aurlandsfjord cruise

Fjord Cruise

Experience the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord from one of many available fjord cruises.

There are several daily departures with fjord cruises, and you can choose to get onboard a traditional ferry or a fully electrical catamaran.

The fjord cruise takes you on a spectacular journey through the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord. Usually, the cruise will depart from either Flåm or Gudvangen, but if you book in advance you might be able to arrange for it to pick you up in Aurland.

If you take the fjord cruise to the end stop in Gudvangen it takes about 2,5 hours. From here, you can hop on a shuttle bus that will take you back to Flåm or Aurland. For more information and booking, visit this site .

Aurlandsfjorden / Nærøyfjorden

Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord

Regardless of the season, a cruise on the Nærøyfjord will be an unforgettable experience.

Join a fjord cruise in the UNESCO World Heritage landscape in one of the most popular fjord areas in Norway.  The narrow and spectacular Nærøyfjord is surrounded by steep valley sides and snow-covered peaks that rise 1,800 metres above sea level, with thundering waterfalls and picturesque villages along the fjord. Regardless of the season, a cruise on the Nærøyfjord will be an unforgettable experience. Every season leaves its own unique touch on the fjord landscape: Frosty colours, white mountain peaks and ice-covered waterfalls during winter time; blooming deciduous trees and birds chirping during the spring; green trees and long, bright nights during the summer; and a golden terrain with fresh and clear air during the autumn. You can begin your fjord cruise from Flåm or Gudvangen. If you travel from Flåm, the vessel will begin its journey sailing through the idyllic Aurlandsfjord, which is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Furthermore, the boat continues through the narrow Nærøyfjord before arriving Gudvangen, innermost in the Nærøyfjord. The trip takes around two hours one way, and can be combined with a shuttle bus to make it a round trip. The bus connects with the Nærøyfjord cruise and gives you the flexibility to choose which bus and boat departures suit you best. The shuttle bus runs all year round. Vision & Future of The Fjords The two vessels Vision and Future of The Fjords represent a brand-new standard in design and technology. They have been designed to maximise the tourist experience during any kind of weather, with large windows and walkways inspired by the winding trails of steep mountain terrain. Passengers are encouraged to go out on the top deck and enjoy a very different experience compared to traditional passenger vessels. Inside you will find Nordic inspired interior design offering a high level of comfort. These are environmentally-friendly vessels: Vision is a hybrid vessel and Future is a fully-electric vessel. Both vessels sail along the most exposed and spectacular parts of the Nærøyfjord, running on battery power only and keeping to a speed of less than 10 knots. Departure from: Flåm, Aurland, Undredal, Gudvangen Days: All days Duration: Approx. 2 hours   Web: www.norwaysbest.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialnorwaysbest  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norwaysbest_/    Hashtag photos: #Norwaysbest 

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Where is Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord ?

• Things to do
• Fjord cruises
• RIB boat tours

Fjord safari in Flåm

Experience the fjords in a fun and personal way!

• Join in on this RIB-boat in Flåm adventure and experience the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord , as well as visiting the beautiful Sagfossen Waterfall
• A RIB-boat tour is a fun, quick, and exciting way to experience the Norwegian fjords
• With a capacity of only 12 people, you are ensured to have a personal experience together with a friendly and knowledgeable guide

Tour description

Good to know, the best things to do in flåm.

NORWAY – WESTERN NORWEGIAN FJORDS

A local's guide to the fjords in Western Norway.

FLÅM BY THE AURLANDSFJORD

Flåm is one of several fjord villages located by the aurlandsfjord. the aurlandsfjord is a 29 kilometer long branch of the sognefjord..

At Mt Beitelen, 11 kilometers from where the Aurlandsfjord starts, the Aurlandsfjord devides into two fjords; the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. The Aurlandsfjord continues 18 kilometers inwards to Flåm where it ends.

Visit sognefjord.

Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Sognefjord area.

Hotels and accommodation in the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area

Overview of hotels and other places where you can spend the night in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord

Flåm is a perfect starting point for many great adventures in beautiful and wild nature. Where the Aurlandsfjord ends, the Flåmsdalen Valley starts. If the Aurlandsfjord is an adventure, the Flåmsdalen Valley is an even more beautiful adventure, and both should be experienced.

It is easy to travel to Flåm. “All roads” leads to Flåm, and you can also get there by train via the Bergen Line and Flåm Railway. If you take the Flåm Railway down to Flåm, you will experience the beautiful Flåmsdalen Valley at the same time.

