The Best Places to Visit in Norway
Norway is literally one of Europe’s most naturally spectacular countries, famous for the absolutely out of this world landscapes within its borders. Stretching far into the north of Europe, Norway has incredibly diverse scenery ranging from green coastal fjords in the south to snowy wilderness above the Arctic Circle. The country is known for being extremely safe, clean, and well-developed, with excellent infrastructure and a very high quality of life. Norway is perfect for all the backpackers and travelers who love nature and outdoor adventure, because hiking, skiing, road trips, and exploring the wilderness are a huge part of the culture here. You definitely won’t run out of things to see.
Capital: Oslo
Currency: Norwegian Krone
Language: Norwegian
When to visit: June to August, December
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1) Bergen
Bergen is probably Norway’s most beautiful major well-known city, with lovely looking architecture out on their harbor front, as well as the fact that it is in a great location for accessing some of Norway’s best hikes. Bergen itself has some awesome landscapes which you can see right the from the city, and the atmosphere is awesome.
Things to do:
The main base in Bergen is the city center around Bryggen and the harbourfront. The best thing to do here is honestly just explore on foot. Walk around the colorful old Bryggen buildings, the waterfront area, and all the little alleyways and cafés nearby. You should also take the funicular up Mount Fløyen for one of the best viewpoints over the city and fjords. It’s a really easy way to get straight into the nature surrounding Bergen. The whole seaside part of Bergen is amazing, with seafood restaurants, old wooden buildings, and mountain views all within walking distance. I’d honestly just recommend spending as much time wandering around the streets and waterfront as possible because Bergen’s atmosphere and scenery are what make it so special.
How to get there:
Bergen Airport (BGO) is easy to fly into from various European cities.
Otherwise, you can take the beautiful train from Oslo and some buses from other Norwegian towns and cities.
2) Oslo
Oslo is the cool, modern capital of the country and a great place to visit because it’s so safe and calm. It’s really good for museum lovers especially, and there is a high chance it will be the first stop on your Norway itinerary. It isn’t overly touristy, but it’s always worth visiting the capital of a country especially when it’s one as high quality as this.
Things to do:
The main base in Oslo is the city center around the waterfront and Karl Johans gate. The best thing to do here is honestly just explore on foot. Walk around the modern harbor front, the Opera House area, and all that. You should also head up to Holmenkollen for one of the best viewpoints over the city and fjord. It’s a really easy way to get into the nature surrounding Oslo. Of course, you can’t miss the famous Oslo Opera House either, which is one of the standout buildings in the city and lets you walk right up onto the roof. You’ve also got some really good museums around the city which I suggest a visit too, like the MUNCH, the Fram Museum, and the Viking Ship Museum. It’s all just really lovely, especially in the sunny months and it’s a lovely city to wander round.
How to get there:
Oslo Airport (OSL) is the main international airport in Norway, so there is flights from everywhere in and out of the continent.
You can also get a train or bus from a lot of major cities in Norway and Sweden.
Plus, ferry routes are operational from places like Copenhagen or even Kiel in Germany.
3) Lofoten
Lofoten is 100% one of Norway’s most iconic places, it’s a region filled with tiny fishing villages which sit right around big mountains overlooking amazing scenery. It is genuinely such a cool place to explore, especially since most of the towns are connected by bridges and very beautiful roads. While Lofoten is famous year-round, it feels completely different depending on the season.
Things to do:
The main bases in Lofoten are usually Svolvær, which is the biggest and most convenient town, or Reine, which is much smaller but easily the most scenic place to stay. If you stay in Svolvær, make sure you head up to the Floya Summit for the best photo. The best thing to do in Lofoten is honestly just go around the different islands because the scenery is unreal almost everywhere you look. You should definitely visit beaches like Haukland Beach and Rambergstranda, which somehow look tropical despite being above the Arctic Circle. One of the biggest highlights is hiking up to Reinebringen for insane views over Reine and the surrounding fjords. You should also take part in things like kayaking, Northern Lights tours in winter, or midnight sun activities during summer. It’s all very beautiful and picturesque.
How to get there:
The most common way is to fly into Bodo then ferry to somewhere like Moskenes, or just fly to one of SVJ or LKN (usually via Bodo).
