The second happiest nation on the planet (in line with the United Nations World Happiness Report) can also be one in all my favorite nations! It’s a tricky selection in such a pristine and exquisite nation, however I’d like to share a few of its particular locations with you primarily based on my many visits…
That is what Norway is turning into most well-known for! The UNESCO-listed Fjords are actually showing on many travellers’ bucket lists, and with good motive—they’re probably the most naturally stunning and dramatic landscapes in Europe and are one of many prime points of interest within the Scandinavian nation.
The glacial valleys are eerily silent and surrounded by excessive mountains and waterfalls, which give the realm an otherworldly magnificence.
Sognefjord is the longest, deepest, and most celebrated of the nation’s waterways, intently adopted by Hardangerfjord, and I’d suggest a go to.
You also needs to go to the Jostedalsbreen glacier (the biggest ice sheet in Europe), Nordfjord, and Geirangerfjord, maybe essentially the most scenically spectacular of all of the fjords.
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Scattered over a row of islands on the western coast of Norway, Ålesund is a thriving fishing city that – following an enormous hearth in 1904 – was rebuilt in a fantastically vibrant Artwork Nouveau model. I used to be enamoured!
It boasts a vibrant tradition, glorious procuring alternatives, and views over the realm from Mount Aksla. I recommend absorbing the city’s distinctive ambiance earlier than heading out on a guided tour of the fjords.
Additionally, don’t miss the breathtaking Geirangerfjord for beautiful picture alternatives!
That is an insanely attractive location and probably the most spectacular scenic cliffs within the nation – however it’s just for the courageous!
In any other case referred to as the ‘troll’s tongue’, it was shaped through the ice age when a glacial water froze a hunk of this mountain and triggered it to interrupt off, leaving a skinny protruding ledge which hovers about 2,300 toes above the lake beneath.
In the event you’re up for the problem, it’s solely a four-hour trek for a lifetime picture alternative! Simply bear in mind to be very cautious!
4. Bergen
The wet however stunning metropolis of Bergen was apparently the inspiration for the fictional Frozen within the hit Disney animation.
The picturesque metropolis is likely one of the prettiest within the Nordic nation and is peppered with medieval buildings, Norwegian church buildings, and vibrant timber homes.
It’s a laid-back place with a number of good museums, quirky unbiased shops, and al fresco cafes however I personally suppose the most important draw is its standing as being the gateway to the well-known fjords!
- Location: Southwestern coast of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Spring and Summer time (for delicate climate, festivals, and exploring the historic waterfront).
- Actions on provide: Using the Fløibanen funicular, exploring Bryggen Wharf, mountain climbing Mount Fløyen, and visiting museums.
- Lodging: Resort Zander Ok, Det Hanseatiske Resort, and Clarion Resort Admiral.
- Map Location and Instructions
5. Lofoten Islands
This scenic, unspoilt archipelago is one in all Europe’s best-kept secrets and techniques! Although the gathering of islands lies throughout the Arctic Circle, they’re blessed with hotter temperatures as a result of Gulf Stream.
It’s a fantastically conventional place the place life is straightforward, and tourism is minimal. That is the place whale watching, spectacular walks, and surroundings await!
To crank the romance issue up a gear I’d suggest staying in one of many cosy fisherman’s cabins, surrounded by nonetheless blue waters and unspoilt mountain landscapes that must be seen to be believed!
- Location: Northern a part of the nation, throughout the Arctic Circle.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for the Midnight Solar, lengthy days, and water actions like kayaking).
- Actions on provide: Mountain climbing, kayaking, visiting conventional fishing villages, wildlife viewing, and mountain climbing at Svolvaergeita.
- Lodging: Scandic Svolvaer, Nusfjord Arctic Resort, and Reine Rorbuer.
- Map Location and Instructions
6. Oslo
Even Norway’s capital is enticing! Sure, it’s costly, and sure, it doesn’t have an extended listing of world-famous points of interest, however Oslo is clear, laid-back, and surrounded by a wonderful fjord and acres of lush woodland.
The structure is an eclectic mixture of previous and new. The underrated metropolis boasts some world-class museums, together with the Nationwide Gallery, which homes Edvard Munch’s well-known portray, ‘The Scream.’
- Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Spring and Summer time (for cultural festivals, delicate temperatures, and metropolis sightseeing).
