Norway’s stave churches are some of the most evocative buildings in Europe. Carved from pine, bristling with dragon heads and shingled roofs, they look like something straight out of a saga. If you are staying in Bergen, you are in luck. Several beautiful stave churches are within easy reach for a day trip or a simple add-on to a fjord journey. I grew up visiting these places on school trips and weekend drives, and they still give me that quiet spine-tingle when I step inside.
Short answer: The closest stave church to Bergen is Fantoft Stave Church within the city limits. With a car or public transport, you can comfortably reach Undredal, Borgund, Hopperstad (Vik), Kaupanger, Urnes, and Røldal in one to four hours, depending on the route and season. Most churches have limited opening hours outside late spring to early autumn, so plan ahead.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of stave churches near Bergen.
Fantoft Stave Church, Bergen
If you only have a few hours, this is your spot. Fantoft sits in a quiet grove on the city’s south side. The church you see is a faithful reconstruction of the medieval stave church that originally stood in Fortun in Sogn. It was moved to Bergen in the 1880s, tragically burned in 1992, and rebuilt using traditional techniques.
Getting there is simple. Take the Bybanen light rail to Fantoft stop and walk 10 to 15 minutes uphill. You will pass student housing and then a forested path that suddenly opens to the dark silhouette of the church. It is small, atmospheric, and excellent for photos. Expect an admission fee in summer and shorter or guided-only access in shoulder seasons. Remember that this is a place people come to experience quietly. Keep voices low, especially if a group is inside.
Undredal Stave Church, Aurlandsfjord
Undredal is a hamlet strung along the Aurlandsfjord between Aurland and Flåm. The stave church here is tiny, often described as one of Norway’s smallest churches still in use. The woodwork is modest compared to the big-name churches, but the intimacy is the charm. You feel close to the medieval builders and the families that have worshipped here for centuries.
From Bergen, drive or bus to Voss and continue toward the Aurlandsfjord, or hop on the train to Flåm and take a local bus or fjord cruise to Undredal. Combine the visit with the Flåm Railway or a cruise on the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord for a full day of fjord-and-heritage. Opening hours are seasonal, and the church is active, so check for services and guided tour times before you go.
Borgund Stave Church, Lærdal
Borgund is the poster child of Norwegian stave churches. If you have ever seen a photo in a guidebook, this was probably it. The building is remarkably well preserved, with layered roofs, carved portals, and those signature dragon heads curling from the gables. There is also a visitor center with exhibits that explain the architecture and the techniques used by medieval carpenters.
From Bergen, allow about four hours by car along the E16, depending on traffic and tunnels. Public transport is possible but takes planning, often combining train to Voss or Myrdal with bus connections toward Lærdal. If you love architecture or photography, Borgund is worth the effort. Summer offers the longest opening hours, with shoulder-season access more limited.
Hopperstad Stave Church, Vik i Sogn
Hopperstad sits just above the village of Vik, across the Sognefjord from Balestrand. It is a lovely church with characteristic galleries and a peaceful setting. Inside, look for the carved portals and the soft light filtering through small openings. It is an easy match with local treats, too. Vik is known for gamalost, a traditional aged cheese, and for fine views across the fjord.
Getting to Vik can be a pleasure in itself. In summer, there are express boats from Bergen up the Sognefjord that stop in Vik or nearby ports on certain days, or you can drive over Vikafjellet from Voss. Note that mountain roads can be affected by weather outside summer. If you come by car, allow yourself time to stroll the village and head up to the church on foot.
Kaupanger Stave Church, Sogndal
Kaupanger is long and elegant, with a forest of interior staves that really shows how these churches earned their name. The village sits on the northern side of the Sognefjord, near the regional hub of Sogndal. If you are already exploring this part of Sogn, Kaupanger is a natural stop. The area pairs nicely with breweries, glacier walks out toward Jostedalen, and fjord cruises.
From Bergen, consider the express boat to Sogndal in summer and then a short bus or taxi to Kaupanger. By car, the E39 and RV5 take you up the coast and inland. As with the others, check seasonal opening hours and guided tour schedules.
Urnes Stave Church, Luster
Urnes is Norway’s only UNESCO-listed stave church, and for good reason. The doorway carvings are some of the finest wood art we have. The church sits high above the Lustrafjord, with apple orchards and a view that honestly steals the show on a clear day. This is where medieval art meets fjord calm.
