Long before Eidfjord Cruise Port comes into view, your ship would have navigated the deep, serene waters of the Hardangerfjord, the second-longest fjord in Norway and the fourth-longest in the world.
This 179-km waterway, often hailed as the “Queen of the Fjords,” carves its way deep into the country’s mountainous interior, its steep sides plunging dramatically into the blue-green water. The final leg of the voyage takes you into Eidfjorden, an inner branch where the scenery becomes even more intimate and breathtaking. It is here, nestled on a small, flat plain at the very end of the fjord and dwarfed by towering mountains, that the tiny village of Eidfjord appears.
With a population of only around 900 residents, Eidfjord is the gateway to the thunderous Vøringsfossen waterfall and the vast Hardangervidda mountain plateau. In this guide, I’ll share with you the top things to see and do at Eidfjord cruise port, including how to try the local cider, known as the “champagne of ciders“, produced right!
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Eidfjord Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Smooth Sailing
Eidfjord Cruise Port is fast becoming one of the most popular ports of call in Fjord Norway for small to medium sized ships. If your cruise itinerary includes Eidfjord, you’ll find that despite the town’s small size, it has built up excellent facilities for cruisers and that’s why I rate a DIY shore excursion at Eidfjord Cruise Port 😎😎😎😎 Smooth Sailing:
- “Well-Designed” Range of Activities near Cruise Pier: For those who don’t want to venture far, there’s walking trails of varying abilities as well as a mini-tourist train, all starting right at the Eidfjord Cruise Pier!
- Shuttle Bus to Vøringsfossen Waterfall: Local shuttle buses will whisk you off to the premiere attraction in the region – the Vøringsfossen waterfall – from Eidfjord cruise pier. Note: the local shuttles need to be pre-booked or you risk not getting a seat on the day due to limited capacity.
- Kayaking & RIB Boat Rides From Cruise Pier: Want more thrills? Then there’s also more active adventures available close by.
Eidfjord Norway: Where Your Ship Docks
Your ship will dock right in the heart of Eidfjord!
Everything in Eidfjord is within a maximum of 5 minutes walk from the cruise pier, from the Eidfjord Tourist Information Office, to supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. You’ll see your ship at all times if you wander around Eidfjord, so no worries about getting lost!
Eidfjord Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
- Currency: Norwegian Kroner (NOK)
- Cash or Card: 💳 Card! Norway is a largely cashless now, card payments (Visa/MC) are the standard. No need to visit the ATM!
- Language: Norwegian but English is widely spoken in tourist attractions, shops and restaurants.
- Official Tourism Website: Hardangerfjord.com
- Eidfjord Cruise Port Schedule: Download here – courtesy of Handangerfjord.com
- Transport App: Use Google Maps for general navigation around the area
- eSIM for roaming in Norway: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSIM data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off with your first eSIM data pack when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout.
Eidfjord Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
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- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Eidfjord Norway: Top Things to Do
1. Vøringsfossen Waterfall
Vøringsfossen is consistently ranked as one of Norway’s most famous waterfall and for good reason! From the edge of the Hardangervidda plateau, the river Bjoreio plunges 182 meters (597 feet) in a thunderous free fall into the deep and wild Måbødalen canyon below.
A new “step bridge” was built in 2020, so you can now walk across the river over the waterfalls to get a close up view. While this architectural marvel spans the canyon directly over the falls and offers unforgettable views, it’s totally exposed, so it’s not for the faint-hearted!
If you love these incredible man-made viewpoints, the experience is rivaled only by the spectacular Stegastein Viewpoint, a must-do excursion from Flåm cruise port.
But don’t despair if you’re scared of heights (like me) or don’t like steps, there’s several other viewing platforms providing safe and accessible vantage points.
Perched nearby is the historic Fossli Hotel, a landmark since 1891 and famously a place where Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg found inspiration.
How to Get to Vøringsfossen Waterfall from Eidfjord
Besides booking a tour via your cruise line, here’s two other options:
- Eidfjord Shuttle Bus: Private return transfer coach service departing directly from Eidfjord cruise pier to Vøringsfossen (and back). The coach ride is 30 minutes one-way and you’ll get ~90 minutes at the waterfall, sufficient for a relaxed walk on the step bridge and back to the coach parking spot. Total excursion time is about 2.5 hrs before you return to Eidfjord Cruise Port. I would definitely recommend booking seats in advance here, as there’s usually only 2 coach departures per day. This is THE excursion at Eidfjord, so you may not get seats on the day itself.
