The Norwegian fjords are some of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth. These deep, glacially-carved valleys, filled with emerald waters and framed by towering cliffs are a truly unique and iconic landmark in Norway.
On my road trip to Norway in the late spring, I could witness the beauty of some of the most beautiful fjords in Western Norway, like the gorgeous Hardangerfjord and its orchards, or the famous Sognefjord and some of its smaller branches: the tranquil Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.
I knew when I planned my trip to Norway that one bucket-list experience I absolutely wanted to do was to take a boat tour through the fjords, so I booked a Nærøyfjord tour, and I can honestly say it was worth it!
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After a first night in Flåm, in the amazing Gjørven Hytter typical Norwegian huts, we headed to the center of town in the morning to catch the boat for our fjord cruise. We honestly were shocked at how many tourists there were in the center of Flåm and at the gigantic cruise ship in the narrow fjord, blocking the view entirely.
Luckily, once we were all on the boat, it didn’t feel crowded at all, thanks to the way the boat is designed with multiple decks and viewpoints on different levels, and all around the boat. This was a very pleasant surprise!
When the boat started, we immediately marveled at how silent it was, and once we could not see the huge cruise ship anymore, we truly felt like it was just us and the majestic beauty of the fjord.
While gliding silently on the peaceful waters, we passed by many cute farms and pretty fjord towns nestled behind small hills or just by the water, countless waterfalls, both narrow and large, high and low.
This way of seeing the fjords allowed us to experience these natural wonders in a way that we could not have done with a car, so I am so glad we decided to book this!
The most amazing part for me was when we left the Aurlandsfjord to enter the narrower Nærøyfjord, leaving you to feel so tiny in comparison to the high peaks that surround you.
In the end, we arrived in Gudvangen after 2 hours and stopped there to eat our packed lunch with our eyes turned towards the fjord, basking the the warm sunshine.
It was really an unforgettable experience!
For this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I was looking for something that would allow me to see one of the most beautiful and iconic fjords, in the best possible setting. I was also travelling with my mom, so doing a kayak tour or going on a smaller and less stable boat was not really an option. I chose to go with the tours offered by Norway’s best, and I have to say it did not disappoint.
Norway’s best Nærøyfjord Boat Tour
What is Norway’s best Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise?
Norway’s best is a Norwegian brand that helps to develop tourism in Norway, particularly offering nature-based experiences in some of Norway’s most iconic areas. It offers a wide range of activities for international tourists, including boat tours through the fjords.
The Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise starts in a town called Flåm and leads visitors along the Aurlandsfjord, then continues all the way to Gudvangen through the Nærøyfjord, featured in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
With Norway’s best, the boats are fully electrical, so the noise is minimal, allowing visitors to fully experience the tranquil beauty of the fjords, while also limiting carbon emissions. This was absolutely a plus in our experience!
Their structure with multiple decks on several levels can accommodate more people without it feeling too crowded.
Norway’s best Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise is part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour, meaning that it is quite a touristic attraction, so depending on the time of the year and time of day that you’ll go, you might encounter a higher number of tourists.
Pros and Cons of Norway’s best Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise
Here is what we loved about it:
- the electric boat is perfect for this, not only for the environment and wildlife, but it also enhances your experience so much!
- the way the boat is designed doesn’t make it feel too crowded despite the number of people there
- the inside cabin has large windows that still allow you to see the surrounding nature and almost make you feel like you are outside
- on your way back, you have the possibility to take a bus for a cheaper price than going back with the boat (it is also faster).
What we didn’t love so much:
- the town of Flåm is just overly touristic, and the huge cruise boat parked there ruins the landscape so much – this has little to do with the tour but I wanted to mention it regardless
- this tour is quite touristic, so you just have to expect to be surrounded by tourists (and you’ll be one of them too). The design of the boat doesn’t make it feel too crowded, but there will still be people around you.
- the price of this tour is quite high, so it might not fit everyone’s budget (see below for budget alternatives to a fjord cruise).
Practical information:
Norway’s Best Nærøyfjord Tour
- Departure/Arrival points: Flåm and Gudvangen. You can also hop on or off the boat in Aurland, Undredal, Dyrdal or Styvi, if you pre-book your tickets (which I recommend anyway).
Your departure point depends on where you are staying, though there are probably going to be more people leaving from Flåm than from Gudvangen.
- Duration: the trip one way lasts 2 hours. 4 hours if you want to do it both ways by boat, but I’m not sure it brings that much of an added value. I recommend taking the shuttle bus that will take you back to your starting point for cheaper and in less time (you can book it from Norway’s best website).
- Price: the one way ticket costs 625 NOK (58 USD / 53 EUR). If you purchase a return ticket (by boat), the total will be 950 NOK (90 USD / 81 EUR). If you want to take the shuttle bus instead, the total will be 775 NOK (73 USD / 66 EUR).
- On board: you can buy snacks and cold or warm drinks on board. There are also toilets.
The inside area on board is large with lots of seats. It is surrounded by huge windows so you can easily see outside, even if it is cold. There are also some screens that describe the landscape you are seeing (which town it is, name of waterfalls, local legends, etc.). - During winter: the Nærøyfjord Tour operates all year round, but according to the website, a special route is used in case part of the fjord freezes.
