Bergen is also nicknamed“the fjord capital of Norway“, thanks to its location in the immediate vicinity of several fjords. Wondering which fjord to explore during your stay in Bergen? That’s exactly what we asked ourselves when planning our trip.
Two of Norway’s largest fjords are located near Bergen: Sognefjord andHardangerfjord. Whether you’re sailing through tranquil waters or admiring the scenery from the road, there are plenty of activities to discover the fjords.
To help you prepare, we’re sharing with you all the options for exploring Bergen’s fjords. From discovering some of the most fascinating boat cruises to scenic routes, you’ll know it all.
Fjords to visit around Bergen + map
Exploring a fjord is definitely the experience of a lifetime in Norway, and we treasure all the beautiful images in a corner of our minds.
But first, let’s take a look at the meaning of the word fjord. You may have wondered, as we did during our preparations, what exactly a fjord is. It’s a long, winding expanse of salt water wedged between mountains or steep cliffs.
After our exploration of the Lysefjord to the south, near Stavanger, we were delighted to discover a new one, as this is obviously the must-do activity in Norway.
Bergen is located in southern Norway, close to numerous fjords. As the “capital of the fjords”, Bergen is the perfect starting point for exploring some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Here’s a list of fjords to visit around Bergen, accompanied by a map to help you plan your trip. We’ll introduce them to you and then explain how to explore them:
- Sognefjord: north of Bergen, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord (1,308km), Sognefjord stretches more than 200 kilometers inland from the Atlantic coast. The fjord is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, with sheer mountains plunging into deep, tranquil waters. Boat trips are available from Bergen to explore its many arms, including Osterfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Hardangerfjord: located south of Bergen, Norway’s second-largest fjord, famous for its spectacular fruit tree blossoms in spring, we were there at this time of year, and the scenery is truly stunning. Hardangerfjord offers magnificent views of mountains, waterfalls and glaciers. The region is also famous for its cider production, with several cider farms open to visitors.
Sailing the Osterfjord: an unforgettable cruise
Clearly the most accessible of Bergen’s fjords, many cruises leave from the port of Bergen to reach the village of Mostraumen at the end of the fjord. We chose this option because we wanted to minimize the sailing time before reaching the fjord.
Departing from Bergen harbor (at the fish market), we boarded a beautiful boat, where we enjoyed a lovely view of the Bryggen district, then set off to discover theOsterfjorden. As always, arriving by boat on a fjord is impressive, making you feel very small surrounded by the impressive cliffs.
For 3h30 we sailed along the tranquil waters of the fjord, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The company operating the cruise, Rødne Fjord Cruise, has an excellent reputation. Navigation is possible in summer and winter.
➡️ A word of advice: don’t forget to book your tickets online in advance (around €70 per person), especially during the tourist season, as these excursions are very popular and the number of places is limited.
Sognfjord boat trip
Bergen is located 1h30 from Sognfjord, Norway’s deepest and longest fjord, offering breathtaking panoramic views. Its tranquil waters reflect the snow-capped peaks and picturesque villages nestling on its shores, an almost unreal vision.
Aurlandfjord, an arm of Sognefjord, is home to picturesque villages such as Undredal and Flåm. For visitors, a footbridge (Stegastein) has been specially designed to enjoy the view.
From Bergen, you can opt for a full-day, round-trip guided excursion to explore this corner of Norway. Bergen: with a stop at the village of Flam.
Scenic routes near Bergen
Admiring the fjords from the road is just as breathtaking as the view from the water. Norway, aware of the beauty and importance of its natural landscapes, offers 18 scenic routes (Nasjonale Turistveger) specifically designed to sublimate and enhance the natural heritage.
During our 7-week stay in Norway, we even took detours on some of the roads that wind between mountains, glaciers, coastline and fjords. Here are the two we took near Bergen:
- The Aurlandsfjellet scenic route (Nasjonal turistveg Aurlandsfjellet): Connecting Aurlandsvangen to Lærdalsøyri over 47 km, this road offers breathtaking views, particularly from the Stegastein viewpoint, where a footbridge has been built to enjoy a sublime vantage point over the fjord. Beware, the road is narrow and can be difficult to cross, especially for motorhomes. Before reaching Stegastein, we drove through the world’s longest road tunnel, 24 km long, which is also free of charge.
- The Sognefjellet Scenic Route: This road is particularly remarkable as it crosses a plateau with a snow-covered steppe landscape at the end of its route. The contrast is striking: in the space of a few kilometers, we’ve gone from a summer outfit on the edge of the fjord to a snowball fight. This radical change of scenery highlights the diversity and richness of the Norwegian landscape. We rode hard and never got bored.
Remember to check whether these roads are open before venturing out, especially outside the summer season, as weather conditions can lead to temporary closures.
These 2 photos were taken a few hours apart. The diversity of landscapes is just crazy.
Of course, these fjords can also be visited on foot, and we recommend the All Trails app to help you find what you’re looking for.
We hope this article will help you plan your visit and make the most of the fjords around Bergen. If you’re in the area, the hike to the famous Trolltunga is incredible.
Don’t hesitate to leave us a note or 5 stars below, to let us know if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, below we’ll answer you with great pleasure. Vous pouvez consulter nos stories sur Instagram de notre voyage en Norvège, pour vous donner un avant gout de ce qui vous attend !
