15 Best Things to See in Norway

Norway is a country where the ancient and the new coexist peacefully and where cutting-edge cultural centres compete for space next to natural attractions. The dynamic capital city of Oslo is one of the best, but if you like, you can travel to majestic canyons and snow-capped mountains. One of the sites on the globe where you can see the northern lights, one of the most amazing natural light displays on earth, is this region, which is also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, where the days never stop and the sun is always in the sky during some seasons of the year. Since Norway is one of the wealthiest nations in Europe, visitors can anticipate top-notch amenities like a good selection of public transportation alternatives. Norway is also renowned for being incredibly safe, making it a fantastic choice for female tourists travelling alone who can easily navigate the nation. You won’t run out of things to do in this place, which is blessed with a great history and offers everything from museums to other attractions like glaciers. Here, you may discover all about the fascinating Viking culture while also exploring the many contemporary aspects of Norway. The top activities in Norway are listed here…

Explore Mount Floyen

If you want to get the best vistas across Bergen, then you need to come to Mount Floyen, which is a 399-meter summit that overlooks the city. If you’re feeling lazy, you may quickly ride the funicular railway to the summit for views of Bergen and its famous fjords. It takes 8 minutes. Close to the summit, there is a lookout area, and if you don’t fancy the funicular then you can always hike to the summit and mountain bike on the neighbouring trails. The Floyen Folk Restaurant, which features local cuisine and traditional music performances, is another major destination in this area.

Marvel at the Arctic Cathedral

The Arctic Cathedral was created in 1965 by a Norwegian architect named Jan Inge Hovig. As a result, it is one of the nation’s more recent cathedrals and is constructed in a striking manner. Inside the glass building, which is decorated with shimmering mosaics and has an iconic façade with a big crucifix, the construction is designed to resemble enormous blocks of ice. The cathedral is illuminated from the outside throughout the winter, making it appear even more magnificent.

Admire the paintings at the Munch Museum

Edvard Munch, one of the most well-known Norwegians ever, is renowned for his symbolist aesthetic. There are 1,200 paintings, 4,500 drawings, and an extraordinary collection of 18,000 prints in this museum, which has been open since 1963. Along with lithographic stones and sculptures, there are also books and letters that are devoted to the life of Munch.

Take a train journey

One of the greatest ways to experience Norway is by train, which boasts excellent, easy-to-use rail routes. There are more than 2,000 miles of tracks here, and the breathtaking rides allow you to experience Norway from a completely new angle. Some of the highlights include the Hardangervidda plateau-passing Bergen Railway and the Oslo to Trondheim-running Dovre Railway.

Visit the Kon-Tiki Museum

A collection of Thor Heyerdahl memorabilia can be found in the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo. He was a well-known Norwegian adventurer. There are numerous galleries devoted to the various explorations that Heyerdahl carried out, as well as a 30-meter-long cave tour. This is an excellent option if you have an interest in the terrain and geology of Norway, and you can even check out an underwater display that includes a whale shark. The Kon-Tiki Fish Casserole is one of the famous traditional Norwegian dishes served at this museum restaurant.

Visit the Viking Ship Museum

One of Norway’s most popular museums, the Viking Ship Museum, displays a variety of Viking-era relics. This includes objects discovered in nearby tombs as well as complete Viking ships. Since they were largely buried in peat fields, three of the longboats at this location originate from the ninth century and are remarkably well maintained. The most well-known of them is the Oseberg Boat, which is thought to have served as a Viking nobleman’s funeral vessel in antiquity.

Marvel at the Vigeland Sculpture Park

Gustav Vigeland, a well-known Norwegian sculptor, is honoured in the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Here you will find over 200 pieces made from bronze and granite, and this is also the biggest sculpture park of its kind that shows off the work of an individual artist. The Main Gate, the Children’s Playground, the Wheel of Life, and the Bridge are only a few of the park’s components. Much of Gustav’s work showcases complex human emotions, and you can spot eerie sculptures such as skeletons nestled in tree branches.

Explore the Geirangerfjord region

The vast Fjord Norway network includes the Geirangerfjord, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The northern Alesund, noted for its chilly Norwegian beauty, is one of the highlights of the numerous kilometres that it covers. Other great locations are Sunnylvsfjord, which offers some of the most beautiful views of the surrounding area. If you want to climb one of the peaks in this area, aim for the 4,905-foot Dalsnibba peak. Booking a tour that will take you to all the top locations in the area will ensure you don’t miss anything and will be one of the best ways to see the splendour here.

Tour Akershus Castle

Akershus Castle was constructed in the Middle Ages in 1299 with the intention of defending Oslo against an enemy assault. It has served a variety of purposes over the years, including as a prison in more recent times and as a Renaissance fortress. The chapel and banquet rooms, which were once utilised by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, are now open for everyone to see and admire. If you want to learn about Norway in the past, don’t miss this because there are antique collections here that take you on a tour through the history of the castle.

Travel along the Atlantic Ocean Road

It is highly recommended to take a drive along Norway’s Atlantic Ocean Road. The path covers 5 miles of rocky yet gorgeous coastline and passes through charming fishing towns and picturesque landmarks like old churches. Since this is now one of Norway’s most popular sites and the Troll’s Church Cave is one of the primary places of interest, there is a predetermined route you can take.

Visit Oslo Cathedral

One of the city’s top attractions is the Oslo Cathedral, which was likely constructed in its present shape during the 11th century. The church was the very first building to be built in Norway and is baroque in design. You can now visit the church and learn all about its fascinating history. As you might assume, it has witnessed a number of famous occasions, including some involving the royal family. The enormous organ, the elaborate pulpit, and the vibrant ceiling murals are all things to keep an eye out for.

Enjoy the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is situated in the Oslo Fjord. You may learn all about this nation’s rich cultural heritage, which spans from 1500 to the present. The museum houses antiquities from throughout the nation, including some iconic pieces like a wooden stave from the 13th century. Other areas feature replicas of traditional Norwegian dwellings and Sami clothing, as well as traditional Norwegian architecture. The museum is a must-see for everyone with an interest in Norwegian folklore and art, and throughout the year, displays of toys, pictures, and folk dancing are presented here.

Visit the Arctic Circle

Many people are unaware that a large portion of Norway lies within the Arctic Circle, making it the ideal location to search for the Midnight Sun. Every year, at the summer solstice, this natural occurrence takes place when the sun never sets and the day never ends. The presence of the well-known Northern Lights, which are caused by solar particles entering the earth’s atmosphere, is another important characteristic of the Arctic Circle.

Go skiing in the Lyngen Alps

The magnificent Lyngen Alps are a mountain range that runs 90 kilometres to the Swedish border and is found in the Arctic Circle. The region is covered in fjords, glaciers, and rivers; there are also high peaks and lovely gorges. Dog sledding and participating in a snow safari are both well-liked activities in the Alps, where there is also a good chance of witnessing the northern lights. In the Lyngen Alps, skiing and rock climbing are two more popular hobbies. Jiekkevarre, the highest mountain, is 1,833 metres high.

Take a ferry

A journey on the Hurtigruten ship, which will take you to some of Norway’s less visited regions, is another fantastic opportunity to discover the nation. The ferries are known as coastal steamers, and they can be boarded in Bergen for the epic 12-day journey to Kirkenes. However, you can get on and off in some of the picturesque ports that Norway is renowned for along the journey.