Geirangerfjord - Sights and Things to Do in Geiranger

In the west of Norway, at the end of the Geirangerfjord, lies the small but picturesque town of Geiranger. There are currently only about 250 residents living there, but hundreds of thousands of tourists visit every year. The nature in the surroundings and the Geirangerfjord, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, are absolutely breathtaking.

Tips and Attractions in the Geirangerfjord

The main attraction of Geiranger’s sights is, of course, the Geirangerfjord, where you have a fantastic view from the numerous viewpoints. But don’t forget the waterfalls and the mountain peak Dalsnibba. Here, we summarize our tips for Geiranger that you can experience on a day trip.

How to get to Geiranger

You can’t fly directly to Geiranger, but you can fly to the Norwegian city of Ålesund. From there, it’s another 2 ½ hours drive to Geiranger – unfortunately, there is no closer airport. Compare prices and tickets on Skyscanner. By train, you can travel to Åndalsnes, for example, via Oslo, and then take a bus to Ålesund. From Ålesund, there are daily bus connections to Geiranger, which also include a short ferry ride. Plan for about 3 hours for this journey. You can find connections on Omio.

Another option is arriving by cruise ship or the ships of Hurtigruten, which start in Bergen, Norway. This way, you’ll get to see the stunning Geirangerfjord before even reaching Geiranger.

Accommodation in Geiranger – our hotel tip

The Hotel Lunheim in Geiranger welcomes its guests with a spectacular view of the Geirangerfjord. The rooms are located on a peaceful farm and are simple yet cozy, with some even featuring their own fireplace. You can quickly reach the city center, which is 3 kilometers away, using the complimentary shuttle service. The hotel also offers tour booking services.

You can find additional accommodation options in Geiranger and the surrounding area here.

1. Boat Tour on the Geiranger Fjord

A boat tour on the Geiranger Fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most popular activities in Geiranger. During this tour, you can explore some of Geiranger’s attractions, such as the waterfalls “The Seven Sisters” or the waterfall Freier (see the next points).

There are sightseeing tours lasting from 1 to 1 ½ hours. On the ship, you will find toilets, a snack kiosk, as well as indoor and outdoor areas. Perfect for taking photos. You can purchase a ticket for approximately € 40 at the tourist information or book it online in advance.

2. Waterfall “The Seven Sisters”

The Seven Sisters are one of the main attractions in Geiranger and the fjord. It consists of 7 waterfalls that are very close together. They plunge from a height of approximately 250 meters into the Geirangerfjord.

The name “The Seven Sisters” comes from the fact that – when viewed from a distance – the waterfall appears as if there are 7 hair strands of women. The best time to see the waterfall is between May and July when the melting snow feeds the waterfall. During other seasons, it depends on the amount of rainfall.

3. Waterfall “Freier”

Right across from the Seven Sisters, you’ll find the waterfall Freier. According to a legend, Freier asked each of the sisters for their hand in marriage. However, he was always rejected, and as a result, he turned to alcohol. That’s why, with a bit of imagination, the waterfall also resembles a bottle.

4. Fjord Center

The Fjord Center is located slightly above Geiranger (approximately 1 kilometer). During the summer, you can take a bus from the town center, and the bus ride is included in the entrance fee to the Fjord Center, which costs 130 Norwegian Kroner (about € 11,85). You’ll get to learn a lot about the history of the fjord, the mountains, and even enjoy a multimedia show. It’s open daily from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM.

5. Storfossen Waterfall

Directly at the Storfossen Waterfall, the hiking trail Fossevandring runs. The constructed path takes you up 327 steps, passing by numerous viewpoints along the waterfall. Storfossen starts at an elevation of 550 meters, and if you wish to hike the entire trail, you have approximately 4 kilometers ahead of you.

A popular starting point for the hiking trail is at the Fjord Center. From here, you can either hike towards Westerås Gard and thus to the beginning of Storfossen or take the stairs down to the town center of Geiranger if you have less time. However, that is also a very scenic route.

6. Ørnesvingen

The viewpoint Ørnesvingen is one of the best attractions in Geiranger and is also known as Eagle Bend in English. Route 63 leads from Geiranger to Korsmyra, navigating numerous hairpin bends with a 10% incline.

Since the road partly passes through an eagle habitat, it was named Ørnevegen, which translates to Eagle Road. The Eagle Road viewpoint is located on the top hairpin bend, reached after 8 kilometers of driving. From here, you have a breathtaking view of Geiranger, the Geirangerfjord, and also the Freier Waterfall.

7. Flydalsjuvet

Flydalsjuvet is a viewpoint, located approximately 4 kilometers from the village of Geiranger, and a very popular stop on tours, for example, heading towards Dalsnibba (see point 8). From here, you have a fantastic view over Geiranger and deep into the Geirangerfjord, and on most days, you can also see many ships anchored in the area.

The viewpoint, which was modernized in 2006, also offers the Fjordsetet. This is a wooden seat on the lower level, unveiled by Queen Sofia in 2003. Not many of the tour visitors usually come here as it is best accessed from the car park.

No matter which level of the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint you ended up on, this is probably the most photographed subject and one of the top attractions of Geiranger.

8. Dalsnibba Viewpoint

Located just half an hour’s drive from the town center of Geiranger, the viewpoint at Dalsnibba (also known as the Geiranger Skywalk) awaits. The summit stands at an elevation of 1476 meters and offers absolutely incredible views of the valley, the Geirangerfjord beyond, and the snow-capped peaks of other mountains.

The toll road, Nibbevegen, leading to Dalsnibba is typically open only between June and October. During other seasons, passage can be challenging. Even in the summer, it can be cool at the summit of Dalsnibba, so remember to bring a jacket. It’s safe to say that you should not miss this attraction in Geiranger.

9. Kayaking on the Geirangerfjord

If you want to explore the Geirangerfjord in a different way, how about kayaking? The Geiranger Kayak Center is located 2 kilometers outside of town. So, you can either walk there or borrow a bicycle for free from the tourist information.

It’s advisable to book the kayaking tour in advance. You have the option of choosing between self-guided or guided tours with or without hikes. You can find more information here.

Geiranger Sights: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Geiranger in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Geiranger.

Have you already visited the Geirangerfjord or the other sights in Geiranger? How did you like our Geiranger things to do? We look forward to your feedback in the comments.

Photos: Photo 1 (Boat tour): F8 studio/shutterstock.com – Photo 4 (Storfossen Waterfall): Martin Valigursky/shutterstock.com – Photo 10 (Kayaking): Sergii Beck/shutterstock.com