Bergen sits at the gateway to Norway’s famous fjords, wrapped in mountains and salt air. From the city you can reach slender, dramatic branches like Nærøyfjord, wide orchard-lined giants like Hardangerfjord, and quiet local fjords that most visitors miss. Growing up on the west coast, my weekends often meant a thermos of coffee in the car and a ferry crossing to somewhere with waterfalls and sheep on the roadside. If you want fjord scenery without a full cross-country expedition, Bergen is a perfect base.
If you are short on time, the easiest fjords near Bergen are Hardangerfjord, Osterfjord with the Mostraumen passage, and Bjørnafjorden. All three can be seen in a single long day, and there are year-round tour boats that handle the logistics for you. If you can spare an extra day or two, the inner arms of Sognefjord, especially Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, deliver the postcard views most people imagine when they hear the word fjord.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the fjords near Bergen, with practical routes, travel times, and the small local touches that make each place feel different.
Hardangerfjord: Oranges, Orchards, and Waterfalls
Hardangerfjord is Bergen’s local giant. It is broad and calm, with villages that smell like apple blossoms in spring and fresh cider in autumn. From Bergen, most travelers go east to Norheimsund or Øystese, then continue to Eidfjord if time allows. Driving takes around two hours to Norheimsund and about three hours to Eidfjord, depending on traffic and ferry timings through the seasonal tunnels and bridges.
In Hardanger you get that classic combination of high plateau scenery and green slopes that tumble straight into the water. If you love waterfalls, Steinsdalsfossen is a crowd pleaser since you can walk behind the curtain of water without getting soaked. For something more intense, Vøringsfossen near Eidfjord drops into a deep canyon with a series of viewpoints connected by stairs. The river rumble fills your chest on a windy day.
Hardanger is a good choice if you want to mix nature with food. Farm stands often sell bottles of local juice and cider by the roadside. In May and early June, the orchards bloom, and in late August and September the fruit is ready. If you see a farm café sign, pull over. The waffles taste better when there is a fjord in front of you and a few bees arguing with your jam.
Sognefjord’s Inner Arms: Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord
Sognefjord is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, but what pulls people from Bergen are its slender inner branches, Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. These are the tight, towering fjords that show up on film and in travel magazines, with cliffs that rise almost straight up from the water.
From Bergen, the quickest jump-off points are Gudvangen and Flåm, both about two and a half to three hours by road if the mountain weather behaves. You can pair this with the well known “Norway in a Nutshell” style route that links boat, bus, and train. On a clear day, the Stegastein viewpoint above Aurland is worth the extra drive. The platform projects out from the hillside and gives a wide view down the fjord like you are standing on the prow of a ship.
Nærøyfjord has a calmer pace. The village of Undredal is tiny, famous for brown goat cheese, and has a small stave church that many people miss because they stay on the main road. If you go by boat between Gudvangen and Flåm, choose an outside deck for part of the crossing. The air stings a little, even in summer, and the feeling of the mountains closing in is hard to replace with a window seat.
Osterfjord and the Mostraumen Passage
If you want a shorter fjord trip from Bergen without committing a full day, head for Osterfjord and the Mostraumen strait. Boats run from the Bergen harbor into the narrow channel where mountains squeeze the water into a river-like flow. In wet weather, which Bergen sees often, thin white waterfalls thread down every crack in the rock, and the boat noses close to the spray.
This route shows you the tight geometry of a fjord without the long highway hours. You see seals fairly often, and in spring the color of the water shifts with snowmelt. It feels like the city’s backyard, and for many locals it is exactly that.
Bjørnafjorden and the Islands of Sunnhordland
South of Bergen stretches Bjørnafjorden, a broad waterway backed by friendly islands and soft farmland. The new bridge and ferry links have made day trips easier in recent years, and the whole area is lovely for slow travel. If you want to feel how people actually live by the fjord, go to Rosendal for the baronial manor with its rose garden, and the glacier views peeking over the fjord ridge line. The Bondhusdalen valley nearby has a turquoise lake with ice history written in the moraine, a gentle walk that suits families and anyone who prefers a steady path.
The Sunnhordland islands have quiet coves where you hear only birds and the occasional boat wake. Bring a light jacket even on warm days. The breeze on the water changes quickly, and weather near Bergen can shift from sunshine to mist in ten minutes.
Voss: A Handy Base Between Bergen and the Inner Fjords
Voss sits at a crossroads between Bergen, Hardanger, and the Sognefjord branches. If you want to split travel time, spend a night in Voss, then push into either Hardanger or Nærøyfjord the next morning. The lake is calm at sunrise, and the bakery by the station does solid cinnamon buns. Voss is also where you can add rafting or paragliding if someone in your group needs more speed after a day of fjord gazing.
How To Visit the Fjords Near Bergen
You do not need to rent a car to see fjords from Bergen, but a car gives you more flexibility with viewpoints and small village stops. Here is how the main options stack up in practical terms.
By boat from Bergen harbor. Year-round sightseeing boats to Osterfjord and Mostraumen are the least stressful way to get a taste of fjords with no transfers. You board in the city, sit with a coffee, and let the captain handle the tides and narrows. For longer days, summer boats sometimes connect Bergen with Rosendal on Bjørnafjorden, which fits nicely with a garden visit and a fjord-side lunch.
