Town Hall
The tour starts at the tourist information office, located on the ground floor of Kinn Municipality’s Town Hall. Built in 1903, the Town Hall was constructed on the site of the former Sandahl House, where the city council previously held its meetings. It also once housed the town's telegraph station, which was severely damaged by a fire in 1922, leaving only the outer walls standing. The building was later rebuilt and slightly expanded. At the time, the Town Hall was placed here because this area was considered the heart of the city. To the west lived the “utibynarane” (outer-town residents), while to the east lived the “innibynarane” (inner-town residents).
Strandgata
You start by walking east along Strandgata. When Florø was granted city status in 1860, there were only two farms here. On the left side of Strandgata stood the old boathouses, many of which have now been replaced by new buildings. This street is home to the oldest houses in town. If you lift your gaze, you’ll see Brandsøyåsen, rising 293 metres above sea level. It’s a great hiking spot, with a trail leading almost all the way from the town centre. Or you can take the bus to Torvmyrane School.
Communication
On the opposite side of the street from the Town Hall stands the sculpture "Communication." It depicts two children engaged in conversation, symbolising the connection that former residents still wish to maintain with their hometown. It was these former residents, out of love for Florø, who gifted this special sculpture to the town for its 125th anniversary. The sculpture was unveiled in 1985 by its initiators, Vigdis Kittang and Leiv Hovden.
Strandgata 32
This building, constructed before 1883, originally had only one storey but was later expanded to include a second floor, with a shop on the ground floor and a residence above. At that time, the building council required a fire wall on the west side, as the Town Hall had been completed and put into use in 1903. This turned out to be useful when the Town Hall, as is well known, burned down in 1922. Later, Margit and Anders Johannesen ran a guesthouse here until around 1950. In more recent times, the premises were best known as Judits Butikk, a handbag store on the ground floor. Today, the space houses BUA, where you can borrow equipment for both summer and winter activities. On the wall facing the Town Hall, you’ll find a mural of a fox trying to catch a bird. The artwork was created by the artist Newton, producer Petter Nord, and the French street artist Stew.
Strandgata 34 - The Moe house
This is one of the oldest houses in town, originally relocated from Nordalen and placed here around 1860. For many years, it was home to watchmaker Johs. Moe. His grandson, Eystein Moe, also worked as a watchmaker until recently. The family lived on the second floor. Today, the ground floor houses, among other things, a hair salon and a funeral service office.
Strandgata 27 - the Christensen house
The name of this building lives on from the talented businesswoman Ellen Christensen. As a young woman, she came to Florø from Atløy and established her own business here in 1889. This house was built in the early 1900s, at a time when several smaller houses and sheds lined this part of Strandgata along the waterfront. Ellen Christensen was a dynamic entrepreneur who focused on clothing and fashion retail, a perfumery, and various other specialities. She was particularly known for her exceptional coffee. It was said that when people in Florø were hosting gatherings and wanted only the finest quality coffee, they would buy it from Ellen Christensen. She was also known as an avid outdoors enthusiast and was a co-owner of the sailing boat Jernbarden. Additionally, she is believed to have been one of the first women in Florø to own a bicycle. Over the years, many different businesses have occupied this building, and today it houses a Thai restaurant, while the rest of the building is residential.
Strandgata 29
Between the two beautiful wooden buildings at Strandgata 27 and 31, you’ll find a distinctive brick building, constructed in 1925 on the last allocated plot in this area—also the final building in Strandgata facing the waterfront. Over the years, it has housed a hardware store, a weapons shop, and a motor agency.
Strandgata 31 - The Solheim house
In 1898, P.B. Solheim built the elegant commercial and residential building at Strandgata 31, largely as we see it today. The property also included an old boathouse, which served as both a trading post and family residence until the new building was completed. The new house featured a shop in the basement, selling both groceries and clothing, while the Solheim family lived upstairs, along with rental apartments. The old boathouse was demolished in 1988, and some years later, extensive land reclamation was carried out in the waterfront area in front of the building, creating a parking space. Today, this area in front of the Solheim House is home to Kolkaia, a mixed-use commercial and residential building. On the ground floor, you’ll find Hjerterommet, a creative space where artists and craftspeople gather, offering local handmade products for sale.
