Norwegian Fjords Cruise: Close to Paradise 

From 28 July to 7 August 2024, after my first cruise last summer, it was time for me to sail away again! A cruise with AIDA Perla, a large ship in the Hyperion class, was on the cards. This time I was travelling to Norway – a country that had been at the top of my travel wish list for some time. The focus of the trip was on Norwegian fjords – a dream come true for nature lovers!

My home for the next 10 days: Cabin 10295  

For my very first time in Norway, I decided to treat myself to a veranda cabin midship on deck 10 – and it was worth every cent. The cabin offered plenty of space, but my absolute favorite part was the balcony: two deck chairs and a hammock. That hammock quickly became my happy place for the entire trip!

There’s nothing quite like lying there, gently swaying, while the breathtaking Norwegian fjords drift by. It’s pure magic. My wallet might be weeping, but I have zero regrets – and I’d recommend this little luxury to anyone cruising through Norway.

Sipping coffee on the balcony in the early morning, watching the sun rise over the still waters of the fjords? Truly priceless.

🏡 First Impressions of Eidfjord

Shortly after, we spotted Eidfjord itself: a tiny, idyllic town east of Bergen with fewer than 1,000 residents — roughly one person per square kilometer. As someone from the densely populated Ruhrgebiet, I couldn’t help but daydream about this peaceful way of life.

The sun was shining, casting silver sparkles on the water. The mountains reflected in a kaleidoscope of color. I was beyond excited to finally step ashore and explore.

💦 Vøringsfossen Waterfall

On a friend’s recommendation, my first stop was the Vøringsfossen waterfall. I had pre-booked return transport via GetYourGuide, which worked perfectly. After a scenic 25-minute ride, we had 70 minutes to explore the site at our own pace.

The area has been developed with several viewing platforms (since 2018) and an impressive bridge over the waterfall (added in 2020). Still, I’d recommend sturdy hiking shoes and a good sense of balance — the rocky terrain can be slippery, and handrails are sparse.

The waterfall itself is absolutely breathtaking: water thunders 182 meters down from the Hardangervidda plateau into the Måbødalen valley. Equally stunning: the surrounding landscape of wildflowers, green meadows, and mountains stretching into the distance.

🥾 Hiking to Lake Eidfjord

In the afternoon, I set off on a 7-kilometer circular hike to Lake Eidfjord. The weather was glorious! The path first led along a small river, flat and easygoing. Once at the lake, I paused to take in the view — a few people were relaxing on the shore, and a brave few even went for a dip in the crystal-clear (and chilly!) water.

The return path included a steep uphill climb that definitely got my heart rate up, but the panoramic views made every step worth it. Along the way, I passed several Viking burial sites, recognizable by their circular stone formations. History really is wild.

🥐 Recommendation: Cinnamon Buns!

Back in the village, I browsed a few shops before stopping at a small bakery and café — a must for anyone craving something sweet. Naturally, I had to try a Norwegian cinnamon bun (Kanelbolle) and a cold iced coffee.

Be warned: Norwegian prices bite. I paid around 13 euros for both. At first, I was shocked — but by the end of the trip, I realized that was a pretty average deal.

And honestly? Totally worth it. These cinnamon buns are nothing like the ones back home: buttery, fluffy, warm, and filled with lots of cinnamon. A little taste of hygge.

🚆 Flåm Railway, Zipline & Bike Tour

Flåm is widely known for its iconic Flåmsbana, one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. The route takes you from the end of the Aurlandsfjord all the way up into the high mountains to Myrdal Station, located at 867 meters above sea level. The journey takes about an hour and offers stunning views of waterfalls, valleys, and alpine landscapes. From Myrdal, you can connect to trains bound for Bergen or Oslo.

If you’re craving more adrenaline, Flåm is also home to Norway’s longest zipline. It stretches 1,381 meters, covers 305 meters of elevation, and reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h. Once you’ve gathered the courage to launch yourself down the line, you’ll be rewarded with epic views all the way. At the base, you can rent bikes and enjoy a 20-kilometer downhill ride back to Flåm — a perfect combo of thrill and scenery. Some providers even offer the railway–zipline–bike combo as a full tour package.

🎟️ Tip: This combo is very popular — booking in advance is highly recommended!

