last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Norway
Contributionsversion #1created Dec 11, 2019Latest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Not counting the Struve Geodetic Arc, Norway has 8 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
In the south of the country
- Bryggen Wharf in Bergen (1979):
- Geirangerfjord (2005):
- Nærøyfjord (2005):
- Rjukan-Notodden (2015):
- Røros (1980):
- Urnes Stave Church (1979):
In the north of the country
- Alta Rock Art Site (1985):
- Vega Archipelago (2004):
Oslo and Southern Norway
- Ålesund :
- Bergen :
- Flåm :
- Geilo :
- Heddal :
- Hemsedal :
- Kragerø :
- Mandal :
- Molde :
- Oslo :
- Røros :
- Tønsberg :
- Voss :
Natural Heritage
Norwegian Lapland and the North
- Bodø :
- Karasjok :
- Kirkenes :
- Narvik :
- Tromsø :
Natural Heritage
Svalbard Archipelago
- Svalbard :
Must-see & highly recommended
Svalbard Archipelago
★★★★ This is the main island of this Arctic archipelago near Greenland and home to almost all of its 3,000 inhabitants. The area offers…
Coastal Express
★★★★ A true Norwegian institution for over a century, this boat continuously connects 34 ports from Bergen to Kirkenes (2,700 km) on an 11-day…
Geirangerfjord
★★★★ Though not very long, it is one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the country’s main…
Nærøyfjord
★★★★ This narrow fjord (sometimes less than 500 m wide), a branch of the Sognefjord, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, just like the Geiranger…
Sognefjord Fjord
★★★★ Located north of Bergen, this is the longest fjord in Europe and the second longest in the world. With its stunning landscapes and small…
Lysefjord
★★★★ In the southwest of the country, this is one of the most spectacular fjords, with cliffs rising up to 1,000 m above the water. It’s…
Lofoten Islands
★★★★ A stunning archipelago roughly opposite Bodø. Here you’ll find breathtaking landscapes, charming fishing villages, and a range of…
Jotunheimen National Park
★★★★ A stunning mountain, glacier, and valley park between Oslo and Ålesund. It’s one of Norwegians’ favorite spots for fishing…
Preikestolen
★★★★ This cliff near Stavanger overlooking the Lysefjord by over 600 m has become one of the country’s main tourist sites thanks to its…
Recommended
Bergen
★★★ This North Sea port city, the country's second-largest, boasts a charming old centre partly listed as a UNESCO site, with many wooden…
Hardanger Fjord
★★★ This is the second-longest fjord in the country, southeast of Bergen. Like many others, it is quite touristy and appreciated for its…
Vesteralen Islands
★★★ North of the Lofoten, this slightly lesser-known archipelago also offers a beautiful environment ideal for eco-tourism.
Norwegian Lapland
★★★ Spanning the Scandinavian countries and Russia, Lapland is the land of the Sámi... though in Norway (and Russia), the name isn’t…
Oslo
★★★ Norway’s capital boasts a wealth of must-see museums (Vigeland, Munch, Kon-Tiki, Viking ships), parks, and various buildings and…
Hardangervidda National Park
★★★ Norway’s largest national park, located between Bergen and Oslo. It offers stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities…
Jostedalsbreen National Park
★★★ This park in the heart of the southern part of the country is home to the largest glacier in continental Europe, the Jostedalsbreen, as…
Bryggen District
★★★ This is the most famous district in Bergen, known for its colorful old wooden houses built along the waterfront. The area is a UNESCO World…
Worth a look / Other
Vega Archipelago
★★ This is an archipelago of several thousand islands (only three of which are inhabited) located north of Trondheim. It is a UNESCO World…
North Cape
★★ This cliff in the municipality of Nordkapp is symbolically (though not geographically) considered the northernmost point of the European…
Langfossen Waterfall
★★ This is one of the most impressive and beautiful waterfalls in Norway. It flows into the Akrafjorden fjord near the village of Etne.
Latefossen Waterfall
★★ This is a beautiful 165-meter-high waterfall above a stone bridge. It’s located near the small town of Odda.
Mardalsfossen Waterfall
★★ This multi-tiered waterfall is one of Europe’s tallest, with a 700 m drop.
Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall
★★ One of Scandinavia’s most visited waterfalls, located near the town of Norheimsund.
Vøringsfossen Waterfall
★★ A 183 m drop makes this one of the most visited waterfalls.
