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Food and drink

Cider from Fjord Norway

Last updated: 09.05.2025
3 personer som går på en vei mellom blomstrende frukttrær.
On a Cider Safari in Hardanger, you get to visit the local producers. |© Visit Hardangerfjord
On a Cider Safari in Hardanger, you get to visit the local producers. |© Visit Hardangerfjord

The mild climate and unique soil of Fjord Norway provide the perfect conditions for growing fruit and berries.

If you drive along the roads of Fjord Norway in summer and autumn, you will find many stalls where you can buy a punnet of something delicious. In addition to fresh fruit, you will also find apple juice and jam that have been made along the fjords – and not least cider.

Hardanger and Sogn are particularly well known for their cider and fruit wine traditions, but you will also find cider producers in other parts of our region. Many local manufacturers have started selling their products in state wine-monopoly shops and in grocery stores. "Cider from Hardanger" has become the first alcoholic product in Norway to become a protected geographical indication. Cider has become very popular in recent years, and Norwegians haven’t bought as much locally produced alcohol since the 1930s.

But it all started a long time ago: A total of 54 apples were found in the queen’s grave during the excavation of the Oseberg ship. References are also made to apple orchards in the Icelandic sagas. The ancient Norwegian fruit was considered so valuable that stealing another man’s apples was a punishable offence! We find the first written account of growing fruit in Norway from Vik in Sogn. An episode dating from 1201 is mentioned in Sverris saga, which makes reference to an ‘Aldin orchard’ (Aldin is Norse for apple). Magnus the Lawmender’s city law from 1276 referred to "the King’s apple orchard" at Håkon’s Hall in Bergen. Growing apples appears to have subsequently become a widespread practice in Fjord Norway.

When people started producing cider and fruit wine is rather uncertain however. The Hamar Chronicle from around 1550 states that fruit wine and apple cider were sold before the Reformation. However, the Vikings already had a strong drink made from apples, berries, honey and herbs that they called "bjor".

In Fjord Norway, you can go on a cider safari in Hardanger and taste the traditional fruity ciders that are typical of the area, or you can head for the Sognefjord and enjoy a multitude of ciders made from pears, berries, rhubarb, hops, malt, honey or bitter cider apples. Further south, in Ryfylke, you can buy cider from farm shops and take part in cider tasting. The producers will introduce you to the local history, culture and production methods. You can buy local cider in a number of restaurants, which is a great alternative to foreign wines, both as an aperitif and to enjoy with your food.

En mann som plukker et eple fra et tre.
The Cider House in Balestrand|© Matador Network

Cider safari

To make it easy for you, there are several cider package tours to both Hardanger and the Sognefjord. You can find even more exciting cider products in the list below:

Package tour with an overnight stay in Hardanger

Historic Hotels and Restaurants offers package tours with an overnight stay, which include a cider cruise on the hybrid boat ‘Vision of the Fjords’, cider tasting and two farm visits. Read more about the cider safari with an overnight stay here.

If you don't want to stay overnight, you can join the cider cruise in either Lofthus or Odda, and visit one or several cider farms. Read more about the cider safari without an overnight stay here.

Cider tasting in Sogn

If you are already in the Sognefjord area, it is also possible to book a tasting directly. Several producers have a set schedule during the summer season, and by appointment throughout the year. Visit the farms that grow the apples and produce the cider, and taste award-winning products of the utmost quality. Some also offer additional activities such as cultural walks, cooking classes and guided tours, to name a few.

Ciderhuset, Balestrand

The Cider House, Balestrand

The Cider House is located in Balestrand in an organic fruit orchard with more than 100 fruit varieties. We are situated a short 15 min walk along the fjord from Kviknes Hotel.

Amble Gård

Amble Gård Farm Shop

Amble Gård in Kaupanger serves delicious applejuice and cider from its production facilities in Kaupanger.

Cidersmaking på Haug Gard - Odelsgut

Cider tasting at Haug Gard - Odelsgut

Join a great farm experience and expand your horizons in both Norwegian history, Norwegian hard cider and come and see what it's like to be a cider producer in Norway's oldest fruit district.

Ølmheim Siderhage

Ølmheim Cider Garden

Ølmheim Siderhage (cider farm) is beutifully located in Slinde by the fjord, not far from the center of Sogndal municipality.

Ciderhuset
© Tuba Ardic

Cider tasting in Ryfylke

Cider production is relatively new to Ryfylke, but it has already won awards at the prestigious CiderWorld in Frankfurt. Take part in cider tasting and visit the farm shops!

Cider tastings at OmCider in Hjelmeland

Cider tastings at OmCider in Hjelmeland

OmCider produces apple juice and apple cider on Fevoll farm on Hjelmeland in Ryfylke. You can join a guided tour with tastings and visit the farm shop.

En mann som skjenker eplesider i et glass omringet av epletrær.

Cider tasting and farm shop at Apal Sideri

Apal Sideri produces fresh and fruity apple juice and apple cider. Join a guided tour among apple trees, taste the world's best cider and visit the farm shop in Hjelmeland in Ryfylke.

To personer som plukker epler.

Cider tasting and farm shop at Eiane Gard at Hjelmeland

By Jøsenfjorden in Hjelmeland, on the National Tourist Route Ryfylke, discover Eiane Gard. Farm shop, as well as guided tours and tastings for groups.

Fjordsider

Fjordsider - Aure

Skogheim Gård produces red, delicious apples that are turned into sider and apple drink. The farm is located near the center of Aure with a lovely view between the fjord and the mountains.

Tingvoll Sider

Tingvoll Sider

Join Tingvoll Sider farm with cider tasting in the apple orchard and visit the farm shop. Tingvoll Sider is located on the farm Strupstad in an idyllic location on Nordmøre with a lovely view over Breifjorden and Trollheimen.

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