🚤 RIB Boat Tour through the Nærøyfjord

For this port, I had pre-booked a 2.5-hour RIB boat tour through the Nærøyfjord with Fjordsafari. This narrow arm of the Sognefjord is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly one of the most breathtaking natural wonders I’ve ever seen.

While viewing the fjords from above is always spectacular, experiencing them from water level offers a completely different kind of magic — raw, immediate, and powerful. (You can read more about this unforgettable ride in a separate blog post.) 

💦 Walk to the Brekkefossen Waterfall

Back in Flåm, I took some time to explore the local tourist shops and grab a (very overpriced) slice of pizza from the bakery — sadly, the cinnamon buns were already sold out. Afterwards, I set off on foot toward the Brekkefossen waterfall, which can be seen from quite a distance.

The path winds through fields and meadows, passing grazing cattle and, naturally… a troll! 🧌 Eventually, the leisurely walk becomes more of a workout: about 600 stone steps lead up to the top of the waterfall. It’s a steep but rewarding climb. Along the way, you’re treated to panoramic views — and from the top, you can take in the entire village of Flåm, framed by dramatic mountain landscapes. 

 

🏛️ Leisurely Stroll: Exploring the City

From the cruise port, we set off on foot to explore Trondheim’s city center. Wide shopping streets, cozy cafés, and bicycles everywhere — the city has a laid-back, Nordic feel.

We passed the Stiftsgården (the king’s official residence), the market square (which happened to host a bustling food festival), the Nidaros Cathedral, the bishop’s residence, and the iconic Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybroen). Our little walking tour ended at the historic Kristiansten Fortress, which offered lovely views over the city.

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🎪 Festival Mood & Jewelry Finds

Around the cathedral, the Olavsfest was in full swing — a celebration of food, crafts, and Norwegian culture. We wandered between wooden stalls, admiring handmade goods, trying samples, and soaking in the relaxed atmosphere.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist picking up a little souvenir: a pair of dark turquoise earrings. I tell myself every time I won’t buy more jewelry… and yet, here we are. 😉

 

☕ Coffee Break: Godt Brød

Before heading back to the ship, we stopped at Godt Brød (“good bread”) for coffee and something sweet. On the recommendation of a friend, I skipped the usual cinnamon bun and ordered a cardamom bun instead.

And wow — what a revelation! Buttery, fluffy, subtly sweet, and spiced just right. Possibly 1000 calories, but every single one of them was worth it.

 

🚡 To the Top: Romsdal Gondola & Mount Nesaksla

While serious hikers tackle the peaks on foot, I opted for the Romsdal Gondola, a sleek and sustainable cable car that whisks visitors up 708 meters to the summit of Mount Nesaksla in just five minutes. The system can transport up to 460 people per hour, making it perfect for cruise guests on a tight schedule.

If you’re visiting with limited time, go early! I arrived around 9:00 a.m. and waited about 20 minutes — later in the day, the line gets long, and you need time to descend, too.

The ride up was smooth and scenic. Inside the fully glazed gondola, the views were already stunning — but once you reach the top? Speechless. The panorama stretches across deep fjords, towering mountains like the Romsdalshorn, and lush valleys with emerald-green rivers cutting through the landscape.

Multiple viewing platforms and bridges offer 360-degree vistas. For me, the silence and the vastness were the most powerful. Up there, even the biggest worries seem small. Just sit, breathe, and let it all sink in.  

🚂 In Town: Golden Train & Village Charm

Eventually, I had to leave the summit behind and wandered through the quiet streets of Åndalsnes. I passed the famous Golden Train, which takes travelers along the Rauma Railway through the stunning Romsdalen valley — a route often named the most beautiful train ride in Europe.

There are a few cozy cafés and souvenir shops in town, and although I had hoped for another cinnamon bun fix… the bakery was sold out. Bad luck for me, great news for my scale. 😉

Back on board, I stood on deck as we departed, already missing this peaceful place. Next stop: Molde.

🌺 Strolling through Molde

If you walk towards Town Hall Square, you’ll soon spot the bronze Rose Girl statue, a symbol of the city. Nearby, you’ll find Molde’s rose gardens, which are worth a short detour — especially in bloom. With its relaxed pace and scenic harbor views, the town offers a lovely backdrop for an easy walk and a quiet break.

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🥐 Pastries & Practical Realities

Like in every port, I went on the now traditional cinnamon bun hunt — and once again, they were sold out. Clearly, these small Norwegian bakeries are no match for the flood of pastry-hungry cruise tourists.

