Fjord Cruise to Rosendal, Bergen

3.9 (12 reviews)
Take in the dramatic fjord scenery on a roundtrip cruise to charming Rosendal, where you'll have a few hours to explore.
Show all photos
Alex
Alex M.
Sep 25, 2024
I'm a kimkim staff member and I was on a work trip when I experienced the Fjord Cruise to Rosendal. I sat on top of the... Read more
Joe
Joe O.
Jun 19, 2024
Unbelievable and do the hike to waterfall at hardanger
Previous Next
See all reviews

Overview

Set out on a scenic, roundtrip fjord cruise from Bergen to the picturesque village of Rosendal, passing steep mountains and cascading waterfalls. You'll have 3.5 hours to explore Rosendal before catching the return ferry. In Rosendal, explore the village and its surroundings, with options like hiking to a waterfall, visiting the historic barony with its rose garden, or finding out about the nearby icecap and fjord marine life at the Folgefonne Centre. Ideal for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful escape, this trip offers a blend of serene landscapes and cultural insights.

Highlights

  • Serenly cruise the fjords, taking in the views of wildlife, fisheries, farms, villages, and waterfalls
  • Learn about Norway's third-largest glacier at the Folgefonne Centre
  • Visit the Barony Rosendal, Scandinavia's smallest castle, and its beautiful rose garden
  • Hike to Hattebergfossen waterfall through picturesque countryside and dare to take a cold plunge

Know before you go

Duration
8 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Self guided

What you'll do

Your day trip begins at Bergen's harbor, where you'll board a comfortable and modern boat, equipped with indoor and outdoor seating areas as well as a kiosk offering snacks and drinks. As you sail across the water toward Hardangerfjord—often referred to as the "queen of the fjords"—you'll enjoy views of steep mountains and cascading waterfalls.

Upon arrival in Rosendal, you'll be greeted by a picturesque village tucked between towering mountains. In the summer, wander through the village and make your way to the historic manor, Barony Rosendal, which dates to 1665 and is known as Scandinavia's smallest castle. Wander its landscaped grounds and romantic rose gardens, then enjoy lunch in the newly renovated greenhouse, which serves delicious dishes prepared with local ingredients. Alternatively, consider hiking to nearby Hattebergfossen and refresh with a cool dip beneath its waterfall. There's also the option to kayak, canoe, glacier hike, or off-road bike.

You could also check out the Folgefonnsenteret (Folgefonne Centre), where friendly staff are on hand to tell you about the local icecap, which covers a total of 77 square miles (200 sq km) in the center of Folgefonna National Park, as well as the Hardangerfjord's marine life and sustainability, from exhibitions set up in collaboration with oceanographers and climate researchers. After about 3.5 hours, it'll be time to catch the return boat back to Bergen.

Start times

  • Monday
    8:50 am
  • Tuesday
    8:50 am
  • Wednesday
    8:50 am
  • Thursday
    8:50 am
  • Friday
    8:50 am
  • Saturday
    11:00 am
  • Sunday
    11:00 am

What's included

  • Round-trip fjord cruise

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

Traveler reviews

12 total ratings, 10 with reviews
3.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
3.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
3.7
Transport
4.0
Alex
Alex M.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2024
I'm a kimkim staff member and I was on a work trip when I experienced the Fjord Cruise to Rosendal. I sat on top of the cruise ship to enjoy the views for the 2-hour ride, it was beauty in every direction. Plenty of comfortable seating in the ship as well if desired and a helpful cafe with an assortment of snacks and drinks.
Roseldal is a cute town with an absurdly cool backdrop as you pull in with the ship. It is basically directly between two conjoining mountains and there is a large,... Read more

I'm a kimkim staff member and I was on a work trip when I experienced the Fjord Cruise to Rosendal. I sat on top of the cruise ship to enjoy the views for the 2-hour ride, it was beauty in every direction. Plenty of comfortable seating in the ship as well if desired and a helpful cafe with an assortment of snacks and drinks.
Roseldal is a cute town with an absurdly cool backdrop as you pull in with the ship. It is basically directly between two conjoining mountains and there is a large, steep waterfall cascading down between the mountains.
The hike to the waterfall viewing area is extremely easy. It goes past the town, through a few miles of countryside, and you end up at a gigantic roaring waterfall!
I knew I was going to hike to the waterfall, so I packed extra clothes, just in case… the locals I asked all said swimming in it was totally acceptable but chilly; If you’re as adventurous as me, that’s just motivation! I made my way through 30ish yards of extremely difficult brush and tore off my shoes to jump into the waterfall and pools beneath it - NO REGRETS, IT WAS AMAZING!
The handfuls of people walking the trail up & over the falls cheered me on and applauded me while in the water.
I dried off with the towel I brought and changed into fresh clothes to hike back to the town for lunch. Ate a chicken quesadilla which was super random but honestly one of the most packed and delicious quesadilla’s I’ve ever eaten.
Sat inside the ship and relaxed on the Fjordcruise back to Bergen - it was very comfortable even with my dead phone.

