Dirdalstraen farm shop in Norway – local delicacies and overnight stay with a campervan

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

When we travel by motorhome, we often try to find places where we can experience more than just a parking space. That's why we booked an overnight stay at Dirdalstraen farm shop, which is one of Nortrip's hosts. It was one of those stops that stayed in our memory – not just for the view, but above all for the people and the genuine feeling.

Dirdalstraen Gardsutsalg – a farm shop with a local feel

When we saw the pictures of Dirdalstraen farm shop, or ”Dirdalstraen Gardsutsalg” as it is called in Norwegian, in the Nortrip app, we became curious. The combination of a farm shop and overnight stay by the water appealed to us – and it turned out to be a really good choice.

Dirdalstraen Gardsutsalg is located in Dirdal, in Rogaland county in western Norway. The farm and the small village are incredibly beautiful, framed by high mountains.

The family that runs the farm has both cows and sheep, and also an award-winning farm shop and the possibility of overnight accommodation – in a camper van or cabin.

Coffee and freshly baked bun

The shop has a lovely atmosphere with an ”old-fashioned” feel. We immediately sat down for a coffee and a (incredibly delicious!) bun, and just enjoyed the atmosphere and the environment.

Shopping for local delicacies

The farm shop has a large selection of locally produced products, both from the farm itself and from other farms. Here you will find, for example, meat, cheeses, marmalades, honey, sweets in beautiful packaging and much more, including skincare products and gifts.

We bought both minced meat and hamburgers, produced on the farm, as well as a fantastically tasty cheese, with a little chili flavor, which we first got to try in the store.

Animals, vintage cars and personal meetings

The farm is run by a family – Tore and Bente who live here with their three children. Tore told us about all the work and dedication behind running the farm, and it is obvious that the family puts in a lot of work and a lot of heart.

We paid a short visit to the cows, who live a peaceful life on the farm. The animals, which belong to a special Norwegian breed, were resting when we arrived, but immediately came forward when Tore wanted to offer them food.

We also got to see the sheep, which are of the Gotland sheep breed. They curiously ran past us and checked out the visitors.

Last but not least, we got to test drive the fantastic Ford. The car, which is an impressive 98 years old, was acquired as part of the farm shop's historic style. And it certainly adds to the historic atmosphere.

A nice evening by the water

After coffee, shopping and animal encounters, we had a nice evening by the water. We parked about five campers here overnight, and in the evening several people took the opportunity to go fishing.

Overnight stay in a campervan (or in a cabin)

You can therefore spend the night in the courtyard, by the water, with a camper. If you book via Nortrip, the overnight stay is free of charge. If you are not a ”Nortripper”, you are also welcome, but then you have to pay a fee for the overnight stay.

For a fee, there is also the possibility to use the toilet and shower. We took the opportunity to take a wonderfully comfortable shower here, and we can attest that the showers are spacious, fresh and really good.

There is also the possibility to stay overnight in charming little cottages, with fantastic views over the water. Please note that the cottages will eventually be replaced with new ones, and that you must book well in advance - it is very popular to stay overnight here.

When you stay overnight, you get a small information sheet about other experiences that you can add if you wish. How about a sauna or maybe a breakfast basket?

What is Nortrip?

So, what is Nortrip? When you get the Nortrip app, you get access to all local hosts in Sweden and/or Norway. You can stay overnight with the hosts free of charge, while the focus is on experiencing local activities and the genuine Norway or Sweden.

For us, it is precisely the meeting with the people and the opportunity to discover places we would otherwise have driven past that makes Nortrip interesting. You can find the Nortrip app here (affiliate link).

Our best tips for your visit

It's easy to think that the best travel experiences are always about big sights. But sometimes it's a freshly baked fika bread, a friendly conversation with the farm owner and an unexpected ride in an almost century-old car that becomes one of the strongest memories of the trip. Dirdalstraen Gardsutsalg became just such a place for us.

Some tips if you plan to visit Dirdals Gårdsbutik:

• Please arrive in good time before closing.
• Take the opportunity to talk to the nice hosts.
• Don't miss the delicious buns!
• Feel free to shop locally – it's part of the experience

More to experience in this part of Norway

Do you want to continue your journey and experience more of beautiful Norway? Here you will find more tips and reports:

• The Pulpit Rock
• Hardangerfjord