You can see and do a lot with Flåm as a starting point. In Flåm there are many places to eat and sleep. It is also a short distance to other beautiful fjords where you can visit idyllic fjord villages and experience beautiful and dramatic nature.

The Aulandsfjord and Nærøyfjord

The Aurlandsfjord is a 29 kilometer long branch of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord. Along the Aurlandsfjord we have the villages Undredal, Aurland and Flåm.

At Mt Beitelen, 11 kilometers from where the Aurlandsfjord starts, the Aurlandsfjord devides into two fjords; the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.

The Nærøyfjord is a 17 kilometer long branch of the Aurlandsfjord and was in 2005 included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The landscape on and around the Nærøyfjord is considered to be one of the most scenic fjord areas on earth, and was added to the list due to its unique natural quality and beauty.

Fjord Cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord

Here you will experience the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord (UNESCO World Heritage) in a fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen.

The boats run on batteries that are charged with electricity from short-distance hydropower. The boat trips are both sustainable, climate-friendly and silent, which makes the trips on the fjord an even better experience.

Numerous wild and beautiful waterfalls and rivers characterize the landscape, crossing the rugged mountains and deciduous and coniferous forests on their way down to the fjords.

Beautiful villages with a sustained cultivated landscape with remainders of old farms and mountain pastures and unique cultural monuments gives a extra dimension to the dramatic natural landscape. Season: all year.

Flåm Railway – From mountain to fjord

Flåm Railway has been named one of the ten most beautiful railways in the world. It starts at Flåm at the inner part of the Aurlandsfjord and ends at Myrdal Train Station which is part of the Bergen Railway.

This is the train journey from mountain to fjord, and many people take the train ride both ways.

Flåm Railway is one of Norway’s most spectacular railways with its 20 tunnels and a gradient of 1 to 18 on almost 80% of the line.

The train stops at Kjosfossen Waterfall where passengers can experience and take pictures of the wild and beautiful waterfall before the train continues on to the end stations which is Myrdal on the high mountain or Flåm down by the fjord.

Flåmsbana is also a fantastic experience in winter. It is highly recommended! Season: all year.

FjordSafari – Activities on and around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord

FjordSafari offers guided activities, adventures and fjord excursions by RIB boat where you will get to explore the UNESCO world heritage site on and around the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.

The area represents an extreme, dramatic and a fantastic fjord landscape.

Their slogan is BOAT – HIKE – BIKE – SNOW, and they give you experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Season: The activities and excursions can be done all year round, but they vary between summer and winter excursions.

Fjordsplorer – Rent an Electric Bike

Rent an electric bicycle and explore the area around Aurland and Flåm from the seat of a bicycle. There are two stations you can rent bikes from, one station in Aurland and one in Flåm. There are options for both charging and renting bicycles at these stations. From an electric bicycle you come into close contact with nature in a sustainable way.

Flåm Valley

The Flåm Valley is a beautiful small adventure. The valley between Myrdal (866.8 masl) and Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord is 18 kilometer long. The valley is narrow and the mountains are steep, and there are waterfalls and rivers wherever you turn around.

Flåm Valley is a great place for hiking and biking . Flåm Zipline sends you off at over 100 kilometers per hour, you are just hanging in a thin steel wire high above the valley.

Rallarvegen ends in the Flåm Valley, and you can take the train up and down the Flåm Valley with Flåm Railway . Brekkefossen Waterfall is a popular hiking goal in the Flåm Valley.

The waterfalls in the Flåmsdalen Valley

Flåmsdalen Valley runs between Myrdal (866.8 m) and Flåm down by the Aurlandsfjord. Along the valley there are waterfalls, rivers and rapids everywhere you turn. Here you will find information about a few of the waterfalls in Flåmsdalen.

Rjoandefossen is a striking waterfall in Flåmsdalen. The waterfall plunges down the valley on the opposite side of the Flåm Railway, you can see Rjoandefossen from the railway on the southern side of the 424 meter long Furuberget tunnel. Rjoandefossen has a total drop of over 300 meters with the highest vertical drop of 147 meters.

Flåm Railway is one of Norway’s most spectacular railways with its 20 tunnels and a gradient of 1 to 18 on almost 80% of the line. The train stops at Kjosfossen Waterfall where passengers can experience and take pictures of the wild and beautiful waterfall before the train continues on to the end stations which is Myrdal on the high mountain or Flåm down by the fjord. From the train on the Flåm railway there is a great view of the steep mountain sides and the many waterfalls that plunge into the valley.

