Travel Guide: Fjords to Visit in Norway

The birthplace of skiing as well as home to charming fishing villages, the midnight sun and aurora borealis, there is no doubt that Norway is a this fascinating country. While the northern nation has much to offer, it’s the beautiful fjords that have really got us longing to visit.

What is a fjord?

Fjords (pronounced fee-yords) are narrow inlets created by glacial erosion over the course of many ice ages. These geographical features are what give western Norway its dramatic coastline—the most impressive are flanked by sky-high cliffs or sloping mountains and can stretch inland for hundreds of miles.

Picture-perfect spots to visit

These are some of the best fjords to visit in Norway, on your next trip to Scandinavia.

Sognefjord

Location: Sogn og Fjordane

Fun fact: In addition to being the longest fjord in Norway, Sognefjord is the longest open (or ice-free) fjord in the world.

Hardangerfjord

Location: Hordaland

Fun fact: The land surrounding Hardangerfjord is known as “the fruit orchard of Norway,” due to its fertile soil.

Lysefjord

Location: Forsand

Fun fact: Dotted with sheer rock faces and towering peaks (such as 1,982-foot Pulpit Rock and 3,228-foot Kjerag) Lysefjord is a top spot for BASE Jumpers.

Geirangerfjord

Location: Møre og Romsdal

Fun fact: In addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Geirangerfjord is rated as one of the world’s top natural heritage sites by the National Geographic Society.

Nærøyfjord

Location: Aurland

Fun fact: Nærøyfjord is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, as one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway, it was used as inspiration for the animators of Frozen.

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