Top 10 Norwegian Cruise Ports
It is no surprise that heading across the North Sea to Norway is one of the most popular choices for British cruisers or for those setting sail from these shores but that popularity can actually make it confusing.
With one of the widest ranges of cruise lines offering a wide variety of ships and itineraries heading to the country and with ships now heading there all year around, the choice can be quite baffling and that is before you have even looked at the great destinations that are available to visit and what each the port of call has to offer.
That is where this list will help you out as we have listed our top picks for Norwegian cruise ports that can be visited from the United Kingdom.
To make the list we have taken lots into account including what each of the destinations has to offer, the choice of ships and lines visiting there and also our own personal views on each destination.
Our Top 10 Norwegian Cruise Ports
Geiranger
The small village of Geiranger sits at the head of the Geirangerfjorden and offer the archetypal fjord experience.
Not only do you sail for hours down a number of fjords just to reach the port but the entry into it is simply one of the most stunning- in fact the area is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you start a 90 degree turn into the end of the fjord backed by mountains as the view of the village of Geiranger appears, you sail past the iconic Seven Sisters Waterfall, one of the tallest in Norway that is just metres from your ship.
Amongst the attractions awaiting you is the beautiful Geiranger Church, Flydalsjuvet viewing platfrom, the impressive Storfossen falls and even exiting your ship is an attraction in Geiranger as a movable seawalk floats out to meet your ship.
Flam
The village of Flam is located at the end of the Aurlandsfjorden, a branch of the Sognefjorden, that offers a picture perfect setting for cruise ships.
The small village has a range of local shops, bars and cafes and offers stunning views no matter where you are but what it is most famous for, and what makes it a must visit destination, is the Flamsbana railway.
Going from Flam to Myrdal, where it meets the Bergen to Oslo line, the line takes visitors along a winding mountainside journey, through a number of tunnels and it also includes a stop at the Kjosfoss waterfall.
Bergen
Bergen is the 2nd biggest city in Norway and the largest in the fjordlands but despite that, it retains a small town charm and is simply one of the most stunning cities in Europe thanks to the mountains that surround it and the beautiful buildings found throughout.
Amongst the highlights of a visit to Bergen is a trip up its famous funicular known as Floybanen, the Ulriksbanen cable car to Mount Ulriken, its popular fish market and the iconic Bryggen, where its historic multi-coloured buildings can be found.
The port is one of the most popular for cruise ships heading to Norway from this country and it is also the home of the Hurtigruten coastal ferry service.
Longyearbyen
If you are looking for something different then the port of Longyearbyen is the choice for you.
Located on the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, a visit to the wild and remote Longyearbyen is like visiting the end of the world.
The settlement is surrounded by mountains and offers great views out over the Artic Ocean but what draws many visitors to the destination is the incredible wildlife including seals, walruses, narwhals, arctic foxes and even Polar Bears.
Due to its location, the port only sees cruise ship traffic during the summer months, with many lines offering itineraries calling into Longyearbyen in and around the summer solstice to take advantage of the 24 hours of sunlight on offer.
Oslo
The capital city of Norway is a must visit port of call for those heading to Scandinavia or the Baltic Sea due to the attractions on offer, the history found throughout and the great city centre cruise terminal.
Oslo is one of the great European capitals and whilst it is the largest city in the country, it still maintains a small town charm and is known as one of the continents friendliest cities.
Alesund
The stunning town of Alesund is photo-perfect from all angles but the trek up to the Aksla viewpoint gives an incredible overview of the whole town and allows you to see all of its beauty from one spot.
Although the town has all you would expect from a Norwegian coastal town, from multicolour houses to been surrounded by mountains, Aalesund stands out thanks to its town centre concentration of Art Nouveau architecture which can be easily seen simply by walking around the inviting streets of this Norwegian gem.
Olden
Olden is a beautiful village that sits at the end of the Nordfjorden and it is the hours spent cruising down that beautiful cruise that is part of the attraction of the village.
The village is surrounded by mountains and offers easy access to the Briksdalsbreen glacier or you can easily head to the nearby village of Loen and take a cable car to the top of a mountain to have a great overview of both villages, Lake Loen and the surrounding area.
Honningsvag
If you enjoy visiting the small fishing villages found across Devon, Cornwall, and North Yorkshire, you are sure to love Honningsvag.
Located on the northern coast of Norway, the majority of cruise ships will only visit the town in the summer months where cruisers can make the most of 24 hours a day of sunlight to visit the nearby North Cape, formally thought of as the end of the world.
The port is also a great place to experience Sami culture and see reindeer in the wild.
Leknes (Lofoten Islands)
Leknes is a popular port of call for cruise lines heading to the north of Norway thanks to been the largest settlement on the Lofoten Islands and whilst it may be lacking in the traditional building expected by visitors, it does make for the perfect base for exploring the popular archipelago.
The port offers a number of attractions but many visitors look to take advantage of the long hours of sun and to visit the likes of the nearby Gravdal.
Stavanger
The south-western city of Stavanger is one of the closest cruise ports for ships heading from the south coast of England to the Fjordland region and that makes it a popular first or last port of call on a cruise of the region.
Thankfully, it is always a pleasure arriving in the heart of the city as there is just so much on offer to visitors.
It is straightforward to exit your ship and walk into town where you can visit attractions including the cities Cathedral, the beautiful city park, Gamie Stavanger (the cities old town full of historic wooden houses).
For those wanting to head away from the town centre, the Swords in the Rocks and the Pulpit Rock are easily reached.
