Snigdha TiwariHave you ever felt the urge to escape it all, run off to Norway and see the stunning northern lights displays? No, you have not? Perhaps that’s because you haven’t visited Norway yet.
It’s a place where you can enjoy the long days and the Midnight Sun or the short days and the Northern Lights.
You can camp under the stars on nearby beaches, catch a ferry to a neighboring village or conquer some of Norway’s best hikes.
Norway is a Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers, and deep coastal fjords.
Its unique natural surroundings that appear on the lists of the most spectacular places in the world will not disappoint you at all from its amazing views of cascading waterfalls to steep mountains, Norway offers everything to nature lovers from all over the world.
Now let’s check out the Top 18 Amazing Places To Visit In Norway.
Here are the Top 18 Amazing Places To Visit In Norway.
1. Flam
Known for its fjords, Flam is a village in southwestern Norway that is home to the Flam Railway.
The small picturesque village of Flam dates back to the end of the 19th century, when large numbers of English tourists, also called “salmon lords”, came to fish in the Flam river.
The small village with the grand surroundings where each year, several hundred thousand visitors arrive in Flam to just ride with the Flamsbana Railway, cycle Rallarvegen, or go hiking in the dramatic landscape surrounding the tiny village.
The great attraction and the main reason that Flam is famous for is Flamsbana – A railway that starts from Flam and ends in Myrdal making it one of the most spectacular train journeys in Europe that’s also in a wild scene inside the beautiful Norwegian nature.
So go on a journey with the Flam Railway and later explore the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO protected Naeroyfjord when you are in Norway which is also great for hiking and cycling.
2. Tromso
Famed as a viewing point for colorful Northern Lights that sometimes light up the nighttime sky, Tromso is a city in northern Norway that is a major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle.
The city’s historic center, on the island of Tromso, is distinguished by its centuries-old wooden houses. The 1965 Arctic Cathedral, with its distinctive peaked roof and soaring stained-glass windows, dominates the skyline.
The city is known for its lively night scene and a range of restaurants specializing in the fresh ingredients of the Arctic.
For the outdoor enthusiasts, Tromso city centre is conveniently located just around the corner from the seemingly untouched wilderness that offers many opportunities for activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, dog sledding, and whale safaris. So, run under the midnight sun or admire the wonderful northern light.
Go whale spotting or dog sledding, try your hand at sea fishing in the kingdom of the big fish, and play a round of golf on the world’s northernmost course.
3. Lofoten
Known for its dramatic scenery, excellent fishing, nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, and small villages off the beaten track with peaks like the Svolvaergeita pinnacle jutting up into the sky, Lofoten is an archipelago in Norway.
At Lofoten, you can kayak between the islands, go fishing for the catch of your life or look for sea eagles soaring in the sky.
If you are seeking unforgettable nature experiences then due to the area’s diverse landscape, Lofoten will definitely not let you down or disappoint you at all.
Visit Lofoten and discover Norway’s untamed islands.
4. Geirangerfjord
Located entirely in the Stranda Municipality, Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s most visited tourist sites and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Naeroyfjord, since 2005.
It is surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls, and lush green vegetation.
The iconic Geirangerfjord is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world.
It is also known for its spectacular waterfalls and deserted fjord farms high up on the steep cliffsides with a number of abandoned farms whose idyllic nature and the dramatic mountains will impress you for sure.
HURRY! Don’t forget to add this astounding creation of Mother Nature to your bucket list.
5. Naeroyfjord
The Naeroyfjord is a fjord in the municipality of Aurland in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
It is the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
This narrow fjord is a branch of the large Sognefjord and it is featured on the “Norway in a Nutshell” day trips for tourists.
With its steep mountainsides, hanging valleys, towering peaks, snowfields, waterfalls, and small hamlets, Naeroyfjord is perhaps the most outstanding natural attraction in Norway.
Naeroyfjord is the wildest and most beautiful branch of the Sognefjord where the passage through Naeroyfjord is one of the most dramatic fjord trips in Europe which you would not like to miss at any cost.
6. Trondheim
Dating back to the 11th century where the Gothic Nidaros Cathedral features an ornate rose window and a detailed west facade, Trondheim is a city on the Trondheim Fjord, in central Norway.
