Cruise Port Stop Guide: Geiranger, Norway
Small – mighty – impressive. Geiranger knows how to captivate and is a place so renowned for its beauty, that Norway’s own Princess Märtha Louise chose this location for the site of her nuptials in 2024! Even in a country renowned for its fjords, Geirangerfjord stands out with its towering high waterfalls, the emerald-green scenery and near-sheer fjord walls. You made the absolute best decision in choosing a cruise itinerary that includes sailing through the Norwegian fjords with a stop in Geiranger. And here’s my cruise port guide on how to maximize your day in what very well may be the most beautiful place in Norway (and many have argued to me in the world!)
- book activities via GetYourGuide(GYG) or Viator & day/spa/pool passes with ResortPass
- combine that with using a shopping portal to earn cashback or miles
- Stay connected/informed with T-Mobile or Airalo
- Read this for info on GYG and this for why I use Viator and this for more on ResortPass
- Details on using Rakuten for cashback and here’s for AA eShopping
- Here’s why I love T-Mobile & the deets on using Airalo
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LOGISTICS
*PORT: | CURRENCY: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
DOCK / TENDER-HELLEYSLT* | Arrival: 8:00 | Departure 16:00 | 1 USD = 9.42 NOK (CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE)
LANGUAGE: Norwegian
Hei – hello (hi) | Hadet – good bye (hah-deh) | Unnskyld meg – excuse me (een-shool my) | Vær så snill – please (var soh snil | Takk – thank you (tahk)
MONEY MATTERS
Credit cards were widely accepted (I have been able to use American Express, Visa and MasterCard throughout Norway). ATMs are called Minibanks in Norway: I found that other than for tipping in local currency, I didn’t need to carry cash (ie tipping tour guides). Speaking of which, tipping is not obligatory in Norway as wages are high/workers are paid living wages so there isn’t an expectation/need for a tip (vs in the US where workers are reliant upon tips as part of their salary). It’s a gesture of appreciation to tip if you receive great service so I still do so when it’s warranted.
COMMUNICATION
English is widely spoken throughout Norway especially in touristic areas.
PORT INFO
BEAUTIFUL TIP: Reminder that arrival times for port days are estimates for when the ship will be docked and may not be when the port has given approval to the ship to allow passengers to get off. IF the activity start time is close to arrival times, I will always reach out the activity/tour provider and find out exactly what their policy is if I am not able to be there on time. I have found that many operators are flexible especially if the majority/all of the participants are from the cruise ship but some may not be able to accommodate late arrivals with no refund given. Whilst both scenarios are valid business practices, don’t make the mistake of finding out it’s the latter when you aren’t able to join!
Credit: Visit Geiranger
*Port or tender? When I sailed here aboard the NCL Prima, it was scheduled as a tender port in Hellesylt but we ended up docking in Geiranger which was ideal to maximize our time.
The town of Geiranger is home to ~250 residents that live there year-round. While the small town is very walkable, my advice is that to make the most out of a visit to this port stop, you will need and want to see and experience is outside of this you’ll find just outside of Geiranger. See the fjord from all of the angles and perspectives with a boat ride, hike, bus tour or on an electric car/bike. It is one of those places that you cannot take a bad picture of because it it so beautiful and everything looks like a postcard.
SAIL IN/OUT
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Geirangerfjord (along with Nærøyfjord) according to UNESCO itself “are exceptional in scale and grandeur in a country of spectacular fjords” and are “among the most scenically outstanding landscapes in the world”. “Fjord, a word of Norwegian origin, refers to a long, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs formed by submergence of a glaciated valley.” Geirangerfjord is an impressive 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) long and 853 feet (260 meters) deep and is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, 2,600 feet (800-meter) high cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
I watched the sail in from the observation lounge as well as from the upper decks of the NCL Prima and am so happy that I woke up early for the entire journey in. It is also true that while your pictures may look postcard worthy, you will also think that even these photos do not do justice and showcase how incredibly beautiful it really is!
TOP SHORE EXCURSIONS/TOURS
RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord
If you are in one of the most beautiful places in Norway (and if not the world) wouldn’t you want to see it from as many perspectives, viewpoints as possible? This RIB boat tour will allow you to get up close to Geirangerfjord and its famous waterfalls in a small RIB boat. Read about what our experience on the tour was like here
Fjord Sightseeing Tour by Boat in Geiranger
This boat tour is for those with back issues and/or wanting a tamer, calmer experience than onboard a RIB boat but want to see the waterfalls from a closer vantage point than can be had on your cruise ship
Geiranger Shore Excursion: Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road Bus Tour
This highly rated tour is another one that I personally have done (read about our experience here) with a back on time guarantee (to cruise ship). The sights and stops include Ørnesvingen Viewpoint/ Eagle Road + Flydalsjuvet viewpoint + Geiranger Skywalk – Dalsnibba + Djupvasshytta/lake Djupvatn
Excursions.no Mount Dalsnibba & Eagle’s Bend
Another highly rated tour that visits the same places and also has a back on time guarantee (to cruise ship) if first tour (that’s the one that I have taken and one of many with Norway Excursions AS) is sold out
Kayak Tour with Waterfall Views in Geiranger
For a more active adventure and different perspective – book this guided tour that allows you to explore the fjord by kayak (book here) – definitely on my list for next time!
