Sights / Attractions

Culture and history in Hardanger

Hardanger is not just about mountains and fjords – the region is also rich in history, cultural heritage, and unique attractions. With Vassel gård as your base, you are close to both ancient cultural monuments and living museum villages that offer a glimpse into life by the fjord through the ages.

The Rock Carvings in Herand

You don’t have to travel far to experience the whispers of history. Just a short distance from Vassel gård, at Bakko in Herand, you will find one of Western Norway’s finest sites of petroglyphs (rock carvings). Here, you can see over 150 figures carved into the rock 3,000 years ago, depicting people, boats, and fertility symbols from the Bronze Age.

Agatunet – A historic farm cluster

A short drive from Herand (towards Utne) lies Agatunet, one of the few remaining traditional Norwegian farm clusters ("klyngetun"). Here, the houses stand close together just as they did in the Middle Ages, with the impressive Lagmannsstova from 1220 as the centerpiece. Agatunet offers guided tours, exhibitions, and a café serving local food.

Hardanger Folk Museum

At Utne, the ferry hub close to Herand, you will find the Hardanger Folk Museum. The museum features permanent exhibitions on the Hardanger Bunad (national costume), the Hardanger fiddle, and fruit farming, as well as a beautiful open-air museum with historic buildings.

Baroniet Rosendal

If you fancy a day trip a little further south, Baroniet Rosendal – Scandinavia’s smallest castle – is well worth a visit. Here you can stroll through the magnificent Renaissance garden, enjoy concerts, or take a guided tour of the manor house from 1665.

Read more about our accommodation options in the heart of Hardanger here