Norway sits proudly near the top of the world. It’s a photographer’s paradise, a country to visit slowly and savour. We found the best way to do this is by cruising the fjords and exploring the countryside at each of the majestic Norway cruise ports.
As with many ships, we started outside of Norway and, once arrived, sailed up the west coast, cruising to ports that required us to sail into several deep fjords. The soaring mountains towering over the ship humbled us.
Fjord
A long, narrow and deep arm of the sea situated between high cliffs. Fjords are created by the submergence of a glacial valley.
As we continued to cruise north along the Norwegian coast, the days got longer until it was never dark outside.
We regretted not getting a balcony cabin, as looking out our port window didn’t offer us the same immersive views. At times, I wanted to enjoy the view in the middle of the night without dressing to go on deck.
While the Norway cruise ports are an unforgettable adventure, the cruise itself is part of the magic.
Stavanger cruise port
Stavanger is the southernmost west coast port we visited in Norway. One of the most popular things to do here is to see Pulpit Rock, either by hiking to it or cruising down Lysefjord. We opted to board a smaller boat and cruise the Lysefjord, spending our remaining time at this popular Norway cruise port walking around Stavanger.
Lysefjord
Stunning scenery surrounded us on both sides in this scantly populated mountainous region of Norway. Our day cruise sailed only a portion of the 42-kilometre (26 mi) long fjord past huge majestic cliffs, complemented by the dramatic contrast created by layers of hills.
With a square horizontal plateau, like a ‘pulpit’ on top of a rock, Prekestolen (‘Preacher’s Pulpit or ‘Pulpit Rock’) is one of the highlights. It rises 604m (1,982 ft) straight up from Lysefjord below. As a result, it is quite a sight to behold from the sea level, and I imagine it just as spectacular from above.
Lysefjord is about 25 kilometres east of the popular cruise ship port of Stavanger, and the smaller ships that travel here make it a great opportunity. A Lysefjord cruise is our top recommendation from the Stavanger cruise port. We like the looks of this 3-hour highly rated one with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Reserve your Lysefjord cruise here.
Stavanger
Founded in the 12th century, this former fishing village is one of Norway’s oldest cities and is famous for its Viking history. Today, tourism is key, along with other fishing, boatbuilding, and oil industries.
As the majority of Stavanger port time was spent in Lysefjord, we spent about an hour in town strolling through the tourist areas as well as heading off the beaten path.
A few interesting things in Stavanger:
- Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger)
A charming area filled with cobblestone roads led us uphill past white-painted wooden residential homes, many of which have been converted into art galleries or boutiques. - Colourful Street (Fargegaten)
A vibrantly painted modern shopping and cafe area. - Path of Peace
It includes castings of footprints of several Nobel Peace Prize winners to create a Peace Path in Norway. We noticed the Al Gore and Desmond Tutu casting. - Norwegian Petroleum Museum
Features exhibits on technology and the effect of climate change from the oil industry, and more specifically, Norway’s North Sea operations.
Bergen cruise port
Visually, we were in love with Bergen from the first moment we gazed upon the seaport. And, it only continued as we explored Bergen’s highlights:
- Funicular
One of the more popular things to do is to ride the Fløibanen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen and enjoy picturesque views from the top. Our plan was to exit the ship and head straight to the queue before the organized tours arrived. However, we had to go first to the visitor’s centre to get our tickets, and by the time we got to the base of the hill, there was a massive queue. Therefore, our top recommendation is to purchase tickets online in advance. - Bryggen
Next, we headed to Bryggen, the old town, a UNESCO world heritage site. Here we found colourful buildings, cafes, shops and more along the waterfront. - Fish market
The outdoor fish market seemed popular with locals as well as tourists. We couldn’t resist the huge shrimp, which turned out to be as tasty as they looked. Whale meat, reindeer sausage, and whale sausage were also available. It appears none of the animals goes to waste, as nearby, we found pelts of fox, reindeer, and seals for sale.
