Bryggen Wharf, located in Bergen, Norway, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vibrant symbol of the city’s rich maritime history. Dating back to the 14th century, this iconic row of colorful, timber-clad buildings once served as a hub for the Hanseatic League, facilitating trade across Northern Europe.
Norway: Nærøyfjord
Nærøyfjord
I had made a booking on a tour boat to visit Nærøyfjord, which along with Geirangerfjord, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
To make sure we made our departure, we left our cabin in Sogndal early. It was not long before we arrived at the endpoint of the road, and the only way forward was on a ferry. This is common when travelling around the western part of southern Norway. Luckily, there was a ferry waiting so we were able to drive straight on and 20 minutes later we were unloaded and on our way.
After an hour or so of driving, passing through many very long tunnels including the Lærdalstunnelen, which at 24.5km is the world’s largest road tunnel, we reached the town of Flåm. We’d arrived on time for the boat, which was great. The town is a popular tourist destination with coach loads of tourists arriving as we watched. Not only do people arrive by coach there is also a tourist train that runs from Bergen, which apparently is very spectacular – but we didn’t have time to take it this time around.
We’d hoped for decent weather for this trip, but it did not look like we’d be getting it. Although it was not raining when we arrived it certainly looked like it was threatening.
Eventually, our time to board came. We’d managed to get somewhere near the front of the queue so were one of the first people to board. With the miserable weather, most people headed for the inside seating, which seemed to defeat the point of the cruise despite the conditions. Having been in Scandinavia now for some weeks we were prepared for whatever was thrown at us and took our positions on the top deck.
Flåm sits at the end of Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the vast Sognefjord. Our cruise was going to last around 90 minutes and finish at the village of Gudvangen which sits at the end of the Nærøyfjord. As our boat pushed out the rains started accompanied by a brisk wind. The choice to stay outside did not seem such a good one at this point, but we decided to stick it out anyway.
It took about 45 minutes to reach the entrance to Nærøyfjord. By this time, we had been soaked by a passing squall and were very cold.
As we turned into the mouth of Nærøyfjord we were agog and all the thoughts of being cold and miserable disappeared. I don’t think I have seen a more beautiful place anywhere. It is one of the narrowest fjords in the world and is only 250m wide at some points. The mountains climb steeply from the fjord to heights of 1800m. It is incredible. Nærøyfjord is only 19km long, but it packs a lot of amazing scenery in that short distance. We were further rewarded with the sun breaking through and lighting up the tops of the mountain peaks around us. Another bonus with the sun coming out was that we began to thaw out!
We made a couple of stops along the fjord to pick up and drop off people at the remote camping spots along the banks of the fjord.
Our boat moored up at the dock in Gudvangen and we disembarked to begin our search for the shuttle bus to take us back to Flåm, which was only 11km by road (mostly in a tunnel).
Getting to Nærøyfjord
How to get to the Nærøyfjord?
By Road
- Car: On a visit to the Nærøyfjord, travelling by car is a popular way to reach the destination. The fjord is accessible via well-connected road networks. From Bergen or Oslo, you can take the E16 or Road 50, both offering scenic routes to nearby towns like Flåm or Gudvangen, situated along the shores of the Nærøyfjord.
By Sea
- Cruise: Several cruise lines offer fjord cruises that navigate through the Nærøyfjord, providing an immersive experience of its beauty. Cruise itineraries often include stops at towns like Flåm or Gudvangen.
- Passenger Ferries: Passenger ferries ply the waters of the Nærøyfjord, offering transportation between towns along the fjord, such as Aurland, Gudvangen, or Flåm.
By Air
- Closest Airports: The nearest major airports to the Nærøyfjord are Bergen (BGO) and Oslo (OSL). You can further travel by road or rail from these airports to reach areas near the fjord.
- Local Airports: Small regional airports like Sogndal Airport (SOG) or Ørsta-Volda Airport (HOV) are relatively close to the Nærøyfjord. From these airports, travellers can access nearby towns and continue their journey by road or ferry.
Cruises
There is only one route: the ferry/cruise goes from Flåm to Gudvangen (at the end of the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord, respectively) and back. Along the way, they stop in Aurland and Undredal (sometimes only upon request).
You can either travel on the ferry both ways, or opt for the more efficient option, which includes a 20-minute shuttle bus between Gudvangen and Flåm.
There are a couple companies offering the fjord cruise, and it is important to know which one you booked with when you arrive. You need to have the correct ticket for the correct cruise, otherwise you won’t be allowed to board.
The Fjords operate the fjord cruise on their premium vessels, which are fully electric carbon fiber vessels built for maximum views of the scenery. This is a pricier option, but definitely worth it as the boat is newer and pretty fancy. They have a shuttle bus between Gudvangen and Flåm you can book as a package with your cruise, so you’ll end up back where you started. This cruise runs year-round, and is the only option in the winter.
The other company offering the fjord cruise in the high season is Lustrabaatane. Their classic ferries run from April through October and is the more affordable option.
Last, but not least, there is a local company offering a private fjord cruise – this is a pretty steep option, but may be worth it for those that want to spend hours onboard the yacht whilst taking in the stunning World Heritage Listed scenery of the Nærøyfjord.
Duration
The fjord cruise lasts around 2 hours one way between Flåm and Gudvangen.
If you opt for the shuttle bus back, this is a 20-minute drive. The shuttle bus departure is usually timed to depart 5-10 minutes after the arrival of the cruise, so you can expect the round-trip to take 2,5 hours.
If you return with the cruise (a lovely experience if you have enough time), you can expect the journey to take around 4,5-5 hours.
The best time to visit Nærøyfjord
Predominantly classified as a Subarctic climate according to the revered Köppen climate classification, Flåm, Norway is known for its severe winters and cool summers. A unique feature of this climate category, also denoted as Dfc, is the absence of a dry season. Tracking the monthly averages of key climatological parameters such as temperature, rainfall, daylight hours, sunshine duration, and the ultraviolet (UV) index forms an accurate depiction of Flåm’s annual weather pattern.
Throughout the year, Flåm experiences a considerable shift in various weather indicators. Temperatures vary from a chilly -9°C (15.8°F) in the peak of winter to mild highs of 14°C (57.2°F) during the summer months. On the precipitation front, rainfall shows minor fluctuations with monthly averages ranging from 46mm (1.81″) to 169mm (6.65″).
The best time to visit
The ideal time to visit Flåm depends on individual preferences, with weather conditions showing noticeable differentiation throughout the year. If the goal is to experience the mildest temperatures and longest daylight duration, the months from June to August are the most fitting. During this period, temperatures climb to their yearly peak, averaging from 13°C (55.4°F) to 14°C (57.2°F), accompanied by the highest amount of sunlight, a pleasant 7 hours a day.
The worst time to visit
Visitors intending to avoid the harshest weather conditions should stay clear of Flåm during the deep winter months. January and February, especially, are characterized by bone-chilling temperatures, descending to as low as -9°C (15.8°F). These conditions come hand in hand with an extreme reduction in daylight duration, retracting to just over 6.6 hours during January.
Where to stay
- Gudvangen Camping: This campsite offers various accommodations for different budgets, including cabins and camping spots.
- Gudvangen Fjordtell: A comfortable mid-range option, Gudvangen Fjordtell provides cosy rooms and stunning views of the fjord.
- Gudvangen Budget Hotel: Ideal for budget travellers, Gudvangen Hostel offers simple and affordable accommodation.
More to Explore
