Sights In Norway
This is our complete guide to what to see in Norway .
It’s about the landmarks, attractions and the most beautiful experiences in nature.
There is also a map of the sights at the end along with useful travel tips.
1. Hamnoy lofoten Norway
Hamnoy in Lofoten is the most famous motif from Norway.
The islands north of the Arctic Circle are the most beautiful motif from Norway.
Have you seen pictures with the red fishermen’s huts by the sea in Hamnøy, with the islands and mountains in the background? They are the new symbol of Norway.
Other Norwegian regions even advertise with pictures of Lofoten because day trips to Lofoten are possible from their area.
2. City Hall park, Oslo
The City Hall is the landmark of the capital Oslo.
If you win the Nobel Peace Prize, you will receive the award at Oslo City Hall.
Entry to the hall is free. The large building is also the landmark of the capital Oslo.
Right next to City Hall is the Nobel Peace Price Museum, which shows the history of Alfred Nobel’s establishment of the Peace Prize, its laureates and future.
The inner harbor promenade, Aker Bryyge, is also Oslo’s lifestyle district with restaurants, bars and cafes.
Plan to at least walk around the area during a trip to Oslo. It is one of the most interesting places in Norway where you can see everything from history, nightlife to culture in one compact place.
3. Aurora borealis northern lights nyc
Norway is a unique travel destination all year round – whether with the Northern Lights in winter or the nature in summer.
What many people don’t realize is that much of Norway lies north of the Arctic Circle.
This is the best region for a view of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis. Depending on the region in Norway, you will see them from October to March.
In some regions of Norway, for example on the Spitsbergen archipelago halfway to the North Pole, in winter there is even no sun during the day.
The best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights are Tromsø, the region around Nordkapp, with luck in Lofoten and with the highest probability in Longyearbyen on Svalbard.
On the other hand, if you want the sun to shine all day, you should come to the north of Norway in summer.
4. Spitsbergen Svalbard and jan mayen
Longyearbyen on Svalbard: There are no hotels further north in the world.
Svalbard is an archipelago halfway between Northern Ways and the North Pole.
The arctic islands belong to Norway, but there were also long Russian settlements. An abandoned Russian mining town with a bust of Lenin is now one of the most iconic sights in Svalbard.
Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen is the northernmost city in the world.
There is no daylight between November and February. This is ideal if you want to see the northern lights.
In winter, you can also take trips to old mining settlements , snowmobile tours and Arctic museums. In the summer, tours with ferries along the eternal ice of Svalbard, whale safaris and hikes on the island are additional activities.
If you want to get as close as possible to the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the perfect destination. In my opinion, the island is one of the most extraordinary places in the world.
5. Bergen with the fjords to the west
Beach side in mountains. There are beautiful hotels on the Atlantic.
Bergen is the second best destination for a city break in Norway after Oslo.
Be sure to walk along the wooden houses by the sea, to Bergen quay and ride the Fløibanen (funicular) up for the best views of the Atlantic sunset.
On a sunny day you can take a picnic for the mountain top.
Also consider a cruise on a fjord in Bergen .
This can be done directly from Bergen harbor or with a trip to one of the nearby large fjords.
You can reach Bergen more and more easily from Germany in summer, due to the increasing number of flights by low-cost airlines. You can often find a return flight for as little as €50 without hand luggage.
Tip: Because many ask, the train journey from Bergen to Oslo takes more than six hours. Therefore, plan at least one night in Bergen if you are going on a round trip.
6. Geirangerfjord Norway
The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s natural wonders.
The fjord is a UNESCO protected natural wonder.
There are thundering waterfalls, sheer cliffs and great viewpoints of the sea valley in the 15 km long fjord. For example, the Seven Sisters Falls was a template for scenes in the Disney fairy tale film Frozen.
You can see the fjord during a cruise, a boat trip, paddling a kayak or hiking along the cliffs.
Kayaking is the most peaceful way to get through the fjord. You have the most beautiful views during the hikes along the cliffs in the Geirangerfjord.
7. Norway Trolltunga
The images of the rock are one of the iconic motifs from Norway.
Trolltunga, 700m above Lake Ringedal, is one of the most spectacular cliffs in the world.
You come with a 27 km long circular hike to the viewpoint, where everyone also wants to take a picture.
The hike is not child’s play. You go to the cliffs for 10 hours.
You will be rewarded with the breathtaking view and one of the coolest photo locations in the world.
8. Norwegian food
Salmon and Norway are inextricably linked.
The food in a country is one of the sights for us.
That’s why I’ve written a short list of Norwegian specialties that you can try in all parts of the country.
9. Stavanger Norway
Stavanger, oil capital and cultural center.