We explored the above on our own, something very easy to do here. Of course, by doing so, we missed the personal anecdotes and history that we normally get from a city guide.
If we were to visit Norway’s second-largest city today, we would join this top-rated and well-priced 2-hour walking tour which hits nearly all the highlights. Therefore, after the tour, I would head over to the funicular and enjoy the views.
Cruising fjords from Bergen
Surrounded by spectacular Norwegian fjords, there are also popular smaller-boat cruise options out of Bergen. Based on price and reviews, the top two options are:
- Osterfjord, Mostraumen and Waterfall Cruise
This 3-hour round-trip cruise will sail from Bergen through exquisite scenery in the Osterfjord towards Modalen, Norway’s second-smallest municipality passing through the narrow Mostrumen strait. At one point the boat gets close enough to a waterfall to collect a bucket of ice-cold mountain water for sampling. Reserve your Osterfjord cruise here. - Fjord Cruise to Spectacular Alversund Streams
Glide through gorgeous scenery at the Bergen Fjord, Salhusfjord and Kvernafjord as you make your way towards the stunning Alversund Streams. Reserve your Alversund Streams cruise here.
One more worth a mention for those who have a very long port time and have other plans for Flam. This highly rated 10-hour self-guided tour out of Bergen leaves at 8am and visits several local villages; takes three trains, including the famous Flamsbana, a bus, and a ferry. More specifically, you will travel by train from Bergen to Voss, and then by bus to Gudvangen. Next, ferry to Flam, ride Flamsbana to Myrdal and train back to Bergen. Reserve your all-day tour here
Flam cruise port
One of the most beautiful Noway cruise ports, the village of Flam sits on the inner tip of the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of Sognefjord.
Sognefjord
At 204 kilometres long, Sognefjord is the largest and deepest (up to 1308 metres deep) of Norway’s fjords, earning itself the nickname “King of the Fjords.”
We cruised along Sognefjord for several hours on our way to Flam. Snowcapped mountains, impressive waterfalls, idyllic communities, and occasional farms dotted the landscape, reminding us that in Norway, the journey is as important as the destination.
Flam
Towering mountains backdrop the deep valley as the tiny town of Flam welcomes visitors.
While a paradise in its own right, the area is best known for the Flamsbana, the old train that runs between Flam and Myrdal.
We opted for a ship’s excursion, essentially overpaying for some not-so-great service (from the ship’s staff), but that’s a story for a different day. Our excursion included a coach trip up to Voss (stopping at Tvindefossen waterfall) and two trains back down, the second being the famous Flamsbana.
The drive to Voss and Tvindefossen
Our scenic bus tour to Voss included 13 hairpin turns on the road through Norway’s Stalheim Valley.
Most of the impressive scenery was enjoyed from the bus, including the famous Tvindefossen, often thought to be the Fountain of Youth. Of course, we all know that the 16th-century Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León found the fountain of youth in St. Augustine Florida. (I have drunk from both, just to be safe.)
We arrived in Voss with plenty of time before our train back down. Our excursion included lunch, and the rest was free time to walk around and enjoy the provincial town.
Next, we took a train from Voss to Myrdal. We believe we did this trip in the best order as we enjoyed every minute of the train’s impressive views. However, they were nothing compared to what was to come next on the Flamsbana.
Flamsbana train from Myrdal to Flam
We now understand why the highlight of any visit to the charming village of Flam is often riding the Flamsbana either to or from Myrdal or Voss. There is nothing else quite like the exquisite views as it climbs steeply up or descends sharply down between Flam at sea level to Myrdal at 867 meters high over a distance of just 20 km.
We boarded Flamsbana at the Myrdal station. From here, it makes one 10-minute photo stop soon after Myrdal to see the Kjosfossen, the waterfall where the legend of the Huldra is told.