Just below Rallarrosa Stølsysteri, where Flåm Zipline tour ends, you will find Kårdalsfossen , one of the striking waterfalls in Flåmsdalen. You can walk or cycle across the bridge that crosses Flåmselvi river at the top of Kårdalsfossen. After cycling down the hill, you can see Kårdalsfossen again, this time from below.

Brekkefossen Waterfall , not far from Flåm, is a popular hiking goal. A nice trail has been made up to the viewpoint under Brekkefossen. The first part of the trail is a gravel road, then there are 578 steps of stone that go up to the viewpoint Raokjen. FjordSafari organizes guided tours from Flåm to the viewpoint below Brekkefossen. The first part of the hike is about two kilometers long and goes on the road along the Flåmselvi river from Flåm to Brekkevegen, then the rest of the hike goes along the trail up to Raokjen. The trail is 1.3 kilometers long with an ascent of 170 metres. From Raokjen there is a great view down to Flåm and to the inner part of the Aurlandsfjord.

Flåm Zipline – The longest zipline in Norway

Take the Flåm Railway from Flåm to Vatnahalsen Station or Bergensbanen Railway from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal Station. From Vatnahalsen it is only a couple of minutes to walk to Flåm Zipline. From Myrdal Station it is 1.5 kilometers to walk.

When you have finished the zipline, you can rent a bike and cycle down the Flåmsdalen Valley to Flåm. Remember to book everything in advance ( package with train, zipline and bike rental ).

An autumn trip to Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord

One evening in October, I boarded the train at Oslo Central Station. I was going to take the train along Bergen Railway to Myrdal. Finally, I was going to experience the Flåmsdalen valley, the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord in autumn colours again.   It had been far too long since the last time.

I joined a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. Never have I seen these fjords more beautiful than this day. Here are some words that I got from a tourist who was on the same boat trip. He posted the comment on a timelapse video I made from that fjord cruise:

– My girlfriend and I were on this cruise that day and it was truly a magical morning. The water was like glass and the rising sun kept changing the mountain views all around us as we silently glided through the fjord.

Guided Kayak Trips on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord

The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord are great to explore from a kayak.

You can join guided kayak-trips both in Flåm at the inner part of the Aurlandsfjord and in Gudvangen at the inner part of the Nærøyfjord.

• Guided Kayak trips on the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord – Start from Gudvangen
• Guided Kayak trips on the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord – Start from Flåm

NOTE – For safety reasons, we recommend you to join a guided kayak trip if you are going to paddle kayak on the fjords. Here are some good advices on how you can be safer when kayaking on the fjords and during other activities and when traveling in Norway and Western Norway in general.

Season Kayak: Summer, check with the guide companies when they offer guiding. Seasons mentioned on this website are approximately dates.

Fjord Sauna on the fjord outside Flåm

Enjoy the heat in a sauna on the Aurlandsfjord and jump into the fresh water in the Aurlandsfjord . FJORD SAUNA is a floating sauna that is heated with electricity when it is at the quay and with wood when it is out on the fjord.

Season Floating Sauna: All year

Cycling Rallarvegen from mountain to fjord

One of the finest and most popular cycle roads in Norway is the 82-kilometer long Rallarvegen (the Navvie`s Road) running from the high mountains to the fjord.

The most popular part of the cycle route is from Finse, at 1222 masl, to Flåm down by the Aurlandsfjord.

Otternes farmyard between Aurland and Flåm

Otternes farmyard is a cluster of 27 old buildings from the 1700s. The view towards the Aurlandsfjord and to Flåm from the farmyard is fantastic. Look south and you see the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord towards Flåm. In the other direction you will see out the Aurlandsfjord towards the mountains which encircle Aurland.

Stegastein Viewpoint above the Aurlandsfjord

Stegastein Viewpoint is part of the Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route, 650 meters above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord. Great view from the viewpoint towards the Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding mountains. Stegastein Viewpoint is a wooden platform, made of of glulam, which juts 30 meters out from the mountainside by the Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route . The panorama-view, 650 meters above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord , is one of the best views in the fjords.

At Flåm you can rent a small electric car, and you can experience Stegastein Viewpoint and the area around Flåm and Aurland. The electric car is an urban two-seater which is fun and easy to drive, and the GPS-guide will supply you with loads of interesting things along the way. Season: Summer, check Norway´s Best website .

You can also join a sightseeing bus from Flåm to Stegastein Viewpoint . Departures at Flåm and Aurland. The tour will take one to two hours.

Undredal by the Aurlandsfjord

Undredal is an idyllic little village down by the Aurlandsfjord which is known for the many goats and the local white and brown goat’s cheese.

