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The Time Out travel editor’s top shore experiences in the Norwegian fjords
It’s no secret that the best view of the Norwegian fjords is from inside the fjords. And on a P&O Cruises holiday, you really are in the heart of this spectacular part of the world. On my Norwegian fjords holiday, I was lucky enough to try several shore experiences.
10 min
17 Oct 2025
Nordfjord stand-up paddleboarding
This was my first time trying stand-up paddleboarding, and you’d be hard-pushed to find a more spectacular setting. We navigated the waters of Nordfjord, taking in snow-capped peaks and the sweet little village of Olden, while our local guide showed us the sights and taught us tricks for keeping our balance on the boards. I might have only managed to stand up for two minutes, but it was a very proud two minutes. First-timer or seasoned pro, this experience was the ideal combo of relaxation and adventure.
Yoga in the Blue Mountain Hall
Made of stone, wood and glass, Blue Mountain Hall is a purpose-built yoga studio and creative space which has been fashioned around a massive rock that fell during an avalanche thousands of years ago. It’s surrounded by mountains and soundtracked by a real-life roaring waterfall. It is, by far, the most beautiful place I’ve downward-dogged. By the time the gong bath closed out the session, a good handful of us were fast asleep – it was that relaxing.
Geirangerfjord by RIB
Bounding along the water on a high-speed RIB has to be the most exhilarating way to see the Unesco-listed Geirangerfjord. Our driver pointed out farms, little houses and even naturally formed etchings of troll faces among the steep forested walls on either side. We got so up-close-and-personal to the fjord’s many waterfalls we could feel their spray on our faces. The best thing about the whole experience was that we had the entire magnificent fjord to ourselves for most of it (we’d savvily booked a very early shore experience – highly recommend)!
Floating sauna in Flåm
The morning Iona docked in Flåm, I spotted the village’s pair of floating saunas from the balcony of my cabin. People were leaping into the lake from the sauna’s roof, their splashes just about audible, cocooned by the village’s pastoral quiet. It already looked so idyllic from afar, but nothing really prepares you for the experience of stepping into the sauna, faced with panoramic views out over the fjord. There’s a handy hatch in the centre of the sauna for an instant cold plunge, but if you want to take the Nordic Cycle up a notch, do as the locals do and take the leap from the top. If you opt for the shared sauna experience like we did, you have the added bonus of 12 new friends cheering you on.
Majestic scenes of Hellesylt
Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and let someone drive you around, which is exactly what you get from this lovely road trip through the outstanding scenery around Hellesylt. My highlights? The eerie sunken village beneath Lake Lyngstøylvatnet and the pastoral charm of Nordang Valley, where near the village of Oie you’ll find fresh-out-the-sauna locals plunging into the water.
One of my big realisations from my P&O Cruises holiday? You really can make it your own, personalising each day to suit whatever takes your fancy. Whether you’re in search of action and adventure, or you just want to chill and watch the world go by, everything is possible.
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