Best Places to Visit in Norway
Fjords and waterfalls, wooden harbor towns and the northern lights, from Oslo to the Arctic.
See things to do »A Norway Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
The best places to visit in Norway are spread along one of the longest coastlines in the world, so planning a first trip is mostly about choosing a region. In the south is Oslo, a compact capital on a fjord, with world-class museums and a waterfront you can walk. On the west coast, Bergen and Stavanger are the gateways to the fjords, where sheer walls of rock drop into deep green water and waterfalls pour off the cliffs. Above the Arctic Circle, Tromso and the Lofoten Islands offer the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter.
Most visitors start in Oslo and cross the mountains to Bergen on the Bergen Railway, one of Europe's great train rides, then spend a few days in fjord country. The classic route takes a ferry along the narrow Naeroyfjord, rides the steep Flam Railway and looks down on the Aurlandsfjord from the Stegastein viewpoint. Farther north, the Geirangerfjord and the Art Nouveau town of Alesund make a second loop, by way of the hairpin bends of Trollstigen. In the southwest, the hike to Preikestolen, a flat-topped cliff high above the Lysefjord, is the country's most famous walk.
The north is a different trip. Tromso, a lively university city about 350 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, is the most popular base for chasing the northern lights from autumn to early spring, with husky sledding, reindeer visits with Sami hosts and winter whale watching in the fjords. Lofoten, a chain of jagged islands south of Tromso, is famous for red fishermen's cabins on stilts, white-sand beaches and mountain hikes, and for the cod that has been dried on wooden racks there for a thousand years.
Norway is expensive, and distances are longer than they look on a map, so a week is enough for Oslo, Bergen and the fjords, and ten days to two weeks lets you add the north. Trains, express boats and domestic flights connect the regions well, and driving is a pleasure in summer, though many mountain roads close in winter. June to August brings long days and the most open sights; September is quieter; and from late autumn to March the north is all about winter activities. The official tourism site, Visit Norway, is useful for transport and practical rules.
This Norway travel guide has a page for each region, with what to see and live, bookable tours and tickets from Viator and Tiqets, plus pages on Norwegian food and annual festivals. If you would rather see the coast from a ship, our sister sites cover Norwegian fjords cruises and the Scandinavian cruise ports. To have a specialist plan a land trip, ask for free trip quotes, browse the Official Travel Directory, or join our free travel newsletter.
Explore Norway by Area
Top-Rated Things to Do in Norway
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best in Norway may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Norwegian Food, From Fish Cakes to Fine Dining
Norway eats from the sea: salmon, cod, shrimp, king crab and the dried stockfish of Lofoten, alongside reindeer, lamb, brown cheese and cinnamon buns. Oslo has some of Europe's best fine dining, Bergen and Tromso serve superb seafood, and food halls make eating out more affordable. See our picks by region.
Festivals and Events Across Norway
Norway's year starts with film and music festivals in Arctic Tromso, followed by ski racing at Holmenkollen, Constitution Day parades in May, Bergen's big arts festival, summer music in Oslo and Molde, and gingerbread towns and Christmas markets in winter. See the annual events and official calendars.
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Norway — FAQ
What are the best places to visit in Norway on a first trip?
Oslo, Bergen, the Naeroyfjord and Flam area, Geiranger and Alesund, Stavanger with the Preikestolen hike, and, if you have time, Tromso and the Lofoten Islands in the north.
How many days do I need in Norway?
Seven days covers Oslo, the train to Bergen and a fjord loop. Allow ten to fourteen days to add Stavanger, Geiranger, Tromso or Lofoten.
What is the best time to visit Norway?
June to August for long days, hiking and open mountain roads; May and September for fewer crowds; and October to March for the northern lights and winter activities in the north.
Do I need a car in Norway?
Not for Oslo, Bergen and the main fjord route, which are well served by trains, buses and boats. A car helps in Lofoten, around Geiranger and on smaller roads, but many mountain passes close in winter.
Is Norway expensive to visit?
Yes, it is one of the more expensive countries in Europe, especially for restaurants and alcohol. Food halls, bakeries and supermarket picnics help, and many of the best sights, from fjords to hiking trails, are free.