Brekstad is a lively city set at the entrance to a glacier-carved fjord. You can use the city as a launchpad to Trøndelag county, where you’ll find centuries-old churches and a military museum housed in a World War II artillery fort.
The earliest mentions of Ørland Church date back to the 1300s, making it one of the oldest in the parish. While the church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, you can still see parts of the original, Romanesque-style stone façade.
Austrått Fort is a decommissioned coastal artillery stronghold just north of Brekstad. Built by the Germans in 1942, the fort played an important role in defending Trondheim fjord. Tours of the World War II stronghold take you into the underground ammunition storage rooms. You’ll also visit the barracks, hospital and get up close with an enormous canon.
Getting there
Brekstad is located in Trøndelag county, a two-hour drive from Trondheim. Ferries connect Brekstad with Trondheim, Valset, Hitra, Lensvik and a handful of other towns and cities. Rental cars offer the freedom to explore Trøndelag county at your own pace. Trondheim Airport is a 2.5-hour drive away.