Note that the train gets quite full, especially on days when there are cruise ships in port. While any seat will reward you with spectacular views, to maximize the experience, sit on the left side of the train for the descent from Myrdal to Flam. (Similarly, if you are taking the train up from Flam to Myrdal, you will want to sit on the right side).
As seats are not pre-assigned, we were advised to arrive at least 20-30 minutes before departure to get the best seats. As a result, we sat on the left side of the train and found our continuous views to be idyllic.
The Myth of Huldra
Can you see the “Huldra” in a red dress on the lower ledge of the Kjosfossen just above? She is a mythical blond seductress with a cow’s tail who tries to seduce unmarried men. She may kill the men she seduces who won’t marry her or marries them, after which she loses her tail and transforms into a hideous woman with the strength of ten men.
Norway cruise ports and fjords farther North
- Hardangerfjord
Loaded with waterfalls, Hardangerfjord is the second-longest fjord in Norway (179 km) and the third-longest in the world. Interestingly, Hardangerfjord was the first fjord to draw international visitors to Norway. - Geirangerfjord
One of the world’s longest and deepest, Geirangerfjord is UNESCO listed. It has steep walls with numerous waterfalls, including the famous Seven Sisters. - Hjrundfjorden and the Noringfjorden
Nordfjorden is Norway’s sixth-largest fjord. Those who cruise here often hike glaciers, discover monasteries or go kayaking. - Trollfjord
At 68.3º N latitude, Trollfjord is inside the Arctic Circle. Therefore, 24-hour sunlight at the height of summer.
Oslo cruise port
Although not on the west coast with the fjords, Oslo is often included on a Norway cruise.
Unlike the other Norway cruise ports, Oslo is the country’s capital city and is loaded with options from historical to modern. While we enjoyed our in-town walking tour, our two highlights were the Viking Museum and the Holmenkollen ski slope. Don’t miss our list of things to do in Oslo.
How to see these Norway cruise ports for yourself
There are many ships and cruise companies travelling up to Norway. We opted for a mainstream company. As a result, we were on a large ship (about 2,600 passengers), which limited where we could sail. Cruise Direct offers discounts on most of these ships sailing the Norway cruise ports. Check out Norwegian cruising options on Cruise Direct.
If we do it again, we will sail with Hurtigruten, the current leader in green tourism and specialists in Norway (among other locations). With smaller ships and a focus on cultural immersion rather than “generic onboard fun”, I think our adventure would have been even better. Check out all that Hurtigruten has to offer.
Click here for more of our cruise port tips.
Final thoughts
The Norwegian fjords are one of nature’s masterpieces. While they can be enjoyed from the land as well as the sea, we believe cruising here is the best and most immersive option. Our best tips include:
- Choose a smaller ship as they can get into tighter areas, and there are fewer people with you descending on some of these smaller towns and competing for limited spots at the key sights.
- This is one cruise where a balcony cabin is well worth the extra money if they are available.
- If your cruise also includes the capital, don’t miss Oslo in one day: ski jump, Vikings, artwork, and cruise port options.
- Don’t miss our cruise travel tips or, if you are unsure about the cooler weather, our Alaska cruise travel tips.
There are fjords in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Greenland, New Zealand, Norway, and the USA (Alaska). We have listed what we believe to be the most amazing fjords here.
Don’t miss our best cruise tips
More tips and resources for your cruise
Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Cruise: We find great deals at Cruise Direct.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Set up private guides at the ports: Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often hire private guides.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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Photo Credits
Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, in the public domain, or some stock photos were supplied by DepositPhotos.
Krista
We’re hoping to go on a cruise in Norway this year at some point, so I really enjoyed reading your guide!
Jan
Norway is definitely a stunning country full of fjords and waterfalls. I loved my short visit there. Flam was wonderful. I have missed some of the other cruise ports you have mentioned and I think I need a second visit to see them all. Your images are awesome! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Lasma
Norwegian Fjords are one of those epic destinations I am craving to visit! Stranvenger is a fantastic destination to visit and those cute wooden houses are the perfect places to take some awesome photos!