Dovrefjell
★★ This vast mountain range in central Norway is divided into two national parks (Dovre and Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella). It is popular for its…
Urnes Stave Church
★★ In the village of Luster, on the shores of the Lustrafjord, this magnificent UNESCO-listed wooden church is one of Norway’s 28 stave…
Nordfjord Fjord
★★ In total, about a hundred kilometres for this fjord that stretches to the foot of the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
Flåm
★★ This village (unremarkable in itself) at the end of the Aurlandsfjord is one of Norway’s most tourist-heavy spots, even welcoming…
Svartisen Glacier
★★ Located near the town of Mo i Rana, in the vast Saltfjellet-Svartisen Park, this is the country's second-largest glacier. Hiking is…
Heddal
★★ This municipality in Telemark is home to one of Norway’s most beautiful stave churches (13th century). Right next door is an open-air…
Hemsedal
★★ Between Oslo and Bergen, it is the country’s second-largest winter sports resort. In season, you can hike, mountain bike, fish, and…
Senja Island
★★ This very large island north of the Lofoten Islands offers, like its neighbours, stunning landscapes, particularly in Anderdalen Park, and…
Jan Mayen
★★ This isolated volcanic island between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic is used for scientific purposes and can only be visited with great…
Kjeragbolten
★★ This is a massive boulder wedged between two cliffs overlooking the Lysefjord (much like the nearby Preikestolen). Highly impressive and…
Kragerø
★★ It’s a small port in Telemark that’s extremely popular in summer for its landscapes, the sea, and the opportunities for boat…
Lillehammer
★★ This is where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held. You can still see many of the facilities (and a museum dedicated to the event), as well…
Folgefonna National Park
★★ A lovely park encompassing three glaciers southeast of Bergen. You can hike here.
Røros
★★ Not far from the Swedish border, this historic mining town with its wooden houses is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Atlantic Ocean Road
★★ Or the Atlanterhavsveien in Norwegian. This scenic route along the coast, south of Trondheim, offers stunning landscapes where the sea…
Trollstigen Road
★★ Or Trollstigen. This (very) touristy little road east of Ålesund connects Rauma to Valldal through stunning landscapes.
Stavanger
★★ By the sea, Norway’s fourth-largest urban area thrives primarily on oil. Yet it still boasts medieval old quarters, various traces of…
Trolltunga
★★ This is a cliff promontory overhanging a fjord (like Preikestolen). The spot is quite impressive and accessible by hiking.
Tromsø
★★ With a population of 75,000, it is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle. It is known for its "Arctic Cathedral", wooden houses, and…
Trondheim
★★ La troisième ville du pays est située au centre du pays, nichée au coeur d'un vaste fjord. Elle est connue pour sa belle cathédrale et ses…
Ålesund
★ This is a port city north of Bergen known for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.
Balestrand
★ This charming village nestled in the Sognefjord boasts a beautiful wooden church and one of Norway’s most renowned "historic" hotels…
Bodø
★ The only major town between Trondheim and Tromsø, Bodø is primarily a stopover for the Coastal Express and a departure point for the…
Rjukan Waterfall
★ It's a 104-metre drop and, above all, a certain reputation among ice-climbers in winter.
Fredrikstad
★ A port city south of the capital, at the mouth of the Glomma River, with an old town and a fortress.
Geilo
★ It's a popular ski resort between Oslo and Bergen and especially a prime area for all kinds of outdoor sports in summer (hiking, mountain…
Hammerfest
★ The town is often referred to as the northernmost in the world. For tourists, it offers one of the markers of the Struve Geodetic Arc and…
Karasjok
★ This is a large village in Lapland at the heart of Sámi culture. It is home to the Sámi Parliament of Norway and is the coldest spot in the…
Kirkenes
★ Sixty kilometres from the Russian border, this small town is the terminus of the Coastal Express. It’s a great place to see the…
Kristiansand
★ An entry port for ferries from Denmark at the southernmost tip of Norway. As a tourist destination, the city mainly attracts Norwegians who…
Kristiansund
★ This is a port city north of Ålesund with "typical" Norwegian architecture.
Mandal
★ The southernmost town in Norway, known for its beaches and mild climate, making it a popular summer destination for many tourists.
Mo i Rana
★ This small town primarily serves as a base for exploring the beautiful landscapes and caves of the surrounding area, especially the…
Molde
★ This port city between Ålesund and Kristiansund is a stop on the Coastal Express. You can hike, ski, and even go diving in the surrounding…
Narvik
★ Norway’s third-largest northern town with just under 20,000 inhabitants, Narvik is primarily a base for hiking, skiing, and even…
Rjukan-Notodden
★ For industrial tourism enthusiasts, this is a complex of hydroelectric power plants, factories, transport networks, and workers' towns…
Alta Rock Art Site
★ In Finnmark, the large town of Alta is home to an important prehistoric rock art site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tønsberg
★ Located in the Oslo Fjord, Tønsberg is Norway’s oldest town, with remnants of its Viking past still visible.
Voss
★ The main stop on the Oslo-Bergen train line. It’s also—and above all—a great base for exploring the surrounding…