Hellesylt is a small village located in Stranda Municipality within Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It sits at the head of the Sunnylvsfjorden, which serves as a branch of the Storfjorden system. The village is positioned at the western end of the Geirangerfjord, where the waterway makes a sharp turn northward toward the Sunnylvsfjorden. This location places it within one of Norway's most prominent fjord systems, connecting it geographically to the larger Storfjord network near the town of Stranda.

Historically, Hellesylt served as the administrative center for the former Sunnylven Municipality before its dissolution. The area has long been a destination for international tourism, with cruise ship visits beginning in the late nineteenth century. Notable historical visitors included Kaiser Wilhelm, who traveled to the region every summer until the outbreak of World War I. This early interest established Hellesylt as part of Norway's oldest destinations for foreign tourists, laying the groundwork for its modern role in the regional tourism economy.

The village is defined by its dramatic natural surroundings, being surrounded by mountains and valleys. Key landmarks include the Sunnylven Church and the nearby mountain Åkerneset, which poses a constant geological threat due to potential erosion into the Sunnylvsfjord. The landscape features high cliffsides with small towns and homes clinging to them, offering views of farmwork and cliffside gardens. The area is also recognized for its scenic beauty, contributing to its reputation as a visually stunning location within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord.

Hellesylt attracts thousands of tourists daily during the summer months, who often use it as a transit point or stopover. Visitors frequently take the Geiranger–Hellesylt Ferry to the nearby village of Geiranger, with services running every ninety minutes in high season. The village has appeared in popular culture, serving as the backdrop for the fictional city of Kattegat in the TV series Vikings and featuring in the 1991 film The White Viking. These cultural connections enhance its appeal to travelers seeking both natural beauty and cinematic history.

The village covers an area of 0.43 square kilometers and had a population of 240 in 2024, with a density of 558 inhabitants per square kilometer. Access is provided by Road 60 from Stryn or Ålesund, and the nearby Ørsta/Volda Airport is located 65 kilometers away. Hellesylt features a cruise ship pier capable of handling large vessels and a car ferry facility. The best time to visit is during the summer months when ferry services are frequent and weather conditions allow for optimal viewing of the fjord's waterfalls and grazing animals.