Norway is famous for its fjords, there’s no doubt about it. However, when you have limited time and funding, choosing where to go can be challenging.

The Norway in a Nutshell tour of the fjords serves as an ideal option to sample the best of Norway’s magnificent fjords while visiting the capital cities of Scandinavia.

We spent 14 glorious days traveling through Scandinavia via train, bus, and boat. One of the highlights of our Capitals and Fjords tour was undoubtedly the water portions.

Fjord Tour Norway

There is something calming and wonderful about floating through the fjords and channels while enjoying spectacular scenery from the deck of a ship.

While we will undoubtedly return to further explore the Fjords of Norway, I feel at ease knowing that we were exposed to one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords during our day on Norway in a Nutshell.

Norway in a Nutshell is arguably the most popular tour in the country, specifically focusing on Sognefjord, the biggest and best-known fjord in Norway.

About the Norwegian in a Nutshell

Stretching 205 km inland from the sea, fully cruising and exploring this spectacular fjord could easily take days. However, we only had one day to experience it, with our tour focusing on the beautiful Nærøyfjord section of Sognefjord.

Sognefjord; the Nærøyfjord

At merely 20 km long, we cruised through this narrow arm of the Sognefjord, surrounded by majestic mountains reaching 1700 metres towards the sky.

Starting in Bergen, Norway in a Nutshell really delivers on its promise. It provides a glimpse of everything Norway has to offer, including picturesque cities, lakes, and rides on historic and modern railways, culminating in a scenic exploration of Norway’s stunning fjords.

Boarding an early morning train, we embarked on a two-hour journey to Voss where we transitioned to a bus that took us along a winding mountain road to the fjord’s mouth.

I was unprepared for such beauty, but the views from both the train and bus were nothing short of magnificent.

The bus ride lasted about an hour, during which the driver frequently stopped at hairpin turns, allowing us to capture photos of waterfalls and deep valleys below.

By the time we reached the ferry, our excitement peaked, envisioning the astounding scenes that lie ahead!

Our time in Gudvangen was all too brief. We could have easily spent our morning hiking and capturing photos of the stunning scenery surrounding us.

However, the tourist infrastructure here is still developing, featuring only a welcome center, restaurant, and small hotel, leaving us with just enough time to snap a few pictures before boarding our ferry to Flam.

As we approached the ferry, the growing crowd stirred feelings of anxiety. Would we end up with middle seats inside?

Ultimately, most people gravitated towards the back deck and largely overlooked the front.

Quickly, Dave and I made our way to the front of the boat where we claimed a prime position with a front-row view of the fjord cruise.

I highly recommend securing your spot at the beginning of the trip and remaining there.

Once the ferry set off, fellow passengers eyed us with envy as we reveled in our perfect vantage point—looking straight down the fjord.

Fjords of Norway

We could not have asked for a better day. Derek, our knowledgeable tour guide, mentioned that he hadn’t witnessed such clarity during a tour in five years. We felt incredibly fortunate!

The cruise spanned two hours, gently navigating through the fjords while we passed small villages adorning the shores of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We encountered waterfalls and farms dating back to the Viking era, with goats grazing in the lush fields.

Be mindful; the wind can be brisk, and when the sun disappears behind towering mountains, it can turn chilly quickly, so it’s wise to pack an extra sweater and a wind jacket.

While we felt comfortable, we observed some passengers shivering.

Our cruise concluded at the picturesque village of Flam. We had only about an hour to explore, so if you’re venturing on your own, I highly recommend considering an overnight stay.

This charming town, situated at the heart of the fjord, boasts a plethora of restaurants, shops, hotels, and a museum. Nevertheless, the real highlight is undoubtedly the breathtaking scenery.

Additionally, from Flam, we boarded the Flam Railway to Myrdal. Commencing at just 2 metres above sea level and rising to 866 metres in Myrdal, it is recognized as the steepest incline railway in Northern Europe.

Moreover, it offers one of the most breathtaking train journeys on earth.

A standout moment was our brief, yet exhilarating stop at the Kjosfossen Waterfall.

We had precisely five minutes to capture photographs and take the obligatory selfie before being rushed back onto the train.

Derek urged us that our window for photographs would be short, suggesting we sprint to the viewing platform. I’m so glad we did. We managed to capture numerous photos before other passengers caught up.

We savored the power and beauty of the waterfall, returning to the train with satisfaction—just another advantage of having an experienced guide accompany us.

The final leg of our Norway in a Nutshell adventure concluded with another scenic rail journey back to Bergen, where we were treated to a stunning sunset over lakes and mountains while comfortably seated in the passenger compartment.

We returned to Bergen in time for dinner, visions of rolling mountains lingering in our minds.

This experience was supported by Go Ahead Tours. As always, all opinions expressed here are our own.