Geotourism - Solstrand Hotel & Bad

Solstrand has the perfect location for trips to the Folgefonna peninsula, an area with a unique charm and well worth a visit.

- Oselvarverkstaden: A workshop established to keep alive the 2000-year-old traditions of boat building in Osøyro. The boat builders from Os quickly gained a high reputation for building light, swift and supple boats, and as these were built at the mouth of the Os river (Oselva), the boats were called Oselvar. For more information, go to: www.oselvarverkstaden.no

- The Lysekloster ruins: Lysekloster monastery was founded in 1146 as a daughter monastery to Fountains Abbey in York in England. It soon grew to be one of the richest monasteries in Norway. In its heyday, the monastery owned most of the farms in Os, and also the property on which Solstrand now stands. The monastery ruins are nearby the island of Lysøen. For more information, go to: www.visitos.no

- HIstorical Monuments: There are a multitude of monuments in and around Os, including burial mounds, rock carvings from 4000 BC and the steatite quarries in Søre Neset. The characteristic Vargahola cave here is easy to spot from the water, and it is thought that steatite was mined here from as early as the Middle Ages or Viking era. A cultural-historical trail leads you to the various attractions. For more information, go to: www.visitos.no

- Solbakkestova Gallery: Only 3 km from Solstrand, at Solbakkestova, the Mæland family has a charming studio and gallery where you can enjoy their sculptures in bronze, paintings and reliefs. For more information, go to: www.solbakkestova.no 

- Holdhus Church: The old church at Holdhus is thought to be one of the most interesting post-reformation churches in Norway. The stave church which formerly occupied this site was first mentioned in 1350. In 1900, the church was sold to the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments, who still owns the church. Holdhus church has daily guided tours during the summer. The church is a 1-hour drive from Solstrand. For more information, go to: http://www.fusa.kommune.no