Norway · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Norway
These are the places worth your time in Norway, from Oslo's waterfront museums and Bergen's old wharf to the western fjords, Arctic Tromsø, the peaks of Lofoten and historic Trondheim. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Oslo
Arts and Culture
- Oslo Opera House (Bjørvika)
Walk up the sloping marble roof for free views over the fjord and city. - MUNCH (Bjørvika)
The largest collection of Edvard Munch's work, with versions of The Scream and a rooftop view. - National Museum (Vika)
Norway's biggest art, design and architecture museum, opened in 2022 by the waterfront. - Akershus Fortress (Sentrum)
Medieval fortress and castle guarding the harbour, with free grounds to wander. - Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Bygdøy)
Open air museum of old farmhouses, a stave church and folk costume, great for families. - Fram Museum (Bygdøy)
Climb aboard the polar ship Fram and follow the great Norwegian polar expeditions. - Kon-Tiki Museum (Bygdøy)
Thor Heyerdahl's balsa raft and the story of his Pacific voyage. - Emanuel Vigeland Museum (Slemdal)
A dark, barrel vaulted mausoleum covered in frescoes, open only a few hours a week.
Things to Do
- Vigeland Park (Frogner)
Free park with over two hundred sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, lovely for a stroll. - Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower (Holmenkollen)
The famous ski jump, with a ski history museum and a viewing platform over the city. - Sørenga Seawater Pool (Sørenga)
A free harbour bathing spot with lawns and piers in the middle of the city.
Nature and Outdoors
- Oslofjord islands ferry (Aker Brygge)
Hop on a public ferry to Hovedøya or Gressholmen for swimming and picnics in summer. - Sognsvann (Nordmarka)
A forest lake at the end of the metro with an easy loop trail and winter skiing. - Akerselva river walk (Grünerløkka)
A riverside path past waterfalls and old mills from the fjord up through the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Mathallen Oslo (Vulkan)
Food hall with Norwegian cheese, fish, cured meats and street food stalls. - Grünerløkka vintage shops (Grünerløkka)
Second hand and vintage shops for Scandinavian clothes and design.
Cafés
- Tim Wendelboe (Grünerløkka)
A tiny, influential coffee roastery for some of the finest filter coffee anywhere. - Godt Brød (Grünerløkka)
An organic bakery chain with excellent cinnamon and cardamom buns for an easy breakfast. - Fuglen (St. Hanshaugen)
A coffee bar by day and cocktail bar by night, filled with vintage Norwegian design.
Restaurants
- Maaemo (Bjørvika)
Celebrated New Nordic tasting menu restaurant built on Norwegian produce. - Lofoten Fiskerestaurant (Aker Brygge)
Classic seafood restaurant on the waterfront with fjord views. - Engebret Café (Kvadraturen)
One of Oslo's oldest restaurants, serving traditional Norwegian dishes in historic rooms.
Bars and Nightlife
- Himkok (Sentrum)
A celebrated cocktail bar using local spirits and its own distillery.
Events
- Norwegian Constitution Day, 17 May (Karl Johans gate)
National day parades of children, brass bands and national costume up to the Royal Palace. - Øya Festival (Tøyen Park)
Big August music festival with Norwegian and international acts.
Stays
- The Thief (Tjuvholmen)
A design hotel on the waterfront next to the Astrup Fearnley museum. - Hotel Continental (Sentrum)
A classic family run grand hotel opposite the National Theatre.
Places to Visit in Bergen
Arts and Culture
- Bryggen (Bryggen)
The UNESCO listed row of wooden Hanseatic wharf houses, with narrow passages to explore. - Bryggens Museum (Bryggen)
The story of medieval Bergen built over excavated foundations. - Troldhaugen (Hop)
Edvard Grieg's lakeside villa, with summer lunchtime concerts in the concert hall. - KODE (Sentrum)
Art museums by the city lake with Munch, Norwegian painters and composer homes. - Old Bergen Museum (Sandviken)
A reconstructed town of old wooden houses showing life in the 1800s.
