Nordfjordeid

Nordfjordeid is the regional capital of Nordfjord and the administrative centre of Stad Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. Situated at the end of Eidsfjorden (an arm of Nordfjorden), west of the lake Hornindalsvatnet. The village serves as a commercial and cultural hub for the greater Nordfjord region.. As of 2024, the 2.53-square-kilometre (630-acre) urban area (tettsted) has a population of 3,178. The local economy is driven by commerce, agriculture, timber, and a growing tourism sector. This growth is heavily supported by the Port of Nordfjordeid, which serves as a major gateway for international cruise traffic as the 10th most visited passenger terminal in Norway. Nordfjordeid functions as the primary shopping destination for the surrounding areas, centered around its historic main street, Eidsgata and modern commercial street Sjøgata along the towns waterfront where Alti Nordfjord the largest shopping centre in Nordfjord is located. Historically serving as the center of power for the Kingdom of Firda during the Viking Age the town is internationally recognized for its significant cultural and historical attractions, most notably the Sagastad Viking Center—which houses a full-scale replica of the Myklebust ship - the largest Viking ship ever found and the Norwegian Fjordhorse Center, and Ekserserplassen, Norway's oldest military parade ground. The village is home to several major regional institutions, including the Nordfjord Hospital, the Statens Hus government complex, a branch of the Sogn og Fjordane District Court, Eid Church, and Operahuset Nordfjord, which connects to Eid Upper Secondary School. Nordfjordeid is a regional transport junction, located at the intersection of the European route E39 highway (connecting Bergen to Ålesund) and Norwegian National Road 15.