- Guided Tour to Vøringsfossen & Hardangervidda National Park: If you’d like to visit the National Park, including stops at Vøringsfossen and Sysen dam, then book this 3.5 hour excursion. This also leaves directly from Eidfjord cruise pier and will stop at Vøringsfossen for about 70 minutes, also enough time to walk on the step-bridge.
Stop at Vøringsfossen: Check how long your tour lets you stay at Vøringsfossen and that the duration aligns with your expectations! I know some tours only stop at Vøringsfossen for as little as 20 minutes, long enough for photos, but not long enough to walk on the step bridge. For example, if you’d only like to stay for an hour, book a return transfer with a shorter stay.
And that’s why I posted so many aerial view photos above 📸👆 to help you decide whether you’d like to walk the step bridge. If you’re not inclined to walk the step bridge, you may not need an hour to 90 minutes.
Note on Public Buses from Eidfjord to Vøringsfossen Waterfall
You may read elsewhere online that there’s a public bus (Bus #991) that runs from Eidfjord to Vøringsfossen. This is by far the cheapest option and the trip is definitely do-able by public bus.
However, you should note that there’s very limited departures, about once every two hours – timetables here. So you’ll need to time it right and it may not work with your port arrival times. If you’d like to check whether bus times work with your schedule, then go to www.skyss.no, enter departure point as “Eidfjord” and “Fossatromma, Eidfjord” as your destination. I’ve marked the bus stop “Fossatromma, Eidfjord” on my Eidfjord Cruise Port map above.
2. Norwegian Nature Centre
The Norwegian Nature Centre, located in the nearby village of Øvre Eidfjord, is the visitor centre to Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest high mountain plateau and Norway’s largest national park.
This immense, protected wilderness offers a landscape starkly different from the lush fjords below. It is a beautifully wild and barren expanse, dominated by countless mountain lakes, winding rivers, and a unique alpine climate. The park is also home to one of Europe’s largest wild reindeer herds.
A highlight at the centre is a panoramic film that takes viewers on a breathtaking helicopter journey over the fjords, waterfalls, and the plateau itself, providing a perspective that is otherwise impossible to achieve in a single day.
The photo 📸👆 above is what the Hardangervidda mountain plateau looks like. The highly distinctive, flat-topped mountain is named Hårteigen. It’s often called the “king of the Hardangervidda” and you’ll see more in the panoramic film at the centre. (I want to make clear that it’s not the view you’ll see when you arrive at the Norwegian Nature Centre!)
- How to Get There:
- Local Tour: Book a combined tour to the Norwegian Nature Centre & the Vøringsfossen waterfall here. You’ll be picked up at Eidfjord cruise port and includes admission fee to the Nature Centre.
- Public Bus: Bus #991 also stops at Øvre Eidfjord. If you’d like to check whether bus times work with your schedule, then go to www.skyss.no, enter departure point as “Eidfjord” and “Øvre Eidfjord, Eidfjord” as your destination. I’ve marked the bus stop “Øvre Eidfjord” on my Eidfjord Cruise Port map above. It’s a few minutes walk to the Norwegian Nature Centre. You can buy single tickets onboard the bus with Visa/Mastercard for NOK 49 one-way.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 6pm from April 1 to October 31. Double check opening hours here.
- Tickets: 180 NOK adults, 100 NOK kids aged 3-15.
Note: If you wonder why I list Bus #991 as a good option for the Norwegian Nature Centre but not for Vøringsfossen, it’s mostly due to distance. The bus ride from Eidfjord to Øvre Eidfjord is less than 10 minutes and you’re hopping the bus from one town to the next town. So despite Bus #991 running only every two hours, the bus schedule works better for the Nature Centre than for Vøringsfossen. You’ll likely spend the bulk of the two hours at the Nature Centre and there’s a restaurant and gift shop there too if you finish touring the exhibits early. Also worst case scenario, you can secure a taxi back from Øvre Eidfjord for about 250 NOK if you’ve missed your bus!
3. Trolltrain
For a more relaxed and shorter excursion, you can take the mini-train around Eidfjord village – nicknamed the “Trolltrain“. The tour is about 50 minutes, departs from Eidfjord cruise pier and returns you to the same spot.
The train heads towards the Hæreid terrace, a fantastic panoramic viewpoint over the Eidfjord village, your ship and the fjord, and then drives past the largest prehistoric burial ground in Western Norway, where nearly 400 burial mounds from the Iron and Viking Ages are located.
