Borgund Stave Church: History, Highlights & How to Visit from Flåm
The Borgund Stave Church is one of Norway’s best-preserved stave churches and a true masterpiece of medieval architecture. Built around 1180, this iconic church offers visitors a glimpse into Norway’s history, showcasing the unique blend of Viking traditions and Christian influence that shaped the country during the Middle Ages.
Yes, I know it isn’t technically *in* Flåm (in fact, it’s in our neighboring municipality of Lærdal), but so many people want to visit the Borgund Stave Church from Flåm, and I get a lot of questions about it. So I figured I might as well write a blog post about it.
For travelers staying in Flåm for more than 1-2 nights, visiting the Borgund Stave Church is a highly recommended day trip. Whether you’re a history lover, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone curious about Norway’s cultural heritage, this post will give you all the information you need to plan your visit, including my personal tips as a local.
Side note: the reason I specify 1-2 nights is because I wouldn’t start venturing out of the Aurlandsfjord villages with less time than that.
Table of Contents
Borgund Stave Church: Quick History Lesson
The Borgund Stave Church was built in 1180 and is one of only 28 stave churches left in Norway today. It is known to be the best preserved stave church in all of Norway – and I dare say most visitors will recognise it when they see it.
I am an Adventure Guide for Adventures by Disney in the summers, and the Borgund Stave Church is often used in their marketing of the trip that I guide!
Must know information: The word “stave” refers to the wooden posts (or staves – stavr in Old Norse) that form the structure of the church, a traditional method of construction unique to Norway. It is quite similar to the ship building techniques used at the time, and if you look up at the ceiling in a stave church, it can remind you of an upside-down boat!
This church is particularly famous for its Viking influence. You’ll notice dragonhead carvings on the roof ridges, designed to protect the church from evil spirits (we believe) – an echo of pre-Christian Norse mythology.
Inside, the church is simple but atmospheric, with high wooden beams and faint traces of medieval decoration. Perhaps the most fascinating detail is the graffiti and rune inscriptions left by visitors from centuries ago, which provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who worshipped here.
Read more on my main blog: Nordic Symbols (and their meaning)
Next to the church is a modern visitor center, which features an interesting exhibit about stave churches, medieval Norway, and the restoration work that keeps Borgund preserved for future generations. Entry to the exhibit is included with your ticket to the church.
Highlights of Borgund Stave Church
The Borgund Stave Church is a small but impressive site, and these are the highlights you won’t want to miss.
The Exterior
The dark, tarred wood of the church, combined with its steep, tiered roofs and Viking-inspired carvings, gives it a striking, almost otherworldly appearance. The dragonhead finials at the top of the roof are especially unique, making it one of the most photographed stave churches in Norway.
Beware of the tar dripping from the church on sunny days. This is used to protect it, in the old-fashioned way, and you do not want any of it on your clothing. Trust me.
The Interior
Step inside and you’ll find a serene, minimalist space with towering wooden columns and a simple altar. The church’s wooden construction gives it a warm, organic feel, and the medieval architecture will leave you marveling at how something so delicate-looking has withstood the test of time.
Rune Inscriptions
Look closely and you’ll find carvings left by medieval travelers on the doors. These runes and inscriptions are more than just graffiti – they’re pieces of history, offering a connection to the people who lived in this region hundreds of years ago.
The Graveyard
The church is surrounded by a peaceful graveyard with weathered headstones, some dating back centuries. It’s worth walking around to take in the quiet beauty of the setting and enjoy the stunning mountain backdrop.
I’m sure I don’t have to say it, but do make sure you don’t step on any graves whilst you are there. Stick to the path and stay respectful – this is still the working cemetery of the Borgund village.
How to Visit Borgund Stave Church from Flåm
Borgund is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Flåm, making it an easy day trip. There are several ways to visit, the easiest being by tour or your own car.
Here’s how you can get to the Borgund Stave Church from Flåm.
