Santhu
Every time when you browse in Google what are the happiest and most livable country on earth, surely the list won’t miss out on Norway. But I would also add Norway will be most recommending county to travel too. Country blessed by the backpacker from northern lights, deep glaciers to snow oriented activities.
If you simply ask me which destination you wanna visit one more time, surely I can say Norway. So, here are some places which I will briefly recommend to you, and those help you to maximise your travel opportunities and potential in Norway. This would make your overall country journey more interesting and help you to get a glimpse of the natural, cultural and hidden gems of “Land of the Midnight Sun”.
15 Best Places to Visit Norway
1. The Lofoten Islands
Starting your expedition in Norway could be an obvious one, if you start from The Lofoten Islands. Islands located in Northern Norway, where you’ll love its charming colorful fishing villages, white sand beaches and brilliant skiing opportunities.
Once you start strolling Lofoten Island I bet you steep, rugged mountains rising up to 1,100 meters will captivate your mind. Yes, such a beautiful mountain range loves hikers to make short hikes or simply admire its beauty.
Additionally Lofoten’s mountains are really impressive, especially during summer and winter. During Winter Mountains peaks are filled with snow, that ultimately gateway to snowboarding and skiing destinations. Whereas summer is even a great spot to find fauna species and birdwatching (home to largest seabird colony in Europe).
Norway is one of Europe’s best places to see the Northern Lights/ Aurora Borealis. During winter it could be possible even from Lofoten Island. Even today thousands of visitors choose to visit the island just to get spectacular natural, colorful and eye-catching northern lights.
Choose Lofooten Island as your starting point and appreciate Overall Island’s tranquillity, fishing villages/ sandy beaches and taste fresh seafood.
2. Oslo
If you want to start your Norway journey from the country’s vital point, start from Oslo. Norway’s capital city where you can easily catch up modern architecture with the city’s rich history and some century old museums.
There are plenty of reasons behind making Oslo the first choice in your list of best places to visit in Norway. Under that, I can proudly say is Museums. City’s home to a number of museums that are welcomed to seek 18th century historic glances. Under that I highly recommend Munch and Fram Museums.
If you want to see art collections of Edvard Munch or the most interesting sloped glass design and enjoy the sweeping view of Oslofjord, visit the Munch museum. Fram Museum has been a favorite among visitors recently due to its immense collections of popular polar exploration ships, Norway’s maritime historic touch and ideal waterfront location.
At the same time we shouldn’t miss out on visiting the world’s largest sculpture park, Viegeland Sculpture Park. An interesting fact is, this massive park was made by the single artist named Gustave Vigeland, who successfully finished 200 type bronze, granite and iron works. Out of that single Monolith statue is really captivating your mind, which stands 14 meters carved by single rock.
Since Oslo is the major city of Norway, visitors even expect some modern travel vibes. Try kayaking or river cruise on the fjord with your family in the evening and drink local craft beer in any of the city’s trendy bars at night. If you have time left, try to make your next day’s plan to Bjørvika waterfront, located just walking distance from the main city.
3. Tromsø
Tromsø is often called “Paris of the North”, if you are seriously looking to make more time with northern lights in Norway, Tromsø could be the ultimate gateway to that. Dynamic Urban centre there are a lot of things you can expect along with northern lights.
Since it is an ideal location to enjoy the northern lights, firstly start your day along with the northern lights. Thanks to the Aurora Oval location. The city is located directly under the earth’s ring, which helps us to watch light’s movements very thoroughly. Choose the winter season to make your lights’ visibility more clear and long.
Staying in Igloo glass is a really cool idea to do something different on your travel trip. Since you’re in the winter season and expected to see northern lights, choose Igloo glass as your prime location. Built by the Aera Glass Cabins and Skulsfjirden domes which allow you to see lights covered with beautiful views.
Things like dog sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating you can do in Tromsø during Winter. If you’re a summer lover, don’t worry, the city even hides some gems to you such as hiking around Prestvannet and Lyslopa loop, camping in yurts and fjord sailing trips. Experiencing Northern lights at midnight in summer is also a welcoming idea.
4. Jotunheimen National Park
Exclusively known destination for hikers. Yes, if you’re searching which one is the perfect hiking destination in Norway, I highly recommend Jotunhimen National Park. Park often known as “Home of the Giants”, recognised as the highest mountain in Northern Europe.