Things to Do
- Fløibanen Funicular (Sentrum)
A quick ride up Mount Fløyen for city views, forest trails and a lake. - Sandviken old town lanes (Sandviken)
Quiet cobbled lanes of white wooden houses away from the crowds. - Mostraumen fjord cruise (Strandkaien)
A short cruise through the Osterfjord to a narrow tidal stream and waterfalls.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Ulriken (Haukeland)
Cable car to the highest of Bergen's seven mountains and the start of the ridge hike. - Nordnes Park and Sea Bath (Nordnes)
A peninsula park with an outdoor saltwater pool and sunset views.
Shopping and Markets
- Bergen Fish Market (Torget)
Harbourside market with seafood stalls and an indoor hall open all year.
Cafés
- Godt Brød Bergen (Sentrum)
A popular bakery for skillingsboller, Bergen's cinnamon buns.
Restaurants
- Bryggeloftet and Stuene (Bryggen)
Traditional Norwegian food in a historic wharf building, from fish soup to reindeer. - Pingvinen (Sentrum)
A homely bar and restaurant serving Norwegian home cooking at fair prices.
Events
- Bergen International Festival (Sentrum)
Late spring festival of music, theatre and dance across the city.
Stays
- Det Hanseatiske Hotel (Bryggen)
A characterful hotel inside old wharf buildings at Bryggen. - Citybox Bergen (Sentrum)
A simple, self service hotel near the station that keeps costs down.
Places to Visit in Ålesund
Things to Do
- Aksla Viewpoint (Byparken)
Climb the steps from the town park for the classic view over Ålesund's islands. - Geirangerfjord cruise (Geiranger)
Sail past the Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls on the UNESCO listed fjord.
Arts and Culture
- Jugendstilsenteret (Sentrum)
The Art Nouveau centre telling the story of the town's rebuild after the 1904 fire. - Atlanterhavsparken (Tueneset)
A seaside aquarium of North Atlantic marine life and an outdoor pool. - Sunnmøre Museum (Borgund)
An open air museum of old boathouses, farmhouses and Viking boat replicas.
Nature and Outdoors
- Dalsnibba viewpoint (Geiranger)
A mountain platform high above the Geirangerfjord, reached by a toll road in season. - Trollstigen (Romsdalen)
The famous hairpin mountain road and viewing platform, open in the warmer months. - Romsdalen Gondola (Åndalsnes)
A cable car to Nesaksla mountain with sweeping views of the Romsdalsfjord. - Runde bird island (Herøy)
A small island where puffins and seabirds nest on the cliffs in spring and summer. - Hjørundfjord (Sunnmøre Alps)
A quiet fjord ringed by sharp peaks and old farms, far from the crowds.
Bars and Nightlife
- Molja Lighthouse (Sentrum)
A tiny lighthouse on the harbour wall, now a hotel room and photo spot.
Stays
- Hotel Brosundet (Sentrum)
A harbourside hotel in Art Nouveau warehouses, with a room in the lighthouse. - Hotel Union Øye (Hjørundfjord)
A historic wooden hotel loved by royalty and writers, in a remote fjord village. - Hotel Union Geiranger (Geiranger)
A family run hotel above the fjord with a classic car museum.
Places to Visit in Flåm
Things to Do
- Flåm Railway (Flåm)
One of the steepest standard gauge railways in the world, climbing past waterfalls to Myrdal.
Nature and Outdoors
- Stegastein viewpoint (Aurland)
A platform jutting out high over the Aurlandsfjord.
Bars and Nightlife
- Ægir Bryggeri (Flåm)
A brewpub in a Viking style hall serving local beer and food.
