Population 15,875 / 60.4 degrees north

Voss, Norway

Located 100km (62 mi) east of Bergen along the E16, Voss has long been a destination for travellers looking for an outdoors vacation. The town is also located midway between the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord, and is a major transportation hub for travellers heading east out of Bergen. Today, Voss is known as a ski resort in winter and a centre for extreme sports year round.

Fun Facts About Voss

Latitude: 60.4 degrees north

Population: 15,875

Hottest Month: July

Coldest Month: January

Wettest Month: December

Windiest Month: January

 

Voss has produced some of Norway’s greatest athletes. With a total of 98 medals from world championships and Olympic Games, Voss has more medals per capita than any other place in the world.

Voss Municipality

In this Travel Guide...

Things to See & Do

Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Voss.

Voss Folkemuseum

This museum consists of a number of historic homes and farms, with the main attraction being a hilltop farm at Mølster, high above Voss. The collection of 16 farm buildings here were once typical of the region and date from 1600 to 1870. 

Vang Church

Voss’ stone church is built on the site of an old pagan temple. A Gothic-style stone church was built here in the mid 13th century and although the stone altar and unique wooden spire remain, the Lutheran Reformation saw the removal of many original features. The building escaped destruction of German bombing in 1940.

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!

Skiing!

Voss is a perfect place for skiing in the winter and has lots of tracks off different difficulties. There are two ski resorts: The Myrkdalen Mountain Resort and the Voss Resort.

Voss Gondola

The Voss Gondola takes you from Voss train station to Mount Hanguren in less than 9 minutes. There are incredible views at the top plus hiking and ski trails. There is also a restaurant at the top.

Hiking Opportunities

Voss is rich in Viking options. One of the most popular hikes is to Kiellandbu, which starts about 30 minutes out of Voss. 

Road-Trips

Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Voss.

The E16 from Oslo to Bergen

Follow this self-guided trip between Oslo and Bergen on the E16, one of the major highways in the country. The road is built close to where the historic postal road from the 17th century went, and parts of the old road are still visible and today a hiking trail. That’s why along the way you’ll see stave churches and runestones. There’s also some charming towns and local markets to stop at, turning a long drive into an exciting one!

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

Follow one of our self-guided walks around Voss. 

Voss on YouTube

Watch our YouTube videos featuring Voss. 

Uniquely Voss

Here are some things that you must try in Voss!

Extreme Sports Week

Voss is known as Norway’s extreme sports capital and every year there is a festival week dedicated to extreme sports.

VossVind

This centre gives you the feeling of jumping out of a plane without actually doing it!

Smalahove

Voss is known for its traditional Norwegian cuisine. Visit the 18th century farm Smalahovetunet to taste some local specialties. The highlight is smalahove – sheeps head that has been salt-cured, smoked and cooked. It is unique to Voss.

History of Voss

According to legend, the people of Voss were forcibly converted to Christianity by King Olav, who later became Saint Olav.

After the German invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940, Voss was the main point of mobilisation for the Norwegian Army in the west, since Bergen had already fallen on 9 April. From Bergen and the Hardangerfjord, the Nazis met stiff Norwegian resistance. To break down the resistance, the Luftwaffe bombed Voss on 23 and 24 April, and the surrounding countryside on 25 April. Nine people lost their lives in the bombing, which completely destroyed the old wooden town centre.

Voss Today

Today Voss is an important communications and trade centre for Western Norway. 

Travel Information

Getting Here

Fly: No airport access.

Drive: Voss is located on the E16 highway, which is the main highway between Oslo and Bergen. Voss is about 90 minutes by car from Bergen.

Voss is also on the Rv7 from Hardangervidda, the Rv13 from Granvin.

Train: Voss is a central stop on the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen. There are also local trains running between Voss and Bergen.

Ferry: No ferry access. 

Getting Around

Shops

Places to Eat

Cafes & Bakeries

Quick Bites

Vang Cafe has excellent lunch options. 

Reasonable Restaurants

Tre Bror is a popular pub and restaurant.

High End & Unique Eats

Places to Stay

All our hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. We don’t recommend somewhere unless we think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences. 

Campgrounds & Hostels

Voss Camping is the best of the budget options. Most Norwegians will choose a cabin over a hotel.

Tvinde Camping is located outside of Voss but besides the famous Tvindefossen waterfall.

Voss Hostel has reasonable rates with linen and breakfast included. 

Click here to view rates & book

Guesthouses & BnBs

 

Chains & Mid-Range

Park Hotel Vossevangen is in a reasonable spot and has a number of great restaurants around it. 

Click here to view rates & book

Scandic Voss is a large chain hotel located within the gondola and train station complex. The hotel is brand new and is right in the centre of town.

Click here to view rates & book

High End & Unique Properties

Store Ringheim Hotell og Restaurant is a boutique hotel in a historic farmhouse just outside Voss centre. 

Click here to view rates & book

Fleischers Hotel is the main historic hotel in Voss.

This hotel was built in 1889 and looks antique, with its striking façade and turrets, supplemented by a modern extension. Unfortunately rooms are stuck in the olden days.

The hotel was completed in 1889 in the Swiss Style. The name ‘Fleischer’ comes from a well-known family who have lived in Voss for many generations.

The Fleischer family have been in Voss for a long time. In the 1720s Christian VI of Denmark-Norway needed money, so he sold the church at Vossevangen. The Flesicher family acquired the church.

Click here to view rates & book

Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages

January

Sunrise: 9:27am

Sunset: 3:39pm

Average Temperature: -2C (28F)

February

Sunrise: 8:16am

Sunset: 5:21pm

Average Temperature: -2C (28F)

March

Sunrise: 6:50am

Sunset: 6:37pm

Average Temperature: 1C (34F)

April

Sunrise: 6:14am

Sunset: 8:55pm

Average Temperature: 5C (41F)

May

Sunrise: 4:51am

Sunset: 10:12pm

Average Temperature: 10C (50F)

June

Sunrise: 4:03am

Sunset: 11:07pm

Average Temperature: 13C (56F)

July

Sunrise: 4:32am

Sunset: 10:46pm

Average Temperature: 16C (61F)

August

Sunrise: 5:46am

Sunset: 9:29pm

Average Temperature: 15C (59F)

September

Sunrise: 7:02am

Sunset: 7:54pm

Average Temperature: 11C (52F)

October

Sunrise: 8:16am

Sunset: 6:22pm

Average Temperature: 6C (42F)

November

Sunrise: 8:37am

Sunset: 3:59pm

Average Temperature: 2C (35F)

December

Sunrise: 9:38am

Sunset: 3:21pm

Average Temperature: -2C (29F)

All Posts About Voss

Voss Photo Diary

Here are photos from my various trips to Voss.