The Geiranger Fjord is probably the most famous in all of Norway for the incredible scenery through which it flows. However, it is also one of the places that receives the most tourists throughout the year. In this post we tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful fjord, how to get there, what to do and many other tips that will make you enjoy the experience 100%.
What to see in Geiranger Fjord
Geiranger Fjord is located in a natural setting surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and lush vegetation. One of the favourite activities for tourists visiting this spectacle of nature is hiking, however, the fjord offers many other water and mountain activities which we’ll tell you about below.
1. Skageflå and the 7 waterfalls viewpoint
The Skagefla route is one of the most demanding in the Geiranger Fjord, but also one of the most spectacular. From Homlong the route takes between 4 and 5 hours, about 10 km of walking along steep coastal slopes. The trail is very well signposted, and you can’t get lost.
At the end of the trail, 250 metres above the fjord, you’ll come across an abandoned farmhouse and the incredible view of the 7 waterfalls, a World Heritage Site. One thing to bear in mind is that during the winter the waterfall is usually frozen and the path is more difficult if there is ice or snow.
2. Geiranger location and Storsæterfossen waterfall
The village of Geiranger is one of the must-see stops when visiting the fjord for the spectacular views of the coastline and the way the cottages blend into the landscape. From there it is a short walk of 6 km round trip that leads to a small waterfall (Storsæterfossen waterfall) with beautiful views of the village. Be prepared, though, for the throngs of tourists arriving on cruise ships.
3. Kayak Excursions
This is a great way to visit the fjord from water level. The sensations are incredible; you definitely feel insignificant against the immensity of the mountains surrounding the deep blue waters. Tours can be booked from the town of Geiranger itself, which rents out kayaks of various sizes for around €20 an hour.
4. Dalsnibba’s platform
At 1500 metres above fjord level stands this lookout with the best views. The best way to get there is by road, a 20-minute drive from the town of Geiranger. The viewpoint is in the car park itself, which costs €17 to access by private car. You can also get there by bus from the village for €35. Please note that if there is a lot of snow you will not be able to get to the car park and buses will not leave.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Geiranger Fjord
Geiranger Fjord is quite isolated, so the main points of interest in the surrounding area are no less than 5 hours away. On the plus side, there are enough activities along the fjord to last several days, but if you’d like to explore further, here are a few recommendations.
1. Sognefjord, the world’s largest fjord.
Slightly less than 6 hours from Geiranger is the world’s largest fjord, Sognefjord, stretching 204 km and more than 1300 metres deep in places. One of its branches, Nærøyfjord, is also a World Heritage Site. Europe’s largest glacier, the Jostedal Glacier, begins here. The fjord is surrounded by 1,000-metre-high cliffs, and as well as being accessible by boat, you can also visit the coast by train.
2. Nordfjord Fjord
Enveloped by the wildest nature is the Nordfjord, one of Norway’s most famous fjords. It is located in the heart of Jostedalsbreen National Park, which covers 1,300km2, making it the largest national park in Europe.
Around Nordfjord you can go hiking, horseback riding, surfing and coastal sightseeing. From Geiranger Fjord it’s a 4-hour drive.
3. Hjørundfjorden
Hjørundfjorden is the closest fjord to Geiranger, from where it is only a 3.5 hour drive. It is also one of the most spectacular fjords because of the height of the surrounding mountains, which are always snow-capped, so it is common to see avalanches throughout the year. The fjord was discovered in the late 19th century and became a holiday destination for European aristocracy and royal families, so it is often referred to as the most majestic fjord.
Visit the Geiranger Fjord in 1 day
If you’re visiting Geiranger Fjord by car, it’s recommended that you spend at least a week touring the main villages and discovering the mountain routes. However, it’s also very common to do a day trip when you’re on a cruise ship with several stops along the fjords. If that’s the case, here’s what you should see.
