9 Best Things to Do in Norway

Although it’s not the largest one in Norway, the Geirangerfjord is the most well-known among them and is even counted on the UNESCO World Heritage list thanks to its outstanding beauty, including stunning waterfalls like the Suitor and the Seven Sisters. How you explore it is up to you, whether you adventure down it by kayak or take a more leisurely cruise.

Alternative destinations:

• Trollfjord: Although small at just 2km long, Trollfjord boasts spectacular arctic scenery. Only accessible by boat, the fjord takes you through the towering walls of the mountainsides.
• Vestfjord: The most westerly fjord in Norway, Vestfjord is an icy paradise into which two glaciers, Døde Bræ and Vestfjord meet. The nearby Tranøy Lighthouse on Hamarøy Island offers panoramic views.
• Sognefjord: Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest fjord, with plenty to do either on the water or along its banks. Go on a tour of the fjord by boat, or consider cycling or hiking along the water’s edge.

Best season: June to August, which is summer in Norway, is the best time to visit the fjords, given the milder temperatures and longer daylight hours that make the tours more comfortable and enjoyable

Insider tip: If you want to avoid the crowds during your fjords trip, skip Geiranger and go for Sognefjord as an alternate destination, which is just as beautiful but is way less crowded.

Oslo, being the capital, boasts some of the best places to visit in Norway. Top attractions include exploring the sprawling grounds of the Royal Palace, which serves as the official residence of Norway's monarch. Visitors can also tour the nearby Oslo Cathedral, admire city views from the Oslo Opera House's sloping roof, and stroll along the waterfront to see sculptures like The Angry Boy. History buffs will appreciate a visit to Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle and fortress, as well as the iconic City Hall, the harborfront building where the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place. Outdoor enthusiasts should make time for green spaces like the Vigeland Sculpture Park, its collection of over 200 works, and Frogner Park, for its small rivers and ponds.

Alternative destinations:

• Trondheim: Situated on the Trondheim fjord, this city in central Norway is home to the stunning gothic Nidaros Cathedral. Stroll along the waterfront to view the iconic and colorful Bakklandet, or head across the Old Town Bridge to the Kristiansen Fortress.
• Bergen: Bergen is home to Bryggen, Norway’s biggest tourist attraction, which allows you to step into the past and is also protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the summer months, hit the beach or take the funicular railway on a scenic trip up Mount Fløyen.
• Tromsø: The gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø is a winter paradise. Go skiing or enjoy the views across the frosty fjords before relaxing in the Tromsobadet. Check out the Polar Museum and the animals at Polaria, and finish it all with the Northern Lights.

Best season: The shoulder seasons of spring (May and June) and Fall (September and October) are the best seasons to sightsee the popular cities in tranquility, given all the attractions of the summer will still be available minus the summer crowd.

Insider tip: Travel by bus to major cities using the government-run Entur app. It is a cost-friendly option to map out your travel to any city in Norway.

Norway is one of the world's best places to catch the dazzling Northern Lights. The further north you go, the better the chances of catching the sight of this astronomical spectacle. Regions inside the Arctic Circle, like Tromsø, enjoy optimal viewing conditions. Tromsø's northerly latitude meets mild winter climes courtesy of the warming Gulf Stream for relatively comfortable Northern Lights hunting. Minimal light pollution, an abundance of tours taking you into the wilderness away from city lights, and nature excursions like reindeer sledding or snowshoeing also make Tromsø an ideal base for Northern Lights tours.

Alternative destinations:

• Svalbard: Accessible from Tromso via plane, Svalbard is the most northerly point of Norway. It’s also one of the only places in the world where you can see the Northern Lights while eating your lunch.
• Lofoten Islands: This archipelago of tiny fishing villages offers postcard-perfect scenery with rugged mountains and crystal blue fjords. The Lofoten Islands provide prime aurora viewing conditions from late September through late March. Find a cozy cabin, bundle up warmly, and watch the dazzling display of colors dance across the night sky.

Best season: The winter months, between November and April, offer the best chances to spot the Northern Lights, thanks to the long and dark nighttime hours.

