Region

Scandinavia

Country/State

Norway

Place(s)

  • Oslo
  • Tromsø
  • Lofoten
  • Geirangerfjord
  • Pulpit Rock
  • Bergen
  • Stavanger

Best Time to Visit

  • If you want to avoid the peak tourist crowds, go during the Spring (May-June) or Fall (September-October). Otherwise, the high season falls in Summers (mid-June -August)

Uniquely Popular For

  • Picturesque mountains and glaciers
  • deep coastal fjords
  • quaint beaches
  • lush greenery
  • rich Viking history
  • museums
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • skiing

General Tourist Attractions

  • Surrounded by high cliffs, the fjords of Norway are world renowned and are sure to exceed your expectations. Consider Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord located near Bergen. Other fjords worth seeing are Aurlandsfjord (near Flåm), Lysefjord (near Stavanger), and Trollfjord (near Tromsø).
  • Oslo, The capital of Norway is a beautiful small city of just under 700,000 people. Here you can browse the National Gallery, check out the Viking Ship Museum, see the Royal Palace, or spend an afternoon strolling Aker Brygge wharf.
  • Bergen is home to tons of hiking routes to choose from as well as some of the most scenic fjords in the country. Check out the fish market, stroll through the historic Gamle Bergen, and climb the medieval Rosenkrantz Tower.
  • Located far in the north, Lofoten is a picturesque area well worth the effort (and cost) to get there. Its mountains, fjords, wildlife, and slower pace of life are all what makes this place so great. There’s excellent fishing as well as plenty of opportunity to see the northern lights.
  • Known for its bright and colourful buildings, Trondheim is a laidback city filled with students. It’s a fun destination to party, enjoy late nights out, and meet new people. Bustling with various restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, you are bound to have a great time. Be sure to take a stroll through Bakklandet and the Old Town Bridge.
  • Preikestolen (Preacher’s Pulpit or Preacher’s Chair) is one of the most famous landmarks in Norway.
  • Home to 47 national parks, you’ll see everything from waterfalls and glaciers to reindeer, lynx, and wolves and much more. You can also enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, from caving and cannoning to rafting and zip lining. Consider a visit to Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to the largest glacier in continental Europe; Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella National Park, which has tons of hiking and also lots of wild reindeer; or Jotunheimen National Park, which is home to over 200 mountains you can hike and climb.
  • Norway’s North Cape is great for hiking, trekking, road trips, and more. Located almost 2,000km from Oslo, here you can explore the jagged coastline of Finnmark county, which includes six national parks.
  • Tromsø in the summer is a city that doesn’t sleep because the sun is up 24/7. Located over 1,700km north of Olso, come here to experience unbroken sunlight amidst the many pubs. Or, if you happen to visit in the dark and cold of winter, catch the Northern Lights.
  • Norway is one of the top ski destinations in the world! Rauland, Geilo, Skeikampen, and Hemsedal are all great options for snowboarding, telemark skiing (which mixes Alpine skiing and Nordic skiing), or cross country skiing — and they’re all just a few hours from Oslo.
  • Nidaros Cathedral, This is a breath-taking Roman Catholic cathedral located in central Norway in the city of Trondheim. It is one of the biggest cathedrals built in Europe and definitely the most important in Norway.
  • If you are in Oslo, don’t miss these The Vigeland Sculptures. Located in Frogner Park, this is one of Norway’s most popular visitor destinations. This unique collection is host to the world’s largest display of sculptures created by a single artist.
  • One of the oldest parts of Stavanger, Gamle Stavanger is composed of narrow cobblestone streets lined with old wooden homes built during the 18th century. Taking a walk down here is like going back in time. After WWII, all of the city’s wooden buildings were replaced with concrete and stone buildings — except for this section.
  • The Royal Palace in Oslo was the creation of King Charles III who ruled both Norway and Sweden at that time. Today, it’s where the official residence of the monarch. Beyond the architecture, and historical significance, be sure to see the changing of the guards at 1:30 pm each day.
  • Ringve Music Museum & Botanical Garden, Located in Trondheim, this a nice change from your typical museum trip. Check out the awesome collection of musical instruments (there are over 2,000 of them here from all around the world!), walk around the park amidst the farm buildings, and enjoy lunch at the tea house.
  • The Norwegian Folk Museum, There are many museums throughout Oslo showcasing Norwegian history and Viking tales, but this is the most interesting. Home to over 150 buildings, this open-air museum lets you immerse yourself in the history of the country. The biggest attraction is the Gol Stave Church, dating back to 1200 AD.
  • Attend the Stavanger Jazz festival, Held every May, this festival is a weekend-long, fully-packed event, featuring some of the most well-known jazz artists in the world. The city gets bustling and crowded so be sure to book your accommodation well in advance.
  • Hike to Trolltunga, Located 4 hours from Bergen, this is one of Norway’s most famous hikes. Trolltunga (which means “troll’s tongue” in Norwegian) is a 12-hour hike that takes you to a long outcropping of narrow stone that towers over the landscape (the rock looks like an outstretched tongue, hence the name).
  • Drive along the Atlanterhavsveien (The Atlantic Road)
  • Cycling, skiing and island hopping in Oslofjord and the neighbouring forests in Oslo.
  • Ride the Fløibanen (funicular) to catch a glimpse of one of the best sunsets in the region.
  • Go ice carving, or join a snowmobile safari at the Svalbard Islands while trying to spot polar bears.
  • Boat/fjord cruise visits to Sognefjord, Norway’s largest fjord, or Fjærland, which harbours Europe’s biggest glacier.
  • Ferry/bus ride and an uphill hike to Pulpit Rock near Stavanger, which is a flat-top cliff. Do not forget the Norwegian Canning Museum, located in the same area.
  • Fish, kayak or hike in the Lofoten Islands
  • Take a tour of the vibrantly painted Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf. Do not miss the Bryggen and the Hanseatic Museums and the Open Air Market while you’re there.
  • Do not miss the absolutely astounding Vigeland Sculpture Park in the Frogner Park which depicts various cycles of human life.