Coralie
What a beautiful country Norway is – such vivid colours! I’d love to stand up on the pulpit rock and get marvellous photos, but I think my knees would knock at the prospect, so I might just take a trip to the fountain of youth instead 🙂
Linda Jane
Norway is such a beautiful country and a cruise looks like a great way to see so many of the sights. Thanks for sharing your tips and experiences!
Meghan
Wow! Your pictures are gorgeous and the scenery is breathtaking. Norway has been on the list for a while…might need to make it happen.
Josy A
Wooooah that scenery! I have always wanted to visit Norway to see the Fjords and to hike. I never really considered visiting via a cruise, but it looks like such a good way to see lots of the country! Pulpit Rock looks incredible from below.
Travel A-Broads
Norway is such a stunning country, and I agree that exploring via fjord cruise is a great way to see some of the country’s beauty. We did a short, three hour cruise from Gudvangen to Flam, stayed a night in Flam, and returned to Oslo via the Flam and Bergen railways this past February. I’d love to go back, especially in the summertime, and do another longer fjord cruise. It was so cold during our visit, and I don’t feel like we got the full experience with having to run inside every 2-3 minutes to warm up – yes, it was THAT cold! Great tip about picking a cabin with a balcony. Xx Sara
Jamie Italiane
Flam wins for me!
Lisa
we did not go to Norway or Sweden in our trips, which i regret, so it will happen some day. its one our bucket list. fabulous photos Rhonda!!
Pat
So spectacular! the fords reminded me of Glacier National Park in Montana in the US, except one travels by road and not a ship. I’d love to see this myself one day, Rhonda.
Shere
You really had great weather in Flam! For us, it was a bit rainy. I think the weather makes a huge difference, on a rainy day black and white pictures are beter.
shabana
Oh dear!!!
i am speechless!
your lenses are powerful and you capturing is outstanding .i am glad to found you here .
your photos are TREAT of the day .thank you sooooo much for sharing.
Trekking with Becky
Although your black and white photos were great, I always prefer colour. I find that black and white photos never make you feel like you’re there. I always wonder what the colours really are when I see black and white. I wish that all black and white photos from the past could be colourized. 🙂
Maria
Oh, my goodness, how absolutely lovely! Fascinating how you’ve gone from the USA to New Zealand and Norway. I’ve enjoyed seeing your photos. I’ll be back, of course. I live in India and I think I really should post more photos on my life blog.
Cathy Kennedy
Rhonda, What a spectacular collection of photos! The view out the train window, the beautiful waterfalls, and the view of the lighthouse across the ocean are all gorgeous, gorgeous shots! Norway is a beautiful country and it makes me want to see places like this someday.
clairejustine
Oh wow, these pictures are stunning. You can see for miles. Breathtaking views.
Nano @ Travel With Nano B.
Those dramatic mountains set against the beautiful water is simply stunning. Your photos would inspire anyone to jump on the place to Norway.
Sharon
Stunning! The waterfall photos are my favorites. Those colorful buildings amaze me! I vote for the color, though I do love black and white photos, too. Norway certainly excels in color.
Mandy
Swooning over your Norway images! So beautiful! 🙂
indah nuria
So beautiful indeed, Rhonda! I just remember my visit to Norway in 2007…wondering where all my photos are 🙂
JM Illinois U.S.A.
Truly magnificent mountain and water images. My mouth drooled when I saw the crab legs and shrimp and I had breakfast already. Long time to wait for dinner here. Beautiful countryside.
Lexa Cain
I love the pics! Norway is so beautiful and clean-looking, I’d really like to live there, especially when I see the 6th pic with the farm and beautifully mown field. It would probably get too cold in the winter for me though. Thanks for sharing!!
Mother of 3
What lovely pictures! I’ve always wanted to visit Norway ever since I did a report on the country in 5th grade.