Atløy
Between the Solheim House and Bistro To Kokker, you can walk down to Kolkaia. Here, you’ll find M/S Atløy—unless it’s out on a trip. M/S Atløy was built in 1931 and is the only pre-war vessel from Fylkesbaatane i Sogn og Fjordane (FSF) that has been preserved in nearly its original condition. For two generations, M/S Atløy served local routes throughout Sogn og Fjordane. In the early 1980s, a group of enthusiasts came together to form a cooperative, purchasing M/S Atløy back from private owners with the goal of restoring the vessel. If you see someone on board, feel free to say hello—you might even be invited aboard! For more information about the ship and its activities, visit their website at atloy.no.
Loyal
From time to time, you may also spot the galeas Loyal here—unless it’s out on a voyage or docked at its home berth further down by Amfi. Loyal was built as a galeas in Rosendal, Hardanger, in 1877 by Knut Johannessen Nes, known locally as “Gjøa-Knuten.” He is the same man who made the Hardangerjakt world-famous by building Gjøa, the ship Roald Amundsen used to navigate the Northwest Passage. Loyal was constructed to transport up to 900 barrels of herring and was designed for sailing across the open seas.
Svanhild
Svanhild was built as a Hardangerjakt in Stangvik, Nordmøre, in 1889. The vessel was primarily used for cargo transport, mainly carrying fish and salt between Kristiansund and Lofoten. As a jakt, Svanhild had a single mast and a crew of six. Around 1925, it was converted into a galeas, meaning it was fitted with two masts. This made the sails smaller and easier to handle, allowing the ship to be sailed with a crew of five. In the 1980s, Svanhild completed a three-year circumnavigation of the world.
Strandgata 33 - The Sundal house
Back in Strandgata, you’ll find Sundalshuset, built by Sheriff Jens Landmark in 1861. Over the years, the building has housed a variety of businesses, including a dining establishment in the basement and rental rooms upstairs. After World War II, a grocery store operated here until 1980, and from the mid-1950s, Sigurd Solberg ran a radio repair shop in the lower level. Later, Bistro To Kokker moved in and continues to operate today, serving delicious traditional Norwegian cuisine in the main dining area.
Strandgata 37
This house was built shortly after Florø was granted city status in 1860. Over the years, it has housed various businesses, but since 1971, Garn og Brukskunst has been located here.
Strandgata 39 - The Øren house
Strandgata 39 is also one of the town’s early buildings, likely built before 1865. For many years, the ground floor housed various businesses, while the well-known Havikbotten Café operated in the basement. Over time, the building has been home to a hardware store, a shop selling sports and fishing equipment, and from 1988, a flower shop with products from a local nursery. Today, the main floor houses a beauty salon, while a hairdresser operates in the basement. On the east-facing wall, you can see Fiskarmannen (The Fisherman), a piece by the Bergen-based street artist Forglemmegei. The small house next door is a newer extension and is home to the popular café Lille Marked.
Strandgata 44 - The Nordal house
The house remains much as it was when it was built in 1861. In 1893, a shop was established on the ground floor, while the upper floors were rented out, in addition to housing the owner and their family. They had a license to serve beer and wine, making Nordal’s a popular place to stay. The shop closed in the 1930s and was replaced by a slightly more upscale café called Røde Kro (The Red Inn). After the war, the house was raised to increase ceiling height on the ground floor, and Nordal’s Café was established. At the time, it was considered a large and modern café and remained in operation until 1985. Over time, the ground floor was used for various shops, including a bookstore and a toy store. Today, it houses a clothing store, while the rest of the building is used for residential purposes.
Strandgata 46 - The Wefring house
While the neighbouring house remains much as it was when built 160 years ago, the old Wefring House has undergone significant changes and is now unrecognisable. The original owner, Hans Olsen Steen, started a brewery here, and the brewing equipment remained in place until the 1930s. At that time, the building was converted into a shoe shop with a shoemaker’s workshop. There was also a small café with an entrance directly from the street. Later, it continued as a shoe store, and in more recent years, it has housed a flower and interior design shop.