To reach Urnes, drive to Solvorn, then take the small ferry across the Lustrafjord and climb the lane to the church. It is a classic summer day out, and the ferry itself is half the fun. Bring good shoes for the uphill walk and book a guided tour in peak season if possible, because the background makes the details come alive.
Røldal Stave Church, Ullensvang
Røldal lies on the E134 east of Odda, roughly three hours from Bergen depending on traffic through the Hardanger region. The church is known for a medieval crucifix that drew pilgrims for centuries, believed to have healing powers. The architecture here is plainer on the outside than Borgund or Urnes, but the history of pilgrimage gives it a special atmosphere. If you are driving to or from the east, it makes a meaningful stop, and you can pair it with the epic Hardangerfjord scenery.
How To Plan Your Route From Bergen
Bergen is well placed for a stave-church loop if you enjoy driving. A realistic approach is to pick one or two churches and pair them with a fjord attraction.
- Half-day from Bergen: Fantoft only. Add a stroll in Gamlehaugen park or the nearby woods for a quiet local day.
- Flåm and Aurlandsfjord day: Train or drive to Flåm, visit Undredal, and ride a fjord cruise or the Flåm Railway. This day is busy in summer but very doable.
- Sognefjord classic: Early departure by car for Vik and Hopperstad or Sogndal and Kaupanger. If you can, use the express boat one way and return by bus or car for variety.
- Architect’s choice: Target Borgund with time at the visitor center. Add a stop in Lærdal’s old village for wooden houses and a coffee by the river.
- UNESCO apple-and-fjord day: Drive to Solvorn for the ferry to Urnes. Visit orchards in season and enjoy a slow lunch looking over the water.
Practical Tips From A Local
Seasonality matters. Most stave churches open broadly from late May to early September, with reduced hours in shoulder months. Outside summer, access may require a prebooked tour or might be exterior only.
Mind the roads and ferries. Mountain passes like Vikafjellet can have winter conditions or closures. Ferries such as Solvorn to Urnes run on set schedules and may be seasonal. Check timetables the day before you go.
Bring a card and some cash buffer. Norway is largely cashless, and most places take cards, but small local museums sometimes use Vipps or have limited payment terminals. Having a card and a phone with data helps.
Dress with layers and proper footwear. The interior of a stave church can feel cool even on warm days. Wooden thresholds are worn and slippery in wet weather. Wear shoes with good grip and carry a light sweater.
Photography etiquette. Many churches allow photos without flash, but some restrict interior photography. Always ask or read the sign by the door. If a service is ongoing, wait outside.
Guided tours pay off. A 20-minute talk transforms what you notice. You will learn about staves, sills, tar treatment, shingle patterns, and runic inscriptions that are easy to miss on your own.
Combine culture with nature. The best days here mix a church visit with a short fjord walk, a viewpoint stop, or a local bakery. In Vik, try gamalost if you are curious. In Luster, look for apple juice from local orchards. In Undredal, goat cheese is the local pride.
A Note On What Makes A Stave Church Special
A stave church is built around load-bearing wooden posts called staves. The walls are vertical planks slotted into sills, and the whole structure relies on joinery, tar, and shingle work rather than heavy stone. The style reflects Viking craft adapted to Christian worship. Inside, look for:
- Carved portals with snakes and vines that echo pre-Christian motifs.
- Dragon heads at roof ends, thought to ward off evil and the weather.
- Layered roofs that shed rain and snow efficiently.
- Painted decoration and runic graffiti where preserved.
- A pine-and-tar scent that feels like stepping into a time capsule.
Even if you visit only one church, you will come away with a sense of how medieval Norwegians shaped wood and space to last through centuries of harsh weather.
Choosing Which Church To See First
If you want convenient and atmospheric, start with Fantoft. If you want the most iconic, aim for Borgund. For the best fjord pairing, choose Urnes or Kaupanger. If you like small places with personality, Undredal is a gentle favorite. And if you are driving the Hardanger or heading east, Røldal fits neatly into the route.
Whichever you pick, give yourself time to stand outside and look at the silhouette. The details are wonderful, but it is the overall shape against sky and forest that stays with you. Norway’s stave churches were built by people who knew wood and weather. Visiting from Bergen, you get to see that legacy in its natural setting.