Luckily, I found a pecan bun instead and enjoyed it with a view of the water. Not quite the same, but still delicious!

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🛣️ Excursion Tip: Atlantic Ocean Road

Molde doesn’t offer many big-name sights itself, which is why many of my fellow cruisers booked an excursion to the Atlantic Ocean Road — a dramatic coastal drive famous for its serpentine bridges and sweeping sea views. The round trip takes about three hours and is a popular option if you want to explore further afield.

If you prefer to stay local (like I did), Molde makes for a peaceful stopover where you can slow down, stroll, and simply enjoy the view.

 💧 Oh, the Sights: Seven Sisters & The Suitor

As we slowly glided toward the port, the onboard lecturer shared stories over the loudspeakers — just as the scenery turned theatrical. On the starboard side, we passed The Suitor waterfall; on the port side, the Seven Sisters.

According to legend, the Suitor wanted to marry the Seven Sisters, but they all rejected him. Heartbroken, he turned to the bottle — hence the waterfall’s bottle-shaped flow. On our visit, only four of the Seven Sisters were visible due to little recent rainfall. The Norwegians have a lovely explanation for this: some of the sisters are on holiday.

Shortly before docking, we also caught a glimpse of the winding Eagle Road (Adlerkehren) — a legendary 8-kilometer stretch of serpentines climbing toward Eidsdal.

 

🚤 RIB Boat Tour: Geirangerfjord Up Close

Because visibility wasn’t ideal, I skipped the trip to Dalsnibba — the 1,500-meter-high viewpoint above the fjord. Instead, I opted for a 75-minute RIB boat tour (booked via Get Your Guide), and it turned out to be the perfect choice.

The speedboat brought us right up to the waterfalls, including the Suitor and the Sisters, and showed us some hidden gems of the fjord. We even spotted an eagle up close, completely unfazed by the boat full of amazed tourists. The quiet, the water, the cliffs — Geiranger slows you down in the best way.

🥾 Must-Do: Waterfall Hike

Back on land, I tackled the short but scenic waterfall hike that starts right in the center of town. After crossing a small bridge, the trail follows the river upstream. Around 300 stone steps (felt like 5,000!) lead up to Storfossen waterfall and the Fjord Centre.

At the top, I took a well-earned break to soak in the thundering water and the view down to the harbor below — it was spectacular.

⛪ Geiranger Church & Peaceful Moments

Instead of returning the same way, I took the winding road downhill. Along the way, I visited the small Geiranger Church, a listed building that dates back to around 1450 — though it’s been rebuilt more than once due to fire and age.

Surrounded by a quiet cemetery and backed by fjord views, it felt like a secret little sanctuary. A bench overlooking the water invited me to pause one last time.

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🛍️ Back in Town

Back in the village, I strolled through the many small tourist shops, picked up a few souvenirs, and made my way back to the ship via the Seawalk. Tired but grateful, I said goodbye to a place that truly deserves its reputation as one of Norway’s most iconic fjords.

⛰️ Aksla: 400 Steps and One Gorgeous View!

Since Mein Schiff 7 was also docked that day, we knew it would get crowded. So we started our early morning ascent at 6:50 a.m. – tackling the 400+ uneven steps to the top of Aksla.

By 7:20 a.m., we were among the first to arrive and were rewarded with a breathtaking, almost private panoramic view over Ålesund, the harbor, and the surrounding sea. For a while, we just stood there in awe, breathing in the stillness and soaking up the moment.

 

🏙️ Exploring the City

The descent was much easier, via a charming little forest path leading back into town. We spent the rest of the morning strolling through Ålesund’s city center, taking in the harbor, the Art Nouveau buildings, the church, and even the lighthouse. The city is compact but packed with architectural charm and shopping opportunities.

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☕ Coffee, Cake & Reflection

Shortly after reaching our 10,000-step goal (by 9 a.m.!), we rewarded ourselves with a cappuccino and, of course, the obligatory cinnamon bun at a lovely patisserie. I also picked up a slice of delicious-looking carrot cake for my mum’s upcoming birthday.

Back on board, it was time for one last rest in the hammock, followed by the bittersweet moment when the familiar “Sail Away” echoed across the deck for the final time.

As we left Ålesund behind, I couldn’t help but feel wistful. In the hustle and noise of everyday life, I know I’ll often think back to the peace, beauty, and quiet magic of Norway.