Haffenkaia/Fylkeskaia
At the intersection of Torggata and Strandgata, turn left again and head down to Haffenkaia. This used to be the town’s harbour terminal. The quay was in use from 1879, and the building housing the harbour café was constructed in 1880. Today, it serves as an activity centre for young people.
The anchors from Iohann Predtech
Walk back up the street, and you will find yourself at the intersection of Strandgata and Torggata. To your left, you will see two large anchors. These anchors come from the Russian schooner Iohann Predtech, which was shipwrecked on 4 November 1886 southeast of Litle Batalden, west of Florø. In 1985, Sparebanken Flora Bremanger, in collaboration with Florø Diving Club, located two stock anchors at the wreck site. The anchors were recovered and placed here in connection with the opening of the bank’s new building. Although the bank has since moved, the anchors remain. The schooner was en route from Hammerfest to St. Petersburg carrying fish. The crew was rescued and brought safely to Florø.
The fishing boy
Cross the street again, where you will find Fiskarguten (The Fisher Boy). The sculpture was designed by art professor Ludvig Eikaas, while the wrought iron work was crafted by blacksmith artist Inger Tragethon. Together with cultural director Lidvin Osland, they unveiled the sculpture during the fifth annual Sildebordet (The Herring Feast) in 1996. A young fisherman is certainly a fitting motif for a town built on fishing.
The Passanger
Right next to Fiskarguten sits Passasjeren (The Passenger). This sculpture is one of the most popular in the country and was created by Solveyg Schafferer (b. 1928).
The Crofter`s wife
On the west side of Florø Kulturhus stands Husmannskona (The Crofter’s Wife). The sculpture was purchased by the former Flora Municipality and was created by Skule Waksvik (1927–2018). Waksvik is best known and loved for his sculptures of animals and animal groups. He also created figurative works, often with women as the central theme. Waksvik was a proponent of simplified naturalism, believing that an artwork does not need to replicate nature in every detail—as long as it works as a sculpture.
Global
Walk past the fire station and turn right. There, you will find the sculpture Global, created by Geir S. Hjetland (b. 1955). Hjetland works with sculptures in various materials, exploring solutions at the intersection between the mechanical and the organic. Global is made from old Hardanger Bestikk (Hardanger cutlery) and visually represents the concept of globalisation.
The Bird, the Flower, and the Boat
Continue up the hill to Florø Kulturhus, where you will find the sculpture "Fuglen, blomsten og båten" ("The Bird, the Flower, and the Boat"). There is a sense of flight in this sculpture, which stands prominently outside the cultural centre. Its wings stretch toward the sky, while the boat-like hull gives an impression of speed. Given that the sculpture faces east, it’s perhaps no surprise that locals in Florø jokingly nicknamed it "Flukta til Førde" ("The Escape to Førde"). The name stems from the strong rivalry between Florø and Førde in the 1970s and 80s. The artwork was unveiled on 20 January 1979 in connection with the opening of Flora Samfunnshus (as it was called at the time). The artist behind the piece is sculptor Steinar Christensen from Kristiansund, and the sculpture is made of steel.
Florø Cultural Center
Florø Kulturhus was built in 1979 on the site where the courtyard of Florø Farm once stood. The demolition of the historic farm buildings to make way for the cultural centre sparked many protests. However, the need for a communal gathering space for the town ultimately outweighed the objections. Florø Kulturhus houses a cinema, a library, and banquet halls on the main floor, while the lower level contains a service centre and a fire station. Cross the street and follow the path up by Sunnfjord Medisinske Senter.
Sunnfjord Medical Center
The original building was constructed in 1950 as a car dealership, workshop hall, and petrol station. In the year 2000, it was renovated and expanded into Sunnfjord Medisinske Senter, which now houses various healthcare providers. Key elements from the 1950s, such as the architectural style, concrete structure, and the petrol station canopy, have been preserved.
