Scenic Highlights of the Norwegian Fjords

The Lysefjord is a spectacular example of the Norwegian fjords' natural beauty. Carved into the landscape by glacier movement in the Ice Age, Lysefjord is lined by tall mountains and dramatic cliff faces – some soaring over 1,000 metres high. On a clear day it is possible to see the famous Preikestolen – a huge 604 metre-high flat mountain plateau – and Kjeragbolten, a large rock wedged in one of Mount Kjerag’s crevices.

From its picturesque location, nestled amidst fjords and mountains, to the iconic Bryggen Wharf, featuring colourful timbered houses and cobbled streets, Bergen offers a captivating blend of culture and nature. Views of the city and its surroundings can be seen from atop Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken, reached via funicular railway and cable car, respectively, while the vibrant fish market is ideal for sampling fresh seafood and Bergen staples such as fish soup. During summer, you will have opportunities to explore the city’s hiking trails for remarkable views of the surrounding fjords.

Picturesque Eidfjord is your gateway to some of Norway’s most spectacular natural features, like the awe-inspiring Vøringfoss Waterfall, tumbling down steep cliffs deep within the Måbødalen Valley. You will have opportunities to witness the waterfall and outstanding vistas of the surrounding fjord landscapes from a specially created observation platform, while the interactive Hardangervidda Nature Centre focuses on the region’s nature, climate, and wildlife. During your visit to Eidfjord, you can participate in activities such as hiking around the numerous trails available or enjoying a guided kayak tour along the tranquil waters of the fjord.

Norway’s Hardangerfjord spans 111 nautical miles through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, surrounded by steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush fruit orchards dotted along its shores. Home to the fascinating Trolltunga rock formation and the charming village of Eidfjord, the ‘Queen of the Fjords’ is not to be missed from the decks of your ship on this summertime cruise.

As you sail along the serene waters of the lesser-known arm of Hardangerfjord, Maurangerfjord is a beautiful narrow channel flanked by ruggedly steep cliffs, leading to Furebergfossen, a waterfall that flows directly into the fjord. During summer, you will be able to witness its sheer power as it cascades majestically down the craggy rock face and feel the spray on your face as your Captain manoeuvres your ship for the best possible views. Surrounded by dense forests, this peaceful fjord offers tranquillity and natural beauty.

Fjaerlandsfjorden is an arm of the mighty Sognefjord which branches off to the north, with glassy waters that glow with a tinge of aquamarine created by melted glacial water. It’s surrounded by steep mountains, some of which stay snow-capped, picturesque fjord-side villages, and flows for 16 miles from the village of Fjærland to Balestrand, where it links with the Sognefjord.

Nicknamed the King of the Fjords, Sognefjord is Norway’s largest and deepest fjord and the second longest fjord in the world, stretching over 200km from the coast of Bergen to the small village of Skjolden. The tranquil waters and combination of glacier topped mountains, green farmland, steep forested mountainsides and cascading waterfalls provide an ideal place to enjoy Norway’s natural beauty.

Gently sloping green hills, steep mountains, and charming villages surround the jewel-like waters of Lustrafjord, offering miles of incredible natural beauty. As you sail along the fjord, you’ll witness the majestic Feigefossen, one of Norway’s highest waterfalls, at its most powerful in the summer months, and the country’s oldest remaining Stave church, built in the 12^th century. From your ship’s decks, you may have the opportunity to spot marine life such as seals, otters, and dolphins, along with magnificent birdlife flying overhead.

The idyllic village of Skjolden is located at the end of Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjorden, where the deep blue waters contrast against the green landscape and red-roofed houses, creating a summer kaleidoscope of colour. Spectacular waterfalls tumble down steep cliffsides into the fjord below, and close by are the magnificent Jotunheimen Mountains and Jostedalsbreen Glacier, which you will have opportunities to explore on a tour from your ship. You’ll also be ideally placed to enjoy a hike to the tiny hut where world-famous Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein exiled himself to write some of his most important works.

Located along the south bank of Sognefjord – the largest fjord in Norway and surrounded by amazing scenery, Vikøyri is a small, picturesque town with plenty of attractions to discover and enjoy. Vikøyri is the main settlement and central hub of Vik, where you will find two medieval churches with vast histories - the must-visit Hove Church, originally built in 1170, and Hopperstad Stave Church - built in 1130, both restored in the 1880’s by famous architect Peter Andreas Blix and featuring elaborate architectural designs with incredible attention to detail. The town is also home to the only factory in the world that creates gammelost, a unique type of Norwegian cheese and is the location of the only prison in Sogn og Fjordane.

The beautiful village of Olden is nestled in the inner arm of Nordfjord, with sparkling green fjord waters framed by rolling meadows and towering cliff faces. Venture further afield to visit Briksdal Glacier as it glistens in the sun, offering remarkable views across the fjord on a hike to a natural viewing platform, while the village itself is delightfully compact enough to explore on foot, with paths that offer vistas of the surrounding mountains. Meanwhile, one of the steepest cable cars in the world, Loen Skylift, offers you the chance to be transported to the top of Mount Hoven in just a few exhilarating moments. For those wishing for a more tranquil experience, picturesque Lovatnet Lake is close by, whose striking mix of blue and green crystal-clear waters come from melted glaciers.

Stretching over 66 nautical miles from the westernmost point in Norway, overlooking the Sunnmøre Alps, to Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in mainland Europe, picturesque Nordfjord has postcard-perfect ice-blue waters framed by towering peaks covered in lush greenery. As your ship navigates into Innvikfjord, a narrow branch of Nordfjord, the landscape becomes fairytale-like, with the changing colours of forested hillsides leading down to tranquil waters, cascading waterfalls, and remote villages and farms dotted along the fjord edge. Sailing along these fjords in summer also offers chances to spot vibrant apple orchards from the decks of your ship.

Nestled among the magnificent mountains of Romsdalsfjord, Åndalsnes is often called the 'Alp town by the fjord’ and is in one of the most picturesque regions of Norway. Reached on an invigorating hike, the mighty Romsdalseggen Ridge overlooks the surrounding fjords and offers remarkable views of steep mountain peaks and waterfalls, while the serpentine mountain road of Trollstigen, famous for its tight bends and steep inclines, is just a short drive from Åndalsnes. During your explorations, you can sample traditional dishes from this region, like fresh fish caught from the fjords or game. Meanwhile, a journey on the world-famous Rauma Railway offers picturesque views of the Romsdalen Valley, bathed in summer sunlight.

Sail into the serene beauty of Romsdalsfjorden, one of Norway’s most picturesque, longest and cleanest fjords, framed by the majestic peaks and waterfalls of the Romsdalsalpene Mountains, which tower over lush green valleys and charming waterside villages. As your ship glides through this majestic fjord, you’ll be treated to views of quaint coastal villages and dramatic mountain landscapes that seem to rise straight from the sea. Along the way, you might glimpse the famous Rauma Railway snaking through the cliffs, or the iconic Trollveggen, Europe’s tallest vertical rock face, standing proudly as a testament to nature’s grandeur.