The movie Frozen I is inspired by this small village, with the surrounding steep mountains rising straight up from the fjord.

Undredal Stave Church in Undredal is Norway’s smallest church. In Undredal you will also find what is believed to be the smallest fire station in Europe.

You do not need to go hiking or onto a fjord adventure when visiting Undredal.

Many people just want so see and experience this beautiful village and the fjord from land, to buy some goat cheese from Underdalsbui and  to learn about the tradition of goat’s cheese and farming in Undredal with tasting at Undredal Bryggje/Café .

Winter Fjord Cruise from Flåm

It is easy to understand why more and more people discover how beautiful and exotic the Norwegian Fjords are during winter. The fjords is a great playground for those who want to ski, go snow-shoe hiking, take a winter-cruise or join a RIB-boat on the fjords or just take in the cold, crispy air and enjoy the beautiful winter-landscape.

On the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, you can do a Fjord Cruise all year round, and it is possible to experience it from Oslo or from Bergen , in one day.

Eat and drink in Flåm

Sights, experiences and activities are not the same without good food and drinks. W e recommend these places to eat and drink in Flåm . Video by Flåmsbrygga .

Flåm Bakery on the pier has a large selection of fresh baked goods, great coffee and homemade take away pizza.

Ægir Restaurant is located on Flåmsbrygga. They serve first-class food. Here you can eat and drink like a Viking.

Flåm Marina is located only a few minutes walk along shoreline from the Flåm Railway station. At Flåm Marina you can enjoy your meal with the best Fjord View there is.

Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – What to See and Do

Flåm, Aurland and Gudvangen are perfect starting points for experiences in and around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, two of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords. On 14 July 2005, the Nærøyfjord together with the Geirangerfjord became part of our common UNESCO’s world heritage .

From Flåm you can take part in a fjord safari or a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. You can take this fjord cruise as a round trip (both ways) or one way combined with bus between Flåm and Gudvangen. See the great view from Stegastein viewpoint , 650 meters above Aurland . Taste the local goat’s cheese in Undredal or in Skjerdal , two villages by the Aurlandsfjord.

Flåm Railway is the train journey from mountain to fjord, perhaps the most beautiful railway in the world. You can combine this train journey with cycling along Rallarvegen which goes from the high mountains via Flåmsdalen Valley to Flåm. Aurlandsdalen Valley is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. The lower part of Aurlandsdalen, which is also the most popular, starts from Østerbø and ends at Vassbygdi in Aurland.

The Flåm Valley is a beautiful adventure. The valley between Myrdal (866.8 masl) and Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord is 18 kilometer long. The valley is narrow and the mountains are steep, and there are waterfalls and rivers wherever you turn around. Flåm Valley is a great place for hiking and biking . Flåm Zipline sends you off at over 100 kilometers per hour, you are just hanging in a thin steel wire high above the valley.

By the Nærøyfjord, we have the small villages of Gudvangen , Bakka, Styvi and Dyrdal. Styvi is the only place without permanent inhabitants during the winter, and is together with Dyrdal without road connection. Gudvangen is one of two ports where the iconic ferry trip along the inner part of the Sognefjord departs and arrives. Visit the Viking village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen and experience the history and culture of the Viking Age.

The Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord are both part of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord which is located in the northern part of the county of Vestland, in the middle of Western Norway.

Sakte – Stay and Explore the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord 



“Sakte” is a collaboration between companies that provide adventures, accommodation, dining and short-travelled food- and products. “Sakte” are located in the area around the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord and is an offer for those who want to contribute to a sustainable society in the world heritage area.

How to travel to the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord area

It is easy to travel to Flåm and Aurland, the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. Almost “all roads” go to Flåm and Aurland , and you can also travel there by train, bus and boat. It is only a short distance between the two neighboring villages of Flåm and Aurland.

You can start this fjord adventure by train from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal station. Then you get to experience the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen and Flåm Railway , one of Norway’s most spectacular railway lines, from Myrdal station to Flåm, which is located down by the Aurlandsfjord . If you take Flåm Railway, you get to experience the beautiful Flåmsdalen valley at the same time.

There are several daily bus departures between Oslo/Bergen and Flåm.

The nearest airport is Sogndal Airport at Haukåsen near Kaupanger. Most flights that go to and from Sogndal Airport come from and go to Oslo and Bergen. From the airport to Flåm, it is 70 kilometers by road, including a wonderful crossing of the Sognefjord by ferry.