Places to Visit in Tromsø
Arts and Culture
- Arctic Cathedral (Tromsdalen)
The striking white triangle church with midnight sun and aurora concerts. - Polaria (Sentrum)
An Arctic aquarium and experience centre with bearded seals. - Polar Museum (Sentrum)
The story of Arctic trapping and the great polar expeditions in an old warehouse. - Tromsø Museum (Folkeparken)
University museum with Sami culture and an aurora exhibition.
Things to Do
- Fjellheisen cable car (Tromsdalen)
Ride up Storsteinen for views over the city, best at midnight sun or aurora time. - Tromsø Villmarkssenter (Kvaløya)
Husky kennels offering dog sledding in winter and puppy visits in summer.
Nature and Outdoors
- Prestvannet (Tromsøya)
A lake on the island's hill that makes a free, dark spot to watch the aurora. - Sommarøy (Kvaløya)
A fishing village with white beaches and turquoise water, a lovely drive or tour. - Ersfjordbotn (Kvaløya)
A fjord beach under steep peaks, popular for aurora and midnight sun photos.
Events
- Tromsø International Film Festival (Sentrum)
January film festival with an outdoor snow cinema in the polar night.
Bars and Nightlife
- Ølhallen (Sentrum)
The Mack brewery's historic beer hall with a long list of beers on tap.
Stays
- Clarion Hotel The Edge (Sentrum)
A waterfront hotel convenient for aurora tour pickups.
Places to Visit in Lofoten
Nature and Outdoors
- Reine (Moskenesøya)
The classic view of red cabins beneath steep peaks. - Hamnøy (Moskenesøya)
A tiny fishing village on islets, famous for the view from the bridge. - Reinebringen (Reine)
Steep stone steps up to one of the finest viewpoints in Norway. - Haukland Beach (Vestvågøy)
A white sand beach with turquoise water, easy to reach for all ages. - Kvalvika Beach (Moskenesøya)
A wild beach reached on foot over a mountain pass. - Unstad Beach (Vestvågøy)
An Arctic surf beach with a surf school and camp.
Things to Do
- Henningsvær (Austvågøya)
An island village with a famous football pitch, galleries and cafés. - Nusfjord (Flakstadøya)
One of the best preserved fishing villages in Norway.
Arts and Culture
- Lofotr Viking Museum (Borg)
A reconstructed Viking chieftain's longhouse with living history in summer. - Norwegian Fishing Village Museum (Å)
Old boathouses, a cod liver oil factory and a bakery at the end of the road. - Lofoten Aquarium (Kabelvåg)
Seals, otters and Arctic fish in a small, friendly aquarium.
Cafés
- Bakeriet på Å (Å)
An old bakery famous for its cinnamon buns.
Restaurants
- Børsen Spiseri (Svolvær)
Traditional dishes in an old fish warehouse on the harbour. - Anitas Sjømat (Sakrisøy)
A seafood shop and café famous for fish burgers and fish cakes.
Stays
- Reine Rorbuer (Reine)
Classic red fishermen's cabins on the water in the heart of Reine. - Svinøya Rorbuer (Svolvær)
Historic rorbu cabins on a small island in the harbour.
Shopping and Markets
- Glasshytta Vikten (Flakstadøya)
A glass blowing workshop and shop at a wild seaside spot.
Places to Visit in Trondheim
Arts and Culture
- Nidaros Cathedral (Midtbyen)
Scandinavia's largest medieval building and the goal of the St Olav pilgrim routes. - Archbishop's Palace (Midtbyen)
Home of the Norwegian crown regalia and a medieval museum. - Rockheim (Brattøra)
National museum of popular music with interactive exhibits. - Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum (Sverresborg)
Old farm buildings, a stave church and an old town street.
Things to Do
- Old Town Bridge (Bakklandet)
The red gated bridge with the classic view of the coloured river wharves. - Bakklandet (Bakklandet)
Wooden houses, cafés and the Trampe bicycle lift on a hillside lane. - Kristiansten Fortress (Bakklandet)
A hilltop fortress with the best views over the city.
