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A fjord for everyone

It seems like everywhere you look in Norway, there is another amazing fjord full of dazzling sights and experiences. With over 1,100 fjords throughout the country, even most locals have not seen them all. But, when you visit Norway, going on a fjord safari is an absolute must since they are such a big part of the country’s identity.
3 min readUpdated: May 21, 2026By: The Fjord Tours team
The Nærøyfjord winds through rocky green cliffs with boat on blue water.
We have provided you with a guide on the differences between the main fjords throughout the country and how you can pick the ones that are perfectly suited for your particular interests and desires, for future visit.
Turquoise Geirangerfjord with cruise ships, forested mountains and snow.

The Geirangerfjord

Any fjord that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List should give you confidence that it is going to be worth your time. This is definitely true with the Geirangerfjord thanks to the fact that it contains a large selection of waterfalls along its 15 km stretch of fjord. While many fjords usually have at least one or two waterfalls, this particular fjord includes many waterfalls, including the iconic Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters, which you can assess on a kayak tour in Geiranger.
Aerial view of rugged mountains at sunrise with sun rays piercing peaks, fjord, and a ship sailing through calm water.

The Trollfjord

While some people love to see the really large fjords, such as Sognefjord that is an astonishing 205 km long, the appeal of Trollfjord is the exact opposite. It is so small that at some points it only reaches a width of about 100 meters. This creates a very cozy and intimate experience when cruising down the fjord and makes it an even more impressive sight when large cruise ships manage to fit through the narrowest parts of the passage. Plus, by visiting Trollfjord, you will get to experience some movie magic since it was used as a filming location for Matt Damon’s 2017 film Downsizing. If you wish to explore the Trollfjord you can do it on a Sea Eagle safari to Trollfjord or on a silent Trollfjord cruise.
Small fjord village with green meadows and mountains reflects in clear water under blue sky.

The Hardangerfjord

Coming in at almost 180 kilometers, Hardangerfjord is the second-largest fjord in the entire country and is widely beloved by residents and tourists alike thanks to its abundance of apple trees in the spring and summer. As soon as these trees begin to grow and ripen in the warmer weather, the sides of the fjord become much more mesmerizing and make it quite a sight to see during the Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell™ tour. There are also several historical towns located along Hardangerfjord, such as Eidfjord and Sørfjord. 
The view of the Lysefjord and surrounding mountains is indescribable in the purple sunset light

The Lysefjord

For people who love hiking, this fjord on the southern tip of the country is an absolute must. This is because Lysefjord contains the famous Preikestolen or The Pulpit Rock. Hiking up to the top of this 604-meter tall cliff gives you the ability to walk out onto the large flat viewing area and see a spectacular view of the fjord for several miles in every direction.
A white ferry sails through a calm fjord, flanked by snowy mountains under a clear sky.

The Sognefjord

This expansive fjord is the longest one in Norway and feeds off into many other fjords that are extremely popular in their own right. A Sognefjord in a nutshell™ tour is an easy and exciting way to experience the king of the fjords. Its extremely wide path provides a much different experience than the previously mentioned Trollfjord and is truly something that can’t be accurately explained using words.
By visiting Sognefjord, you can take one of its many branches and visit hundreds of different towns and villages spread out across Southern Norway, including the beloved village of Flåm.
Passengers in survival suits ride a high-speed RIB boat on the Nærøyfjord

See all tours

Experience the best of Norway's most scenic fjords and natural highlights. Our Nutshell tours include fjord cruises, famous railways and breathtaking fjord and mountain nature. Travel in a day, or add extra days and activities to create your perfect Norwegian holiday. Explore our bestselling tours below.