The roaring Red Deer
Above the taxi central, you will see "The Roaring Red Deer" in bronze. The sculpture was created by Skule Waksvik and was purchased following a fundraising campaign led by Lilleba Nybø.
Florø Elementary School
On the opposite side of the street from Sunnfjord Medisinske Senter stands Florø Barneskole, one of Florø’s most prominent buildings. The school was built during the difficult 1930s and cost around half a million kroner at the time—a significant investment for the struggling town. Today, the school has around 560 students and is one of three primary schools in the city. This street was previously called Skolegata because several schools were once located here. Originally, there was a school where the hospital now stands, but after it burned down, the new school was built in its current location. The white house between the school and the hospital is known as Malkeneshuset and was also used as a school in its time. On the corner of the school building, you will find a plaque with historical information from the war years.
The Climibing Park
North of the school, you’ll find the climbing park, which opened in 2016. The idea for the park came from the "Folk i sentrum" ("People in the Centre") project, where it was decided to establish a climbing park in the city park. The climbing park is open to everyone and free to use. Next, walk into Claus Findegate, located between the school and the bicycle parking area.
The Rectory
The rectory has been located here since 1755, but the current building was constructed in 1900. The property is beautifully situated on the north side of Storevatnet. Today, the priests have moved out, and the estate is now owned by the municipality. You’ll get the best view of the rectory when you reach the old municipal building, which is stop 31 on the walking tour.
Troll – Do You Want to Sleep in Our Arms?
Now, follow the footpath, and after a short walk, you will come across the sculpture "Troll – Vil du sove i armane våre?" ("Troll – Do You Want to Sleep in Our Arms?"). The sculpture was a gift to the hospital in connection with its expansion in 1982. It was created by artist Elisabeth Steen and was unveiled by head nurse Helge Kristiansen. The hospital is now closed and is being demolished. This area will be a construction site in the coming years.
Storevatnet
Enter Kinnvegen and turn left, walking down towards Storevatnet. There is a lovely path along the lake, and if you want a slightly longer walk, you can continue along the south side. However, there is no trail on the north side of the lake. When you reach the south side, head back up to Kinnvegen and cross the road. Here, beautifully situated between Storevatnet and Litlevatnet, you’ll find the care centre and the cultural school.
The old municipal building
When you cross the road, the old municipal building of Kinn Municipality is on your left. You are now outside the original town boundary. The building was constructed in 1897 as Kinn Heradshus. It also housed Kinn Sparebank until 1953 and served as a school until the late 1950s.
The old town boundary
In 1860, the town’s boundaries were very different from what they are today. Information boards have now been placed at several locations along the old border. One of these signs stands here at the intersection.
Litlevatnet
Here, a gravel path circles the lake, allowing you to take an extra loop if you wish. In cold winters, when the lake freezes over, it becomes a popular spot for ice skating. If you prefer not to take the extra loop, continue to the pavilion, which is the next stop.
The Pavilion
Along the north side of the lake, you’ll find Paviljongen. It was built in 2010 as a gift to the town by the choir Jomentum. Turn around and walk back a bit to the path that leads up to the left.
Litleåsen
A well-made but steep path leads up to Litleåsen. Here, you’ll find the old water tank, which has been transformed into a concert venue and viewpoint. You can cross the ridge and descend on the other side via a well-maintained trail. On the westernmost edge, there is a viewpoint with a bench where you can sit and enjoy the view.
The old town boundary
Follow the path until you reach the road again, Michael Sars gate. When you come down to Michael Sars gate, you’ll find another sign marking the old town boundary. Cross the street and enter Kyrkjeparken (The Church Park).
Florø Church
Florø Church is a long church built in 1882. It was designed by Jacob Wilhelm Nordan. The building is made of wood and has a seating capacity of 500.
