Just off the small village of Selje in Nordfjord lies the island of Selja – one of Norway’s most legendary places. Here you’ll find the ruins of Selja Monastery, founded almost a thousand years ago, and the cave where St. Sunniva is said to have sought refuge according to legend.
The island of Selja was Norway’s first bishop’s seat and is today an important stop along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route – a journey through history, nature and faith along Western Norway’s rugged coast.
Selja Monastery – the Sacred Island by Stad
Just off the village of Selje in Nordfjord lies the peaceful island of Selja, Norway’s oldest pilgrimage site and the country’s first bishop’s seat.
Here, surrounded by steep cliffs, green vegetation, and the open sea, you’ll find the ruins of Selja Monastery – a place that carries a thousand-year-old history, deeply rooted in faith, legend, and cultural heritage.
For centuries, Selja has been considered a sacred island, attracting pilgrims from near and far seeking peace, reflection, and a connection to the story of St. Sunniva, Western Norway’s own saint.
Selja Monastery is not just a historical monument – it is a living place. A place where stories from the Middle Ages meet today’s pilgrims, and where the sea, cliffs, and silence remind us of the long history of Western Norway.
The History of Selja Monastery and St. Sunniva
According to legend, Sunniva was an Irish princess who fled her homeland with her followers to escape a forced marriage.
After a dramatic voyage, they landed on the island of Selja, where they sought refuge in caves in the mountainside. There, they are said to have perished in a rockslide, and long afterward, people reported seeing light shining from the mountain – a sign that holy people had found their resting place there.
When the discovery of their remains and stories of miracles reached the King and the church, Sunniva and her followers were declared saints.
Around the year 1068, the bishop’s seat was established on Selja, and shortly afterward, Benedictine monks built Selja Monastery, one of Norway’s very first monasteries.
The monastery became a center of faith and learning in Western Norway, and today the ruins bear witness to both monastic life and the strong ecclesiastical traditions of the Middle Ages.
On the island, you can still find Sunniva’s Cave, where the legend says Sunniva hid, as well as the stone remains of the monastery church that once rose toward the sky in the Middle Ages.
Every year on July 8, the Seljumannamesse (Selja Mass) is celebrated in memory of St. Sunniva and her followers – a day that continues to attract both pilgrims and those interested in culture to the island.
Selje Prestegard (vicarage) and Pilgrim Centre
In the center of Selje, between the harbour and Seljesanden beach, lies Selje Prestegard (vicarage), a beautifully restored site that today serves both as a Pilgrim Centre and accommodation.
Selje Prestegard is a protected heritage site and functions as tourist information, café, and meeting place in addition to being a Pilgrim Centre. Here, visitors can enjoy a unique combination of historic atmosphere and modern comfort, with views directly out to the sea and the island of Selja.
Selje Prestegard is a natural starting point for visits to Selja Monastery and for hikes along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route.
Here, you can find information, view exhibitions, and receive guidance on the monastery’s history, the pilgrimage tradition, and the area’s cultural heritage. Electric bikes can also be rented at Selje Prestegard.
Guests can stay in historic rooms, enjoy waffles, juice, coffee, or tea, and experience the tranquility that has characterized the site for centuries.
Selje Prestegard is a place for reflection, inspiration, and a close connection to both nature and history.
The Boat Trip to Selja Monastery
To visit Selja Monastery, you must take a boat from Selje. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes and passes through a beautiful coastal landscape before arriving at the monastery island.
The boat service is operated by Fjordguiding Selje, which offers daily departures during the summer season as well as weekend departures in May, August, and September. Visit the Fjordguiding Selje website for information on the season and timetable.
During the high season, guided tours to the monastery ruins and Sunnivahulen (Sunniva’s Cave) are offered, where you can learn about the history, legend, and life on the island in the Middle Ages. On calm days, you can also explore the island on your own, enjoying the peace and views toward the Stadhavet Ocean.
Outside the main tourist routes in the high season, a daily shuttle boat runs to Bø on the east side of the island throughout the year. Check the Selje-Seljeøya route on skyss.no. This route is mainly adapted to the schedules of local residents, and some departures must be booked the day before.
During the summer months, both regular boat trips and guided RIB boat tours from Selje are available. Fjordguiding Selje also offers RIB boat trips on request throughout the year.
Selje – the Gateway to the Sacred Island
The small village of Selje is beautifully situated at the innermost part of Seljevika (the bay of Selje), surrounded by mountains and sea. Here you’ll find one of Western Norway’s finest beaches (Seljesanden), small cafés and accommodations, and an atmosphere that invites relaxation and exploration.
Selje Prestegard and Pilgrim Centre is a highlight for both culture enthusiasts and travelers seeking a place with character. Nearby, you’ll also find several charming guesthouses and other accommodations.
During the summer months, both regular boat trips and guided RIB tours are offered from Selje. Boat tours are also available on request throughout the year. These boat tours provide a wonderful combination of nature experiences and history.
