5 BEST Fjord Cruises from Bergen, Norway A Local's Guide

Table Of Content

• Standard Extra Fjord Tour from Bergen
• See our selection of Fjord cruises from Bergen:
• Standard Fjord Tour PLUS from Bergen
• Bergen, Sognefjord, Geilo & Oslo
• Food and culture guided walk
• Best Fjord Cruises from Bergen

No matter where in Norway you go, you are likely to come across a fjord cruise. In my Norway travel guide I have explained in detail what a fjord is, so I won’t spend too much time on that here. In short, a fjord is a body of water connected to the ocean, that was created by the glaciers of the last ice age.

Standard Extra Fjord Tour from Bergen

Fjord Tours offers the «world’s most popular Norway tour», the Norway in a nutshell® tour that brings you from Bergen by train to Myrdal where you board one of the most scenic railways, the Flåm Railway. From the town of Flåm you enjoy a cruise on a silent, low-emission catamaran on the Aurlandsfjord and the unique Nærøyfjord. We highly recommend this cruise for a picturesque fjord experience.

See our selection of Fjord cruises from Bergen:

• A photo stop at the infamous Stegastein cantilevered viewpoint with epic birds-eye views of the Nærøyfjord from above. Below we describe in-depth the best full-day Bergen Fjord Cruise tour that you can take straight from the city of Bergen in 2024. Suitable for baby carriages and a limited number of wheelchairs.

Standard Fjord Tour PLUS from Bergen

This round-trip cruise departs all year from the Børshopen pier in the city center. Cruise in breathtaking scenery around the Arctic island that is home to Tromsø’s bustling city center. This unique 3.5-hour cruise with expert guides also shows off beautiful landscape, including islands, fjords, sheer mountains, and, with luck, marine wildlife.

Fjord tour

Here you’ll encounter spectacular views, and have the option to explore the local village. If you prefer to cruise the Hardangerfjord, we’ll pick you up at your hotel in Bergen with our VIP-car, and transfer you to the yacht. From there, we sail through beautiful Western Norwegian scenery in the City Fjord, Salhus Fjord and Kverna Fjord towards the stunning Alversund Streams. The captain safely steers the boat through narrow sounds, deep fjords, a maze of islands and the powerful currents of the narrow Alversund channel. Join us on this 4-hour fjord cruise from Bergen to the scenic Osterfjord and Mostraumen Channel. On board the high speed catamaran you will experience the magnificent landscape in Bergen's nearby fjords and the Nordhordland region.

Bergen, Sognefjord, Geilo & Oslo

Along the way, we safely navigate through strong currents in the shallow and narrow Mostraumen straits. We bring the boat’s bow so close to a waterfall that you might feel the cold spray on your face. From there, we sail through beautiful Western-Norwegian scenery in the Cityfjord, Salhusfjord and Osterfjord towards the dramatic Mostraumen Channel. If you would like a guided fjord tour, there are several options available. Enjoy a beautiful cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nærøyfjorden and the spectacular viewpoint Stegastein on the trip called Guided fjord tour to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm and Stegastein viewpoint.

Viking ship sailing experience and sightseeing trip

From Bergen you can see the fjords in all seasons, even in the winter season. Read more about weather in the Norwegian Fjords and essential packing tips here. If you are unsure when is the best time of year to go on a fjord cruise, check out our pointers on what to expect.

Food and culture guided walk

This tour only has 12 seats per day, so we advice to book well in advance. Check out all the guided tours in Bergen and the fjords here. A fjord cruise brings you into the fjords with high mountains and small picturesque villages lined up against the fjord. Small fishing villages seem to cling precariously to the rocky shore. From gentle and mild to rough and wild – this is a land of contrasts.

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Flåm Railway in the Winter.

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Best Fjord Cruises from Bergen

Embark on a journey from Bergen to the Alversund Streams and admire the magnificent and varied fjord landscapes of the Nordhordland region. Situated on the southwestern coast, close to some of the best fjords in Norway, Bergen is THE hub for organised fjord cruises. Experience the spectacular fjord landscape in Nordhordland on this fjord cruise from Bergen to the narrow strait Alverstraumen. Boat cruise Bergen - Rosendal (round-trip) on The Hardangerfjord Express, BergenVisit beautiful Rosendal on a day trip from Bergen. See the village, the rose garden at the Barony or go hiking. This Bergen fjord cruise ventures down the Western fjords easily accessible from Bergen, including the Osterfjord, and is very popular with visitors for a number of reasons.

