Førde Travel Guide

Discover the best places to visit, things to do, and where to stay in Førde, Norway. Our travel guide provides insider tips on hiking and biking routes, natural and cultural attractions, local cuisine, and transportation options to help you plan your trip to Western Norway.


A Comprehensive Tour Guide to Førde, Norway

Førde is a true hidden gem in Norway’s Sogn og Fjordane region. Located on the shores of the majestic Sognefjorden, the town is surrounded by stunning mountains and fjords. Førde has a rich history and culture, and it is the perfect base for exploring Western Norway’s outdoor adventures. In this comprehensive tour guide, we’ll highlight all the information that you need to plan your next trip to Førde.

List of Places to Visit in Førde

There are plenty of attractions in Førde that cater to all tastes and preferences. Here are our top recommended places to visit:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Førdehuset Cultural Centre - This modern cultural center is the heart of the town’s cultural life, housing a cinema, concert hall, art gallery, and library.
  • Førde Traditional and Modern Art Museum - This museum showcases a vast collection of contemporary and traditional arts.
  • Forde Heritage Walk - This one-hour walking tour takes you on a journey of the town center’s history, visiting historic buildings and landmarks.

Natural Attractions of Førde: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Jølstra River - Experience Western Norway’s breathtaking landscapes with a white-water rafting adventure on Jølstra’s rapids.
  • Førde Fjord - Take a scenic boat tour to explore the Sognefjord’s intricate network of islands and mountains.
  • Hornelen - Hike one of Norway’s highest sea cliffs, overlooking the fjords and the North Sea.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Førde

Førde’s outdoor activities are among Norway’s most impressive. The area is home to many excellent hiking and biking routes, suitable for all levels of fitness and experience. Some of our favorites include:

  • Stolafjellet Mountain - A family-friendly hiking trail that provides a spectacular view of Førde and the surrounding fjords.
  • Støylenutane - A four-hour hiking trail that takes you through stunning landscapes and rugged terrain to a historic set of summer farms.
  • The Førde Lake Circuit - A 26-kilometer bike ride around the Lake Holsavatnet that is suitable for experienced bikers.

Best Things to Do in Førde: Activities and Tours

  • Førde Indoor Water Park - Enjoy Norway’s biggest indoor water park with plenty of pools, slides, and activities for all ages.
  • The Culture Trail - Take a two-hour walk through Førde’s culture and history with guided tours by knowledgeable local guides.
  • The Norweigan Glacier Museum - This unique museum showcases the history and science of glaciers with over 100 interactive exhibits.

Week-Long Itinerary for Førde

If you’re planning to spend a week in Førde, this is our recommended itinerary:

Day 1-2

Explore the local area, with hiking the Jølstra river, relaxing on the Førde fjord or visiting Hornelen.

Day 3-4

Discover the local history and culture with highlighted tours to Forde Heritage Walk, the Førde Traditional and Modern Art Museum, and the Førdehuset Cultural Centre.

Day 5-6

Experience the area’s natural beauty with a trip to the Norwegian Glacier Museum, Stolafjellet Mountain, and Støylenutane.

Day 7

Relax and unwind at the Førde Indoor Water Park.

Food and Drink Scene of Førde

After a day exploring the beautiful nature and culture of Førde, there is no better way to relax than indulging in some of the local food and drink. Here are some must-try dishes and local beverages:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Lefse - A traditional Norwegian flatbread.
  • Rømmegrøt - A thick and creamy porridge made from sour cream and flour, served with butter and sugar.
  • Brennevin and Aquavit - Traditional schnapps and aquavit that pair well with a hearty meal.

Local Beverages

  • Førde Brewery - The town boasts a brewery that makes artisanal beers using locally sourced ingredients, such as hops and barley.
  • Westland - Natural Wine Bar - A trendy wine bar that specializes in natural and organic wines made locally and internationally.

Where to Stay in Førde: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Førde has many accommodation options that cater to different budgets, preferences, and needs. Here are some of the top-rated places to stay in the area:

  • Quality Hotel Førde - A four-star hotel with great views of the Førde fjord and free access to the hotel’s water park.
  • Førde Vandrerhjem - A budget-friendly hostel with a central location, perfect for backpackers and solo travelers.
  • Haavebua Guesthouse - A charming guesthouse located in the heart of Førde’s town center.

What to Buy in Førde: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Take home a piece of Førde with you by purchasing some of these locally made souvenirs:

  • Lefse - Stock up on this traditional Norwegian flatbread.
  • Knitting and Fabrics - Førde is known for its woolen products, such as blankets, sweaters, and scarfs.
  • Fjord-branded Beer - Make sure to grab a bottle of Førde’s famous artisanal beer.

Local Culture and Customs of Førde

Førde has a closed-knit community that values its traditions and customs. Along the coast of Norway, Norweigians are known for their open and welcoming personalities, but be sure to respect local customs when travelling to Førde.

Best Time to Visit Førde

The best time to visit Førde is from June to August when the weather is warm and sunny, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Do’s and Don’ts of Førde

When traveling to Førde, keep in mind the following do’s and don’ts:

Do:

  • Respect local customs, especially when visiting churches and museums.
  • Try some of the local food and drinks.
  • Be prepared for unexpected weather changes and bring appropriate clothing.

Don’t:

  • Don’t litter or disturb the local wildlife.
  • Don’t drink too much alcohol and cause disturbance to the locals.

Safety and Health

It’s always essential to keep safety and health in mind when traveling. Here are some tips for staying safe and healthy in Førde:

Safety in Førde

  • Always inform someone about your travel plans, especially when hiking or biking.
  • Be aware of wild animals, such as bears and wolves.
  • Follow the local safety guidelines when participating in outdoor activities.

Health in Førde

  • Norway has excellent health care facilities, and there is a hospital in Førde.
  • Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen to prevent skin burns from the sun.

Getting to Førde: Transportation Options and Logistics

Førde is located in Western Norway, and it has excellent transport options that can take you there with ease.

Airports Near Førde

  • Bergen - It has regular flights to Førde, and there is an airport bus shuttle in town.
  • Florø - Located 41km from Førde, it connects to Førde through a bus service.

Bus Stations Near Førde

  • Nor-Way Bussekspress - It has daily bus services from major Norwegian cities to Førde.
  • Norled - Provides bus and boat services to and from Førde.

Other Options

  • Train - The nearest train station is the Flåm station, and from there, you can take a bus to reach Førde.
  • Car rental - There are several car hire companies operating in Førde, and hiring a car is one of the most convenient ways to travel around the area.

How to Get Around in Førde

Førde is a relatively small town, and it’s easy to explore on foot. However, if you want to reach areas outside the town, there are several transport options available, including:

  • Bus services provided by Nor-Way Bussekspress and Norled.
  • Taxis are available for hire throughout the town.

Where to Go Next from Førde: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Førde is the perfect base for exploring Norway’s beautiful West Coast, with plenty of nearby towns and attractions to visit:

  • Bergen - A charming and picturesque coastal city, known for its history and culture.
  • Sogndal - A peaceful and relaxed town, where you can explore the Nærøyfjord, part of Norway’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Geirangerfjord - One of Norway’s most iconic fjords, with the stunning Seven Sisters Waterfall.
  • Alesund - A unique city with beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, a must-see for every design lover.

Conclusion

Førde is a picture-perfect destination that will delight any traveler looking for a mix of nature, culture, and adventure. From its breathtaking landscapes to its rich history and culture, Førde has something for every taste and preference. Start planning your trip now to explore this charming town in the heart of Western Norway.