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Explore the Nærøyfjord from a fjord cruise

Calm down, breathe out. When you’re aboard the Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord, you can sit back and enjoy the view of this fjord with World Heritage status, the lovely little villages and the spectacular nature. Or else you can hop off along the route and explore the area at close quarters. The relevant shuttle bus will take you back to your starting point, whether you start in Gudvangen or Flåm.

The Nærøyfjord is one of those fjords you really have to take a boat to see properly. The fact that it’s so untouched is actually one of the main reasons as to why this fjord is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The narrow fjord, surrounded by high, steep mountains, looks almost exactly the same as it did 50 or 100 years ago. When aboard the modern electric boat, you have panoramic views whether you’re sitting inside or out on deck. You’ll sail past the small communities of Bakka, Tufte, Styvi and Dyrdal along the Nærøyfjord. You can disembark at the last two of these in order to explore the nature and cultural history at close quarters.

On a 2-hour Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord , you won’t just see one fjord. You’ll also get to see the beautiful Aurlandsfjord, which is part of the World Heritage-listed West Norwegian Fjords. On your way to or from Flåm, there are great views across to Stigen gård clinging on to a mountain ledge, the picturesque Undredal the provided inspiration for Disney’s Arendelle in the Frozen films, and Aurlandsvangen, the municipal centre in Aurland. If you book the Nærøyfjord tour , a shuttle bus will take you back to your starting point, whether you boarded in Gudvangen or Flåm. 

Experience the silence

There’s absolutely no noise from cars or machinery at the Nærøyfjord. Nature reigns supreme here, so what could be better than enjoying that nature from a silent electric boat? The Future of the Fjords was the first boat of her kind when she arrived in 2018. A fully electric, carbon fibre boat designed to allow passengers to enjoy nature to the fullest. She glides soundlessly through the fjord, and in winter the only thing you can hear is the thin sheet of ice breaking. The elegant Scandinavian interior and floor-to-ceiling windows also allow passengers to focus their attention on the landscape outside. 

Book a tour of the Nærøyfjord

Book Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord

Spectacular waterfalls

A beautiful waterfall plunges down the steep mountainsides along both the Nærøyfjord and the Aurlandsfjord. This is particularly beautiful when the snow is melting in May and June, because waterfalls of all sizes then start to appear no matter where you look. The most spectacular of these waterfalls is Sagfossen, at the outermost point of the Nærøyfjord, with a total drop of 575 metres. If you’re standing out on deck, you can feel the droplets of water on your face when the boat carefully draws alongside the waterfall.

UNESCO World Heritage at close quarters

Clear signs of the old farming culture can be seen here from the fjord. Unlike in most other places, farming here was never industrialised in the same way. The farms and homesteads that used to be worked by hand remain the same as they ever were, and the same is true for the outlying land. You can’t help but think of the farmers who once sat here, who laboured tirelessly to farm beneath the incredibly steep mountainsides with their landslides and avalanches. No road was ever built here, either.

It’s precisely this combination of rough, dramatic landscape, cultural history and untouched farmland that’s put this fjord on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Dyrdal – the village with one resident

The first place you come to on your way into Nærøydalen has been inhabited since the Middle Ages, and there are written sources to indicate that people here survived the Black Death. This used to be a lively community with both a school and an infirmary, but now there’s only one man living here. Both the buildings and the cultural landscape are maintained on account of the district’s World Heritage status, and in summer sheep are transported by boat from other places along the fjord so that they can graze.

If you get off the boat at Dyrdal, you can walk up the gravel track towards the Drægo farm and then on to the Hjølmo farm, 5 km from the fjord. There are lots of options if you’d like to carry on walking – the Vassete farm is a few kilometres further on into the mountain. You can also go all the way to the top of Breiskrednosi, for some fantastic views down into the fjord. This was the old transport route between Dyrdal and Jordalen and on to Stalheim. You can book a guided paddle and hiking trip from Dyrdal to Bleiklindi on the old Postal Road, in combination with the boat trip from Flåm.

The Royal Mailroad

If you hop off the fjord cruise at the old mail farm of Styvi, on the opposite side of the fjord from Dyrdal, you can enjoy a historic walk. This is where you’ll find parts of the Royal Mailroad, which was used in winter from the mid-17th century to transport the mail to Styvi when the ice on the fjord was potentially hazardous. From there, the farmers got in their boat and rowed on to Lærdalsøyri to drop off the mail. Steamboats took over the mail route in 1858, and now the road is an easy hiking trail, about 5km one way from Styvi to Bleiklindi, across the fjord at Bakka. You have to go back the same way and jump back on the boat to either Flåm or Gudvangen.