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Once thing I would suggest is, despite the minivan being comfortable, there isn’t an awful lot of legroom and the most we drove without stops is 2.5 hours, which was on the way back. So it all depends on how far along you are and how comfortable you are sitting down for an extended period of time. The prices for this ‘Nærøyfjorden Cruise, Flåm And Stegastein Viewpoint‘ tour start at just under £177 GBP / $223.98 USD per adult, and £101 GBP / $129 USD for children aged 4 to 14 years. Get all comfortable, cosy and even had a little snooze on the direct drive from Flåm village back to Bergen city centre.

See all the ways you can experience the Norwegian fjords from the charming city of Bergen, from two hours to full days. Explore the fjords in a number of ways, from traditional sailboats to hyper-modern zero-emission vessels. There are many reasons why Bergen is one of Norway’s most popular tourist destinations, the main ones being the historic UNESCO-listed town center with its stunning architecture, and the city’s role as a «gateway to the fjords». Join us on this 4 hour fjord cruise from Bergen to the scenic Osterfjord and Mostraumen Channel.

This 3-hour fjord cruise takes you from the Bergen docks through the Mostraumen strait. Along the way you will see the Osterfjord, one of the fjords closest to the city. Going on a fjord cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Bergen, and an absolute must when you visit. All of these start from the docks in the center of Bergen, and are round trip cruises.

Fjord Cruises from Bergen Travel Eco-friendly

Table Of Content

• of the best fjord cruises from Bergen
• Standard Fjord Tour PLUS from Bergen
• STOP 1: TVINDEFOSSEN WATERFALL
• Bergen - Rosendal (The Hardangerfjord Express)
• Fjord cruise & guided mountain hike to "Slottet"

I will say, these fjords aren’t the most dramatic in the region, but it is the best option for anyone wanting to see the fjords from Bergen in a day (and don’t have a rental car). A fjord cruise is a fancy name for a boat trip on the fjord. It has gotten its name because you are cruising silently on a fjord – and probably to make it sound a little more inviting than just “boat trip”. Half day fjord cruise from Bergen to the scenic Osterfjord and Mostraumen Channel.

of the best fjord cruises from Bergen

Kiosk offering fresh baked goods from our local bakery, snacks and refreshments. In addition to the ticket price above, a passenger tax of NOK 5 per guest will be added. If you want a more unique, and exclusive experience, this might be the cruise for you.

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Standard Fjord Tour PLUS from Bergen

Last, but not least, going on a private Bergen fjord cruise might be more your style. These options are perfect for those traveling in a big group or with a rowdy family. Sailing on an authentic Viking ship with just 12 travellers on board is a great way to explore the harbour and sights outside of Bergen. Whilst it doesn’t take you far from the city, and thus not into any of the more dramatic fjords, this can still be worthwhile if you want to go off the beaten path. One of the many tours available from May to October is "Full Pack Fjord Tour from Bergen". This is a great option if you would like to pack in a lot in just one day!

STOP 1: TVINDEFOSSEN WATERFALL

This wonderful scenic cruise terminates in the tiny village of Flåm. Enjoy watching wild whales and orcas in the magical blue twilight of Polar Night aboard a modern, warm and comfortable sightseeing catamaran during this guided tour from Tromsø. There are several options for private tours from Bergen, taking you through Osterfjorden by private yacht or in a fast-paced RIB boat. Sights along the way on this cruise not only include the Nærøyfjord, but also picturesque fjord villages, waterfalls and of course the Flåm Valley (where the Flåm Railway goes).

Bergen - Rosendal (The Hardangerfjord Express)

The best starting point to experience the most magnificent fjord landscape, with narrow fjords, glaciers, steep mountain sides, beautiful islands and spectacular waterfalls. Book our yacht for a few hours or several days, and design your adventure. Choose from pre-tailored tours or work with us to create a custom cruise featuring fjord exploration, waterfall visits, fishing, and convenient transportation. On this full day trip, you’ll get to not only experience a fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord, but also the famous Flåm Railway (one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys). With Bergen being the largest city in western Norway, and within easy reach of several of the best fjords, it’s only natural that there are loads of fjord cruises to choose from. One type of fjord cruise is a large cruise ship going on a several days long trip along the Norwegian coastline and into the fjords.

Sailboat Cruise in Bergen

However, the Bergen fjord cruises we are focusing on today are slightly different. They are also what most people think about when they hear the term. Enjoy one of the most famous attractions in the world on a half or full day tour. Travel the waterway through the heart of the Norwegian fjord- and mountain landscape on the beautiful Sognefjord. This relaxing fjord experience also includes scenic train journeys with the Flåmsbana and Bergen Railway. To best witness in supreme style and comfort the magical and mysteriously dramatic scenery of the fjords, I recommend unreservedly Captain Svein and See the Fjords, an enterprise described as a “private custom fjord-cruise”.

