Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjord located in one of the prettiest places in Norway.
The small town of Geiranger has about 200 permanent residents, but can see upwards of 300,000 tourists per year, primarily due to its position as a Norway’s third biggest cruise ports.
The relative invasion of cruise ship passengers is why I recommend visiting this town by land. I stayed here overnight and it was a very different experience before the cruise ships arrived!
Just be aware- many of these visitors are renting cars and encountering Norwegian roads for the first time. Trying to navigate traffic up the hairpin turns of Møllsbyga was not my favorite experience.
Don’t let that stop you from hitting up some of Geiranger’s famous viewpoints! Dalsnibba Skywalk may be the most popular, but Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint was my favorite for a truly excellent view of the town and the fjord.
You may also choose to stop by the Norwegian Fjord Center on your visit. They offer exhibitions showcasing the Norwegian fjord landscape, offer Ranger-led hikes to the nearby waterfall, and even rent out winter equipment!
If you don’t want to pay, Geiranger’s Waterfall Walk is free to do on your own, and takes you from the town center to the Norwegian Fjord Center, with a really good view of the base of the Storsæterfossen waterfall on the way. This trail continues into Fosseråsa National Hiking Trail, which was nominated as Norway’s first National Hiking Trail in 2019.
For a more challenging hike, try the iconic Skageflå farm trail. I’m still kicking myself for missing out on this hike, but the timing, the weather, (and honestly my fitness level) just weren’t in my favor.
Now, if you can only do one thing in Geiranger, you simply have to do a fjord cruise. There are a few different options for cruises, but I just picked the first one available when I arrived in the morning and paid on the spot.
Fjords are pretty much my favorite landscapes on the planet so I was extremely pleased to get up and close in Geirangerfjord! Keep an eye out for the famous Seven Sisters, Suitor, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Don’t miss Geiranger Sjokolade Fjordnær! This chocolatier was recommended to me by pretty much everyone who’s ever been on a cruise to Norway. The chocolate here is made from scratch with local ingredients- you’ll be hard pressed to find fresher sweets.
A variety of flavors are offered, several of which are award-winning. No need to pick just one, these chocolates are conveniently packaged in a cone shaped container to take away.
Geiranger Sjokolade is located in the boat house right in town, making it easy to spot- and filling the town with the smell of chocolate- just be aware that it’s only open between May and October.
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