Nancy Chan
If I get a chance, I would love to visit Norway. Great photos of beautiful scenery. I love both the colour and the black and white photos.
Debbie
Great shots Rhonda. It is a beautiful country and it’s many years since I got to explore properly. Though I fell in love with Oslo last year – there for work and I loved it!
Peggy
Great photos, and completely different from when I visited Norway in March! My pictures were all white, grey and black! The fjords were still beautiful though. Love that lobster catch! They were out of season when we went.
Mary Denman
I’m getting ready to move my photos to Lightroom….I think I need to talk to you! I have way over 40,000 and I’m wondering how many days this will take!
Mary Denman
I have pictures in iPhoto, Photos, and Aperture…..They’re not all in one place. That’s part of my problem! Plus, they’re on different hard drives……I do have a 4T external. I think I’ll have to get them all on that drive.
Rhonda Albom
It’s not as difficult as you might think. Lightroom makes it easy. Move them one by one, then come back and check organisation. As long as all cameras used the same dates, you will be fine.
stephanie jefferson
My vote is for colour! I’d love to visit Norway!
Handmade Jewelry Haven
Simply Stunning!
Thank you so much for sharing!
– Lisa
Ruth
Incredible Rhonda! I love all the waterfalls in this area. Did you try the crab and lobster in there?
Rhonda Albom
Shrimp is my favourite of the seafood, so that is what I had. I am pretty sure one of us tried the crab. I only remember we loved our food.
LaVoicce
Truly breathtaking. I feel as tho been on the trip. Nicely done.
Jim, Sydney, Australia
Wonderful shots.
Alissa Apel
I want one of those colorful, cute houses with the waterfall view. Yep that would be wonderful!
Margy
Like Norway, we have lots of glacial cut fjords in Coastal BC, but we don’t have the harsh northern winters except in the northern reaches. – Margy
Jeanna
I love black and white but I have to say after today’s spectacular pics that your color shots really capture something special. You make me want to go more and more.
Peabea
Amazing scenery photos. The top of the waterfall looks like it has a face. Those are all beautiful. What a blessing to be in such beautiful surroundings.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – fantastic photos – definitely put Norway on my list … but such a range of photos with a countryside to match. I’m so glad I’m off out for supper – as those crab legs and shrimp would suit me down to the ground … it’ll be a pub supper – so I’ll cope! You’ve been so many places – it’s great to share them here with us … cheers Hilary
L. Diane Wolfe
That row of houses might look interesting in B&W if there’s enough contrast. Gorgeous photos.
Sandee
A place I would love to visit, but I know we never will. We just aren’t the travelers. It’s all good.
Great shots.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Paul Pietrangelo
Shrimp & crabs. Yum, yum. I love the idea of going on a long train in the area.
I’m back Rhonda. My wife & I just completed a great cruise. Curacao was beautiful especially since we were there late into the night. I’ll be showing many things about the cruise once my pictures are done. See ya my friend.
Cruisin Paul
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Really beautiful. The waterfalls are stunning.
And is it just me, or do those shrimp look a bit like giant bugs?
Rhonda Albom
LOL – It’s just you. They look like shrimp to me 😉
stevebethere
I love these Rhonda especially the Bergen photo those buildings are brilliant 🙂
Have a Nordictastic week & thanks for all your comments 🙂
Tanja
wonderful photos!
Barbara Radisavljevic
I’ve always wanted to see Norway since I did a report on it in high school. Looks like I’ll only see it through the eyes of travel bloggers like you. Your photos are beautiful.
Julie Kemp Pick
Hi Rhonda, I loved the brilliant colors of Norway! It looks like something out of a storybook.
It’s fun to experiment with black & white photos too. I think I would prefer a black & white photo of myself,
as it would probably soften lines and wrinkles.
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels
Love these pictures! They are all wonderful, but the 2nd one was especially stunning! I hope to visit Norway someday!