, for sure.

Flydalsjuvet lookout in Geiranger, Norway

But I couldn't leave Geiranger without getting THE shot. You know, the one with me standing on top of a precarious-looking rock hanging high over the fjord?

This isn't an official part of the lookout (since, you know, danger), but Ove assured me that everyone hops over the 12-inch fence to take the photo anyway. In fact, he even helped me get my epic shots.

View of Geiranger from Flydalsjuvet

Queen of the Fjord in Geiranger, Norway

Totally. Worth. It.

The Eagle's Road

Our time in the Twizy had to come to an end, but I still had one more great view to see in Geiranger. I took my rental car (which now seemed even MORE huge in comparison to the minuscule electric car I'd just been driving around) up theย ร˜rnevegen, or Eagle's Road. This is a stretch of Road 63 out of Geiranger that boasts 11 hairpin turns and a gain of almost 2,000 feet in elevation.

ร˜rnevegen (Eagle's Road) in Geiranger, Norway

At the top, you'll findย ร˜rnesvingen: Eagleโ€™s Bend. I think this was actually my favorite view of Geirangerfjord because you really get a sense of just how BIG it is.

View from ร˜rnesvingen (Eagleโ€™s Bend) in Geiranger, Norway

View from ร˜rnesvingen (Eagleโ€™s Bend) in Geiranger, Norway

Plus, the few rays of sunlight peeking through the clouds didn't hurt, either.

Geirangerfjord from View from ร˜rnesvingen (Eagleโ€™s Bend)

I honestly didn't know what to expect from Norway's most famous fjord. And, to be entirely truthful, if my adventure had ONLY included that bird-infested ferry ride, I may have left disappointed.

But, thankfully, there's plenty of cool things to do and see in Geiranger – and I'm really glad I stuck around to experience a lot of it!

View of Geiranger from Flydalsjuvet

WHERE I STAYED

I didn't stay in Geiranger (though there ARE hotels there), and instead stayed in Norddal, a quiet little fjord town about 35 minutes away. I stayed at theย Petrines Guesthouse,ย and was the only guest in the late May off-season. The guesthouse was lovely. It used to be an old folks home, but was bought (and is now run) by about 8 people from the local area, which I thought was really cool. The guesthouse also has a small restaurant, and it was here that I tried goat for the very first time! (It tastes a heck of a lot like chicken, in case you're curious.)

Who wants to go to Geiranger now?

Visiting Geirangerfjord in Norway

 

*Note: Big thanks to Innovation Norway and Fjord Norway, along with the local tourism board, for hosting me during my visit. As always, opinions and recommendations are 100% my own!

"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien

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47 Comments on “The Most Famous Fjord in Norway

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  1. Hey love your pictures. Am hoping to go to Geiranger this weekend. Can I ask how many days you stayed here? I am hoping to do just a day trip and wondering if that is possible. Thanks!!

      I was just there for a day! I took the ferry there in the morning, spent the afternoon exploring, and then stayed overnight in Norddal (which is about 35 minutes away). Two days would probably be ideal if you have a car or want to do some hiking.

    Just got back from Norway, although I visited Naeroyfjord instead. Sad I didn’t have enough time to visit Geiranger but hopefully next time! Really liked Naeroyfjord though so I’m so curious to visit this one.

      Any fjord in Norway is a good fjord. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Ok – I have GOT to bump Norway up on my bucket list – your photos are stunning, thanks for sharing!

      Ahhh it’s such an awesome country! Definitely bump it up on your list!

    I’ve completed my undergrad in Norway. This country is heaven to me. By the way these photos are too much attractive. Nice photography.

      Norway is such an awesome country! Glad you like the photos. ๐Ÿ™‚

    It’s gorgeous! The last photo made my heart skip a beat. My fear of heights kicked in just by looking at it. :p I can see why your favorite view is from the Eagle’s Bend though. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Some of these viewpoints certainly aren’t for those who are afraid of heights! But so so amazing.

    OMG! The view looks absolutely gorgeous! The landscape and water is what the Nordic States do so well. Nature, animals, peace and serenity.
    Very nice indeed!

      Yup, Norway certainly does scenery well!

    Norway has literally been the top of my bucketlist for as long as I can remember.

    This post only expanded my wanderlust. Can’t wait to be there this time next year!

      It’s been very high on my list for a long time, too! I’m so glad I finally got to go (though there are still plenty of parts of Norway that I haven’t seen yet!)

    Ab-so-lu-te-ly gorgeous! I am dying to visit Norway and hike my way around the Fjords. Sadly it’s so expensive:-(

      It’s definitely not a cheap country to travel in. But I think it’s worth it!

    We were on a cruise last month that included some Norway ports. Unfortunately it didn’t go up as far as Geirangerfjord (poor us, we went to Iceland instead – first world problems, right?) but we fell in love with what we saw of Norway and a visit is definitely on the agenda.

    When we do, it will definitely include both Bergen and Geirangerfjord!

      Iceland certainly isn’t a bad alternative! But yes – definitely get yourself back to Norway sometime. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Wow! Speechless I am…Norway fjords are truly stunning! I envy you for that ‘edgy’ photograph. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Haha, the “edgy” photo was much less scary than it looks (I promise!). Really glad I got it though – still kind of can’t believe I was really there!

    Wow, fantastic photos, I’m very jealous of your trip and would love to visit the Norwegian Fjords! It looks stunning, and also reminds me of New Zealand’s Fjordland! this is just one more destination to add to my ridiculously long list of places to visit when I finally return to the UK!

      Norway would be just a short hop for you from the UK! Definitely worth checking out.

    Beautiful! Those e mobility cars are so cute as well, plus I love that you can use to get some places that regular cars can’t go. Don’t know if I’d be brave enough to take THAT photo, though!

      The cars were adorable, and it literally was impossible to avoid smiling while driving them!

    WOAH this is amazing and that shot is EPIC and totally worth a little danger. That tiny car sounds so cool too!!

      The Twizy was SO FUN! I wish I had use for one in real life! Haha.

    OMG Amanda your photos are amazing! Truly. I went on a cruise in the fjords but I didn’t get to see them from atop like you did, and although that pose you struck at the edge of the cliff is TERRIFYING it is also kind of awesome.

    Bucket list = updated.

      I’m really glad I got to see them from above as well as from the cruise boat! I definitely enjoyed the “above” views better!

    Okay, I love that your contact from the Tourism Board was the one that encouraged you to climb over the fence! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    I went hiking in the Geiranger area once and had some incredibly epic views, but I somehow missed almost all of the spots that you showcased in this post – seems like I need to go back! ๐Ÿ˜‰ (And do I comment the same thing on each of your Norway posts?)
    I also love that you managed to experience the Geirangerfjord on a day that appears to be a little less busy – when I visited that were literally three giant cruise ships parked on the fjord! ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Haha yeah I thought that was funny, too! But he was basically just like, “You can’t come here without getting this photo!”

      And yes, there was only one cruise ship in that day since I was there before high season really kicked in. Late May was a great time to go to beat the tourist season!

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