Norway is one of the Scandinavian countries known for its dramatic natural landscapes – think fjords, mountains, the Northern Lights, and the midnight sun. Norway has a small population of just over five million people, making it one of the least populated countries. This means that Norway has lots of natural beauty and pristine wilderness. The capital city, Oslo, is home to museums, parks, and architecture that range from the ancient to the ultra-modern. Places like Bergen, with its old wharf, and Tromsø for Arctic adventures, provide more culture and scenery.
World-renowned for their stunning vistas, Norway’s fjords like Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord draw travelers from around the globe looking to experience some of the best hiking, kayaking, and fjord cruises! In winter, Norway is a top spot for the Northern Lights, and cities such as Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands are popular with photographers. Below are the best cities in Norway.
1. Oslo
Oslo, the capital of Norway, is an energetic city offering a combination of nature, cultural attractions, and architecture. Surrounded by the majestic Oslofjord and lush forests, the city provides both urban and natural experiences. The Opera House, with its sloping rooftop views over the Oslo Fjord and the Fiedeland Sculpture Park, a one-of-a-kind park showing over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, are the highlights of Oslo.
There are cultural attractions everywhere, such as the Viking Ship Museum, fort Akershus, which is quite old, and the Munch Museum, where you can see the most famous art of Edvard Munch. Trendy neighborhoods like Grünerløkka are packed with cafés and boutiques and bursting with street art, providing an urban vibe to Oslo. It is also known for its sustainability architecture, with wide open green spaces, environmentally friendly transit, and cycling tracks, which attract bike riders, jogging enthusiasts, and open-air yoga practitioners galore.
2. Bergen
Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen, is a picturesque city surrounded by mountains and fjords on the western coast of the country. Famous for its maritime history, Bergen was once an important trading town in the Hanseatic period. Its wharf, Bryggen, is still an icon of the city with its colorful wooden houses and passageways and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
An excellent base for beautiful fjord cruises and hikes, it is at the doors of Norway´s beautiful fjords, Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord; Mount Fløyen, a popular spot for both locals and tourists, is accessible with the Fløibanen funicular and provides stunning panoramas of the city and landscapes surrounding it.
3. Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands in northern Norway are a stunning archipelago known for their dramatic peaks, deep fjords, and picturesque fishing villages. Not a city, but this region offers some of Norway’s most iconic natural landscapes, with mountains shooting straight up out of the sea, white sandy beaches, and red-pictured cabins known as rorbuer along the coastlines.
Lofoten is an outdoor delights paradise that offers hiking, kayaking, fishing, and surfing in the Arctic. It’s equally good for watching the Northern Lights in winter or experiencing the Midnight Sun during summer. Reine Henningsvær and Svolvær villages furnish a blend of classic Norwegian culture along with local artistry, with art galleries, craft shops, and seafood restaurants.
Although it is remote, this destination is accessible to intercontinental travelers.
4. Tromsø
Tromsø: This beautiful northern Norwegian city is often called the Gateway to the Arctic, thanks to all the Arctic adventures and natural phenomena here. Surrounded by fjords, mountains, and islands, it is said to be one of the best spots in the world to see the Northern Lights that dance across the sky on long winter nights. In the summer, the midnight sun casts an unwavering light, enabling longer days for activities.
Tromso is a hub of culture and history. It is home to sites such as the Arctic Cathedral, with its distinctive modern architecture, and the Polar Museum, which tells the story of Norway’s polar exploration history.
5. Geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is not a city but one of the most beautiful places in Norway, a UNESCO World Heritage site in western Norway. Famous for its deep blue sea water, steep mountain slopes, and its amazing waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters and the Suitor, Geirangerfjord is the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. Nestled at the fjord’s end, the small village of Geiranger is the main entry point for boat tours, kayaking, and hiking trails with stunning viewpoints.
It is known for its scenic Eagle Road with Eagle Road and the Ørnesvingen viewpoint, which looks out over the fjord and surrounding mountains. Geiranger is a known cruise stop, and you can easily ferry in to explore this landscape, which you will see in many tourist brochures!
6. Pulpit Rock
Stavanger is a coastal city in southwestern Norway, the Petroleum Capital of Norway. It is known for its well-preserved wooden houses, lively cultural environment, and nearby breathtaking natural phenomena such as Preikestolen / Pulpit Rock. The city of Stavanger is known for its history of the oil industry in Norway, as told at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, and its Gamle Stavanger, or old town, is densely packed with white-washed wooden houses from the late 18th century. A vibrant food scene and numerous annual festivals (like the Gladmat Food Festival) also grace the city!