Trondheim holds a special place in Norwegian history and culture which was the first capital of Norway and is still the city where new kings receive their ceremonial blessing.
The vibrant city of Trondheim is home to some of Trondelag’s most popular attractions, cozy shopping streets, and a myriad of restaurants and bars offering local specialties.
Also, Trondheim is one of the places in Norway with the strongest focus on local food.
7. Reine
The breathtaking village of Reine is located on the island of Moskenesoya in the Lofoten archipelago, above the Arctic Circle, about 300 km southwest of the town of Tromso.
This tiny and incredibly picturesque fishing village is one of the best places to stay as you explore the Lofoten Islands where you can enjoy the long days and the Midnight Sun or the short days and the Northern Lights.
This fishing village has earned a reputation as “the most beautiful place in the world” because of its red and white fishermen’s huts dot the shoreline and surrounding peaks of granite shooting out of the Reinefjorden.
8. Geilo
Known for ski resorts and mountain trails, Geilo is a town in southern Norway that is a gateway to 2 national parks. The nearest, Hallingskarvet National Park, is characterized by steep cliffs and shelters arctic foxes.
A trail climbs to a cabin built by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. Southwest of town, the vast Hardangervidda National Park, with its massive plateau, has wild reindeer herds and many lakes and rivers.
Geilo is perfect for people that want to experience nature, try something new or just take a relaxing vacation at one of the exclusive SPA resorts.
Geilo was one of the first alpine resorts in Norway and has a long and proud tradition for hospitality which is the perfect destination for exploration, activities, and relaxation.
By the way, Geilo has a long winter season that lasts from the beginning of November till the end of April.
9. Jostedal Glacier
Jostedal Glacier is the largest glacier in continental Europe stretching over nearly half of Jostedalsbreen National Park which is in Sogn og Fjordane county in Western Norway and lies in the municipalities of Luster, Sogndal, Jolster, and Stryn.
This is one of the most accessible glaciers, where you can peer into the blue ice at very close range, and everyone above the age of five can join guides on glacier walks.
Here you will find a number of interesting geological features that have been shaped by ice and water over thousands of years, along with moraines, glacial rivers, lush valleys with steep mountainsides, waterfalls, and barren peaks rising out of the glacier.
This unique landscape has also inspired artists to paint some of the major works of art in the Norwegian national-romantic era.
10. Aurlandsfjord
Aurlandsfjord is a fjord in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway which flows through the municipalities of Aurland, Vik, and Laerdal and it is one of the world’s most picturesque and dramatic fjord where hiking trail abounds with breathtaking fjord views and waterfalls, so be sure to have your camera ready.
Aurlandsfjord is popular with cruise passengers for its snow-covered peaks, waterfalls, and idyllic farms dotting the mountainsides that are surrounded by steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the sea and extend 500 m below sea level.
You shouldn’t miss out on exploring this nature’s gift whose shores are dotted with picture-postcard coastal towns and colorful fishing villages which is also part of the World Heritage area surrounding the Naeroyfjord.
11. Hellesylt
Surrounded by towering, snow-capped peaks and with a spectacular roaring waterfall cascading through the centre of the village, set amid impressive mountains and a beautiful fjord. Hellesylt is a must-see during your visit to Norway.
Nearby Geiranger might be more widely known, but the UNESCO World Heritage-listed village of Hellesylt seems determined not to be overshadowed by its more famous neighbor.
Beautifully restored old farmhouses are scattered around the hills and mountains, many with a quite daring and challenging location where you can hike up for extraordinary views or break a sweat climbing, rafting, or kayaking.
The village of Hellesylt offers ample opportunity to revel in the great outdoors to enjoy the majestic scenery at your own pace which is easy to get up close and personal with the beauty and wildlife of the Sunnylvsfjorden simply by stepping ashore to explore.
Check out The 11 Most Heart-Stealing Villages Of Switzerland.
12. Senja
Senja is an island and future municipality in Troms county, Norway which has a wild, mountainous outer side facing the Atlantic, and a mild and lush inner side.
