Places to stay and things to do in Nordheimsund

Only an hour’s drive east of Bergen is an excellent gateway to one of the most lush and beautiful areas of Norway. Norheimsund is located in the westernmost part of Hardanger. 

With mountains, fjords and waterfalls on one side and apple orchards, farms and hiking trails on the other, Hardanger is one of the places in Western Norway where nature and culture collide in the most spectacular way. 

Whether you arrive by boat in the Norheimsund guest harbour, your own car or on one of the buses that operate several times a day between Bergen and Norheimsund, there are lots of reasons to fall in love with the town’s fantastic combination of dramatic surroundings and relaxing lifestyle, rich cultural history and delicious food made from scratch. 

Norheimsund guest harbour

The guest harbour in Norheimsund has 50 guest boat slips. The harbour is close to the shopping street in Norheimsund, with a pharmacy, state-run liquor store, grocery stores and speciality shops. Norheimsund guest harbour has water, electricity, showers and laundry facilities, as well as petrol and diesel pumps. A safe and popular port all year round for residents and visitors alike.   

Steinsdalsfossen 

One of the most popular and photogenic waterfalls in the country is Steinsdalsfossen. With a drop of 20 metres, it is not among the country’s largest waterfalls, but the water flow is impressive when the snow starts melting in spring and summer. The path behind Steinsdalsfossen allows you to experience it up close and enjoy the forces of nature without getting your feet wet.   

Hardanger Ship Preservation

For a fascinating glimpse into living coastal history, a visit to the Hardanger Maritime Centre is a must – especially for those interested in Norwegian shipbuilding traditions. At this maritime museum, there is plenty of activity going on in the workshops, where traditional wooden boats are built and restored. The area also has an activity course and exhibitions. The centre rents out rowboat and fishing gear and visitors of all ages can make their own miniature ropes and wooden boats.

Norheimsund Church 

With 700 seats, there's almost always plenty of space in Nordheimsund Church, built by volunteers between 1989 and 1992. The altarpiece in concrete, stone and marble was made by local artist and doctor Audun Storaas (1922-2021). 

Shopping in Norheimsund city centre 

In the heart of the Norheimsund city centre – popularly known as 'Grova' – there are plenty of shopping options, with over 50 shops selling everything from fashion, interior design and sports to hardware, electronics and groceries. And best of all, after a day of shopping, you can cool off with a dip in the water at the sandy beach in Norheimsund, located in the centre.    

Excursions in Hardanger 

Nordheimsund offers lots of great hiking in the area, as well as boat routes to Odda and Utne and RIB boat tours on Hardangerfjord. You can choose between various marked hiking trails and paths, either along the fjord and higher up inland.

How about adding cider tasting to your adventure? Hardanger grows some of the best apples in the world and the trademarked cider from the area is light, acidic, aromatic and absolutely delicious.  

Norheimsund Cinema

Ready to sit back and relax with popcorn, candy and a blockbuster? After a long day of experiences and exploration, why not spend a relaxing evening with a good movie in a dark movie theatre? The cinema in Norheimsund, Kvam Kino, is located a few hundred metres west of the guest harbour.

Norheimsund and the surrounding area offer several opportunities to immerse yourself in culinary delights after a day on the go, whether you're looking for traditional western Norwegian cuisine or an international taste experience. 

The cafe at Kunsthuset Kabuso serves simple lunch dishes, homemade pastries and locally produced cider, which can be enjoyed to views of the fjord just outside. Other cafes that conjure up delicious homemade food using local ingredients are Kafé Hjørnet, Kafé Krus and Kaffimat – the latter serves the western Norwegian speciality 'komle' (dumplings) every Thursday. 

For a different kind of experience of the region’s excellent local gastronomy, visit one of the area’s many farms, such as the Bjørketeigen farm, Sjuragarden or Spildegarden farms.     

For those who want to enjoy cuisine from around the globe, Norheimsund offers several great options. Located in the town centre is the Chinese restaurant Feng Yuan, which serves dumplings, chop suey, spring rolls and other traditional Chinese dishes. Only a stone’s throw away is the Thai restaurant Sånn Mat, which began as a food truck in 2017 and prepares dishes with delicious fresh ingredients. It also has lots of good vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. 

Norheimsund also has several pizza restaurants: La Fiesta in Norheimsund and Milano Pizzeria and Øvreviken Pizzeria in Øystese.

Thon Hotel Sandven

Thon Hotel Sandven is a distinguished and eloquent hotel. The hotel was originally built in 1857, making it one of the historic hotels of Hardanger. It has been awarded the Olavsrosa seal of quality by the Norwegian Heritage Association.

The hotel has a total of 102 rooms: 31 in the historic section, as well as 18 apartments, 7 superior rooms and 46 rooms in the new section. Thon Hotel Sandven is located on the banks of the fjord in the Norheimsund city centre, with a bus stop right outside the door with buses to and from Bergen several times a day.

During the summer, you can rent a canoe, rowboat and bicycles at the hotel, and there are lots of other activities to enjoy nearby – such as a fjord cruise, RIB boat tour and cider tour.