15 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in Norway - Norway Travel Guide
Norway is a jewel in Northern Europe offering a
mixture of culture and natural wonder. There are a variety of options for
travelers from the cosmopolitan capital of Oslo to the snow-capped mountain
peaks. It is the midnight sun's land, with a latitude that allows endless days
during a part of the summer. The dark skies reveal the mystical northern lights
at other times of the year. The fjords, coastal inlets and glaciers create a
dramatic scenery that completes the experience of travel.
Oslo is a port city on Oslofjord, surrounded by
islands and forests. Its location makes it a popular place for outdoor sports
and fun. In winter, Oslo and the surrounding area offer great opportunities for
winter sports, in particular cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, skating
and ice fishing. The city houses a number of important cultural institutions,
including the only Opera House in the country, the Munch Museum with paintings
by this famous Norwegian artist, Akershus Castle, the Norwegian Folk Museum,
the Viking Ships Museum, and many other interesting museums.
Bergen, picturesquely located on Byfjord and backed
by rolling hills, is another important city. Colorful buildings line the port,
where visitors will also find the Bergen Aquarium, the Hanseatic Museum and the
old wharf area of Bryggen, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the Floybanen
Funicular up Mount Floyen for a beautiful view over the city and the
surrounding area.
For visitors who come in the summer and want to
experience the midnight sun, two good options are Trondheim and Tromsø with 24
hour daylight days from mid-May to mid-July. Trondheim is situated on a
peninsula in an inlet of Trondheimfjord at a latitude of 63 ° 25' north. This
is another amazing city surrounding hills and waterfront buildings. The 11th C
Trondheim Cathedral is home to one of the main attractions. Many other
highlights of the city are located around Market Square, where visitors can
find interesting old buildings from a variety of periods.
Tromsø is built at latitude 69 ° 39' north on an
island connected by a bridge to the mainland. Old wooden houses add to the
charm of the late 18th century. The main attractions are the wooden cathedral
Tromsø and the Tromsø Museum. Although most visitors come in the summer months,
these cities experience a corresponding lack of sunshine in the winter. The
northern lights are a unique spectacle during these months, especially in
December and January. In January there is an annual Northern Lights Festival
and in Tromsø there is a planetarium of Northern Lights.
Norway offers a great mix of cultural and natural
wonders to its visitors. From the cosmopolitan Oslo to its endless snow-capped
mountain peaks and deep fjords, travelers in the midnight sun and amazing
northern lights have no end of choices. It's easy to get around the country and
the top-class transit systems in the country also offer some of the best
sightseeing opportunities, whether by rail or fantastic coastal steamers.
Norway, one of the most prosperous countries in the
world, seems to have a fascinating museum for almost every important aspect of
its rich cultural and social history, covering everything from the Vikings to
seafaring, fishing, art and entertainment. Norway is also rich in spectacular
scenery, from its beautiful fjords to its spectacular mountains and glaciers,
many of which tourists can easily reach. Plan your tours with our list of
Norway's top tourist attractions.
01. Sognefjord
Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway, reaches 204
kilometers inland and branches off along the way into smaller inlets and
fjords. It is nearly five kilometers wide and the cliff walls reach up to 1,307
meters in height, making it amazing. The most popular way to visit the fjord is
by boat, and there are plenty of fjord cruises and tours, many of which leave
Bergen conveniently. Tourists will also enjoy exploring narrower branches such
as Naeroyfjord, a spectacular 17-kilometer stretch with cliff walls just 250
meters apart and tower over 1,700 meters above the water. Fjærland, the region
with Europe's largest glacier, Jostedalsbreen, and the Norwegian Glacier
Museum, is another top destination.
02. Pulpit Rock
(Preikestolen)
Thanks to the arduous journey required to get there,
Pulpit Rock is one of Norway's most popular sights, however, a tourist
attraction best suited for the active traveler. Located near Stavanger, the
destination requires ferry and bus rides and a two-hour hike uphill to reach
the almost perfectly flat cliff overlooking Lysefjord, more than 600 meters
above sea level. Those who visit Stavanger will also want to stop by the
surprisingly fascinating Norwegian Canning Museum, which was established during
the Second World War as the cannery. Stavanger Cathedral is also one of
Stavanger's top tourist attractions. This 12th-century structure features multiple
styles, including a Romanesque basilica, a Baroque pulpit, and a Gothic font.
