21 Best Places to Visit in Norway

Enclosed by glaciers, exotic snow-capped mountains, and eye-soothing coastal fjords, Norway is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe. The country is also a world-class destination for travellers looking for adventure. Tourists from all across the world visit Norway to enjoy skiing, hiking and other activities in various tourist places of Norway.

Keep reading to discover the 21 most famous destinations in Norway you must visit during your vacation.

Currency in Norway - The official currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone. 1 Norwegian Krone equals 7.85 Indian Rupee as of 12 April 2023*.

*Currency rates are subject to market exchange rates.

Here is a list of the top 21 tourist places to visit in Norway. This article will serve as an expert travel guide if you plan to explore the best places in Norway. This article showcases the list of monuments, scenic sights, museums, lakes and other top attractions.

1. Jotunheimen National Park, Southern Norway

Jotunheimen National Park is Norway’s famous wildlife park in the largest Alpine region. The site also encompasses two highest mountain ranges of Norway- Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. The park is also famous for hosting sports such as ski mountaineering and fishing and is a premier hiking spot.

• Location: Between Oppland County and Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours. However, the best time to visit is from June to August.
• Entry Fees: Free

2. The Royal Palace, Oslo

Built in the 19th century, the Royal Palace is one of the significant tourist attractions in Norway. This palace serves as the royal residence of the King and Queen. It is a neo-classic building surrounded by a park. The palace organises guided tours for visitors to explore some of its rooms. Apart from guided tours, an exhibition is also organised every year for tourists.

• Location: Slottsplassen 1, 0010 Oslo, Norway
• Timings: The palace is available for tours during the summer season. The 2023 tour will start in June and will last till 17 August.
• Entry Fees: 175 NOK (adults), 145 NOK (students and senior citizens) and 125 NOK (children) and free (children under 3 years of age)

3. Valberg Tower, Stavanger

Formerly used as a fire watchtower, Valberg Tower is one of the most well-preserved buildings in Norway. The tower houses a watchmen’s museum on one of its floors and offers stunning views of the city and colourful sea houses overlooking the harbour. It is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts to visit.

• Location: Valbergjet, 4006 Stavanger, Norway
• Timings: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Monday to Saturday). The site remains closed on Sunday.
• Entry Fees: 76 NOK to 102 NOK (approximately)

4. Jostedalsbreen National Park, Vestland County

Jostedalsbreen National Park is one of the spectacular tourist places of Norway, established within the largest glacier on the European mainland. It is one of Norway's largest national parks, world-renowned for offering a variety of experiences. The park is filled with lush greenery and wildlife. This place is considered a paradise for nature lovers.

• Location: Vestland, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours. Although, the best time to visit is between June and August. 
• Entry Fees: Free

Blessed with a breathtaking landscape, Norway houses some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Let’s take a look at such famous attractions in Norway.

5. Djupvatnet, Møre og Romsdal County

Streaming into the River Otta, Djupvatnet is one of the most beautiful lakes in Norway. It offers spectacular views of the snow-covered Mount Dalsnibba, located northwest of the lake. Adjacent to Geirangerfjorden, this destination is another popular hiking spot in Norway. Tourists can also experience Europe’s highest fjord view from the Geiranger Skywalk, lying over the lake’s edge.

• Location: Møre og Romsdal County, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours. However, the best time to visit this place is June and August.
• Entry Fees: Free

6. Oppstrynsvatnet, Stryn

Situated close to the Olden port, Oppstrynsvatnet is one of the most-visited lakes in Norway. This lake is surrounded by the high mountain peaks of the Skåla range and the Tindefjellbreen glacier. While visiting this destination, tourists can also explore nearby attractions such as the Jostedalsbreen National Park and Oppstryn Church. Moreover, the fishing camps of this lake are very popular among tourists.

• Location: Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours. However, the best time to visit this lake is summer.
• Entry Fees: Free

7. Akershus Fortress, Oslo

Built-in 1299 by King Hakon, Akershus Fortress is a mediaeval royal castle. Initially, it was used to safeguard the city of Oslo from sieges. Tourists can choose guided tours of the fortress to explore it better when they visit this place. Furthermore, this site also hosts numerous concerts and ceremonies dedicated to the history of Norway, which will introduce you to the rich culture of Norway.

• Location: Festningsplassen 1, Oslo 0015, Norway
• Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Entry Fees: Free

8. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, Bergen

Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1979, Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf is a complex of artistic heritage commercial buildings. It includes houses painted with beautiful and bright colours, making them unique and attracting thousands of tourists annually. Furthermore, you can also learn about the history of these colourful houses at the Bryggen Museum, which is full of artefacts from 14th-century Norway.

• Location: Bryggen, 5003 Bergen, Norway
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Entry Fees: 130 NOK (adults)

9. Bergenhus Fortress, Bergen

Bergenhus Fortress, Norway’s one of the oldest structure, is best known for protecting the shores of Norway in the 16th century from German attacks. Due to its rich Scandinavian architecture, this place is always on the list of popular tourist places in Norway. Located at the Bergens Harbour, this museum is the home to the history of women's resistance groups, who rose against the German invasion.

• Location: Vågen, 5003 Bergen, Norway
• Timings: 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM
• Entry Fees:  Free

10. Arctic Cathedral, Tromsdalen

Also known as the Tromsdalen Church, this famous place is no doubt one of the best places in Norway. The astonishing architecture of this church shows elements of modern and classical Norwegian architecture. What makes Arctic Cathedral unique is its large stained glass windows that tell the story of the resurrection of Jesus.

