The Most Popular Norwegian Cruise Excursions

A Norway cruise is a spectacular experience. Those enjoying a voyage to Norway can look forward to breathtaking landscapes and fascinating cultural activities. While the views from the deck are worth the price of a ticket alone, there are some fantastic Norwegian cruise excursions to look forward to.

Want to know what’s possible? Read on and discover the most popular Norwegian cruise shore excursions. From stunning train journeys to expert guided tours of colourful Bergen, there’s much to look forward to.

There are a number of reasons to book a shore tour with Fred. Olsen while you’re cruising Norway:

Expert Local Knowledge – All of our tour guides have expert local knowledge and will be able to offer insights and insider tips. Because of this, we can also seek out hidden gems and unique local experiences.

Convenience and Peace of Mind – When you book through us, you can have the convenience and peace of mind of knowing everything has been taken care of for you. You don’t need to worry about missing the departure if something happens and you’re late getting back.

Tours Suited to You – Our wide selection of tours means that there will be one that suits you. There are a range of options, whether you’re looking for high-energy excursions or something more leisurely.

Meet Your Fellow Guests – Many of our tours involve travel from the ship to your activity, so you’ll have time to get to know others on your excursion and meet fellow guests. This can be great for solo travellers looking to share the experience with someone else!

READ MORE: When is the Best Time to Visit Norway?

1. The Golden Train, Åndalsnes
2. Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen
3. Introduction to Bergen and Mt Fløyen, Bergen
4. Kjenndalen Glacier and Lovetnet Lake, Olden
5. Lovatnet Lake Cruise with Loen Skylift, Olden
6. Rauma Railway and Trollveggen, Åndalsnes
7. Bergen by Veteran Boat, Bergen
8. Introduction to Bergen, Bergen
9. Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car, Olden
10. Norway in a Nutshell, Vik

• Cost: £69 per person
• Approximate Duration: 3 hours

If you are looking for spectacular Norwegian Fjords cruise excursions, getting a ticket for the Rauma Railway is a must. This is Norway's most popular shore experience, taking guests on a dramatic rail journey past stunning peaks and rushing waterfalls.

You will also experience some of Norway’s wartime history as you soak in the land’s natural beauty. Highlights include Trollveggen, the stunning Kylling Bridge, and Verma’s cascades.

Our guests love the “stunning views” aboard the Golden Train, and one described it as “a beautiful trip”.

• Cost: £229 per person
• Approximate Duration: 8 hours

When it comes to full-day tours, consider Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen, one of the most popular excursions on a Norwegian Fjords cruise. Part coach tour, part railway journey, this epic exploration is the perfect way to experience Norway’s scenic splendour.

You will discover Norway’s mountainous terrain and enjoy a delicious lunch while overlooking one of Norway’s most famous waterfalls. At Flåm, you will board the famous Flåmsbana Railway, one of the world’s steepest railway lines.

• Cost: £69 per person
• Approximate Duration: 3 hours

Bergen shore excursions don’t get any better than this, so if you want to explore this colourful city during your cruise, this is the tour for you. Led by a local guide, this scenic coach journey through the heart of Bergen allows travellers to admire some of the city’s greatest features.

You can take time to admire the Medieval King Håkon’s Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, the colourful wooden buildings at Bryggen and the Hanseatic Quarter of Bergen. Finally, board the popular Fløibanen railway and climb to the summit of Mount Fløyen, 320m above sea level, where sweeping vistas of Bergen await.

Maddy from the travel blog Maddy’s Avenue, spoke to us about her love for Bergen: “Bergen is my favourite destination in Norway to date! From exploring the epic hiking trails and wandering the charming Hanseatic wharf, to cruising through the fjords and eating fresh-caught seafood, there are so many things to do in Bergen.

“Not to mention, the place is gorgeous. Situated in Western Norway, between seven mountains and two fjords, Bergen is one of the most breathtaking cities in the world.”

How does a scenic lake cruise paired with coffee and waffles sound? Well, that’s what’s in store during the Kjenndalen Glacier and Lovetnet Lake tour. This is one of the most popular Olden shore excursions, and it's easy to see why. Guests set sail on a breathtaking journey through the stunning Loen Valley aboard MS Kjenndal II.

Sit back and relax as you glide across the emerald-green waters of Lake Lovatnet, surrounded by towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and the awe-inspiring Kjenndal Glacier. Look forward to the fascinating insights your local guide shares and sit down for a hot drink and some homemade waffles before the return journey.

Our guests are big fans of this shore tour, with one saying “the scenery was amazing” and another highlighting it as a “fabulous tour”.

READ MORE: Why you should cruise Norway in the winter

• Cost: £165 per person
• Approximate Duration: 4 hours

Here is another stunning cruise across Lovatnet Lake, featuring the jaw-dropping scenery that travellers have come to expect of Norway. The mesmerising blue waters will lead you past towering peaks and cascading waterfalls to Hoven Loen, where you ascend in a spectacular cable car to the mountaintop for panoramic views of this astonishing location.