Hikers have to hike in Jotunheimen National Park through glaciers and some rugged rock sections. But the interesting fact here is hiking trails are moderate ones, even hikers of all ages can try. However, hiking mainly has 2 options, if you’d like a few hours of journey or several days of serious hiking, both will be acceptable here.
While hiking this epic mountain range don’t forget you to take a stop to get an iconic view of Gjende Lake. Often called the largest emerald green lake which is 18 meter long and stands as the most photographic point to you. You can also spend some time at Bessavtner Lake, a deep blue lake.
Don’t forget to make your next step at Besseggen Ridge (available between these 2 lakes). This ridge is famous in Norway and even today most backpackers choose hiking at Jotunheimen National Park just to stand its ridge. From the top of this ridge you can see mesmerising views of emerald lake on the one side and deep blue of Bessvatnet another side.
5. Bergen
Second largest city of Norway known as the gateway to the fjords. Bergen is one of the unique cities in the country which helps you to see historic figures, scenic beauties and lively markets at one place.
Let’s start your day at Bergen in order to visit Bryggen Wharf. Such a brilliant UNESCO World Heritage Site primarily a historic harbour city filled with colorful painted wooden houses, buildings and alleyways. Watching all these buildings located along the nearest harbour is really impressive.
Since it is the gateway to the Fjords, traveling to the Fjords is super easy. Everyday numbers of ferries operate to western fjords and Osterfjords too. Don’t miss to watch interesting fjord landscapes, villages and farm lands while riding on the ferry.
Finally I want you to figure out 3 things before leaving Bergen city. First is its colorful wooden architecture. Wherever you go you’ll find unique wood designs, especially while walking on the city’s Nordenes and Sandviken streets. Secondly, street arts. Choose Bergen city centre to spot more Street arts. However, part of Kong Oscars gate and Sentralbadet are some of the major stops in Bergen city to see epic street arts, murals, stencils stretches and yarn arts.
Finally finish your day at Bergen through visiting any of the city’s nightlifes. Usually nightlife is held across different sections of the city, but I recommend Skostredet for nightlifes. Choose any clubs, bars or pubs to drink beers with live music.
6. Geirangerfjord and NaerØyfjord
I think you may already have a little idea about what Fjords are. But this time these 2 places we’re going to explain to you are completely about fjords. Both Geirangerfjord and NaerØyfjord are Norway’s must visit long, narrow sea inlets with high cliffs and mountains on both the sides (Geirangerfjord and NaerØyfjord). Interestingly both these U- shaped sea inlets are made through glaciers.
Start your fjords from Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching 15 kilometers from the coastal villages to Geiranger settlements. Sit on top of these fjords for appreciating the most epic views of Geirangerfjord waterfalls, snow covered cliffs and breathtaking green color water. There are actually 2 major ways in which you can experience its beauty. Hiking is the more recommended one. If you’d like walking/hiking and once you reach its vintage point, it allows you to enjoy the beauty from top.
However, Boat trip is another crazy activity, more likely done by those who like photography and see the cascading water flowing such as Suitor or Seven Sister from the bottom. Apart from these 2, if you want to experience its beauty in more comprehensive and deeper ways, pick kayaking and cycling along with it.
NaerØyfjord is another fjord’s distinct branch located near Gudvangen, extensions from the Aurlandsfjord, branch out from Signefjord. Compared to Geirangerfjord, NaerØyfjord is narrower, just 250 to 500 meters in width. But NaerØyfjord is equally valuable to you when it comes to sheer cliffs, local farm villages and waterfalls. Even from this side Steep Mountain ranges (1800 meter high) and cascading wild waterfalls are available to see.
Similar to Geirangerfjord, hiking is a great way to exhibit the beauty of the inlet. Hike through steep mountain walls and this could be a great option to pass amidst Rimstigen and Bakkanosi before reaching its summit. If you don’t like hiking and looking for a leisurely way to reach its top, don’t worry there are a number of trains and buses operating from Oslo.
Once you reach its top your duty is to take the sweeping beauty of Laegdafossen waterfall or Kjelfossen waterfall, sheer rock mountains, and Aurland village pictures from your camera.
7. Svalbard
Located high in the Arctic, I picked Svalbard as one of the best places to visit in Norway because there are more opportunities to see wilderness far above the Arctic Circle. Start your expedition in Svalbard through spotting its vast amount of wildlife.