The cruise will drop you off in the town of Geiranger, which is a charming little town that takes a while to see. From there you’ll take an excursion to Fossevandring overlooking the fjord and the Storsæterfossen waterfall. This is the best option for seeing some of Geiranger in a day, but be aware that it will be crowded with tourists arriving on the cruise ships.
How to get to Geiranger Fjord
If travelling from the mainland, the easiest way is to fly to Oslo and then take a local flight to a nearby airport or hire a car. Getting to Geiranger Fjord is not easy as it is completely surrounded by mountains. So, public transport is not an option. On the plus side, there are several alternatives to choose from depending on the type of trip you’re making.
- Cruise: The cruise option is probably the most common. Ships depart from Oslo or Amsterdam and pass along the Norwegian coastline all the way to Geiranger. The downside is that sightseeing is fairly limited to what the cruise ship offers.
- Ferry: If you’re coming from southern Norway by car, the best option is to take the ferry from Hellesylt, which costs €100 and will drop you off in the most touristy area.
- Car: From Oslo it takes 8 hours to reach the fjord by car via the two main approaches, the Dalsnibba mountain pass to the south, and the Eagle pass to the north. Access is free, but be prepared for bends.
Where to stay in Geiranger Fjord
As it is a very touristy place, there is a wide variety of places to stay. On the one hand, there are campsites and cottages in the middle of the mountains, perfectly integrated into nature. And on the other, hotels and flats that are more comfortable and equipped. These are some of the places we recommend.
- Stryn Hotel: this is a 4-star hotel located next to the river and the Stryneelva ski resort. The area is very lively and offers a wide range of mountain activities. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and Norwegian buffet and the price per night is around €130.
- Vinje Camping: for €110 per night you can book a wooden cottage in this perfectly located campsite with barbecue and children’s playground. There are also many hiking trails in the area.
- Hole Hytter: 3km from the village of Geiranger, this set of well-equipped cabins is set in nature. They offer breakfast and have common areas such as barbecue and lounge. The price per night is 130€.
- Grotli Høyfjellshotell: is a friendly, family-run hotel with a restaurant serving traditional Norwegian cuisine and a breakfast buffet. It is located next to the national tourist route Gamle Strynefjellsvegen and room rates start at €150.
Best Restaurants in Geiranger Fjord
As this is a very touristy area, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of restaurants and cafés along the way. Here you can sample the local cuisine. There is nothing like relaxing after a hiking route on a terrace overlooking the fjord and mountains while sipping a beer. Here are some suggestions of places to eat well.
- Nilsgardstunet: is a beautiful traditional Nordic-style wooden restaurant. There you will be able to taste typical dishes of the region, the speciality being lamb.
- Geirangers Jokolade: This is a beautiful café on the banks of the fjord where you can sample the best chocolate in the region. They also have their own chocolate shop.
- Brasserie Posten: Although this restaurant in the town of Geiranger may be a little more expensive than usual, it’s worth it for its exquisite menu of traditional Norwegian fare and wide range of drinks.
- Café Olé:is the best place to try the famous Norwegian cinnamon rolls. For less than €20 you can have breakfast or a snack like kings.
Travel tips to Geiranger Fjord
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
- Alcohol can only be bought in specialised “Vinmonopolet” shops with very limited opening hours.
- If you’re travelling by private car, be aware that there are many toll roads. Check before you set off on your journey to Geiranger Fjord.
- The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
- Winter tyres are compulsory in the car at this time of year.
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured
- The best time to see auroras is from October to March, and for hiking the summer months.
Plan your trip to Geiranger Fjord
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Geiranger Fjord.
Frequently asked questions when travelling to Geiranger Fjord
The best time to visit the fjords are the summer months, as the temperatures are more pleasant and the snow will not prevent us from seeing anything.
Norway is a rather expensive country compared to other European countries. Although most of the activities are in the mountains, in many cases you have to pay for access to the viewpoints. So you can expect to spend around €200 per day per person, not including airfare.
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