Norway is the land of fjords, and did you know there’s over 1700 of them which have been named? In other words, there are many to choose from and it can make it hard for travelers to know which one(s) to see.
However, in Norway there’s a handful of fjords I always tend to come back to, and I guess you could say they are my favorite fjords. These four are the Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, Geirangerfjord and Lysefjord.
In this article you’ll find a description of these four favorite fjords in Norway, and a few suggestions for places to stay, fjord cruises and other activities you can do when you visit.
Notice on the map below that all four fjords are all on the west coast of Norway, also know as the fjord country.
The Sognefjord
The impressive Sognefjord, also known as the “King of the fjords”, is the largest and deepest fjord in Norway. It stretches 205 km (127 miles) from the ocean and all the way into the small village of Skjolden.
Much of the Sognefjord is surrounded by steep mountain walls rising almost straight up from the water to heights of up to 1000 metres (3300 ft), making this into one of the most spectacular and visited fjords in Norway.
The Sognefjord branches off into several “fjord arms” which some of them are truly stunning with many cultural and historical attractions. The fjord is also dotted with many small villages, making it possible to spend some very memorable days in this region.
Top things to do in the Sognefjord region
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Take a fjord cruise or go kayaking on the UNESCO listed Nærøyfjord
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Visit the Lusterfjord and the Urnes Stave Church
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Stay a night in the idyllic fjord village of Balestrand or Solvorn
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Check out the Steigumsfossen waterfall
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Go to the Aurlandsfjord for a visit to the village of Undredal
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Head up to the Stegastein viewpoint close to Flåm
Photo: @robertbye – The Stegastein Viewpoint
Sognefjorden tips
Tip 1: You can get to/from the Sognefjord by driving the scenic National road 55 going over the Sogne mountain to Oslo.
Tip 2: With public transport you can arrive to the Sognefjord by joining the Norway in a Nutshell route departing from both Oslo and Bergen.
Where to stay along Sognefjorden?
Book your stay at the Walaker Hotel here
Another one of my favorites is the Lavik Fjord Hotel. They got a great restaurant, wonderful views of the fjord, and offers both rooms and luxurious apartments. Book your stay at the Lavik Fjord Hotel here.
The Hardangerfjord
Photo: @op23
If the Sognefjord is the King, then the Hardangerfjord is the Queen. With her 127 km (79 miles) she is the second longest fjord in Norway, and is situated in a region with majestic waterfalls, plenty of fruit orchards and a rich cultural history.
Top things to do in the Hardangerfjord region
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Stop by Steinstø kakebu for some fruits, cider, lefse, brown cheese and other Norwegian specialities
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Take a fjord cruise from Bergen to Rosendal
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Do a RIB tour on the fjord
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Check out the Steinsdalsfossen and Vøringsfossen waterfalls
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Hike on the Folgefonna glacier
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Do a day hike to the iconic Trolltunga, Norway’s most spectacular stone formation
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Pick some fruit at an orchard
I LOVE the apples from Hardanger
Photo: @bendavisual – Trolltunga is situated at the Ringedals lake
2 Responses
The Sognefjord was so beautiful to see! I really enjoyed that adventure.
That’s nice to hear! I think it’s one of the most spectacular areas of Norway