The best places to visit in Norway, picked by Norwegians

If you only have one week, the best places to visit in Norway are Oslo, the Bergen Railway, Flåm and the Nærøyfjord, and Bergen. Add Tromsø in winter for the northern lights, or Lofoten in summer for mountains by the sea. Those five give you a city, a train journey, a fjord and the Arctic.

We are Norwegian editors, and this is the list we use when friends from abroad ask where to go. For every place we give one hard fact you need to plan, such as a travel time, a hike length or a season.

Cities

1. Oslo

The capital has the best museums in the country, and many good things are free, such as the Opera House roof. Note that the Viking Age Museum is closed until its planned reopening in November 2027. Start with our 40 things to do in Oslo.

2. Bergen

Bergen is the gateway to the western fjords. The Fløibanen funicular takes about six minutes up to Fløyen, 320 metres above sea level. An adult return costs NOK 145 in winter, 1 October to 31 December.

Trondheim’s main sight is Nidaros Cathedral. A combined ticket with the Crown Regalia and the Archbishop’s Palace costs NOK 260. Adults pay NOK 140, and ages 8–25 pay NOK 70. Opening hours change with church events, so check before you go.

4. Ålesund

A coastal town in Sunnmøre, with one of the best town viewpoints in Norway. You climb 418 steps from the town park to Fjellstua on Mount Aksla, in about 15 minutes. The view takes in the town, the islands and the Sunnmøre Alps.

5. Fredrikstad Old Town

A fortified old town that is free and open all year. The train from Oslo takes about an hour, and a free city ferry carries you across the river. It is our favourite easy day trip from Oslo.

6. Lillehammer

A lake town about two hours north of Oslo by direct train. Maihaugen open-air museum, with over 200 historic buildings, is within walking distance of the station. It works as a day trip or a stop on the way north.

Fjords and western Norway

7. The Bergen Railway

The train from Oslo to Bergen takes around seven hours, and the fastest service does it in 6 hours 35 minutes. It is the best way to see the mountains between east and west without a car. Book early for a window seat.

8. Flåm and the Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway is 20 km long and takes about an hour each way. It links the Bergen Railway with the fjord village of Flåm. Combine it with a Nærøyfjord boat.

9. The Nærøyfjord

One of the two fjords on UNESCO’s World Heritage list as the West Norwegian Fjords, inscribed in 2005. It is narrow and steep, and best seen from a boat.

10. The Geirangerfjord

The other half of the UNESCO listing. Pair it with Trollstigen and Ålesund on a road trip.

11. Trollstigen

A mountain road of hairpin bends, open only part of the year. It opened on 27 April 2026, a record early date. It normally opens around mid-May and closes in October or November.

12. The Atlantic Ocean Road

The famous stretch is 8.3 km of causeways and bridges between islands. The full scenic route runs 36 km from Kårvåg to Bud. It takes minutes to drive, so stop at the viewpoints and walk.

13. Hardangerfjord

Norway’s second-longest fjord, about 179 km. Vøringsfossen waterfall near Eidfjord has a total fall of 182 metres. Trolltunga (tip 17) is at the inner end, near Odda.

14. Urnes Stave Church

Norway’s oldest surviving stave church, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 2026 season ran from 2 May to 30 September. The ferry from Solvorn takes about 20 minutes.

Hikes

15. Preikestolen

The flat cliff 604 metres above the Lysefjord. The hike is 8 km return and takes about four hours. It is the easiest of the big three hikes.

16. Kjerag

The boulder wedged between two cliffs above the Lysefjord. The hike is 11 km return, and official guidance says 6–10 hours. The road is closed from November until about mid-May.

17. Trolltunga

A rock ledge above Ringedalsvatnet near Odda. From the P3 car park, the hike is 20 km return and takes 7–10 hours. Hike without a guide only from 1 June to 30 September.

18. Besseggen

The ridge walk in Jotunheimen, about 13–14 km with 6–8 hours of hiking. The usual route is the Gjende boat to Memurubu, then the ridge back to Gjendesheim. In 2026 the boats ran daily from 6 June to 13 September.

19. The Lysefjord from Stavanger

If you don’t want to hike, cruise the fjord instead. Sightseeing boats from Stavanger take about 3.5 hours. You see Preikestolen from below.

The Arctic north

20. Tromsø

The easiest base for the northern lights, from late August to early April. The Fjellheisen cable car takes you to 421 metres in four minutes. See our best hotels in Tromsø.

21. Lofoten

Steep mountains straight out of the sea. The direct ferry from Bodø to Moskenes takes about 3 hours 15 minutes, and foot passengers travel free. Book vehicle space in summer.

22. Senja

Lofoten’s quieter neighbour. The scenic route runs 102 km between Botnhamn and Gryllefjord. The Segla hike is short, about 5 km return, but steep and exposed.

23. Røros

A preserved mining town on UNESCO’s list since 1980. It is about 2.5 hours by train from Trondheim. Go in winter for real cold and wooden houses under snow.

24. The North Cape

A plateau on a 307-metre cliff above the Arctic Ocean, open all year. It is about 34 km from Honningsvåg.

25. Svalbard

Arctic Norway at its most extreme. Direct flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen take about three hours. Svalbard is outside Schengen, so bring a passport or national ID. The polar night lasts from 14 November to 29 January.

How to choose

Our verdict

The fjords are the reason most people come, and they deserve it. If you only add one place, add Tromsø in winter or Lofoten in summer. Skip the North Cape unless you are already in the far north.

For winter plans, see our northern lights hub and Oslo Christmas markets. For more, see our Norway hub. Norwegian readers can use our version for Norwegians.

The Bergen Railway takes around seven hours from Oslo, so book an early morning train to arrive in Bergen for dinner.