An introduction to Norway’s fjords

The epic scale of this corner of Norway ensures an equally magnificent holiday, whether you’re cruising the length of the coast, combining one of the area’s historic towns with the countryside, or planning a route that takes you past several unforgettable fjords. With snow-capped peaks above lush forests and shimmering glacial lakes, plus the chance to hike to glaciers, this is scenery which is genuinely breath-taking.

With options including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, the national park of Hardangerfjord, picturesque Lusterfjord and Lysefjord, or Norway’s longest fjord, Sognefjord, you’ll discover views which seem too spectacular to be real.

And each fjord you visit is a chance to step back in time millions of years – creating memories which stay with you long after your Norwegian adventure is over.

What is a ‘fjord’ in Norway?

A fjord is the name given to the landscapes carved out by glaciers over around 2.5 million years, resulting in a string of winding waterways surrounded by sheer cliffs. The size can vary, with wide, open fjords and narrower valleys, often with smaller arms branching off the main fjord.

The word itself comes from the Norse word ‘fjǫrðr’, which is related to the word ferry or crossing point, as well as fare, as in the payment for travel.

Where are the Norwegian fjords?

Norway’s fjords run along the length of the country’s coast, although most of the best-known are found in Western Norway between Stavanger and Trondheim. There’s even a fjord connecting the capital to the sea, called Oslofjord, while in the far north, Isfjord runs from Svalbard into the Arctic.

Geirangerfjord with the Seven Sisters Waterfall

How many fjords are there in Norway?

Norway has the second-longest coastline in the world, thanks partly to the fjords which crinkle along the coast. In total, there are more than 1,000 fjords to explore across the country.

When is the best time to visit Norway’s fjords?

You’ll have an experience to remember year-round, whenever you choose to visit Norway’s fjords, but between the weather and the crowds, travelling at different times of year will make a big difference to your trip.

The summer months of June, July and August have the best weather and the longest days, with trees and plant life at its lushest and greenest during these months. The water temperature is also high, if you’re hoping for a chance to swim in a fjord, and the weather is usually great for hiking. However, this is also the time when the majority of people choose to visit the fjords so you can expect the best-known and most popular areas to be busy.

Spring and autumn are both quieter if you’re hoping for a less crowded visit to the fjords. Visit in April and May, and you’ll see spring flowers blooming, while autumn colours transform the landscape in September and October. Norway’s weather is always changeable, so there’s no guarantee of sunny days even in peak season, but visiting in May or September gives a better chance of dry days than earlier spring and later autumn. September is also an ideal month to see the Northern Lights around the equinox (as is March, although you can expect colder wetter weather).

If you’re hoping to combine the aurora borealis and the fjords, the long nights of winter months are a perfect time to spot the eerie green swirls off the west coast, which tends to have milder winters than elsewhere in Norway. However, while you could enjoy crisp frosted landscapes under blue skies, you could also encounter rain, cloud and chilly temperatures.

Aurlandsfjord

How cold can it get in the fjords, and do they freeze?

The temperature often drops below freezing during winter in Norway, even on the milder coast which stays warmer than the icy interior. In December and January, temperatures regularly fall at least a few degrees below zero, often to around -5C, while in the far north, Svalbard can be as cold as -20C in midwinter if you’re planning to visit the northern fjords.

The fjords themselves don’t usually freeze, due to the Gulf Stream which keeps water temperatures high enough to prevent them icing over. Only some of the smaller arms of the fjords which stretch further inland are likely to freeze even partially during the coldest winters.

What’s the best way to see the fjords?

One of the best ways to see the Norwegian fjords is on a cruise, with a string of itineraries sailing through some of the most spectacular fjords – here’s what to expect on a Norwegian fjord cruise.

You can also explore by train, including a chance to travel along the Sognefjord from Bergen, with a route leading to Voss, Myrdal and Flåm; ride the gondola up Mount Hanguren at Voss, then from Myrdal, take the historic Flåm Railway, often called one of the world’s most beautiful train rides, passing the Kjosfossen waterfall. Bus routes continue inland as well.

There are also countless options for a road trip through the Norwegian fjords, such as the coast from Ålesund to Trondheim, including the Trollstigen (The Troll's road), with its 11 hairpin bends, or the shorter drive between Bergen and Stavanger.

However you choose to explore, you shouldn’t miss the chance to take at least one walk around the fjords, for views that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy. The Trolltunga hike is one of the best-known, with the troll’s tongue (Trolltunga) rock formation around 1,100m above the water, jutting out from the cliffs just like a tongue sticking out.

And at Lysefjord, the Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is a flat-topped cliff which sticks out above the water like a natural viewing platform.

Bergen

Are there towns on the fjords in Norway?

Absolutely. Although there’s some wonderful countryside around the fjords, you’ll also find a string of towns along the coast, so it’s easy to combine visiting the fjords with stays in the bigger towns.

Bergen is often called the gateway to the fjords (especially Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord), but this UNESCO World Heritage city, and previous European City of Culture has plenty more to tempt visitors. You’ll find the world’s third-largest Munch collection here, along with classical and contemporary music and art, and the colourful harbourfront district of Bryggen.

Stavanger is one of the best destinations in Norway for foodies, with regular food festivals and Michelin-starred restaurants, plus historic wooden houses and attractive old streets to explore and Lysefjord not far away. There’s also Viking history at Haugesund, between Stavanger and Bergen, where Viking kings held their court; the town also holds a jazz festival and the Norwegian film festival in summer.

Or Ålesund is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, after the town was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1904, as well as being within easy reach of Geirangerfjord.

Discover the incredible fjords for yourself on an escorted tour of Norway