Tips for future travelers

Bring a phone charger or external battery! This is a very long day and the Fjordcruise ship has plenty of outlets.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sonya
Sonya B.
Gadsden, AL | Reviewed on Aug 31, 2024
This would probably have been alright but it rained all day so couldn't take pictures from the ferry. Not much to do in Rosendal. Read more

This would probably have been alright but it rained all day so couldn't take pictures from the ferry. Not much to do in Rosendal.

Tips for future travelers

I wouldn't go out of my way for this trip. Not much to do in Rosendal.

Quality of Experience
Since it is public transport. Not really geared up for tourist.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ferry workers were nice.
Transport
Ferry was nice enough but weather did not cooperate the day we went.
Joe
Joe O.
Southport, NC | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2024
Unbelievable and do the hike to waterfall at hardanger Read more

Unbelievable and do the hike to waterfall at hardanger

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lorin
Lorin W.
Australia | Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024
Whilst Rosendal and the natural beauty of the fjord was lovely, we didn't know most things in Rosendal would be closed at this time of year. So we arrived to a ghost town and didn't know what to do, and walked far to find closed places. It was nice but we could have skipped this in favour of another tour to save some money and time. Also the fjord cruise itself was more like a taxi service than a tour. I bet it is nicer in summer. Read more

Whilst Rosendal and the natural beauty of the fjord was lovely, we didn't know most things in Rosendal would be closed at this time of year. So we arrived to a ghost town and didn't know what to do, and walked far to find closed places. It was nice but we could have skipped this in favour of another tour to save some money and time. Also the fjord cruise itself was more like a taxi service than a tour. I bet it is nicer in summer.

Tips for future travelers

Better to avoid in winter or midseason!! Everything will be closed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
R
Ronald K.
Denmark | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2023
To spend all day on this trip was a total waste of our time Read more

To spend all day on this trip was a total waste of our time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
C
Cornelia D.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Jul 09, 2023
we didn't do it because there were to many road trips and cruises while in Bergen - we wanted to see and do more in the city Read more

we didn't do it because there were to many road trips and cruises while in Bergen - we wanted to see and do more in the city

Tips for future travelers

can't answer this question but would recommend for anyone to do more in Bergen - there's so much

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
J
Janice S.
Jackson, CA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2023
Lovely place to visit Read more

Lovely place to visit

Quality of Experience
Transport
V
Vidisha B.
Manchester, MO | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2023
Loved Rosendal. Beautiful quaint town. Very serene and peaceful. Enjoyed the hike to the waterfall and the manor. Read more

Loved Rosendal. Beautiful quaint town. Very serene and peaceful. Enjoyed the hike to the waterfall and the manor.

Tips for future travelers

Enjoy the lunch at the manor cafe.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
V
Virginia M.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2022
We enjoyed the cruise and the trip to Rosendal. It was a pleasant day to experience the water and the scenery. We liked Rosendal as well. Read more

We enjoyed the cruise and the trip to Rosendal. It was a pleasant day to experience the water and the scenery. We liked Rosendal as well.

Tips for future travelers

Don't forget that you will have time to explore Rosendal and plan accordingly. We went to the manor house and had a tour in English. We also had a lunch in the greenhouse.

Quality of Experience
We particularly liked the cruise on the water. It's fun to look at the houses and also the fisheries (salmon farms).
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very professional
Transport
Very nice ship
P
Peter D.
India | Reviewed on Jul 18, 2022
The ferry ride had nice views and was pleasant and smooth. The walk around town was interesting. We went to the old castle and enjoyed the house tour. The lunch starts about 30 min later than ideal if you want to take the later ferry back and have time for a bit more in town. The rock garden was worth a visit due to its novelty value. Read more

The ferry ride had nice views and was pleasant and smooth. The walk around town was interesting. We went to the old castle and enjoyed the house tour. The lunch starts about 30 min later than ideal if you want to take the later ferry back and have time for a bit more in town. The rock garden was worth a visit due to its novelty value.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Limited interactions, more transactional. House tour was good.
Transport

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

Itineraries with Fjord Cruise to Rosendal

Previous Next

Bergen Experiences

Show more Bergen experiences
Previous Next

Norway Experiences

Show more Norway experiences
Previous Next

Best of Bergen

Best of Bergen
Previous Next

Trip Planning Essentials

Previous Next