Balestrand is a small charming village on the edge of the Sognefjord in Sogn og Fjordane.
Balestrand has long history as a tourist resort. This little village was one of the favorites of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. For more than 20 years the Kaiser on his «Hohenzollern» and a flotilla of naval ships, including several hundred staffs and troops, "invaded" Sognefjord. Days after the fatal shots in Saravjevo 1914, the Kaiser again headed for vacation in Norway. On July 25th 1914 the Kaiser left Balestrand, war broke out July 28th and he never returned.
- St Olavs Church, +47 57 69 16 17. Anglican church built in 1897 with Norwegian stave churches as a model. Free admission.
- Sognefjord Aquarium, +47 57 69 13 03. 01 May–15 Sep 09:00–19:00. A small aquarium with examples of sealife found in the fjord. There are no English descriptions in the exhibit but they do have an English brochure at the front desk. Adults: kr 70, Children: kr 35.
- Kvamsøy church, Kvamsøy island (10 km (6 mi) south of Balestrand. Medieval church built in the 13th century. An appointment is needed to visit the church.
- The golden House, +47 915 62 842. Open daily in the summer. Art gallery.
- Haukaas Enamel workshop, Dragsvik, +47 57 69 14 19. Open all year. An appointment is needed to visit the workshop.
St Olavs Church, +47 57 69 16 17. Anglican church built in 1897 with Norwegian stave churches as a model. Free admission.
Sognefjord Aquarium, +47 57 69 13 03. 01 May–15 Sep 09:00–19:00. A small aquarium with examples of sealife found in the fjord. There are no English descriptions in the exhibit but they do have an English brochure at the front desk. Adults: kr 70, Children: kr 35.
Kvamsøy church, Kvamsøy island (10 km (6 mi) south of Balestrand. Medieval church built in the 13th century. An appointment is needed to visit the church.
The golden House, +47 915 62 842. Open daily in the summer. Art gallery.
Haukaas Enamel workshop, Dragsvik, +47 57 69 14 19. Open all year. An appointment is needed to visit the workshop.
- There is a nature trail up the hill from Balestrand and numerous other marked hikes go through the woods and along ridges up to the tops of mountains with plenty of great views of the fjord. Some can be turned into very long circular routes (about 8 hours). Maps and more information for these can be obtained from the tourist information office or your hotel reception.
- There are some trips on small boats out into the fjord as well as the regular large daily ferries to Fjærland Glacier and Vik stave church.
- Cars can be rented from Kviknes hotel in Balestrand or from one of the larger towns nearby. One of the National tourist routes of Norway runs from Balestrand along some smaller fjords and up into the Gaularfjell mountains a truly beautiful road and landscape. Bicycles can also be rented from Balestrand tourist information.
- Balejazz. 08–10 May 2015. Jazz festival.
Balejazz. 08–10 May 2015. Jazz festival.
For groceries, there are Coop and Joker shops both less than 5 minutes walking distance from the ferry terminal.
Most people eat in their hotels, which have excellent restaurants or meals included.
- Route 13 towards Førde via Gaularfjellet mountain pass, national tourist route.
- Route 55 to Sogndal is a scenic drive along the fjord.
- By boat to Fjærland to see the glacier. This is a beautiful voyage in the narrow fjord, surrounded by high mountains. Advanced booking is recommended, but not necessary. The route is operated by Fjord1, +47 55907070.
Route 13 towards Førde via Gaularfjellet mountain pass, national tourist route.
Route 55 to [[Sogndal]] is a scenic drive along the fjord.
By boat to [[Fjærland]] to see the glacier. This is a beautiful voyage in the narrow fjord, surrounded by high mountains. Advanced booking is recommended, but not necessary. The route is operated by Fjord1, +47 55907070.