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Top things to do in the Norwegian Fjords
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items We recently enjoyed a wonderful family holiday cruising the Norwegian Fjords with P&O. We've covered this on our Instagram and YouTube channels - @paradisefallsfamily. Here are our top recommendations for things to do on a Norwegian Fjords cruise...
Map
Sections
4
Stavanger
Olden
Hellesylt
Haugesund
Stavanger
Stavanger is known as the gateway to the Fjords and is one of the bigger ports on a Norwegian Fjords cruise. It's a lovely city in a great location, meaning you can get out and explore the nearby fjords! Here are some of the top things to do in Stava...
The iconic Pulpit Rock is a must-see — a guided hike means you can just enjoy the views over the Lysefjord without worrying about the trail.
Guided hike to Pulpit Rock
Another hike to the famous Kjeragbolten boulder - just don't step out onto the Boulder!
Hike to Kjeragbolten boulder
Get out on the fjords in a high speed RIB boat for a bit more of a thrill!
Lysefjord RIB Safari
A lovely way to get your bearings — a guided walk through Stavanger's colourful streets, old town and harbour.
Guided Walking Tour
A private walk with a local guide — the perfect way to explore Old Stavanger's white wooden houses and colourful streets at your own pace.
Stavanger Private Walking Tour with a Local
Sit back and glide through the Lysefjord, gazing up at Pulpit Rock from the water — a relaxing cruise that runs all year round.
Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock Cruise -All year from Stavanger
Taste your way around Stavanger — local flavours, craft beer and bacalao, with stories of the city along the way. A delicious break from sightseeing.
Stavanger Food Walk 2026 - BOOK NOW
A private drive through Stavanger's highlights, ending at the three giant Swords in Rock by the fjord — history, views and photo stops in one easy tour.
Stavanger Private City Highlights Tour 2026 - BOOK NOW
Beat the crowds with an early start — watch the sun rise over the Lysefjord from the top of Pulpit Rock. Unforgettable and well worth the alarm.
Preikestolen Sunrise Hike 2026 - Stavanger - BOOK NOW
Hop on, hop off — the easiest way to see Stavanger's sights at your own pace, with the top deck for the best views.
City Sightseeing Stavanger Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Step back in time with a costumed guide — Viking history, old farms and stories of Stavanger's earliest days, brought vividly to life.
Viking Tour 2026 - Stavanger - BOOK NOW
Set sail from Stavanger harbour into the Lysefjord — towering cliffs, waterfalls and Pulpit Rock from the water, all without the hike.
Boat Cruise to Lysefjorden and The Pulpit Rock
Our go-to case for the cruise — a sturdy hardside spinner that glides over Stavanger's cobbles and up the gangway with ease. The 20-inch carry-on size was just right for a week of fjord-hopping without overpacking.
American Tourister Burst Max V Hardside Spinner Luggage
A proper neck pillow for the long journey north — memory foam that actually supports your head on the flight and the coach rides between ports. We never travel without one now.
Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow
Fjord evenings on deck can be chilly, even in summer — this fold-up travel blanket packs small and was a lifesaver for sunset watching from the top deck. Cosy without the bulk.
Cabeau Fold N Go Travel Blanket
Norwegian weather changes in minutes — this tiny folding umbrella lives in our daypack and has saved many a Stavanger stroll. It folds down to almost nothing and pops up in seconds when the fjord drizzle arrives.
totes Water Resistant Mini Folding Umbrella
Olden
Olden is nestled right in the Norwegian Fjords and this is the kind of scenery you've taken a Norwegian Fjords cruise for. This area is the quintessential fjords and was our favourite few days of the cruise. Here are some of the top things to do in O...
Get out on the water and enjoy the scenery all around you on a kayaking or paddle boarding session
Kayaking and paddle boarding
Take a hike up to Briksdal glacier, or jump in one of the troll cars if you fancy an easier ride.
Briksdal Glacier
Ride the cable car to the top of Mount Hoven for jaw-dropping fjord views — the easiest way to see Olden's scenery from above.
Panorama sightseeing and Loen Skylift - Orsta
Hold on tight — a high-speed RIB ride across the fjord, with waterfalls and mountain views rushing past. Pure thrill.
Olden: Rib Boat Sightseeing on the Fjord 2026 - Skjolden
See the fjords from above — a thrilling helicopter flight over Trolltunga and tumbling waterfalls. The ultimate bird's-eye view of Norway's most dramatic scenery.
Helicopter Over Trolltunga and Waterfall Sightseeing
A private adventure around Olden and Loen — glaciers, the Skylift and fjord views in one tailor-made day. Perfect for families who want thrills without the crowds.
Nordfjordeid Best Private Tour: Glacier Adventure & Loen
Sit back and ride out to the Briksdal Glacier — an easy, scenic sightseeing trip that's perfect after a morning on the water. Great views all the way.
Olden 4 Hour Briksdal Glacier Tour in Briksdalsbreen 2026
For the thrill-seekers — clip in and climb a sheer rock face above the fjord, with a guide the whole way. The views from the top are absolutely worth the effort.
Via-ferrata Tour in Bergen 2026 - BOOK NOW
The perfect daypack for the Briksdal Glacier walk — light on your back, with room for a waterproof, snacks and a camera for those glacier views. We carried everything we needed and never felt weighed down.
Outdoor Products Teton Hiker Pack Backpack
A leakproof bottle is essential on the glacier trails — this one kept our water cold all the way up to Briksdal and never spilled in the daypack. The strap makes it easy to carry on the walk back down.
