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Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand Stay – 3 Days from Oslo or Bergen

Fjord cruise boat approaching Balestrand through the Sognefjord
Couple taking a photo by a glacier in Fjærland, surrounded by mountains and a glacial lake in western Norway.
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Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand Village Stay

Discover Norway's longest and deepest fjord on a relaxed 3-day journey from Oslo or Bergen. Enjoy scenic train rides, cruise the Sognefjord, and stay 2 nights at the historic Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, the picturesque 'Artist's Village' of the Sognefjord.

  • Tour type: Packaged, Self-guided tour

  • Duration: 3 days

  • Start location: Oslo or Bergen

  • End location: Oslo or Bergen

  • Included: all transportation, 2 nights accommodation with breakfast, fjord & glacier activity

Season: 20 May - 30 September

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Why travelers choose this tour

✓ 2 nights in Balestrand to enjoy the fjord at a slower pace
✓ Cruise the Sognefjord and get close to a glacier at Fjærland
✓ Ride 2 of Norway's most scenic railways: the Bergen and Flåm Railways
⭐ Recommended for travelers who want to spend more time in an authentic fjord village.

Your tour includes

  • 2 nights in historic Balestrand at the historic Kviknes Hotel, including breakfast buffet
  • Fjærland fjord cruise. Sail through the narrow Fjærlandsfjord and learn the stories of Norway’s glaciers.
  • Cruise Norway's longest fjord. Sail deep into the Sognefjord on a 4-hour fjord cruise.
  • 2 scenic train journeys. Bergen and Flåm Railway
  • Everything coordinated from start to finish. Relax knowing every connection and transfer is designed by local experts to work together seamlessly.

Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand routes

  • Start your journey from Oslo or Bergen, fixed one-way route

  • Route from Oslo: Oslo - Flåm - Balestrand - Bergen

  • Route from Bergen: Bergen - Balestrand - Flåm - Oslo

Map Sognefjord, Balestrand 3 day tour

Tour highlights

Kviknes Hotel Balestrand at sunset with Sognefjord and mountains - historic fjordside accommodation Norway

Stay in picturesque Balestrand

  • Spend two nights in Balestrand, staying at the historic Kviknes Hotel.
  • Discover historic wooden houses, nearby cider farms, and a rich cultural heritage dating back to the Viking Age.
  • Visit St. Olaf’s Church, often cited as an inspiration for the church featured in Disney’s Frozen.
Three people admire a fjord view from a boat with mirror-like water.

See peaceful fjords and glaciers

  • Journey into one of the Sognefjord’s most peaceful branches on a scenic cruise to Fjærland, framed by steep mountains and cascading waterfalls.
  • Visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum for an engaging introduction to glaciers and climate before continuing to Bøyabreen Glacier to see where the ice meets the landscape at the foot of Jostedalsbreen.
Couple embraces on boat, gazing at the Sognefjord and clouds on water.

Cruise the Sognefjord

  • Sail through Norway’s longest and deepest fjord aboard a comfortable express boat, surrounded by towering mountain peaks rising up to 2000 meters above the water.
  • Sit back and enjoy the ever-changing scenery of fjords, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes as you journey deep into the heart of western Norway.
Finse train station with Hotel Finse 1222 surrounded by mountain landscape and glacial water in Norway

The scenic Bergen Railway

  • Journey across Norway's roof: The Bergen Railway connects Oslo and Bergen across the dramatic Hardangervidda plateau, reaching 1222 meters at Finse. Experience alpine lakes, snow-covered peaks, mountain farms, and vast wilderness along this historic 1909 route.
  • Gateway to the fjords: At Myrdal station, connect to the famous Flåm Railway for a spectacular descent to the Norwegian fjords.
Passengers enjoying the view from the Flåm Railway as the train travels through green valleys and steep mountains in Norway.

Ride the steep Flåm Railway

  • Ride the famous Flåm Railway, one of the steepest railways in the world, climbing from fjord to mountain through spectacular valleys, rivers, and waterfalls.
  • Large panoramic windows and a stop at the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall make this one of Norway’s most iconic rail experiences.

Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand Village Stay itinerary

This 3-day tour from Oslo to Bergen takes you to Norway's longest fjord, with 2 nights in Balestrand on the Sognefjord shore.
This sample itinerary shows the one-way journey from Oslo to Bergen. The tour is also available in reverse, from Bergen to Oslo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the Sognefjord

The Sognefjord stretches 205 kilometers inland, making it Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. These articles invite you to explore the fjord’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the distinctive charm of its small fjord villages nestled along the water’s edge.
Peopl cruising on the Hardangerfjord , flag waving, mountains on both sides of water.
The Sognefjord
Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, is located in the heart of Norwegian fjord country and extends more than 200 km (120 miles) inland.
Fall scenery in Balestrand Norway - snowy mountains, peaceful Sognefjord and colorful autumn landscape
Inner peace and scenic landscapes in beautiful Balestrand 
If you want an authentic fjord village experience, visit beautiful Balestrand. Experience stunning nature and take part in charming village life. "Balestrand is a gift to visit," says Anne Anders, a visitor from the US. 
Biking in Balestrand by the Sognefjord passing by houses, snowy mountains in background.
Get to know the Sognefjord region
Most people visiting Norway are keen to see the famous Norwegian fjords during their travels, but with over 1700 fjords dotted around the country, it can be hard to decide where to go. If you’d like to explore the fjords during your trip to Norway, the Sognefjord is one of the most popular and worthwhile destinations.
Smiling family poses on boat deck with green mountains and blue sky.
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ highlights  
The Ledleys experienced Flåm and the famous Norwegian fjords on their visit to Norway. This is the very best experiences on the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.