From its fresh seafood delicacies, to its chic, minimalistic approach to fashion and décor, and its unique Viking history, Scandinavia provides intrigue and wonder aplenty. And of course, one could not venture to this iconic part of the world without mentioning its breathtaking, untamed natural beauty.
Often described as the “Land of the Fjords”, Norway should be on every nature enthusiast’s bucket list, offering dreamy turquoise lakes, waterfalls, sweeping landscapes and of course impressive fjords.
Best described as a deep or narrow elongated sea, surrounded by steep land on three sides, fjords are often set in a u-shaped valley with steep walls of rock on either side. They were created by glaciers and are mainly found in Chile, New Zealand, Greenland, Canada, the US and of course Norway.
Before you head to Norway to check these dramatic geographical masterpieces out for yourself, we thought we’d give you the lowdown on the country’s iconic fjords.
Geiranger, Norway © Krisjanis Mezulis on Unsplash
- Norway’s fjords differ to those in other parts of the world. Due to the warming Gulf Stream, they offer a milder climate, making their waters the perfect ice-free home for fish, seals and porpoises.
- Geirangerfjord is Norway’s most famous and is one of the country’s most visited tourist attractions. It has made appearances in Hollywood films including, The Wave and Disney’s recent children’s movie, Frozen. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is famous for its popular ‘Seven Sisters waterfall’. Insight guests get to experience this beautiful phenomenon for themselves as they stay in the remote village of Geiranger for two nights, overlooking the fjords and soaring mountains.
- The Sognefjord or the “King of the fjords” holds an impressive location, in the middle of fjord Norway. The fjord runs through many municipalities, including Solund, Hyllestad, Balestrand, Aurland and Luster. The longest of the Norwegian fjords, it is over 200 kilometres long and 1,308 metres deep at its deepest point.
- Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Nærøyfjord, is one of the narrowest fjords in Europe and a mere branch of the spectacular Sognefjord. It measures 20km in length and with its surrounding mountains reaching 1160 metres, it makes for an outstanding, if not imposing, tourist attraction.
Learn more about Norway’s fjords on the following trips:
