Life here balances tradition with a forward-looking spirit. Agriculture is still visible – you’ll see sheep grazing, green roofs on old farm buildings, and roadside stands selling berries in summer. In fact, farming, forestry and even some fruit growing (yes, those steep hillsides produce apples!) are mainstays of the local economy. Stryn farmers also diversified into niches like goat cheese and cider brewing – part of the proud Nordfjord food culture. Fur animal breeding was historically done here too (mink/fox farming), though it has declined in recent years.

On the industrial side, there are small manufacturing and textile businesses, often family-owned. For example, outdoor clothing brand Skogstad was founded in Innvik (Stryn) in 1937 and is now a nationwide brand – you can visit their factory outlet in Olden.

Another local company, Ricco Vero, started making knitwear here and grew into a fashion label.

And of course, Moods of Norway, the whimsical fashion brand known for its colourful suits and waffle-iron patterns, had its headquarters and design workshop in Stryn (literally in a cellar in town) during its heyday. While Moods’ initial company went bankrupt in 2017, its legacy remains part of Stryn’s modern identity – a testament to creative entrepreneurship blossoming in a “tiny fjord village”.

Tourism is arguably the most significant economic driver today. Stryn is the most visited municipality in Western Norway outside the big cities, which means many locals work in hospitality, guiding, transport and retail. In summer, the town buzzes with visitors stocking up at the supermarket or outdoor gear shops before heading into the wilderness.

Culturally, Stryn and Nordfjord have their dialect and traditions. You might hear the cheerful local greeting “Hei og hoppsann!” and notice the melodic accent. Festivals include events such as the Stryn Summer Ski Festival, often a late-spring celebration on the slopes featuring live music, as well as local food markets that celebrate traditions like lefse (potato flatbread) and smoked salmon. The town also has an active sports scene – besides football (Stryn IL is the local club), there are alpine skiing clubs and even eSports for youth. Modern amenities are not lacking: Stryn has schools, a medical centre, shops, and even a new culture house for concerts and movies. Still, don’t expect big-city nightlife – evening entertainment might be a pub quiz at a hotel bar or a quiet fjordside bonfire under the stars.

Sogndal is an education centre from the region and students come from all over Norway to be educated here. The Western Norwegian University of Applied Sciences is one of the main employers in Sogndal, and the Western Norwegian Research Institute is located within the campus. Sogndal also has the oldest continuously running folk high school in the country.

The Kaupanger Industrial Park is a major employer with several food companies located there, such as Gilde – the meat processing company. Sogndal is also the largest shopping centre for the region.

The Sogndal football team is a popular team to follow in Norway.

The town is a commercial hub for the municipality and has several industries and is a shopping hub. There’s also schooling and even an opera house here.

Nordfjordeid is a growing tourist destination because of its close proximity to famous villages and fjords. Nordfjord has recently opened up for cruise ship tourism, and in 2022 there were 57 ships calling there.

Today Ulvik is a small community. 

Odda has a local hospital and also a secondary school. Odda is primarily an industrial location.