Jostedalsbreen National Park Center — Attraction in Stryn

🌲 Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre (Sandvik, Oppstryn, Norway)

📍 Located on the scenic shores of Oppstrynsvatnet, just northeast of Loen and Olden, at the north edge of continental Europe’s largest glacier—Jostedalsbreen .

Opened in 1992 (inaugurated June 1993 by PM Gro Harlem Brundtland), this visitor centre is uniquely designed in the style of a Viking longhouse—one of the same length as the biggest found in Norway .

🎯 Why Visit

Immersive exhibits: Explore Europe’s most dramatic glacier environment—avalanche simulators, info on wildlife, geology, plants, cultural heritage, and human stories tied to Jostedalen’s communities .

Panorama cinema: See Jostedalsbreen’s stunning seasons on Europe’s largest seamless screen .

Outdoor gardens: Walk through the botanical and geological gardens—26 native rocks and local plant species; canoe & SUP rental available .

🍴 Cafeteria & Gift Shop

Enjoy local refreshments like coffee, tea, baked goods, and snacks. The shop offers wool clothing, maps, jewellery, Norwegian books, and locally-made foods like honey, apple juice, cured meats .

📋 Info & Practical Details

Info Details

Opening Hours May–Sep daily10–16 (May/Sep), 10–17 (June), 10–18 (July–mid‑Aug), 10–16 (late Aug) Admission (2025) Adults NOK 140, Children 4–17 NOK 70, “Welcome to the Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre, nestled by glacial lake Oppstrynsvatnet. Architecturally inspired by Viking longhouses, it hosts immersive exhibits—from avalanche simulators to glacier films projected on Europe’s largest seamless screen.

Step into the botanical and geological gardens, rent a canoe with lake views, enjoy local coffee, and shop for authentic Norwegian crafts. Open from May to September—don’t just see the glacier… feel its story! #ExploreNorway #GlacierCenter”

📍 Google Maps Review Template

Title: “Feel the Glacier – Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre”

Review:

“This centre is a gateway to Norway’s glacier wilderness. The Viking‑longhouse design is striking, and the interactive avalanche exhibit makes you part of the landscape. Don’t miss the panoramic glacier film and fascinating botanical/geology garden. The café and gift shop feature beautiful local products. A must-visit prelude to any glacier hike!”

📌 Tag: Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre

🧭 Reel & Photo Scenes Suggestions

Exterior shot: longhouse-style building backdropped by mountains

Avalanche simulator in action

Cinema clip: sweeping glacier film

Botanical garden panorama with Oppstrynsvatnet

Canoeing or SUP on the lake

Scenic café and...

Could spend a month there and still have plenty to do and see. Wild car camping available everywhere on the Sula islands😁. To get there, take the ferry from Rutladel or Rysjedalsvika. The harbor in Hardbakke has toilets, showers and washing machines/dryers for the public. Take the normal ferry (no cars) from there to Utvær during the week--it's cheaper than the Saturday tour. 240nok round trip. Journey takes about 45 minutes and you can stay all day. Also, ferry to Værlandet is free. Journey takes about an hour. For the best car camping in Værlandet, when you get off the ferry, go up the hill and take the first left. Otherwise wild car camping is a...

Nice building and shop. The content of the video about avalanches is good, but it is old (2008!). So it lacks the drastic climate changes of the last 2 decennia... The quality is mediocre: bad picture and sound. The much more modern projection on the large walls and floor is nice and immersive, but lacks good content... My suggestion: a new video with the old video's content on the new projection system? 🤩 The stone exhibition outside is just ... boring. Probably, a good (audio) guide might help 🤔 But if you want to fill an hour on a rainy day, I would still...