While you start searching surely animals like walrus, seals, seabirds and cetaceans are more common to find. But the Polar Bear is the most vital animal in this region. The polar bear in Svalbard is a unique feature renewed as the world’s largest land predator.
I personally insist every backpacker, spot your polar bears through snow cruising. Cruises allow you to open up to enjoy activities like safaris across frozen fjords, kayaking and glacier safaris to see Arctic foxes, seals and reindeer.
To watch Svalbard Brewery, mining areas and colorful houses visit Longyearbyen, capital city of Svalbard. Since it is part of the archipelago, you can choose Longyearbyen as your starting point for many arctic voyages. Don’t forget to spend your time with family at its elegant restaurants and bars to experience local cuisines styles and drinks.
8. Senja
After Spitsbergen, Senja is the second largest island in Norway. Once I went through the details about Senja, I found that this island is perfectly suitable if you’re a coastal, white sand beach lover or enjoy more and more Arctic landscapes.
Start your day at Senja through hiking Hesten. The most popular and recommended hiking trail exhibits to you to see dramatic views of Segla peak. If you’d like to make a challenging or daring hiking trip, choose Hesten, but it is a more rewarding one. If you are looking at moderated hiking trails, take Husfijellet, which is less upward than Segla.
To spend some time atop beautiful viewpoints, choose Senja. Because the island holds most significant lookout points such as Tungeneset Viewpoint and Bergsbotn Lookout. Both offer metal/wooden viewpoints and walkways to see great views of Bergsboton over Bergsfjord.
Senja is often described as the “Norway in Miniature”. Sometimes while wandering inside Senja, there are more chances to get the same travel feeling that you experience on Lofoten Island. Yes it is true, features like fjords and beautiful landscapes are similar but compared to Loften, Senja witnessing less crowd and more photographer friendly destinations.
9. Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock or Preikestolen is a massive flat topped cliff nested above 604 meters Lysefjord. If you are more passionate about spending some time atop one of the most mind blowing places in Norway choose Pulpit Rock.
This striking natural rock looks flat and square shaped. During the Ice Age repeated freezing and thawing make it this large rock which bifurcated from both rock mountains. Later on continuous erosion shaped these fjords into steep and deep landscapes.
To reach its top all you need to do is hiking. Just keep your 2 hours to reach its top. Hike through its steep and rugged trails of 3.8 km. Once you reach its top, stand in the middle of the rock, and this helps you to get most photographic views of the deep fjord valleys, vertical views of the mountains and views of Lysefjord blue water from top.
Its Vertuginous Edge is a really interesting one. From its spaces you can enjoy the perfect look of cliff faces. Choose to climb Pulpit Rock during late April to early October. Season blends most scenic trails and more chances to see eye catching scenic attractions to you.
10. Trolltunga
One of the most recommended and favourite spots for many backpackers, I personally advocate you to climb while searching scenic hiking cliffs in Norway. Nestled about 700 meters above the Ringedalsvatnet Lake, where visitors can reach through hiking to get long lasting scenic memories.
through hiking anyone can reach its top, you can choose either P2 Skjeggedal or P3 Magelitopp as your starting point, both will ultimately reach its top, Troll’s Tongue. Make sure that both trail routes are even possible through short hikes and shuttle buses (but reaching timing may differ).
If you’re family visitors don’t choose to hiking. Hiking to Trolltunga is quite difficult and not ideal for kids. Trails filled with hard rock surfaces, steep sections and rock climbing, it may be difficult to walk along with kids. Since it is around 20 to 27 km of journey (round trip, it may be difficult to walk with family, Instead choose a shuttle bus for an easy way to reach).
Standing on the Trolls Tongue could be your most memorable hiking summit. From Trolls Tongue it is very blessed to see surrounding Folgefonna glacier landscapes, fjords and most iconic Latefoss waterfalls. Take a camera along with you to capture the most brilliant photos of surrounding beauties and try to spend more time at this summit.
11. Flåm
If you’re truly a big fan of traveling in scenic trains or scenic cruise journeys, choose Flåm. Flåm is a small remote village of Norway located in the heart of the Fjords, where every year thousands of visitors come to take the scenic Flåmsbana train journey. Often recognised as the world’s most beautiful and steepest train journey.
