Norway attractions

Dating way back to 1894, the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) has resurrected Norway’s past, from the Middle Ages to the present. “Museum” is a misnomer here—though there is a traditional aspect, the “open-air” section preserves 160 buildings from each of Norway’s regions, and walking the streets here feels like exploring the pages of time.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump is a unique and fun landmark that represents Norway’s illustrious skiing tradition, and one of Norway’s best-loved visitor attractions. Attracting a million visitors every year, the historic attraction and amusement park includes a cross-country skiing and biathlon stadium, a ski museum, ziplines, and simulator that lets you experience your very own jump.

Norway’s second-longest fjord, Hardangerfjord stretches nearly 124 miles (200 kilometers) inland from the Atlantic. Highlights include a massive glacier covering more than 77 square miles (200 square kilometers) and Troll’s Tongue (Trolltunga) rock, hanging 2,300 feet (701 meters) above Ringedalsvatnet Lake in Odda.

Tucked in the folds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord—one of the world’s longest and deepest fjords—the small coastal town of Geiranger is the gateway to western Norway’s rugged coastline, and a popular stop for cruise ships. Disney fans may also recognize the town’s dramatic backdrop: Its jagged sea cliffs, pine-covered valleys, and iridescent waters served as inspiration for Frozen.

Under 30 minutes from Tromsø, Ersfjordbotn is the kind of place most of us dream of visiting—picture rugged, snowy peaks, sparkling seas, towering cliffs, the midnight sun come summer, and reliable northern lights come winter. A simple village at the base of the pristine Ersfjord, it’s a destination for travelers looking to marvel at Mother Earth.

Set on Oslo’s Bygdoy Peninsula, the Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset) houses an extensive collection of Viking-era artifacts discovered around Oslo Fjord. The museum is best known for its Viking ships, which have been painstakingly reconstructed and elegantly displayed in pristine white galleries.

Housing Norwegian symbolist painter Edward Munch's life’s work, the Munch Museum opened in 1963 to commemorate what would have been the artist’s 100th birthday. The museum features works and belongings he had donated to the city; a magnificent collection of paintings, prints, drawings, watercolors, sculptures, notebooks, photographs, art tools, furniture, as well as his extensive collection of letters. Please note: The Munch Museum is reopening at a new location along the Bjørvika waterfront next to the Opera House in late 2021.

In the splendid Kon-Tiki Museum, experience the incredible seafaring feats of the explorer and ethnographer such as his legendary expedition from Peru to Polynesia in 1947. The museum displays the very balsa wood raft he used as well as a variety of boats and other artifacts from the famous groundbreaking journeys.

The Arctic Cathedral’s strikingly modern glass-and-aluminum facade and daring angular planes form a much-loved landmark in Tromso. With an appearance distinct from that of most churches, it dominates the city’s skyline and is visible from the Tromso Sound, the Tromso Bridge, and the sky when arriving by airplane.

High above the Arctic Circle and northeast of the Norwegian city of Tromso, the Lyngen Alps (Lyngsalpene) stretch from Lyngenfjord in the south up to Ullsfjord, close to the Swedish border. The 56-mile-long (90-kilometer-long) mountain range forms a spectacular landscape of deep gorges, gleaming icy glaciers, and wild, boulder-filled rivers.

Known as the “Gateway to the Arctic” since the days of polar explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, Tromsø is a natural setting for the Polar Museum, housed in an 1830s warehouse on the seafront. Part of the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), the museum invites visitors to explore Arctic history, from the Indigenous Sami and their survival strategies to the controversial sealing industry and more.

Climbing and outdoor sports enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre (Norsk Tindesenter), housed in a striking building designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Explore exhibitions on the history and development of mountaineering, then tackle Norway’s highest indoor climbing wall.

Offering some of the best views of Tromsø, the Fjellheisen Cable Car whisks you from Solliveien in Tromsdalen up to the Storsteinen mountain ledge, which sits 1,378 feet (420 meters) above sea level. From a spacious mountaintop terrace, you can enjoy panoramic views over the Norwegian Arctic city and its surroundings.

Home to Norway’s largest collection of art, architecture, and design, the National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) is a must-see if you’re an art lover in Oslo. The 6,500-strong collection features world-famous artworks and cutting-edge contemporary art; it also boasts an enviable location on Oslo’s waterfront.

The Ibsen Museum showcases the life and works of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. He’s considered one of the fathers of modern theater and is among the most influential European playwrights of the 19th century. The museum is in the playwright's final home and features biographical exhibits and restored living quarters with personal belongings and artworks.