Insider tip: A guided Northern Lights tour led by local experts is your best bet for successfully glimpsing the dazzling Aurora Borealis, as they handle everything from monitoring solar and weather conditions to finding the ideal dark-sky viewing spots and even waking you in the night.

Norway is widely considered the originator of skiing, so naturally, it boasts some of the best ski locations. Located further north than any other alpine region, the Lyngen Alps offer skiing amidst dramatic mountain scenery surrounded by pristine water bodies. The mountains have incredibly steep and challenging lines for advanced and expert skiers. There are also expansive open faces like big mountain descents up to 4,000 vertical feet. Long, rolling cruisers like Stormbakken and Rundfjellet exist for intermediate and beginner skiers. No matter your skill level, the skiing and snowboarding in Lyngen are enhanced by frequent arctic storms blowing in from the North Atlantic. These blanket the mountains in plentiful, bone-dry powder, perfect for your skiing adventure.

Alternative Destinations:

• Folgefonna Glacier:  If you want to go skiing in the summer, Fonna Glacier Ski Resort on the Folgefonna Glacier is the place to go. Located in the Hardanger region, 1200 meters above sea level, the resort opens in May for the Summer season. 
• Trysil: Situated on Mount Trysilfjellet, Trysil is the largest ski resort in Norway. Perfect for families, it has 68 slopes of varying difficulties and has a ski school where you can learn alongside skilled instructors and the resort’s mascot, Valle!

Best time: The best time to ski is from November to April. However, some places like Fonna Glacier still have good conditions well into the off-season. 

Insider tip: As access to summits for skiing requires excellent weather conditions, continually monitor the weather forecasts and avalanche warnings at varsom.no to ensure safety and planning on a bad day.

Norway is also home to the Sami people, whose rich and vibrant culture is alive with nature, traditional crafts, and song. Stay in a traditional Iavvo tent, warm up with lefse and bidos, look after reindeer with Sami farmers, take in the unique sounds of the diverse Sami languages, and join folk music. Karasjok is considered the Sami capital and has its own parliament, with the building shaped like an Iavvo. At the Sápmi Culture Park, experience the Sami way of life and meet people in colorful local costumes who will teach you all about their culture.

Alternative destination:

• Kautokeino: Close to Karasjok is Kautokeino, a settlement with the most Sami residents. Visit this municipality in the spring for the Sami Easter Festival, which has concerts, exhibitions, and exciting sporting events such as scooter cross and reindeer racing.

Best season: All year round.

Insider tip: Plan your trip around the annual Sámi Easter Festival in Kautokeino to experience the Sami people’s unique take on this widely celebrated festival.  

Fishing is an incredibly important part of the Lofoten Islands’ community. Although fishing can be undertaken all year round, it is in the colder months when this industry comes to life. Charter a trip on board a Lofoten fishing boat during these times to catch majestic Northeast Arctic cod (skrei) as they migrate in millions to arrive in the spawn. Expect to catch Arctic cod averaging 15-20 pounds as well as haddock, saithe, catfish, halibut, and more. Best fishing grounds include Henningsværstraumen, Trengrunnen, and Malstraumen.

Alternative destinations:

• The Lyngenfjord: Located in Troms County within the Arctic Circle, the Lyngenfjord is known for its excellent sea trout and Arctic char fishing from late spring through early fall. Stay in a remote waterfront cabin along the fjord to be closest to the action, or base yourself in Lyngseidet village and take daily fishing excursions on the water.
• The Gaula River:  If you prefer freshwater fishing, the Gaula River in Trøndelag is one of the best places in Norway to catch salmon. The season begins in June, and in between catches, you can enjoy the scenery along its banks. 

Best time: January to April is the best time to fish in Norway as it is the season for catching Northeast Arctic cod runs.

Insider tip: If you want to go freshwater fishing in the water bodies of Norway, you need to get a fishing license from either the landowner or fishing organizations. You can purchase the license online, but be thorough with your research to get the right one.

