Enjoy a long weekend at three truly unique hotels

Have you been on a weekend trip to the unique Grand Hotel Flekkefjord, Sogndalstrand Culture Hotel, and Grand Hotel Egersund?

Flekkefjord sentrum .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

If you visit these three hotels for a long weekend, you are guaranteed to recharge your batteries.

By Rita Tvede Bartolomei

At the same time, you have easy access to several hiking areas in beautiful and rugged nature, as well as shopping and culinary experiences in historical and charming small-town settings.

Each of the hotels is unique in its own way, with its own special history. They are perfect for those who seek more than just a place to sleep and have breakfast. These distinctive hotels are definitely for you if you want a change from chain hotels.

The drive itself will most likely be an experience: The stretch between Flekkefjord and Egersund, which spans from Vest-Agder to Rogaland, offers a landscape unlike anywhere else in Norway.

It’s no coincidence that UNESCO awarded Norway's second geopark (Magma UNESCO Global Geopark) to the geographical area between the municipalities of Bjerkreim, Lund, Eigersund, Sokndal, and Flekkefjord in 2010.

Curious about what Egersund, Sogndalstrand, and Flekkefjord have to offer? Here are tips and recommendations from those who truly know the places and hotels: Geir Sølve Sleveland (Grand Hotel Egersund), Eli Laupstad Omdal (Sogndalstrand Culture Hotel), and Sigurd Bruhjell (Grand Hotel Flekkefjord).

Grand Hotell Egersund

The oldest hotel in Rogaland is actually located in Egersund: Grand Hotel Egersund, which opened in 1878, is strategically situated in the city center, within walking distance of everything you might want to explore.

The town was granted city status 200 years ago and was rebuilt after the great fire in 1843. The hotel consists of 10 interconnected buildings with 101 individually decorated rooms.

Gran Hotell Egersund .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

We have a compact city center where activities and experiences are easily accessible right in the midst of the wooden houses. What is special about Egersund, compared to typical southern towns, is that we have many colorful buildings. This stems from the fact that white paint was expensive in the past.

In addition, we had the ceramics factory (Egersund Fayancefabrik) located here, which produced a lot of soot that settled on the houses. It was more practical to use colorful paint, which was easier to cover up, explains hotel director Geir Sølve.

Egersund .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

If you're planning a weekend trip to Egersund, he encourages you to explore the many and varied independent shops in the city center.

'Most of the shops are located in the protected wooden house area. Our wooden buildings are among the best-preserved in the country, and there are countless shopping opportunities in many charming stores. If you're curious about the history of Egersund, you'll also discover stories along the walls of the houses,' he says.

If Geir were to recommend specific places and experiences, these would be his choices:
'The Whisky Center at Berentsens Distillery, which just opened in the spring of 2024, has become Norway's largest whisky hall. Tasting sessions and the hall itself are certainly special attractions to check out,' he says.

Or how about a trip to Eigerøy Lighthouse? You can walk or cycle there, or paddle out in a kayak or on a SUP board from the parking lot.

'Eigerøy has a beautiful landscape in stunning coastal surroundings, with characteristic rounded rocky outcrops. Or you can visit Skadbergsanden, the world’s only moon beach, both located within Magma Geopark,' he says.

Grand Hotel Egersund offers rentals of kayaks, e-bikes, SUP boards, and frisbee golf equipment to its guests. Families with children have free access to mini-golf. 'Trollpikken is only a 10-minute drive from Egersund's center, and it's entirely possible to cycle there. It takes about 1.5 hours round trip by bike. On the way there, you can swim in the potholes,' he says.

Along the old Jæren railway, there is also a great gravel path where you can cycle by the sea.

'Well worth the trip, with many beautiful spots where you can take a break,' says Geir.

Since Egersund is located in the center of Magma Geopark, it’s no surprise that the magmatic rock anorthosite (the same type of rock found on the moon) is also present in the cobblestone streets of the town. 'If you head down to the square, you'll see the anorthosite there,' he adds.

Egersund

Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

Did you know?

In Storgata in the city center, you’ll find a perfumery that has been run by the women of an Egersund family for three generations. It's Laila Parfymeri, which was established in 1935. Since 2003, the perfumery has been managed by Eli Andreassen. Before her, it was run by her mother, and earlier still, by her grandmother.

Egersund is the coziest town in the world, with plenty to offer. Whether you want to shop, go hiking, or enjoy a good meal, I feel we have everything here," says Eli.

Lailas Parfymeri .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell

Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell is not just any ordinary hotel. It is located in what was once an old trading post from the sailing ship era and consists of 10 restored wooden houses from the 1800s, with a total of 29 rooms.

Hotel director Eli Laupstad Omdal describes the pedestrian street (the very heart of Sogndalstrand) as the culture hotel's 'lobby.' If you visit, you will likely encounter her and the staff walking along the street from house to house (where the hotel rooms are located).

