Are you planning a trip to Norway and wondering if it\u2019s worth visiting Geiranger? In this blog post, we share our experience spending two nights in Geiranger as part of a longer 12 day Norway road trip<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before we get started, I think it\u2019s important to point out that Geiranger\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>is a village. It is located on the eastern edge of Geirangerfjord<\/em><\/strong>, one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s likely you will visit both Geirangerfjord<\/a> and Geiranger, especially if you arrive by boat or cruise ship. However, if you are on a Norway road trip, it\u2019s possible that you only briefly visit the village.\u00a0<\/p>\n Regardless, we highly recommend you visit Geirangerfjord. As does everyone who visits this part of Norway. There\u2019s good reason why this world-famous fjord<\/a> is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n Geiranger is one of the most famous fjord villages in Norway. It\u2019s also a port town for large cruise ships (more on that below). Norwegian fjords cruises are very popular in the summer and most Norway cruises include stops in Flam<\/a>, Olden and\/or Geiranger.\u00a0<\/p>\n Because of this, the town of Geiranger does get busy with tourists.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, if you visit, you are also a tourist. But it is something to keep in mind. You will not be alone during the day, especially in the busy summer travel season.<\/p>\n Although, if you choose to spend a night or two in Geiranger, you will notice that the village gets much quieter in the evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n The waterfront village is small. It has a few tourist shops, restaurants and hotels<\/a>, and that\u2019s about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, there are plenty of things to do in Geiranger and the surrounding area, so staying here makes sense. More on that below.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are plenty of things to do in Geiranger. However, the star attraction is Geirangerfjord. The west Norwegian fjord landscapes are spectacular. This is the reason why you visit this part of Norway.<\/p>\n Visitors can witness the beauty of the Geirangerfjord a number of ways, by land or sea. What you do will depend on how much time you have, and what interests you.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you like exercise, you might consider hiking to one of the mountain viewpoints and waterfalls. Or you might want to kayak up and down the fjord to see its famous waterfalls and steep rocky cliffs.<\/p>\n Alternatively, if you\u2019re looking for something a little more relaxed, you might want to visit the Norwegian Fjord Centre or take a shuttle to one of the lookout points, like Flydalsjuvet and\/or Dalsnibba.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most people plan to spend a day or two in Geiranger. However, if you\u2019re visiting while on a Norway cruise, you may only have a few hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n Because of this, you will need to be selective with what you do. You can\u2019t do everything. And, there\u2019s a good chance you will experience rain and\/or overcast weather. Regardless of the time of year.<\/p>\n If you plan to visit the 3 famous viewpoints (Dalsnibba<\/a>, Flydalsjuvet<\/a> and Ornesvingen<\/a>) and it\u2019s raining (this is what happened to us), you may need an alternative plan. See our photo from Flydalsjuvet below.<\/p>\n During our visit, we did the Waterfall Walk to Norwegian Fjord Centre, zipline at Explore Geiranger, and the RIB Fjordsafari. It was a fun-filled day.<\/p>\n We arrived in the evening, so our first night was spent exploring the village and having dinner. We did the activities the following day, and departed the next morning. So, technically we only had one full day in Geiranger, with two nights at\u00a0Havila Hotel Geiranger<\/a>.<\/p>\n We did the RIB Fjordsafari to see the famous waterfalls<\/a>. In our opinion, this is the best way to experience the beauty of Geirangerfjord.<\/strong><\/p>\n The inflatable boats are small, which allows them to get much closer to the waterfalls.\u00a0<\/p>\n The RIB-boat trip departs from the port in Geiranger and takes to three famous waterfalls \u2013 Bringefossen, The Seven Sisters, <\/strong>and Friaren (The Suitor)<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The tour is about an hour. A guide shares stories and points of interests, including the remote mountain farms that sit high above the water on the top of cliffs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n On our tour, we saw several harbour porpoises and large fish breaching. It\u2019s definitely worth visiting Geiranger to witness the stunning fjord landscapes.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can book tours online<\/a>, which is recommended. However, if you want to book a last minute tour, you can purchase tickets at the waterfront village.\u00a0<\/p>\n If a cruise ship is in port, you might find that tours are sold out. To avoid missing out on this unique adventure, it\u2019s best to book tickets ahead of time<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Above photo \u2013 guests returning from the RIB fjord safari tour.<\/p>\n As you can see, the boats are small. I believe about a dozen people per boat (I don\u2019t remember exactly).\u00a0<\/p>\n You can book RIB tours<\/a> here, in the building pictured above. It\u2019s located near the Geiranger cruise ship terminal.