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In the footsteps of Vikings

Objects have been found indicating links between the Sognefjord and Ireland during the Viking era. A number of places in Sogn are named after Norse gods, and some people reckon the Nærøyfjord itself is named after Njord, the god of seafaring. The remains of Viking graves can be seen at Holmo near Bakka, and there’s a living Viking village in Gudvangen, the place of the gods. Combine a fjord cruise a visit to the authentic village of Njardarheimr . This is a place where you can see and learn all about life a thousand years ago – and, not least, talk to people who live like Vikings.

The beautiful Aurlandsfjord

Half the fjord cruise covers the Aurlandsfjord to or from Flåm, which is right at the end. There are panoramic views of this beautiful fjords as well from the deck of the boat, or through the windows that extend from floor to ceiling in the lounges.

You’ll sail past Stigen gård. You really wouldn’t believe anybody could live there, but these days it’s a bed & breakfast sleeping 14. Make sure you’ve got your camera out when you arrive at Undredal, with the dramatic Undredalen Valley behind it. There are charming wooden buildings in this little fjord community, along with Norway’s smallest stave church – and a few goats. Goats cheese has put Undredal on the map, even though it had no road until 1988. If you’re eating at the Fretheim Hotel , you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste the cheese – even with dessert.

The boat can call at both Undredal and Aurlandsvangen. Aurlandsvangen is the biggest urban district in the municipality and boasts Aurlandskoen , the only shoe factory in Norway, the Stegastein viewing platform 650 metres above the fjord and the recently opened Hotel Aurlandsfjord .

Animal life at the fjord

There’s every chance of you seeing animals on land or in the water when you’re aboard your fjord cruise. Seeing killer whales playing in the fjord is really funny. You might also see porpoises as they leap above the surface of the water. That said, you’re most likely to see seals warming themselves on the rocks in the Nærøyfjord. The local mountain climbers – also known as goats – can be seen hunting for grass and leaves on steep mountainsides and rocky crags in spring, summer and autumn. Did you know, the municipal coat of arms of Aurland also has a goat on it?

Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord from NOK 625,-

Nærøyfjord round trip - bus and boat from Flåm from NOK 760,-

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• Aurlandsfjord
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Aurlandsfjord is popular with travellers for its snow-covered peaks, waterfalls and idyllic farms clinging to the mountainsides.

Aurlandsfjorden in Norway

Aurland in Norway

View attractions close by Aurlandsfjord

Flåm railway, tours including aurlandsfjord.

You could experience Aurlandsfjord through any one of these tours below.

Complete Norway

Coastal cruise & scenic train journey, wonders of the norwegian fjords, norway in a nutshell® & expert tour guide, express norway, fjord cruise & scenic train journey, norway in a nutshell® & best of northern norway classic, fjord cruise, snowhotel & northern lights.

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Discover the beautiful Aurlandsfjord

Fjord Norway - Robin Strand

Bergen Tourist Board - Robin Strand -VisitBergen.com

Sverre Hjørnevik -www.fjordnorway.com

Kaitlin Bailey - Matador Network - www.fjordnorway.com

• Map & transport

The Aurlandsfjord

Experience the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord in Sognefjord - Western Norway - maybe the worlds most beautiful and dramatic fjords?

They represent two of many fjord arms in the 204 km long Sognefjord, the 'King of the Fjords'.

Aurlandsfjord is a 17-kilometer long branch and the surrounding mountains are up to more than 1400 metres high.

In fact, the Aurlandsfjord is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage area, in which the Nærøyfjord became a member of in 2005 together with Geirangerfjord.

The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord is an adventure for nature lovers, and you will find many ways to experience fresh air, the silence and the sounds from the pure drinkable water from waterfalls.

Especially during the summer, you can experience the Aurlandsfjord from the boat, in a kayak or by walking in the surrounding mountains and green valleys.

Getting there

Find routes to this destination.

Coordinates

• Lattitude: 60.931867
• Longitude: 7.176819

Similar Fjords

The Geirangerfjord

The Hardangerfjord

Flåm Railway

The Nærøyfjord

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Norway – Flåm Fjord Cruise

If there is one thing you must do while in the Fjordlands of Norway, it’s taking a Fjord Cruise. And the type of cruise I am talking about is a 2-4 hour day cruise on the dark fjord waters, surrounded by steep mountains and waterfalls. Sound dreamy? That’s because it is. There are many Fjords to choose from, but two stand out as absolute beauties – Nærøyfjord and Griengerfjord. Since we were driving from Oslo, we opted to explore the Fjords that were a bit further south and finally settle on a one-way Flåm Fjord Cruise to get to Gudvagen with Lustrabaatane . It was by far and away my favorite way to explore the fjords. With moving clouds and calm water, the Flåm Fjord Cruise was dramatic and beautiful.

