Top 10 Places to Visit in Norway
From hip urban cities to glittering fjords, northern lights, and remote villages above the Arctic Circle – Norway is a very long country, packed with things to see and do. So, where do you start? To get the most out of your holiday, we recommend that you choose one or two regions to explore. Here are some of the highlights!
1. Oslo Region
A lot of things are cooking in the Norwegian capital, which was named European Green Capital 2019. A cutting-edge food scene, new and funky neighbourhoods, a fully-packed event calendar, and several brand-new museums and attractions are just a few teasers of what you can expect.
Surrounded by the Oslofjord and deep forests, you can easily combine urban city life with nature-based fun like cycling, skiing at some of Norway´s top ski resorts and trips to nearby regions of Østfold and Vestfold, with charming towns such as Fredrikstad and Tønsberg dotted along the coast. About an hour’s drive from Oslo lies Norway’s new art destination Hadeland, where you can visit the wonderful outdoor art park at Kistefos-Museet with the spectacular exhibition building The Twist.
You are also just a couple of hours from hiking and biking in the central mountain regions.
2. Tromsø
The capital of the Arctic, Tromsø, is located right in the middle of Northern Norway. If your bucket list includes northern lights, whale watching, midnight sun, and epic nature adventures, this is where you want to go.
Enjoy superb conditions for ski touring, biking and hiking in the Lyngenfjord region, experience the Sami culture in towns like Karasjok and Alta, and enter the northernmost point of Europe at the North Cape. In the eastern part of this vast region, you’ll find the Varanger peninsula, which is a bird watcher’s paradise. Go king crab fishing and dog sledging in Kirkenes and Varanger, where you also can spend a night at an ice hotel. In the areas surrounding Tromsø, several islands are waiting to be explored, including Senja, Kvaløya, and Sommarøy.
3. Lofoten and Nordland
Staggering peaks, glittering fjords, authentic fishing villages, and picture-perfect beaches. Not to mention northern lights and midnight sun! You have probably seen jaw-dropping images of Lofoten and Vesterålen (the kingdom of whales!) on Instagram. A hot tip is to visit these places outside of the summer season when the crowds are gone.
Next-level outdoor adventures also await in the skiing, biking and hiking paradise Narvik, and a lesser-known gem is Helgeland a little further south. Here, you can drive The Coastal Route between Trøndelag and Bodø, voted one of the world’s most scenic drives.
The lively coastal town of Bodø is the largest city in the county of Nordland and offers plenty of outdoor fun in the nearby Salten region as well as a booming cultural scene. In fact, Bodø will be the European Capital of Culture in 2024.
4. Bergen and the western fjords
Historical World Heritage sites meet innovative fashion, trendy restaurants, and a progressive music scene in Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen. Visit some of the country’s top museums like KODE art museums and composer homes, get lost in squiggly cobblestone streets, and experience the city from above at one of the seven surrounding mountain tops.
Bergen is the gateway to some of Norway’s most famous fjords, including the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, in the north, and the Hardangerfjord – where you’ll find the famous mountain plateau Trolltunga – in the south. Many of the fjords have sidearms that are at least as beautiful, but far less busy.
Travel to the fjord village Flåm with the Bergen Line and Flåm Line, voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. For outdoor fun in epic surroundings, visit Voss and Nordfjord.
5. The Geirangerfjord
The picturesque art nouveau town Ålesund is an ideal starting point for a fjord adventure in the Northwest, situated in the northern part of Fjord Norway. This region attracts avowed outdoor buffs all year round. From Ålesund, you can go by boat or bus to the UNESCO-rated Geirangerfjord, Norway’s most famous fjord, with the Seven Sisters and numerous other waterfalls that run down steep mountainsides.
The mountaineering capital of Åndalsnes is another ideal base here, as it is surrounded by staggering peaks (you can hike to the top with a gondola), situated only a short distance from world-famous attractions like the Trollstigen mountain road and The Atlantic Road. Åndalsnes is the endpoint of the Rauma Railway, voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. Northwest’s is also home to the jazz town Molde and the “clipfish capital” Kristiansund.
6. The Stavanger region
What do you get if you combine Michelin restaurants with old wooden houses, world-class street art, and a great multicultural vibe? Travel to Stavanger to get the answer. Stavanger is the largest city in the southwestern part of the country, and an ideal starting point if you want to tick off famous nature attractions such as the Lysefjord and Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock). The coastal area of Jæren is a beach bum’s paradise, home to some of Norway’s widest and whitest beaches. Surfing and kiting enthusiasts will also be in for a treat. Follow the North Sea road towards Egersund and discover how charming towns and villages, like the picturesque Sogndalstrand, lie one by one like a string of pearls along the coast.
7. Trondheim and Trøndelag
The Trøndelag region, situated right in the middle of Norway, attracts hardcore history buffs, devoted foodies, and active nature explores alike. Go fishing, cycling, or skiing, or hike one of the nine pilgrim paths the St. Olav Ways, which all lead to the stunning Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The lively student town of Trondheim is the region’s capital, known as the Home of Nordic flavours. Indulge in gastronomical experiences ranging from fancy Michelin restaurants to hip food bars and cosy coffee shops. Follow the smell of fresh local produce on the scenic detour The Golden Road in Innherred, and travel back in time in the UNESCO listed mining town of Røros. In the Dovrefjell mountains, you can catch a glimpse of a beautiful beast – the musk oxen.
8. Kristiansand and Southern Norway
Southern Norway is the Norwegians’ own summer paradise, with lovely beaches, thousands of islands, and more hours of sun per year than most other parts of the country. Stroll through narrow streets between white wooden houses in charming coastal towns like Risør, Arendal, Grimstad, Mandal, and Flekkefjord, or get to know the cradle of the Norwegian folk traditions in the Setesdal valley. The largest city in Southern Norway is Kristiansand, where you can roam through the Posebyen old town, indulge in fresh seafood, enjoy lazy days on the city beach, and attend several fun festivals. Dyreparken zoo and amusement park is a sure winner among the little ones. A short drive from Kristiansand lies Lindesnes lighthouse, mainland Norway’s southernmost point. Lindesnes is also where you’ll find the outstanding Michelin-starred restaurant Under, the world’s largest underwater restaurant.
9. The mountains and valleys of Eastern Norway
The dense forests, deep valleys, and massive mountain plateaus of Eastern Norway are all excellent starting points for various nature adventures. This is where you find some of Norway’s largest ski resorts, like Geilo, Trysil, and Hemsedal. And they all guarantee all-year-fun, as they turn into world-class cycling destinations as soon as the snow disappears. Valdres, Hallingdal, Lillehammer, and the Gudbrandsdalen valley are popular family destinations that offer everything from theme parks to charming farms and great hikes. The same goes for Telemark, where you can go cruising at the Telemark canal and witness one of Eastern Norway’s most impressive views from Mount Gaustatoppen. The national parks of Dovrefjell, Jotunheimen, and Rondane provide excellent opportunities for nature-based activities like hiking, cycling, rafting, and climbing.
10. The Svalbard Islands
Ready to take wildlife to the next level? The Svalbard Islands lie in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Here, you can participate in exotic nature-based activities all year round in a landscape that is both rugged and fragile. Try your hand at dog sledging, go ice caving, join a snowmobile safari, or hunt for the northern lights. In addition to a few thousand polar bears, the islands are home to almost 3,000 humans. The main city of Longyearbyen is a colourful mini metropole that offers a wide range of cultural activities and high-quality places to eat and drink that you usually would expect to find only in big cities.
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