15 Shore Excursions in Norway Worth Losing a Day To

1.Geiranger Shore Excursion: Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Our pick

From the Geiranger cruise terminal, a local guide takes you by coach to Flydalsjuvet, Mount Dalsnibba, Lake Djupvatn, and Ørnesvingen on Eagle Road. Expect big fjord views, snow near the summit, tight mountain bends, and several photo stops. Guides may include Claudia or Gabriele, and departures run morning or afternoon.

“Very scenic drive, nice coach, great driver and guide (Gabriel was very good). Lookout at mountain top covered in cloud, but tour still worth it!”

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2.The Wonders of Flam Guided Half-Day Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 668 reviews · 5 hours · from $140

Travel from Flåm by comfortable coach with an English or German-speaking guide such as Alexa, Salome, Sam, or Lawrence. See Stegastein Viewpoint, Borgund Stave Church, Lærdalsøyri, the Snowy Road, Aurlandsfjord, and the 24.5-kilometer Lærdal Tunnel in one well-packed half-day.

“Everything was amazing! And Alexa has been blessed with such a talent, voice and charm that we couldn’t have had a better guide. The route was perfectly curated. I would do this one again in the future!”

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3.Haugesund Shore Excursion: Åkrafjorden & Langfoss waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 554 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $108

Meet your guide by Haugesund’s cruise dock for a 5 to 6-hour trip to Langfoss waterfall and Åkrafjorden. You’ll also visit Haraldshaugen and stop at Åkrafjordtunet for refreshments. Guides such as Lilly, Aline, Jamie, and Christina are known for lively history and local stories. The tour runs in an air-conditioned vehicle for up to 49 people.

“Everything went well ,good cons about pick up when and where.Well worth a visit to see this stunning waterfall . Jamie was a great host”

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4.Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 431 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $128

From Olden’s cruise pier, ride along turquoise Oldevatnet with a photo stop, then walk the paved Briksdal Glacier trail past waterfalls to an icy lake. The four-hour trip includes an English-speaking guide, scenic transport, and time to hike at your own pace. Troll cars offer a less strenuous option, but a short walk remains.

“There were four of us. We all loved it. It’s quite steep near the beginning but levels off and the views are worth the effort. Our tour quite was very informative”

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5.Alesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 319 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187

Travel from Ålesund through Valldal to Gudbrandsjuvet, Trollstigen Plateau, Stigfossen, and the Troll Wall area on a 6.5 to 7.5-hour guided coach tour. Expect dramatic scenery, short photo stops, a steep mountain-road viewpoint, and an optional rural buffet lunch. Check Trollstigen’s current road status before booking.

“Beautiful view, worth every penny, bus driver did excellent job. You have to go, must visit area if you are in Iceland”

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6.Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 285 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $143

Travel from Ålesund’s cruise pier to the Sunnmøre Museum and Alnes Lighthouse on Godøy, with scenic island driving and a narrated city ride. You can climb the lighthouse stairs for Atlantic views, though the route includes steep slopes, narrow steps, and possibly a bilingual guide.

“Great reminder of life of Vikings at Viking museum. Visit to historic still operating lighthouse. General sightseeing. Value for money compared to cruise tours. Fully cognizant of cruise timetable.”

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7.Waterfalls of Hardangerfjord Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 268 reviews · from $101

Travel from Bergen by comfortable air-conditioned bus or van to three waterfalls, Hardangerfjord, and Norheimsund. Your English-speaking guide, often Bas, Bailey, Salome, or another local host, adds stories about Norwegian culture, history, and nature. The highlight is walking behind Steinsdalsfossen without getting wet. Bring lunch and waterproof shoes.

“we really enjoyed how relaxed it was. As it had been raining, the waterfalls were super full and were spectacular, plus the countryside was full of them. Our guide Bas, was, funny, friendly and very passionate about Norway and the countryside. This came across in the information, stories and music. All was very informative and I appreciated learning this. Enough toilet stops. Definitely take lunch with you. We were pleased we did. It would have been cool to be able to dip our feet at some of the less dangerous places. Fabulous day trip.Read more”

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8.Andalsnes Shore Excursion: the Troll Road and Troll Wall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 144 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $123

From Åndalsnes, this three-hour coach tour visits the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, Stigfossen waterfall, Trollstigen, and Trollveggen. Guides such as Denise, Julia, Peter, and Silvia provide local stories and troll folklore. Check the current road status before booking, since Trollstigen was closed for the 2024 season because of falling-rock danger.