By car. Hardanger is the most car-friendly day trip. Plan your route as a loop to avoid backtracking, for example Bergen to Norheimsund to Eidfjord, then return via Granvin and Voss. Expect tolls and count in ferry timings, since a missed ferry can add 40 to 60 minutes on certain stretches. In winter, you must have proper winter tires. The weather at sea level can be mild while the passes are icy.
By train and bus. For Sognefjord branches, pair the Bergen Line to Voss or Myrdal with local buses to Gudvangen or Aurland, or continue on the Flåm Railway. These are reliable connections, and the scenery between Voss and Myrdal is a show on its own. If you choose one big day, the combined boat and rail loop between Flåm, Gudvangen, and Bergen is efficient and photogenic.
By guided day tour. If you want to relax and not think about transfers, guided day trips from Bergen bundle the same pieces into a single ticket. You pay for convenience, but you get a seasoned driver who knows where to stop for the best waterfall photos when the light is right.
Best Time to See Fjords Near Bergen
There is no single best month, only different flavors of the same coastline.
Spring, from late April to early June, brings green hillsides, orchard blossoms in Hardanger, and full waterfalls fed by melting snow. It can still be chilly on the water, so pack a warm layer and something windproof.
Summer, from late June through August, offers long days and the best chance of clear skies. You can fit more into a single day because the light lingers late. It is also the busiest time, especially on Nærøyfjord. Morning departures are calmer, and evenings can be magic when most groups have already turned back to Bergen.
Autumn, September and October, is underrated. The crowds drop, the air turns crisp, and Hardanger apples and cider appear everywhere. A light mist curling off a fjord on a cool morning is hard to beat. Keep an eye on road work and ferry schedules, which shift after high season.
Winter brings quiet villages, snow on the heights, and a blue light that photographers chase. The days are short, and weather can close mountain passes. If you travel then, build slack into your schedule and let safety call the shots.
What To Pack for a Fjord Day From Bergen
Weather on the coast changes quickly, and the water always adds a little chill. Wear comfortable shoes, layer your clothing, and bring a hat that will not blow off the boat. If you plan to walk behind Steinsdalsfossen or along wet paths by the fjord, bring a light rain jacket. I usually toss a small thermos of coffee and a chocolate bar in the daypack. You can buy snacks everywhere, but a hot sip on a windy deck feels great.
Driving and Ferries: Local Know-How
Western Norway runs on a rhythm of tunnels, bridges, and short ferry hops. Ferry queues are part of the experience, and that is fine. If you arrive early, turn off the engine, step out, and breathe. The line will move. Most ferries take cards for tickets as you drive aboard, and the crossing becomes a miniature fjord cruise with gulls pacing the railings.
Norwegian speed limits are lower than many visitors expect, usually 80 kilometers per hour on rural roads and 50 in towns. Cameras are common. Locals drive at a steady pace and wave you through if you seem to be in a hurry, but it is better to settle in and enjoy the view. Never stop in a tunnel for photos, even if the light looks dramatic. There is always a lay-by coming up where you can pull off safely.
Small Places Worth a Quick Stop
Norheimsund. An easy gateway to Hardangerfjord with a clean waterfront and the path to Steinsdalsfossen starting right nearby. Try the local bakery for skolebrød, a custard bun with coconut.
Rosendal. A relaxing base for Bjørnafjorden with a manor, a garden that fits almost any weather, and fjord views framed by glacier-fed peaks.
Undredal. A handful of houses, a white stave church, playful goats, and enough cheese to make you smile on the drive to Flåm.
Eidfjord. Access to Vøringsfossen and the high Hardangervidda plateau. The visitor center has clear trail info and road updates posted when the weather is lively.
Sample Day Plans From Bergen
Half day, no car. Morning boat from Bergen to the Mostraumen strait, return by early afternoon, stroll Bryggen and the fish market, then funicular up Mount Fløyen for a fjord and islands overlook.
Full day, car, Hardanger loop. Bergen to Norheimsund, quick stop at Steinsdalsfossen, continue along the fjord to Eidfjord, Vøringsfossen viewpoints, then return via Voss. Pick up cider for the evening and try fresh trout if it is on the menu.
Full day, mixed transport, Sognefjord branches. Train Bergen to Voss or Myrdal, Flåm Railway down to Flåm, fjord boat through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, bus back to Voss, train to Bergen. Long, beautiful, and efficient for a one day hit.
Slow two day, islands and Bjørnafjorden. Boat or drive to Rosendal, visit the manor, walk the shoreline paths, then next day continue to Bondhusdalen for a calm valley hike before rolling back to Bergen in the late afternoon.
How To Choose Which Fjord Near Bergen
If you want maximum drama in a single day, pick Nærøyfjord. If you want wide water, orchards, and easy roadside stops, go for Hardanger. If your time is short, Osterfjord and Mostraumen from the Bergen harbor gives you real fjord walls and waterfalls without the logistics. For a slower rhythm with island culture, Bjørnafjorden and Sunnhordland win easily.
Whichever direction you take, give yourself space to pull over whenever a roadside sign points to a viewpoint or a farm café. The famous places will be there tomorrow. The little moments, a seal surfacing in a side bay or a cloud opening over the water for two minutes, are what you will remember when you think about Bergen’s fjords.