Spanning over 100,000 kilometres, including some 239,000 islands, Norway’s coastline is the second-longest in the world, behind only Canada. From the far south all the way up to the northernmost tip, deep inside the Arctic Circle, its landscape is sliced by over 1,000 fjords, formed over millions of years by glacial erosion. They’re a spectacular sight to behold, drawing people from all around the world to marvel at their sublime beauty. But, with so many to choose from, narrowing down which fjords to prioritise, and whether to base yourself on land or embark on a multi-day coastal cruise, presents quite the challenge. So, to help point you in the right direction, we’ve picked out 10 of Norway’s most majestic fjords below.
Geirangerfjord
If you could only visit one Norwegian fjord, Geirangerfjord might just be the optimal choice. It’s actually the innermost branch of the considerably larger Storfjord, spanning just 15 kilometres in length. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in drama, with steep mountains that rise over 1,500 metres above sea level and a series of waterfalls that tumble down sheer cliffs into the deep blue waters of the fjord. Dotted along its grassy shores, meanwhile, are a handful of historic farmsteads, completing the postcard-worthy scenery. It’s best experienced on a cruise, leading to the village of Geiranger, from which there are several excellent hiking trails you can follow. Together with Nærøyfjord, 120 kilometres to the south, Geirangerfjord forms part of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nearest major city: Ålesund
Visit Geirangerfjord on our 'Norway: Best of the West' itinerary
Nærøyfjord
The other half of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nærøyfjord is slightly longer than Geirangerfjord, stretching 17 kilometres. And, much like its counterpart, it’s a smaller branch of another major fjord: Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord. It’s one of the narrowest fjords in the world – just 250 metres wide at its narrowest point – surrounded by steep mountains carpeted with deciduous and coniferous forests. As well as cruising along it, it’s also well worth taking the opportunity to go kayaking or paddleboarding on Nærøyfjord, which is renowned for its calm, mirror-like waters. Tours regularly depart from the village of Gudvangen, at the fjord’s innermost point. Cruises to Nærøyfjord depart all year round from Flåm, which, rather conveniently, is the starting point of the famous Flåm Railway.
Nearest major city: Bergen
Visit Nærøyfjord on our 'Norway's Colourful Cities & Fabled Fjords' itinerary
Aurlandsfjord
Directly neighbouring Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord is another picturesque branch of the vast Sognefjord; as such, these can easily be combined in a single trip. Here, at 650 metres above the fjord, is one of Norway’s most awe-inspiring viewpoints, Stegastein – a wooden lookout platform jutting out from a mountainside that provides stunning panoramas over Aurlandsfjord. It’s worth the trip alone just to take in this magnificent spectacle. Rather conveniently, the Flåm Railway starts and ends at the head of the fjord in Flåm village, which is also served by regular train connections to and from Bergen.
Nearest major city: Bergen
Visit Aurlandsfjord on our 'Norway's Fjords & Cities by Rail' itinerary
Hardangerfjord
When you picture a quintessential Norwegian fjord landscape, you’ll likely envisage something very similar to Hardangerfjord. Stretching a total of 179 kilometres, it’s Norway’s second-longest fjord, boasting a myriad of mesmerising sights and opportunities for thrilling adventures, including hiking, kayaking, fishing, RIB boat safaris and even glacier tours in Folgefonna National Park. It’s beautiful to visit at any time of the year, but especially so in spring, when the region blooms with blossoming apple, plum, cherry and pear trees. It’s for this reason that Hardangerfjord is known as the ‘Orchard of Norway’, and there are many farms where you can try delicious produce fresh from the source. Hardangerfjord is also home to one of Norway’s most striking rock formations, Trolltunga (the troll tongue), which juts out 700 metres above Ringedalsvatnet Lake, making for an unmissable photography spot.
Nearest major city: Bergen
Visit Hardangerfjord on our 'Secrets of Hardanger' itinerary
Sognefjord
Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, Sogneford, extends over 200 kilometres from the coast all the way to the village of Skjolden at the foot of the Jostedalsbreen and Jotunheimen national parks – the former being home to continental Europe’s largest glacier, and the latter being home to Norway’s highest mountains. A labyrinth of smaller fjords branch off from the main body of Sognefjord, including the aforementioned Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, which harbours endless avenues for outdoor adventures both on land and on the water. There are dozens of photogenic villages to explore along Sognefjord, including Balestrand, Fjærland, Ornes and Lærdal, several of which are punctuated by traditional timber stave churches. An abundance of wildlife can be spotted in the Sognefjord region, too; keep an eye out for seals, otters, dolphins and eagles in particular.
