From diverse landscapes that reflect awe-striking sceneries to natural wonders of the polar sun and northern lights to modern architectures, places to visit in Norway are incredible and worthy. A Scandinavian country, Norway is home to extensive beaches, majestic mountains, deep blue fjords, and lush valleys that make it one of the most gorgeous countries to live or visit in the world.
While Kirkenes and Lofoten Islands are perfect to witness the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights, Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, and Geirangerfjord are amongst the most serene tourist places in Norway for their other-worldly beauty. Ålesund is famous for colorful Art Nouveau style, Tromsø for whale watching, Svalbard is known for its snowy wilderness and polar bears. Trondheim features a rich heritage; Bergen, colorful wooden houses; Oslo, a lively modern ambiance.
But, Norway is not only about natural beauty and wonders but offers an abundance of places to relax or indulge in hair-raising adventures. Plan a trip to this one of the happiest countries and immerse yourself in breathtakingly wonderful natural or man-made delights.
Must Visiting Places
1. Oslo
Oslo is the capital of Norway. There are many international museums here that provide natural beauty. There are many places for walking and hiking trails in this city. You can hike in the forests, lakes, and many other hiking spots in and around the city. This city is popular for its nightlife.
This is one of the most scenic Scandinavian destinations. Moose are the most common animals spotted in winter. This is a city that has Norway’s wolf reserve. There are many archipelagos and islands nearby. The climate is usually warm and winter has snow.
2. Bergen
Nestled on the southwest coast of Norway, the city of Bergen prides in its beautiful wharfs, charming neighborhoods, and deep fjords. A haven for adventure lovers, Bergen offers a variety of trekking opportunities- from scaling the scenic Mount Floyen, to hiking to the top of Bergen’s tallest mountain, Mount Ulriken. If hiking is not your thing, you may choose to scale both these mountains on a funicular or a cable car respectively. The various museums here, such as the KODE Museum, Grieg Museum, the Bergen Open Air Museum and Hanseatic Museum.
3. Drammen
Located west of the Oslo fjord, Drammen is one of the bustling Norway tourist places offering an array of thrilling adventures, biking excursions, skiing, or ravine expeditions. The city is located on the shores of the pristine Drammenselva River that is famous for salmon fishing.
Replete with urban vibes this city is a hub of shopping places, restaurants, cafes, bars, and offers a freakish ambiance of the city across the most famous & lively pathway beside the Drammenselva River. Sailing on the MS Drammen is a true romantic treat while a small journey on the longest heritage train line to the Krøderbanen is past imagination. The Spiraltoppen Viewpoint is to witness the 360-degree views of the city while enjoying your drinks or meals in the beer garden or restaurant, or learning about the rich past of the city at the open-air museum. For culture admirers, there is a long alley on Blaafarveværket, whereas for art lovers it has a museum and Drammen Theatre.
4. Sognefjord
The most popular way to visit the fjord is by boat. Fjord cruises and sightseeing tours are therefore plentiful, with many of the best tour options departing conveniently from the attractive town of Bergen. But wherever you choose to embark, be sure to allow a full day for your adventure.
Another top destination in the Sognefjord area is Fjærland. This stunningly beautiful region is home to Europe’s biggest glacier, Jostedalsbreen, and the Norwegian Glacier Museum (Norsk Bremuseum). In addition to its excellent exhibits relating to the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the museum also focuses on the impact of climate change in the region.
5. Pulpit Rock
Located near Stavanger, the destination requires ferry and bus rides followed by a two-hour uphill hike. Those visiting the Stavanger area will also want to stop by the surprisingly fascinating Norwegian Canning Museum. This fun museum portrays one of the country’s most important industries, sardine fishing and preparation, and is set in a historic original cannery dating from WWII. Stavanger Cathedral is also a top tourist attraction in Stavanger. This 12th-century structure features multiple styles, including a Romanesque basilica, a Baroque pulpit, and a Gothic font.
6. Norway’s Arctic City Tromsø
Situated 349 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is best known for its important role as the base for many major Arctic expeditions since the mid 1800s. Tourists will find multiple attractions that explain and explore the phenomenon, including Polaria, the most northerly aquarium in the world, and the Polar Museum, with its interesting exhibits on Arctic exploration.
An unexpected tourist attraction for an area deep within the frozen north, the Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden is home to a plethora of flowering plants. Highlights include hardy rhododendrons and the gigantic Tibetan blue poppy, as well as a garden dedicated to the region’s traditional medicinal plants.
7. Molde
Located in the traditional Romsdal district of Norway. One of the best ways to explore the beautiful landscape here is to make your way to the Varden Viewpoint. The Romsdal Museum is another popular attraction here, preserving several traditional homes and cultural exhibits under its wing. Molded also hosts the annual Jazz festival in Europe, which is an absolute must-have experience if you have a penchant for jazz music. Molded experiences cold and rainy weather throughout the year.
8. Sarpsborg
Nestled within Norway’s Viken country, Sarpsburg is one of the largest urban cities in the country. One of the best ways to explore the beauty of the charming historical town would be to take a tour of the Borgarsyssel Museum, set by the ruins of the Medieval St. Nicholas Church. Try their hand at sports like high roping, trampoline, mountain climbing, and so on. And if you want to increase your climbing skills further, you could add a trip to the Gecko climbing center to your itinerary as well. Sarpsburg enjoys cool weather throughout the year. While the summer months, between May and September, remain comfortable and pleasant, the winters here are generally freezing, long, and overcast.