Bryggen highlights guided tour

Cruise lines like P&O, Costa, MCS and Viking Cruises all have cruises to the Norwegian fjords. These fjord cruises have gained tremendous popularity among tourists, especially those visiting from abroad, and lots of restaurants and hotels have sprung up to cater to their needs. If your time is limited, the tour Fjordcruise Bergen - Mostraumen is a great option and runs every day the whole year. This tour only takes 3 hours, but still you will get a great fjord experience.

Fjord cruise & guided mountain hike to "Slottet"

If you would like to see the fjords but are short of time, the tour to Mostraumen is a great option. There are two different boats operating that route and you can find them both in the list of shorter fjord cruises. The tour Guided tour and fjord cruise to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm and Stegastein viewpoint  is a great option for a winter tour and includes the viewpoint Stegastein near the village called Flåm. This is a full day trip starting and ending in Bergen, just outside the Tourist Information.

Experience Bergen from the fjord

At the end of the Sognefjord you will find the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, both world heritage fjords and a world heritage site. The latter is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List together with the Geirangerfjord (further north). There is also a private option available for this tour, which might be a little pricy for most, but perfect for groups of friends and families. If you are spending a day in Bergen and are short on time – and don’t have plans to travel from Bergen to Flåm – this is a good choice. But, basically, these are the Norwegian equivalent of the party boats in Punta Cana or the catamaran cruises in Cancun.

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This round-trip cruise is available daily from Dreggekaien Pier in the city centre all year. From Bergen you can get to even the innermost reaches of the fjords and back again in one day. The fjord cruises are varying in length, and there are many organised fjord tours that guarantees a memorable experience. Our cruises visit villages, waterfalls, and experience the stunning natural scenery.

Jordie crafts every itinerary and post to perfection for travellers to follow and get the very most out of their time in a destination. More specifically, it is the ‘Nærøyfjorden to Flåm Cruise And Stegastein Viewpoint’ full day tour with the reputable local tour company, Fjordrive AS, that we will be focusing on. The beautiful fjord landscape is rich in bird and animal life, and, with a little luck, we might see seals sunbathing on the rocky shore or even eagles soaring over us. The fjords are absolutely breathtaking, with such stunning natural scenery. Basically, you can choose your own adventure here, and since it’s just you onboard, you get the full attention of your captain and crew. Fjord arms are basically smaller fjords that “stick out” of the bigger fjord.

Beautiful train ride on the Flåm Railway, biking, fjord safari by RIB boat and rafting at Voss. Also consider the size of the vessel, as smaller ships often provide more intimate rides, and think about which kinds of things you want to see on the trip. Some cruises only take a quick tour around one fjord before returning to base, while longer ones allow you time to stop and explore. Lunch or refreshments are not included in the price of this tour, however there are plenty of opportunities to additional purchase them throughout the day. The majority of the time it is quick sandwiches and snacks on offer, but the Gudvangen village café or Flåm village stops are your best bet for more of a hearty full cooked lunch.

This legendary tour takes you through Norway’s most breathtaking UNESCO-protected fjord and mountain scenery, as well as a trip on Europe’s top scenic rail journeys, the Flåm Railway and The Bergen Railway. Cruises typically take a few hours, though some last a full day, providing ample time to take in the majestic landscapes and savour the views. This is one of the most popular cruises and for good reason! You get an entire day cruising from Bergen to Flåm, and explore the Sognefjord along the way.

Be amazed by the grandeur of the steep cliffs, majestic mountains and vast open natural landscapes that unfold before your eyes. On this tour, you’ll set sail from Bergen and enjoy splendid views of the iconic Bryggen from the water. HighlightsMarvel at the Viking ship design and construction, feel the exhilarating sensation as the ship’s square sail catches the wind, and take in the views of Bergen and the surrounding fjords. You will also pass by cosy coastal villages, and get a chance to explore the picturesque village of Flåm and the renowned Flåm Railway, before heading on to Oslo by train. This is one of our favourite cruises, a fjord adventure from Bergen that showcases the breathtaking beauty of the Osterfjord. For more on the fjords and which ones to visit, read our guide to the 16 best fjords in Norway.

Hard to spot otherwise, you will sail past the WW2 concrete ruins of the U-Boot Bunker Bruno before waving at the locals bathing in the fjord at the historical Nordnes Sjøbad and returning back to the Fish Market and the very heart of Bergen. Choose conveniently between shared and private cruises by clicking the categories. We are a small family-run cruise operator specializing in travelers from our second homeland - America. No matter what time of year, the weather in Norway can change fast, so always wear and bring layers. Or just for a couple wanting a truly exclusive experience on the fjords. I recommend having lunch at the bakery and going on a stroll along the fjord during your time there.

If you want a truly unique cruise adventure, we recommend this one. First, decide on the duration of the cruise to fit your schedule and preferences.