You can purchase tickets at Eidfjord cruise port on the day. Note that the train is not accessible for wheelchair users. Rides from 210 NOK adults.
4. Hæreid Trail
For those who want to do some walking near Eidfjord cruise pier, the most popular walk is the Hæreid Trail – it’s the trail marked in yellow above.
The Hæreid Trail is a 6km (~3.7 miles) round-trip scenic walk that takes about 75-90 minutes to complete. The trail is well-marked and it starts at the Tourist Information Office, right at the Eidfjord cruise pier.
The walk is easy, with minimal elevation, although you will need to wear shoes with some grip. During summer months, the trail is very green! The walk will take you through the beautiful sandy beach at Lake Eidfjordvatnet – marked on my Eidfjord cruise port map above. You’ll also visit the ancient burial grounds I mentioned above.
My Take: If you’re heading to Vøringsfossen in the morning, this walk is a lovely activity to fill your afternoon if you still have energy to burn before returning to the ship. It’s roughly the same route as the Trolltrain, so pick one or the other, you don’t have to do both. There’s places to stop along the way, so you can bring snacks and water to enjoy.
Map Download: If you’d like to do this walk, Download a copy of the map to your phone here! The trail is well marked, so once you get started, it’s okay to just follow the signs and the trail itself.
5. Kayaking & RIB Boat Safaris
For a different perspective of Eidfjord’s magnificent setting, getting out onto the water is a fantastic option! The calm, sheltered waters of the inner Eidfjorden are perfect for kayaking and you’ll find it a peaceful and serene experience!
As a beginner kayaker myself, I would say that kayaking at Eidfjord is suitable for beginners, given how calm the water is. The local operator, Best Adventures, operates 3-hour kayaking tours from the Co-op Supermarket, literally a stone’s throw from Eidfjord cruise pier. (You’ll see the supermarket as soon as you disembark.)
If you want a more thrilling experience, then do a RIB boat ride! You’ll be given all equipment, including a waterproof jumpsuit, with lifejacket, goggles and gloves, so you won’t get wet. Pre-book your RIB boat ride here; you’ll be met at the Eidfjord cruise pier and be taken to the RIB boat.
Eidfjord & Hardanger Region: What to Eat
Eidfjord and the Hardanger region is known as “Norway’s Orchard“. With surprisingly mild climate, moderated by the vast fjord, the Hardanger region creates perfect conditions for fruit cultivation!
So look out to the steep slopes from the deck of your ship – these slopes are dotted with farms growing apples, plums, pears and sweet cherries! The world-renowned Hardanger cider is pressed from apples grown on these very hillsides.
Favourite Local Specialties to Try
If you’re looking to try some local specialties, here’s what to look out for on the menus of local cafes and restaurants:
- Hardanger Cider: The region’s most famous export! It is typically crisp, refreshing, and comes in various styles from numerous local producers. Hardanger cider is nicknamed as the “champagne of apple cider“!
- Mountain Trout (Fjellørret) and Salmon (Laks): Sourced directly from the clean, cold waters of the fjords and mountain rivers, these fish are exceptionally fresh and flavourful, often served simply grilled or smoked.
- Reindeer (Reinsdyr) and Lamb (Lam): Game from the Hardangervidda plateau is a true delicacy. Look for reindeer steak or try fenalår, a traditional cured leg of lamb with a rich, savoury flavor similar to prosciutto.
Where to Eat in Eidfjord
Given how small Eidfjord town is, you should not be surprised to hear that there’s only a handful of restaurants and cafes anyway. So here’s two options close by Eidfjord cruise pier – both are marked on my Eidfjord Cruise Port map above:
- Fjell og Fjord Kafè: Charming cafe for coffee and cinnamon rolls!
- Vik Restaurant & Café: If you’d like to have a more substantial lunch, then this is the place in Eidfjord! There’s daily specials and serves local cider. Alternatively, there’s also a small bakery.
If you just want to a quick drink of the local cider, duck into one of the two supermarkets in town and you should see some cider in stock too.
Featured Image by Aline Dassel from Pixabay. Special thanks to Fjord Norway and Visit Bergen for stunning images of Vøringsfossen.
Eidfjord definitely surprised me with how much there is to see and do. Despite its small size, there’s excellent tourist infrastructure to help cruisers make the most of their time ashore in Eidfjord – it’s not always the case in small Norwegian ports!
So if you’ve got Eidfjord scheduled on your cruise itinerary, then definitely make use of the local activities and tour options to make your port day truly yours! Happy cruising! Zana