There is also a nice guest harbour in Selje with access to the sanitary facilities at Seljesanden.
From Bø on the island of Selja, it’s a pleasant hike along the old monastery trail across the island to the monastery. The trail is as old as the monastery itself and is now marked as a pilgrimage route along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route. The hike takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can hike along a marked trail over the top of the island, which takes about 1–2 hours. More information is available from the tourist information at Selje Prestegard and Pilgrim Centre.
Dagsturhytta (the Day Trip Cabin) Sjøglytt is located on Risnakken, just above the centre of Selje village (about 135 meters above sea level), and the hike up takes around 30 minutes if you start from the municipal building in the centre of Selje.
From Sjøglytt, you have a beautiful view of Selje village, Seljesanden beach, the island of Selja, and the Stad Peninsula. The trail is well-prepared, with some sections featuring stairs. Note that the stairs can be steep in places, but the hike is suitable as an easy-access destination for everyone.
From Selje, it’s also nice to cycle to Skårbø (past Selje Church and along the road until it ends), and then walk 20–30 minutes along a pleasant trail to the old farm Årdalen, set in a steep and dramatic cultural landscape.
The image gallery below features a selection of photos from Selje, the island of Selja, and Selja Monastery.
Places in the surrounding area worth visiting
From Selje, you can combine a visit to Selja Monastery with trips to other places in the surrounding area.
Along the coast, there are a number of small villages and natural attractions that showcase the distinctive coastal landscape of Nordfjord and the Bremanger region.
One of the most atmospheric spots is Indre Fure, an old clustered farmstead dramatically located by the sea between Selje and Hoddevik.
Here, you can walk among old stone walls and houses that bear witness to a life close to the forces of nature – a small community that lived from fishing and farming in a harsh, yet beautiful environment.
It is also possible to take pleasant hikes to Dagsturhytter (day trip cabins) in the area, offering both coastal nature and stunning panoramic views. It is recommended to use a guide for the hikes described in this article. Guided tours in the Selje and Stadlandet area are available through Stad Outdoors.
One of dagsturhyttene (the day trip cabins) worth visiting is Dagsturhytta Havglimt, located on Lia in Stadlandet, offering views of the Stadhavet Ocean and Vanylvsgapet. The hike is about 2 km one way and takes approximately 30–60 minutes. Here, you will experience a unique treeless coastal landscape with fantastic views. The hike to Dagsturhytta Havglimt starts from Stadlandet School in the village of Leikanger in Stad Municipality.
Other great excursion destinations in the area include Hoddevik, known for its beautiful sandy beach; Kråkenes Lighthouse, standing weather-beaten at the edge of the open ocean; and Måløy, the coastal town with a lively harbour and close proximity to Kannesteinen, the distinctive rock formation shaped by waves and time.
In addition to its sandy beach and surfing environment, Hoddevik features a unique cultural landscape, and Stadlandet is among 51 selected cultural landscapes in Norway of national significance.
There is active farming and many vulnerable species in Hoddevik. For this reason, wild camping is prohibited, and there are extended leash requirements for dogs. Here you can read more about the rules of conduct under the Outdoor Recreation Act in Hoddevik (PDF in Norwegian language only).
West Cape stands at 497 meters above sea level and is the westernmost point of mainland Norway. The view is epic. On a clear day, you can see all the way from the Sunnmøre Alps in the north to Ålfotbreen glacier in the southeast and Bremangerlandet in the south.
Grotlesanden Beach on Bremangerlandet, outside Måløy, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Norway. It is wonderful to visit during sunny summer days, but it is also an impressive experience when winter storms are at their worst.
This area offers magnificent coastal nature, beaches, and small communities with deep roots in shipping and fishing. The image gallery below features a selection of photos from stunning locations near the Selje area.
Note that the road out to Indre Fure and several other places in the area is narrow and winding, and can be prone to rockfalls and landslides, especially in rain or snow. In many places, the road only has room for one vehicle in width. Drivers should proceed with caution and be prepared to stop and reverse to the nearest meeting place.
Kystpilegrimsleia (The Coastal Pilgrim Route) – from Svanøy to Selja
Selja Monastery is one of the most central sites along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route, the maritime pilgrimage trail that follows the west coast of Norway from Egersund in the south to Nidaros in the north.
This route combines coastal culture, history, and nature, linking ancient sacred sites with modern tourism and sustainable travel. Along the route, there are three key pilgrimage destinations in Western Norway:
Svanøy in Sunnfjord – known for its historic trading sites, church history, and coastal culture.
Kinn, off Florø – with the beautiful medieval stone church and views of the ocean.
Selja in Nordfjord – where it all began, with the monastery, caves, and the legend of St. Sunniva.
Together, they form a cultural and spiritual triangle along the coast – three places where nature, history, and faith meet in a landscape shaped by both the ocean and time.
