There's nothing quite like seeing the Norwegian fjords with your own eyes. No matter how many pictures of them you've seen before, the reality of standing in the crisp Norwegian air and drinking in the unbelievable scenery is an invigorating once in a lifetime experience. While the fjords are, without doubt, stunning from any angle, it's worth bearing in mind that there are some viewing points that stand out from the crowd. It's these that we'll be talking about today.
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Just as a quick tip, since Norway's so famous for its waterways, it's very well suited to cruise holidays (which you can organize through companies like Fred. Olsen). An added bonus of visiting the country on this kind of break is that your tour operator will usually offer a variety of excursions to see not only the fjords, but also the surrounding scenery.
Returning to the best places to view the fjords, we think the following are particularly spectacular.
Stegastein viewpoint
One of the most exciting places to visit is the Stegastein viewpoint, a manmade attraction that gives you the chance to feel as if you're floating above the stunning Sognefjord.
Located just off Aurlandsvegen (a famous mountain road), this lookout point is essentially a long bridge - though there's nothing at the end but some protective glass. Walk out on it and you'll soon be 30 m away from the side of the mountain and a dizzying 650 m above the water - an experience you cannot fail to remember for years to come.
Pulpit Rock/Preikestolen
Not all the best viewpoints are manmade; in fact, arguably the most famous in the country is the natural lookout of Preikestolen, which is also known as Pulpit Rock. Actually, it's so renowned that you're likely to have seen pictures of it before. This is a truly incredible place, jutting out over a virtually sheer cliff 600 m above the Lysefjord. It does take a bit of effort to get to (a two-hour hike, often done as a day trip from Stavanger), but it's well worth it.
Floibanen Funicular
Bergen is one of Norway's most exciting destinations, not to mention a popular place for cruises to stop off at. If you're visiting here, make sure you take a ride on the Floibanen Funicular, which will whisk you to the viewpoint of Mount Floien at 320 m. From here, not only can you see incredible vistas over the city, but also - yes, you've guessed it - wonderful views across the local fjord.
A cruise along the Hardangerfjord
So far, all of our suggested viewing points have been for admiring the fjords from a distance. However, there's a lot to be said for getting a close-up look too, which is why our final recommendation is to take a cruise along the beautiful Hardangerfjord.
This is the second largest fjord in the country, not to mention the third largest in the entire world, and a cruise along it is an awe-inspiring experience. As a quick tip, you can also combine sightseeing this way with food tastings - and the local cuisine definitely makes this an option well worth considering!
These are just some of the exciting viewing points around Norway's fjords. If you've got any recommendations, leave a comment and let me know.
(Photos © ThinkStock / iStockphoto)
Returning to the best places to view the fjords, we think the following are particularly spectacular.
Stegastein viewpoint
One of the most exciting places to visit is the Stegastein viewpoint, a manmade attraction that gives you the chance to feel as if you're floating above the stunning Sognefjord.
Located just off Aurlandsvegen (a famous mountain road), this lookout point is essentially a long bridge - though there's nothing at the end but some protective glass. Walk out on it and you'll soon be 30 m away from the side of the mountain and a dizzying 650 m above the water - an experience you cannot fail to remember for years to come.
Pulpit Rock/Preikestolen
Not all the best viewpoints are manmade; in fact, arguably the most famous in the country is the natural lookout of Preikestolen, which is also known as Pulpit Rock. Actually, it's so renowned that you're likely to have seen pictures of it before. This is a truly incredible place, jutting out over a virtually sheer cliff 600 m above the Lysefjord. It does take a bit of effort to get to (a two-hour hike, often done as a day trip from Stavanger), but it's well worth it.
Floibanen Funicular
Bergen is one of Norway's most exciting destinations, not to mention a popular place for cruises to stop off at. If you're visiting here, make sure you take a ride on the Floibanen Funicular, which will whisk you to the viewpoint of Mount Floien at 320 m. From here, not only can you see incredible vistas over the city, but also - yes, you've guessed it - wonderful views across the local fjord.
A cruise along the Hardangerfjord
So far, all of our suggested viewing points have been for admiring the fjords from a distance. However, there's a lot to be said for getting a close-up look too, which is why our final recommendation is to take a cruise along the beautiful Hardangerfjord.
This is the second largest fjord in the country, not to mention the third largest in the entire world, and a cruise along it is an awe-inspiring experience. As a quick tip, you can also combine sightseeing this way with food tastings - and the local cuisine definitely makes this an option well worth considering!
These are just some of the exciting viewing points around Norway's fjords. If you've got any recommendations, leave a comment and let me know.
(Photos © ThinkStock / iStockphoto)
(This post was written by Hari Apostolides)
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