Surrounding the Royal Palace, and encompassing 53 acres (22 hectares) of grassy areas and winding paths through thousands of planted trees, Slottsparken is a protected Norwegian cultural landmark and wonderful space to enjoy nature within the city. This romantic attraction features pristine ponds, long-lived majestic trees planted in the 19th century, and elegant statues of Norwegian royals.

The first aquarium set within the Arctic Circle and one of only two places in Europe where you can see bearded seals up close, Tromsø’s Polaria is a wildlife experience of a superior kind. Focused on education—including, of course, the climate dangers facing the Arctic—this spot connects visitors with northern Norway’s most beloved marine creatures via hands-on demonstrations, a panoramic cinema, and more.

Housed in a suitably futuristic complex designed by Renzo Piano, the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art (Astrup Fearnley Museet) is a privately owned gallery devoted to modern and contemporary art. Its sizable collection dates from the 1960s and features both international and Norwegian artists.

Winding through lush river gorges, climbing steep peaks, and passing dramatic waterfalls, the Flåm Railway (Flamsbana) is one of Europe’s most spectacular train journeys, bar none. Running for 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) between the Norwegian towns of Flåm and Myrdal, the train is among Norway’s most popular tourist attractions, offering incredible views of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed fjords and unforgettable experiences along the route.

The southernmost of Norway’s “big” fjords, the Lysefjord—which translates to “fjord of light”—winds for some 26 miles (42 kilometers) through western Norway. Just 45 minutes east of Stavanger by car, this spectacular, cliff-framed waterway is famous for sights such as Pulpit Rock and Mt. Kjerag, making it a popular hiking, sailing, and sightseeing destination.

Housed in a splendid (and rare for Oslo) neoclassical building, the Vigeland Museum houses the works of Gustav Vigeland, the influential Norwegian sculptor also known as the designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal. Along with his sculptures, on display are his photographs, sketches, woodcuts, and writings, the museum also documents Vigeland's artistic process.

At 217 miles (350 kilometers) above the Arctic Circle, the Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (Arktisk Alpin Botaniske Hage) is the world’s northernmost botanical garden. The Tromso attraction is home to thousands of plants from around the world, but the emphasis is on species that flourish in Norway’s cold, snowy winters and cool, moist summers.

The trek to Pulpit Rock—called Preikestolen (“pulpit” or “preacher’s chair”) in Norwegian—is among the most scenic hikes in Norway. Make the moderately challenging hike to the cliff plateau, and you’ll be rewarded with a perfect natural stone viewing platform that extends out over the Lysefjord. Along the way, you’ll encounter Norwegian swamps, forests, and stone steps built by Nepalese sherpas.

Fantoft Stave Church, just south of Bergen, is a great example of Norway’s famous stave churches—though it’s had a difficult time surviving. Originally built in 1170, moved in 1883, burned down in 1992, and rebuilt in 1997, Fantoft Stave Church may not be original, but every original detail has been recreated in its reconstruction. Today, it’s as striking as ever.

Alesund’s own urban mountain, Aksla, lies east of the town. While this “mountain” is more of a picturesque hill at 590 feet (180 meters) above sea level, it’s the most popular scenic viewpoint in Alesund—a place with no shortage of vistas. Hike to the top for panoramic views of the town and surrounding islands, with the Sunnmøre Alps in the background.

Voringsfossen is one of Norway’s most visited natural attractions—which is saying something, as the country has thousands. Set between Oslo and Bergen, this incredible waterfall cascades 597 feet (182 meters) off the top of the Hardangervidda plateau into the valley below.

One of the highest points on the island of Tromso (Tromsoya) happens to be this small lake, a former reservoir near the center of Tromso town. Locals walk their dogs around the track and nature trails ringing the body of water, where travelers sometimes stop to view the northern lights. In the winter, the frozen-over pond becomes an ice-skating rink.

Jutting right into the Norwegian Sea, Atlantic Sea Park (Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium) is one of Scandinavia's largest saltwater aquariums. With huge landscape tanks, touch pools, and activity pools, the aquarium showcases life on—and below—the Norwegian coast. Visitors will see salmon, seals, starfish, otters, penguins, and many more creatures, with plenty of opportunities for getting up close.

One of the strongest tidal currents in the world, Saltstraumen exerts a mighty pull. Located close to the Northern Norway town of Bodø, Saltstraumen is a prime destination for travelers. Whether you arrive by land or water, you can witness a stunning visual display and demonstration of the raw power of nature as water surges through its strait.

Frogner Park (Frognerparken) is to Oslo what Central Park is to New York. A gathering place for locals and visitors alike, the city’s largest park features the popular Vigeland Sculpture Park and Frogner Manor House, part of the Museum of Oslo. Beyond these main attractions, you’ll find a sprawling rose garden, meandering trails, a café and restaurant, and Oslo’s largest playground.