Traditional farmhouses meet modern comfort in Norway's exclusive manor houses. Book a stay and enjoy rural hospitality at its best.
Extraordinary country getaways
Need a little break from reality?
Imagine spending a few days in quiet and peaceful surroundings. No stress. No interruptions. Except maybe from a cute cat that wants to cuddle!
All over the country, traditional farms and manor houses have been transformed into fashionable accommodation just waiting to be explored.
Old, historic buildings with stories to tell …
... where traditions meet modern comfort and chic design …
... offering excellent opportunities to pamper yourself, too!
Enjoy local food straight from the farm, grown and prepared by loving hands.
Take a moment to appreciate life as you share an unforgettable meal with your loved ones.
Comfort in the countryside
"High-end farmhouse holidays in Norway are a treasure trove of culinary, historic, natural and cultural experiences," says Edda Espeland, freelance journalist and editor.
Espeland has written about some of the grandest manor houses in Norway. She says that the common denominator is often a combination of tradition, innovation, and local culture.
"Some manor houses arrange concerts and theatre performances that are based on local culture and history. Others have opened museums or offer nature activities such as kayaking, climbing, skiing, and cycling", she says.
It's wonderful to be greeted by friendly hosts who make every effort to ensure you have a relaxing break from everyday life. Enjoy locally sourced food and learn more about the area's food and drink traditions. Even though you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle, you may be surprised by how easy it is to get to rural accommodation by train, bus, or car.
Espeland’s recommendations
Start planning! Get inspired by what Espeland considers the finest manor houses in Norway, each offering a unique experience.
Engø Gård Hotell & Restaurant
Where: Tjøme in Eastern Norway
At Engø Gård in Tjøme, you can enjoy exquisite cuisine, elegant rooms, afternoon tea and one of the finest bathhouses in the country. Stroll along the shore, join a lobster safari or enjoy a game on the private tennis court.
While you’re here:
A short drive away, you’ll find Verdens Ende (“The End of the World”). It's worth a visit for its iconic lighthouse, built with pebbles from local beaches. It is also great for fishing, hiking and a dip in the sea. Check out the restaurant at the top, too.
29/2 Aurland
Where: Aurland in Western Norway
29/2 Aurland is a modern boutique hotel right between the fjord and the mountains, ten minutes from the village of Flåm in Western Norway. Historically, Aurland was characterised by a combination of humble farmers and English aristocrats who came here to fish salmon. Today, you will find that this charming town is now also home to trendy, innovative architecture and street art.
29/2 Aurland has eight individually decorated rooms. How about spending the night in the Fisherman’s Cabin, or the Goat Barn, a converted traditional cog-jointed smokehouse with a modern twist. Try locally produced treats such as goat salami, delicious baked goods, raspberry juice, and more.
While you're here:
The hotel is a great starting point for hiking trips in the Aurlandsdalen valley. Explore the village of Aurland and snap a few pictures from the Stegastein viewing platform.
Aurland
29/2 Aurland
Valbjør Gard
Where: Vågå in Eastern Norway
Valbjør Gard can be traced back to the Viking Age. It is beautifully situated in a cultural landscape around 700 metres above sea level. The sheltered courtyard consists of 13 timber buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The hosts run an organic farm that produces goat’s milk and sheep milk, among other things. In the farm shop you can buy the farm's own goat brie, goat sausages and local handicrafts.
While you’re here:
Valbjør Gard is the perfect starting point for hiking and cycling in Jotunheimen. In Vågå, five kilometres away, you can participate in an Edvard Munch hiking tour and visit Vågå church, which dates back to the 1100s.
Hovelsrud Gård
Where: Ringsaker in Eastern Norway
Hovelsrud Gård is a true gem of a holiday spot. Situated on Helgøya island in Lake Mjøsa, you can spend the night in its rustic barn Sommerfjøset next to the beach. Go for a stroll among fruit trees, pavilions and fountains in the beautiful garden, which has been kept in its original style since 1840. The farm has its own organic vegetables, chickens, and grain production. It was the first chicken producer in the country to be awarded the animal welfare label Dyrevernmerket.
While you're here:
Norway’s largest inland island Helgøya in Lake Mjøsa is shaped like a big heart. Visit the farm café Skafferiet for a delicious lunch in picturesque surroundings. You can also challenge yourself among the treetops in the Helgøya climbing park. Check out all the incredible farms by the lake.
Nes På HedmarkenHovelsrud farm - Historic garden
Book nowNes På HedmarkenVilla Leonore – Hovelsrud farm
Book nowNes På HedmarkenHavrebakken holiday cottage – Hovelsrud farm
Book nowNes På HedmarkenHovelsrud farm’s summer barn
Haaheim Gaard
Where: Tysnes in Western Norway
Situated an hour and a half south of Bergen, Haaheim Gaard in Sunnhordland offers 21 traditionally decorated rooms with sea views, including a few suites with a private sauna. This stately manor house is surrounded by a lush cultural garden with a chapel, rose bushes and fruit trees. The farm shop has a good selection of local flavours. Its gardener creates lavish food trays with fruit, vegetables, berries, and herbs. Haaheim Gaard arranges concerts, wine and beer tasting, and large dinner events made with local food throughout the year.
