Norway in a Nutshell… in a nutshell
Here’s my complete guide to the popular Norway in a Nutshell daytrip!
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
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.
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.
High End & Unique Properties
Store Ringheim Hotell og Restaurant is a boutique hotel in a historic farmhouse just outside Voss centre.
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.
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
Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Bergen on the E16
View our guide to the scenic drive between Bergen and Oslo.
Drive it Yourself: Voss to Eidfjord
Spending some time in the fjords? Take this scenic drive between Voss and Eidfjord in Hardanger.
Drive it Yourself: Flåm to Bergen on the E16
Here is a guide to the highway between Flåm and Bergen – the E16!
Drive it Yourself: the Hardangervidda Tourist Road
Cross the Hardangervidda Plateau on this scenic mountain pass turned tourist road.
20 of the Best Traditional Norwegian Foods to Try
My overview of the essential traditional foods to try
Voss Photo Diary
Here are photos from my various trips to Voss.