Nature and Outdoors
- Munkholmen (Trondheimsfjord)
A small island with a monastery ruin, fortress and swimming spot. - Bymarka (Gråkallen)
The city forest, reached by tram, for walks and skiing.
Cafés
- Baklandet Skydsstation (Bakklandet)
A cosy café in an old coaching inn, known for fish soup and aquavit.
Bars and Nightlife
- Solsiden (Solsiden)
A former shipyard district full of bars and restaurants by the water.
Events
- St Olav's Festival (Midtbyen)
Late July festival with concerts, a medieval market and church services.
Stays
- Britannia Hotel (Midtbyen)
Trondheim's grand historic hotel, beautifully restored. - Scandic Nidelven (Brattøra)
A large riverside hotel known for one of Norway's best hotel breakfasts.
Places to Visit in Røros
Arts and Culture
- Røros Mining Town (Røros)
A UNESCO listed copper mining town of wooden houses, magical in winter snow.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- KOK Oslo floating sauna (Langkaia, Oslo)
Sauna on a floating raft and dip straight into the fjord, even in winter. - Punjab Tandoori (Grønland, Oslo)
A long running, simple Pakistani canteen loved for hearty, good value curries. - Schouskjelleren Mikrobryggeri (Grünerløkka, Oslo)
A cosy brewpub in vaulted brick cellars, good for a relaxed evening. - Anker Hostel (Grünerløkka, Oslo)
A large, practical hostel with private rooms, close to the centre. - Det Lille Kaffekompaniet (Fløyen, Bergen)
A tiny café at the foot of the funicular hill, loved by locals. - Lysverket (Sentrum, Bergen)
Modern Norwegian seafood cooking in the KODE museum building. - Bryggeriet (Torget, Bergen)
A microbrewery and restaurant on the fish market square. - Apollon (Sentrum, Bergen)
A record shop and bar in one, with craft beer and a local crowd. - Pepperkakebyen gingerbread town (Sentrum, Bergen)
A whole town of gingerbread houses built by locals every Christmas season. - Anno (Sentrum, Ålesund)
Seafood restaurant in an old warehouse by the harbour. - Lyspunktet (Sentrum, Ålesund)
A relaxed café restaurant with soup, burgers and a living room feel. - Racer Bakeri (Sentrum, Ålesund)
A local favourite for fresh pastries and coffee in the old town. - Northern Lights Festival (Sentrum, Tromsø)
Late January music festival filling the city in the polar night. - Skarven (Sentrum, Tromsø)
A harbourside bar and restaurant complex in an old warehouse. - Emma's Drømmekjøkken (Sentrum, Tromsø)
A long loved restaurant for northern Norwegian ingredients like cod and reindeer. - Raketten (Sentrum, Tromsø)
A tiny kiosk said to be one of Norway's smallest bars, selling hot dogs and hot drinks. - Smørtorget (Sentrum, Tromsø)
A vintage café and shop with cakes and sandwiches. - Lyngen Lodge (Lyngen Alps, Tromsø)
A remote lodge for ski touring, aurora and fjord silence. - Tromsø Christmas market (Stortorget, Tromsø)
A small winter market in the main square for Sami crafts and warm drinks. - Trevarefabrikken (Henningsvær, Lofoten)
A converted factory with a café, rooms and events by the sea. - Lofoten Bryggeri (Svolvær, Lofoten)
A local brewery with a taproom for beers made in the islands. - Lofoten Cod World Championship (Svolvær, Lofoten)
A big cod fishing contest held each spring during the winter fishery. - Dromedar Kaffebar (Bakklandet, Trondheim)
A local coffee bar that started Trondheim's café culture. - Credo (Ladestien, Trondheim)
A celebrated restaurant built on local farmers and producers. - Ravnkloa Fish Market (Midtbyen, Trondheim)
A waterside fish shop and café for fish cakes and seafood lunches.