Best places to visit in Norway

From its majestic mountains and famous fjords to its modern yet picturesque cities, Norway is simply one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Picture-perfect landscapes beg to be explored by foot, car, bike or boat. Whether taking in the breathtaking wonder of the northern lights or the summer sun glistening on a massive glacier, Norway is a great adventure in any season. A nation with a rich and storied past, Norway invites cultural expeditions too. Some of the best places to visit in Norway offer architectural gems in rural villages to historical artifacts in metropolitan museums.

Geirangerfjord

The 20km chug along Geirangerfjord, a Unesco World Heritage Site, must rank as the world’s loveliest ferry journey. Long-abandoned farmsteads still cling to the fjord’s near-sheer cliff s while ice-cold cascades tumble, twist and gush down to emerald-green waters. Take it from Geiranger and enjoy the calm as you leave this small, heaving port or hop aboard at altogether quieter Hellesylt. Prime your camera, grab a top-deck open-air seat and enjoy what’s literally the only way to travel its secluded reaches.

Lofoten Islands

Few visitors forget their first sighting of the Lofoten Islands, laid out in summer greens and yellows, their razor-sharp peaks poking dark against a clear, cobalt sky. In the pure, exhilarating air, there’s a constant tang of salt and, in the villages, more than a whiff of cod, that giant of the seas whose annual migration brings wealth. A hiker’s dream and nowadays linked by bridges, the islands are simple to hop between, whether by bus, car or – ideally – bicycle.

Ålesund

Established in the early 19th century, Ålesund was destroyed in a large-scale fire which consumed most of the town. Like a phoenix from the ashes however, it renewed itself, becoming in the process, one of Norway’s most exquisite and unique towns. Today, its streets are lined with an incredible array of Art Nouveau architecture; with brightly colored houses, unusually peaked and arched roofs, and decorative flourishes on building façades. The town itself sprawls over seven islands, and is intersected with charming waterways and surrounded by the sea and mountains in the background.

Bergen

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, yet features as much charm and beauty as many of the country’s quaint towns and sleepy fishing villages. The town is known as the “gateway to the fjords”, and as such is surrounded by breathtaking, unspoiled natural beauty—steep mountains, dramatic waterfalls and astonishing views. Bergen itself lives up to its beautiful surroundings. Cobbled alleyways lined with traditional wooden houses fill the old town quarter, known as Bryggen, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; while the rest of the town is filled with a unique juxtaposition of architectural styles, from medieval and Art Nouveau, to contemporary design.

Bergen

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, yet features as much charm and beauty as many of the country’s quaint towns and sleepy fishing villages. The town is known as the “gateway to the fjords”, and as such is surrounded by breathtaking, unspoiled natural beauty—steep mountains, dramatic waterfalls and astonishing views. Bergen itself lives up to its beautiful surroundings. Cobbled alleyways lined with traditional wooden houses fill the old town quarter, known as Bryggen, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; while the rest of the town is filled with a unique juxtaposition of architectural styles, from medieval and Art Nouveau, to contemporary design.

Northern lights

There is no more uplifting natural phenomena than the aurora borealis, or northern lights. Visible throughout the long night of the Arctic winter from October to March, they dance across the sky in green or white curtains of light, shifting in intensity and taking on forms that seem to spring from a child’s vivid imagination. While there’s no guarantee that the northern lights will appear at any given time, if you are lucky enough to see them, it’s an experience that will live with you forever.

Hiking the Jotunheimen

The high country of central Norway ranks among Europe’s premier summer destinations. Although there are numerous national parks criss-crossed by well-maintained hiking trails, it’s Jotunheimen National Park, whose name translates as ‘Home of the Giants’, that rises above all others. With 60 glaciers and 275 summits over 2000m, Jotunheimen is exceptionally beautiful and home to iconic trails such as Besseggen, Hurrungane and those in the shadow of Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s highest peak. Jotunheimen’s proximity to the fjords further enhances its appeal.

Kystriksveien (coastal route)

The lightly-trafficked coastal route through Nordland is for those with leisure to savour its staggering beauty. You might well not have time for the full 650km but a sample is all but mandatory if you’re progressing northwards. It’s not one to be rushed. The frequent ferry hops off er compulsory, built-in breaks and stunning seascapes, while both inland glaciers and accessible off shore islands – such as Vega, famous for its eider ducks, or Lovund, home to 200,000 puffins – are seductive diversions.

Pulpit Rock

As lookouts go, Preikestolen has few peers. Perched atop an almost perfectly sheer cliff that juts out more than 600m above the waters of gorgeous Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock is one of Norway’s signature images and most eye-catching areas. It’s the sort of place where you’ll barely be able to look as travellers dangle far more than seems advisable over the precipice, even as you fi nd yourself drawn inexorably towards the edge. The hike to reach it takes two hours and involves a full-day trip from Stavanger.

Henningsvær

Located in the Lofoten archipelago, a stunning cluster of islands off of the north coast of Norway, Henningsvær is a charming fishing village spread over several tiny islands in the vast ocean. The beautiful, traditional Norwegian houses, painted in bright colors or startling white, appear to emerge from the sea, and are reflected in the crystal clear waters. Thanks to its extreme northern location, Henningsvær experiences extraordinary weather conditions. In the winter, snow covers the island, turning the buildings into gingerbread houses, while in summer, the village experiences beautifully clear days and 24-hour daylight.