Top 5 Cruise Ports in Norway

​If you have a list of places to cruise to in the future, then Norway should at the top. From the stunning and majestic scenery to the charming and friendly villages, towns, and cities, I just absolutely love all things Norway.

I’ve decided to compile a list of the top 5 cruise ports to visit in Norway to give you a flavour of what is on offer and hopefully tempt you into cruising there sometime soon!

Bergen

​Situated in the South West of Norway and regarded as the ‘heart of the fjords’, Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Whilst being a city, Bergen still retains a small town feel full of charm. From the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Bryggen – Hanseatic Wharf where the traditional wooden buildings hark back to the days when Bergen was once the centre of trade between Norway and the rest of Europe, to the famous fish market which has been providing fish and treasures from the sea since 1276, there is certainly lots of history and heritage on show. There is also plenty of museums and galleries to visit including the home of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg – Troldhaugen which consists of the composer’s villa, cabin, visitor/exhibition centre and the Troldsalen concert hall. There is also the stunning views of the city to behold by taking the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen – 320 meters above sea level!
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However, don’t forget to pack an umbrella or a waterproof jacket, as Bergen is the rain capital of Norway – as they on average have more than 200 days of rain per year!

GEIRANGERFJORD

Regarded as the ‘Pearl of the Fjords’, Geirangerfjord is a uniquely s-shaped fjord spanning 20 kilometres between Hellesylt and Geiranger. The fjord at its deepest point is nearly 260 meters with the surrounding stunning and majestic mountains measuring as much as 1700 meters tall – dwarfing anything that passes along Geirangerfjord.

Cruising along the fjord, you will experience the wonderful and majestic sights of numerous waterfalls including Dei sju systre (The Seven Sisters) Friaren (The Suitor) and Brudesløret (The Brides Veil). As you cruise along the UNESCO Heritage List fjord, you will also be able to see a selection of now abandoned farms high up in the Alpine mountains and close to the water’s edge – harking back to the more traditional days of farming.

Flåm 

Flåm is charmingly small village situated in Western Norway’s inner Aurlandsfjord with a population of around 400 people. It’s an incredibly popular port of call for visiting cruise ships as this is the place to take the famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal Mountain Station. Here guests can enjoy an hour long scenic journey to Myrdal – which is 867 meters above sea level – with a photo opportunity at the Kjosfossen Waterfall along the way. For those wishing not to travel too far from the ship, the village of Flåm itself is picturesque and charming. With traditional shops to the charming Flåm Railway Museum, there is plenty to see and do. For the budding photographers, like ourselves, you have wonderful photo opportunities of the surrounding scenery and of course, your cruise ship.

Olden

Situated at the southern point of one of the branches of the Nordfjord, Olden is a charming little village, steeped in tradition and surrounded by beautifully stunning and majestic scenery. The walk from the cruise ship into the village is short but pleasant and there is lots of photograph opportunities along the way. For those who are chasing an adrenaline rush, then a trip up on the Loen Skylift will give you just that! Reaching the summit of Mount Hoven – at almost 400 meters above sea level – you will have spectacular views of the Nordfjord, Loen and Olden villages. You can also go and see the mighty Briksdal Glacier in the Jostedal National Park. From a height of 1200 meters, the Glacier drops down into the Briksdalen valley. Or for those wanting a more relaxed pace adventure, why not take a kayaking trip on the Nordfjord and take in the stunning views.
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HELLESYLT

Situated at the head of the Sunnylvsfjorden – a branch of the Storfjorden and close to where the Geirangerfjord branches off – Hellesylt is a wonderfully charming and scenic small village. Centred in areas of supreme scenic beauty, the village boasts the wonderfully popular Hellesylt Waterfall. This incredibly photogenic waterfall is most predominant in the summer when the snow melt is washed down the granite slopes and into the fjord and can be seen from both the Hoge and Hellesylt Bridges. For those that wish to do a spot of hiking and walking, there are plenty of nice walks that branch out from the village itself and if you want to either hire an electric bike to some scenic cycling or a hire a kayak to enjoy the views from the water, then the choice is yours. Definitely has to be one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Norway – we really recommend a visit! Just remember to take your camera with you!

Guest Blogger: Anthony Marshall

Anthony has over 26 years of experience of cruises and has a long-held passion for all things cruising. He’s travelled the world visiting places such as Japan, the Pacific Island, Egypt, the Caribbean and the USA. He also has a BA Hons degree in Cruise Industry Management from Southampton Solent University.

Anthony has worked for both Carnival UK and Celebrity Cruises. He co-runs Nautically Speaking, a cruise website and blog, formally known as Cruisemarsh.
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To find out more about Anthony please visit his website Nautically Speaking.