Memorable Pursuits

  • Drive through The Coastal Route between Trøndelag and Bodø, voted one of the world’s most scenic drives.
  • Visit the Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden for a gigantic range of flowering plants.
  • Take a trip to the Lofoten War Museum and explore the various WWII memorabilia. Also worth seeing in the Lofoten Islands are the Lofoten Aquarium, Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and the Lofoten Stockfish Museum.
  • Do not miss the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo that offers unique insight in the Norwegian ancestral way of living.
  • Visit the Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Norway for a captivating walk down history.
  • Make sure to visit the Polar Museum in Tromsø, which throws light on the long history of fishing community of Norway.
  • Leonardo’s bridge, a pedestrian and bike arch bridge is in Akershus, Norway, but da Vinci had planned for the bridge (to be named the Golden Horn Bridge).
  • National Opera House, with its sloping white-marble roof and delicate glass façade, Oslo’s National Opera House is a grand architectural statement.

Something Leisurely

  • If you love being outdoors in the lap of nature, you will thoroughly enjoy bird watching in the Varangar peninsula, and king crab fishing or dog sledging in the Kirkenas.
  • A popular alternative to forging your own path on land is to see Norway from the water. The most famous trip is the Hurtigruten coastal voyage, which goes from Bergen all the way up to Kirkenes and back again in around 12-days.
  • The most popular canoeing destinations in eastern Norway is Velmunden Fjorda. It is a beautiful landscape of islands and lakes where you can rent canoes and rowboats. There are many camping areas to stay in that also offer tent rentals. Fully equipped cabins can be rented as well.
  • Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights are one of the world's most breath-taking natural phenomenon. They can best be seen in the northernmost part of Norway in the months of October, February, and March.
  • Eat at the Bergen Fish Market, Open daily, this market offers more than just fish. Come here for a glimpse into the local culture and history of the city. Explore the many stalls, snap some pictures, and check out the waterfront. It’s just a short walking distance from many museums and galleries.
  • Head on to Reine, in Moskenesøya, and watch the northern lights on the Bunes beach with your foot in the sand.

Quick Tip(s) from the Locals

  • Be mindful of the environment and seasons as Norwegians are very cautious with their policies and going digital is their latest. Also, if you are going there only to look at the northern lights (or Aurora Borealis), then it isn't visible all over Norway.