If spectacular views are what you’re after, then Norway is one of the best countries to visit. Somewhere in the south-western part of the country, in a beautiful region called Sunnmøre, there is a tiny tourist town that is often described as the best travel destination in the whole of Scandinavia. A quick Google search on Geiranger will result in some of the most amazing photos you’ve ever seen. And still nothing compares to actually being there and experiencing everything first hand.
Geiranger has only about 250 permanent residents, so it really is a small community. But during the short tourist season that begins in May and ends in September, it is flooded by hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. The beautiful town is home to the country’s third biggest port for cruise ships and is visited by up to 180 such vessels every year.
Unlike most small towns, Geiranger has more than ten camping areas and five hotels. Its economy is obviously based on tourism, but there’s a constant threat to this community and its tourist-based businesses: one of the local mountains could collapse into the fjord at any time, which would cause a huge wave that would destroy much of the town.
That aside, Geiranger is an excellent destination with incredibly much to offer. The fjord area is actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are plenty exciting things to do here. One really exciting annual event is the Geiranger – From Fjord to Summit bike race and half marathon. Participants get to climb from sea level to the top of Mount Dalsnibba (4,911 feet) and also go from summer to winter, because the journey ends with snow-covered peaks. An unforgettable adventure, if you ask us!