<\/p>\n However, we went straight to the main dock at the waterfront to check-in for the tour. You will see the inflatable boats docked here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The company has a trailer to get fitted with the waterproof suits and personal floatation devices. It\u2019s a small pier, so you should easily locate the RIB tour operator.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s the Seven Sisters waterfalls in the distance. Surprisingly, this 410 metres (1,350 feet) tall waterfall is only the 39th tallest waterfall<\/strong> in Norway.\u00a0<\/p>\n In case you were wondering, Vinnufossen<\/a> is the tallest waterfall in Norway at 845 metres (2,772 feet). It\u2019s one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe and the eighth-tallest in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n Watch this short video<\/a> of the waterfalls from the RIB tour.<\/p>\n Wide-angle view of the Seven Sisters waterfalls at Geirangerfjord, Norway.<\/p>\n The small boat gets so close to the waterfalls that you can touch the water!\u00a0<\/p>\n Another popular thing to do in Geiranger is hiking to the historic fjord farm Skagefla. There are a few different mountain farms in Geirangerfjord, but this one is the most popular.\u00a0<\/p>\n Skagefla farm is abandoned now. The old goat farm is a collection of moss-covered wooden homes that sit on a mountain ledge that overlooks the fjord and waterfalls.\u00a0<\/p>\n We spotted the farm while on the RIB fjord safari tour<\/a>. Our guide pointed it out and shared stories about when people used to live there.\u00a0<\/p>\n Could you live in a remote house that sits on a cliff\u2019s edge? The views must be spectacular, but it would be hard living.<\/p>\n Apparently, the trail entrance to reach the farm is on the waterfront. To get supplies, you would need to hike up the mountain with the supplies on your back. I bet you\u2019d stay in great shape if this was your daily routine!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Can you see the face in the side of the mountain in the above photo?\u00a0<\/p>\n This mountain is called Adinibba.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Waterfall Walk is probably the most popular thing to do in Geiranger.<\/strong> This unique trail offers a close-up experience with one of the country\u2019s most beautiful waterfalls, the Storfossen (Geiranger Waterfall).<\/p>\n The trail begins at the waterfront and makes it way up to the Norwegian Fjord Centre<\/a> and the Hotel Union. Or vice versa.<\/p>\n The trail runs parallel to the Geiranger River, allowing you to walk alongside a series of powerful waterfalls. There\u2019s a good chance you will get sprayed from the waterfalls on this walk.<\/p>\n The Waterfall Walk is generally considered easy to moderate in difficulty. The 327 steps are well-kept, and handrails are provided in steeper sections. While there is some elevation gain, the path is suitable for most people.<\/p>\n Apparently, it took over 20 years to complete this trail. I can see why. It\u2019s an impressive network of stairs and bridges that connect you with the town\u2019s natural beauty. I would argue that it\u2019s one of the reasons why it\u2019s worth visiting Geiranger.\u00a0<\/p>\n You don\u2019t want to fall in this powerful river!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At the top of the Waterfall Walk is the Norwegian Fjord Center<\/a>. This is the visitor and education hub for the West Norwegian Fjords and Geirangerfjord World Heritage Site.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The centre highlights why the Geirangerfjord and the surrounding fjords were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\u00a0<\/p>\n This bridge is a part of the Waterfall Walk. It crosses the river before reaching the entrance to the Norwegian Fjord Centre.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for some adrenaline pumping action, check out the zipline course at Explore Geiranger. The Dynamite Waterfall Zipline Park is Norway\u2019s first double zipline.<\/p>\n This treetop adventure zigzags across the river and gorge, while passing right beside Dynamite Waterfall.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not a big course, but it\u2019s a fun activity if the weather cooperates.\u00a0If you ask our son, he thinks the zipline park is the reason it\u2019s worth visiting Geiranger. This was his first time ziplining, so he was pretty excited.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can see a bit of the course in this short reel we posted on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong> \u2013 the zipline course is only open in the summer months.\u00a0<\/p>\n Above is one of the treetop ziplines in Geiranger. The parallel course means two people can zipline together at the same time.\u00a0<\/p>\n The park also has a Via Ferreta course. The course traverses along the Geiranger river. You cross small wooden bridges and cables as you climb up the side of the rock face.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are three popular viewpoints in Geiranger \u2013 Dalsnibba<\/strong>, Flydalsjuvet <\/strong>and Ornesvingen<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n All of these viewing platforms are easily accessible with no hiking involved. Of course, if you\u2019re looking for epic views while hiking, there are countless locations that offer stunning views of Geirangerfjord.\u00a0<\/p>\n The most spectacular view is the\u00a0Geiranger Skywalk at Dalsnibba.<\/strong> At 1,500 metres high, this is Europe\u2019s highest fjord views from a road.\u00a0<\/p>\n The drive from the waterfront in Geiranger to\u00a0Dalsnibba is about 30 minutes. The windy road has several hairpin turns and pullouts so you can stop and enjoy the stunning landscapes. It\u2019s part of the adventure!