Sognefjord is the King of the Fjords — a title it has earned through sheer scale and beauty. Stretching 205 kilometres inland from the open sea and plunging to 1,308 metres at its deepest point, it is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway and the second longest in the world. The scenery along its length is endlessly varied — from the wide, open outer fjord to the narrow, dramatic inner branches where the cliffs close in on either side.

The fjord has numerous branches, each with its own character. The Aurlandsfjord leads to the village of Flam and the famous Flamsbana railway. The Naeroyfjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is the narrowest branch, where the cliffs rise hundreds of metres on either side and the water is barely 250 metres wide. The Lustrafjord, at the innermost end, is surrounded by mountains and glaciers and has a wild, remote beauty.

The villages along Sognefjord are among the most charming in Norway. Balestrand, with its English church and Viking burial mounds, has been attracting artists and travellers since the 19th century. Flam, at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, is the starting point for the Flamsbana railway. Sogndal and Leikanger are surrounded by apple orchards that blossom spectacularly in May.

For cruise passengers, Sognefjord is typically experienced as part of a broader Norwegian Fjords itinerary. Ships often call at Flam or Gudvangen, allowing passengers to take the Flamsbana railway or a boat trip through the Naeroyfjord. The Stegastein viewpoint above Aurland is one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Norway and a popular shore excursion.

The best time to visit Sognefjord is May to September, when the weather is at its most reliable and the days are long. May is particularly beautiful when the orchards are in blossom. June and July offer the midnight sun — 24 hours of daylight that transforms the fjord into a place of magical, golden light.