Preikestolen—One of Norway’s most iconic hikes, Preikestolen is a 604-meter (nearly 2,000-foot) cliff that rises vertically above Lysefjord. The difficult hike to the summit takes 4-5 hours round trip.
7. Ålesund
Ålesund is a picturesque coastal city in western Norway, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and setting between the Atlantic Ocean and several islands. In 1904, most of Ålesund was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style after a fire, resulting in a unique and colorful architectural style that makes Ålesund different from other Norwegian cities. Jugendstilsenteret includes some details on this architectural style and Ålesund’s interesting history.
Located amongst mountains and fjords, Ålesund is a great jumping-off point for the stunning scenery in the region, especially the picturesque Geirangerfjord. Several steps or a short drive can reach the viewpoint of Aksla, providing panoramic views of the city, fjords, and islands.
8. Sognefjord
Essentially the King of the Fjords, Sognefjord is Norway’s largest, longest, and deepest fjord; it stretches more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) inland from the coast. Not quite a city, but the villages along Sognefjord – notably Flåm, Balestrand, and Sogndal. Each village has its own part of the fjord to show off. Known for its breathtaking landscape, including steep peaks, tumbling waterfalls, and deep azure waters that draw nature aficionados from across the globe, Sognefjord.
There are a host of outdoor adventures awaiting, including stunning fjord cruises, hiking trails with panoramic viewpoints, and the famous Flåm Railway, one of the steepest train rides in the world. Sognefjord is also the point of entry to Jotunheimen National Park and the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
9. Jotunheimen National Park
Jotunheimen National Park is a stunning wilderness region in the heart of Norway with rugged mountain peaks, deep valleys, and pristine glacial lakes. Known as the home of the giants, it is also home to Norway’s tallest mountains, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. Jotunheimen is an outdoor lovers’ paradise, home to Norway’s best hiking, climbing, and skiing.
Possibly one of Norway’s best-known hikes along the most famous ridge in the park: the scenic Besseggen Ridge that frames both the sparkling turquoise waters of Lake Gjende and the deep blue waters of Lake Bessvatnet. You can see glacial landscapes and mountaineering and/or enjoy yourself in a few mountain cabins. Home to reindeer, elk, and many of Norway’s thousands of bird species, Jotunheimen invites visitors to meet Norway’s wild beauty.
10. Senja
This scenic unknown Senja is the second largest island of Norway, located in the far North of the country. It is a place where scenic beauty meets tranquility away from the crowded landscape. Called the Island of Adventure, Senja is less visited than the beautiful Lofoten Islands but has a similar wild beauty featuring staggering cliffs, white sand beaches, and crystal clear fjords.
Across Norway, the National Scenic Routes, Senja→ (one of the natural wonders of the world) run through some of the most beautiful scenery with views of places, example gratia such as Bergsbotn and Tungeneset with views of the sea and sharp peaks, including outdoor pursuits such as hiking, kayaking, and seeing wildlife, with opportunities to see an opportunity to spot reindeer, sea eagles, and even whales. The island is also a perfect spot for the midnight sun during the summer and Northern Lights in the winter!
11. Hardangerfjord
Hardangerfjord, the “Queen of the Fjords,” is one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, extending 179 kilometers (111 miles) through an amazing landscape of mountains, orchards, and villages. The western part of Norway is known for its fruit trees, such as apple and cherry blossoms, in springtime, which provide a spectacular contrast to the snow-capped mountains.
Today, travelers flock to hike the popular Trolltunga rock formation, which juts into Lake Ringedalsvatnet. Scenic cruises, fishing, and even cycling routes alongside the fjord allow visitors to experience the area’s varied landscapes. Several villages, such as Eidfjord and Odda, are dotted throughout, where you will find local culture mixed in with some cozy lodges.
12. Trondheim
Trondheim, one of the oldest cities in Norway, is a vibrant university town and cultural center with historical roots. Trondheim, founded by the Vikings over a thousand years ago, used to be Norway’s medieval capital and boasts the impressive Nidaros Cathedral, the largest medieval building in Scandinavia and an important pilgrimage center. Famed for its lovely wooden houses, the River Nidelva, and old wharves, the city can be explored via a stroll.
Trondheim boasts a vibrant arts and music scene, with numerous galleries, festivals, and events throughout the year. Locals and tourists flock to Bakklandet for its nervously colorful wooden houses, raucous cafés and shops. Hikers, cross-country skiers, and those who want to float the Trondheim Fjord in a boat all find it just a hop away.
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