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Norway´s famous fjords

It’s no secret that Norway is famous for its magnificent fjords. No trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to one of the world-famous fjords! We’ve put together a list of the most famous and beautiful fjords Norway has to offer, so you can plan your next trip to our fair land.
Enjoying the view of the Geirangerfjord - Geirangerfjord, Norway
Before we list Norway’s most famous fjords, let’s take a quick look at what fjords are. Fjords are long and narrow inlets of water with steep cliffs on either side, and they were formed over millions of years by glacial movement. There are over 1,000 fjords dotted along the Norwegian coast, and the fjord landscape is one of the main things travelers are keen to see when they visit Norway. The fjords are so spectacular that UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List has included the Norwegian fjords Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord as natural sites of wonder.
People who want to visit fjord Norway often find themselves a little confused by the many options. There are a huge amount of fjords, and they often have several branches or side-arms. Another point of confusion for some visitors is the fact that certain branches are more well-known than the main fjords they’re part of. Luckily, our list of the most well-known fjords in Norway will help you cut through any confusion and get ready to plan your next trip!
Full speed on the fjord - RIB boat trip to Finnabotn from Balestrand, Norway

The Sognefjord

The Sognefjord is known as “the King of the Fjords”, and it isn’t difficult to figure out why. Located right in the middle of Fjord Norway, this is the longest and deepest of Norway’s many fjords. The Sognefjord is also one of the widest fjords, and it has several side-arms, including the famous Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. For those hoping to explore the true wilderness of Norway, Sognefjord is a great destination due to its location, nestled between the two national parks, Jotunheimen and Jostedalsbreen.
View of the Geirangerfjord - Geiranger, Norway

The Geirangerfjord

The UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord is considered one of the most stunning fjords in Norway. The Geirangerfjord is the innermost branch of Storfjorden. Here, deep blue waters, stunning waterfalls, and towering mountains provide a dramatic landscape which attracts plenty of hobby photographers hoping to capture the natural splendour on camera.
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 .It’s a true fairytale scene and a sight you’ll never forget! 
Cider Experiences in Hardanger - Lofthus and Odda, Hardangerfjord - Norway

The Hardangerfjord

The Hardangerfjord is the second-longest fjord in Norway, and one of the longest fjords in the world. Springtime is a fantastic period to explore the Hardangerfjord, as it’s known for its beautiful blossoming fruit trees that line the hillside surrounding the fjord. 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 area around the Hardangerfjord is very popular with hikers, cyclists and other active travellers, since it offers fantastic opportunities for hiking up Trolltunga, exploring the famous Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, or going for a glacial walk along the Folgefonna glacier. 
Kayaking in  the Nærøyfjord - Norway

Nærøyfjord

The Nærøyfjord is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list due to its stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by towering mountain sides and abundant waterfalls, the narrow fjord finishes at the historic village of Gudvangen. The sight of the dramatic fjord landscape is made even more special by the charming hillside houses and farms along the fjord, and exploring the area by boat is a great way to get to know one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords. 
View from Stegastein - Flåm, Norway

The Aurlandsfjord

The picturesque Aurlandsfjord is a narrow branch of the huge Sognefjord. It’s set within an idyllic landscape, with the charming village of Flåm located at the end of the fjord. Enjoying the stunning fjord landscape from the unique vantage point of a train is a popular option for many travelers, as the world-famous Flåm Railway is one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions. In fact, the steep train journey from the mountains to the fjords is considered one of the most beautiful railway trips in the world!
Preikestolen Panoramic Sunset - Lysefjorden and Preikestolen Fjordcruise - Stavanger, Norway

The Lysefjord

The narrow Lysefjord is located east of Stavanger. Lysefjord is a fantastic destination for travelers focused on environmentally-friendly travel, as it is one of 13 areas in Norway to be declared a Sustainable Destination. The Lysefjord is also popular among hikers, as it boasts a range of excellent hiking trails, such as the world-famous Pulpit Rock.
Autumn in the Aurlandsfjord

What’s the best time to visit the fjords?

The best time to visit the fjords depends on what type of trip you’d like to have. You can see the fjords all year round, so it all depends on what you’d prefer. Norway’s fjord landscape enjoys a fairly mild climate, and there’s thriving wildlife both on land, in the sea, and in the sky – meaning wildlife enthusiasts and bird spotters will have plenty to look out for.
To see the fjords in all their glory, the summer is a great time to visit, but it’s also the height of the tourist season. The best way to experience the fjords also depends on what you’d prefer and what time of year you’ll be visiting. In the spring and summer, kayaking along the fjord is a fantastic way to experience the natural wonder of it. During winter, the dramatic fjords surrounded by snow-capped mountains are a true sight to behold as you sail through the water on a boat. Join our popular Norway in a nutshell® tour if you’d like to see all the best of what fjord Norway has to offer in one trip, and enjoy your visit to fjord Norway!

Norway in a Nutshell® and our popular Nutshell tours

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

Vision of the fjords- Gudvangen - Flåm, Norway - Norway in a nutshell® Family
Norway in a Nutshell®
Norway's most popular and famous tour

Our most popular tour shows you the very best of Norway. See the stunning UNESCO-listed fjords. Ride the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, two of the world's most scenic railway lines.

From 1600 NOK
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Woman enjoying Norway and the Sognefjord in a nutshell - king of fjords in Norway |Fjord Tours
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™
A relaxing cruise on the magnificent Sognefjord

Enjoy a fjord cruise on the spectacular Sognefjord, the second longest fjord in the world. Experience two of the world’s most beautiful train rides, the Flåm Railway and Bergen Railway.

From 2205 NOK
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Sunset over the Lysefjord - Lysefjord in a nutshell, Norway
Lysefjord in a Nutshell™
Preikestolen, Lysefjord and charming Stavanger

This tour takes you to Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock, one of Norway’s most photographed natural attractions. The tour includes a fjord cruise on the scenic Lysefjord and the charming city of Stavanger.

From 1381 NOK
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Experience the Aurlandsfjord on the Sognefjord in a nutshell winter tour by Fjord Tours - Aurland , Norway
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ Winter tour
A winter getaway on Norway's longest fjord

Cruise Norway's longest and deepest fjord, the stunning Sognefjord combined with the famous Flåm Railway. Experience beautiful scenery and cultural heritage on a relaxing winter adventure.

From 2130 NOK
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Experience Agatunet By Sorfjorden on the Hardangerfjord in a nutshell tour & Rosendal- Hardangerfjord Norway
Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell™
Scenic Hardangerfjord and the Vøringsfossen waterfall

Discover the exceptional beauty of the Hardangerfjord, one of Norway's premier destinations, on this 2 day tour. Explore local life, visit fjord villages and experience famous waterfalls.

From 3120 NOK
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Skageflå mountain fram -Geirangerfjorden - Geiranger, Norway
UNESCO Geirangerfjord in a Nutshell™
The Geirangerfjord and spectacular scenic viewpoints

Experience the crown jewel of Norway’s fjords – The Geirangerfjord. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, cascading waterfalls, and a journey to Ørnesvingen, a scenic viewpoint of mountains and fjords.

From 1856 NOK
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The famous Norwegian fjords

Norway has an incredible number of fjords. Get to know some of our favorite fjords here!