10 Things To Do In Gorgeous Geiranger, Norway

The stunning beauty of the Norwegian fjords has secured them a spot on the bucket lists of travelers worldwide, with the Geirangerfjord often hailed as the best of the bunch. No matter whether you arrive by cruise ship or by car, your first sight of the Geirangerfjord will stick in your memory for life.

With powerful waterfalls pouring down steep lush mountainsides, hiking trails galore and several viewpoints offering different perspectives on the historic natural and cultural landscape, Geiranger is a must-do on a visit to the fjord region.

Lying at the eastern end of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, the small village of Geiranger is one of the busiest ports for Norwegian fjords cruises. With road trippers arriving on the national scenic route from Trollstigen too, Geiranger itself can get uncomfortably busy during the summer months, so it’s best to plan your day in advance.

From relaxing boat rides on the majestic waterway that bring you right up to the waterfalls, to adrenaline-pumping hikes up to long-abandoned mountain farms, here are 10 recommended things to do in Geiranger, Norway.

Geirangerfjord cruise

Although there are many viewpoints of the fjord, the best way to appreciate the grandeur is from water level. Even if you arrive by ship, a cruise along the fjord won't be wasted.

By boarding a smaller vessel or even a RIB boat, you’ll get much closer to the waterfalls and a whole new perspective on this incredible waterway. During your cruise, local guides will add details about the wildlife and mountain farms that you’ll otherwise miss.

Many tour companies compete for your business on the Geiranger waterfront. In high season, it’s best to book in advance to avoid long queues, especially if you’d prefer to tour the fjord in a smaller, more intimate vessel.

Explore the fjord by kayak

For a much more intimate experience, consider a kayak tour. It’s the perfect way to escape the summer crowds and enjoy an up-close encounter with nature that’s not possible in any other way.

Explore the Geiranger waterfront at your own pace and venture out into the fjord in a kayak. Get closer to what you want to see than what’s possible even on the smaller sightseeing ferries.

The physical element of kayaking adds an extra dimension to the experience, as the soft splash of your paddle and the rocking of the kayak give you a closer connection with the natural environment.

Drive the Ørnevegen bends

If you are driving to Geiranger from Åndalsnes and Trollstigen, you will approach the village with a drive down Ørnevegen (The Eagle’s Road), a set of steep hairpin bends that gradually reveal more detail about the vast fjord below.

Stop at Ørnesvingen (The Eagle’s Turn) for an iconic panoramic view of Geiranger and the fjord curving away. There is limited parking and the area gets very busy, but it should be possible to enjoy the spot if you arrive before or after the cruise ships are in dock.

Enjoy the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint

With so many photographs depicting ‘fjord Norway’ taken here, the popularity of Flydalsjuvet as a photography site in Norway is unparalleled. The exceptional view of Geiranger with the fjord behind is a must-see experience, especially if you don’t have much time in the area.

A two-mile uphill drive from the village, the viewpoint has recently been improved with funding from the national scenic routes initiative, but parking and crowds remain an issue at peak times.

The viewpoint is split into an upper and lower platform, linked by a walkway. The lower plateau hosts Fjordsetet (The Fjord Seat), an art installation opened by Norway’s Queen Sonja in 2003.

If you arrive by ship, there are still a few ways to get to Flydalsjuvet. The hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus stops here, you can rent an electric buggy (more on that later) or you could walk if you’re prepared for steep roads and paths.

Walk the Geiranger Skywalk at Dalsnibba

While both the above viewpoints offer spectacular panoramas of the Geirangerfjord, for a unique perspective on the fjord in context with the mountainous surroundings you’ll need to head high above the village to Dalsnibba.

Marketed as Geiranger Skywalk, this purpose-built viewpoint juts out from a mountaintop providing unbeatable views down to the fjord or out across the mountains and Blåbreen glacier. Keen walkers can enjoy some of the many paths leading out into the mountain landscape for a different perspective.

The trip from fjord level up to Dalsnibba is a memorable experience in itself. The scenery changes as you rapidly ascend the mountain and at least some snow is likely year-round.

If you are not on an organized tour, the Nibbevegen toll road up to Dalsnibba requires a payment of $28 for cars, $16 for motorbikes.

Subject to snow clearance and weather conditions, the road to Dalsnibba is open from May to September. A gift shop and restrooms are available in daytime hours.

Visit the artisan chocolate factory

Aside from tour operators competing from your business, there are a handful of attractions in the heart of the village itself. The most notable of these is the village chocolate factory and shop.

Known for its local flavors including Norwegian brown cheese, Geiranger Sjokolade offers insights into how handmade chocolate is produced together with the opportunity to try some for yourself in the charming cafe, and buy some of the beautifully-packaged chocolates as souvenirs.

Hike to the Skageflå mountain farm

On a cruise along the Geirangerfjord, several historic mountain farms will be pointed out by your guides. It’s hard to believe from this vantage point, but it’s possible to hike to some of them to get a true appreciation of the cultural history of the fjord region.

Inhabited from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, the Skageflå mountain goat farm is today a collection of moss-covered buildings that evoke a lifestyle long gone—and is a big Instagram hit, of course.

There are two ways to reach the abandoned Skageflå farm, perched on a small ledge halfway up a steep mountainside. You can take a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable 3.5-hour hike from Geiranger through wonderful fjord landscape, or take a short-cut on the water.

A sightseeing ferry drops keen hikers off at Skagehola, below the farm. However, it still takes 45 minutes to reach the farm up a very steep path. To return to Geiranger you can walk or check the timetable for a return ferry.

Visit the fjord center

A visitor center for Geiranger but also the entire fjord region, the Norwegian Fjord Center provides important context to what you see outside, including the reasons why the area is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world to be recognized for both its natural and cultural value.

Highlights include a look at the area’s biological diversity, how wildlife has adapted to the challenging region, the geological processes behind the formation of the fjords, and a dedicated children’s exhibition.

Discover the waterfall trail

If you’re planning to visit the fjord center, then it’s worth combining it with a walk along the waterfall trail. This remarkable trail from Geiranger waterfront up to the Norwegian Fjord Center and the Hotel Union took 20 years to fully complete.

As with many of Norway’s modern viewpoints, the combination of modern architecture with spectacular natural settings provides a memorable combination. In this case, it’s the surging waterfalls that take the starring role.

Tour Geiranger by electric buggy

Explore Geiranger at your own pace while getting an experience of modern Norwegian lifestyle in a small, electric vehicle. Norway is a world-leader in the usage of electric cars and ferries. More recently the focus has moved onto urban mobility solutions such as electric scooters and these small vehicles that resemble golf buggies.

Seating one driver and one passenger, these vehicles include an advised itinerary and audio tour covering the Flydalsjuvet and Ørnesvingen viewpoints. Costs start at $155 for the two-hour rental period.

Of course, there’s more to do in and around Geiranger, but even just a few of these 10 activities will provide a wonderful introduction to one of the most famous fjord villages in Norway.