- Actions on provide: Visiting museums, exploring Vigeland Sculpture Park, fjord cruises, mountain climbing in Nordmarka, and having fun with native delicacies.
- Lodging: Thon Resort Rosenkrantz, Resort Continental, and Resort Bristol.
- Map Location and Instructions
7. Flam
The impossibly fairly village of Flam is positioned within the fjords of southwestern Norway. House to museums that actually showcase and spotlight the historical past of this metropolis, as a customer, you’ll be capable to go on an explorative journey with the Flam Railway, which is able to present you town in a means that strolling via it simply can’t.
Flam Railway runs via one of many wildest landscapes within the nation and has been referred to as one of the best practice journey on the planet.
When you’re completed, you might wish to take a fast journey to the Flam Railway Museum and even head to Stegastein, the viewing platform over Aurlandsfjord, which stretches 30 metres throughout the land.
- Location: Western a part of the nation, within the Aurland municipality.
- Greatest time to go to: Late Spring to Early Fall (for scenic practice rides and out of doors actions).
- Actions on provide: Using the Flåm Railway, fjord cruises, kayaking, RIB boat excursions, and mountain climbing trails in Aurlandsfjord.
- Lodging: Fretheim Resort, Flåmsbrygga Resort, and Heimly Guesthouse.
- Map Location and Instructions
8. Skudeneshavn
Norway’s best-preserved crusing ship city is positioned on the southernmost tip of the standard island of Karmøy in Norway. A thriving port for the reason that nineteenth century, immediately it’s a postcard-pretty place with luggage of scenic allure.
I’d recommend heading for the beautiful previous city crammed with picket homes, twisting slender roads (with nearly no site visitors) and boat moorings, cafes, retailers, and galleries.
Anticipate to see greater than 200 white picket buildings that their house owners have lovingly restored and maintained.
- Location: Southwestern coast, on the island of Karmøy.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for heat temperatures and coastal walks via the charming village).
- Actions on provide: Strolling excursions via historic streets, visiting the previous city, exploring close by seashores, and having fun with native seafood.
- Lodging: Parken Terrace Resort, Karmøy Kystferie, and Skudenes Tenting.
- Map Location and Instructions
9. Fredrikstad
There are three fortress cities in Norway, however this one claims to be one of many best-preserved previous cities in Scandinavia, and in my view, it’s one of many prettiest to go to.
The Outdated City has a mixture of conventional shops and vintage retailers, all framed throughout the extraordinary fortress partitions.
Simply exterior the fortress, you’ll discover a picture-postcard village with cobbled streets, a cathedral with stained-glass work by Emanuel Vigeland, and a steeple that additionally doubles as a lighthouse.
- Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Spring and Summer time (for exploring the previous city and having fun with out of doors actions by the river).
- Actions on provide: Exploring the previous city, biking alongside the river, strolling excursions, and having fun with native markets.
- Lodging: Resort Fredrikstad, High quality Resort Fredrikstad, and Gamlebyen Hotell.
- Map Location and Instructions
10. Jotunheimen Nationwide Park
Boasting the biggest focus of mountains increased than 2,000 metres in Northern Europe, the centrally positioned Jotunheimen Nationwide Park is likely one of the hottest nationwide parks to journey to in Norway.
Encompassing a number of mountain ranges—together with Norway’s 29 highest peaks—the realm attracts hikers, cross-country and alpine skiers, cyclists, and climbers from throughout Europe.
Along with distinctive wildlife, anticipate to catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls the park house, together with reindeer, fox, marten, mink, wolverines, lynx, and even the uncommon golden eagle.
- Location: Central a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for mountain climbing trails and having fun with Norway’s highest peaks.
- Actions on provide: Mountain climbing, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, glacier walks, and tenting.
- Lodging: Elveseter Resort, Spiterstulen Lodge, and Gjendesheim Vacationer Lodge.
- Map Location and Instructions
11. Svalbard
Followers of untouched landscapes will love Svalbard, an archipelago between the Norwegian Sea, the Arctic Ocean, the Barents Sea, and the Greenland Sea.
It’s an especially mysterious place crammed with wild, craggy mountains and pristine glaciers. It is likely one of the northernmost completely inhabited spots on the planet (however lower than 3,000 individuals dwell there).
Svalbard is a wonderful vacation spot in Norway for wild recognizing. An abundance of animals, together with polar bears, reindeer, walruses, and polar foxes, wander the wild, lonely lands.
