Norway is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth, but few places capture the imagination quite like Hardangerfjord — the country's second-longest fjord and one of its most photographically rewarding. Stretching over 179 kilometres through western Norway, Hardangerfjord is nicknamed "the orchard of Norway" for good reason: every spring, its slopes burst into a spectacular pink-and-white bloom as thousands of fruit trees flower against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and mirror-calm water.
Whether you're planning a visit or simply dreaming from your sofa, the landscapes of Hardangerfjord deserve a place in your home. In this guide, we cover the best photography spots, the ideal times to visit, and how to bring this extraordinary scenery home as Norway landscape prints.
Why Hardangerfjord is a Photographer's Dream
Hardangerfjord offers something rare: a landscape that changes completely with the seasons. In spring, the famous Hardanger blossom season (late April to mid-May) transforms the fjord shores into something straight out of a fairytale. Cherry, apple, plum, and pear trees erupt in colour, reflected in the still, dark water below. It's arguably the most photogenic moment in all of Norway — and one of Europe's great seasonal spectacles.
Summer brings lush green hillsides, long days of golden light, and roaring waterfalls fed by snowmelt. Autumn turns the slopes copper and red, while winter drapes everything in snow and silence. Each season delivers a completely different mood — and each is worth capturing.
Best Photography Spots Around Hardangerfjord
1. Eidfjord Village
At the inner end of the fjord, Eidfjord is a classic Norwegian village setting — red and white timber houses reflected in glassy water, with towering mountains on all sides. The best shots are taken early morning before the tourist boats arrive and the water is perfectly still. Position yourself on the dock for a low-angle reflection shot.
2. Vøringsfossen Waterfall
One of Norway's most famous waterfalls, Vøringsfossen drops over 182 metres into a spectacular gorge near Eidfjord. The classic viewpoint gives you a wide-angle shot of the full drop framed by canyon walls, but adventurous photographers can hike down into the gorge itself for more dramatic compositions. Visit in late morning when the light reaches the bottom.
3. Hardangervidda Plateau
Rising above the fjord, Hardangervidda is Europe's largest mountain plateau — a hauntingly beautiful expanse of moorland, lakes, and reindeer herds. For Norwegian nature photography lovers, this is gold: endless skies, dramatic weather, and a landscape that feels prehistoric. Winter visits can yield incredible snowscapes and, with luck, the Northern Lights.
4. Ullensvang and the Orchard Shore
The municipality of Ullensvang on the southern shore of the fjord is ground zero for the famous blossom season. The village of Lofthus sits on a bench above the fjord surrounded by orchards — in blossom season, the combination of pink flowers, blue fjord water, and white peaks behind is almost impossibly beautiful. This is the image that defines Hardangerfjord.
5. Trolltunga (Eastern Access)
While Trolltunga is often approached from the north, the Hardangerfjord region provides the dramatic backdrop that makes this iconic cliff formation so striking. From the plateau above Odda, on clear days you can photograph across the fjord system to distant peaks — a landscape that rewards patience and early starts.
6. Låtefossen Waterfall
Near the town of Odda, Låtefossen is a twin waterfall that tumbles directly under a stone road bridge — one of Norway's most photographed road scenes. The falls are powerful and loud, and the misty spray catches the light beautifully. This is one of those locations that looks spectacular in every season.
Best Time to Visit for Photography
Each season offers something different at Hardangerfjord:
- Late April – mid-May: Blossom season — the most iconic time. Book accommodation months in advance as this is peak season for visitors.
- June – August: Long golden hours (the sun barely sets in June), lush green landscapes, active waterfalls from snowmelt, and warm enough for overnight hikes.
- September – October: Autumn colours transform the hillsides. Fewer crowds, cooler air, and often stunning misty mornings over the fjord.
- November – March: Snow and ice create a monochrome landscape of extraordinary beauty. Dark skies make this a good period for Northern Lights hunting — Hardangervidda is an excellent aurora-viewing plateau.
Camera Settings and Techniques for Fjord Photography
Photographing fjords presents unique technical challenges. Here are the key techniques for stunning results:
Long exposures for silky water: Use a tripod and exposures of 1–4 seconds to smooth out the fjord surface and waterfall movement. A polarising filter helps reduce glare and saturate the colours.
Golden hour shooting: The warm, directional light of early morning and late evening wraps around the fjord walls and creates depth and texture. Set your alarm — Norwegian summer sunrises can be as early as 4:30am.
Reflections: The fjord is most mirror-calm in early morning before the wind picks up. Symmetrical reflection compositions work brilliantly here — compose so the horizon sits in the middle of the frame, with equal sky and water.
Include foreground interest: Wildflowers, mossy boulders, fishing boats, or blossoming branches give your fjord shots scale and context. Don't just shoot the background — work the full frame.
Bringing Hardangerfjord Home: Wall Art Ideas
The landscapes of Hardangerfjord translate magnificently to large-format wall art. The sweeping panoramas, dramatic waterfalls, and pastel blossom colours all have visual impact at scale — which is why they make such compelling canvas prints for living rooms, hallways, and offices.
A few ideas for displaying Norwegian fjord landscapes in your home:
- Statement wall in a living room: A large panoramic print (100×50cm or wider) of the fjord at golden hour becomes an instant focal point. Pair with neutral, earthy tones in furniture and soft furnishings to let the print do the work.
- Bathroom and spa corner: Soft waterfall or misty fjord images bring a calming, spa-like quality to bathrooms. Aluminium prints work well here as they're moisture-resistant.
- Home office backdrop: A dramatic mountain or plateau image behind your desk creates an inspiring, grounding backdrop — perfect for video calls too.
- Gallery wall: Mix three or four prints of different Hardangerfjord seasons or locations in matching frames for a cohesive themed gallery wall.
All our Norwegian nature photography prints are available in multiple formats — from fine art poster prints to premium canvas prints and metal prints — so you can find the perfect style for your space.
Getting to Hardangerfjord
Hardangerfjord is easily accessible from Bergen, which has excellent international flight connections. From Bergen, it's roughly 2–3 hours by car or scenic bus to the heart of the fjord region. The Hardangerfjord Scenic Route is one of Norway's 18 designated National Scenic Routes, winding through some of the most spectacular countryside in the country.
For those planning a longer Norway trip, Hardangerfjord pairs beautifully with a visit to Lofoten wall art country in the north — two totally different but equally breathtaking landscapes. Together, they represent the full range of what Norway's scenery can offer.
Why Norwegian Landscapes Make the Best Wall Art
There's a reason Norwegian landscapes dominate the walls of design-conscious homes across Europe. The scale, the light, the drama — these aren't landscapes you can find anywhere else. The combination of deep blue fjords, snow-covered peaks, roaring waterfalls, and that impossibly soft Nordic light creates images that feel both epic and intimate at the same time.
Displaying a Northern Lights print or fjord panorama in your home is more than decoration — it's a window to one of the most beautiful places on Earth. And with free shipping across Europe, bringing a piece of Norway home has never been easier.
Explore the full collection of Norway landscape prints — all captured on location by a Norwegian photographer who knows these landscapes intimately.
