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Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand Stay – 3 Days from Oslo or Bergen

Fjord cruise boat approaching Balestrand through the Sognefjord
Couple taking a photo by a glacier in Fjærland, surrounded by mountains and a glacial lake in western Norway.
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Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand Village Stay

Discover Norway's longest and deepest fjord on a relaxed 3-day journey from Oslo or Bergen. Enjoy scenic train rides, cruise the Sognefjord, and stay two nights at the historic Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, the picturesque 'Artist's Village' of the Sognefjord.

  • Tour type: Packaged, Self-guided tour

  • Duration: 3 days

  • Start location: Oslo or Bergen

  • End location: Oslo or Bergen

  • Included: all transportation, overnight stay with breakfast buffet, selected activities

Season: 20 May - 30 September

Scroll to:
Itinerary Oslo - Bergen
Itinerary Bergen - Oslo
FAQ

Your tour includes

  • Two nights in Balestrand Stay in the heart of the Sognefjord at the historic Kviknes Hotel, with breakfast buffet each morning
  • Scenic rail journeys Journey through dramatic mountain and fjord landscapes on the Bergen Railway and the famous Flåm Railway
  • Fjærland cruise and guided glacier experience Glide through the narrow Fjærlandsfjord, learn the stories of Norway’s glaciers and see them for yourself on a guided bus tour to the edge of the Jostedalsbreen glacier
  • Local fjord lunch A farm-side lunch using local ingredients - a taste of authentic fjord life
  • Detailed travel guide Everything you need for a seamless, self-guided journey

Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand routes

  • Start your journey from Oslo or Bergen, fixed one-way route

  • Route from Oslo: Oslo - Flåm - Balestrand - Bergen

  • Route from Bergen: Bergen - Balestrand - Flåm - Oslo

Map Sognefjord, Balestrand 3 day tour

Tour highlights

Kviknes Hotel Balestrand at sunset with Sognefjord and mountains - historic fjordside accommodation Norway

Stay in picturesque Balestrand

  • Spend two nights in Balestrand, staying at the historic Kviknes Hotel.
  • Discover historic wooden houses, nearby cider farms, and a rich cultural heritage dating back to the Viking Age.
  • Visit St. Olaf’s Church, often cited as an inspiration for the church featured in Disney’s Frozen.
Three people admire a fjord view from a boat with mirror-like water.

See tranquil fjords and glaciers

  • Journey into one of the Sognefjord’s most tranquil branches on a scenic cruise to Fjærland, framed by steep mountains and cascading waterfalls.
  • Visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum for an engaging introduction to glaciers and climate, before continuing to Bøyabreen Glacier, to see where the ice meets the landscape at the foot of Jostedalsbreen.
Norwegian cider tasting with local food at Ciderhuset Balestrand overlooking Sognefjord

Fjord-side lunch at local farm

  • Enjoy a relaxed fjord-side lunch at a family-run apple and cider farm, beautifully set among orchards, pastures, and sweeping fjord views.
  • Your host — a fourth-generation farmer — shares local stories and traditions while you sample regional flavours crafted from the surrounding landscape.
  • This intimate experience offers a genuine taste of fjord life, combining local food, personal storytelling, and one of the most scenic lunch settings in Norway.
Couple embraces on boat, gazing at the Sognefjord and clouds on water.

Cruise the Sognefjord

  • Sail through Norway’s longest and deepest fjord aboard a comfortable express boat, surrounded by towering mountain peaks rising up to 2,000 metres above the water.
  • Sit back and enjoy the ever-changing scenery of fjords, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes as you journey deep into the heart of western Norway.
Finse train station with Hotel Finse 1222 surrounded by mountain landscape and glacial water in Norway

The scenic Bergen Railway

  • Journey across Norway's roof: The Bergen Railway connects Oslo and Bergen across the dramatic Hardangervidda plateau, reaching 1,222 meters at Finse. Experience alpine lakes, snow-covered peaks, mountain farms, and vast wilderness along this historic 1909 route.
  • Gateway to the fjords: At Myrdal station, connect to the famous Flåm Railway for a spectacular descent to the Norwegian fjords.
Passengers enjoying the view from the Flåm Railway as the train travels through green valleys and steep mountains in Norway.

Ride the steep Flåm Railway

  • Ride the famous Flåm Railway, one of the steepest railways in the world, climbing from fjord to mountain through spectacular valleys, rivers, and waterfalls.
  • Large panoramic windows and a stop at the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall make this one of Norway’s most iconic rail experiences.

Itinerary from Oslo to Bergen

Your day-by-day journey

Itinerary from Bergen to Oslo

Your day-by-day journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the Sognefjord

The Sognefjord stretches 205 kilometers inland, making it Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. These articles invite you to explore the fjord’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the distinctive charm of its small fjord villages nestled along the water’s edge.
Peopl cruising on the Hardangerfjord , flag waving, mountains on both sides of water.
The Sognefjord
Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, is located in the heart of Norwegian fjord country and extends more than 200 km (120 miles) inland.
Fall scenery in Balestrand Norway - snowy mountains, peaceful Sognefjord and colorful autumn landscape
Inner peace and scenic landscapes in beautiful Balestrand 
If you want an authentic fjord village experience, visit beautiful Balestrand. Experience stunning nature and take part in charming village life. "Balestrand is a gift to visit," says Anne Anders, a visitor from the US. 
Biking in Balestrand by the Sognefjord passing by houses, snowy mountains in background.
Get to know the Sognefjord region
Most people visiting Norway are keen to see the famous Norwegian fjords during their travels, but with over 1700 fjords dotted around the country, it can be hard to decide where to go. If you’d like to explore the fjords during your trip to Norway, the Sognefjord is one of the most popular and worthwhile destinations.
Smiling family poses on boat deck with green mountains and blue sky.
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ highlights  
The Ledleys experienced Flåm and the famous Norwegian fjords on their visit to Norway. This is the very best experiences on the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.