Voss has changed a lot over the last five hundred years. The big turning point came with the railway, Vossabanen, in 1883. In recent decades change has also come from outside: jazz and extreme sports have shaped the town, and Voss has become a very diverse place – known as the winter destination, the medal town, the extreme sports capital, and for its beautiful nature and unique culture.

There is a lot to see and do. Look at the street art in town, visit exhibitions or join an art walk, or experience old culture and history at farms dating back to the Viking Age. The culture of Voss is also extreme sports and festivals, hikes with or without skis, the gondola – and not least local food and shopping in the town centre. Beyond the nature and the views, you will find history, galleries, museums and good food. See also our guides to activities and trips.

Finnesloftet

The banqueting hall, built around 1295, is a national monument and Norway's oldest secular wooden building. It lies along Finnesvegen, about 15 minutes on foot west of Voss station. In June and July there are guided tours several days a week, and concerts are held here. Contact Voss Hostel for more information.

Bergslitræet at Prestegardsmoen

The birthplace and childhood home of the artist brothers Knud and Brynjulf Bergslien. Knud was a painter, best known for the historical painting "Skiing Birchlegs Crossing the Mountain with the Royal Child" from 1869. Brynjulf was a sculptor, best known for the bronze statue of King Karl Johan in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo, unveiled in 1875. Bergslitræet is part of the Bergslien trail and has a museum, a café and a museum shop.

Cheese tasting and fjord cruise to Fjærland

A two-day tour by bus from Voss over Vikafjellet to Vik for cheese tasting, through fantastic landscapes. Along the way you see a stave church, the charming village of Fjærland, the Norwegian Glacier Museum and Bøyabreen, an arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier – and the Tvindefossen waterfall on the way back.

Vangskyrkja – Voss Church

The large stone church, with its small park, stands in the centre of Vossevangen with walls 1.4 to 2.25 metres thick. It was extensively restored in the 1870s, among other things with larger windows, and only the stone altar remains of the medieval furnishings. The church is built in Romanesque and early Gothic style. The altarpiece is a rebuilt Gothic altarpiece adapted by Elias Figenschoug in 1642, the pulpit is from 1670 and the stained glass windows from 1923. The church survived the bombing of Voss during the Second World War, and is open on weekdays in June, July and August, with guided tours.

Hangurstoppen Restaurant

Great views and local food at the top station of the Voss Gondola. With 450 seats over two floors, Hangurstoppen Restaurant is the largest restaurant and après-ski at Voss. The menu is simple and rustic with great flavours, based on ingredients from farms in and around Voss.

Smalahovetunet

Smalahovetunet is a family business that produces and serves the traditional local dish smalahove – sheep's head, one of the oldest traditional dishes from Voss. In recent years it has become a festive meal known all over Norway. They also make other traditional Norwegian meat products, such as lamb ribs, and in a farmhouse from the 1700s you can be served smalahove and other traditional dishes on request. Read more and book at Smalahovetunet.

Voss Folk Museum – Mølstertunet

The Voss Folk Museum preserves the history of Voss and the surrounding area. The buildings at Mølstertunet stand where they have always stood – nothing has been added or removed – and give a genuine picture of how people lived and worked over the centuries. The oldest building is a log house from around 1500.