Eric
In Kyrkjeparken, you will find a new sculpture, "Eric." It was unveiled on 8 May 2020, on Liberation Day, exactly 75 years after the end of World War II. SIS agents Dagfinn Ulriksen and Atle Svardal were the first two agents to be deployed along the Norwegian coast. SIS (Special Intelligence Service) was a British intelligence organisation during the war. The agents relied on support from resistance members, and one of those who risked her life for this effort was Sigrun Solberg. With the Eric statue group, Flora Historielag and Florø Krigshistorielag aim to provide both locals and visitors with more information about the secret soldiers and their helpers. You can learn more at kystagentane.no. There is also a memorial stone with information about these three individuals. North of the statue, you’ll see a gate in the stone wall—go through it, walk straight ahead and down the hill to Markegata. Turn left on Markegata and follow the street to Fugleskjærsgata, then take the first right into Strandgata.
Strandgata 8 - Kjær House
This is the first house on the south side of Strandgata when approaching from the west. It is said to have been moved from Ausevika and reassembled here in 1891. Over the years, it has housed a guesthouse, among other things. Today, it is a private residence.
Strandgata 7
This is one of the truly old houses in town. It belonged to Henrik Hellesen, a line installer for the Telegrafverket, who originally lived in Stavang. In 1872, he dismantled his house and moved it to this plot. It has always been a residence, except for the extension on the west side, which has housed various businesses, including a restaurant.
Strandgata 12 - Fargeklatten
The house was built in the late 1880s and housed a blacksmith’s workshop until 1970. After that, Aslaug and Gunnar Fredheim took over and renovated the building, creating a residence upstairs and a shop on the ground floor called Fargeklatten (The Splash of Colour). There was quite a stir when the painting of the house was halted by the building inspector—even a German TV crew came to Florø to film the unusual house. The house remains a colourful landmark, but the shop on the ground floor is now closed.
Strandgata 16 - The Hatlem House
This building was erected in 1881 and originally housed Salomonsen’s Hotel, run by Tomasine Salomonsen until her death in 1913. It continued as a guesthouse and was known in the 1930s as Hospitset Hotel, operating as an annex to Victoria Hotel. During the war, the hotel was requisitioned by the German high command in the town. After the war, it resumed operation as a hotel. In the late 1940s, a fashion and textile shop opened in the building, and for a time, there was also a restaurant on the ground floor. Today, the building has been converted into rental apartments.
Strandgata 13 - The Maria Nic House
The house was built by Ole Olsen in 1868 and later expanded with an additional floor around 1900 by his sons, Nicolay and Elias. Locally, the name of the house comes from Nicolay’s widow. Over the years, the building has housed a shop in the basement, a dental office, and residential apartments. In February 2021, the house was damaged by fire and has since been renovated. Now, you arrive at Kyrkjegata—or at least, that’s what the locals call it. On maps, it is listed as Strandgata. Historically, this was the route where people would row into town before walking up to the church. It would make sense for it to be called Kyrkjebakken (The Church Hill), but if you enter that name into your GPS, you won’t find it.
Strandgata 18 - Pharmacy
As the name suggests, this building housed a pharmacy from 1889 to 1959. Since then, it has been home to a plumbing company, a perfumery, and a marine equipment store. Today, a hair salon occupies the ground floor, while the upper floor is used for residential apartments.
Strandgata 15 - Gjertsenbua
Previously, a residential house stood here with a boathouse below. The boathouse was built on stilts, and at times, the sea would reach right up to the main house. The current building, extending from Strandgata down to the waterfront, was constructed around 1980. Today, it is part of Horne Brygge.
Strandgata 17 - Horne Brygge
Strandgata 17 is named after the renowned photographer Malvin Horne (1904–1962), who ran his business here from 1940 until his passing. The house was built around 1869 when Mikkel Totland purchased the plot. Malvin Horne acquired the property around 1950, which at the time consisted of both a house and a boathouse. The building has since been restored and was awarded the municipality’s Architectural Heritage Prize in 2013. Today, the ground floor houses a bank, while the upper floors contain various offices. On the wall near Horne Brygge, there is a memorial plaque commemorating the 17th of May celebrations in 1945.