Contigo SnapSeal™ 24-oz. Leakproof Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The jacket we wished we'd packed sooner — lightweight, water-repellent and it folds into its own pocket, so it lived in our daypack for the whole Olden stop. On at the glacier, off in the sunshine, and never in the way.
Women's Columbia Switchback IV Hooded Packable Jacket
The views from the Loen Skylift deserved a proper look — these binoculars brought the glaciers, waterfalls and tiny farms across the fjord right up close. Light enough to carry all day, and the kids loved spotting eagles with them too.
Vivitar Binoculars
Hellesylt
Hellesylt is a picturesque village renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. It serves as a gateway to the iconic Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Geiranger — known as the pearl of the fjords. Here are some of the top things to do in...
Get out on the water and explore the beautiful fjords yourself in a kayak
Kayaking in Hellesylt
Take a scenic cruise from Hellesylt to nearby beautiful Geiranger, with free time in the town, before cruising back.
Cruise over to Geiranger
One of the best things to do is take a boat over to Geiranger and head up into the mountains for the spectacular views.
Geiranger Skywalk, Mount Dalsnibba and Eagle Road
A thrilling, high-speed way to see the Geirangerfjord — hold on tight as you zip past waterfalls and cliffs!
RIB boat on Geirangerfjord
Cruise the Geirangerfjord and stop beneath its famous waterfalls — you can even taste the pure waterfall water. A magical, easy day out from Hellesylt.
Geiranger Fjord Tour with Waterfall Tasting 2026 - Andalsnes
Hop on and off around Geiranger — an easy, flexible way to see the fjord village, the viewpoints and the waterfalls at your own pace, with the best seats up top.
City Sightseeing Geiranger Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Paddle the glassy Geirangerfjord with a guide — waterfalls, sheer cliffs and tiny farms, all at water level. A peaceful, unforgettable way to see Geiranger up close.
Geirangerfjord Guided Kayaking Tour 2026 - Andalsnes
A relaxed sightseeing boat from Hellesylt into the Geirangerfjord — sit back, enjoy the cliffs and waterfalls, and soak up the views without lifting a paddle.
Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord
A must for the kayaking days in Hellesylt — this lightweight dry bag kept our phones, wallets and snacks bone dry even with splashes over the side of the kayak. It rolls down small and clips straight onto the boat.
Lightweight Waterproof Dry Bag for Backpacking 1Pc 6.3"
On the RIB boat and the kayaks, sea spray gets everywhere — this pouch kept our phone dry while still letting us snap photos of the waterfalls. It hangs round your neck, so your hands stay free for paddling.
Waterproof Phone Pouch Universal Underwater Case up
Hands-free rain cover for the boat days — this poncho goes over everything, keeps you dry on the Geirangerfjord cruise, and folds away small enough for a jacket pocket when the sun comes back out.
Adult totes Rain Poncho
Packing for a fjords cruise means layers, rain gear and walking shoes — these compression cubes kept our case tidy across four ports, and the mesh tops meant we could spot everything without unpacking. A small thing that made the whole trip calmer.
BAGSMART 6-In-1 Compression Packing Cubes
Haugesund
Haugesund is a charming town that serves as a gateway to both the fjords and rich historical legacies. With its origins tracing back to the Viking Age, Haugesund has long been associated with maritime culture and Norse traditions. While it's a lovely...
A fast, fun way to feel the scale of the fjords — a high-speed RIB ride with sea spray and mountain views.
RIB boat tour
A perfect shore excursion from Haugesund — cruise the Åkrafjorden and stand beneath the mighty Langfoss waterfall. Fjord scenery at its very best.
Haugesund Shore Excursion: Åkrafjorden & Langfoss
Sail to Avaldsnes, Norway's birthplace, and step into a living Viking farm — costumed guides, longhouses and stories that bring the Viking Age to life. A brilliant family day out from Haugesund.
A time travelling adventure to "The Viking Farm"
A guided bus tour around the Haugesund region — Skudenes, Avaldsnes and the coastal highlights, with a guide to bring the history to life. A relaxed way to see the area beyond the harbour.
Highlights of the Region -City/Skudenes/Avaldsnes Guided
See Haugesund through local eyes — the rising tides, the harbour and the town's hidden corners, all with a guide who knows it best. A wonderful way to get to know this charming fjord town.
Discover Haugesund with the locals, visit the rising tides
A small-group tour of Haugesund and Karmøy — the town's highlights and history, from the harbour to the island's coastal gems. Intimate, relaxed and perfect for a first visit.
Small Group: Highlights and History of Haugesund
On the Haugesund RIB ride, you want your essentials close and your hands free — this anti-theft waist pack kept our phone, cards and keys safe against our body while the spray flew. Slim enough to wear under a jacket, and perfect for shore excursions...
Travelon Anti-Theft Active Waist Pack
For the Haugesund shore days, a soft weekender beats a hard case — it squeezes into the coach luggage rack and the cabin, and holds everything for a day ashore at Skudenes and Avaldsnes. Ours carried layers, a rain jacket and snacks with room to spar...
Samsonite Better Than Basic 14-Inch Weekender Carry-On
Cabin bathrooms on a fjords cruise are tiny, and this hanging toiletry bag was a small triumph — it hooks over the door, keeps everything visible, and packs flat in the case on the way home. No more hunting for toothpaste in a shared cabin.
BAGSMART The Space Saver Toiletry Bag