While you're here:
A stay at Haaheim Gaard can be combined with activities such as RIB safaris, fishing, hiking and mountain biking.
Herangtunet Boutique Hotel
Where: Valdres in Eastern Norway
You find the wonderful Herangtunet Boutique Hotel on a hill in the forest between Fagernes and Beitostølen in Valdres. It combines a traditional barn with a peat roof combined with modern design and exclusive vintage furniture. The hotel has five rooms and four suites, all of which are individually furnished. With a different city and country theme in each room, it is almost like checking in to another part of the world. A superb restaurant and a welcoming host make Herangtunet an exceptional hotel experience.
While you're here:
Go for a short drive to Beitostølen, where you can go dog sledding on wheels, canoe paddling, or 'packrafting', a cross between paddling and rafting.
Boen Gård
Where: Kristiansand in Southern Norway
The recently restored Boen Gård exudes luxury and tranquillity. The farm has 18 large, bright rooms plus common rooms and cabins, all of which are stylishly decorated with stoves, furniture and art from the time the farm was built. The organic kitchen is 80 percent self-sufficient with fruit and vegetables from the garden. This elegant farmhouse is surrounded by an extensive park with grazing sheep and lamb.
While you're here:
The forests around Boen Gård offer fabulous hiking and fishing opportunities. The lively summer city of Kristiansand offers plenty of shopping, restaurants and culture just 20 minutes away.
Nordre Ekre Gardshotell
Where: Heidal in Eastern Norway
This family-owned farm Nordre Ekre is located in the mountain village of Heidal, close to Gudbrandsdalen. The farm has seven uniquely decorated rooms. In the barn, you’ll find a library and a restaurant that serves divine home-cooked meals based on local ingredients.
While you're here:
The national parks Jotunheimen and Rondane are practically around the corner, which makes Nordre Ekre an excellent base for outdoor adventure. The cheese maker Heidal Ysteri has a small but tasty selection of cheeses. You can also stop by to try its rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge).
Bortistu Gjestegard
Where: Storlidalen in Trøndelag
Bortistu Gjestegard is situated in the middle of the Trollheimen mountains in the Storlidalen valley in Oppdal. In 2000, its barn was transformed into a modern country house. Bortistu has a long tradition of farm operations. Its signature smoked lamb dish has been certified as a speciality by Matmerk (the Norwegian Food Branding Foundation).
While you're here:
Storlidalen is a paradise for fishing, cycling and hiking. Trekanten in Trollheimen – the hike between Gjevilvasshytta, Trollheimshytta and Jøldalshytta – is on the Norwegian Trekking Association’s (DNT) list of the most popular mountain hikes in the country.
Sygard Grytting
Where: Sør-Fron in Eastern Norway
Sygard Grytting has been welcoming visitors for over 700 years and remains a fully operational farm in the middle of Gudbrandsdalen. Today, its offers twelve individually decorated rooms and scrumptious meals in a historic setting. With a medieval hostel from around 1300, Sygard Grytting is a natural stop for pilgrims on their way to Trondheim. Today's hosts are 16th generation owners.
While you're here:
Satisfy your cravings at the award-winning Annis sausage factory in Ringebu and at Øyens home bakery, where you can enjoy flatbread baked to perfection using grandma's recipe.
Sør-fronDining at Sygard Grytting
Sør-fronSygard Grytting - historic hotel
Gammel-Kleppe
Where: Vågå in Eastern Norway
Gammel-Kleppe in Vågå looks like it’s been taken straight out of a fairytale. The barn and granary have been masterfully transformed into grand suites with art and antiques. There is also a small library. The on-site chickens provide fresh eggs for breakfast every morning. Another highlight is the farm's wellness facilities, which consist of a wood-burning sauna and a cold hose shower.
While you're here:
Gammel-Kleppe is a good starting point for excursions to the national parks Rondane, Dovrefjell and Jotunheimen. Other top tips are to go rafting in the Sjoa river, join a musk ox safari or sign up for a cooking course with Norwegian celebrity chef Arne Brimi.
Annexstad Gård
Where: Østre Toten in Eastern Norway
Annexstad Gård is idyllically situated by lake Mjøsa close to Gjøvik. The farmhouse's 16 well-maintained buildings are surrounded by lovely gardens with magnificent views. The host is happy to chat about the history of the farm. From June to September, the farm shop offers everything from home-made honey and the farm’s own quail eggs to antique furniture and local handicrafts. You can also spend the night in a converted pigsty, which was built in 1902.
While you’re here:
Gjøvik has one of Norway’s few chocolate factories and a fun science centre (Vitensenteret Innlandet). There are also plenty of marked hiking trails. Last but not least, Gjøvik is the hometown of Skibladner – the oldest paddle steamer in the world that is still in operation. Take a ride on Lake Mjøsa!
