Balestrand Holidays

Balestrand village surrounded by lush scenery

The famous Flam railway

Balestrand scenery

View of Balestrand from across the fjord

Fjaerland excursion from Baletstrand

Balestrand village

Sognefjord views

train-station,-Fjaerland-near-Balestrand.jpg

Scenic train journey from Flam to Myrdal

Stroll along or sit and admire the views from the promenade in Balestrand

A fjord favourite on the majestic Sognefjord

The enchanting little village of Balestrand lies on a scenic promontory of orchards and farmland on the northern shores of the famous Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord stretching over 200km. Balestrand’s mesmerising backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains and panoramic vistas has been captivating travellers for over a century. With buses and express boats operating in all directions, Balestrand is a perfect base for exploring and the Flåm railway, Fjærland ferry and Jøstedal Glacier are just some of the notable attractions. There is also much opportunity to simply relax amidst the peaceful surroundings or enjoying the superb scenery from a bicycle or row boat. Balestrand also gives you access to spectacular walking territory with trails rising behind the village to the peaks and lakes of the plateau beyond.

Why not try the Fjord Explorer or Taste of Norway multi-centre holidays that stop in Balestrand? Or Highlights of the Fjords for an escorted tour. Our brand new escorted tour, Bergen to Oslo Fjord Experience, has a scenic journey to Balestrand.

Boat to Flam | 10 Aug 2018 | Inghams

200 rooms

Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand, Norway - exterior.jpg

This wonderfully atmospheric historic hotel dates back to 1752. Today with its modern amenities, and attentive personal service it remains one of Fjord Norway’s best loved, family-run properties. As you walk through the hotel there are many historic art pieces and antiques that are on show for guests to admire, with the majority of these having been collected by generations of the Kviknes family.

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33 rooms

Midtnes Hotel, Balestrand, Norway - main building (white).jpg

A small, homely hotel with a relaxed atmosphere, attentive personal service from your host, Jon, and panoramic views. The Midtnes is located in a peaceful spot just next door to St. Olaf's Church and enjoys its own fjord side garden as well as offers panoramic fjord views from its sun terrace. Guests here are sure of a warm welcome.

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Useful Information

Information about Balestrand
Resort Code	NOBA
Languages spoken	Norwegian
Time difference	GMT+1
Currency	NOK
Latitude	61.202995
Longitude	6.525523

Meet Your Rep

Meet & greet service from a local tour guide, with a phone service and introduction to Balestrand.

Travel and Transportation

Transfer approx. 4hrs by bus/boat from Bergen Airport

Car hire available: No

Evening resort bus service: No

Local bus services:

Parking available: Yes

Resort Ski bus available: No

Excursions

Explore the local area independently, at your own pace, with these recommended day trips that can be booked at the local Tourist Office:

(All prices shown for guidance)

Fjærland Ferry and Jøstedal Glacier

£79 - full or half day - daily

The glacial arms of the Jøstedalsbreen, Europe's largest ice plateau, can be visited from the Nordfjord and Sognefjord - the Kjenndal, Bodal Valley and Briskdal glaciers are featured from Loen, and the Supphellbreen and Boyabreen from Balestrand as part of this excursion. Visit these areas of awe-inspiring natural beauty and get up close to the dramatic ice-blue landscapes.

Enjoy a highly scenic return boat trip along Fjaerlandsfjord to this small community of great natural beauty including a visit to its fascinating Glacier Museum and to the foot of the Supphellbreen and Boyabreen Glaciers. A shorter half day version visiting only one glacier is available daily.

Vik by Boat

£29 - twice weekly - partially guided

Travel by express boat across the majestic Sognefjord to the village of Vik. This excursion includes a guided tour of the beautiful Hopperstad Stave Church.

Sognefjord and Flåm Railway

£99 - full day - daily - (high season) mid-June to mid-August

This excursion combines a majestic return cruise up the Sognefjord and a trip on the spectacular Flåm railway which takes you through fantastic scenery - steep mountains, breathtaking waterfalls and 20 tunnels. There are also stops at viewpoints along the way, in this one hour journey to Myrdal. Taking the Flåm railway back down to the town of Flåm, there will be another cruise journey along to Sognefjord to get back to your hotel.

Flåm railway via Vik & Voss

£99 - full day - daily - (low season) mid-May to mid-June & mid-August to end of season

Travelling by boat, bus and train through Voss and the Vikafjell mountains, to arrive at Myrdal ready to catch the infamous Flåm railway down to Flåm. Returning to Balestrand by an express boat along the gorgeous Sognefjord.

Sognefjord Aquarium

£7 - daily

Norwegian Tourism Museum

£8 - daily

Resort Combination

Enjoy Balestrand as a single-centre with holidays available from 3 nights to 14 nights (Monday and Friday departures)

Fjord Explorer 12 days (4 centres) Balestrand - Loen - Ålesund
Taste of Norway 8 days (2 centre) Bergen - Balestrand
Highlights of the Fjords 12 days (4 centre escorted tour) Bergen - Balestrand - Loen - Ålesund
Bergen to Oslo Fjord Experience 7 days (3 centre) Bergen - Balestrand - Oslo

Things To Do

Sognefjord Aquarium with fjord fish and wildlife
Travel and Tourism museum now open in Balestrand centre
Boat trips and fjord cruise along the Sognefjord to Flåm, Vik plus more
Kayaking and lake swimming
Gentle walks from the village
Several Stave Churches at Vik and Urnes
Cycling with bike hire available from the tourist office
RIB boat trips
Cider farm in Balestrand
Local public buses run to outlying villages such as Dragsvik and Sogndal
Cinema
Arboretum and enamel workshop in Dragsvik
Quaint cafes and cake shops in the village

Experience More

Meet & greet service from a local tour guide, with a phone service and introduction to Balestrand.

Walking

Popular walks in and aroaund Balestrand include:

Easy: Balestrand has a few gentle half to full day trips from nearby Kreklingen, including the Heritage trail and the Nature trail, which are the easiest from the selection.

Moderate: For bit more of a challenge try one of the blue trails, which are steeper and take you higher for better views.

Slightly Challenging: Or for a day out, head to Dragsvik either by ferry or walk around the Esefjord (approx. 2hrs each way). From the lookout in Dragsvik, you have a view over 3 fjord branches.

Enjoy the best of the Norwegian fjord’s glorious and diverse scenery in this 4-centre group tour, escorted by a knowledgeable guide throughout. Designed as an excellent introduction to Norway for those wishing to see the spectacular fjords, mountains, glaciers and lakes in four contrasting destinations.

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Ideal as a taste of this beautiful country for those wishing to explore independently. Starting in Bergen, you’ll have time to explore this vibrant city known as the ‘Gateway of the Fjords’, before transferring by scenic express boat to the serene fjordside village of Balestrand on the Sognefjord, before returning to Bergen for your flight home.

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The small, authentic city of Stavanger is home to the Lysefjord, the impressive Pulpit Rock and some of southern Norway’s best walking terrain, whilst vibrant Bergen with its historic colourful Bryggen Wharf and Fløiban funicular is a must for most visitors to the fjords.

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A highly recommended combination encompassing the best scenery the Fjord Norway region has to offer – starting in the fjordside village of Balestrand on the mighty Sognefjord, you will have an opportunity to travel on the famous Flåm railway or visit Fjaerland with its Glacier Museum. From here, your included transfer will take you over the magical Gauler Mountains to Loen on the Nordfjord with its spectacular glacier and sparkling lakes.

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