03. Tromsø
Located 349 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle,
Tromsø has been best known since the mid-1800s for its important role as the
base for many major Arctic expeditions. The area was first settled as a fishing
village in the 13th century, and the industry contributed to the maritime charm
of the area. Tromsø is also a top destination for those hoping to see the
spectacular aurora borealis or northern lights due to its northern position. Tourists
will find several city attractions that explain the phenomenon and explore it,
including Polaria and the Polar Museum. The Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden
is an unexpected tourist attraction in an area deep in the frozen north, home
to a plethora of flowering plants, including hardy rhododendrons and gigantic
Tibetan blue poppy, as well as a garden dedicated to traditional medicinal
plants in the region.
04. Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands form an archipelago off the
north-western coast of Norway and are a popular tourist destination for both
Norwegians and foreigners. Despite its location in the Arctic Circle, the
weather here is mild thanks to the Gulf Stream. Tourists come to enjoy the
beaches, exploring traditional fishing villages, kayaking, hiking and wildlife.
These islands are also one of the best places to see the northern lights. There
are many attractions and things to do on the islands, especially in Svolvaer,
the largest city on the southern coast of the island of Austvågøy. The Lofoten
War Museum with its World War II collections and the unique Magic Ice showing
ice sculptures depicting local life can be found here. On Austvågøy is also
located the Lofoten Museum, which explores the history of the island's fishing
industry, as is the Lofoten Aquarium, which features Arctic sea life. Tourists
can learn more about the importance of fishing at the Norwegian Fishing Village
Museum and the Lofoten Stockfish Museum in Å.
05. Viking Ships
Museum, Oslo
The Viking Ships Museum in Oslo, Norway's largest
museum dedicated to its maritime ancestors, features three Viking vessels from
the 9th century, each of which was laid to rest as burial chambers for
prominent Vikings. The largest of these is the 70-foot Oseberg Ship, built
around 800 AD, which included the wife of a chieftan and two other women, as
well as many items that give insight into Viking life. The museum also houses
the 23-meter-long Gokstad Ship and the Tune Ship. Visitors can also see a
number of exhibits and films focusing on the importance of maritime life for
this culture. The Museum of Cultural History operates the Viking Ships Museum,
as well as the Oslo Historical Museum, which contains artifacts from around the
world and throughout history, from Egyptian mummies to the history of gold
coins. This museum also houses an expanding exhibit from the Viking Age, which
contains a rare Viking helmet.
06. Bygdoy
Peninsula
The Bygdoy Peninsula in Oslo is a suburb just four
miles west of the city, easily accessible by car or public transport. It is
home to several of Oslo's top tourist attractions, including beaches, parks and
forests, and is also known for its natural areas. The Bygdoy Peninsula is home
to the Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Religious Minorities Studies in Villa
Grande, among its many museums. Another top museum is the Fram Museum, which
houses the ship Fram, known for its Polar voyages, and Gjøa, famous for being
the first ship to navigate the Northwest Passage, and next door is the popular
Kon-Tiki Museum. This area is also home to the Norwegian Maritime Museum, which
explores the role of fishing and other maritime activities in Norwegian life.
07. Bryggen
Hanseatic Wharf, Bergen
The Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, a vibrantly painted
area, once the center of trade, dominated by Hanseatic merchants, is one of the
most popular sightseeing opportunities in Bergen. Tourists can find several
historic buildings that depict Middle Age life, boutiques, restaurants and the
Bryggen Museum. Learn more at the Hanseatic Museum, which has been open since
1872, housed in a 1704 home owned by one of the merchants in Finnegård.
Visitors will also want to visit Troldhaugen, composer Edvard Grieg's former
home and workspace, as well as the open air market during their stay in Bergen.
08. Tromsø's Arctic
Museums
There are several fantastic museums in Tromsø, two
of which study life in the far north. Polaria is the newest of these, with
exhibits about the aurora borealis (northern lights), the effects of climate
change on Arctic ecosystems, and wildlife in the Arctic, including an Arctic
aquarium. The Polar Museum focuses on the long history of the area as a fishing
community and its more recent status as a primary polar research base. Exhibits
include findings from recent expeditions and scientific studies that explore
the world of the Arctic's dark and cold deep sea.
