Where to Stay in Hardangerfjord with Kids: Eidfjord, Lofthus, Ulvik and Beyond
- minna
- 20 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Choosing where to stay along the Hardangerfjord is much harder than it looks. It is Norway's second largest fjord, stretching nearly 180km inland, and the villages along it are small and spread far apart. If you pick the wrong base, you will easily spend hours trapped in the car just trying to reach the major sights.
Most families visit this region to break up the journey between Oslo and Bergen. To help you match the right town to your specific road trip itinerary, this guide breaks down the five best bases for families with young children, alongside honest notes on pools, exact location benefits, and family amenities.
For the full day by day route including every single sightseeing stop along the way, read our complete Norway Road Trip with Kids guide.
Accommodation Summary Table
Property | Location | Price From | Best For |
Eidfjord | £100 per night | Closest base to Vøringsfossen with a famous bakery next door | |
Eidfjord | £110 per night | Dedicated family rooms with built-in bunk beds | |
Eidfjord | £130 per night | Full service hotel with cots and excellent family facilities | |
Lofthus | £160 per night | Premium resort with six pools and incredible glacier views | |
Ulvik | £140 per night | Quiet orchard country with private beach and indoor pool | |
Norheimsund | £120 per night | Historic waterfront hotel right next to Steindalsfossen | |
Odda | £100 per night | No frills, hiker focused base closest to the Trolltunga trailhead |
Understanding the Four Best Family Bases
The Hardangerfjord naturally divides into distinct regions, and your choice depends entirely on your daily itinerary.
Eidfjord: Located at the innermost eastern tip of the fjord, right at the base of the mountain plateau. This is the absolute best place to stay for a one night stop if you want to be close to Vøringsfossen waterfall and the Hardangervidda Nature Centre.
Lofthus: Positioned on the stunning Sørfjord branch, surrounded by millions of fruit orchards with direct views of the Folgefonna Glacier. This is the best base for a multi night stay because it features the best family resort in the area and sits within easy driving distance of both Trolltunga and the northern fjord attractions.
Ulvik: Tucked away on a quiet northern arm of the water. It is a peaceful village famous for its local farm shops and cideries, making it a beautiful escape if you want a slower pace away from the main transit routes.
Norheimsund: Located at the far western gateway of the fjord, just an hour and twenty minutes drive from Bergen. This is the most practical first or last night stop if you are flying into or out of Bergen, and it sits right next to Steindalsfossen.
1. Eidfjord
Eidfjord is a small village with a massive setting, where the mountains plunge straight down into the water. It is incredibly charming in the evening when the late summer light hits the fjord, but because it is small, dining options are quite limited.
The main reason to stop here is that it is home to Vik Bakery. Their cardamom buns are easily the best I have eaten anywhere in Norway! Even if you only pass through make sure you stop by to grab a takeaway bun!
Vik Pensjonat (prices from around £100 per night)
Best for: Families wanting a relaxed, incredibly friendly guesthouse base with fjord views and the village bakery just steps away.
Vik Pensjonat sits right by the water with dramatic mountain views on three sides and a lovely garden terrace. The rooms are simple and clean, and the location puts you within walking distance of the village centre and a fifteen minute drive from Vøringsfossen. A cot is available on request at this property.
Eidfjord Hotel (prices from around £110 per night)
Best for: Families with two children who want a traditional, independently owned hotel with an excellent on site restaurant.
This small hotel sits right in the centre of Eidfjord village and features excellent family rooms configured with a double bed and built-in bunk beds. The on site restaurant uses beautiful local produce, and a children's friendly breakfast buffet is included in your stay. There is a cosy lounge area with an open fireplace for the evenings, plus free parking. Cots are not available here, so this hotel is strictly suited for families whose children are past the cot stage.
Vøringfoss Hotel (prices from around £130 per night)
Best for: Families with babies or very young toddlers who want a full service hotel with reliable, extensive amenities.
This is the largest and most complete hotel option in Eidfjord, sitting right on the shoreline. It has 81 rooms, and many of them have private balconies facing directly onto the fjord. The hotel has an on site playground to burn off energy, a buffet restaurant, a bar, and a spa area with a sauna for the parents. The staff are helpful at assisting families with planning local hikes and weather tracking. A cot is available on request at this hotel.
