Geirangerfjord

Geirangerfjord is the postcard fjord of Norway, a narrow, deep arm of water walled by sheer green cliffs down which waterfalls pour, the Seven Sisters and the Suitor among them. Part of the West Norwegian Fjords World Heritage site, it is reached by dramatic mountain roads and best seen from the water or the ledges high above.

What's there

• The Seven Sisters waterfall - the fan of falls plunging from the cliff opposite the Suitor.
• The fjord cruise - the boat trip along the narrow water beneath the walls.
• Eagle Road and Trollstigen - the hairpin roads climbing to and from the fjord.
• Cliffside farms - the abandoned farmsteads clinging impossibly high on the walls.

When to go

Late spring and early summer for the waterfalls at full force from snowmelt; summer for warm days and full ferries. It is busiest when cruise ships dock, so early morning or the shoulder season is calmer.

Practical notes

Its fame means cruise ships and coaches crowd the small village in peak summer, so time your visit to avoid the ship hours. The waterfalls fade in a dry late summer. The best of it is from the water or the high viewpoints, not the village itself.

Nearby

The Trollstigen road and Alesund lie north; the Dalsnibba viewpoint high above the fjord gives the aerial panorama.

Key facts