Drive it Yourself: Bergen to Balestrand on the E39
Visit Balestrand on the Sognefjord with this scenic drive from Bergen.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 1,300 / 61.1 degrees north
Balestrand, Norway
Located on the northern side of the Sognefjord, practically across the way from Flåm, Balestrand is a beautiful town that many choose to spend their time at. It is close to glaciers, hikes, fjord trips, and the Kviknes Hotel is one of the most magnificent hotels in Western Norway.
Fun Facts About Balestrand
Latitude: 61.1 degrees north
Population: 1,300
Sogndal Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Balestrand.
St. Olafs Church
St. Olaf’s Church is often nicknamed as the English Church. This is because in the latter half of the 19th century, Balestrand was a popular place for English tourists. One of these was the English clergyman’s daughter and climbing pioneer Margaret Sophia Green. She enjoyed the Norwegian mountains and in 1890 married Knut Kvikne, the innkeeper at Kviknes Hotel. Sadly, she contracted tuberculosis and died in 1894. On her deathbed, she told her husband that she had a dream that an English church would be built in Balestrand. So, Knut allocated a plot of land from the hotel and the church was built.
The church was built in 1897 as an imitation of a stave church. Today it is an Anglican church.
Norwegian Tourism Museum
The Norwegian Tourism Museum was newly built as the national museum for tourism. The building is cut into the bedrock. It traces the history of tourism in Norway and how tourism contributed to the establishment of many of the towns here.
Sognefjord Aquarium
The Sognefjord Aquarium has 100 different species of fish and sea animals found in the Sognefjord. There is also a cinema showing life in the Sognefjord and an exhibition on wood carving.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Please note – the links provided are affiliate links. We only recommend experiences that we have researched and/or tested and focus on providing unique, local things to do!
Hikes around Balestrand
There are several hiking trails around Balestrand, and you can pick up maps at the tourist office.
Balestrand Adventure
The local company Balestrand Adventure offers RIB safaris, fishing trips, hikes and cider tasting.
Fjord & Glacier Tour
There’s a great tour that will combine all of Balestrand’s into one. On the tour, you’ll visit the Fjærlandsfjord, Bøyabreen Glacier & Norwegian Glacier Museum.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Balestrand.
Sognefjellet Tourist Road
The Sognefjellet Tourist Road is one of the most unique roads in Norway and is often nicknamed “the roof over Norway”.
Gaularfjellet Tourist Road
Gaularfjellet is a mountain area that separates the traditional regions of Sogn and Sunnfjord. The mountains reach as high as 1,615 metres. The tourist road has been open since 1938 and is very popular because of the rapid transition from fjord to mountain. For many, though, it is still a well-kept secret as it is not as popular or well-known as the other tourist roads.
The road was established as a tourist road because of its high number of waterfalls but also the engineering that went into building a road over the mountains.
Stavanger to Sogndal on the Rv13
The road from Stavanger to Sogndal is one of the regional highways of Western Norway, but it could easily be classified as a national tourist road. Passing fjords, crossing mountains, and providing stops by waterfalls, glaciers and historic farms, the Rv13 is an incredibly stunning drive. You have the opportunity to cross historic roads or cut through modern tunnels. The Vikafjellet mountain crossing is one of the most impressive in the country. There are a number of stave churches along the way, too
Self-Guided Walks
We currently do not have any self-guided walks available in Balestrand.
Balestrand on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Balestrand.
Bergen to Balestrand on the E39
Watch this scenic drive from Bergen to Balestrand on the E39.
Uniquely Balestrand
Here are some things that you must do and try in Balestrand
Dragestil Architecture
Balestrand has some good examples of wooden buildings in the Dragestil style from the 1890s. The most important source of inspiration for dragestil was older Norwegian stave churches.
Viking Age Mounds
1km south of the town is the site of an excavation. The pair of mounds revealed remnants of a boat, two skeletons, jewellery and several weapons. One mound is topped with a statue of the legendary Viking King Bele, erected by Kaiser Wilhelm II.
History of Balestrand
Viking graves have been found at Balehaug. The statue of King Bele is placed on one of the mounds.
The Kviknes Hotel was established in 1877 and is run by the Kvikne family. The historic building is designed in the Swiss style and was the largest wooden building in Norway when it was completed. The newer building from the 1960s was built in concrete. Emperor Wilhelm II visited Balestrand and was a guest of the hotel. Because of the hotel, Balestrand has a long history with tourism.
Balestrand Today
Today Balestrand has schooling for all age groups. The upper secondary school, Sygna videragåande skule is a private, Christian school. One of the biggest companies in Balestrand is Nesseplast, one of Norway’s largest suppliers of Styrofoam.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport in Balestrand.
Drive: Balestrand is located on the Fv55, which runs along the northern side of the Sognefjord towards Sogndal and then to the Sognefjellet Tourist Road.
Train: No train access. The closest train is in Flåm.
Ferry: The coastal ferry does not call at Aurland, but there are local ferries connecting Balestrand to other fjord communities.
Getting Around
Balestrand is a small town, so you can walk around easily.
Shops
Places to Eat
Since Alta is surrounded by excellent fishing and hunting opportunities, the local food here is fantastic. It’s also a great place to try reindeer meat.
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Ciderhuset is not high end, but it is a Norwegian must if you are coming to Balestrand. It’s a fruit farm that produces its own ciders, jams and juices. You can take part in a tour and tasting session, or just visit the shop. There’s a lovely restaurant for lunch, too.
Places to Stay
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Lodges
Chains & Mid-Range
Balestrand Hotel is a small family hotel in a modern block.
Click here to view rates & book
Balestrand Fjord Apartments is a lovely property in the centre of town.
High End & Unique Properties
Kviknes Hotel is the top choice in town, but it does come at a price. However, the hotel is on the list of historic hotels in Norway and in many ways is the reason for Balestrand’s popularity, so it’s worth spending the money to stay there.
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