Stavanger is the oil capital of Norway. But that shouldn’t deter you.
With a long shipping and industrial history, Stavanger is also the international city of Norway, with a large cultural scene. Around Vågen there are excellent restaurants, concerts and cultural events on the stages.
Away from the city you will also find sights for nature lovers, for example the famous Pulpit Rock, which I will write more about in a separate point.
The residents of the Stavanger region are also proud of their stories of ancient Viking kings.
In the Hafrsfjord stands one of the most famous monuments in the world. Harald Fairhair defeated his competition in the fjord and laid the foundation for Norway’s unification 1,200 years ago.
10. Trondheim and Trondelag
Vikings to nature, Trondheim has it all.
Trøndelag is a destination for history, culture, shopping, food and family.
At the time of the early Vikings, Trøndelag was a separate kingdom. If the people of Trøndelag had their way, Trondheim would even be the capital of Norway today.
After all, the city is pretty much right in the middle of Norway. Trondheim would probably have made a good capital, with sights such as Nidaros Cathedral, Stiftsgården and its central location.
The area around Trøndelag is very green, with much of Norway’s fish and game production. If you like salmon, the region is for you.
And think of the Trønder Rock. Music is one of the big themes in Trøndelag, along with stories about Vikings, food and nature.
11. Lillehammer apartment
The winter sports metropolis, especially for cross-country skiers.
Lillehammer is the destination for winter sports in Norway.
The city was the venue for the 1994 Winter Olympics. Between cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, everything that has to do with skis, ice skates and snow is possible in Lillehammer.
In summer Lillehammer is all about attractions like Malhaugen Park, Norway’s largest open-air museum with more than 200 historic buildings.
Then there are hiking trails, rock climbing and all the outdoor activities you can think of.
But when the snow flies, Lillehammer really shines.
12. Kon-Tiki Museum
Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, photo by VisitOSLO / Didrick Stenersen
Thor Heyerdahl’s voyage on the Kon-Tiki was one of the last great adventures of the last century.
He sailed his balsa wood ship from Lima, Peru across the Pacific to Polynesia to prove that the inhabitants of the Pacific island could have originally come from South America.
The original Kon-Tiki ship is on display in the museum along with mementos from other of his expeditions, such as the voyage on the ship Ra from Africa to America.
Right next to the Kon-Tiki Museum is the Fram Museum.
The Fram Museum is about the journey of the first people to the South Pole, led by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen, the first flight over the North Pole and other journeys by great Norwegian polar explorers.
13. Norwegian stave churches
Preikestolen, here it goes 600 m down into the valley.
From the Preikestolen you are guaranteed to have one of the best views of Norway’s fjord landscape.
The only thing keeping you from the view, a photo for memories and a picnic at the top is a 5 hour hike.
If you like hiking, the path alone is a small adventure in nature. After all, you walk up the mountain along the fjord, with a view that doesn’t exist at home.
If you don’t want to go it alone, there is a guided hike to Preikestolen from Stavanger .
Be careful at the top though, especially on a strong windy day.
It goes from the edge at least 600 m vertically down.
14. Norwegian Stave Churches
“Black Church” Burgundy, a memory of Vikings and early Christians.
Stave churches are a reminder of the change from the old Norse gods to Christianity.
The oldest stave church is Hopperstad in Vik. It dates back to 1130, when Odin, Thor and the other Norse gods still had a major influence on life in Scandinavia.
The most mystical stave church is Borgund. As “Black Church” it is one of the most popular photo locations in Norway.
Elements from the churches are still reminiscent of the Vikings. For example, they have dragon heads on the ridges, meant to evoke the bows of Viking ships.
15. Royal Castle in Oslo Norway
Norway is still a monarchy.
The palace in the capital Oslo is home to the royal family of Norway.
In the summer months you can visit the rooms in the Royal Palace.
These include the Mirror Room, the Great Hall, and a room with 40 species of birds.
You can see the changing of the guard every day, even in winter, at 1:30 p.m.
The guards of the Kingsguard ceremoniously exchange their posts.
16. Hurtigruten coastal ferry
Hurtigruten ship in Lofoten.
The Hurtigruten mail ships are a travel dream for anyone who wants to see Norway’s coast from south to north.
You stop at the most beautiful places and insider tips along the Norwegian coast.
There is a route from Bergen which, after a seven-day journey, ends in Kirkenses, not far from the border with Russia .
Along the route you can hop on and off at ports along the coast. This includes stops in Tromsø, Nordkapp and Lofoten.
17. Munch Museum
Skrik (Scream) at the Edvard Munch Museum in Oslo
Edvard Munch’s Scream is Norway’s Mona Lisa.
