Surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed West Norwegian Fjords, Stranda is a picturesque town in the Sunnmøre district. It comprises the villages of Hellesylt, Liabygda and Geiranger (one of the largest cruise ship ports in Norway), as well as the Strandafjellet ski area.

Things to do

Soak up the spectacular views of the West Norwegian Fjords on the downhill ski runs of Strandafjellet, an alpine area where you can ski all the way down to the fjord shore. Each year, it hosts the Alperittet, which sees skiers and snowboarders racing along a 6,200-metre-long course winding through forested canyons and across farm fields before finishing in front of the Stranda City Hall.

In the summer months, you can ride Strandafjellet’s gondola to its 1,062-metre-high viewpoint, which boasts sweeping panoramas across the town of Stranda and the surrounding valley. There’s a restaurant at the top serving Norwegian specialties, as well as several hiking and mountain biking trails to explore. For a bird’s eye view, opt for a paragliding adventure from the nearby launch site.

One of the best ways to appreciate the natural beauty of the West Norwegian Fjords is aboard a boat, where you can cruise between the sheer mountains and cliff faces of Geirangerfjord. Witness the famous “Seven Sisters” and “Bridal Veil” waterfalls and marvel at the traditional farms that seemingly cling to the mountain slopes.

Getting around

Stranda is around 1.5 hours’ drive Ålesund, with ferries connecting across the Geirangerfjord between Sykkylven and Magerholm. Ålesund Airport is just under two hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect Stranda to towns and villages across the region, while the centre of town compact enough to explore on foot.