Geiranger is tranquil. More village than town, just 250 inhabitants live here. 14 children attend the kindergarten, 27 the primary school. In winter, it can happen that the village is cut off from the world, namely when the only two roads to reach Geiranger are closed due to wind and weather.
What sounds cute changes abruptly in the summer months: then 2,000 people live in the village in Norway to look after the passengers of the 100 or so cruise ships that dock here every year.
In summer, the small village of Geiranger is overrun by crowds of tourists.
© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch
The Geirangerfjord is considered the most beautiful fjord in the world. It is 15 kilometres long and up to 250 metres deep. It has been on the Unesco World Heritage List since 2005 - and is accordingly frequently visited and admired. What's the best way to tackle this adventure? With seven tips for seeing the Geirangerfjord in a relaxed way:
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1. the perfect journey: Car, boat or ferry?
Many roads lead to Rome, but in Geiranger there are exactly three: car, ferry or cruise ship. Which way you choose depends on how you travel.
By car: Geiranger is only accessible via two roads. This makes for two extremes: in summer the roads are full, in winter Geiranger is often cut off from the outside world for days at a time.
If you want to come by car, you are independent and can head for the viewpoints around Geiranger away from the crowds, but you have to expect a lot of traffic. The hairpin bends are not for the faint-hearted. Another disadvantage is that you miss out on the spectacular drive through the Geirangerfjord.
Impressive panorama at the entrance
By ferry: The alternative for drivers is to take the car ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger. Then you can enjoy a relaxed journey through the fjord and be independent on the spot. It is important to book well in advance, as the number of seats for cars on the car ferry is limited and quickly booked up, especially in summer. The ferry ride from Hellesylt to Geiranger takes about an hour.
By cruise ship: Geiranger is one of those places where cruise tourism is booming. In addition to the Hurtigruten boats and the car ferries, more than 100 cruise ships call at Geiranger every year.
The best way to explore the fjord is by water, whether on board a ship or in a kayak.
© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch
Once you're on board, it's worth knowing exactly when your ship is leaving for the fjord. This usually happens early in the morning. It's worth getting up: especially at sunrise, you'll experience the Geirangerfjord from its most spectacular side - and you'll probably have peace and quiet on deck, as most passengers prefer to sleep in. 2.
2. spectacular: sailing through the Geirangerfjord
Geiranger without the Geirangerfjord - you can do it, but you don't have to. Of course the place is worth seeing and the viewpoints are spectacular, but the total package includes the drive through the fjord.
Because then a chapter of the creation of the world reveals itself to you. The history of the Geirangerfjord goes back 2.5 million years. Back then, rivers carved deep notch valleys along geological weak points.
Fjords were created when glaciers formed so-called trough valleys, where seawater accumulated after the end of the ice age.
At Geirangerfjord you can also marvel at an impressive waterfall.
© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch
Today, you can marvel at the vertical rock faces, deep green water and countless waterfalls as you travel through the fjord. On the north side of the fjord, the Seven Sisters are unique: seven waterfalls cascading down side by side.
The Bridal Veil is mystical: the waterfall got its name because, depending on the incidence of light, a light veil lies over the rock over which the water flows.
3. orientation and must-sees in Geiranger
Geiranger is not small, Geiranger is tiny. Orientation is not a problem, as the main locations are close together. Right at the harbour you will find the tourist office with all the information.
Important here is the big board with the exact departure times of all tours as well as the exact duration, so that the cruisers are back on board on time. Tip: The tours you can book here are essentially the same as those offered on cruise ships - with the big difference that they only cost half as much.
Since you can't miss the tourist office and the excursion buses leave directly in front of it, the procedure is really easy.
Not only souvenirs: In this café you can enjoy Norwegian chocolate.
© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch
Because Geiranger is so small and lives from tourism in the summer, there are almost only souvenir shops, with one exciting exception: on the shopping street, you should definitely go to the chocolate factory.
Geiranger Sjokolade" offers great chocolate creations to take home and a cosy café at the same time. TheNorsk Fjordsenteris also worth a visit. Here you can learn a lot about the history of the mountains, the fjord and its inhabitants.