- Location: Arctic Ocean, north of mainland Norway.
- Greatest time to go to: Late Spring to Summer time (for experiencing the Midnight Solar and wildlife sightings).
- Actions on provide: Glacier kayaking, mountain climbing, snowmobiling, canine sledding, and wildlife viewing, together with polar bears.
- Lodging: Radisson Blu Polar Resort, Svalbard Resort, and Basecamp Resort.
- Map Location and Instructions
12. Reine
The fishing village of Reine is nestled securely on the mouth of Reinefjord within the west of Lofoten, however this naturally stunning Norwegian place deserves a point out.
Inside this mountainous village, yow will discover your pleasures on the open sea with native fishermen trying to discover the catch of their lives out on the oceans.
There’s additionally extraordinarily accessible kayaking for any individuals. Reine is the last word place to discover a piece of your self out on the outskirts, mountain climbing via the mountains to seek out absolutely the good place to sit down and take within the aurora in one of many clearest skies you’ll come throughout wherever on the planet.
- Location: Northern a part of the nation, within the Lofoten archipelago.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for scenic hikes and views of the fjords through the Midnight Solar).
- Actions on provide: Mountain climbing Reinebringen, boat excursions via fjords, fishing, and images.
- Lodging: Reine Rorbuer, Eliassen Rorbuer, and Sakrisøy Rorbuer.
- Map Location and Instructions
13. Mjelle seashore, Bodø
Everytime you stroll via a seaside city, you nearly anticipate the air of seawater and seaweed—an odd however nice scent most welcome as you journey in direction of the gorgeous Mjelle seashore.
This seashore has been referred to as a photographer’s paradise in Norway due to its pure, nearly magical surroundings.
The seashore itself is barely half an hour’s drive from Bodø, and the locals shall be blissful to let you know some fascinating tales concerning the Purple Seashore, which is claimed to be infused with gemstone particles.
- Location: Northern a part of the nation, close to Bodø.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for having fun with the seashore, lengthy daytime, and exquisite coastal views).
- Actions on provide: Swimming, mountain climbing, seashore walks, and having fun with coastal views.
- Lodging: Scandic Havet, Thon Resort Nordlys, and Bodø Hostel & Motel.
- Map Location and Instructions
14. Rondane Nationwide Park
In the event you’re extra of an adventurer searching for the subsequent mountain to take you to unbelievable heights and views, look no additional than Rondane Nationwide Park.
This tranquil mountain vary is the proper place all yr spherical – from summer season mountain climbing to winter snowboarding and all the things in between.
Rondane is the oldest Nationwide Park in Norway. Its a number of areas are wealthy in vegetation, including to its magnificence.
- Location: Jap a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for mountain climbing and having fun with Norway’s oldest nationwide park).
- Actions on provide: Mountain climbing, wildlife recognizing, images, and tenting.
- Lodging: Rondane Høyfjellshotell, Spidsbergseter Resort, and Rondvassbu Lodge.
- Map Location and Instructions
15. Trondheim
It might not seem to be Trondheim is a big metropolis in comparison with these you will have seen elsewhere on the planet, however in Norway, it’s really the third largest accessible and was as soon as the nation’s capital.
There are a number of historic and nice landmarks that any vacationer ought to attempt to see after they go to, together with the medieval Nidaros Cathedral and the sturdy Kristiansten Fortress, each of which have excursions accessible via varied organisations.
One other notable landmark inside Trondheim is the Outdated City Bridge, with its crimson portal constructions, inbuilt 1681 and overlooking the river.
- Location: Central a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for festivals, cultural occasions, and exploring the Nidaros Cathedral).
- Actions on provide: Visiting Nidaros Cathedral, exploring Bakklandet, biking alongside the river, and having fun with native delicacies.
- Lodging: Britannia Resort, Clarion Resort Trondheim, and Scandic Nidelven Resort.
- Map Location and Instructions
16. Stavanger
This metropolis, positioned in southwest Norway, is a gem! It’s house to the placing Tenth-century Stavanger Cathedral and vibrant homes.
The Stavanger area can also be awash with breathtaking environment and lengthy, white seashores that add much more mystifying touches to the realm.
For the hikers amongst you, the favored Preikestolen gives a mountainous hike up a cliff that’s 604 metres in top and has a solidly flat prime – supplying you with a few of the finest panoramic views round.
