Things to do in Norway

Things to do in  Norway

Welcome to Norway

Norway: land of breathtaking fjords, cosmopolitan cities, and Scandinavian design. In the capital city of Oslo, visit top attractions such as the Viking Ship Museum and Vigeland Sculpture Park, and get a taste of Norwegian culture on a food tour. On the west coast, UNESCO-protected fjords, craggy coastlines, and Bergen—the so-called City of Seven Mountains—beckon outdoor enthusiasts. Those in search of the northern lights and winter activities—from dogsledding to snowmobile safaris—should head for Tromso, while train buffs won't want to miss a trip on the Bergen and Flam railways, considered among the world's most scenic train journeys.

Top 15 attractions in Norway

Tromso Fjords

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Thanks to its spectacular setting among a series of islands and skerries laced with waterways and scalloped inlets, Tromso is the epicenter of day trips out into the fjords bordering the Norwegian Sea. These long, narrow sea inlets are characterized by steep, mountainous slopes carved out by glaciation during the last Ice Age.More

Mt. Floyen (Floyfjellet)

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Mount Fløyen (Fløyfjellet**)**towers 1,310 feet (399 meters) over Bergen and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape from its summit. A popular hiking destination, the mountain features a funicular railway and a network of scenic walking and biking trails that run throughout the area.More

Oslofjord

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Norway’s cosmopolitan capital lies at the head of Oslofjord, a narrow body of water 68 miles (107 kilometers) in length that leads out to the strait of Skagerrak and eventually to the Baltic and North Seas. The fjord’s islets are its main attraction, home to sandy beaches, cycling and hiking routes, and historic lighthouses.More

Hardangerfjord

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Norway’s second-longest fjord, Hardangerfjord stretches nearly 124 miles (200 kilometers) inland from the Atlantic. Highlights include a massive glacier covering more than 77 square miles (200 square kilometers) and Troll’s Tongue (Trolltunga) rock, hanging 2,300 feet (701 meters) above Ringedalsvatnet Lake in Odda.More

Oslo Royal Palace (Kongelige Slott)

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Oslo’s neoclassical Royal Palace was designed by architect Hans Linstow and built in the early 19th century for King Charles III, who reigned over a united Norway and Sweden. Today it is the official city residence of King Harald V and his wife Queen Sonja, and is open during the summer for guided tours of some of its 173 palatial rooms.More

Oslo Opera House (Operahuset)

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Impressively designed by architectural firm Snøhetta, and made from white granite and marble and evocative of a floating glacier, the Oslo Opera House is a widely recognized landmark in Oslofjord. Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, it boasts a magnificent auditorium and complementary performance spaces for a variety of musical and dance performances.More

Akershus Castle (Akershus Slott)

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Set on the banks of Oslo Fjord, Akershus Castle (Akershus Slott)—also known as Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning)—was built in 1299 as a residence for Norway’s royal family. Over the years it has served as a fortress to protect Oslo against sieges from rival Swedish forces, as a Renaissance castle, and as a full-fledged 19th-century prison.More

Oslo City Hall (Radhuset)

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Clad in heavy red bricks, the Oslo City Hall is impossible to miss in central downtown Oslo. The administrative seat of the City Council, the building may look simply functional, however, it houses important murals and artworks from celebrated Norwegian painters and sculptors. Here, within its stately walls, the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.More

Norwegian Mountaineering Centre (Norsk Tindesenter)

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Climbing and outdoor sports enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre (Norsk Tindesenter), housed in a striking building designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Explore exhibitions on the history and development of mountaineering, then tackle Norway’s highest indoor climbing wall.More

Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsanlegget)

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Comprising of more than 200 bronze, granite, and cast iron sculptures by the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, Oslo’s Vigeland Sculpture Park is the world’s largest such complex made by a single artist. Located within Frogner Park, it is also one of Oslo’s top attractions, drawing more than a million visitors a year.More

Fram Museum (Frammuseet)

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This highly recognizable pyramidal structure on the Bygdøy Peninsula is dedicated to Norwegian polar exploration and houses the most famous Norwegian polar-exploration boat of all time, the icebreaker Fram, which explore polar regions from 1893 to 1912, and extraordinary features images from the daring explorations of the great Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen.More

