Making the most of Hellesylt Sunnylvsfjord
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
A new cruise pier now gives easy access to Hellesylt, and even the largest cruise ships can dock there.
You may be brought in by tender when more than one cruise ship is in port.
Hellesylt is not a large village, but it is the starting point for overland tours. In most cases, you would not tender into this port unless a tour departs from this point. When the ship docks, passengers will be allowed to disembark.
Geiranger and Hellesylt operate as tandem ports. At either, the ship may stop only a few hours to tender passengers taking an overland tour to the other, where it remains longer. More commonly, you can disembark for a few hours at both ports.
Hellesylt is a small village in Stranda municipality, Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is at the head of Sunnylvsfjord, a Storfjord branch from which the better-known Geirangerfjord also branches nearby. Around 260 people live in the village, although thousands of tourists pass through or stay every summer day.
The large central water fall is the town's focal point.
Getting around
People who take a cruise-organised overland tour to Geiranger seem to love it, although they agree it is exhausting. Port time is short, about 2 hours, and tendering makes it a little longer.
You can disembark independently and use the local fjord ferry to Geiranger. Norwegian music plays onboard, and the small snack bar sells tasty baked goods and coffee.
The cruise line may say that tenders are only for cruise-organised excursions, but that is not really the case.
The cruise ship will sail to Geiranger too, so this ferry is mainly for travellers who want to be among locals and experience a typical Norwegian atmosphere.
Norwegian weather can be highly unpredictable, so check cancellation policies for poor conditions. Driving around in the clouds is no fun.
Food and shopping
There are a few souvenir shops, a Devold outlet store and several supermarkets.
Money
The Norwegian crown (Norske krone), shortened to kr, is the currency. A 1/100th krone is an øre. 1.00 EUR is about 9 NOK. Norway is one of the world's most expensive countries.
Staying connected
At the tourist office in Peer Gynt cafe, beside the easily visible Coop supermarket, fast WiFi is available when you order a drink. Ask at the counter for the log-in key. While there, see the Oddvin Parr woodcarving exhibit, which tells the Peer Gynt story in floor-to-ceiling carvings.
Opening Hours and
Most stores open when a cruise ship is in town.