Lærdal is a place you can visit without a strict travel itinerary. Here, you can start the day with a cup of coffee by the fjord, explore historic streets at your own pace, and end the evening with a walk in beautiful surroundings overlooking the fjord — depending on the season. Whether you want to go kayaking, hike in the mountains, or simply sit quietly and take in the scenery, Lærdal offers space for genuine nature experiences.
Lærdalsøyri is perfect for exploring on foot. Its many small and charming streets invite you to enjoy peaceful walks among both small and large wooden houses, often surrounded by lush and well-kept gardens. It is easy to slow down here and simply enjoy the surroundings.
Lærdalsøyri offers a small but good selection of services, including two grocery stores, a pharmacy, and a few smaller shops. During spring and summer, the “Old Town” (Gamle Øyri) comes to life as several of the historic buildings open their doors. Here, you will find galleries, an antique shop, local food outlets, an espresso bar, a food truck, a pub, and a bakery.
Lærdal is, and has always been, an agricultural village. Known as “the river with the rich grasslands,” farming has long formed the backbone of the local economy. Agriculture, salmon fishing, and hunting have been part of life in Lærdal since ancient times.
The village’s climatic conditions and sandy soil are especially well suited for growing fruit, berries, potatoes, and vegetables. Along the European route E16 running through the green valley, you will find several farm shops selling fresh local produce directly from the farmers. Depending on the season, you can buy potatoes, cherries, raspberries, apricots, sea buckthorn, apples, and more.
In Lærdal, there are plenty of activities for both children and adults. Among the playgrounds for children, the Motor Skills Park by the fjord is especially popular. Here, you will find climbing frames, fun obstacle courses, trampolines, and pedal cars for children to enjoy.
If you are tempted by a refreshing swim, there is also a beach nearby with a floating dock, sauna, and volleyball court. At Lærdalsøyri School, you will find additional climbing frames, a ball court, a cycling track, and a football field.
Lærdal also offers excellent conditions for frisbee golf, with a 10-hole course surrounding the sports field by the school. In Borgund, there are paintball courses well suited for groups of friends and team-building activities.
During winter, local volunteers prepare an ice-skating rink at the sports field, creating great conditions for both adults and children to enjoy time on the ice.
Lærdal is known for its lush natural surroundings, offering many opportunities for both short and long hikes. A shorter and easily accessible hike starting from Lærdalsøyri leads to the Day Trip Cabin at “Mjålkeflaten.” From here, you will also get a beautiful view over the village. This hike is well suited for children. You can combine it with a visit to Jektesanden, where large climbing rocks provide fun challenges for both children and adults.
If you are in good physical shape, you can take on the legendary hike to Torsstein, located 1,204 metres above sea level. This is a demanding and steep 12.5 km round-trip hike, rewarding you with spectacular views both up the valley and out toward the Sognefjord.
According to local legend, two trolls once competed to see who could throw a stone the farthest across the valley. The first troll threw a stone that landed by the river at Eri, now known as “Trombesteinen.” The second troll threw its stone all the way across the valley, where it landed right on the edge of the mountain on the opposite side. If you look up toward the mountains, you can still see the stone protruding against the horizon — this is Torsstein.
If you would like to explore a larger area, Lærdal is well suited for cycling. Several smaller side roads with little traffic can take you far up the valley or along the fjord. If you are looking for an extra challenge, you can try cycling up Aurlandsfjellet, which is one of the stages in the local triathlon event AXTRI. The legendary cycling race Jotunheimen Rundt also starts from Lærdalsøyri, continuing up the lush valley, along the Lærdalselva river, past Borgund Stave Church, and across Filefjell.
For more than 300 years, Lærdal hosted an annual market that served as an important trading hub between eastern and western Norway. Farmers and merchants from the inland regions brought cheese, butter, and other local products to exchange for salt, fish, and goods arriving from the Bergen area. Trade took place along the waterfront, from the many boathouses and storehouses that lined the harbour.
The market offered far more than everyday necessities. Skilled artisans travelled from near and far to showcase and sell their crafts, including traditional rose painters, woodworkers, blacksmiths, and decorative artists. Lærdal Market became a vibrant meeting place where commerce, craftsmanship, and culture flourished side by side.
Beyond trade, the market played a vital role in connecting communities and sharing cultural traditions across regions. It was regarded as an annual celebration and an important gathering place for folk musicians from Hallingdal, Valdres, Sogn, and Voss, creating a lively atmosphere filled with music, storytelling, and festivity.
Today, Lærdal Market has evolved into a modern community event, lovingly organised by local enthusiasts. Three open-air markets are held each year in the historic district of Gamle Lærdalsøyri, one of Norway’s best-preserved wooden villages.
Every third weekend in June, the charming old main street, Kvammegården, and the Town Hall Park come alive with market stalls, local food, crafts, and entertainment. Visitors can savour traditional Norwegian sour cream porridge (rømmegrøt) or sample Lærdal’s beloved lefsekling, a local sweet flatbread speciality prepared by dedicated local women who continue these culinary traditions year after year.
Classic car enthusiasts can enjoy an impressive exhibition of vintage vehicles, while the evenings are filled with live music and traditional market dances, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
The Autumn Market, held in late September, celebrates the harvest season. Local farmers proudly present the year’s finest fruits and vegetables, while visitors can browse and taste regional delicacies such as artisanal cheeses, rakfisk (fermented trout), and cured sausages.
Since 2014, Lærdal has also hosted a charming Christmas Market on the last weekend of November. Inspired by the festive traditions of Central Europe, the historic streets are illuminated with sparkling lights and seasonal decorations. While local food, fresh produce, antiques, and handcrafted goods remain an important part of the market experience, it is the vibrant cultural programme, entertainment, and warm community spirit that truly define the modern Lærdal Market.
Whether you visit in summer, autumn, or during the magical Christmas season, Lærdal Market offers an authentic taste of Norwegian heritage, local traditions, and unforgettable hospitality.
The stunning blue-green fjords of Norway are surrounded by majestic mountains, wild nature, cascading waterfalls, snow-clad peaks and ancient glaciers. We have picked out six fjords that will guarantee you an unforgettable holiday.
With so many beautiful natural gems to choose from, there is a Norwegian fjord for everyone.
Experience the historic Kongevegen over Filefjell – one of Norway’s most beautiful hiking routes, where nature, culture and history blend into a truly unique journey. From the dramatic fjord landscapes deep within the Sognefjorden, across the high mountains of Filefjell, and down into the lush valleys of Valdres, this ancient travel route takes you on a journey through both time and terrain. Here, you quite literally follow in the footsteps of generations before you – along a path that for centuries connected Eastern and Western Norway.
