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.
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.
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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