One Fred. Olsen guest said, “The scenery was wonderful”; another praised the cable car ride, saying the “sky lift experience was excellent”. Our local tour guides add so much to these experiences, as attested by a guest who said their “very good guide gave lots of information about Norway.”

• Cost: £119 per person
• Approximate Duration: 2 ½ - 3 hours

Another trip on the Rauma Railway from Åndalsnes, this half-day excursion will take you on a picturesque ride to Bjorli before departing and driving the dramatic Romsdal Valley to Trollveggen. These 1,000-metre-tall vertical cliffs – known as the Troll Wall - are the tallest in Europe, and a popular area for climbers and base jumpers.

Previous cruisers have admired the “spectacular scenery”, with one guest saying, “The landscape is so dramatic and beautiful, we had never seen rock formations like these”.

• Cost: £85 per person
• Approximate Duration: 2 ½ hours

Are you looking to see Bergen from a different perspective? Then Bergen by Veteran Boat would be an excellent tour for you. Step back in time as you step aboard the 1931 HMS Granvin, the last surviving fjord boat dating before World War II. The knowledgeable crew will bring the vessel to life, exploring this maritime city’s unique history as you travel between boroughs and bays.

• Cost: £45 per person
• Approximate Duration: 2 hours

If Introduction to Bergen & Mount Fløyen caught your interest, this more concise itinerary will also tickle your fancy. Enjoy a coach tour of Bergen, including the iconic wooden buildings of Bryggen, Bergen’s fish market and the Medieval King Håkon’s Hall. You’ll continue from Bergen to Nordnes, exploring the wider peninsula, with idyllic wooden houses and cobblestone streets.

Our guests have loved this tour for learning about the area, describing it as a “very informative city tour” and “good value”. Plus, as the tour is only two hours, you’ll still have plenty of time in the day to explore Bergen independently.

• Cost: £115 - £125 per person
• Approximate Duration: 4 hours

Venture off the beaten path and into Norway’s wilderness as you experience the breathtaking Briksdal Glacier and Jostedal Glacier National Park. At the end of Oldedalen Valley, Briksdal Glacier is one of Norway’s most impressive natural attractions – and there is fierce competition! You’ll access the glacier by Troll Car, a small open-air vehicle allowing you to see the full sights around you; a previous guest remarked that “the troll cars were good fun and added another element to the spectacular scenery”.

Emmalene, from the blog A Brummie Home and Abroad, has visited Briksdal Glacier during her Norwegian cruise. She told us how much she loved the experience:

“Our visit to Olden - and the Briksdal Glacier - was one of the highlights of our Norwegian fjords cruise. We booked an excursion by bus, meaning we got to ride through incredible landscapes, past emerald green lakes, majestic mountains and shimmering waterfalls.

“Faced with two options to ascend for the best views, we took the Troll Car Shuttle. From the upper Troll Car station, it’s an easy 10–15-minute walk to the lake at the base of the Briksdal Glacier.

“Although the glacier has retreated in recent years, it’s a spectacular sight. Bright blue vibrates beneath the ice, creeping down the rock face. There’s something very humbling about standing on a glacial landscape, witnessing the power and drama of nature all around you.”

• Cost: £229 - £269 per person
• Approximate Duration: 8 hours

A brand-new shore tour for 2025 and the most popular of our Vik shore excursions, Norway in a Nutshell, allows you to travel by rail and road, showing you everything there is to see in Western Norway. Drive across mountains, past farms, and through blooming orchards from Vik to Tvindefossen, one of Norway’s most famous waterfalls known as the ‘fountain of youth’.

For lunch, you can sample a delicious lunch at Stalheim Hotel. Perched 550 meters over the valley, as you dine, you’ll have exceptional views of the waterfalls cascading around you.

The day trip culminates in a ride on the world-renowned Flåmsbana Railway, one of the world’s steepest, where you’ll ascend 867 metres in just 50 minutes.

When should I book a Fred. Olsen Shore Tour?

It’s best to book your shore tours as soon as possible. They’ll be made available approximately 12 weeks before your departure date, giving you a lot of time to plan and book. Popular excursions like those featured in this article can often fill up quickly, with many pre-booked at capacity before departure. Plus, planning your port days when you have your shore tours organised is easier.

Can I book independent tours instead of going through Fred. Olsen?

Yes, you can book tours independently of us. However, it’s worth being aware that if these tours overrun and you’re late back to the ship, it won’t wait for you (unlike if your Fred. Olsen shore tour is delayed).

What’s included in the price of my shore tour?

Most of our shore tours include transport, a guide and entry fees to included attractions – many even feature refreshments and meals! The full details of your tour (including everything in the price) can be found at the browsing stage.

Can I cancel or change my tour after I’ve booked it?

Yes, however, be aware that the cancellation policy does change depending on how close to your tour date you are. If you’re already on board the ship, visiting the Shore Tours Desk to enquire about changes is best.

Would you like to visit Norway yourself and experience some of these spectacular shore excursions? Our Norway cruises can make your dream voyage a reality. Browse our last-minute cruise deals, learn about smaller cruise ships, and book your holiday with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.