Everyone has seen the picture before, or at least used the horrified emoji on their smartphone that is based on the scream.
In the museum you can see the three versions of the scream in an hourly rotation. This is to protect the images, otherwise their colors will fade over time.
There are also 1,200 other paintings by Edvard Munch and artists associated with him on 10 floors by the port of Oslo.
18. North Cape Norway
The end of the world, at least felt by Europe, in the north of Norway.
Strictly speaking, the North Cape is not the northernmost point of Europe by a few meters .
It doesn’t matter now.The Nordkapp gives you the feeling that you really can’t get any further north on the European continent.
It belongs to the island of Magerøya. From the cliff you can see far out to the Arctic Ocean. In the Nordkapphallen visitor center you can see a themed exhibition on the region.
You can get to the North Cape with a tunnel that connects the island of Magerøya to the mainland. The alternative is a boat from Honnisvag.
The Hurtigruten ships also have the North Cape as a port in their program.
19. Oslo Fjord
The fjord is the sea in Oslo, it’s the place for summer swimming, kayaking and sailing.
In summer the Oslofjord is full of sailboats, kayaks and floats.
The small wooden houses along the shore and on the small islands are the local wood destination. Many have a small summer house in the region.
They come for a swim, a picnic on the beach or a hike along the sea.
You can see the highlights of the Oslofjord by sailing from Oslo City Hall. The route takes you through the harbour, to the sights in the center and to the small red houses on the Oslofjord.
20. Akershus Fortress
The fortress is one of the landmarks of the capital Oslo.
Akershus is the large fortress at the port of Oslo.
The medieval castle was a residence of the kings of Norway from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
The castle is one of the best viewpoints in Oslo, with free entry. You can walk around the castle grounds, take a look at the harbor from there, go up to the castle battlements and then walk down to Oslo City Hall.
Right next to it is the entrance to the Nobel Peace Price Museum, which is awarded annually in the town hall.
If you are interested in history, you can also go to the Military History Museum of Norway and the Museum of the Norwegian Resistance in the fortress.
21. Dog sled ride
How about a dog sled? Or a reindeer sleigh?
If you ever want to go dog sledding, you have a chance to do so in Norway.
For example, in winter there are daily dog sledding trips into the arctic wilderness in Tromsø. The best sleigh rides combine the experience with an evening campfire and a view of the Northern Lights.
If you prefer to ride on a reindeer sleigh with a Sami guide, this is of course also possible in Tromsø.
22. Vikingskipshuset
Vikingskipshuset Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Photo by VisitOSLO / Thomas Johannessen
At the Viking Ship Museum Vikingskipshuset you can see treasures from the graves of Vikings on the Oslo Fjord.
This includes three Viking ships.
The Oseberg ship from the 9th century is the best preserved. It was the funeral ship of a Viking ruler.
In the museum you can also see a ship from Tune and Gokstad, along with beds buried as grave goods, small boats, a complete cart, parts of tents, wood carvings, clothes and other treasures.
Tip: The museum is on the Bygdøy Peninsula in the capital Oslo, not far from the Kon-Tiki and Fram Museums. You can see all the museums in one day with the Oslo Pass .
23.The Atlantic road Norway
The Atlantic Road is one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world.
Travelers have repeatedly voted the 8.3 km long Atlantic Road the most beautiful road trip in the world.
It connects Averøy in northern Norway with the mainland. Along the route there are some small islands connected with eight bridges.
If you’re planning a trip north, be sure to drive your own car or take a guided tour to Atlantic Road. It is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Norway.
24. Norway Whale watching
Whale safari off the coast of Tromsø in the polar sea.
Another adventure in the Norwegian Arctic Sea is a whale safari.
You will see humpback whales, orcas, killer whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Ships with a quiet electric motor depart from the northern cities of Norway, especially from Tromsø.
During the journey, guides tell about the life of the world’s largest mammals.
As soon as you sight whales, the ships switch to a quiet electric motor. He doesn’t disturb the whales. This allows you to see the whales longer than in other regions of the world.
25. Tromso Norway
Tromsø is a fairytale city in the Arctic Circle.
The highlight in winter are the Northern Lights in Tromsø.
There are also trips with husky sled dogs, reindeer sleds, the Tromsøfjord and trips to the arctic landscape by the polar sea.
Whale safaris, trips into the arctic nature and hikes are possible from Tromsø all year round, in winter for example with snowshoes.
Other Tromsø attractions include the Old Town, the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral.
The combination of polar sea, Northern Lights, sled dogs, nature and sights make Tromsø the third best destination for a city trip in Norway, after Oslo and Bergen.
