Making the most of Geiranger Geirangerfjord
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The approach is spectacular, and Geirangerfjord is known as Norway's most beautiful fjord. Passengers tender to a downtown pier.
Geiranger and Hellesylt form a tandem call. At either port the ship may stop just a few hours to tender passengers taking an overland tour to the other, where it remains longer. Sometimes passengers may also get ashore simply to wander for an hour or so.
The operating SeaWalk pier gives direct ship-to-town-centre access and cuts lengthy tender procedures. Tenderboats once meant a three hour process; now every passenger can be ashore in under an hour. Only one vessel fits at the pier, so tenders may still be needed. SeaWalk hire is costly for cruise lines, and some will not use it.
A printable map to take along.
Webcam view.
Check the port cruise calendar, SW and whether your ship will use Seawalk Pier.
Geiranger is the jewel among Norway's fjord district natural beauties: majestic snow-covered mountain peaks, beautiful wild waterfalls, lush green vegetation and the fjord's deep-blue waters create an almost fairy-tale scene.
The village itself has little more than a camping site, several hotels, attractive souvenir shops and pleasant coastal walks.
Getting around
Hop on/off buses operate when cruise ships call. The 80 minute tour has pre-recorded commentary in 8 different languages, allowing you to learn about Geiranger while enjoying varied sights, plus 15 minutes at each of two viewpoints for photographs.
Geiranger and similar fjord villages are very, very small. Unlike Bergen, Oslo or Copenhagen, they lack broad transport choices and nearby attraction variety. Mt. Dalsnibba, nearly a mile above sea level and this tender site, is a major distance away. Heading "up country" can be essential for wider scenery. Ship tours are imperfect but solve many logistical needs; Norway is not cheap, whether tours are private or ship excursions.
To visit Mt. Dalsnibba independently, book a private excursion, some are listed at tourist office, or hire a car. The road is probably open by early July because snow can continue well into June. Wait until the day of your Geiranger visit: rain means you will see little.
A public bus runs Geiranger-Dalsnibba 3 times daily between 21.06.-31.08. It is a beautiful photo-stop tour, and the round trip takes about 2 hours.
Walking guidance.
For Geiranger's finest viewpoints, drive up from the village to Ørnesvingen, Flydalsjuvet or toll-road Dalsnibba, or walk up to Vesteråsfjellet or Skageflå.
Tourist Office provides a wide range of tours and rentals.
Norway's weather is highly unpredictable, so check cancellation policies for inclement weather. An excursion in the clouds is no fun at all.
Taxis are scarce and extremely expensive, about 100 Euro per hour.
Food and shopping
There are basically only a few souvenir shops.
Money
Norway's currency is the Norwegian crown (Norske krone), abbreviated kr. A 1/100th krone is an øre. 1.00 EUR equals about 9 NOK. Norway is one of the world's most expensive countries.
Staying connected
Tourist office has one free 10 minutes internet station. Some cafes provide WiFi when a consumption is purchased. Depending on your provider, free WIFI is available on and around the pier and its shops. For data roaming, Norway is considered part of the European Union.
Opening Hours and
All stores and restaurants open when a cruise ship is in town.