The most beautiful fjords in the world outside Norway

Deep, narrow inlets that dramatically carve their way through the wild, framed by steep cliffs: fjords are among the world's most impressive landscapes, captivating travelers around the globe with their beauty. Formed by glaciers millions of years ago, they are remnants of a bygone era.

Norway is considered the absolute top destination for fjords. There are over 1,700 of them to marvel at there. However, it's often forgotten that these majestic inlets can also be found elsewhere in the world. Where can you find the most beautiful fjords outside of Norway? We'll show you our favorites.

Alaska also boasts fjords: On the Kenai Peninsula, about 200 kilometers from Anchorage, the coast is crisscrossed by rocky inlets. The breathtaking landscape was formed by the Harding Icefield, one of the largest contiguous ice fields in the United States .

One of the largest fjords in the national park is Aialik Bay Fjord. The glacier of the same name, which is over 1.6 kilometers wide, flows into it. The national park is ideal for exploring on a hike to Exit Glacier or on a boat tour through the fjord landscape.

Boat tours depart from Seward Harbor. The ships sometimes cruise for several hours through the fjord landscape, past ice walls and dramatic cliffs. With a bit of luck, you might spot whales, seals, or dolphins.

The Westfjords are both a peninsula and a region in northwest Iceland . More than 70 fjords and bays are waiting to be discovered.

Among the most famous fjords in the region is Ísafjarðardjúp, which translates as "Ice Fjord Depth." It is one of Iceland's deepest and largest fjords. It winds its way approximately 75 kilometers inland. In the heart of the fjord landscape lies Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords region. With approximately 2,600 inhabitants, it is also the largest town in the region.

Although the Westfjords are very remote, the region is accessible year-round. Ísafjörður has a small airport, but the approach is somewhat adventurous. Alternatively, buses run from Reykjavík to Hólmavík and from there to Ísafjörður. The entire journey takes about six to seven hours.

You can also marvel at fjords in South America – off the southern coastof Chile . The breathtaking fjord landscape stretches from the Golfo de Reloncaví south of Puerto Montt down to the region around Cape Horn in Patagonia. This corresponds to a distance of approximately 1,600 kilometers, making this part of Chile one of the largest untouched fjord regions in the world.

Among the most famous fjords are the Reloncaví Fjord in the Los Lagos region and the Garibaldi Fjord. It extends approximately 14 kilometers into the southern Andes in Patagonia. Another spectacular fjord is the Última Esperanza Fjord, which lies at the foot of the famous Torres del Paine National Park .

What makes Chile's fjord landscape so special is that it is crisscrossed by gigantic glaciers that are almost more impressive than the fjords themselves. The most spectacular of these is the San Rafael Glacier. It flows into the lagoon of the same name, which ultimately opens into the Aysén Fjord.

There are 15 fjords in New Zealand . They are located in Fiordland National Park in the southwest of the South Island. Fjords here are called "sounds," which translates as "straits." This is somewhat misleading, because geologically speaking, they are actually fjords formed by glaciers. Early European settlers, however, confused these with the straits they were familiar with—hence the misleading name.

New Zealand's most famous fjord is the majestic Milford Sound. It is 16 kilometers long and famous for its dramatic mountain peaks, roaring waterfalls, forested cliffs, and dark waters that ripple through the landscape.

The breathtaking Milford Sound can be explored in a variety of ways. By boat or kayak, you can see the cliffs from the water, and spectacular views await you on a scenic flight. Those who prefer to explore the fjord on foot can follow the Milford Track, one of New Zealand's most famous hiking trails. The route runs approximately 53 kilometers from Lake Te Anau through the wilderness to Milford Sound.

Who would have thought: The longest and largest fjord system in the world isn't located in Norway , but in Greenland . Scoreby Sund, also called Kangertittivaq, stretches 350 kilometers long and measures about 30 kilometers at its widest point.

Numerous small tributaries branch off from the massive main fjord, one of which is the 200-kilometer-long Nordvestfjord. The southern part of the fjord landscape is framed by steep cliffs, while the northern part slopes more gently.

Given its enormous size, it's not surprising that Scoresby Sund also includes several islands. The largest of these is Milne Land, with an area of ​​almost 4,000 square kilometers. It lies between the Ophjord and Fonfjorden.

The small village of Ittoqqortoormiit is considered a good starting point for a boat tour through the fjords. However, you can only get there by helicopter, boat, or snowmobile transfer from Constable Point Airport in eastern Greenland. Alternatively, multi-day fjord cruises are also offered from Iceland .

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