Selje

Norway’s first pilgrimage town, thousand-year-old monastery ruins, and one of Western Norway’s finest beaches can be found in Selje – far out toward the open sea, where dramatic nature and rich history meet.
Stryneelva elv Stryn marvin kuhr
©Ulf Rugumayo Amundsen
Stryneelva vinter Ruben Soltvedt
©saltnwax
Selje Panorama - Thomas Bickhardt
©Thomas Bickhardt

A coastal village with a very special history

Out towards the open ocean lies Selje – a coastal village where nature, history, and living traditions meet.

Selje is beautifully situated at the innermost part of Seljevika, surrounded by steep mountains, the open sea, and the distinctive sandy beach Seljesanden. Just offshore lies the island of Selja, Norway’s first pilgrimage site and the country’s first episcopal seat. People have travelled here for over a thousand years, and the magical atmosphere on the island still captivates visitors to this day. 

Selje Panorama - Thomas Bickhardt

Selje panorama @ Thomas Bickhardt

All year round

Spring 

Visit Selje in spring and have Seljesanden all to yourself. As early as May, the monastery boat starts running out to the historic island of Selja, but only on weekends. You can enjoy long, beautiful hikes with stunning sunsets along the coast before the summer season and the tourists arrive.

Summer 

Summer is peak season, with a lively town centre, activities at Seljesanden and daily boat trips to the island. This is the time for beach life, paddling and long, bright evenings by the sea.
 

Autumn 

Autumn brings a completely different character, with powerful waves and changing weather along Stadlandet. At this time, you also avoid the biggest crowds, and the monastery boat runs every weekend until September. This is a great time for nature experiences, photography and quieter walks in the landscape.

Winter 

Want to experience real, dramatic coastalweather, then winter is the perfect time to visit Selja. There’s something truly special about seeing Seljesanden covered in snow, or sitting indoors while you watch the waves crash against the shore and the wind gripping everything there is. That’s when the open coastal landscape really comes into its own.

Selja Kloster - Camilla Monsen
Selje Saltnwax

Nature and landscape

Selje is surrounded by a varied and dramatic coastal landscape. The white, long-stretching Seljesanden lies right by the centre and offers great swimming and outdoor opportunities on warm summer days. At the same time, the mountains rise steeply around the village, providing excellent viewpoints and hiking destinations.

From the centre you can look straight out toward the island of Selja, which rises from the sea with green slopes and striking cliffs. The area offers everything from easy walks along the shoreline to more demanding mountain hikes. A popular hiking destination is the day-trip cabin Sjøglytt at Risnakken, which provides panoramic views of the village and the island – a short walk from the centre.

Along the coast you will also find good conditions for activities such as kayaking and surfing, where the proximity to the open ocean provides powerful nature experiences.
 

Activities and experiences

The main attraction in Selje is the trip to Selja Monastery. The monastery boat «Selja» takes you on a short boat ride from the harbour out to the holy island. Here you can walk the same corridors the Benedictine monks did over 900 years ago, climb the narrow staircase to the top of the monastery tower, and follow in the footsteps of St. Sunniva up to Sunnivaholet. Guided tours tell the exciting legend of the Irish princess who fled to Norway. For many, this is an experience that combines nature, history, and a magical atmosphere in a truly special way.

Selje is also a great starting point for experiences along Stadlandet. Here you can join guided tours, RIB experiences, or explore the coast on your own. In the centre, facilities are in place for beach life, play, and simple activities, which makes Selje a family-friendly destination.
 

Photo: Selje @ Saltnwax

Selje strand kirke - Saltnwax

Photo: Selje - beach and church @ Saltnwax

Culture and history

Selja Monastery is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Norway and was a central pilgrimage destination throughout the Middle Ages. The monastery was built by Benedictine monks in the early 1100s, in memory of St. Sunniva – Norway’s only female saint.

According to legend, Sunniva fled from Ireland to avoid a forced marriage and landed on Selja without sail or oars. Here she suffered martyrdom in a cave in the mountain. In the year 996, Olav Tryggvason found her relics, and Selja became Norway’s first holy site – the year before the Christianization at Dragseidet. The cave can still be visited today. 

Every year, early in July, Seljumannamessa is celebrated in memory of St. Sunniva and the Selje men. Selje Prestegard and Pilgrim Center today serves as tourist information, café and pilgrim hostel, and is located between the harbour and Seljesanden.

Life along the coast

Today, Selje is a small but active local community with roots in fishing, agriculture and industry. At the same time, tourism has taken on an increasingly important role, with a focus on nature-based experiences and sharing local history.

Selje is also a natural starting point for further experiences on Stadlandet and in the rest of Nordfjord – whether you are looking for quiet days by the sea, or new adventures along the coast.

Photo: Selja Monastery © Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / www.fjordnorway.com

 

Practical information

Distance from the airports:

Ørsta/Volda Airport Hovden: approx. 100 km (approx. 2 hours) 

Sandane Airport Anda: approx. 75 km (approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes) 

Ålesund Airport Vigra: approx. 140 km (approx. 3 hours and 15 minutes) 

Bergen Airport Flesland: approx. 360 km (approx. 6 hours) 

There are direct flights from Oslo and Bergen to Ørsta/Volda and Sandane. There are also direct flights to Ålesund from, among others, Trondheim, London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Gdansk. 

How to get here:

skyss.no

nor-way.no

vy.no  

Norled.no

Selje is located at the outer edge of Stad municipality, at the innermost part of Seljevika on Stadlandet, and is accessible by car via county roads from both Nordfjord and the coast. The drive out towards Selje passes through a varied landscape of fjord, mountains and open sea – an experience in itself.

There are buses to Selje and the surrounding area, but services may be limited, especially outside the summer season.

You can also travel by sea to Selje. Norled operates express boat routes along the coast, including on the Bergen - Selje and Sogn - Selje routes, with departures varying by season. This provides a wonderful travel experience along the coast.

Selje kloster - Fjord Norge

Experiences and activities in Selje

Accommodation in Stad municipality