Bygdøy Peninsula

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Jutting out from the westxa0 side of Oslo into the Oslo Fjord, the Bygdøy Peninsula is known for its clutch of museums highlighting Norwegian culture and history of exploration. A one-stop cultural and leisure destination, the stunning area has sand beaches and hiking and cycling trails, and an organic farm at Royal Manor, the King of Norway's summer residence.More

Geiranger

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Tucked in the folds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord, the small coastal town of Geiranger is the gateway to Norway’s mighty fjords and a popular stop for cruise ships. Disney fans will recognize the town’s dramatic backdrop: Its jagged sea cliffs, pine-covered valleys, and iridescent waters served as inspiration forFrozen.More

Karl Johans Gate

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Stretching from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace, Karl Johans Gate is Oslo’s main thoroughfare. Named after King Charles III John, the street is home to many of thexa0city’s top attractions, including the Royal Palace, Stortinget, National Theatre, Central Station alongside pubs, restaurants, and a variety of shops.More

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)

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Dating way back to 1894, the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) has resurrected Norway’s past, from the Middle Ages to the present. “Museum” is a misnomer here—though there is a traditional aspect, the “open-air” section preserves 160 buildings from each of Norway’s regions, and walking the streets here feels like exploring the pages of time.More

Top activities in Norway

Aurora Hunt Tour with Citizen Science from Tromso - Professional Photos Included
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Guided Tour To Nærøyfjorden, Flåm And Stegastein - Viewpoint Cruise
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Silent Whale Watching

Silent Whale Watching

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$161.43
Northern Lights Hunt with The Green Adventure- max 8 people, photos included
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Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise

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$71.64
Northern Lights tour - All inclusive - Northern Horizon
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Northern Lights Big Bus Chase

Northern Lights Big Bus Chase

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$143.28
Polar Whale Safari From Tromsø

Polar Whale Safari From Tromsø

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$181.49
Reindeer feeding & Saami Culture

Reindeer feeding & Saami Culture

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$133.25
Aurora Tour

Aurora Tour

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$132.68
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Top Destinations

Top Destinations

All about Norway

Local Currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Time Zone
CEST (UTC +1)
Country Code
+47
Language(s)
Norwegian Bokmål
Attractions
37
Tours
979
Reviews
26,789

People Also Ask

What is Norway known for?

Norway is known for its soaring snow-capped mountains, glittering fjords, colorful northern lights, cutting-edge architecture, Vikings, polar explorers, Nobel Peace Prize, rich culture, and high-ranking quality of life.

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What should you not miss in Norway?

The outdoors. Getting out into nature is so ingrained in Norwegian culture that there’s a word for it: friluftsliv. And it’s easy to do so thanks to the law of allemannsretten (“the right to roam”), which allows for almost unhindered access to the countryside. You can hike and camp wherever you want as long as you do so responsibly.

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How many days do you need to see Norway?

It depends on where you want to go, but travelers generally find that five days offers a good taste of what the country has to offer. You could spend two days in Oslo, then head west to Bergen for a day. From there you can explore the Sognefjord area.

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What is the prettiest place in Norway?

From its Arctic north to the southern fjords, Norway is an incredibly beautiful country. Many travelers pinpoint the Lofoten Islands as the most beautiful place of all. The archipelago boasts craggy mountains, dramatic fjords, charming fishing villages, and some surprisingly pretty beaches. It’s also a good spot for watching the northern lights in winter.

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What is there to do in Norway in the summer?

Norwegians embrace the outdoors no matter the weather, but summer is the ideal time for hiking and getting out onto the water—cruising Oslofjord is a popular summer activity, and some intrepid travelers even swim in it. And then there’s the midnight sun, which means you can stay outdoors until the wee hours.

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Is Norway cheap for tourists?

No, Norway is certainly not a cheap place to visit. That said, its reputation as almost unaffordable is not entirely earned. You can keep costs down by eating in casual restaurants or shopping for your own meals at the supermarket and avoiding alcohol, which is heavily taxed. Of course, Norway’s biggest draw is nature, which is always free.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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