Hellesylt to Geiranger Shore Excursion: Ferry, Views & What to Expect

Explore the best viewpoints in Geiranger for unforgettable views over Geirangerfjord, Norway’s most iconic and scenic fjord.

Geiranger was the port I was most excited about on my Norwegian Fjords cruise. It wasn’t just a highlight, it was the reason I booked that particular itinerary.

So you can imagine my disappointment when there was an itinerary change and instead of docking in Geiranger, we were rerouted to Hellesylt. My much-anticipated trip to see the famous viewpoints over Geirangerfjord suddenly felt out of reach. And then, somehow, it all worked out.

I popped by the excursions desk on the morning we arrived just to check what was on offer, and by sheer luck, a single space had opened up on a shore excursion from Hellesylt to Geiranger, including a scenic ferry ride and stops at some of the most iconic viewpoints.

If your cruise stops in Hellesylt instead of Geiranger, this is how you can still experience the fjord.

Tip: If something’s sold out, it’s always worth checking again — especially on the day. Cancellations do happen!

A little bit about Geirangerfjord

The Geirangerfjord is probably Norway’s most famous fjord, and once you see it, it’s easy to understand why.

The 15-kilometre-long fjord is a branch of the Sunnylvsfjord, which itself connects to the larger Storfjord. It’s known for its steep mountainsides, dramatic scenery and waterfalls that seem to appear out of nowhere.

In 2005, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its natural beauty, and today it’s one of Norway’s most visited spots and a popular stop on a Norwegian Fjords cruise.

What this shore excursion included

Ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger
Scenic cruise through the fjord
Stops at several famous viewpoints
Free time in Geiranger village
Return ferry back to Hellesylt

Ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger (What it’s like)

One of the best ways to see Geirangerfjord is from the water, and that’s how our day began.

The ferry is just a short walk from the dock in Hellesylt. While it’s a working passenger and car ferry, it doubles as a pretty incredible sightseeing cruise. There’s a small café onboard and both indoor and outdoor seating, but most of us headed straight for the top deck.

I didn’t want to miss a second of it.

As we moved deeper into the fjord, the scenery just kept getting better. Towering cliffs rose up on either side, and waterfalls seemed to appear out of nowhere. The further in you go, the more you start to appreciate the sheer scale of it all.

At one point, another boat passed us and it looked tiny compared to the mountains — which really puts things into perspective.

The journey takes about an hour, but with views like that, it goes by quickly.

Steep snow capped mountains either side of water

Seven Sisters & The Suitor

Seven Sisters waterfall

Probably the most photographed waterfall in Norway, this is actually made up of seven separate streams cascading down the cliffside. The tallest has a free fall of around 250 metres.

How clearly you can see all seven streams depends on the time of year and water levels, but even on a quieter day, it’s still incredibly impressive — especially when you get close enough to hear the water crashing down.

The Suitor

Directly opposite is The Suitor, a single, more powerful stream of water.

There’s a local legend that he proposed to the Seven Sisters, who kept turning him down, so he turned to drink to get over it. If you look closely, the water seems to run around the shape of a bottle.

Waterfall cascading down rock face with shape of a bottle in middle

The best viewpoints in Geiranger (visited on this tour)

After arriving in Geiranger, we boarded a coach to explore some of the most famous viewpoints and this is where the views really stepped up another level.

Ørnesvingen viewpoint (Eagle Road)

Our first stop was the Ørnesvingen viewpoint, reached by driving up the famously winding Eagle Road with its 11 hairpin bends. It’s not for the fainthearted, especially if you’re sitting by the window. Zig-zagging up the road, you feel very close to the edge at times.

Road with 11 hairpin bends zig zagging up mountain side

Thankfully, our driver had clearly done this challenging route many times before, and we arrived at the viewpoint unscathed. The views made it completely worth it.

From around 620 metres up, you get a sweeping view over the fjord, the village below, and even a glimpse of the Seven Sisters in the distance.

Despite it being fairly busy with other tour groups and visitors, there was still plenty of space to take it all in and find a good spot for photos. It didn’t feel rushed, which I really appreciated.

Just behind the viewpoint, and slightly off to the side of the road, there’s a small waterfall running down the rock face. You can get surprisingly close, and even feel the spray if you’re brave enough.

Girl standing in front of waterfall with arms stretched out

Eidsvatnet Lake

Next, we stopped at Eidsvatnet, a much quieter and more peaceful spot.

The water was so still that the mountains reflected almost perfectly on the surface, and there’s a small bridge that makes it feel like something out of a fairytale. It’s apparently one of Norway’s best fishing spots, although I didn’t spot any fish.

It was a nice contrast after the dramatic fjord views.

Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint

By this point, it would have been easy to feel a bit ‘viewed out’, but Norway’s most famous view was saved till last. It’s the one you see everywhere, on postcards, in brochures, all over Instagram. And when you’re standing there looking out over the fjord as it stretches into the distance, you can see exactly why.

There are two levels to explore, and I ended up wandering between the two just to take it in from slightly different angles. Both are incredible, but it’s one of those places where photos don’t quite capture how it actually feels to be there.

It was fairly busy when we visited, but there was still enough space to find a spot and just stand and take it all in.

Look out for the Queen’s Chair, a sculptural seat unveiled by Queen Sonja of Norway, which has become a popular photo spot.

Exploring Geiranger

After all the viewpoints, we had around 30–40 minutes to explore Geiranger itself.

It’s a small village, but really charming. There are a few cafés, some souvenir shops, and plenty of places to just sit and enjoy the view.

Before long, it was time to head back on the ferry to Hellesylt, passing the waterfalls once again on the return journey.

Can you do this trip from Hellesylt without a tour?

I did look into doing this independently using the public ferry, and it is possible. But timings can be tight with cruise schedules, and you’d need to plan it carefully to make sure you’re back in time.

For me, the excursion made everything really easy, especially travelling solo, as all the transport was organised and I didn’t have to worry about logistics.

The last word

I was genuinely disappointed when Geiranger was dropped from the original itinerary, and I’m glad I found another way to see it. This unexpected day ended up being one of the most memorable of the trip.

Having everything organised meant I could just enjoy the experience, and the combination of the fjord cruise and viewpoints made it feel like I saw the best of Geirangerfjord in one day. Our guide was brilliant too and shared loads of insight along the way.

While the day did involve a fair bit of time sitting on a coach, the incredible viewpoints made up for that.

If your cruise stops in Hellesylt instead, don’t assume you’ll miss out. There are still ways to experience Geirangerfjord.

And if you get the chance to do a trip like this, I’d absolutely recommend it.

Cruises, Norway

Seeing Geirangerfjord from Hellesylt: My Last-Minute Shore Excursion