<\/p>\n We\u2019re told that these views alone are worth visiting Geiranger. Unfortunately, we didn\u2019t get to witness the views during our visit. The weather did not cooperate. It rained on the way down to Geiranger when we arrived, and also on the way back up when we left.\u00a0<\/p>\n Behold \u2013 the stunning views from Flydalsjuvet! Whomp whomp<\/em>.<\/p>\n We crossed our fingers that the bad weather would pass on the morning that we left Geiranger. As you can see, our visit to Flydalsjuvet was underwhelming.\u00a0<\/p>\n This viewpoint has an upper and lower platform that are linked by a walkway. A popular attraction here is the Fjordsetet (The Fjord Seat). It\u2019s an art installation where you can get a fun photo while sitting on a chair that overlooks the fjord.<\/p>\n Flydalsjuvet viewpoint is one of the stops on the Geiranger Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.<\/p>\n Taking a boat cruise on the fjord is a must. If you\u2019re on a road trip, you can take the car ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The ferry takes about an hour and passes The Seven Sisters and The Suitor waterfalls, as well as the historic Skagefl\u00e5 farm.\u00a0<\/p>\n We did not<\/em> take this ferry because we were coming from\u00a0Briksdalsbreen in Jostedalsbreen National Park<\/a>. By the time we left the park, it would have been too late to catch the ferry. Plus, we read that you need to book reservations ahead of time, which we did not do.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you plan to take this ferry, it\u2019s wise to research ferry departure times and reservations.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a vehicle, you can walk on the boat. Or, you can join a private fjord cruise that departs from Geiranger.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prior to visiting, we did some research to learn about things to do in Geiranger. Many of the activities appeared to be close to the waterfront village, which is where our hotel is located (the big white building in the above photo).\u00a0<\/p>\n While most Geiranger attractions are close to the waterfront, it\u2019s important to note that the town is built on the side of mountain. So, while distances may appear close, you will be walking up and down a lot of stairs or steep roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n We had a vehicle because we were on a Norway road trip<\/a>. If you are planning to do a similar road trip, you won\u2019t have issues visiting the nearby attractions, like Dalsnibba or\u00a0Flydalsjuvet.<\/p>\n However, if you are visiting as part of a Norway cruise, you will likely need to organize transportation if you want to explore beyond the waterfront area.<\/p>\n There are a few hotels in Geiranger and several vacation rentals available.\u00a0It\u2019s a small town, so hotel rooms can (and likely will) book up fast during the summer. It\u2019s best to make reservations ahead of time, to avoid disappointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n We stayed at Havila Hotel Geiranger<\/strong> \u2013 picture above. It\u2019s a nice hotel<\/a> and we would recommend it.\u00a0<\/p>\n The other popular hotels are: Hotel Union Geiranger<\/a>, Grande Fjord Hotel<\/a> and Utsikten Hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re visiting with a campervan, or you plan to tent camp, there are several campgrounds in Geiranger. A few are in the town, near the waterfront. And a few are located outside the town. Many of these campgrounds have simple cabins available to rent.\u00a0<\/p>\n For short-term vacation rentals, we typically book with VRBO<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most rooms do not come with 2 x queen\/double beds. They are typically one queen\/double bed PLUS a sofa pull out bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n This room is a little cozy for a family of four. But it\u2019s clean and comfortable. And you can\u2019t beat the location!<\/p>\n The breakfast buffets in Norway are awesome. Almost every hotel we stayed at put out a fantastic spread, including cheese, meats and fish, fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, yougurt, cereal, freshly baked bread and pastries, juice, coffee, tea, etc. It\u2019s a great way to start the day!<\/p>\n Eating at restaurants in Norway is expensive. Therefore, having the breakfast buffet included with the hotel room significantly reduces food costs. After a big breakfast, we typically didn\u2019t eat again until dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hotel Union Geiranger<\/a> is conveniently located near Norwegian Fjord Centre and the Waterfall Walk trail.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are a few places to eat in Geiranger, but not many. Your best option is to head to the village near the waterfront. Some of the restaurants are seasonal, so they may be temporarily closed during the off-season.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a nice dining option, check out Brasserie Posten<\/strong> and\/or\u00a0Olebuda Restaurant<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n For casual dining, check out Berserk Bar & Grill<\/strong>, Naustkroa Restaurant<\/strong>,\u00a0and\/or Friaren Bistro<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The town also has a few cafes and markets, like Geiranger Sjokolade Fjordn\u00e6r (photo below) and\u00a0Joker Geiranger grocery store.<\/p>\n Also, the hotels mentioned above have dining options available. If you\u2019re staying at Grande Fjord Hotel, check out Restaurant Hyskje<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cheers! We enjoyed these refreshing beers on a waterfront patio. The views are stunning. Every where you turn there\u2019s a mountain and waterfalls.