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Picking a Company to Cruise with

As part of the “Norway in a Nutshell” route, this specific fjord is particularly busy. The Flåm Fjord Cruise goes from Flåm to Gudvagen, with two options to return: taking a 2-hour cruise back or taking a 20-minute bus ride back. Due to our limited time, we opted for a one-way cruise with a bus back to make a loop. There are two companies that I could find that run this cruise – Visit Flåm and Lustrabaatne. Visit Flåm offers two price points – the lower price point (about 400 NOK) was on a classic shuttle-like boat, whereas the high price point (about 600 NOK) is on their premium, window-covered electric boat that has railings zig-zagging up the sides and a lot of space to be outdoors. Lustrabaatne only has one price point (295 NOK) on a shuttle boat. At this much lower price point, we opted to check it out.

I found it frustrating to navigate the Visit Flåm website. One thing I noticed was that the Visit Flåm website was charging 90 NOK for the return bus, but when I on the VY website (Norway’s public transportation website), they were listing on 70 NOK for the bus. Perhaps Visit Flåm has a special bus for their guests that lined up with the arrival of their vessel…? We opted to wait to purchase on the bus. Also, the price point changes for cruises based on the season. So if would like to go during the summer, you are going to pay for it!

However frustrating the website was to use, I would like to try out their premium cruise. With so many windows and outdoor space for people to be, I feel like I would be able to experience the Fjord with fewer people interrupting the experience.

At a Glance:

• Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars – would do it again in a heartbeat!
• Intensity: Cute, warm layers
• Location: Flåm, Norway
• Cost: 295 NOK per person with Lustrabaatane
• Restrooms: At the Flåm visitor center, one on board the vessel
• Timing: 3 hours with a bus back to Flåm

Highlights:

• The Fjord is absolutely stunning and particularly narrow as it gets closer to Gudvagen
• Waterfalls everywhere
• Calm waters
• Some guests smoked, making it uncomfortable to be outside
• Moveable chairs made it difficult to move around

The Cruise Itself

We were driving from Oslo the day we were to do the cruise and arrived at the dock just in time. We boarded what felt like a packed ship and made our way out to the top deck. There were moveable chairs that people had already self-arranged. We were able to snag to chairs and only waited about 10 minutes before take-off. The boat was full of what felt like a few large tour groups. They somehow all suddenly had a cup-of-noodles, which the crew sells before take-off.

We took off and the fjord views are immediately stunning. It is one thing to drive along the fjords, but it is another thing to be slicing through the dark waters with a view of the steep mountains and trickling waterfalls in every direction. Back at our seats, a group photo adding more and more people slowly edged us out of the way and out of a view. I decided to see if it was possible to go to the front of the ship. I grabbed my mom to come down to the chillier but relatively uncrowded bow of the ship. The front was spectacular. The moving clouds provided exactly enough drama to light up certain sides of the fjord.

During the cruise, you make your way up the Aurlandsfjord toward the Sognefjord, then turn and come down the Nærøyfjord. Along the way, you’ll see small towns that are only accessible by boat. You’ll see more waterfalls than you can count, and you’ll see snow-covered mountains that reach much lower temperatures to keep everlasting snow. Although it is all spectacular, once you turn the corner into Nærøyfjord toward Gudvagen, it becomes particularly narrow with calm glass-like water, making each picture dream-worthy. The green vegetation, blue skies, and white waterfalls reflect in the water like a mirror. My only wish is that I had warmer layers on, so I could stay at the front of the boat for the entire cruise.

Best Photos

I took my favorite photos of the Flåm Fjord Cruise at the front of the boat, where you could a gorgeous photo of the upcoming landscape or catch specific beauties in every direction. When we turned down the Nærøyfjord initially, we were facing the sun. I thought this would blow out the shot, but these were actually lovely, despite myself being a bit windblown.

You should take an opportunity to take photos all around the boat if you can manage it. By that, I mean up front on the bow, at the back with the Norwegian Flag flying, off the sides with waterfalls, and etc. As the scenery passes, the lighting and clouds change, making each area of the fjords a little different.

Once you disembark in Gudvangen, I recommend grabbing a cider from the bar and taking a few pictures with the Viking ship replica and the fjord behind you. Holding onto your cider during the pictures isn’t necessary, but I kind of love the Viking effect.