Nordre Toten
Annexstad Gård
Hoel Gård
Where: Ringsaker in Eastern Norway
Hoel Gård has a history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is situated in picturesque surroundings on the Nes Peninsula, right by Lake Mjøsa. In the summer, the venerable paddle steamer Skibladner calls at the farm’s private pier, where you can arrange for your hosts to collect you in an elegant vintage car. The bar Anden Etage arranges concerts as well as wine and aquavit tastings. Be sure to pop into the Farm Museum too! Hoel Gård has a strong focus on sustainable food, and and much of its menu consists of ingredients that are grown on site.
While you're here:
For more delicious food, have lunch in the cosy Kafe Nessesundet or dinner at Mjøskanten. Set sail on Skibladner, the boat that is known as 'Mjøsa’s white swan”' At the Edel Design Gallery at Alhaug Farm, you can get your hands on exclusive, locally produced clothes.
Nes På Hedmarken
Hoel Gård - The Manor by Lake Mjøsa
More stately accommodation options
Get great offers from our partners Classic Norway Hotels, Radisson Blu Hotels, Scandic Hotels, Strawberry, De Historiske and Thon Hotels.
See the film: A rural gourmet at Kvitnes Farm
After working at several of the country's best restaurants, master chef Halvard Ellingsen moved to Vesterålen to open a gourmet restaurant at Kvitnes Gård. Here he creates heavenly meals with ingredients grown at the farm, in warm surroundings.
More inspiration
From heritage hideaways to Michelin Key hotels, experience elegance rooted in nature and authenticity.
Take advantage of top offers
See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
Brim ExplorerQuiet fjord tours on award-winning electric catamarans in Oslo, Tromsø, Lofoten, and Svalbard.
CityboxModern and affordable hotels in central locations in Oslo, Bergen, and Kristiansand.
NorgesbookingBook your perfect cabin stay in the fjords, mountains, and valleys of Norway.
Scandic HotelsExperience Nordic hotel hospitality at its finest at more than 90 hotels across Norway. Special offers are available.
StrawberryA different hotel company! Look out for great weekend deals at more than 100 hotels in Norway.
Thon Hotels ASFantastic breakfast included! Experience true comfort and reasonable rates at our 80 hotels in Norway.
CampcationBook a camping stay in stunning and unique locations all across Norway with Campcation.
Classic Norway HotelsWhen the hotel is the destination. Book a night to remember in one of Norway's most unique and distinctive hotels.
50 Degrees North NordicChoose between unforgettable tailormade individual trips and small, exclusive group tours of Norway.
Radisson HotelsGreat value offers and comfortable quality stays in Norway´s major cities, airports, and ski resorts.
Authentic ScandinaviaTravel curated by locals. Our tailormade tours suit every type of traveller and budget.
Booknordics.comUnique holiday packages, adventure hotels, tours, and activities.
Fjord ToursHome of Norway in a Nutshell, Norway's most popular tour. Fjords, mountains, and stunning destinations — all in one trip!
Go FjordsBook fantastic tours and experiences! We offer tours in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Lofoten, the North Cape, and more.
HurtigrutenExperience the world's most beautiful sea voyage on an unforgettable cruise along the stunning Norwegian coast.
Norrøna AdventureGet ready for expeditions and adventure holidays with Norrøna Adventure. Hiking, skiing, and biking trips.
Discover NorwayOffers a range of exciting self-guided hiking, biking, and skiing holidays in Norway. Luggage transfer included.
Norwegian HolidaysLow-price package holidays with Norwegian. Book your flight, hotel, and rental car all in one place.
StrömmaSightseeing by bus and boat in several major tourist spots and cities in Norway.
Up NorwayBespoke luxury hand-picked by local experts. We combine your preferences and our knowledge to make an unforgettable journey.
Arctic Campers ASDo you want to try van life? Explore Norway in comfort and style with our smart and cosy campervans.
Auto EuropeAlways a smooth car rental experience. Search and compare rental rates. Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to pick-up.
NOR-WAY BussekspressEnjoy scenic views on comfortable bus trips to the fjords and from city to city with our express buses.
Rent-A-Wreck of Scandinavia ASThe smart and affordable car rental alternative.
SJ NordSJ NORD - the adventure starts on the train
Vy expressDiscover Norway on comfortable express buses that take you between major cities, mountains, and fjords.
Vy TrainGlide through scenery on a train between Oslo and Bergen on the Bergen Railway and explore the greater Oslo region.
My Nordic TravelChoose between DIY itineraries and pre-packaged holidays to the very best destinations in Norway.
CampanyonUnique camping in nature. Book a stay in a treehouse or glamping tent or rent a motorhome pitch.
NorwegianNorwegian offers cheap flights in Norway and direct flights from more than 70 European destinations. Book flights through our low fare calendar to your destinations.
De HistoriskeHave an unforgettable stay at one of Norway's unique, authentic historic hotels. Enjoy first-class dining experiences and a broad range of activities.
CampioNorway's biggest camping booking site. Find the best camping and motorhome pitches throughout Norway.
Benzini CampersThe adventure of your life starts here. Book a campervan with Benzini Campers now.
Find the manors on the map
Get ready for your farm adventure.
Get inspired
Here is a selection of other articles you might like.