Sogndalsstrand Kulturhotell .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

"Sogndalstrand, with its old wooden buildings, is truly spectacular. My husband, Jan Oddvar, and I started this hotel concept because we saw that there was something very special about this place. Most of the houses standing here today were built in the 1800s, while the oldest date back to the late 1700s," she says.

Sogndalsstrand .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

Did you know?

In the past, there was a bakery in the premises of Folvik Café. The restaurant is named after baker Folvik. Many people come here just to enjoy the eatery's creamy fish soup, served with homemade bread. The restaurant hosts cultural events throughout the year, and with seating for 55 guests, you'll always experience an intimate and cozy atmosphere.

Kremete fiskesuppe Sogndalsstrand

Sogndalsstrand .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

It's not difficult for Eli to find good tips for a weekend trip. She says Sogndalstrand is perfect for those seeking relaxation, but also for those who want an action-packed vacation or to experience a cultural event.

'Take a trip to the racing track at the motorsport center not far from us. People come from all over the world to drive on the track, set in incredibly beautiful surroundings. But there are also 30 marked trails in Sokndal municipality, with stunning terrain and mountainous landscapes.'

'I can recommend a visit to Jøssingfjord and the science museum there. Feel free to take a detour to see the old wooden houses under Helleren. Or maybe you'd like to explore the old, abandoned Blåfjell mines, where mining started around 1860,' she says.

'Or perhaps a bike ride out to Nesvåg,' Eli mentions. There, you can stop and sit on the quay by the Nesvåg Maritime and Motor Museum. 'If you're heading there, we have bikes available for hotel guests. It's absolutely fantastic. Yes. Absolutely fantastic.'

Johnny Nesvåg has restored an old schoolhouse and received a building conservation award for his work,' she says. But it's certainly possible to just take a few steps out into the street in Sogndalstrand to get into the holiday spirit.

'Grab a book from one of the bookcases in our street and enjoy a cup of coffee in these lovely surroundings. Or listen to the salmon jumping right nearby in the beautiful Sokna river,' says Eli.

Sogndalsstrand

Grand Hotell Flekkefjord

The hotel from 1897, which was completely renovated a few years ago (and received an architectural award for the work), is located at the beginning of the old town in Flekkefjord. This area is better known as Hollenderbyen.

("Hollenderbyen" translates to "The Dutch Town" or "The Dutch Quarter." It refers to a historic area in Flekkefjord, Norway, known for its connections with Dutch traders in the past.)

You'll find the building in the heart of the city center, within a short walking distance to experiences and shopping. On the walls in Flekkefjord, you'll quickly notice the many and varied murals that suddenly appear—often where you least expect them.

Grand Hotell Flekkefjord .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

"Flekkefjord is a fantastic town to visit, with many great shops to explore. During the high season in summer, there are many activities and several festivals. The beautiful park that has just been established right next to Flekkefjord Sparebank in the city center has become an idyllic oasis well worth a visit. It's a lovely place to relax," says hotel director Sigurd Bruhjell.

Park i Flekkefjord .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

If you're planning a weekend trip to Flekkefjord, Sigurd would also like to highlight his own historic hotel in classic Swiss style with octagonal towers.

'Our hotel has a fantastic kitchen, which I am very proud of. Yes, I am very proud of the entire hotel. Each of the 29 rooms is individually decorated,' he says.

If Sigurd were to give more tips for a weekend stay in Flekkefjord, he would choose the following experiences and destinations:

'As mentioned, there are many things to do in Flekkefjord, but one of the finest, in my opinion, is definitely a railbike trip on the old, disused Flekkefjord railway. The railway is an attraction in itself and very popular, one of the few of its kind in Norway. A railbike trip is suitable for families with small children, couples, and for team-building. It’s a 17-kilometer-long journey that can be taken all the way from the city center up to Sira station,' he says.

This narrow-gauge railway was opened in 1904, and the last train ran here in 1990. The entire trip from start to finish takes about 4 hours. There are beautiful views along the way, including cycling through 18 pitch-dark tunnels. A good tip is to bring plenty of food and drinks for the bike ride.

Grand Hotell Flekkefjord

Did you know?

The distinctive outdoor lamp hanging over the entrance of Grand Hotel Flekkefjord was the town's first street lamp.

The restoration work in 2009, which stayed true to the hotel's original appearance from 1897, resulted in Flekkefjord Sparebank's architectural award in 2019. In 2022, the hotel also received the 'National Plaque for Good Conservation Work' from the Cultural Heritage Fund.

Flekkefjord .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei

"How long is the travel time between Flekkefjord, Sogndalstrand, and Egersund?"

The travel time by car between each location is short, whether you're coming from the east or the west. It takes about 1 hour to drive between Grand Hotel Flekkefjord and Grand Hotel Egersund, around 25 minutes between Grand Hotel Egersund and Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell, and 45 minutes between Grand Hotel Flekkefjord and Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell.

På vei mellom hotellene .
Photo: Rita Tvede Bartolomei