Balestrand

Balestrand is a historic Norwegian town with a well-preserved old town centre, featuring traditional white wooden houses, cobbled streets, and a rich maritime heritage. The town offers a relaxed atmosphere with cosy cafés, boutique shopping, and easy access to beautiful coastal or fjord landscapes. Its history is visible in the architecture, museums, and local traditions that define the character of this appealing destination.

By Car / Road

Balestrand is accessible by road. Buses connect to nearby cities and towns. Local roads are well-maintained but may be narrow in rural areas. Driving offers the most flexibility for exploring the surrounding region.

The town centre is compact and walkable. Local buses cover the wider area. Taxis are available through Norgestaxi or local taxi companies. For exploring the surrounding region, a rental car is recommended.

St Olavs Church

( The English church ),

☏

+47 57 69 16 17 .

Anglican church built in 1897 with Norwegian stave churches as a model.

Free admission .  

Sognefjord Aquarium ,

☏

+47 57 69 13 03 .

01 May–15 Sep 09:00–19:00 .

A small aquarium with examples of sealife found in the fjord. There are no English descriptions in the exhibit but they do have an English brochure at the front desk.

Adults: kr   70, Children: kr   35 .  

Kvamsøy church ,

Kvamsøy island

( 10 km (6 mi) south of Balestrand ).

Medieval church built in the 13th century. An appointment is needed to visit the church.  

The golden House

( Det gylne hus ),

☏

+47 915 62 842 ,

[email protected] .

Open daily in the summer .

Art gallery.  

Haukaas Enamel workshop ,

Dragsvik ,

☏

+47 57 69 14 19 ,

[email protected] .

Open all year .

An appointment is needed to visit the workshop.

There is a nature trail up the hill from Balestrand and numerous other marked hikes go through the woods and along ridges up to the tops of mountains with plenty of great views of the fjord. Some can be turned into very long circular routes (about 8 hours). Maps and more information for these can be obtained from the tourist information office or your hotel reception.

There are some trips on small boats out into the fjord as well as the regular large daily ferries to Fjærland Glacier and Vik stave church.

Cars can be rented from Kviknes hotel in Balestrand or from one of the larger towns nearby. One of the National tourist routes of Norway runs from Balestrand along some smaller fjords and up into the Gaularfjell mountains a truly beautiful road and landscape. Bicycles can also be rented from Balestrand tourist information.

Balejazz .

08–10 May 2015 .

Jazz festival.

Most people eat in their hotels, which have excellent restaurants or meals included.

Cafes and bars in the town centre serve coffee, wine, and local beverages. Regional wines and spirits are worth sampling.

Kviknes Hotel ,

Kviknevegen 8 ,

☏

+47 57 69 42 00 ,

fax : +47 57694201 ,

[email protected] .

A beautiful Swiss chalet-style hotel located right near the boat terminus. Over the years, a number of celebrities have stayed there. Excellent views of the fjord and mountains. Breakfast and dinner usually included.  

Midtnes Hotel ,

Kong Beles veg 33 ,

☏

+47 57 69 42 40 ,

fax : +47 57691584 ,

[email protected] .

Guesthouse with friendly staff and excellent views of the fjord from the breakfast room. They don't take cards, so be sure you have enough cash.

Single: kr   790-950, Double: kr   850-1290 .  

Kringsjå Hotell

( Balestrand Hostel / Vandrerhjem ),

Lærargata 9 ,

☏

+47 57 69 13 03 ,

[email protected] .

Dorm: kr   290, Double: kr   890-990 (10% discount with HI membership) .  

Balestrand Hotel ,

Kong Beles veg 41 ,

☏

+47 57 69 11 38 ,

[email protected] .

Open 12 May–07 Sep 2014.

Single: kr   700-850, Double: kr   1040-1340 .  

Sjøtun Camping ,

Sjøtunsvegen 1 ,

☏

+47 950 67 261 ,

[email protected] .

Tent: kr   110 + 30 per person, Cabin: kr   300-400 + 30 per person, Bed linen: kr   60 .  

Veganeset C

For groceries, there are Coop and Joker shops both less than 5 minutes walking distance from the ferry terminal.

Route 13 towards Førde via Gaularfjellet mountain pass, national tourist route.

Route 55 to Sogndal is a scenic drive along the fjord.

By boat to Fjærland to see the glacier. This is a beautiful voyage in the narrow fjord, surrounded by high mountains. Advanced booking is recommended, but not necessary. The route is operated by

Fjord1 ,

☏

+47 55907070 .

 

Routes through Balestrand

Stavanger

←

Voss

←

  S     N  

→ Gaularfjellet mt pass →

Førde

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