Attractions & Activities in Norway

1. Geirangerfjord

Easily one of the most famous fjords in Norway, the Geirangerfjord has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Dramatic 5,500-foot mountains tower over the 850-foot-deep fjord, and deserted fjord farms can be seen clinging to the steep cliffs. Some of the farms are open to visitors, but it's also worth coming here to admire the powerful waterfalls that cascade down the mountainsides, particularly the famous Seven Sisters waterfall. Plenty of sightseeing trips are available, but visitors can also admire the stunning view while kayaking on the fjord or enjoying a meal at one of the charming small-scale eateries.

2. Akershus Fortress

Construction of the Akershus Fortress is believed to have begun in the late 1290s, but the building as it can be seen today wasn't completed until the early 17th century. Although it was originally built to protect the city of Oslo, the structure has also served as a prison and a royal residence. Today, it is one of the most popular recreation areas in the city. The fortress is still a military area, but it is open to the public until 9:00pm all throughout the year. There is no admission fee, and guided tours are offered during the summer months.

0150 Oslo, Norway, Phone: 47-23-09-39-17

3. Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

Open to the public since 1993, the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art is one of the most significant contemporary art museums in Northern Europe. Designed to resemble a sailboat, the museum building consists of three pavilions and was designed by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano. The collection dates back to the 1960s and includes major works by artists from all over the globe, particularly the United States, Brazil, Japan, China, India, and many parts of Europe. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum offers six or seven temporary exhibits each year, which typically focus on the works of individual contemporary artists.

Strandpromenaden 2, 0252 Oslo, Phone: 47-22-93-60-60

4. Atlantic Ocean Road

Believed by many to be the most beautiful drive in the world, the Atlantic Ocean Road was declared Norway's "Engineering Feat of the Century" in 2005. The road is 5.2 miles long, and it connects the island of Averøy to the mainland via a series of small islands linked together by eight bridges. With its many twists and turns, the road is reminiscent of a roller coaster and should only be driven under good weather conditions. There are no tolls, and there are plenty of designated stopping areas that allow visitors to stretch their legs and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

5. Bryggen

Part of the city of Bergen, Bryggen is a historic harbor district that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The city has been an important center of trade since the 12th century, but it has been repeatedly destroyed by fire over the years. The 62 beautiful wooden buildings at Bryggen were built after a large fire in 1702, and today they are the oldest surviving part of the city. The buildings themselves offer an excellent glimpse at what life was like here during the 18th century, but there are also two museums for anyone particularly interested in the area's history.

Bryggen, 5003 Bergen, Phone: 47-55-55-20-80

6. Flam Line

Running between the villages of Myrdal and Flåm, the Flam Line is a 12.6-mile-long railway that whisks travelers through stunning mountain scenery, past rushing waterfalls, over a bridge, and through 20tunnels. Roughly 80% of the railway is at a gradient of 5.5%, meaning that the line holds the honor of being one of the world's steepest railways. The final stop is the Myrdal mountain station, which sits at 2,845 meters above sea level and has connections to trains that run between Bergen and Oslo. The trip lasts approximately 1hour, and the train runs throughout the year.

Phone: 47-57-63-21-00

7. Loen Skylift

Loen Skylift is a unique new tramway experience in Stryn, Norway, set within the heart of Nordfjord and offering spectacular views of the region's surrounding mountain and fjord landscape. The attraction, which opened to the public in May of 2017 as the country's first new tramway since the installation of Hangursbanen in 1963, is overseen by Loen SkyliftAS and services nearly 100,000 visitors a year, climbing 1,011 meters to the top of Mount Hoven. As one of the world's steepest aerial tramways, the skylift reaches gradient maximums of 60°, climbing at a maximum ride speed of seven meters per second. Rides embark from the Spa and Conference Hotel Alexandra and showcase spectacular views of area attractions such as Mount Skåla, Lake Lovatnet, and Jostedalsbreen Glacier. At the top of the mountain, guests can utilizing skiing and hiking trails or enjoy upscale meals at the Hoven Restaurant, Grill, Bar, and Cafe.

6789 Loen, Norway

8. Holmenkollen Ski Museum

Sitting at the base of the Holmenkollen ski jump, the Holmenkollen Ski Museum was founded in 1923 and is the oldest skiing museum in the world. Exhibits cover the history of skiing over the last 4,000 years, beginning with rock carvings that were created in the Stone Age and ending with displays about modern skiing and snowboarding. Visitors can climb to the top of the ski tower to enjoy panoramic views of the city, hop in the ski simulator, or relax in the on-site cafe. Hours vary according to the season, but the museum is open every day of the year.

Kongeveien 5, 0787 Oslo, Phone: 47-91-67-19-47

9. Kon-Tiki Museum

The Kon-Tiki Museum was built to house and display the Kon-Tiki raft, which the famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl used to sail across the ocean from Peru to Polynesia in 1947. Today, visitors can admire the pre-Columbian balsa wood raft as well as several of the explorer's original vessels. Exhibits cover everything from the details of Heyerdahl's journeys to Tiki pop culture, and the museum also offers an exciting tour of a 100-foot cave. An Oscar-winning documentary about Heyerdahl's journey was produced in 1950, and it can be viewed every day at noon in the museum's theater.

Bygdøynesveien 36, 0286 Oslo, Phone: 47-23-08-67-67

10. Lofoten

Known for its striking mountain scenery, Lofoten is an untamed archipelago that sprawls across the Norwegian Sea inside the Arctic Circle. The northern lights can be seen here between September and mid-April, and anyone who visits between late May and mid-July will get to experience the majesty of the midnight sun. Plenty of small fishing villages dot the islands, providing visitors with food, accommodation, and the chance to learn about traditional Nordic culture. The archipelago is one of the best places in Norway to surf, but it's also very popular with people who want to hike, ski, SCUBA dive, and fish.