Coastal holiday gems in the south
Open sea, wide sky, and buckets of fun!
Visit some of Norway’s most coveted holiday gems by the coast.
Sogndalstrand
Sørvestlandet (Southwest)
At one point, the harbour at Sogndalstrand was not in very good shape.
Nowadays, the old buildings have been transformed into lovely restaurants, interesting galleries, and a stylish hotel. You can even have a beer in what used to be a cell for people who needed to sober up!
Check out the other coastal gems around here, too, for example the island Hidra outside of Flekkefjord or the monastery at Rennesøy. You can also go island hopping with a bike in Finnøy.
Stokkøya
Trøndelag
Fancy a refreshing drink in one of the coolest beach bars ever? Combine your visit with a stay night in a so-called “sublugar”; a room that is partly built underground.
The concept, architecture and superb location have made the beach hotel Stokkøya Sjøsenter a real Instagram hit. It’s also a winner for foodies, who can indulge in delicious food with a taste of local seaweed and kelp.
The Trøndelag coast is lined with resorts with a high cosiness factor. Visit the historic fishing village Sør-Gjæslingan or try island hopping between Frøya and Halten.
Bud
Northwest
Piers, rowing boats, and peace of mind. The fishing village Bud is not to be missed on your trip through the region of Northwest. Travel there by boat or hire a car and drive along the spectacular Atlantic Road.
As one of the most exposed areas in Norway, Hustadvika is a place of intense natural forces. Walk along the shore, visit the fortress, and check out the black-legged kittiwakes on the bird cliff. It is quite a sight when the wind rages on the sea.
From Bud, you can take a trip to the lighthouse on the island Ona, or travel to other charming fishing villages such as Veiholmen at Smøla or Grip outside of Kristiansund.
Skudeneshavn
Haugesund and Haugalandet
If you want to experience complete calm, we have a top tip for you: The town known as the White Lady of Empire, named after the many white houses in Empire style.
Skudeneshavn is an old sailing town with a great vibe. It is situated at the southern tip of the island of Karmøy outside of Haugesund. Stroll along the harbour or between the charming 18th-century wooden houses.
A pleasant boat trip away you’ll find the island of Røvær, which has a fun culture hotel, and Utsira, a dream destination for bird watchers and street art (!) lovers.
Brekkestø
Southern Norway
Fresh shrimps on the pier followed by massive scoops of ice cream – it doesn’t get more summery than that!
Picturesque Brekkestø outside of Lillesand scores full points for “kos” (Norway’s untranslatable word for having a nice and cosy time, often in good company). Find yourself a spot on the rocks by the sea and snap some pictures of the cute wooden houses in the harbour.
Ready for more holiday gems? No problem! Explore the islands of Lyngør and Sandøya or the port of Ny-Hellesund.
Stavern
Vestfold and Telemark
Stavern has been named the summer city of the year several times for a good reason. It is Norway’s favourite destination for everyone who wants a holiday with “a little bit of everything”.
Hike along the coastal paths, explore the art galleries and chill out on the beach or on a cruise in the archipelago.
For more culture, visit Åsgårdstrand where Edvard Munch found inspiration for his paintings The girls on the bridge (Pikene på broen). You can also jump on a boat at Kragerø and take a trip to the island paradise of Jomfruland.
Selje
White sandy beaches. A fantastic fjord landscape. And an exciting legend!
Selje in Nordfjord is known as Norway’s first pilgrimage destination. Here you can experience the Benedictine Monastery, which is considered to be the oldest in the country.
Fjord Norway has countless of islands worth exploring. Take the mail boat to Solund or combine a city break in Bergen with a boat trip to the bike-friendly islands Værlandet and Bulandet.
So what are you waiting for?
If you want to travel further north, check out the best spots for island hopping along the Helgeland coast.