161 small houses tightly squeezed together... that was how Bishop Pontoppidan described Lærdalsøyri on a journey through Lærdal in 1749.

Now the area constitutes a rare and unique building environment from the 18th and 19th century. The old village was largely left alone during the building boom in the 1960-ies and 1970-ies. The new functions demanded more space than the old centre could provide, but the voluntary organisation Arbeidsutvalet for bygningsmiljø på Lærdalsøyri was established at the end of the 1960-ies and was essential in protecting the area from extensive demolition.

Today the building preservation area includes 170 buildings and here you can find souvenirs, antiques (among others our own second-hand store, Lite nytt, cafe, outdoor stage, art gallery, tele- and postal museum and open-air fairs in June and in September every year. In old Lærdal Savings Bank you find the tourist office and a nice historic photo exhibition.

 

 

Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre is located on the banks of the Lærdal River - one of Norway's most famous salmon rivers. Visitors are given an insight into the life history of the Atlantic salmon and the traditions of salmon fishing. The centre has an observation pool were you can see wild salmon and sea trout. An award-winning film about the Atlantic salmon - seen through the eyes of a salmon is shown in the auditorium. From 2007 you can see the exhibition The English Salmon Lords and their relationship to Lærdal and this famous river. Here is also fly-tying workshop, souvenir shop and cafe.

 

 

 

 

Sogn Art Centre is located at Lærdalsøyri, together with Lærdal kulturhus and the Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre. The art centre, an architectonic gem in it self, is run by Sogn og Fjordane Kunstmuseum. The museum has several exhibitions throughout the year.

Through several years the predessor Gjesme Art Gallery already started the good cooperation with guest exhibitions from Astrup Fearnley Museum for Modern Art in Oslo, and regulary there are exhibitions from the large collection of painting from Lærdal artist Hans Gjesme (1904 - 1994).

The new art centre, which opened June 3rd 2011, is designed by the German/Spanish architects Simon Breth and Rut de la Calle after they won the international planning and design competition in 2006.

 

Borgund Stave Church is the best preserved and one of the most distinctive stave churches in Norway. The church is owned by Fortidsminneforeningen, The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments. They also own Urnes Stave Church, which is on the World Heritage List.    
The Borgund Stave Church was built around year 1180.

The new visitors centre was opened by Her Majesty Queen Sonja on Mid Summer Eve 2005. The centre contains exhibitions on the religious life and use of the stave churches during the medieval period, café, souvenir shop and quiet room. The new building is designed by the architect firm Askim og Lantto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..the most dangerous road to be found in any country.. wrote Bishop Pontoppidan in 1749. The many historic trails in Lærdal are spendid hiking trails and national tourist attractions in their own right. In beautiful surroundings of the Borgund Stave Church, you'll find Sverrestigen and Vindhellavegen (trail), Seltunåsen (trail), Øygardsvegen (trail) and Galdanevegen (trail).

When walking on the old Kingsroad Galdanevegen from either Seltun or Sjurhaugen you’ll pass the steep and dramatically located croft Galdane, next to the Lærdal river and Sokni waterfall. The five buildings, some dating back to the 1660-ies, have been restored and gives an insight into the hash life of the Norwegian peasant.

From Kyrkjestølen at Filefjell you can take a 15 km walk on the old Kingsroad from 1793, down to Maristova. There you’ll find an authentic medieval timber cottage, today a private museum.

 

 

This is the mountain road, also know as Snowy Road, crossing between Lærdal and Aurland. Along the road, open from approx. June 1st to October 15th, you can see snow almost all summer. its highest point is at 1306 m above sea level.
At Stegastein, dramatically located with a spectacular view over Aurlandsfjorden, is the award winning viewpoint, designed by architects Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen.The road is nominated to the National Tourist Road-programme. This will include an exclusive selection of the most dramatic and scenic roads in Norway.

 

 

 

The Flåm Railway gives you an incredible train journey between Flåm station by the fjord and all the way up into the mountain station Myrdal on the Bergen Railway Line. Flåmsbana is the steepest normal track railway line in the world. The line is serpentining its way up the mountain, passing through numerous short tunnels and magnificent views.