Seven Must-See Destinations in the Heart of Norway

Do you enjoy hiking along scenic trails and don’t mind cool weather? Then Norway should definitely be on your travel list. Stretching 2,544 km from north to south, Norway is home to numerous natural wonders that often leave visitors in awe.

Norway is famous for its wild nature and breathtaking landscapes, including fjords, glaciers, mountains, and islands. With an expansive 21,925 km coastline, the country offers an impressive variety of vistas.

Given its large size, planning a trip to Norway requires some effort, especially if you rely on public transportation. The country is vast and packed with spectacular sights, making it impossible to see everything in just one visit. So, what should you prioritize as a tourist in Norway? Here are some of the best spots and activities worth your time.

One must-see is Trolltunga (Troll’s Tongue), a slender rock formation that juts out horizontally from a mountain, sitting about 1,100 meters above sea level and 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. The only way to get there is by hiking, and it’s one of Norway’s most popular and busiest trails. The round-trip hike measures around 30 km, starting near Skjeggedal, and takes approximately 9 to 12 hours to complete, depending on your starting point. To save energy, you can take a shuttle bus from the Skjeggedal parking lot to the trail start. The hike is incredibly scenic, featuring Norway’s signature landscapes: fjords, lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and cliffs. Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, comfortable clothes, and water-resistant hiking boots.

If you plan to hike Trolltunga, consider visiting Bergen on the same trip. Surrounded by fjords and mountains, Bergen is a stunning medieval city with origins dating back to the 1030s. It once served as Norway’s capital in the 13th century. One of Bergen’s most photographed locations is Bryggen, the old town area filled with historic commercial buildings, some centuries old, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another excellent spot for hiking is Jotunheimen National Park, covering 1,151 km² and home to over 250 peaks higher than 1,900 meters. The park includes Northern Europe’s two highest peaks: Galdhøpiggen (2,469 meters) and Glittertind (2,465 meters). You’ll encounter stunning vistas of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and deep lakes along various hiking trails of differing difficulty levels.

The Pulpit Rock hike, or Preikestolen, is another highly popular trail in Norway, but unlike Trolltunga, it’s relatively easy and perfect for those less inclined toward strenuous hikes. It takes about five hours to complete the 5 km trail. The trail’s accessibility from Stavanger, a major Norwegian city, adds to its popularity.

Then there’s the hike to Kjeragbolten, a large boulder wedged between two cliffs. After completing the strenuous hike, you can challenge yourself to step onto the boulder. The hike takes about eight hours over a 12 km trail. Kjerag and Preikestolen are close enough (50 km) that some people attempt to do both hikes in one day, but it’s best to take your time and enjoy each hike on separate days.

Svalbard, an archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is a remote, rugged, and desolate region. Known for its cold weather and endless glaciers, it’s a place of raw, natural beauty, offering activities like dog sledding, ice cave tours, and walrus safaris. From October to February, the Northern Lights are visible, and from mid-November to late January, the Polar Night envelopes the region in 24/7 darkness, creating a unique, otherworldly experience.

Lastly, the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway are famed for their stunning natural beauty, featuring picturesque white sand beaches with turquoise waters set against sharply pointed snow-capped mountains and cliffs. While many of the beaches are accessible by road, some of the most pristine ones, like Horseid, Bunes, and Kvalvika, require a hike to reach. Like Svalbard, the Northern Lights grace the skies of Lofoten during the winter months.

Norway’s diverse landscapes and picturesque sights offer incredible experiences for nature enthusiasts and adventurous travelers alike.