09. Vigeland
Sculpture Park, Oslo
The Vigeland Sculpture Park, home to 650 sculptures
created by Gustav Vigeland, is one of Oslo's top tourist attractions. These
sculptures are arranged in five thematic groups, consisting of forged iron,
bronze and granite. The most famous are the fountain group, which depicts the
cycle of human life, which culminates in a monolith of 16 metres. This
collection is located in the large Frogner Park, which also houses the Vigeland
Museum and the Oslo City Museum, as well as numerous recreational facilities,
including the largest playground in Norway and a large rose garden.
10. Akershus
Fortress, Oslo
The Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle
commissioned by King Håkon V in 1299, which was later converted into a royal
Renaissance residence in the early 17th century by King Christian IV. It sits
on a promontory overlooking the Oslofjord and overlooks the harbour. During the
summer, guided tours are available and the Norwegian Resistance Museum can also
be found on the castle grounds. History buffs may also want to check out the
Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, which displays weapons and displays the military
history of Norway. The fortifications also provide a beautiful backdrop for
events such as public ceremonies, concerts and shows.
11. Lillehammer
Lillehammer is one of Norway's most famous
year-round tourist destinations, located above Lake Mjøsa at the southern end
of the Gudbrandsdal valley. In summer, it's all about attractions like
Malhaugen Park, an open-air museum of over 100 historic buildings, including
farmhouses, workshops and a stave church from the 18th century. Another
important landmark is the cottage of Peer Gynt. It dates back to the early
1700s and is said to have been home to Ibsen's famous hero's prototype. But
Lillehammer really shines when the snow flies. Host to the 1994 Winter
Olympics, the city's list of winter activities is endless: skating, curling,
sleigh rides, more than 480 kilometers of Nordic ski trails, as well as alpine
ski centers.
12. Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord region north of Ålesund is part
of the spectacular Fjord Norway network-and regularly tops the list of UNESCO
World Heritage Sites-and offers some of Norway's finest scenery. The
Geirangerfjord, the eastward continuation of the Sunnylvsfjord, boasts some of
the most spectacular views of the country. One of the best is Dalsnibba's
summit. The views of the surrounding mountains and the Geirangerfjord are
simply amazing at 1,495 meters below. There are many cruises and tours available,
but if you're driving, take the winding Eagles ' Road with 11 bends and great
views.
13. Scenic Rail
Routes
No better way to see the amazing countryside of
Norway than by train. Perhaps surprisingly, for such a mountainous country,
Norway's railway lines stretch over 3,218 kilometers, with 775 tunnels and more
than 3,000 bridges along the way. In Oslo, the best scenic routes start,
including the Bergen Railway, which runs over the mountain plateau of
Hardangervidda. Other highlights include the Dovre Railway from Oslo to
Trondheim with its sideline, the Rauma Railway between Dombås and Åndalsnes,
and the world's steepest Flåm Railway. Norway's rail network also offers a
number of other interesting diversions, such as classic steam trains, gourmet
train excursions, and pedal-powered rail tricycles ("draisines") for
use on abandoned rail lines.
14. Atlantic Ocean
Road
The Atlantic Ocean Road-one of Norway's 18 National
Tourist Routes-is not only a vital link for the labyrinth of small islands it
serves, it is also a lure for anglers, diving enthusiasts and visitors who want
to get as close to the sea as possible. Although it is just over eight
kilometers long, it has gained a reputation as one of the world's most
spectacular coastal highway stretches, weaving through the Eide and Averøy
archipelago in More og Rømsdal. In addition to the excellent views-always
spectacular, whatever the weather-you can visit beautiful small fishing
villages, picturesque wooden churches and the famous Church Cave of Trolls. Several
sites specifically geared to tourists have also popped up, including
restaurants and resorts, as well as fishing excursion operators.
15. Jotunheimen
The Jotunheimen, Norway's largest alpine region on
the high plateau, covers an area of 3,499 square kilometers and includes the
highest mountains in Scandinavia. There are also many spectacular waterfalls,
rivers, lakes, glaciers and wildlife, such as large populations of reindeers.
Two of the mountains of this national park are over 2,438 meters high, the
highest being Galdhøpiggen. Galdhøpiggen can be climbed in about four hours
despite its tremendous height. Although a guide is required, the amazing views
from the summit over rocky crags and ice fields make it well spent. Another
four-hour climb in the Hurrungane group is to the 1,349-meter Skagastølsbotn
and the Skagastølsbre glacier.
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