2. Lofthus
Lofthus is the most picturesque and recognisable area of Hardangerfjord and definitely worth staying a few nights. It is home to the spectacular Dronningstien (The Queen's Trail) hike, and it sits just ten minutes away from Lofthus Sideri, a lovely local cider house that serves amazing tastings alongside fresh cheese and charcuterie boards.
Hotel Ullensvang (prices from around £160 per night)
Best for: Families who want a premium resort experience with incredible swimming pools, a private beach, and direct glacier views.
Hotel Ullensvang is one of the best options for families in the entire Hardangerfjord region. It features six separate swimming pools, three indoor and three outdoor, including a dedicated heated children's pool. There is a private white sand beach directly on the fjord, an indoor tennis court, an indoor children's playroom, and row boats available to rent. The rooms face either the mountains or the water, and the fjord view rooms look directly across at the massive Folgefonna Glacier. The hotel restaurant serves a changing three course menu alongside an exceptional breakfast buffet. A cot is available on request here.
3. Ulvik
Ulvik sits on a sheltered northern arm of the inner fjord, surrounded by green hills and fruit farms. It is quieter than Eidfjord or Lofthus, making it less central for a fast paced sightseeing holiday but perfect for an unhurried, peaceful stay focused on kayaking and farm shops.
Brakanes Hotel (prices from around £140 per night)
Best for: Families wanting a slower paced base in orchard country with private beach access and an indoor pool.
Brakanes Hotel sits directly on the water in the centre of Ulvik village. It features its own private beach for fjord swimming, a heated indoor pool, a hot tub, and a waterside sauna. The restaurant builds its seasonal menu entirely around local produce, cured meats, and fresh orchard fruits from the surrounding valley. Family rooms are readily available, and the dining room offers some of the most peaceful fjord views in the region. The hotel is just a short walk from kayak hire and a handful of local village cafes. A cot is available on request at this hotel.
4. Norheimsund
Norheimsund is located on the western shore of the fjord, making it the most practical first or last stop of a road trip if you are heading to or from Bergen. The famous Steindalsfossen waterfall, where you can walk safely behind the wall of water, is just 2km away. The village is also home to the Hardanger Maritime Museum, which features traditional wooden boat building that children find fascinating.
For a complete look at accommodation in this area, including the historic waterfront Thon Hotel Sandven, read the full guide here Steindalsfossen with Kids: The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind.
5. Odda (The Trolltunga Base)
Odda is a functional, industrial town located at the far southern tip of the Sørfjord branch. It does not possess the picture postcard beauty of Lofthus or Eidfjord, but it is practical if your main goal is to hike Trolltunga and you want to make the morning drive to the start of the trail as short as possible.
Trolltunga Hotel (prices from around £100 per night)
Best for: Families with older children doing the Trolltunga hike who want a functional, no frills base close to the mountain.
This straightforward hotel is designed entirely around the hiking market. This means they offer incredibly early breakfasts, handy packed lunch options to take up the mountain, and up to date shuttle bus information straight from reception. The location reduces your morning drive to the main Trolltunga shuttle departure point to under fifteen minutes. A cot is available on request at this hotel.
For an overview of hiking Trolltunga with kids read here: How to Camp and Hike Trolltunga with Kids and if you need somewhere to stay as part of the hike check out the full blog post here: Where to Stay Near Trolltunga: Odda, Røldal and Tyssedal for Families
Why You Should Plan for Two Nights
The Hardangerfjord is far too beautiful to rush through in a single afternoon. Spending at least two nights in the region is the best decision you can make. Booking one night in Eidfjord to see Vøringsfossen followed by one night in Lofthus to enjoy the orchards, the swimming pools, and the glacier views allows you to experience the very best of the region without spending your entire holiday behind the wheel.
For our complete road trip route between Oslo and Bergen, read our Norway Road Trip with Kids guide. For our dedicated waterfall articles, check out Steindalsfossen with Kids: The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind. Once you finally arrive in the city, our Top Things to Do in Bergen with Kids covers everything you need to fill three perfect days.
