Have an upcoming vacation and havent decided on a destination?
With an extensive coastline andbreathtaking views, Norway is an incredible European destination.
While different people find beauty in different things, in Norway, theres something for everybody.
Trolltunga is one of the most beautiful places in Norway to visit!
If cities are your places of choice, theres Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger, among others.
Fill your days up by visiting art centers,admiring historical buildings, or going to the opera.
For nature-lovers, the urge to adventure and explore will take you tothe great outdoors.
And if thats not enough, the culture in this Scandinavian country is inspiring and amazing to experience.
Oslo
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Oslo is the capital city of Norway.
Although a major hub, only 20% of Oslos extensive land has been developed.
While the rest of the city hosts parks, open spaces, hills, and forests.
But dont be fooled by its small size, theres always something to do in this city.
you’ve got the option to head out to the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet.
Or visit some stunning museums to catch a glimpse of the countrys enchanting history.
Oslo also has amazing architectural marvels including the medieval castle of Akershus, and the Oslo Cathedral.
And Oslo hosts one of the very few documented zero-energy buildings (ZEB) in the world.
Take time to visit the Snhetta ZEB Pilot House and wonder at its innovation.
For the outdoorsy traveler, spend some time relaxing in the gardens in Oslo.
And if visiting in winter, go skiing in the magical mountains close by.
Frogner Park
One of the largest public parks in Oslo is Frogner Park.
And it is massive, covering roughly 110 acres.
The Manor was converted to an Oslo museum which houses various cultural and historical artifacts.
One of the key attractions within Frogner Park is the Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Which holds 650 stunning sculptures crafted from 1924 to 1943 by Gustav Vigeland.
In addition to the sculpture garden, there are fountains and bridges.
The centerpiece is the towering 16-meter monolith that contains 121 intertwined human bodies.
Frogner Park receives over a million visitors per year and with good reason.
The weather does get chilly so it is advisable to wear something warm for your visit.
To further fortify you against the cold, grab acup of coffeefrom one of the adjacent coffee houses.
The Vikings were seafaring warriors whose legendary exploits continue to fascinate to this day.
Some of the Vikings set sail from Norway on their epic voyages.
And a trip to Norway would be incomplete without a visit to learn the history of these warriors.
Of the three, the Oseberg is one of the finest examples of Viking artifact preservation.
Also on board are preserved skeletal remains.
During the museum tour, English-speaking guides are at hand to explain the day-to-day life of these warriors.
The story of the fjords began about 10,000 BC.
At the time, glaciers covered Norway.
With their retreat, the fjords were born.
There are various means it’s possible for you to use to tour the fjord.
For cars the trip begins at Langvatnet following Norwegian County Road 63 to Geiranger.
There is a wooden ramp at the top that gives a breath-taking view of the fjord.
Or you’re free to use the zigzagging Eagle Road.
A ferry runs the route between Geiranger and Hellesylt daily.
It passes by the waterfalls and has a commentary onboard that gives information about the fjord in various languages.
Some cruise ships also sail along the Fjord.
However, the best experience of the fjord is by private boat or kayak.
it’s possible for you to hire one in Geiranger or Hellesylt.
Notable features along the route are the spectacular Seven Sisters Waterfalls, which have the Suitor waterfall facing them.
Dont forget the Skagefla and Knivsfla cliff edge farms with their rich history dating back to the middle ages.
Runde Island
One of the most beautiful places in Norway courtesy of its fabulous birdlife is Runde Island.
The sea around it held a secret for ages.
Which adds to the islands allure.
Here are the two main attractions while on Runde Island.
Over 80 bird species have been verified nesting on the islands cliffs.
In August the young chick is strong enough and heads to the open sea.
The best time towatch the puffinsis between 6-8 pm.
Since they burrow their nesting place in the rock, they might not be visible during the other hours.
Other nesting birds found on the island include garnets, great skuas, and shags.
Getting to Runde Island is easy because of the several tour companies that take visitors around.
Runde Island is also called Treasure Island.
The ship was laden with gold and silver coins for use in trading.
However, bad weather sunk it with all the 200 crew feared dead.
In the following days, dead crew members were washed ashore.
Later, locals would pick the odd coins on the shore.
When 3 divers rediscovered the wreck in 1972, little was left of it.