• Location: Hans Nilsens veg 41, 9020 Tromsdalen, Norway
• Timings: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Entry Fees: 40 NOK (adults), Free (children under 12 years of age)

11. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim

Built for more than 200 years, Nidaros Cathedral is the northernmost mediaeval cathedral in the world. In the earlier centuries, this site was one of Northern Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations. It holds a significant position to date and has been well-preserved. Its ornate Gothic structure with rose-coloured glass and dark soapstone adds to its beauty.

• Location: Kongsgårdsgata 2, 7013 Trondheim, Norway
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Entry Fees: 92 NOK (adults), 57 NOK (students and pensioners) and 35 NOK (children)

12. Sognefjord, Bergen

Sognefjord, popularly known as the King of Fjords, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This fjord branches out into several small inlets and fjords along the way, making it one breathtaking sight. The region is full of beautiful sights- such as the Fjærland and the enormous glaciers of Jostedalsbreen. Furthermore, the Norwegian Glacier Museum in this region tells the stories of the people living near the King of Fjords.

• Location: Vestland County, Norway
• Timings:  Open 24 hours. The best time to visit is between June to August.
• Entry Fees:  Free

13. Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Rogaland County

Another tourist place in Norway is Pulpit Rock, one of the most iconic mountain hikes.  The site attracts photographers with its spectacular views, overlooking the Norway fjords. Settled near the Norwegian Canning Museum, this destination allows tourists to participate in paragliding, canoeing, kayaking and other adventurous sports.

• Location: Rogaland County, Western Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours. However, the best time to visit is summer or fall.
• Entry Fees: Free

14. Arctic-Alpine Garden, Tromsø

Located in Tromsø, Arctic-Alpine Garden is the northernmost botanical garden in the world.   It is one of the best tourist places in Norway for people interested in the flora of beautiful northern Norway. The beautiful purple saxifrage, pasque flowers, yellow cushion plants, and various flowering bulbs are the delights of this place.

• Location: 9037 Tromsø, Norway
• Timings: Open for 24 hours.  The best time to visit is the flowering season which is from May to October.
• Entry Fees: Free

15. Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo

Vigeland Sculpture Park is the world's largest sculpture park, with all sculptures made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland. The park houses more than 200 sculptures depicting the complexity of human emotions. It includes The Monolith, The Fountain, The Wheel of Life and The Angry Boy. Located within Frogner Park - Oslo's largest park, it is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Norway.

• Location: Nobels Gate 32, 0268 Oslo, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fees: Free

16. Lofoten Island, Nordland

Situated within the Arctic Circle, Lofoten Island is another famous northernmost site of the world, offering breathtaking views of Norway’s stunning mountain peaks and fjords. It is one of the best places in Norway to explore the lights and midnight sun. Additionally, tourists visit this site to participate in various adventure activities such as hiking, surfing and whale watching.

• Location: Nordland County, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fees: Free

17. Geirangerfjord, Romsdal County

Geirangerfjord is another iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Norway, bordered by tall mountains housing fjord farms on its cliffside. Tourists from all over the world visit this famous landscape to witness the picturesque view of waterfalls. The valleys alongside the hill consist of deciduous and coniferous forests, making it one of the natural attractions of Norway.

• Location: Sunnmøre, Møre og Romsdal County, Norway
• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fees: Free

Norway is about more than just the natural and scenic beauty. You can explore the rich culture of the country through its museums. Here is a list of the top museums you must check out in this location.

18. Oslo National Museum, Oslo

Oslo National Museum features the largest art collection in Norway, combining collections of artefacts from three museums. Additionally, it displays the famous works of Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and other world-renowned artists. It is a must-see destination for every art lover in Norway. If you are into art and culture, do not hesitate to visit the museum while visiting Norway.

• Location: Brynjulf Bulls plass 3, 0250 Oslo, Norway
• Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Tuesday and Wednesday), 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Thursday-Sunday). However, the museum remains closed on Mondays.
• Entry Fees: 200 NOK (adults), 110 NOK (people under 25 years), and Free (children under 18 years)

19. Munch Museum, Oslo

Munch Museum is another world-famous museum to visit in Norway. The museum has 13 exhibition halls showcasing more than 25 b 000 works of Munch, the world’s largest collection of his works. Originally the museum was located in Tøyen but was recently reconstructed to attract more tourists.

• Location: Edvard Munch's Plass 1, 0194 Oslo, Norway
• Timings: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (all days except Monday and Tuesday), 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday and Tuesday)
• Entry fees: 160 NOK (adults), 100 NOK (young people under 25 years), Free (children below 18 years)

20. University Museum of Bergen, Bergen

Founded in 1825, the University Museum of Bergen is an international research-based museum. The university campus has two buildings showcasing two collections-one is the Natural History Collection and the other is the Cultural History Collection.

This museum houses the world's largest exhibit of whale skeletons. Additionally, this museum hosts several other exhibitions and events for tourists to explore.

• Location: Haakon Shetelig plass 10, 5007 Bergen, Norway
• Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Entry Fees: 150 NOK (adults), 110 NOK (students/seniors), Free (children under 18 years)

21. Vil Vite Bergen Science Center, Bergen

Vil Vite Bergen Science Center is a popular science and technology centre in Bergen. This is a great place for tourists to have fun at several organised workshops and learn from more than 100 exhibitions. This centre is famous for organising virtual water expeditions and robotic science shows. If you are interested in science and technology, make sure to check out this site in Norway.

• Location: Thormøhlens Gate 51, 5006 Bergen, Norway
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Tuesday-Friday), 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday). The site remains closed on Monday.
• Entry Fees: 205 NOK (adults), 175 NOK (students/children), and Free (children under 3 years)