Beautiful Senja is Norway’s second-largest island where you can go kayaking and hiking in the midnight sun, or skiing and dog sledding under the northern lights. Or simply kick back and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery Norway has to offer.
At Senja, you are welcomed by an awe-inspiring mix of sea, mountains, beaches, fishing villages, and inland areas, all within a few hour’s drive.
So, visit beautiful Senja and try fun activities like ski touring, winter fishing, and tobogganing, accompanied by the spectacle of the northern lights.
13. Alta
Known for views of the Northern Lights which inspired the cascading architecture of the Northern Lights Cathedral built in 2013, Alta is a town on Norway’s northern coast, at the head of Alta Fjord.
The area of Alta offers forests, mountain plateaus, and coastal landscapes where you can go hiking, biking, and fishing.
Here you can see UNESCO protected rock carvings, spend the night in an ice hotel which is created each year from local ice and snow and filled with ice sculptures and carvings, or hunt for the northern lights.
Just visit or spend the night for an unforgettable experience in the city of northern lights.
14. Jotunheimen
Jotunheimen is a mountainous area of roughly 3,500 km² in southern Norway which is part of the long-range known as the Scandinavian Mountains.
With over 250 mountains of almost 2000 meters high, Jotunheimen offers nature at its peak where you can hike, bike, climb or ski. Flow with rivers and listen to waterfalls. Camp wild and free, spend the night sleeping inside the park’s wooden huts, cabins, and lodges.
One of the highlights is the path along the narrow Besseggen ridge from Memurubu lodge to Gjendesheim lodge that offers some of the most scenic hiking on the continent.
Jotunheimen is an eldorado for great nature experiences in the mountains where you can enjoy the view from the top of Norway’s highest mountain Galdhopiggen and don’t forget to try some of the traditional food from the area.
15. Olden
Olden is a village and urban area in the municipality of Stryn in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway which is located at the mouth of the Oldeelva river at the northern end of the Oldedalen valley on the southern shore of the Nordfjorden.
The village of Olden sits peacefully at the edge of the colossal Jostedal Glacier.
The small village of Olden has a population of about 505 people and in its small centre you will find cafes, grocery stores, some clothing shops and a port for cruise ships.
This is Europe’s largest ice floe, covering 188 square miles, and 2,000 feet at its thickest. But it’s not the only glacier in this park.
If you love glaciers, consider a journey to the frozen cascade of the million-year-old Briksdal Glacier, hiking the last portion across a wooden bridge over a waterfall, through a bewitching mountain valley, right up to the glacier’s face.
16. Stryn
Located in the traditional district of Nordfjord, Stryn is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
It is known for its scenic surroundings with everything from blue glaciers, to majestic mountains, fertile valleys, and deep lakes, Stryn can offer a rich assortment of nature-based activities all year round.
Stryn is one of the most exciting places on the Norwegian west coast where you can go trekking in the mountains or on the glacier, ski in the middle of summer, or take on a river in a raft or kayak, and so on.
I think Stryn is a must-visit for any travel lover from all over the world where nature displays its contrasts along this stretch of road, with the rounded, glacier-scoured forms to the east and a steeper, more precipitous topography to the west.
17. Leknes
Set in the center of the Lofoten Islands on the country’s northwest coast, Leknes is a town in Nordland county, Norway which was designated a “town” in 2002.
Leknes is surrounded by dramatic landscapes of rock thrusting up from the water to form fjords at every turn by making it look so stunning for the travelers.
The landscape is striking in its variety: wildly beautiful places of marsh and rock, green fields and still lakes, dramatic mountains, and white sand beaches which will for sure steal your heart.
The town of Leknes is so picturesque, don’t miss a chance to explore when you’re in Norway.
18. Loen
Located in the inner part of the Nordfjord region, at the easternmost end of the Nordfjorden, Loen is a village in Stryn Municipality in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway.
This is the home of Loen Skylift, and the perfect place for exploring the mountains during the day, and pampering yourself in the evenings.
Loen has been a magnet for tourists for more than a century offering dramatic and spectacular scenery where you will also find the wild and wonderful Lodalen Valley.
The beautiful, untamed nature and the valley´s dramatic history make a visit to Lodalen an experience not to be missed.
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