\u00a0<\/p>\n The \u2018Fjords of Western Norway\u2019 are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so they get a lot of attention from tourists.\u00a0<\/p>\n I must admit, when I first saw this giant cruise ship arrive in Geiranger, it felt out of place.\u00a0<\/p>\n Geiranger is a small village. When a cruise ship arrives, thousands of passengers take over the town. I\u2019ve read that Geiranger receives approx. 700,000 tourists annually (potentially as high as 900k).<\/p>\n This UNESCO World Heritage site is under considerable tourist pressure, with cruise ships making daily stops at the village. Google tells me that Geirangerfjord receives over 180 cruise ship visiting the port every year.\u00a0That\u2019s a lot of tourists visiting this small town at the same time.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to understand why local residents are frustrated by the volume of tourists that arrive between June to September. The roads are not built for such a high volume of vehicle traffic and pedestrians walking in the middle of the road. It\u2019s a lot of strain on the town\u2019s infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, for this to hold true, it\u2019s important that cruise passengers spend money in the port town. Keep this in mind if you plan to visit Geiranger on a Norway cruise.<\/p>\n Take an organized tour. Buy a souvenir from the gift shop. Have a nice lunch at a restaurant. Visit the museum and art gallery. And, most importantly, respect the people and land.\u00a0<\/p>\n Yes, the Geiranger cruise ship terminal is in the town. A large bridge connects the ship to the mainland.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can easily walk from the ship to village shops and restaurants. Most tours will depart from the docks in the marina or the main parking lot where the buses are parked.\u00a0<\/p>\n The above photo is taken from the village. You can see how close the ship is docked. I believe that building with the green awning is part of the Geiranger cruise ship terminal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Perspective. The steep cliffs tower over the village below.\u00a0<\/p>\n This village is located at the bottom of Ornevegen (aka The Eagle Road), northwest of Geiranger village. We captured this photo while on the RIB tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n Of course, we had to take the obligatory photo with the giant troll statue. It\u2019s a thing in Norway. Especially when you\u2019re on a road tip.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Is](\"https:\/\/travelingcanucks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/geiranger-norway-scandinavia-75.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIs it worth visiting Geiranger Norway?<\/h2>\n
Geirangerfjord <\/span><\/span>is\u00a0often considered the jewel in Norway\u2019s crown of fjords. <\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a>Geiranger Village<\/h2>\n
Related post: Should you rent a car in Norway? Tips for driving in Norway<\/a>\u00a0<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThings to do in Geiranger, Norway<\/h2>\n
The top Geiranger attractions and activities are:<\/h3>\n
How many days to spend in Geirangerfjord?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRIB Fjord safari Geirangerfjord<\/h2>\n
More info on the RIB Fjord safari here<\/a>.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe water was so calm and peaceful during our RIB tour of Geirangerfjord.\u00a0<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Skagefl\u00e5 mountain farm<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCan you spot the small mountain farm in the above photo? Look up!<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWaterfall Walk in Geiranger<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Waterfall Walk has bridges that cross Geiranger River and it\u2019s waterfalls.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nNorwegian Fjord Centre (Norsk Fjordsenter)<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nGeiranger Zipline Park<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWhere is the best view in Geiranger?<\/h2>\n
Prepare yourself for rainy weather when visiting Norway.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFlydalsjuvet viewpoint<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Fjord cruise on Geirangerfjord<\/h2>\n
Experiencing Geirangerfjord from the water makes it worth visiting Geiranger.\u00a0<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nIs Geiranger walkable?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nWhere to stay in Geiranger Norway<\/h2>\n
Here is a list of Geiranger campgrounds:<\/h4>\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\nView inside our room at Havila Hotel Geiranger<\/a>.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nAbove is a photo of the breakfast buffet at Havila Hotel Geiranger.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\nWhere to eat in Geiranger Norway<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nNorway Cruise Ships in Geirangerfjord\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Geiranger village of is one of the busiest ports for Norwegian fjords cruises.<\/h4>\n
For perspective \u2013 the population of Geiranger is 250 people.\u00a0<\/h4>\n
The flip side is that these Norway cruise ships help the local economy.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCan you walk into Geiranger from a cruise ship?<\/h3>\n
Below are a few more photos of Geiranger.<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n