"Little Norway" in Poulsbo, WA

Day Trip: Discover Puget Sound's "Little Norway," Poulsbo

Explore a lesser known Puget Sound destination and feel like you've stepped into another country.

There is nothing more uniquely Pacific Northwest than the Washington State Ferry system. The big white and green boats shuttle both travelers and commuters alike across the waters of Puget Sound. This month, we are going to hop on board and take a day trip to Poulsbo to discover “Little Norway."

In the 1880s, a Norwegian immigrant named Jorgen Eliason founded the town and was soon joined by other Norwegian and Scandinavian immigrants who loved the similarities of the area to their landscapes back home. In 1886, it was suggested the town be called Paulsbo (which translates to “Paul’s Place”), but officials in Washington D.C. misspelled the town’s name and the community became known as Poulsbo. But don’t let any locals catch you mispronouncing it – they are protective of their little town in Kitsap.

While you can just drive all the way to Poulsbo, we recommend taking the ferry that departs from downtown Seattle for Bainbridge Island to make your trip shorter and far more scenic. You can either drive on to the ferry, in which case after the ferry arrives in Bainbridge you can just drive yourself about thirty minutes to Poulsbo, or walk on to the ferry if you don't want to worry about a car. If you do this, a bus line from Kitsap Transit operates a shuttle service between the Bainbridge ferry terminal and downtown Poulsbo on weekdays and Saturdays.

So, what is there to do in this quaint Norwegian town? Tons! There are shops, restaurants, parks and more to explore, making it a perfect day trip from Seattle.

Poulsbo, Washington

Six Things to Do in 'Little Norway' Poulsbo, Washington

Walk around downtown Poulsbo’s Main Street and stop into one of the many shops or art galleries.
Stop for a treat in one of Poulsbo’s main attractions – Sluys Bakery. The cinnamon bun is to die for!
Browse the shelves at Liberty Bay Books for the latest best seller or talk with the staff and get new recommendations.
Stroll the boardwalk along Liberty Bay and see the dozens of boats moored there – you may even catch a glimpse of a seal playing in the water.
Grab a table outside and feast on crab cakes and fish at JJ’s Fish House.
As you’re leaving town, stop by the Nordic Heritage Museum and learn more about the town you just explored.

After a full day in “Little Norway,” you will be ready to hop back on the ferry, but you’ll leave with a full belly and a new appreciation for our area’s roots.

Be sure to tell your friends about Poulsbo so they too can experience all the little town has to offer.

Q: Does the Washington State Ferry go to Poulsbo?

A: No, the Washington State Ferry does not go directly to Poulsbo; you must take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and then connect to a bus or drive the rest of the way. The ferry from downtown Seattle arrives at the Bainbridge Island terminal, and from there you can either drive about 20-25 minutes to Poulsbo or take the Kitsap Transit bus 390.

Q: How do you get to Poulsbo from Seattle?

A: Here are the most popular routes for reaching Poulsbo from Seattle — all clear, user-friendly, and suited for day-trip planning:

By Car (Direct Drive)

Drive south from Seattle via I-5 toward Tacoma, then take WA-16 west across the water and continue on WA-305 north toward Poulsbo.
Depending on traffic, this route typically takes about 90 minutes.
Pros: Flexible timing, no ferry.
Consideration: Traffic & bridge delays may add time.

Ferry + Drive or Bus (Scenic Route)

From downtown Seattle, board the ferry to Bainbridge Island, Washington (departing from Colman Dock).
The ferry takes about 30–35 minutes.
Once you arrive on Bainbridge Island
- Drive ~20-25 minutes on WA-305 north to Poulsbo
- Or take the public bus (Kitsap Transit Route 390) from the ferry terminal to downtown Poulsbo.
Overall travel time: around 1 h 30 to 1 h 45 depending on connections.
Pros: Scenic ride, builds in a “mini-journey” feel.
Consideration: Schedule timing matters (ferry + bus connections).

Summary Advice

If you want fastest / most direct: drive the full way via WA-16 → WA-305.
If you want scenic + relaxed: take the ferry to Bainbridge, then bus or drive to Poulsbo.
Whichever you choose, allow extra time for traffic or ferry schedules, especially during weekends or holidays.

Click here to see a current ferry schedule and ticket fares for the Seattle → Bainbridge Island.

Q: What is Poulsbo known for?

Poulsbo is affectionately nicknamed “Little Norway” (and sometimes “Viking City”) because of its strong Norwegian/Scandinavian heritage.
It sits on the shore of Liberty Bay and is known for its charming waterfront setting, scenic small-town vibe, and historic downtown full of boutique shops and cafes.
The town embraces its Norse roots in architecture, annual festivals, signage, and shop themes — creating a unique destination within the Pacific Northwest.
Poulsbo is also well-known for certain specialty products — for example, Poulsbo Bread originated here and became quite popular.

Why that matters for visitors

If you're seeking a day-trip from Seattle that feels different from the usual city or mountain scenery, Poulsbo offers a blend of Scandinavian culture + Pacific Northwest nature that stands out.
The scenic waterfront means it’s not just about the heritage — you also get maritime views, local shopping and relaxed walking streets.
Its distinctive identity makes it memorable and photogenic (great for visitors wanting a unique place to explore).

In summary, "Is Poulsbo worth visiting?"

Yes — Poulsbo is worth visiting because it offers:

A strong, well-preserved cultural vibe (Scandinavian/Norse heritage)
A waterfront town atmosphere and historic downtown
A short drive (or combined ferry/drive) from Seattle making it accessible for a day trip

Q: Can you visit Poulsbo without a car?

A: Yes — you can visit Poulsbo, Washington without a car. Here’s how and some things to keep in mind:

How to do it car-free

Take the ferry from downtown Seattle, Washington to Bainbridge Island, Washington (via the Washington State Ferries).
From Bainbridge Island, you can take the bus route Kitsap Transit Bus 390 to downtown Poulsbo.
According to routing tools, the trip takes about 1 h 30 to 1 h 50 (depending on ferry + connection timing).
Plan ahead for ferry schedules and bus timings since the connection from Bainbridge Island to Poulsbo is vital.

Advantages

No worries about parking, driving stress or car rental.
You get a scenic experience: ferry ride, island views, bus through the peninsula.
Once in downtown Poulsbo you can explore many of the attractions on foot (historic district, waterfront, shops, cafés).

Things to watch

Your schedule is dictated by the ferry and bus — if you miss a connection you might wait.
The bus may not run as frequently later in the day — check the latest timetable. (transitapp.com)
If you want to explore more remote parts of Poulsbo or the surrounding peninsula, having a car gives you more flexibility.

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