Skjolden

Skjolden sits at the innermost end of the Sognefjord, Norway's longest fjord at 204km. The village is tiny, with a handful of buildings, a pier, and mountain scenery in every direction. The SeaWalk pier allows ships to dock directly. A small restaurant and art gallery are near the waterfront. The Sognefjord area is the main attraction. Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest mainland glacier, is accessible via guided walks on its arms (Nigardsbreen is the most popular). The Stave churches in the region (Urnes Stave Church, a UNESCO site, is reachable by ferry and car) are medieval wooden churches with Viking-era carvings. Ludwig Wittgenstein, the philosopher, had a house built above the village, now a small museum/memorial. Hiking trails lead up from the village into the mountains. Norwegian krone is the currency, and prices are very high.