Nearest major city: Bergen
Visit Sognefjord on our 'Fjord Escape to Bergen & Balestrand' itinerary
Lysefjord
The southernmost major fjord in Norway, the 42-kilometre-long Lysefjord is flanked by towering mountains and cliffs that offer some of the country’s most enthralling hiking routes including the epic, multi-day Lysefjorden Rundt and the challenging but extremely rewarding eight-kilometre hike to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen). It’s also home to the world’s longest wooden staircase, Flørlitrappene, which ascends from the village of Flørli to Lake Ternevatnet at 740 metres above sea level via no fewer than 4,444 steps. There are also plenty of gentler hikes and cycling routes, and, of course, opportunities to cruise along the fjord itself.
Nearest major city: Stavanger
Visit Lysefjord on our 'Stavanger & the Pulpit Rock' itinerary
Lyngenfjord
While the majority of Norway’s most famous fjords are found on the west coast, there are some breathtaking ones north of the Arctic Circle, too, such as the dazzling, 82-kilometre-long Lyngenfjord. Considerably wider than many fjords in the south, it’s lined by the craggy, snow-capped peaks of the Lyngen Alps – a paradise for hiking beneath the Midnight Sun in summer and a hugely popular destination for ski touring, husky sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing throughout the winter months. And, as it lies beneath the auroral oval, the Lyngenfjord region is an ideal place to see the Northern Lights on dark, clear nights between mid-September and early April.
Nearest major city: Tromsø
Visit Lyngenfjord on our 'Lyngen Lodge & the Northern Lights' itinerary
Trollfjord
Entrance to Trollfjord, as seen on a Havila Voyages cruise
It may only be three kilometres in length – a tiny fjord by Norwegian standards – but Trollfjord certainly packs a punch when it comes to spellbinding scenery, surrounded as it is by the sharp peaks of the Vesterålen archipelago, deep inside the Arctic Circle. At its mouth, it’s only 100 metres wide, just enough for cruise ships to access it, but as there are no roads here, the only way to reach Trollfjord is by water. When the conditions are suitable, both Havila and Hurtigruten coastal cruises visit Trollfjord, while it’s also possible to take a smaller boat trip or a RIB boat safari in search of white-tailed sea eagles departing from Svolvaer in the Lofoten Islands.
Nearest major town: Svolvaer
Visit Trollfjord on our 'Havila Voyages: Summer cruise from Kirkenes to Bergen' itinerary
Hjørundfjord
Cutting a 35-kilometre slash between the soaring peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, Hjørundfjord is a gloriously scenic but often overlooked arm of the much larger Storfjord, with a combination of mighty mountains, cascading waterfalls and a scattering of charming villages. It tends not to attract the volume of visitors that flock to the nearby Geirangerfjord, making Hjørundfjord an ideal option if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds without compromising on fabulous views. Branching off from its eastern bank is the smaller Norangsfjord, where you might opt to spend a night at the wonderful Hotel Union Øye.
Nearest major city: Ålesund
Visit Hjørundfjord on our 'Havila Voyages: Classic Coastal Explorer' itinerary
Romsdalsfjord
Norway’s ninth-longest fjord, Romsdalsfjord, enjoys a splendid backdrop in the form of the Romsdal Alps, which remain snow-capped for much of the year. It’s known as a particularly clean fjord, and one that teems with a rich variety of fish. The region is a haven for hiking and mountain biking, particularly around Åndalsnes, which has emerged in recent years as a major hub for outdoor adventures. A demanding but popular hike leads from the town centre up to the Rampestreken observation point, where a 20-metre-long steel ramp provides the perfect vantage point to soak up the resplendent views. A short distance outside the town is Trollstigen, renowned as one of Norway’s most dramatic mountain passes, snaking up a mountainside via 11 hairpin bends. The mouth of Romsdalsfjord, meanwhile, is punctuated by numerous islands and skerries.
Nearest major city: Ålesund
Visit Romsdalsfjord on our 'Discover Norway's Fjords with Silversea' itinerary
