Norway is a narrow country in northern Europe. It shares the Scandinavian Peninsula with Sweden and Finland. Norway’s coastline is famous for its fjords (fyords), which are sea inlets between steep cliffs. The fjords were carved out by glaciers, as were the country’s mountains.
Norway has many mountains. Some of the peaks are so steep that no one has ever tried to climb them. In addition to the mainland on the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway also owns the Svalbard island chain and three islands in the Antarctic.
The Fjords – the protected lakes region which is one of the most stunning places to visit in Norway
This is what Norway is becoming most famous for. The UNESCO listed Fjords are now appearing on many traveller’s bucket list and with good reason – they are one of the most naturally beautiful and dramatic landscapes in Europe and are one of the top attractions in the Scandinavian country.
The glacial valleys are eerily silent and are surrounded by high mountains and waterfalls that give the area an other-worldly beauty. Sognefjord is the longest, deepest, and most celebrated of the country’s waterways closely followed by Hardangerfjord.
Also include a visit to the Jostedalsbreen glacier (the largest ice sheet in Europe), Nordfjord, and Geirangerfjord, perhaps the most scenically impressive of all the fjords. Easily one of the best places to visit in Norway and somewhere that shouldn’t be missed if you visit here
Trolltunga – the Instagrammable moment with a backdrop of beautiful Norway scenery
Trolltunga is definitely one of the picturesque places to discover in Norway. It’s an insanely gorgeous location and one of the most spectacular scenic cliffs in Norway – but it’s only for the brave.
Otherwise known as the ‘troll’s tongue’ it was formed during the ice age when a glacial water froze a hunk of this mountain and caused it to break off, leaving a thin protruding ledge which hovers about 2,300 feet above the lake below. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s only a mere four-hour trek for a photo opportunity of a lifetime! Just remember to be very careful!
Bergen – the beautiful Norway town which inspired the Frozen film
The rainy but beautiful city of Bergen was apparently the inspiration for the fictional in the hit Disney animation, Frozen. The picturesque city is one of the prettiest and best cities to visit in Norway and is peppered with medieval buildings, Norwegian churches, and colourful timber houses.
It’s a laid-back place with a selection of good museums, quirky independent stores, and al fresco cafes but its biggest draw is its status as being the gateway to the famous fjords.
Lofoten Islands – the famously beautiful collection of Norway islands
This scenic, unspoilt archipelago is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets but one of the one important natural gems to explore in Norway. Though the collection of islands lie within Arctic Circle, they are blessed with warmer temperatures due to the Gulf Stream.
It’s a beautifully traditional place where life is simple and tourism is kept to a minimum. This is where whale watching and spectacular walks and scenery await! To crank the romance factor up a gear stay in one of the cosy fisherman’s cabins, surrounded by still blue waters and unspoilt mountain landscapes that have to be seen to be believed.
Flam – one of the prettiest villages to visit in the Norway fjords
The impossibly pretty village of Flam located in the fjords, Southwestern Norway – one of the best regions to explore in Norway. Home to museums that truly showcase and highlight the history of this city, as a visitor, you’ll be able to go on an explorative journey with the Flam Railway, which will show you the city in a way that walking through it just can’t.
Flam Railway runs through one of the wildest landscapes in the whole of Norway and has been called the best train journey in the world to take. Once you’re finished, you may want to take a quick trip over to the Flam Railway Museum or even head a little way over to Stegastein, the viewing platform over Aurlandsfjord, which stretches 30 metres across the land.
Ålesund – a picturesque port town in beautiful Norway
Scattered over a row of islands on the western coast of Norway, Ålesund is a thriving fishing town that – following a huge fire in 1904 – was rebuilt in a beautifully colourful Art Nouveau style.
It’s easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Noway and boasting a vibrant culture, excellent shopping opportunities, and views over the area from Mount Aksla. Soak up the town’s unique atmosphere before heading out on a guided tour of the fjords. Don’t miss the breathtaking Geirangerfjord, for gorgeous photo opportunities.
Oslo – Norway’s cosmopolitan capital
Even Norway’s capital is beautiful and it’s an increasingly popular place to visit in this country. Yes it’s expensive and yes it hasn’t got a long list of world-famous attractions, but Oslo is clean, laid back, and surrounded by a beautiful fjord and acres of lush woodland.
The architecture is an eclectic mix of old and new and the underrated city boasts some world-class museums, including the National Gallery which houses Edvard Munch’s famous painting of ‘The Scream.’
Fredrikstad – one of the prettiest fortress towns in Norway
There are three fortress towns in Norway but this one claims to be one of the best-preserved old towns in Scandinavia and one of the prettiest to visit. The Old Town has a mix of traditional stores and antique shops all framed within the extraordinary fortress walls.
Just outside the fortress, you’ll find a picture-postcard village with cobbled streets and a cathedral that contains stained-glass work by Emanuel Vigeland and a steeple which also doubles as a lighthouse
Svalbard – a beautiful frozen archipelago and a stunning place to visit in Norway
Fans of untouched landscapes will love Svalbard, an archipelago located between the Norwegian Sea, the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, and the Greenland Sea. It’s an extreme and mysterious place filled with wild craggy mountains and pristine glaciers and is actually one of the northernmost permanently inhabited spots on the planet (but less than 3,000 people live there).
Svalbard is an excellent destination in Norway for wild spotting and an abundance of animals including polar bears, reindeer, walruses, and polar foxes wander the wild, lonely lands.
