Balestrand

Balestrand is a small village on the northern shore of the Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, in the western fjord region. Set where the Esefjord meets the main fjord and backed by mountains, it has drawn painters since the 19th century and remains one of the more atmospheric places to break a fjord journey. It suits travellers who want a quiet, scenic base in the heart of the Sognefjord.

Further down the page, our destination guide answers the most common questions about visiting Balestrand.

What is Balestrand known for?

Balestrand is known as an artists' village. From the mid-19th century, landscape painters including Hans Gude, Hans Dahl and the English watercolourist Alfred Heaton Cooper were drawn to the light and scenery here, and their work helped make the Sognefjord a destination for early tourists. That heritage is still visible in the village's distinctive timber villas, many built in the "Swiss style" popular at the time, and in the historic Kviknes Hotel, which has hosted guests since 1877 and holds a notable collection of art and antiques. The small St Olaf's Church, an English-style stave-church imitation from 1897, and the Norwegian Museum of Travel and Tourism are both here.

How long do you need in Balestrand?

Balestrand works well as an overnight stop rather than a long stay. A night is usually enough to walk the waterfront, see the church and take in the fjord setting, with a second night if you want to slow the pace or use it as a base for boat trips deeper into the Sognefjord. Its main role for most travellers is as a scenic staging point on a longer fjord route.

What is there to do around Balestrand?

The fjord itself is the draw. From Balestrand you can take boat trips along the arms of the Sognefjord, including toward Fjærland and its glacier country at the edge of the Jostedalsbreen icefield, home to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Just outside the village, the Ciderhuset serves food built around its own apple orchard, a reflection of the fruit-growing tradition of inner Sognefjord. The surrounding mountains offer walking with wide views over the water. For where the region's scenery is at its best, read about Norway's most popular fjord views.

How do you get to Balestrand?

Balestrand sits on the Sognefjord and is most easily reached by boat, with express-boat connections along the fjord toward Bergen and other fjord villages, and by road through the western fjord landscape. It combines naturally with the wider Sognefjord and with rail and fjord routes through the region: see our Highlights of Sognefjord journey. For more on the country, browse our Norway travel articles.