Geiranger: Rappelling tour with epic view
I am going to need at least two more days here because I want to do this activity and the next two as well.
You will start with a guide hike with rope security to the famous Flydal canyon viewpoint (yeah the one most are taking a bus or car to!) and then rappel back down with a great view of Geiranger on this three hour, highly rated tour.
E-bike Tour in Geiranger
This guided tour (book here) will take you on a two-hour adventure along waterfalls and stunning views of the Geiranger Fjord
Geiranger: Zipline Park Experience
With this activity (book here), choose your adventure here with Zipline only or Zipline and Via Ferrata. Cross the Geiranger River on a zipline and admire the view of the fjords. Appreciate the Dynamite Waterfall, explore a natural forest, and navigate over the river on a Nepalese bridge.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Walking
Many attractions are within short/medium walking distance of cruise terminal.
- Tourist information: 50 meter / 1 min walk
- Geiranger Sjokolade Chocolate Café: 200 meters / 2-3 min walk
- Norwegian Fjord Center: 1.4 kilometers / 18-25 min walk
Bike / Electric Bike
Get your exercise whilst exploring the beautiful sights around Geiranger – multiple companies offer rentals.
Electric Car
Environmentally friendly way to explore all of the popular attractions – multiple companies offer rentals.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
Buy your tickets ahead of time so you don’t have to queue with everyone else! Stops: cruise terminal/ Norwegian Fjord Centre / Westeras Farm/ Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint
Taxis
An expensive but convenient way to get around. Note that there are limited numbers
TOP ATTRACTIONS/POINTS OF INTERESTS
Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint
Flydalsjuvet offers an impressive view and is an excellent point for photography, with a view over Geiranger and Geirangerfjord. This was one of the stops on our tour, read what it was like here (an * will indicate that a stop on the Geiranger bus tour we took)
Eagle Road*
The steepest section of Road 63 between Geiranger and Eidsdal is called Ørnevegen, or “The Eagle Road”, as driving along its eleven hairpin turns at 620 metres (2,030 ft) above sea level feels a little like being airborne. At the uppermost bend is the most spectacular viewpoint of the road, Ørnesvingen, offering breath-taking views over the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord.
Geiranger Skywalk – Dalsnibba
Europe’s highest fjord views from a road – at 1,500 metres. Enjoy amazing views of Geirangerfjord and snow-capped mountains. Asphalted road to the top, so you don’t have to walk.
The Geiranger Skywalk viewpoint is located on the Dalsnibba mountain at an elevation of 1,500 metres with an iron grid floor and glass guard rail. With a sheer drop of around 500 m beneath you and a mountain breeze blowing gently from below, you’ll feel like you’re floating. Here you can enjoy spectacular unobstructed views of the fjord, mountains, Blåbreen glacier and Geiranger
OTHER ATTRACTIONS/POINTS OF INTERESTS
Norwegian Fjord Centre – Waterfalls Walk
Within Geiranger: 1.4 kilometers / 18 -25 min walk from cruise terminal (HOHO bus stop / taxi) Modern, family-friendly museum spotlighting the Norwegian fjords plus a cafe and gift shop.
This is also where you can see a number of wat
Westeras Farm
Outside of Geiranger: 4.4 kilometers / 1 hour 16 min walk from cruise port. (HOHO bus stop / taxi) At the farm you can enjoy untouched nature, animals and spectacular views in this historical place that dates back to the 17th century.
From the farm you have many beautiful routes to walk along the fjord and in the mountains.
Hiking
Plan your hike ahead of time with this map http://www.geirangerfjord.no/hiking-map
EAT/DRINK
Geiranger Sjokolade Chocolate Café
Left photo: the cutest chocolate shop + cafe housed in boat house a with 3 different types of hot chocolates, ice cream, choco waffles and delectable chocolates – pictured was the dark hot chocolate
Fiskekakebuda
Right top photo: this is what I get for not writing things down so this might be a fish ball? – it was definitely a local specialty and I am fairly certain we got it along with our fish sandwich from here: again classic Norwegian nomeclature: the fish cake booth
Gatekjøkken
Right bottom photo: my adorable niece with her Softis: soft serve ice cream dipped in sprinkles / others loved the chocolate powder
Westeras Farm
Outside of Geiranger: 4.4 kilometers / 1 hour 16 min walk from cruise port. (HOHO bus stop / taxi) In the barn, dating from 1603, you can visit the restaurant where you can eat dishes made with food produced on the farm.