However, they discovered over 57,000 gold and silver coins that weighed over 500 kilograms.
The coins are on display in various museums in the country.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, diving is still an incredibly popular pastime at this must-see Norwegian location.
Troms
This northern town is considered Norways gateway to the arctic.
Within the municipality, you could experience the Arctic conditions but at a more friendly temperature.
This action is triggered by the magnetic field at the poles of the earth.
Troms is the place to get close to the polar bear and wolves without compromising your safety.
These animals, musk ox, and lynx are all found in Polar Park.
For a more adrenaline-fueled adventure, go on awhale-watching safari.
Nothing beats the size of these huge animals as they come up to the surface for air.
The most common species is youll see is the sperm whale.
Troms is also renowned as a cultural melting pot.
With various music and film festivals taking place throughout the year.
And another highlight of cultural events is the reindeer racing that takes place during Sami Week.
Hamny
Fishing is one of the most important activities in Norway.
This is hardly surprising considering the length of the coastline as well as the seafaring history of Norwegians.
Modern fishing for trade is done using trawlers but traditional fishing also has its place.
Hamny is the oldest fishing village and also one of the most charming of Norways towns.
The village nestles in the Lofoten islands which is in the Moskenes municipality.
Fishermans cabins, the oldest of which are over 100 years old, provide accommodation for visitors.
Activities that you could enjoy in Hamny include bike and boat rentals, hiking, and fishing.
You could also opt for more laid-back activities such as a visit to the local museums and art galleries.
Here you will learn the history of the area as well as the culture.
The village lies 9 kilometers to the east of Moskene and is 100 kilometers from the Arctic circle.
For accommodation, stay in a rorbuer, the traditional fishermans cabin.
Luckily, these quant houses contain all modern conveniences for the comfort of travelers.
Also, ensure you get to the village early as finding parking spaces can be tough.
One of the best activities in Reine is hiking.
The rugged mountain terrain next to the village gives you a stunning panoramic view thats hard to beat.
Fishing for cod is another favorite activity.
It is rare to leave empty handed from a fishing trip in Reine.
However, taking a kayak is the best way to enjoy the gems in these waters.
A local guide will know the best spots to make your trip magical.
By vacationing in Reine, you will get to enjoy the quintessential Norway small town experience.
Established in 1894 by Hans Aall, it opened its doors to the public in 1901.
Since then, it has had several directors.
In 1907, King Oscar IIs collection was incorporated into the museum.
What makes the museum so interesting is its sheer size.
There are 160 buildings on its expansive grounds.
At the center of the grounds is a model of an old town.
Since Oscar II funded the churchs reconstruction, it technically belongs to the reigning monarch.
The intricate design of the church and the objects within it are of immense historical interest.
Various exhibits are on display in the museum.
Exhibitions feature normal life on historic farms.
As well as life in a coastal village.
The focus is on Norwegian life from the 1500s to the present.
A section known as The Apartment depicts the interiors of apartments from Wessel gate in the 19th century.
The interiors draw their inspiration from 8 periods.
Furthermore, there are areas where you’ve got the option to buy snacks as well as souvenirs.
Svalbard Islands
This island is located in the arctic ocean and about 800 kilometers from the Norway mainland.
Because of its proximity to the North Pole, the island is bitterly cold during the winter.
However, this does not take away from its beauty.
Svalbard is special in many ways.
To begin with, it is the northernmost town in the world.
And the inhabitants are a mixture of people from varied nationalities.
Fascinatingly, the island haspolar bears that far outnumber the inhabitants!
They number more than 3000 against a human population of about 300.
65% of the land consists of protected national parks.
Quotas for some of the animals determine which animals the locals hunt.
While some animals like the polar bear and walrus are protected.
The islands have several arctic animal species that you might enjoy viewing.
Among them are arctic foxes and reindeer.
Plus, you’ve got the option to view the majestic whales and seals.
Furthermore, the Northern Lights are visible in Svalbard when the skies are clear.
But be aware, darkness reigns for four months and daylight another four.
So, plan your trip accordingly.
From the landscape to the flora and fauna, you will have plenty of things to see and do.
And the theatrics of the Aurora Borealis only add to the allure.
Have you ever been to Norway, or would you like to go?
Which of Norways tourist attractions most appeals to you?
Sound off in a comment below!
