Valdres Folkemuseum

Valdres Folkemuseum is an open-air museum on the Storøya peninsula, just outside Fagernes in Nord-Aurdal Municipality, Innlandet county, Norway. On the shore of Lake Strandefjorden, it gathers buildings and everyday objects from the Valdres valley, one of the most traditional valleys in the heart of the country.

What is Valdres Folkemuseum?

It is both a village-style outdoor museum and an ethnographic collection. The institution was founded on 10 March 1901, at a time of national enthusiasm and growing interest in rural culture. The first building in its collection was rebuilt in 1906, and in 2026 the museum marks its 125th anniversary. It counts among Norway's larger open-air museums.

What can you see here?

The grounds hold more than a hundred historic buildings and structures moved from across the valley: farmsteads, timber dwellings, storehouses and other farm buildings. Walking among them shows how rural life looked and how building traditions in the region changed over time. The collection numbers around 20,000 objects.

The museum puts particular weight on three themes:

• folk music and historic instruments,
• folk costume, with the largest collection of bunads (traditional Norwegian national dress) in the country,
• the conservation of historic buildings.

What is a visit like in summer and winter?

In summer, farm animals such as pigs, hens, sheep and cows roam the grounds, so the museum feels like a living village rather than a row of exhibits. Guided tours are also offered. In December the museum hosts Skarke, a traditional pre-Christmas market popular with locals and visitors alike.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Valdres Folkemuseum? On the Storøya peninsula, just outside central Fagernes, beside Lake Strandefjorden in Nord-Aurdal.

When was the museum founded? On 10 March 1901.

What is the highlight of the collection? Norway's largest collection of bunads, plus over a hundred historic buildings and structures outdoors.

Is it a good stop for families with children? Yes. In summer you can meet farm animals on the grounds, and the open layout suits relaxed strolling.

Is it worth visiting in winter? Especially in December, when the Skarke market takes place.

Why visit?

Valdres Folkemuseum combines two things that rarely come together: a sprawling open-air site with authentic buildings and a rich collection of costumes and instruments. If you are passing through Fagernes and care about Norwegian tradition, it is a good place to spend a few unhurried hours. It pairs well with trips into the Valdres mountains, since it explains how people lived in the valley before it became a holiday destination. Set aside half a day, start with a walk through the oldest part of the buildings, then move on to the costume and folk music displays.