By Car
Driving is definitely the most flexible way to visit Borgund Stave Church. From Flåm, take the E16 highway toward Lærdal. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, and the route includes decent fjord views at first, and a drive through the Lærdal Tunnel (the world’s longest road tunnel).
For those who enjoy scenic routes, consider taking the Snow Road (Aurlandsvegen) in the summer instead of the Lærdal Tunnel. This old mountain road offers great views, but keep in mind that it’s slower and only open during warmer months. Additionally, the part that goes up to the Stegastein Viewpoint is often very heavily trafficked, so I recommend heading out early if you intend on this route.
The Snow Road is part of Norway’s National Tourist Routes and the Stegastein Viewpoint is on the way!
By Guided Tour
If you don’t have your own car, the easiest and best way to visit the Borgund Stave Church is to join a guided tour from Flåm. These tours often include transportation, knowledgeable guides, and sometimes additional stops along the way, such as the charming town of Lærdalsøyri and even the Stegastein Viewpoint.
To be honest, even if you do have a car, you might want to consider joining a tour just for the ease of it.
This tour takes 4,5 hours, and is a great (and stress-free) option for anyone who wants to visit Borgund without a car. It includes a photo stop outside the Borgund Stave Church – make sure to speak to your guide about taking the time to go inside the church if you want to do this.
By Public Transport
It’s also possible to visit Borgund by bus, though it requires a transfer in Håbakken or Lærdal. The journey can take 2-3 hours one way, depending on connections. If you’re relying on public transport, be sure to check schedules in advance, as buses in this rural area aren’t frequent. The buses that go through the area are VyBuss and Nor-Way (click each to check their updated schedules).
Practical Information
The Borgund Stave Church and its visitor center are open to the public from April to October, making summer and the shoulder months the best time to visit for those wanting to go inside the church (and explore the exhibit in the visitor center.
Double check their exact season on the National Trust of Norway’s website before you go. Usually, their season is from mid-April to early October, but the exact dates vary.
Tickets cost 130 kroner (as of 2025) per person and include entrance to both the church and the exhibit in the visitor center.
If you’re visiting outside these months, the church is still worth seeing. You can admire the exterior, get a few photos of the outside and the surrounding area, but you won’t be able to go inside the stave church.
Why Visit Borgund Stave Church
As a local, I can tell you that visiting the Borgund Stave Church is one of the most fascinating ways to connect with Norway’s history. Its unique architecture, rich Viking-Christian heritage, and peaceful setting make it a place you won’t forget.
Whether you’re driving yourself, hopping on a bus, or joining a guided tour, a trip to Borgund from Flåm is well worth it if you have the time.
It’s a chance to step back in time and experience one of Norway’s true cultural treasures, and I’m sure you’re gonna love it!
17 Comments
Ursula Schiemer
Hi, I am visiting Flam on 19/7/25- 20/7/25 and would like to see the Borgund Stave Church. Is it possible to go inside the church
( with a ticket)? How could I best get there and back from Flam, as an individual?
Thanks, Ursula Schiemer
‘ littlebears@ gmail.com’
Lisa
Yes, like I say in this guide it is possible to visit the church with a ticket. I also break down exactly how to get there in the post, so if you read through it again you should have your answers 🙂
Here is a great tour from Flåm to Borgund: vi.me/Ly707
Here is the ticket for Borgund: vi.me/HEfqc
Tom Christiansen
Hi Lisa,
We are visiting Flam on June 7 via a WindStar ship. We would really like to see the Borgund Stave Church but our ship arrives at 10:00 and departs at 3:30 (all aboard by 3:00) which doesn’t leave enough time for a guided tour. Thanks to your blog I learned there are 4 rental cars in Flam. Google Maps indicates it takes 45 minutes to travel by car from Flam to the church via the tunnel. Armed with this info I reserved a car. However, I later read this post where you advise that it takes 1 hour and 45 min to travel to Borgund. So my obvious question is should we cancel the car and simply hike to Otternes Farm (our 2nd option) or is it reasonably (and enjoyably) possible to get to and from the church in our time window. Thank you!