Boat Logistics

I hinted towards it earlier but wanted to mention that the boat felt very packed on the upper deck. It is not that the boat was full because inside there were many open seats, but that there is limited outdoor space. There were at least two or three large tour groups on board. We may be been there only single ticket holders, which was a bit strange. Some of the men from the tour groups decided to smoke a cigarette on the upper deck, making it uncomfortable for us to stay there. Then the front of the boat was very cold, so we would need to warm back up inside or on the upper deck. So around and around we went. But hey, we got great photos and exercise! I tried not to let this bother me because the fjords were a highlight of our entire Norway trip.

In Gudvangen, where everyone disembarked, there was a gift shop just inside. Once I was in the store, the same people from the boat were talking around me and bumping into me. After spending two hours doing the same thing, I’ve had enough and walked over to get a cider from the empty bar. It’s not that they were unkind, I just needed some space to actually enjoy this beautiful country. Perhaps it wouldn’t feel this way if I signed up for the tour group and this was part of the tour. If a crowd doesn’t bother you, then this is a great fjord cruise.

What to Pack for a Norway Fjord Cruise

The weather in Norway is variable, especially so in autumn. I ended up bringing many light layers so I could adjust to the various weather conditions and wind while on the fjord cruise. Here are a few items that came in handy:

• Rain Jacket and/or windbreaker , especially for the fjord cruises where it’s extremely windy at the front of the boat.
• Puffy mid-layer that packs up small like the Patagonia nano-puff jacket . Or for something a little more casual looking, I’m trying out the Patagonia pack-in jacket . the maroon jacket you see in the photos is a casual jacket I picked up from Marshalls but I was freezing, so I wouldn’t recommend it! It might have worked with a rain jacket or windbreaker on top.
• Wool layering long sleeve, like this one from Smartwool . Or consider a tank top to wear UNDER your cute sweaters for extra warmth.
• Leggings – athletic ones are always great to have, but also consider bringing a base layer with wool to wear under your pants.
• Lightweight fleece gloves were handy (pun intended)! I ended up wearing them on the fjord cruises and in Bergen where it was cooler. These ones from REI are supposed to allow you to touch the screen through the gloves – that would have been amazing because I kept having to take one glove off to take photos.
• Cute fleece-lined beanie.
• Extra large scarf or scarves! H&M typically has some cute chunky scarves each fall.
• Boots that you can comfortably walk in, but also keep your feet warm. The ones you see in the photos look good, but are often not warm enough! Consider some cute but functional boots from Clarks or Sorel .
• A handy dandy refillable water bottle is ALWAYS a good thing to bring with you.

Full Transparency

My mother and I received complimentary tickets for this fjord cruise and I wanted to discuss how that could have impacted my experience. I knew that we would absolutely take a fjord cruise while we were in Norway, regardless if the opportunity happened. Receiving the tickets for this cruise was an absolute bonus. The cruise happens at designated times, so if you were to buy tickets for the Lustrabaatane Flåm fjord cruise , you would get a similar (if not the same) experience. I think you should expect it to be crowded due to its popularity on the “Norway in a Nutshell” route. Perhaps going in winter would make for a quieter experience.

I absolutely love that there is an alternative option to overpriced Visit Flam, which as I mentioned was difficult to navigate their website. At a lower price point, Lustrabaatane allows more people from all over the world to see the fjords in their full glory.

I don’t normally feel seasick and I specifically did not feel anything while onboard the Lustrabaatne cruise. The fjords were extremely calm with little movement for the boat to cut through. The boats are also moving at a very slow pace, making any movement very subtle.

Overall Thoughts: Flåm Fjord Cruise

This fjord cruise was a highlight of my trip to Norway. It was spectacular to see the fjords not just from the car, but from the middle of them. It is hard to know which way to look with views 360 degrees around you and constantly changing as you move through the water. If there is one thing worth doing, it is to take a fjord cruise and see this unique environment. I tried not to let the fact that the boat was full bother me as I think most fjord cruises along the “Norway in a Nutshell” route will be packed, but the crowds definitely got to me by the time we reached the Gudvangen gift shop.

Other things to do in the Flam Area:

• Taking a ride on the Flam Train
• Mountain Biking the Flam Valley Downhill
• Visit the Stegastein Viewpoint
• Go to a Historic Stave Church
• Day trip to Fjaerland
• Cider Tasting in Balestrand

Where have you taken a scenic cruise? This was such a fun and different way to experience the fjords that I cannot wait to take more scenic cruises in the future. Let me know in the comments below where you recommend cruising!

Happy Travels,

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