Located on the west coast of Norway, Måløy is an important fishing town and port area. The town was founded in the 19th century based on the rich nearby fisheries and has slowly transitioned into a base for the oil and gas industry. However, Måløy is also surrounded by some spectacular scenery and has some interesting places to visit.
Fun Facts About Måløy
Latitude: 61.9 degrees north
Population: 3,282
Hottest Month: August
Coldest Month: February
Wettest Month: October
Windiest Month: December
Kinn Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Måløy
MålØy Raid Centre
The Måløy Raid Centre is a museum with exhibitions about the Måløy riad, explaining in detail what happened here during the war.
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Kråkenes Lighthouse
Kråkenes Lighthouse is located about 40km out of Måløy and makes for an interesting place to spend the day. The road itself is impressive and has some nice places to stop at along the way.
Refviksanden
Refviksanden is a white-sand beach and a great place if you want to go swimming in the cold water!
Selja Island
Close to Måløy is the island of Selja, where the historic Selja monastery is located. The monastery and church date back to the 11th century and was the site where Saint Sunniva, the saint of Western Norway, was crushed in a cave while hiding from the pagans. The site has been an important pilgrimage place for 1000 years.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Måløy
Otta to Måløy on the Rv15
The Rv15 is a fantastic highway to know when road-tripping through Western Norway. The major tourist roads in some way connect to the Rv15, which runs from Otta in the east to Måløy on the west coast. The scenery is dramatic; steep mountain peaks, gorgeous fjords, and historic valleys. There are a number of important historic sites here, such as Lom Stave Church and the Viking discoveries near Nordfjordeid, so be sure to take your time and enjoy all the possible detours. While an ancient road has been here for hundreds of years, the modern road was completed in stages between the 1920s and the 1990s. Part of the highway replaces the historic trade road Gamle Strynfjellsvegen, which today is a tourist road.
Here are some things that you must do and try in Måløy
Street Art
Måløy is famous for its street art. In total there are over 20 murals within walking distance of the city centre.
History of Måløy
Måløy was founded as a trading centre on the island of Moldøen. As trade flourished the town eventually moved to the larger island of Vågsøy. Måløy is sheltered from the notorious open stretch of sea called Stad, so boats would often wait here until the weather calmed down before making the journey.
During World War II, Måløy was used as a German coastal fortress, which led to the eradication of all settlement on the island Moldøen to make room for the fortress.
Operation Archery took place here in December 1941. Operation Archery was a British Combined Operations raid during World War II against German positions in Måløy. A dozen Norwegians also participated in the raid, with the captain Martin Linge dying during the raid.
In the town square is a monument remembering all the locals who died during World War II. There is also a memorial to Martin Linge, the only Norwegian who died during Operation Archery.
Måløy Today
Today Måløy is one of the most important fishing ports in Norway.
Few streets in Måløy are named; most, especially the one on the hill, are numbered.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport access.
Drive: Måløy is located at the western end of the Rv15 highway
Train: No train access
Ferry: Norled operates express boats from Bergen. Måløy is a port of call on Norway’s coastal ferry, with both the northbound and southbound ferries stopping in the early hours of the morning.
Getting Around
There is public transportation in Måløy, but it’s recommended to use a car to get to all the attractions outside the city centre.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Snorre Sjømat is a seafood bar and a very popular place to eat in town.
Reasonable Restaurants
Kraftstasjonen is a bistro that specialises in seafood, though they have other options too.
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
Camping
Steinvik Camping is close to Måløy and overlooks the ocean.
Cabins & B&Bs
Chains & Mid-Range
Torget Hotel is a stylish hotel in what used to be a canning factory.
High End & Unique Properties
Kråkenes Lighthouse is a high-end guesthouse for those who want a unique place to stay.
All Posts About Måløy
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 9:44am
Sunset: 3:53pm
Average Temperature: 4C (38F)
February
Sunrise: 8:26am
Sunset: 5:21pm
Average Temperature: 3C (38F)
March
Sunrise: 6:55am
Sunset: 6:42pm
Average Temperature: 4C (39F)
April
Sunrise: 6:15am
Sunset: 9:05pm
Average Temperature: 6C (43F)
May
Sunrise: 4:45am
Sunset: 10:28pm
Average Temperature: 9C (47F)
June
Sunrise: 3:50am
Sunset: 11:30pm
Average Temperature: 11C (52F)
July
Sunrise: 4:24am
Sunset: 11:05pm
Average Temperature: 14C (57F)
August
Sunrise: 5:45am
Sunset: 9:40pm
Average Temperature: 15C (58F)
September
Sunrise: 7:06am
Sunset: 8:01pm
Average Temperature: 13C (55F)
October
Sunrise: 8:24am
Sunset: 6:24pm
Average Temperature: 9C (49F)
November
Sunrise: 8:51am
Sunset: 3:56pm
Average Temperature: 7C (44F)
December
Sunrise: 9:57am
Sunset: 3:11pm
Average Temperature: 4C (39F)
Måløy Photo Diary
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