What to see in Norway: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Norway: 10 must-see destinations, from Norwegian Fjords to Geirangerfjord. Predominantly natural heritage and natural; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Natural Heritage(3)
Camp beside the Norwegian fjords, where 1,000-meter cliffs plunge into deep waters and waterfalls can be heard from your tent. Sail among the 1,200 fjords that carve up 25,000 kilometers of coastline, much of it declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow trails above the water, watch seals and seabirds, and sleep under the sun that barely sets in summer.
Enter the Geirangerfjord in Møre og Romsdal and cruise the fjord, surrounded by cliffs up to 1,500 meters that drop straight into the water. You'll see the Seven Sisters up close and other waterfalls plunging past abandoned farms clinging to the slopes. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the fjord also offers hiking trails with viewpoints over the valley and the chance to spot mountain wildlife and flora.
Sail through Norway's narrowest fjord, where 1,400-meter cliffs close in over the water and barely let the light through in some stretches. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, this arm of the Sognefjord in Vestland invites you to cruise past waterfalls, farms clinging to the hillsides, and greenish waters. On foot, trails climb to viewpoints from which to grasp the scale of the glacial valley. Seals and sea eagles appear frequently on the crossing between Gudvangen and Flåm.
Natural(3)
Hike the 27-km trail that climbs from Skjeggedalsvatnet to the tongue of rock suspended 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. The full route demands around 8 hours of ascent, crossing granite plateaus, lingering snowfields, and viewpoints open to the fjord. At the edge of Trolltunga, the rock juts out horizontally over the void and offers one of the most sought-after views in Vestland. Bring hiking boots, water, and warm clothing: the weather changes fast even in summer, and the safe season runs from June to September.
Take in Lofoten, an archipelago in Nordland where cliffs drop toward white-sand beaches and the Norwegian Sea. Wander fishing villages with red cabins by the water, such as Reine or Henningsvær, and head out on trails that climb between mountains and fjords. In winter, watch for the northern lights when the sky is clear; in summer, see how the midnight sun never quite sets. Bring warm clothing even in July and book accommodation in advance.
Gaze over the Lysefjord from a natural 25x25-meter platform suspended 604 meters above the water. Climb the 3.8-km trail, which takes 3 to 4 hours of hiking among rocks, heathland, and streams. Spot birds riding the fjord's currents and alpine plants surviving in the cracks of the stone. Approach the unfenced edge, if you dare, and take in the sheer verticality of the cliff. Arrive early in summer or autumn to avoid the crowds, and wear proper footwear for the steep, slippery sections of the trail.
City(2)
Watch the northern lights from Tromsø's harbor, the capital of the Norwegian Arctic in Troms county, where the midnight sun lights up the summer nights. Stroll its streets among wooden houses, visit the Arctic Cathedral and the university museum, and try Arctic fish at the harbor markets. Cultural life centers on cafés, open-air cinema, and music festivals that go on even under the snow. In winter, the dark sky over the fjord lets you see the green glow of the auroras without leaving the center.
Visit Oslo, the Norwegian capital that was European Capital of Culture in 2019, and walk on the sloping roof of its Opera House, white marble beside the fjord. Spend one morning at the Munch Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, and another at Frogner Park with Vigeland's sculptures. Ferries leave from Aker Brygge harbor and cross the Oslofjord to islands with wooden cabins, and in winter the trams reach the Holmenkollen ski slopes in under half an hour.
UNESCO Heritage(1)
Cross Bryggen wharf, a World Heritage Site since 1979, and notice the painted wooden façades that once served as Hanseatic League warehouses. Ride the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen to see the city among the seven mountains that surround it. Head down to the fish market by the harbor, try the smoked salmon, and wander the narrow alleys between the houses, where the damp of the frequent rain that defines Bergen still lingers.
Monument(1)
Ride the world's steepest rack railway, where 20 stations, 20 tunnels, and a 180-meter bridge create a 20-kilometer journey through fjords and mountains. A UNESCO site since 1997. Take in the monument that recounts centuries of history and culture. Explore its structures, admire the architectural details, and discover the history held within its stones.
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