Fjords and cruises in Norway: which fjords to see, and what is Hurtigruten?

Updated 27.09.2026. Facts checked against Store norske leksikon, the Norwegian Maritime Authority, Havila Voyages and Visit Tromsø.

Short answer: The best-known fjords are the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005. The Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest fjord: 205 km long and 1,303 m deep. You can see the fjords from a fjord boat, ferry or cruise ship, on Norway in a Nutshell, or from viewpoints such as Preikestolen above the Lysefjord. Hurtigruten sails along the coast from Bergen to Kirkenes and calls at 34 ports. Summer is high season for fjord cruises. You can see the northern lights from a boat in the dark season.

Key facts

Which part is for you?

• You want to choose a fjord: see which fjords to see.
• You arrive in Geiranger by cruise ship: see what to do in Geiranger.
• You want to travel along the coast: see Hurtigruten.
• You want to see the northern lights from a boat: see when to go.

What is a fjord?

A fjord is a branching inlet of the sea, usually long and narrow and surrounded by mountain sides. Fjords were formed when glaciers shaped and deepened old valleys. When the ice melted, the sea filled the U-shaped valleys (Store norske leksikon, updated 30.07.2026).

Which fjords should you see in Norway?

• The Geirangerfjord: 15 km between Hellesylt and Geiranger, with waterfalls and abandoned mountain farms. World Heritage together with the Nærøyfjord since 2005 (Store norske leksikon).
• The Nærøyfjord: 19 km long and about 500 m wide at its narrowest, with mountains up to 1,761 m (Store norske leksikon). You see it from the boat between Flåm and Gudvangen – see cruising the Nærøyfjord.
• The Sognefjord: Norway's longest and deepest fjord, 205 km long and 1,303 m deep. It is the second-longest fjord in the world (Store norske leksikon). More: route along the Sognefjord.
• The Hardangerfjord: 180 km long and 855 m deep, Norway's second-longest fjord (Store norske leksikon).
• The Lysefjord: 42 km, with Preikestolen (604 m above sea level) and Kjerag, which drops almost 1,000 m straight into the fjord (Store norske leksikon).

What can you do in Geiranger?

• See the waterfalls: the Seven Sisters have an average drop of 250 m, and the Bridal Veil falls 300 m at certain times of year (Store norske leksikon).
• See the mountain farms: abandoned farms lie 250–450 m above the fjord (Store norske leksikon).
• Take the ferry to Hellesylt: the car ferry runs several times a day and shows the whole fjord (Store norske leksikon).
• Paddle a kayak or join a fjord safari.

Geiranger gets around 800,000 visitors a year, and more than 40% arrive by sea (Store norske leksikon). If you arrive by cruise ship, plan your day ashore in advance.

Fjord cruises and environmental rules in the World Heritage fjords

Zero-emission rules apply in the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord. From 1 January 2026 vessels under 10,000 gross tonnage must be emission-free, and from 1 January 2032 the rule also covers passenger ships of 10,000 gross tonnage or more (Norwegian Maritime Authority, 14.04.2025). On Norway in a Nutshell you travel on an electric fjord boat on the Nærøyfjord (Fjord Tours).

Hurtigruten: from Bergen to Kirkenes

The Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen round voyage takes 12 days and calls at 34 ports. Northbound the trip takes 7 days. The ships leave from the wharf in Bergen (Havila Voyages, checked 27.09.2026). The route is run today by Hurtigruten and Havila Kystruten (Store norske leksikon, updated 25.11.2024). You can also travel just one leg, for example Bodø–Lofoten. More: why Hurtigruten is so popular.

When is the best time to cruise in Norway?

• Fjord cruises: summer is high season with long days and many departures.
• Northern lights from a boat: you need darkness and clear skies. In Tromsø the northern lights can be seen from late August to early April (Visit Tromsø). In winter you can see them from Hurtigruten north of the Arctic Circle. More: northern lights in Norway.
• Midnight sun: from May to July in Northern Norway – see when to go.

How can you see the fjords without a cruise?

• Norway in a Nutshell: train, fjord boat on the Nærøyfjord and bus in one day – see Norway in a Nutshell.
• Ferries: many car ferries cross the fjords, for example Geiranger–Hellesylt.
• Viewpoints and hikes: Preikestolen and Kjerag above the Lysefjord.
• Short cruises: see weekend fjord cruises.

Fjord tours and hotels in your city

Photos: the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord

People also ask

• What is a fjord?
• Which fjords in Norway should I visit?
• What is the longest fjord in Norway?
• How deep is the Sognefjord?
• Where is the Geirangerfjord?
• What to do in Geiranger on a cruise?
• What are the waterfalls in the Geirangerfjord called?
• What fjord is Flåm on?
• Where does Hurtigruten depart from in Bergen?
• How long does Hurtigruten take from Bergen to Kirkenes?
• How many ports does Hurtigruten call at?
• When is the best time to cruise Norway for the northern lights?
• Can cruise ships sail in the Geirangerfjord?
• How can I see the fjords without a cruise?

Sources

All links checked 27.09.2026.

• Store norske leksikon: fjord (updated 30.07.2026, Norwegian)
• Store norske leksikon: Sognefjorden (updated 29.05.2026, Norwegian)
• Store norske leksikon: Geirangerfjorden (Norwegian)
• Store norske leksikon: Nærøyfjorden (updated 30.12.2023, Norwegian)
• Store norske leksikon: Hardangerfjorden (updated 24.02.2025, Norwegian)
• Store norske leksikon: Lysefjorden (updated 28.07.2026, Norwegian)
• Store norske leksikon: Hurtigruten (updated 25.11.2024, Norwegian)
• Norwegian Maritime Authority: zero-emission rules in the World Heritage fjords (14.04.2025, Norwegian)
• Fjord Tours: Norway in a Nutshell
• Havila Voyages: Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen round voyage
• Visit Tromsø: northern lights

Readers' experiences

Which fjord did you like best, and did you take a cruise, a ferry or a fjord boat? Write in the comments at the bottom of the page. We use your experiences when we update this guide.