Destinations in Norway: the 10 best stops for a tour through the land of the fjords
Norway is a great land of fjords and mountains, wooden houses and polar islands, northern lights and reindeer: from the Arctic North Cape down to the green metropolis of Bergen, there is much to discover. Scenic highlights are lined up along the coast and islands as well as in the inland of the country. No wonder that the Scandinavian country is so popular with outdoor and adventure enthusiasts. At the same time, the country’s thriving art and culture scene is also a delight. Here you will find the most beautiful, interesting and varied travel destinations that you shouldn’t miss on a tour of Norway.
If you don’t want to miss anything and want to combine several sights, you can also experience entire regions of Norway on a round trip. The map above gives a geographical overview of the possible destinations.
Oslo & Region
Oslo is not only the capital of Norway, but also has a lot to offer as a holiday destination, just like the surrounding region, which combines big city flair with varied nature. In addition to impressive architecture, numerous (and above all new) museums and a lively art and culture scene, you can also enjoy the Norwegian countryside – perfect for a mixture of adventure and city trip.
Oslo was named European City of the Environment in 2019 and is located on the Oslofjord, which is surrounded by forests. So if you’ve had enough of sightseeing or shopping, you can find peace and balance here by hiking, cycling or skiing. Further, Winter sports are even possible out of season now, as a new indoor ski centre has opened. Gourmets will also get their money’s worth, as the city offers an exciting food scene and modern trendy neighbourhoods. Not far away along the coast, there are also smaller and quieter towns that invite you to explore.
Oslo has an airport just outside the city centre and is therefore easy to reach. You can also take a ferry from Kiel, for example.
Bergen
The second largest city in the country is Bergen, which lies on Norway’s long west coast. Even if it is often rainy, you can discover small alleyways and colourful little houses with a cosy flair here. The Bryggen district, which bears witness to Bergen’s time as a Norwegian trading centre and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is particularly well-known and popular. In addition to the fish market right on the waterfront, the city’s numerous fish restaurants also offer culinary highlights.
Bergen is a student city providing a lively cultural, music and pub scene as well as unique boutiques and shopping opportunities. As it is known as the“capital of the fjords“, there is no shortage of excursions into nature. Bergen lies between the two largest fjords in the country – the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord – which can be experienced in summer either on a fjord tour on the water or from one of the surrounding peaks. Both fjords can be reached not only by hiking, but also by train or cable car.
Tromsø
If you are looking for the impressive Northern Lights and are not afraid of the cold, Norway’s largest city in the north is the right destination for you. In Tromsø, you can enjoy nature experiences such as a whale safari, hikes, ski tours and dog or reindeer sled rides. Afterwards, you can fortify yourself with regional arctic and sumptuous dishes.
There is also plenty to discover in the surrounding region, for example the many small islands. The northernmost point in Europe, the North Cape, is not far from Tromsø as well. In summer, Tromsø is the city of the midnight sun, which turns night into day. As it is a university town, art and culture are not neglected alongside nature.
Holiday cottages in Tromsø
Tromsø has a number of beautiful and cosily furnished holiday homes in typical Scandinavian style, in which you can relax and watch the Northern Lights or sit on the terrace in summer and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Ålesund
Ålesund is Norway’s most picturesque town, built in the Art Nouveau style and located on the west coast of the country. Mountains, fjords, lakes and rivers meet here, which is why the city is a great starting point for various outdoor activities.
Due to a devastating fire at the beginning of the 20th century, Ålesund had to be completely rebuilt and has since been recognised as an architectural highlight. From Mount Aksla, you have an impressive view of the small houses, while the Sunnmør Alps stretch out in the background.
In addition to skiing and cross-country skiing, cycling tours and hikes through the fjord and coastal landscape are also worthwhile. The town organises many festivals and cultural events throughout the year and from a culinary point of view, there is a large selection of fish to discover.
The Geirangerfjord
A city visit to Ålesund can be perfectly combined with an exploration of what is probably Norway’s most famous fjord – the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches in an S-shape over a distance of 20 kilometres between steep and snow-covered mountain slopes, from which rushing waterfalls cascade almost vertically.