“This was a great trip with interesting and entertaining commentary from our guide, Denise. Respect also to our driver for managing the eleven hairpin bends, and for stopping to assist less capable motorists! Highly recommended if you are on a cruise....and so much cheaper than the ship.”

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9.Briksdal Glacier Guided Hiking Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · 4 hours · from $146

Meet your English-speaking guide at Olden cruise pier for a 4-hour trip through Olden Valley to Briksdal Glacier. Ride past Olden Lake, then walk 45 to 60 minutes each way through waterfalls and mountain scenery. Guides such as Sam, Anna, and Elisabet have earned praise for useful local explanations.

“it was truly beautiful. we had a great time. I would have easily given 5 stars, but the bus was late arriving to pick us up. Everyone was looking around because no one (including other vendors) new where the bus was or if it was coming. once we got started, it was a great trip. we enjoyed talking with the tour guide as well.”

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10.Oslo Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 121 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $46Best value

See Oslo from an open-top double-decker bus on a 24-hour ticket covering the cruise port, Akershus Fortress, the Opera House, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Bygdøy museums, and central Oslo. Buses run about every 30 minutes, with recorded commentary in eight languages, free Wi-Fi, and the freedom to hop off when you wish.

“If I could give this zero stars I would. It was a huge waste of money. Go with the other tour. It was running over a half hour late at the start of the day. There were no announcements as to what stop we were at or what the sights were. The map the provided was useless in finding the stops.”

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11.From Hellesylt: The Best of Geiranger Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 66 reviews · 7h 30m · from $188

Spend 450 minutes traveling from Hellesylt into Norway’s mountain country with an English-speaking guide. See Hornindal Lake, Stryn, Oppstryn, Øvstefossen Waterfall, Djupvatn, and Dalsnibba at 1,500 meters. The Dalsnibba road operates roughly from mid-May to mid-September and may close in poor weather.

“Excellent instructions to the meeting point. Bus stopped exactly where it said. Slightly behind schedule so we were worried they weren’t coming at first, but confident that we couldn’t possibly be at the wrong location, since the instructions were so clear. The tour stops at several places where you can go to the toilet and buy a coffee/snacks, which is great for a full day tour. Weather was crazy with sun, rain and snow, causing delays which meant we missed the stop at Geiranger and Seven Sisters waterfalls, which couldn’t be helped by the guide (Malina) and driver (Tom). In hindsight, I would have preferred to skip one of the…”

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12.Norway Lofoten Private Shore Excursion from Leknes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $343Top rated

Travel privately from Leknes with an English-speaking guide, including Gunnar, to Haukland Beach, Lofoten Seaweed, Nusfjord, Rambergstranda, and Reine. Expect coffee, bottled water, flexible photo stops, and time for an optional lunch. The tour lasts six to eight hours and suits cruise passengers who want more than the usual port stop.

“Amazing trip. Gunnar was a perfect host who loves his country with a passion. Lofoten Islands has always been on our bucket list and we would say its our favourite place in Norway now.”

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13.Karmøy and Norwegian Culture Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $229

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Haugesund across Karmøy with an English-speaking local guide. Visit Åkrasanden beach, meet fishermen at Ferkingstad, stroll Skudeneshavn’s white wooden streets over a light lunch, and see Avaldsnes and St. Olav’s Church. The four-hour small-group tour may also include Rising Tide or the Visnes mine.

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14.Shore Excursion Full day Private Tour in Lofoten

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $461

Start at Gravdal Port with a private English-speaking guide and spend 6 to 7 hours touring Lofoten’s fishing villages, beaches, and mountain views. The route includes Nusfjord, Hamnøy, Reine, Å, Sakrisøy, and Skagsanden Beach. Coffee and tea are included, but lunch is your responsibility.

“This was a magnificent day. Eric was very informative and rich in experience. This is our most favorite tour. What a beautiful place”

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15.Nordfjordeid Private Shore Excursion, Glaciers and SkyLift Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Spend about eight hours with a private local guide exploring Nordfjordeid, Europe’s deepest lake, Oldedalen, and Briksdal Glacier. Ride an open-air Troll Car, walk to the glacier tongue, and take the Loen SkyLift to Mount Hoven. Radmyla is one named guide associated with the experience. Lunch and SkyLift tickets cost extra.

“There really is nothing like having a private tour at your destination especially when traveling on a cruise ship where time is precious. Radmyla was a wonderful guide ( and a great driver too!). She knows the ins and outs of the area. She took us Read more”

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