Urnes Stave Church
Ornes, Norway
Norway’s oldest stave church, from the 12th century and on the UNESCO list, famous for its carved animal ornament. It sits on a green slope above the Lustrafjord.
Urnes Stave Church (Urnes stavkyrkje) is a 12th-century wooden church in Luster municipality in Vestland and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. It stands on the east shore of the Lustrafjord, opposite Solvorn. Tree-ring dating places its construction around 1130, and excavations found two earlier buildings.
It is famous for its north portal, with interlaced animals and tendrils in the Urnes style, whose carvings come from an older church on the site. You reach it by the Lustrabåtane ferry from Solvorn; if you come by car, park above the ferry quay and walk up to the church. Fjord Norway gives the visiting season as 2 May to 30 September, daily 10:30 to 17:45; check ferry times and opening before you go.
- Nearest town
- Ornes, Norway
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 61.2981, 7.3226
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Norway: Electronic tolls by number plate. Automatic toll roads and toll rings; many routes include car ferries. Motorway limit for cars: 110 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Eplet (Camping)Campsite4 km from Urnes Stave ChurchTentsShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Lyngmo Ungdomssenter og CampingCampsite6 km from Urnes Stave ChurchTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Sandvik Camping 1Campsite11 km from Urnes Stave ChurchCaravans
- AmlesandenCampsite14 km from Urnes Stave ChurchTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowers
- Kjørnes CampingCampsite14 km from Urnes Stave ChurchTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Lærdal Ferie- og FritidsparkCampsite23 km from Urnes Stave ChurchTentsCaravans
All campsites in Norway · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Urnes Stave Church?
Urnes Stave Church is in Ornes, Norway, at GPS 61.2981, 7.3226. It is about 14 km from Sogndal.
Can you camp near Urnes Stave Church?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Eplet (Camping), about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 12 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Urnes Stave Church?
Urnes Stave Church is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet.
What is there to see near Urnes Stave Church?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bøyabreen (37 km), Borgund Stave Church (38 km), Stegastein viewpoint (43 km) and Nigardsbreen (44 km).
When is the best time to visit Urnes Stave Church?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)