Norway is packed with dramatic landscapes, from deep fjords and towering mountains to Arctic wilderness and vibrant cities. With so many incredible places to choose from, narrowing it down isn’t easy. But if you’re planning a trip, you have to start somewhere.
Here are 17 of the best places to visit in Norway. Some of these are iconic must-sees, while others are lesser-known gems — so it’s worth reading on, even if you already know a few.
Must-see highlights
Best for classic fjord scenery and easy-access viewpoints: Geirangerfjord
It may not be one of the Norway’s largest fjords, but what Geirangerfjord lacks in size it makes up for with its stunning location and breathtaking scenery. Part of a Unesco World Heritage site, the fjord cuts deep inland with steep mountains looming either side, and thundering waterfalls gushing down them into the water below.
The classic fjord scenery and dramatic landscapes make Geirangerfjord one of Norway’s most visited attractions – but don’t let that deter you. Its jaw-dropping beauty and sheer natural majesty will reward even the most jaded of travellers. If you’re visiting, it’s a good idea to grab a hop-on, hop-off bus pass.
Best for photography and road trips: Lofoten
Lofoten – a necklace of islands strung out along Norway’s northern coast – is a beautiful archipelago of mountains, pretty fishing villages and white-sand beaches.
The wild scenery and relaxed, unhurried pace of life make Lofoten a great place to kick back and chill out for a few days. If you’re feeling energetic there are some great hikes, or you can do some swimming or kayaking round its picture-postcard coves and inlets.
This can be a relatively tricky part of Norway to explore under your own steam but fortunately there are some amazing guided tours worth joining.
Best for iconic hikes and fjord views: Preikestolen
The iconic 604m-high Preikestolen, more commonly known as Pulpit Rock, is one of the most snapped sights in Norway. Familiar to viewers from the breathtaking final fight scene of Mission Impossible: Fallout, its height and sheer cliff faces towering over the blue Lysefjord below make it an iconic sight.
It’s also a popular hiking route, which combines gentle forest trails and rocky paths with the dramatic summit and its jaw-dropping views. It takes about four hours to clamber up to the summit and back down again, and the trip can be easily done on an organized tour, such as this one or tackled independently (this option tends to suit more intrepid walkers).
If this one’s on your wishlist, check out our hiking guide – it has loads more info on hiking to the summit.
Best for scenic drives: Trollstigen
Thrill-seekers will love the adrenaline rush that you get when driving the Trollstigen (the Troll’s Road), one of the world’s most dramatic – and frankly terrifying! – roads. The route from Åndalsnes up to the Trollstigveien Plateau is not for the faint-hearted – its twists through 11 switchback bends on its way up the mountain.
However the rewards are enormous – expect gushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and amazing views. There are a couple of intriguing architect-designed viewpoints that make the most of the spectacular vistas.
If you don’t fancy tackling the drive yourself — and let’s face it, it’s not for the faint-hearted — you can join a guided sightseeing tour from Ålesund that takes you along Trollstigen, with stops at scenic viewpoints and nearby villages along the way.
Cities & culture
Best for culture, food and urban waterfront life: Oslo
Norway’s capital Oslo is a great place to spend a few days, with a stunning waterfront setting where grand 19th-century buildings sit alongside striking contemporary architecture.
As you’d expect from the home of Munch, Ibsen and Grieg, the city takes its art and culture seriously, with standout institutions like the National Museum and the MUNCH museum. One of the best ways to get your bearings is to join a guided walking tour, which brings together the city’s history, architecture and everyday life.
For such a compact city, Oslo is also surprisingly lively, with plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants — not to mention the popular floating sauna scene along the harbour.
And, of course, winter sports are a big draw here — after all, there aren’t many capital cities where you can go skiing or sledging by metro. In summer, you can swim or kayak in the Oslofjord, or join a guided hike in the surrounding forests to experience Norway’s outdoors without leaving the city. These boat tours and fjord cruises are also a great way to see Oslo from the water.
Best for charming cities and fjord access: Bergen
Despite being Norway’s second city, Bergen’s old town is all brightly painted wooden houses and cobbled streets, with an atmospheric, small-town feel. Undeniably pretty, its location is hard to beat too, spread around the waterfront, with wooded hills as a backdrop.
Its laid-back vibe, attractive old town, independent shops and excellent cafés and restaurants make it worth spending some time here, before heading out to explore the wonderful fjords on its doorstep.
You can simply wander through backstreets on your own, or get all the inside info on the city on this walking tour with a local guide.
Best for architecture and coastal views: Ålesund
Set across a series of small islands on Norway’s west coast, Ålesund is one of the country’s most distinctive towns. Rebuilt in elegant Art Nouveau style after a fire in 1904, it’s known for its colourful buildings, ornate details and waterfront setting.
Climb the steps to Mount Aksla for sweeping views over the town, surrounding islands and fjords. Ålesund also makes a great base for exploring nearby highlights like Geirangerfjord and the Sunnmøre Alps.
Fjords, mountains & landscapes
Best for hiking and mountain scenery: Jotunheimen National Park
A vast mountainous wilderness, the Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark is the place to head for serious hiking and mountain-climbing. With its spectacular snow-capped scenery, glacial lakes and valleys, it’s home to a huge concentration of mountains peaks, including Norway’s (and northern Europe’s) two highest mountains – not to mention the country’s highest waterfall.
But it’s not just experienced outdoor types who can enjoy the park – a network of paths, mountain huts, and ferries across the blue-green lakes allow access to the park’s most dramatic viewpoints.
