It lies at the head of the Geirangerfjord, which is a branch of the
Storfjord. The nearest city is �lesund. Geiranger is home to some of the
most spectacular scenery in the world, and has been named the best
travel destination in Scandinavia by Lonely Planet. Since 2005, the
Geirangerfjord has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
Seven Sisters waterfall is located just west of Geiranger. Norwegian
national road 63 passes through the village.
This third biggest
cruise ship port in Norway receives 140 to 180 ships during the
four-month tourist season. In 2012 some 300.000 cruise passengers
visited Geiranger during the summer season. Several hundred thousand
people pass through every summer, and tourism is the main business for
the 250 people who live there permanently. There are five hotels and
over ten camping sites. The tourist season stretches from May to early
September; in the off-season the pace and activity are reduced to that
of a normal small Norwegian town. Tours of the nearby historic farms of
Knivsfl� and Skagefl� are available from Geiranger.
Each year in
June, the Geiranger � From Fjord to Summit event occurs. It comprises a
half marathon run and a bicycle race, both starting from the sea level
at the fjord and ending at the 1,497 metres (4,911 ft) summit of Mount
Dalsnibba, near the lake Djupvatnet. Since there is still a lot of snow
left in the mountains at that time of year, the race could also be
called "From Summer to Winter".
Geiranger is under constant threat
from the mountain �kerneset which could erode into the fjord. A collapse
could cause a tsunami that could destroy downtown Geiranger