The scenic hike to Trolltunga in Norway offers breathtaking rewards after 10-12 hours of invigorating hike. From the main trailhead in Skjeggedal, the round-trip hike is 27 kilometers with an ascent of almost 800 meters. You'll traverse up hills, across slopes, through snowfields, and along edges, taking in the striking landscapes. The panoramic views of Lake Ringedalsvatnet, surrounding majestic mountains, and fjords from the cliff ledge make the challenging hike extremely worthwhile.

Alternative Destination

• Preikestolen: Preikestolen is a flat plateau with stunning vistas of the Lysefjord below. The hike up to this breathtaking landmark will take you through forests, swampland, and babbling brooks. This short hike totals eight kilometers, and the round trip takes four hours, so even a beginner-level hiker can enjoy it.
• Kjeragbolten: This iconic boulder between two cliffs offers dramatic views of the Kjerag mountain and Kjeragfossen waterfall. The round-trip hike is 11 kilometers and takes six to 10 hours. You'll traverse steep mountainsides and narrow ridges with thousand-foot drops along the way. The epic views make it worth braving the challenging terrain.

Best time: The warmer summer months provide the best conditions for hiking, so book your trip between June and September. 

Insider tip: When hiking in Norway, look for the red letter T’s marking trails in the mountains and blue strips on trees or poles in forests and along the coast.

Get a unique Arctic adventure by taking a dog sledding tour while visiting Tromso in northern Norway. Several operators in the area offer dog sledding experiences ranging from a couple of hours to multi-day expeditions. Glide through snow-covered forests as an eager team of huskies pulls you across the stunning winter landscape.

Alternative destinations:

• Rorøs: Take on a dog sledding journey over the mountains from Rorøs. The town is also famous for the Femund Race, the largest dog sledding race anywhere in the world!
• Alta: The Finnmark region around Alta offers dog sled expeditions under the Northern Lights. Operators provide multi-day tours with overnight camping as you cover large distances across this remote Arctic area with a sled dog team leading the way.

Best time: The best time to go dog sledding is during the winter, which extends from November to April.

Insider tip: Let the musher know if you want to learn the sled commands and help direct the dog team yourself during parts of the tour. Most mushers are happy to teach you the basic voice commands like 'haw' (left), 'gee' (right), and 'whoa' (stop).

Telemark has the perfect climate for growing some of the best fruit in Norway, and some might even say in Europe. Telemark apples, sweet cherries, and plums are all protected geographical indications, just like the grapes used to make champagne. Many orchards offer “selvplukk”, allowing you to explore and pick tasty treats.

Alternative destinations:

• Gvarv:  Gvarv is the apple capital of Norway, with its warmer weather delivering a bumper crop every year. Enjoy walking through the orchards before sampling the crisp fruits. You can even wash them with a glass of apple juice or cider.
• Valldal: For over a century, the village of Valldal has nurtured strawberries, creating a sea of red strawberry farms along the Valdøla River. Despite its northern location, Valldal boasts a mild climate, ideal for cultivating prized berries like strawberries, cherries, apples, and raspberries.
• Hardangerfjord:  The Hardangerfjord region is the source of 40 percent of Norway’s fruit production. It’s also renowned as Norway's cider hub, with "Hardanger cider" being a geographically protected label.

Best time: Although different sorts of produce are available during different time frames, the harvest season for most fruits typically stretches from September to mid-November, so to consume fresh produce, visit Norway anywhere between these months.

Insider tip: The first apples and cherries ripen in early September, with different varietals reaching peak flavor over the next two months. Go early for tangy sweet cherries and crisp summer apples. Wait until late September or October for richer, more complex flavors in heritage apples like Gravensteiner, Åkerø, and Filippa.

When discovering Norway and all it has to offer, we’ve only just touched the tip of the Fjordic iceberg. There is something for everyone, from history and culture buffs to nature lovers and thrill seekers. Why not get in touch with one of our trusted tour operators to discover your dream Norway itinerary? Fill out our customized Norway trip to plan your visit from scratch, or read our Norway travel guide for more information.