9. Fredrikstad
It offers a great blend of history, culture, and stunning surroundings. Surrounded by 17th-century defensive walls, the old town impresses with its ancient structures, cobbled streets packed with welcoming cafes, restaurants, and potters selling their lovely crafts. A short distance away lie Isegran and Kongsten that boast of the Fredrik tad Museum, the Renaissance garden, Bastion 5 and Østfold Art Center.
For nature lovers, the gorgeous Hvaler archipelago and lush Ytre Hvaler National Park lie just a few hours drive away. Explore the beauties with island hopping on board a local ferry or feel a rush in adrenaline with a kayak. Fredrik tad lies on southern Oslo fjord and is known for its brightest and sunniest days in Norway. With options like fishing, diving, biking, hiking the Hankø Fjordhotell & Spa to shopping and culinary experiences, there is so much to do and see in Fredrik tad.
10. The Olympic Town of Lillehammer
Located above Lake Mjøsa at the south end of the Gudbrandsdal valley, Lillehammer is one of Norway’s best-known year-round tourist destinations. In summer, it’s all about attractions such as Maihaugen, an open-air museum consisting of more than 100 historic buildings, including 18th-century farmhouses, workshops, and a stave church.
But it’s when the snow flies that Lillehammer really shines. Host to the 1994 Winter Olympics, the city’s list of winter activities is endless: skating, Curling, sleigh rides.
11. Scenic Rail Routes
The best scenic routes begin in Oslo, including the Bergen Railway, which runs over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Other routes of note are the Dovre Railway from Oslo to Trondheim with its sideline, the Rauma Railway, between Dombås and Åndalsnes, and the famous Flåm Railway, the world’s steepest.
Norway’s rail network also offers a number of other interesting diversions, such as classic steam trains, gourmet train excursions, and pedal-powered rail tricycles (draisines) for use on abandoned rail lines.
12. Jotunheimen
It’s also home to many spectacular waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife, such as large reindeer populations. Two of this national park’s mountains rise to heights of more than 2,438 meters, the highest being Galdhøpiggen. Despite its tremendous height, Galdhøpiggen can be climbed in about four hours. Although a guide is required, the incredible views over rocky crags and fields of ice from the summit make it money well spent.
13. Skiing in Hemsedal
The snow-capped mountains of Norway make for a great adventure, and the ski town of Hemsedal is no exception. Affectionately known as the Scandinavian Alps, Hemsedal has three different peaks and over 20 lifts catering to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
The town is littered with cafes, restaurants, shops, and even museums. They’re even world-renowned for their after-ski parties, with live music and bar hopping almost every weekend.
14. Alta Rock Carvings
Located in northern Norway, Alta is home to over 6,000 carvings, with many of them dating back to 4200 BC. You’ll find images of hunters and gatherers, boat building, and fishing. There are even some unusual paintings of shamanistic rituals that involve worshiping bears.
After visiting the site, you can also stop by the World Heritage Rock Art Centre, a museum dedicated to the culture and historic industries of Alta.
15. Kristiansand
Amongst the most vibrant family tourist places in Norway, Kristiansand is known for its Norway’s largest zoo & amusement park, arts center, museums, beaches, ferry trips, vintage steam train, and a lot more.
Enjoy the artsy vibes and the great music of all times at the Kilden Performing Arts Centre or test your stamina with wall climbing at the Høyt & Lavt Odderøya. Bike through the cobbled alleys to witness the colorful treasures of art displayed on the street walls and discover the culture and food of the locals from up and close. The Dyreparken Zoo & Amusement Park is a favorite of tiny tots and offers a complete package of fun, thrills, food, and rest. Møvik fortress is another heritage marvel while its museum reflects the historical significance.
16. Jostedalsbreen National Park
The National Park has three grand museums and a visitor center educating about this beautiful region. The Park houses many small and big glaciers, lush valleys, and snow-covered mountains and is one of the most amazing places to see in Norway.
Its wide range of landscapes is its biggest attraction that changes abruptly from verdant valleys to snow covered hills. The region experiences an Arctic climate and the best way to explore the region is on foot, which makes you feel as if you are hiking from one season to another.
17. Tonsberg
A Viking’s old town, Tonsberg has emerged as one of the most popular summer Norway tourist places for its captivating coastline, verdant forests, sandy beaches, museums, and cultural events.
From the world-famous Oseberg ship, Mount Slottsfjell, Slottsfjell Museum, Slottsfjell Tower to Haugar Art Museum, each and every site has its own charm and reflects the country’s rich past and culture. Its ski slopes make it a winter destination while long sandy and rocky coastline attract watersports and beach lovers, and rich foliage entices nature lovers.
18. Reine
Reine is a quaint village on the island of Moskenesøya on the northern Lofoten archipelago. The shoreline presents a picture-postcard scenery with red and white fishermen’s huts and surrounding granite shooting peaks.
Reine is a hub of the best hikes on the Lofoten Islands and offers plenty of adventures like kayaking, biking, camping, and skiing in the winter, etc. With Horseid Beach and Bunes Beach offering spectacular seascapes, the best views of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), and the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum of Å, the town has much more than expected.
19. Bodo
Bodo is amongst the most vibrant and lively Norway tourist places replete with diverse culture, delectable cuisine, unspoiled views, fascinating street art, and awe-inspiring sights.
Hiking to the Keiservarden hill is family fun, a leisurely stroll on Molen Pier is truly romantic, and the Norwegian Aviation Museum is an attraction of all ages. From trekking, witnessing whirlpools at the Saltstraumen to capturing Northern Lights or the polar sun, the city has so much on the offer but still is a hidden gem.