If you want to arrive with a spectacular view, you should take the Trolligsten mountain road, which leads past the mountains and waterfalls. Even more spectacular is the view from the Geiranger Skywalk, a viewing platform at an altitude of almost 1500 metres. In summer, you can go kayaking on the fjord or take an excursion boat to the infamous waterfalls and the abandoned farmsteads on the shore. During the summer season, a ferry runs from Hellesylt to Geiranger. Fishing and rafting are very popular activities on the fjord.
Flåm
The fjord village is the starting point of the Flåm Railway, whose route winds for 20 kilometres through the fjord up to the mountains. It is considered one of the most beautiful and breathtaking railway lines in the world. Although Flåm is located in the centre of Bergen, it is easily accessible by various means of transport. It has its own small harbour, which is used by cruise ships in the summer. Nearby is the small wooden church of Flåm, which is well worth a visit.
From Flåm you can go hiking in the mountains or to the Aurlandsfjord (branch of the large Sognefjord) and the Nærøyfjord. You can take a fjord cruise or book a speedboat on both of these. The Ægir brewery in Flåm is particularly interesting from a culinary point of view, as it not only brews Nordic beer but also serves traditional dishes.
The Lofoten Islands
Norway’s famous archipelago above the Arctic Circle combines cosy fishing villages with beaches, mountains and fjords. Here you can enjoy the Northern Lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. Many of the islands are now connected by bridges. In addition to skiing, cycling, fishing and rafting, you can even go diving and surfing here. Adventure fans will definitely get their money’s worth on the Lofoten Islands!
If you are interested in the local culture, you should try the locally caught fish or spend the night in an old fisherman’s hut. The Lofoten Islands are former Viking settlements, which is why there is also a Viking museum on the island of Vestvågøy.
Holiday homes in the Lofoten Islands
On the individual islands of Lofoten you will find cosy holiday homes for families or larger groups in typical Scandinavian style. Most of them are located directly on the water and have a wood-burning stove and a boat for hire so you can go fishing on site.
Svalbard
Another archipelago is Svalbard, which lies between Norway and the North Pole. Accordingly, glaciers, snow and ice landscapes can be found here, although the temperatures are still classed as mild in comparison. The islands are among the northernmost inhabited regions in the world. Nevertheless, more polar bears and reindeer live here than people. In addition to observing the natural spectacles of the Northern Lights and the midnight sun, winter activities such as dog sledding or snowmobiling can be enjoyed.
The capital of the islands, Longyearbyen, is home to small, colourful wooden houses, a local gastronomy scene with restaurants and bars, its own brewery and a museum. The inhabitants come from over 50 different nations.
Trondheim & Region
The city of Trondheim is located on the Trondheim Fjord in central Norway and is known for its colourful houses in the Bakklandet district. It is a student city and the third largest city in the country after Oslo and Bergen, even if it may seem rather small compared to other large cities with around 193 thousand inhabitants.
One of the most famous sights is the Nidaros Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral from the 11th century. The city is steeped in history and was founded by a Viking king back in 997. Today, it offers several art museums, numerous shops for extensive shopping tours and a hip gastronomy scene with cosy cafés and cool bars.
As this destination is close to nature, it is worth taking a hike to Storheia, the highest point in the city, and enjoying the view of the fjord from there. The surrounding Trøndelag region is home to recreational areas, national parks and picturesque fishing villages.
Holiday cottages in Trøndelag
There are many small towns in the Trøndelag region that lie directly on the water. Here you can rent a holiday home with its own boat for a fishing trip or enjoy the view of the fjord from the terrace.
Preikestolen
“Preikestolen” means “pulpit” and is a 604 metre high viewing plateau or rock pulpit with a view over the Lysefjord in the Ryfylke region. Not only is it spectacular, but also part of the hiking route to get there. The route starts at the Preikestolen Fjellstue mountain hut, is around six kilometres long and takes around four hours. Guided tours are also available.
If you are experienced and looking for a greater challenge, you can climb the highest peak on the Lysefjord – the 1084 metre high Kjerag. The route is around 10 kilometres long. Once at the top, a popular motif is the stone wedged in a crevice. Howeveer, both destinations are only suitable for summer (May to October), as hiking in winter is too dangerous.
If you want to enjoy the reverse view of Preikestolen and Kjerag from the fjord, you can do so too. Ypou can find boat tours on the fjord or combinations of hike and cruise. An insider tip is the morning view of the sunrise from Preikestolen, where, with a bit of luck, you might even be all alone on the pulpit.