Lisa
Hi Tom! My apologies, the article should’ve said 45 minutes to an hour (not 1 hour *and* 45 minutes). I usually assume it will take 1 hour, especially in the summer months, just to account for traffic 🙂
Tom Christiansen
Perfect! Thank you!
Keith
Hi. I am looking at staying one night in Flam. (Nutshell from Bergen). Early July. Next morning we wanted to do Stegastein viewpoint and Borgund church. The visitor trip you suggested takes 4.5 hrs and I’m worried we will not make it back (need to leave Flam by 1:30 to go on to train from Myrdal to Oslo).
Might it be better to take the bus ourselves to one then the other and then back to Flam? Or do one the evening before and one the next day before leaving to Oslo? We will be coming from Bergen doing the Gudvangen-Flam ferry so we might get to Flam early enough the day before?
Thank you
Lisa
If you won’t have time to do it in the morning then it’s a great idea to split it up and go to Stegastein the evening before and then to Borgund the next morning 🙂
Leah
We are a family of 4 traveling and want to see Borgund Stave church and museum in July. Do we need advanced tickets or are we able to buy them when we arrive mid day on July 6, 2025?
Takk!
Lisa
You can usually just buy them when you arrive 🙂
John
Hi Lisa,
I’ll be visiting Flåm later this year, but unfortunately will only arrive when the church is closed. If I want to look at the outside, how close can I get? Will it be fenced off, or can I get pretty close (e.g. through the grave yard)?
Thank you,
John
Lisa
There is a stone fence outside the church/cemetery, but you still get a pretty decent view of the church 🙂
You can not go through the graveyard, but can easily see over the stone wall (as you see from the first photo – I took that from the wall).
Laurine
Hi Lisa,
First of all thank you so much for all your blog posts, they’re all amazing and incredibly helpful!
I was wondering how much time it usually takes to visit the church (approximately).
I’m planning to go by public transportation, and I checked the Nor-Way timetables for the day I’m visiting. I saw that the first bus I can take to get there from Flåm arrives in Borgund stavkyrkje at 12h59, and the last one I can take to come back leaves Borgund stavkyrkje at 14h07, which gives me about an hour on site.
Do you think it is enough, or do you recommend booking the guided tour instead?
Thank you,
Laurine
Lisa
I think this will be enough time 🙂 A tour/visit of the church takes around 20-40 minutes depending on how much detail you want to take in.
Wendy B Moniz
Hi Lisa,
We will be visiting in October after the visitor’s center will be closed but were thinking of renting a car for the day to see the church and go to Stegastein. Are there are places you think we should see while we have a car for the day? We plan to do the Gudvangen-Flam cruise the day before. We will be taking the train from Oslo to Bergen, with a stop in Flåm. Is one night enough in Flåm or do you think two is better? Thank you! Wendy
Lisa
With a car for the day I would also drive down to the old town in Lærdal (just an extra 10-15 minutes each way when you’re going to Borgund). It’s really charming (all though shops will probably be closed in October). I think with a car and if you are taking the train, 1 night is good, however 2 will give you more time to relax/take it slow 🙂
Sherry
We will be in port on 9/24/26 and want to visit Stegastein, Laerdal, Borgund Stave Church and want to visit the inside. Looking for a tour that includes the interior but can’t seem to find one. Can you help?
Lisa
The most popular tour (this one: vi.me/YXPL7) is probably the one you have found that doesn’t enter the church, does have a 20 minute stop there where you could get your own entrance ticket if you wanted to. However, 20 minutes isn’t enough time to join a tour.
I have also looked at what else is available:
This tour enters the church, but you have to make your own way to Borgund (perhaps by arranging a taxi): vi.me/A95Vo
Then there’s this private tour from Flåm that takes you to Borgund and lets you spend an hour there, so you can buy your entrance ticket (drop-in) and enter the church while your driver waits: vi.me/mysOa
The last one could be a great option if you are a bigger group (or even if you arrange to do it with some other passengers) 🙂
I hope this was helpful!