The Herring Boy
Turn left at Horne Brygge and walk down towards Quality Hotel Florø, where you will find Sildeguten (The Herring Boy). The sculpture was a gift from former residents in connection with the city's anniversary in 2010. It was created by Nina Nesje (b. 1963). Florø was built on herring, and Sildeguten stands with his back to the harbour, where boats were once tightly packed during the incredible herring fisheries of the 1950s. Back then, sildeslang (herring poaching) was a common practice—boys would run aboard the boats, string herring onto a line, and either take them home or sell them to those who smoked the fish. Follow the quay eastward around Horne Brygge. This is the first section of the Blå Promenaden (Blue Promenade), which will eventually extend all the way to Amfi.
The Herring Shoal
East of Horne Brygge stands the sculpture Sildestimen (The Herring shoal). It was created by Hjalmar Lothe and unveiled during Sildebordet (The Herring Feast) in 2013. Herring is often called the silver of the sea. When the herring arrived in January or February, men would drop whatever they were doing and rush out onto the fjord to haul in their catch. On the best fishing days, the boats were packed tightly together, so heavily loaded that they were barely afloat. The race was then on to reach Florø as quickly as possible to unload, allowing them to head straight back out to fish again. Next to the sculpture, you’ll find an information plaque. Now, head back up to Strandgata.
Strandgata 20 - The Lammethun House
Here stand two old and distinctive houses that have been expanded and/or rebuilt several times. Directly across the street, there was once a boathouse that a German navy vessel crashed into during an attack. When the ship backed out, it dragged the boathouse with it. The ground floor has housed various shops over the years, including a furniture store and a clothing shop. Today, it is home to a sports store. The second floor has always been used as a residence.
Strandgata 22 - The Batalden House
The house was built in 1872 and originally had one and a half storeys. Over time, it has been extended both in height and length. The ground floor has been rented out for various businesses, including Dagfinn Hjertenes Vulkanisering, a hair salon, a framing shop, and a clothing store. Today, it houses a sports shop. The rest of the building is used as residential space.
Strandgata 24 - The Hopen House
The house standing at this address today was built in 1984 after the original building was demolished. However, it is an exact replica of the old Hopen House. The original house was built in 1866 and served as a guesthouse, café, and dining establishment. On Sundays, a glass of wine was offered with dinner at the house’s expense. It was considered a refined experience to dine here with Madam Hopen. The business operated until the 1930s, and there was a strong desire to preserve the original one-and-a-half-storey wooden house with its gabled roof, curved clay tiles, and solid stone staircase at the front. However, as the building deteriorated over time, the only viable solution was to demolish it and construct a new one. The ground floor has housed various businesses, and the upper floor is now used as a residence.
Strandgata 26 - The Langø House
This building was originally two separate houses that have since been merged. The western part was built by shoemaker Karsten Madsen in 1887, and the houses were joined together in 1907. A combined business was established here, selling both hardware and groceries. The ground floor has always housed commercial spaces, with Husfliden being the last shop to operate there. Today, an architecture firm occupies the premises. The second floor remains a residential space.
Florevika Guest Harbour
On the other side of Strandgata, there used to be several boathouses, including Kakebua, which many locals have fond memories of. These buildings have now been demolished, and a new development is planned. For now, the area offers a great view of the guest marina.
Strandgata 28 - The Hjørnevik House
Strandgata 23 and 28 naturally belong together. The shop and residence were located in Strandgata 28 on the south side, while the boathouse by the sea is number 23. Strandgata 28 was built by Helje Heljeson Hjørnevik in 1861. He came from Evanger near Voss in the mid-1850s and laid the foundation for the town’s oldest trading family. Today, Vesle Kinn is located in Strandgata 28, where they have a small brewery at the back of the premises, producing Kinn Beer. During the summer, you can join a guided tour here.
Strandgata 23 - Hjørnevikbua
Strandgata 23 was built in 1870 as a boathouse for the company H. Hjørnevik. Today, the ground floor houses a pub, while the second floor is a restaurant. On the waterfront side of the building, there is a specially designed floating platform used for outdoor dining. Thank you for joining this tour! If you’d like to learn more about the town or explore another route, feel free to stop by the Tourist Information Office, where they can provide tips on things to do in Florø.