- Location: Southwestern coast of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for mountain climbing to Pulpit Rock and having fun with out of doors actions alongside the coast)
- Actions on provide: Mountain climbing to Pulpit Rock, fjord cruises, exploring the previous city, and visiting museums.
- Lodging: Ydalir Resort, Radisson Blu Atlantic Resort, and Clarion Resort Stavanger.
- Map Location and Instructions
17. Nigardsbreen Glacier
Glaciers are pure wonders which might be typically considered from afar. Nonetheless, glacier guiding is sort of well-liked at Nigardsbreen, the place skilled guides are blissful to take you and your kids on secure walks among the many blue ice.
It’s a shocking pure attraction and an expertise like no different for anybody over 5. You’ll be able to gaze into the ice at shut vary and get misplaced within the spectacular actuality of probably the most accessible branches of the Josteldalsbreen Glacier.
Think about strolling alongside an ice construction encompassing a complete space and is so fantastically shaped that it appears like blue crystal glass even on a dim day—that’s what this expertise gives!
- Location: Western a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for glacier mountain climbing with guided excursions and favorable climate situations).
- Actions on provide: Glacier mountain climbing, guided excursions, images, and visiting close by lakes.
- Lodging: Nigardsbreen Lodge, Jostedal Resort, and Sognefjord Resort.
- Map Location and Instructions
18. Femundsmarka Nationwide Park
Femundsmarka Nationwide Park is likely one of the largest areas of steady and unspoiled wilderness. When searching for a calming day of strolling, you’re wanting on the good spot.
Miles of land await enthusiastic exploration, and the park even gives a number of nice canoeing and fishing places.
The Norwegian Trekking Affiliation has referred to as it probably the greatest three mountain climbing areas in Norway, and judging by the views among the many timber, we’d must agree.
It might be doable to stroll for hours and by no means come throughout one other individual throughout your travels, good for anybody trying to return to nature in stunning Norway and uncover one thing about themselves.
- Location: Jap a part of the nation.
- Greatest time to go to: Late Spring to Summer time (for mountain climbing, fishing, and exploring Norway’s wilderness).
- Actions on provide: Mountain climbing, fishing, canoeing, wildlife viewing, and tenting.
- Lodging: Røros Resort, Femund Fjellstue, and Roste Hyttetun & Tenting.
- Map Location and Instructions
19. Solund, Sogn og Fjordane
This place is totally charming! Due to the 1700 islands, islets, and skerries (give or take) to the west of Norway, boats have taken to islands, hopping between them. Solund has grow to be a preferred boating, fishing, and kayaking vacation spot.
The countless islands provide nice wind and wave safety when the climate isn’t nice, however on sunnier days, you might journey a brief distance to the open sea.
In fact, many actions on land embrace marked mountain climbing trails and biking routes surrounded by pure magnificence. Summer time in Solund additionally boasts guided excursions that may take you to Utvær.
- Location: Western a part of the nation, within the Sognefjord area.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for boating, mountain climbing, and exploring the scenic archipelago).
- Actions on provide: Boating, kayaking, mountain climbing coastal trails, and exploring the archipelago.
- Lodging: Solund Leilighetshotell, Hardbakke Gjestehus, and Solund Rorbuferie.
- Map Location and Instructions
20. Henningsvær
Henningsvær is positioned amongst a number of small islands off the coast of Austvågøya. It’s a notable fishing location, however the primary attraction on this stunning nook of the nation is the unbelievable views from wherever within the village.
Henningsvær has been referred to as “the Venice of the North,” likening the small village to the magnificent space of Italy that everybody is aware of and praises. Why? as a result of Henningsvær is house to a world-colliding mixture of conventional and fashionable structure that appears to clutch the ocean in its grasp.
The doorway to the village, a slender waterside street on the base of the mountain, is, in my view, the easiest way to begin your Norway journey! Take pleasure in!
- Location: Northern a part of the nation, within the Lofoten archipelago.
- Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for having fun with the fishing village’s distinctive allure and scenic views underneath the Midnight Solar).
- Actions on provide: Strolling via the village, kayaking, mountain climbing, and exploring artwork galleries.
- Lodging: Henningsvær Bryggehotell, Lofoten Arctic Resort, and Finnholmen Brygge.
- Map Location and Instructions
Location of Norway
Norway is positioned within the Nordic space of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, together with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