Geiranger Sjokolade | Address: Maroksvegen 29, Fv63, 6216 Geiranger
Norsk Fjordsenter | Address: Gjørvahaugen 35, 6216 Geiranger | Admission: 130 Norwegian kroner (approx. 12.70 euros)
4. on the way in Geiranger: bus, taxi, bicycle, kayak?
There are different viewpoints around Geiranger. The way to them is via the same route, but in different vehicles - depending on your taste and budget.
In general, it is difficult to get to the viewpoints without people during the summer months. This only works if you stay overnight in Geiranger and start at sunrise. If you come during the day, you sometimes need strong nerves in high season, when the roads are jammed and the viewpoints are full of people. But the trip is still worth it!
By bus: You can choose from three different bus tours at the tourist information office. The panorama bus takes about two hours to the viewpoints Flydalsjuvet and Adlerkehre. You have ten minutes at each viewpoint. Unfortunately, there is not enough time for good photos.
Sporty cyclists can explore Geiranger by bike.
The hop-on-hop-off bus gives you more freedom to get on and off as you please. And the third bus tour takes you to Dalsnibba (read more under point 7). Tickets start at around 270 Norwegian kroner (about 26 euros).
By taxi: The luxury option is a Tesla taxi tour: you can book a tour with the Tesla X vehicle at the tourist information office. Then you are on the road individually and can decide for yourself how long you stop and where. The price is steep at 3,600 Norwegian kroner (about 250 euros) for three hours, but it is bearable if you split it.
By bike: If you are sporty, you can rent mountain bikes and city bikes at the tourist information office. However, an e-bike is best, as the slopes are quite steep.
Because the bikes are in great demand, you should book in advance. Two hours on a normal bike costs about 200 Norwegian kroner (about 20 euros) and on an e-bike about 270 Norwegian kroner (about 26 euros). If you prefer to cycle in a group, you can book a guided bike tour (about 450 Norwegian kroner, about 44 euros).
By kayak: For a completely different view of the Geirangerfjord, try a kayak tour on the water. The largest provider is Active Geiranger. One hour in a kayak costs about 300 Norwegian kroner (about 30 euros).
Even cooler is a guided paddle tour, for example the two- to three-hour "Seven Sisters Tour" to the famous waterfalls (1,090 Norwegian kroner, about 106 euros).
5. eyes open: Viewpoint Adlerkehre
An absolute highlight high above Geiranger is the Eagle's Crossing. One of the most interesting routes in the country, the Adlerkehre winds its way up to an altitude of almost 650 metres. If you arrive in Geiranger by water, you can see the road even before you get there: the eleven hairpin bends in the mountain are clearly visible.
Around Geiranger there are several viewpoints that offer a beautiful view of the fjord.
© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch
In total, the trail leads over a distance of eight kilometres with a gradient of ten percent. The Adlerkehre is then the uppermost serpentine. Every excursion bus stops here. That's why there's a car park and a viewing platform from which you have a stunning panoramic view of the fjord.
6. fjord from above: Viewpoint Flydalsjuvet
On the other side of the fjord is the viewpoint Flydalsjuvet, where you can enjoy the panorama from a different angle. All the excursion buses stop here too. Flydalsjuvet is about four kilometres from Geiranger.
With its vertical cliffs, the Geirangerfjord is one of the most beautiful fjords in the world.
© Source: Jasmin Kreulitsch
If you are athletic, you can get here by bike or on foot. But be careful: it's quite an uphill climb. The viewpoints are located on two plateaus connected by a path. On the lower plateau there is an installation, an oversized deck chair, which was unveiled by the Norwegian Queen Sonja in September 2003.
7. highest drivable point in Norway: Dalsnibba
If you have more time, it's worth driving up Dalsnibba. The mountain is the highest point in Norway that is accessible by road. The summit is at 1,476 metres. Because of its height, it is often still covered in snow, even in summer.
The way up is via the Nibbevegen toll road. When you arrive at the viewpoint, you will find a large car park and a souvenir shop.
When you stand on the new Geiranger Skywalk, you realise how high up you are: From your perspective, the cruise ships moored in the water off Geiranger only look like small, white dots.
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