The places, most named first
From the 8 guides that rank for "best places to visit in norway"
Named by 7 of 81. Lofoten IslandsRugged mountains rise from the sea above small fishing villages with red wooden houses; one writer calls it the one place to pick.Northern lights are possible here, unlike in Bergen or Oslo, though Tromsø is better for them.Named by 7 of 82. BergenNorway's second largest city, called the Gateway to the fjords, between Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord.Bryggen, a 900-year-old wharf with colorful wooden houses, is a World Heritage Site.
Named by 6 of 83. GeirangerfjordA UNESCO World Heritage fjord commonly considered Norway's most beautiful.About 100 km from Ålesund, with cliffs, meadows and the Seven Sisters waterfall.Named by 6 of 84. OsloThe capital mixes shopping streets, green spaces and historic sights, and is a good starting point.The Bygdøy peninsula has the Viking Ship Museum with three real 9th-century ships.Best time to visit Oslo
Named by 4 of 85. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)A flat-top cliff about 604 m above Lysefjord, reached by a hike of roughly 8 km round trip.Most hikers take four to five hours, with a fairly strenuous climb.
Named by 4 of 86. TrolltungaA harder hike of 13.5 km each way with steep ascents and fjord views.Bergen is a good base for Hardangerfjord and the Trolltunga hike.
Named by 4 of 87. NærøyfjordInscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 with Geirangerfjord.A scenic cruise follows the Stegastein viewpoint, 650 m above the fjord.Named by 3 of 88. ÅlesundA coastal town spread over islands, known for Art Nouveau buildings and an archipelago view from Aksla.A day trip from Ålesund reaches Geirangerfjord.
Named by 3 of 89. TromsøOne writer says Tromsø has the best chance of seeing the northern lights.Fjord and wildlife cruises from Tromsø may show eagles, seals, dolphins and whales.
Named by 3 of 810. SognefjordThe longest and deepest fjord, stretching over 200 km.Reached from Bergen, with the Flåm Railway nearby.Named by 2 of 811. StavangerWooden buildings, museums and an airport, and a base for Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock and Kjerag.Popular with outdoorsy hikers who still want city time; Bergen draws more families and older travelers.
Named by 2 of 812. TrollstigenA mountain road with eleven hairpin bends and wide views; Åndalsnes is the base on the train line from Oslo.One of the most famous winding mountain roads in Norway.
Named by 2 of 813. Atlantic RoadA road across islands and bridges including Storseisundet Bridge; about four hours' drive from Trondheim.Works as a day trip around the island of Averøya near Ålesund.Named by 2 of 814. SvalbardListed for polar exploration among top vacation spots.
Named by 2 of 815. Flåm RailwayOne of Norway's most beautiful train journeys.
16. Møre og RomsdalHome to Trollstigen, Geirangerfjord, Hjørundfjord and Ålesund; fishing villages and fjords but poor odds for northern lights.
17. HardangerviddaEurope's greatest mountain plateau, with wild reindeer; good for multi-day hikes that are not too intense.
18. SenjaRoad trip with fishing villages, beaches and viewpoints around the island.
19. Gamle StrynefjellsvegenA quiet 27 km loop road with big views that one writer ranks at the top of her list.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name May to September as the best time to visit Norway.
Questions people ask
- Which part of Norway is most beautiful?
- Many sources point to western Norway's fjords and the Lofoten Islands in the north.
- What are the must-see places in Norway?
- Frequent picks are Bergen, Oslo, Geirangerfjord, the Lofoten Islands and Pulpit Rock.