Kinn Island and Kinn Church off Florø
The beautiful saga island of Kinn with its cleft mountain Kinnaklova lies on the coast outside Florø in western Norway. The mountain has been a sailing landmark for more than a 1,000 years.
In addition, Kinn and Kinn Church is a destination for pilgrims from both Norway and abroad, and today they are part of the Coastal Pilgrimage Route between Egersund and Trondheim.
Kinn Church dates from the Middle Ages and is a beautiful monument from a bygone era. The church, built around 1150 AD, is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches.
Historical sources tell of monks with a strong spirit of adventure who set out to sea in open boats, letting the wind and ocean currents guide them to where God intended. It is said that these holy men looked for divine signs in nature to show them where to settle.
Mt Kinnaklova may have been such a divine sign from nature, and is therefore a possible reason why Kinn Church was built exactly where it stands today.
There are two accommodations on the island of Kinn: Kinn Gjestehus and Kinn Skulehus. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure there are available rooms if you plan to visit Kinn and stay overnight on the island.
Svanøy – a Key Site along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route
In the outermost part of Sunnfjord, you’ll find the island of Svanøy, one of many Key Sites along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route. Svanøy is a peaceful and historic location where pilgrims and travelers can experience nature, culture, and hospitality. The island has deep roots in church history and was a religious and administrative center along the coast during the Middle Ages.
There are four regional pilgrimage centres along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route: Avaldsnes, Bergen, Selje and Smøla. Linked to these centres are 25 key sites. Svanøy, Kinn, and Selja Monastery are all key sites – cultural and historical gems and stops along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route, where you can also get a stamp in your Pilgrim Passport; Pilgrim Pass and Olav’s Letter. The Selje Regional Pilgrimage Centre also includes the key sites Kvernsteinsparken in Hyllestad and the Gulating in Gulen Municipality.
Today, the pilgrimage centre conveys the island’s rich cultural heritage through walks, quiet reflection spots, and events that connect past and present. The centre on Svanøy works closely with the pilgrimage sites at Kinn and Selja and serves as a natural gateway to the Coastal Pilgrimage Route in Western Norway.
At Svanøy Hovedgård, there is also a pilgrim hostel. You can, among other things, visit the Olav Cross, one of the few with runic inscriptions, in the cemetery close to Svanøy Hovedgård. In the 24-hour shop at the quay, which also functions as tourist information, you can get a pilgrim stamp and maps of the island.
Svanøy Hjortesenter (Deer Centre) is a national competence centre for deer and game meat located on the island. Here, you can book a guided tour to see the deer, learn about wildlife management, and even participate during feeding times. The centre also sells local products such as venison, tools, books, and other wildlife-related items – products they can send to your address if you are unable to take them with you.
On Svanøy, you can stay overnight, taste local food, and explore the island’s green trails, old farmsteads, and venerable buildings – all surrounded by the peace and quiet that has made Svanøy a sacred and contemplative place for centuries.
Read more about what you can see, experience and do on Svanøy at Segl Inn – the website for Opplev Svanøy.
Nordfjord – What to See and Do
The mountains, glaciers, fjords and coastline of Nordfjord are some of the most beautiful landscapes Norway has to offer. Hjelle in Oppstryn, Loen Skylift, Briksdalsbreen glacier and Hoddevik beach are great places to visit when you are in Nordfjord. Nordfjord is located in the northern part of Vestland County, in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Nordfjord
Visit Nordfjord is the official destination company for the Nordfjord area.
Tourist Information Selje
Selja Monastery
Expressboat between Bergen and Selje
Rib-boat Safari from Selje
Stad Outdoors – Guide Service for Stadlandet
Dagsturhytta (Day Trip Cabin) in Selje
The coastal pilgrim route between Egersund and Trondheim
Boat Trip to Selja Monastery
The boat service from Selje to Selja Monastery is operated by Fjordguiding Selje.
Hiking suggestions along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route in the area around Selje
Smak av kysten (A taste of the coast) – Hiking suggestions between Bergen and Stad
Florø – Svanøy – Kinn by local boat and hiking
Hiking along Sunnivaleia between Kinn and Selje
Experience Gulatinget – Askvoll by Bicycle
Accommodation in Selje
Selje Prestegard og Pilegrimssenter
Apartments and Fishermen’s Cabins (Rorbuer) in Selje
Hotels in Selje and Stad Municipality
Camping – Motorhomes – Cabins in Selje and Stad Municipality
References
Kystpilegrimsleia – fra Svanøy til Selja
Selje Prestegard og Pilegrimssenter
Fjordguiding Selje – Klosterbåten
Kinn Kyrkje
Pilegrimsleden – Kinn Kirke
Pilegrimsleden – Svanøy Pilegrimssenter
Selja kloster og helgenanlegg
Selja Kloster