As we step into 2026, I want to wish you a happy New Year — and share a place that invites the kind of pause and perspective this season inspires.
In September 2025, I visited Lysefjord, travelling there via Stavanger. It was a journey defined less by ticking boxes and more by atmosphere: mist on the water, waterfalls revealing themselves slowly, and a sense of moving through something much older and larger than yourself.
Lysefjord felt like a good place to start a new chapter — and perhaps a good place for you to consider, too.
Where is Lysefjord?
Lysefjord lies in western Norway, in the Rogaland region, a little inland from the North Sea. The fjord stretches deep into the mountains, flanked by steep rock faces and threaded with waterfalls that drop directly into the dark water below.
It’s one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords, yet it remains remarkably accessible.
How to get there
The easiest and most relaxed way to experience Lysefjord is from Stavanger, which acts as a natural gateway.
In September, I boarded a ferry-style boat directly from Stavanger’s main harbour, which is easy to find and well organised. The journey requires no complex planning: you step aboard in the city and simply let the fjord unfold around you.
As the boat moved away from the harbour, the city slipped quietly behind us. Soon we were sailing through low cloud and mist, cliffs appearing and disappearing, waterfalls cutting white lines through dark rock. It felt calm, almost meditative — a journey that encouraged stillness rather than spectacle.
Boat services operate throughout the year, but departures are most frequent and predictable from spring through early autumn. Outside those months, services are more limited and weather-dependent, so it’s worth checking schedules close to your travel dates.
How long to stay (and where to base yourself)
You don’t need a long trip to make this worthwhile.
- 2 days: One day for Lysefjord, one day to explore Stavanger — ideal for a long weekend.
- 3 days: A more relaxed pace, with time for the fjord, the old town, and simply wandering.
- 4 + days: Useful if you want flexibility around weather or to explore further along the coast.
Stavanger itself is compact, walkable, and well suited to slow exploration. After returning from the fjord, we spent time walking through Gamle Stavanger — a quiet, characterful area of white wooden houses and narrow streets. After the scale and drama of the fjord, this human, lived-in setting felt like a perfect counterbalance.
When to go
Lysefjord changes character with the seasons:
- Late spring & summer (May–August) offer longer days and more frequent departures.
- Early autumn (September) — when I visited — brings fewer crowds, softer light, and a moodier, more introspective atmosphere.
- Winter is beautiful but more challenging, with limited access and weather-dependent travel.
If you value atmosphere over certainty, September is a particularly rewarding time to go.
What to wear and what to bring
Even in early autumn, conditions on the fjord can change quickly. Being prepared makes all the difference.
I’d recommend bringing:
- A warm jacket (layers are better than one heavy coat)
- A proper waterproof coat — essential on the water
- Gloves (very welcome once the boat gets moving)
- Comfortable, non-slip shoes
- A small bag for camera, water, and an extra layer
The temperature can drop noticeably out on the fjord, especially with mist and spray, so dress for comfort rather than appearance.
A final thought for the year ahead
Lysefjord isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less — and letting the landscape reset your sense of scale and pace. Moving quietly through mist, watching waterfalls appear and vanish, felt grounding in a way that stayed with me long after the boat returned to harbour.
As we begin a new year, I hope you find space for journeys like this — whether far from home or close to it — that offer clarity without urgency.
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026.
— GertieBlu