Once you land in Flåm don’t think too much about what to do, just visit Flåm Station. Instead of simply waiting to train, visit Flåm station museum to know more about its history and routes. The train takes you to the region’s most eye-catching deep valleys, waterfalls, ravines and sheer slopes farms. While you pass the Myrdal Mountains, do not miss to appreciate the beauty of Aurlandsfjord and take perfect pictures of Kjosfossen waterfall from your cameras.
If you haven’t tasted any goat cheese or related products, you can try here. Flåm combined with numbers Undredal, where local families run yummy goats farming and they produce cheese from it. Visit Eldhuset, a traditional museum that displays techniques relating to how to make hot cheese, its types and sell some cheese oriented stuff.
Stegastein Viewpoint is exclusively made for those who wish to have a more tranquil experience and to see the sheer cliffs of the village and walk more leisurely on its bridges. Just try once.
12. The Atlantic Ocean Road
Once you go through what are the best road trip routes in Europe, surely you’ll come across the one name that is “The Atlantic Ocean Road”. Atlantic Ocean Road or Atlanterhavsvegen is Norway’s most scenic road where you can take a road trip at road 64 (possible with your family) stretching around 8.3 km long.
You can take either your own or rental car and drive at road 64. The road passes via a country series of small islands and connects to some dramatic bridges. Approximately between your car journey you may spot around 8 bridges that are passing like curves over the open ocean. Enjoy the more epic beauty of ocean views while passing each bridge and spot at islands to spend some time with local flora and faunas.
13. Trondheim
Trondheim is an ultimate gateway to history seekers, if you’re the kind of person who loves to know more about the country’s rich history, start your day from Trondheim. Norway’s historic former capital city founded by the Vikings in the 10th century.
Today the city is filled with a number of century old waterfront warehouses, impressive Nidaros Cathedral and museums. Once you wish to go much deeper of most historic things, firstly I recommend you start visiting Munkholmen. Historic Island where you’ll see Trondheim’s execution site once served as monastery until 11th century. But later it was converted into a prison and today stands as a custom house.
Take a leisure stroll in the Bakklandet neighbourhood to appreciate its colorful vibes. Spend your time taking pictures of streets, colorful houses, cobblestone alleyways, galleries and leave the place after drinking coffee at its local cafe. Spend enough time at Ringve Museum to learn basic ideas about different styles of music instruments from Norway and even beyond.
14. Ålesund
Do not miss to add Ålesund in your best places to visit in Norway if you’d like to spend more time in a town which is located across several islands. Its location is even more blessed by local fjords, mountains and sea coverages, which makes your day more historic and architecture centric.
While you discover the inside of this town, visit Kongens gate and Art Nouveau Centre to get a brief overview about Art Nouveau style architecture. Ålesund’s museums even have equally great things to explore. I recommend you start your museum expeditions from Ålesund museum houses and Sunnmore Museum. Both are ideal places to get an overview of the city’s history, mediaeval old homes and display of fishing vessels.
If you’re so curious to know what the different sorts of modern Norwegian art collections are, the KUBE art museum could be a great place for you.
Ålesund town is even possible to see from aerial views, but you have to make little hiking efforts to reach Fjellstua viewpoint. Yes, this viewpoint makes you enjoy picturesque views of buildings, islands, and surrounding fjords.
Buy a kayak to reach remote parts of Ålesund. Kayaking is even possible to unlock your expeditions of local houses, local cafe centres and even spot islands iconic lighthouses.
15. Røros
I would like to list the best places to visit in Norway in order to explain the last but well preserved mining town. Recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage site witnessing century old well preserved wooden architectures and colorful town centers. The city is an ideal location to know more about the country’s industrial and cultural history.
Røros is an equally paradise for food lovers. The town is blessed with numerous cafes and restaurants like Kaffestuggu or Fjøsakademiet that often serves authentic Norwegian waffles, bubbles and Vertshuset Roros under pleasant settings.
Read additional Europe Articles;
7 Most Underatted Travel Destinations in Europe.
Best Places to Visit in Europe.
Best Places to Visit in Switzerland for Newbies.
What are the Best Places in the World Visit during Spring Season.
For Additional References;
Best Places to Visit in Norway during Summer.
Best Places to Visit in Norway for Northern Lights.
Best Winter friendly Destinations in Norway.
What are the Best Things to do in Norway (for 3-4 days itineary travel plan).