Buses then connect the main towns and villages across Lofoten.
4) Geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is one of the most famous and dramatic fjords in Norway, with landscapes that cannot just be put into words. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage list and is often considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world. It’s just over 6 hours away from Bergen.
Things to do:
The main base is the town of Geiranger, which is a beautiful little settlement with great views of the water. There are other good towns to such as Helleslyt. The best way to experience Geirangerfjord is obviously gonna be by boat. Cruises and ferries travel through the fjord, passing famous waterfalls like the Seven Sisters and the Suitor, while giving you full views of the cliffs rising dramatically from the water. Above the fjord, there are some of the best viewpoints in Norway, especially from mountain roads like the Eagle Road and Dalsnibba, where you can see the entire fjord stretching out below you.
How to get there:
To get to Geirangerfjord, the main access point is the village of Geiranger, which is reached using a combination of flights, buses, and ferries. The easiest route is to fly into Ålesund, then take a bus or coach service into the fjord region via Stranda and onward connections to Geiranger. I’d recommend getting to Hellesylt then taking the ferry into Geiranger.
5) Tromsø
Tromsø is one of the northernmost major cities in the world and a key gateway to Arctic Norway. Located well above the Arctic Circle, the northern lights are a part of the reason why it has the popularity it has. The city sits on an island surrounded by mountains and fjords, and it is one of those places which really fulfills the image you have in your mind of beautiful Norway.
Things to do:
Obviously, the big one is the Northern Lights, which are best seen anywhere between September to March. Other than that, take the cable car up Fjellheisen for an amazing view like no other. Boat tours around the northern fjords are also a top choice, and are best done during whale watching season (even if you don’t see whales, the scenery itself is still worth it). And for stuff to do inside the actual city excluding checking out the food and walking around, try the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral for attractions.
How to get there:
The best way is to fly into Tromsø Airport (TOS), which has frequent flights domestically.
6) Preikestolen
Preikestolen (also known as Pulpit Rock) is one of the most famous viewpoints in Norway, and it is reachable by a hike up, where at the top you get to stand on a huge flat rock platform hanging over the fjord, with absolutely no barriers at the edge.
Hike Details:
The base city for this hike is going to be Stavanger, which from there you can take a bus to the trailhead. The hike is only about 2-4 hours return usually, depending on the weather.
How to get there:
From Stavanger, you would usually take a A bus to Tau ferry terminal, then a ferry across the fjord to Forsand area, then a final bus to the trailhead. It sounds complicated, but it is well communicated and the whole thing runs regularly in hiking season.
7) Trolltunga
Trolltunga is another one of Norway’s most fascinating viewpoints, and unlike the hike up Preikestolen, it is a lot more advanced. The trailhead is east of Bergen deep into the fjords.
Hike details:
Trolltunga is usually accessed from the town of Odda, which is the main base for hikers. The hike is actually over 20km return, so it is a full day experience. Depending on the conditions it can take over 12 hours. There are some tough bits to the hike, but you get amazing views the whole way.
How to get there:
You can take a bus from Bergen to Odda, then take a shuttle bus up to the trailhead at Skjeggedal.
8) Svalbard
Svalbard is one of the most unique and remote places in the entire world. It’s a series of islands located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and is a place of glaciers, frozen mountains, and polar wilderness. Svalbard is one of the best places in the world to experience extreme polar conditions. In winter, you get the polar night, where the sun doesn’t rise for months, and in summer, it flips completely with the midnight sun.
Things to do:
The main base is Longyearbyen, which is surprisingly small but fully functioning, with cafés, restaurants, hotels, and even a few shops. It kinda feels like a tiny outpost dropped into the Arctic. if you are their in winter, you have to stay till you can see the northern lights up above you, which as we all know is once in a lifetime. Obviously in summer, you are going to have the most unique experience in itself, which is 24 hours of daylight constantly. One of the best things to do is go on a snowmobile or dog sledding tour straight out into the Arctic wilderness, where you’re surrounded by glaciers, frozen valleys, and absolute silence. You can also visit ice caves inside the glaciers, and if you’re lucky you can spot Walruses and arctic foxes hanging about.
How to get there:
You will have to fly into Svalbard Airport Longyear (LYR) from Oslo.
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