Most popular fjord cruises in Norway

Discover Norway's iconic fjords - from UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord to hidden Hardangerfjord, dramatic Lysefjord, and vast Sognefjord. Enjoy steep mountainsides and cascading waterfalls, or explore Oslo's beautiful archipelago and Bergen's historic coastal waters.
Cozy glass-fronted waterfront restaurant glowing warmly at twilight, reflections shimmering on calm water surface.
Fjord cruise and dinner at Cornelius
Bergen • 5 hr
From 1695NOK
Available all year
Tourists on fjord cruise on the Oslofjord pass historic Akershus fortress at sunset.
Fjord cruise in Oslo
Oslo • 2 hr
From 479NOK
Available all year
Large catamaran with passengers sails past snowy peaks in cold waters.
Silent whale watching cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 8 hr 30 min
From 1990NOK
16 October - 31 January
Silver bowl of shrimp with lemon wedges, surrounded by bread, plates, condiments, and napkins on a boat deck.
Oslofjord Sunset Cruise with shrimp buffet
Oslo • 3 hr
From 802NOK
1 May - 4 October
Bestseller
Silent fjord cruise in Geiranger
Geiranger • 2 hr
From 630NOK
1 June - 31 August
Boat "LEYO" sails past waterfalls in a fjord with passengers enjoying the view.
Bestseller
Fjord cruise Ålesund - Geiranger - Ålesund
Ålesund • 9 hr
From 2139NOK
1 April - 31 October
Modern boat reflects snowy fjord cliffs in curved windows.
Trollfjord cruise in Lofoten
Svolvær • 4 hr 30 min
From 1490NOK
1 February - 30 September
Elegant table setting with wine and food aboard cruise boat
Bestseller
Dinner cruise on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
From 1490NOK
Available all year
A couple stands on the ship's deck, watching the Northern Lights over the mountains, with city lights reflected in the water.
Electric Northern Lights cruise
Tromsø • 3 hr
From 1290NOK
1 November - 27 March
Aerial view of Trollstigen with dramatic hairpin bends winding through steep mountains and a deep green valley in western Norway.
Popular
Geirangerfjord & Trollstigen day tour
Ålesund
From 2665NOK
1 June - 30 September
Fortress and historic buildings overlook water with city skyline in background under clouds.
Oslo grand tour with fjord cruise
Oslo • 7 hr
From 1450NOK
1 May - 31 October
Aerial view of green island with marinas, red roofs, boats, and city across fjord under blue sky.
Bestseller
Island hopping in Oslo
Oslo • 4 hr 30 min
From 660NOK
6 March - 31 August
Woman in yellow beanie takes photo from boat deck with snowy mountains behind.
Arctic fjord cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 4 hr
From 1490NOK
1 February - 15 October
White hybrid-electric cruise boat sailing through Oslofjord waters with autumn-colored forested hills
Silent fjord cruise on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
From 690NOK
All year
Three boys cheering on a boat deck in a narrow fjord with green cliffs.
Fjord sightseeing in Geiranger - 75 minutes
Geiranger • 1 hr 15 min
From 610NOK
1 April - 17 October
People on boat raise arms watching northern lights.
Northern Lights cuisine cruise in Tromsø
Tromsø • 3 hr
From 1990NOK
11 September - 10 January
Fresh seafood platter with oysters, clams, and sea urchin on ice, served elegantly at sophisticated indoor event.
Fjord cruise and shellfish tower at seafood restaurant
Bergen • 5 hr
From 2295NOK
1 March - 19 December
Aerial view shows Preikestolen's dramatic position above Lysefjord
Summer favorite
Lysefjord cruise and hike to Preikestolen
Stavanger • 12 hr
From 1520NOK
1 May - 30 September
Sea eagle cruise to Trollfjord from Svolvær in Lofoten - sunset boat tour through dramatic Norwegian Arctic fjords
Trollfjord Cruise & Sea Eagle safari
Svolvær • 3 hr
From 1095NOK
Available all year
Aerial view of dramatic Hjørundfjord with steep mountains and green valleys
Hjørundfjord cruise from Ålesund
Ålesund • 5 hr
From 1100NOK
1 June - 6 September