Best for adrenaline and outdoor sports: Voss
Tucked between the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord, Norway’s extreme sports capital, Voss has pretty much everything the adrenaline-seeker could want.
From skiing, white-river rafting, extreme mountain-biking to paragliding and base jumping, there’s no sport too scary that you can’t do it here.
In spring, the surrounding Hardanger region bursts into bloom, with fruit trees covered in white and pink blossoms — making it one of the most beautiful times to visit. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or scenic landscapes, Voss is a great base. For more how to get a serious adrenaline rush during your trip, see our guide to extreme sports in Norway.
Best for glacier walks: Jostedalsbreen
If you’re going to go for a walk on a glacier, you may as well make it the largest one in mainland Europe. The Jostedalsbreen glacier is some 37 miles long with whitish-blue arms of ice covering almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park.
Hiking on an icy landscape formed thousands of years ago is a magical experience. You can get up close to the creaking ice, explore ice caves and look out for the weird and wonderful ice sculptures made by nature. For a truly memorable experience, you can combine kayaking and glacier hiking near Jostedal, getting up close to the ice both from the water and on foot with an experienced guide.
For more on Norway’s glaciers and how to get to them, check out our Norwegian glacier guide.
Unique Norway experiences
Best for train nerds: the Flåmsbana railway
This iconic train trip is a must-do,
combining the romance of train travel with some of Norway’s most dramatic scenery. One of the highlights of any trip to Norway, this trundling train runs a switchback route from the isolated village of Myrdal, some 867m above sea level, down to Flåm on the beautiful Aurlandsfjord.
The train is equipped with four sets of brakes to control its steep journey down the picturesque Flåm valley, past wooded hillsides, narrow gorges and the thundering 140m-high Kjosfossen waterfall.
For more, read our full guide to one of the world’s most spectacular train trips.
Best for seeing Norway’s coastline in one trip: a Hurtigruten cruise
Well, it’s not exactly a place, but a trip on a Hurtigruten cruise liner allows access to some of Norway’s most remote settlements and inlets that you would never otherwise visit. Running from Bergen to Kirkenes, this iconic Norwegian boat route was a former supply ship and often the only lifeline to villages unconnected to the rest of the country by road.
Today, Hurtigruten services still provide a vital daily service to many places, but the boats also give travellers a chance to see some of Norway’s most stunning scenery. So hop on and take the slow route past some of the world’s most spectacular coastline and mountainscapes.
For more on this spectacular coastal journey, see our ultimate guide to sailing the Hurtigruten route.
Wildlife & arctic
Best for northern lights and Arctic adventures: Tromsø
Located well above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of the best places in the world to experience the northern lights. In winter, visitors come here for aurora hunting, dog sledding and snowy landscapes, while summer brings the midnight sun and endless daylight. Despite its remote location, Tromsø has a lively atmosphere, with great restaurants, museums and a strong outdoor culture. It’s an ideal starting point for exploring Arctic Norway.
For a different perspective, you can join a fjord adventure from Tromsø, combining dramatic Arctic scenery with wildlife spotting, photos and a warm local lunch along the way.
Best for Arctic wildlife and adventure: Svalbard
One of the remotest places on earth, the icy, snow-covered island of Svalbard is a magnet for lovers of nature, wilderness and wildlife.
High up in the Arctic Circle, this isolated archipelago is home to more polar bears than people, and makes a magical destination for those with a real sense of adventure. On land, there’s a good chance of seeing reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears, while the surrounding waters harbour walruses, whales and seals amongst others.
And if you tire of all that wildlife, you can take a snowmobile tour to explore the icy wastes and do some northern lights spotting.
Best for whale watching: Andenes
Although it’s a nice enough town in its own right, the main reason to visit Andenes on the island of Andøya is to go whale-watching. The town is well-known for its whale safaris around the Vesterålen islands, whose waters harbour many different species including minke, humpbacks, pilots and sperm whales.
Many operators are so confident you’ll spot whales that they even offer a refund if you don’t. For a truly memorable experience, you can join a responsible whale-watching tour from Andenes by catamaran to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
If you’re not sure where to start, read our guide to whale-safaris in Norway.
Hidden gems worth the detour
Best for off-the-beaten-track scenery: Senja
Often described as a quieter alternative to Lofoten, Senja offers dramatic mountains, white-sand beaches and winding coastal roads — but with far fewer visitors.
This rugged island is perfect for road trips, hiking and photography, with highlights including the scenic National Tourist Route and viewpoints like Segla. If you’re looking for wild Norwegian landscapes without the crowds, Senja is hard to beat.
Best for bucket-list hikes and photos: Kjeragbolten boulder
Norway’s ultimate selfie-spot the Kjerag boulder is wedged between two cliff-faces high above the beautiful blue Lysefjord. The hike up here passes through woodlands and rocky glacial landscapes with ever-improving views as you get higher.
But, it’s the boulder shot everyone’s after, so step out onto this small rock suspended some 1000 metres up in the air – if you dare!
You can do the hike yourself in six to eight hours there and back or go or an organized tour with an experienced guide.
Ready to plan your trip to Norway?
If you’re short on time, it’s best to focus on one region rather than trying to see everything. For a classic first trip, we’d suggest combining a few highlights on the west coast, where you’ll find some of Norway’s most iconic scenery within relatively easy reach.
Our top picks for a one-week itinerary would be Bergen, the Flåm area and fjords, Geirangerfjord, Trollstigen and a hike to Preikestolen. This gives you a great mix of cities, fjords, scenic drives and outdoor experiences without too much backtracking.
Have you been to Norway, or are you planning your first trip? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear your favourite places and tips.
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