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Grand Hotel Oslo by Scandic, Norway

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Norway

Updated 1 October 2026 · 13 things to do

Pictured: Grand Hotel Oslo by Scandic

Norway is scenery on a heroic scale. Fjords cut deep into the west coast, waterfalls drop hundreds of metres into dark water, and granite peaks rise straight from the sea in the Lofoten Islands, far above the Arctic Circle. Come in summer for the midnight sun, or in winter to chase the northern lights.

The towns are just as good: Bergen's wooden wharves, Oslo's gleaming waterfront and Ålesund's Art Nouveau streets. Norway is expensive, and its distances are long, so the trick is to choose well. Pick a fjord, a city and, if you can, a dose of the Arctic, and let the journeys between them be part of the trip.

Don't miss

  1. 1Geirangerfjord
  2. 2Preikestolen
  3. 3Northern lights
  4. 4The Lofoten Islands
  5. 5Bryggen

Fjords and mountains

The west coast is where Norway looks like its postcards.

  1. Geirangerfjord

    Nature

    The Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls pouring into the Geirangerfjord
    Photo: Sergey Ashmarin, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A narrow, steep-sided fjord on the west coast, and part of the UNESCO-listed West Norwegian Fjords. Waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters pour down the cliffs, and abandoned mountain farms cling to ledges high above the water. It's best seen from the water on a ferry or sightseeing boat.

    Tip: Ålesund is the usual base. Summer is the busy season, so go early or late in the day for fewer crowds.

  2. Nærøyfjord

    Nature

    The steep walls of Nærøyfjord
    Photo: Acediscovery, CC BY 4.0

    One of the narrowest fjords in Europe, another UNESCO site, with sheer walls that tower either side of a boat. Cruises run from Flåm and Gudvangen, and it's a fine pairing with the scenic railway that climbs from Flåm into the mountains.

  3. Flåm Railway

    Activity

    A short railway that climbs from the fjord at Flåm up to the mountain station of Myrdal, through tunnels, past waterfalls and along some of the steepest standard-gauge track in the world. It's the classic day out from Bergen, often combined with a boat trip on the fjord.

  4. Preikestolen

    Nature

    Preikestolen, the flat-topped cliff rising high above the Lysefjord
    Photo: Svein-Magne Tunli - tunliweb.no, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Pulpit Rock is a flat-topped cliff that juts out high above the Lysefjord near Stavanger. The walk up takes a few hours return, through forest and over bare rock, and the view from the top is worth every step. It's the most famous hike in Norway, and busy in summer.

    Tip: Wear proper walking shoes and start early. Stay well back from the edge.

Arctic Norway

  1. Northern lights

    Nature

    The northern lights over Tromsø
    Photo: Andi Gentsch, CC BY-SA 2.0

    From around the end of September to March, the aurora borealis dances over northern Norway. Tromsø, well above the Arctic Circle, is the favourite base, with tour operators who chase clear skies by bus or boat. There are no guarantees, so give yourself several nights.

    Tip: Dress for the cold, with layers, a hat and thick gloves. A tour with a guide who monitors the cloud cover improves your chances.

  2. The Lofoten Islands

    Nature

    The village of Reine beneath the mountains of the Lofoten Islands
    Photo: Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA 2.0 de

    An island chain north of the Arctic Circle, with jagged granite peaks that rise straight from the sea, white-sand beaches and fishing villages of red cabins on stilts. Reine and Hamnøy are the postcard views. The cod fishery here has run for centuries, and wooden racks of drying fish are still a common sight.

    A hire car is the best way to see the islands. Svolvær is the main town, and the road between the villages is a scenic drive in its own right.

    Tip: Summer brings the midnight sun, and winter brings the aurora. Weather changes fast, so pack for both.

  3. Arctic Cathedral

    Landmark

    The Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø
    Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Across the bridge from central Tromsø, the Tromsdalen church is a striking white building of angled glass and concrete, said to evoke an iceberg. It's a landmark of the city and hosts concerts, including midnight sun and northern lights concerts in season.

Cities and old towns

  1. Bryggen

    Neighbourhood

    The painted wooden façades of Bryggen in Bergen
    Photo: JoachimKohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A row of brightly painted wooden buildings along the harbour in Bergen, once the heart of the Hanseatic League's trade in dried fish. The UNESCO-listed wharf is full of narrow alleys, crooked floors and small workshops and shops, and is the image of old Bergen.

  2. Oslo Opera House

    Landmark

    The white Oslo Opera House on the waterfront
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0

    On the Oslo waterfront, this white, angular building seems to rise from the fjord. Its sloping marble roof is made for walking, with the harbour and the city spread out in front of you. It's a landmark of modern Oslo.

  3. Vigeland Sculpture Park

    Landmark

    Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo seen from the Monolith plateau
    Photo: Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0

    In Frogner Park, more than 200 granite and bronze sculptures by Gustav Vigeland show people at every stage of life. The centrepiece is the Monolith, a tall column of entwined bodies. It's open-air, unconventional and unmistakably Norwegian.

  4. Ålesund

    Neighbourhood

    Art Nouveau buildings in Ålesund
    Photo: Bruno Jargot from Lyon, France, CC BY 2.0

    After a fire destroyed the town in 1904, Ålesund was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style, with turrets, spires and decorative stonework in pastel colours. Climb the steps to the Aksla viewpoint for a view over the town's islands and the Sunnmøre Alps beyond.

Eat and drink

  1. Bergen Fish Market

    Market

    The Fish Market square on the harbour in Bergen
    Photo: Tu from Grand Forks, N.D., USA, CC BY 2.0

    On the harbour in Bergen, the Fish Market sells fresh Norwegian seafood, from salmon and prawns to king crab, much of it cooked to order and eaten at outdoor tables. It's the place to try Norway's famous fish in the open air, with the wharf in front of you.

  2. Brunost

    Food

    A slice of Norwegian brown cheese
    Photo: color line, CC BY 2.0

    Norway's brown cheese is sweet, caramel-like and unlike anything else. Shave a thin slice with a cheese slicer onto a warm waffle or a piece of bread, and eat it for breakfast. It's a national obsession, and one to take home.

Where to stay in Norway

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Norway →

Getting around

Norway is long and mountainous, so plan routes carefully. Trains, boats and domestic flights link the main cities, and the scenic routes are part of the experience. A hire car suits the Lofoten Islands and the fjords, but allow extra time, as roads are slow and ferries run to timetable.

When to go

Summer, from roughly June to August, is best for hiking, fjord cruises and the midnight sun in the north. Winter, from around late September to March, is the time for the northern lights. Spring and autumn are quieter, with changeable weather.

Questions about visiting Norway

What is Norway best known for?
Fjords, mountains and waterfalls, the northern lights and the midnight sun, plus wooden harbours such as Bergen and the Lofoten Islands.
Is Norway worth visiting?
Yes, if you love dramatic scenery. The fjords, Arctic islands and walkable cities are unforgettable, though Norway is expensive.
What is there to do in Norway with kids?
Fjord boat trips, the Flåm Railway, the beaches and amusement park at Kristiansand, and the open-air museums near Oslo and Lillehammer are popular family days.
How many days do you need in Norway?
A week gives you Oslo, Bergen and a fjord. Ten days to two weeks lets you add the Lofoten Islands or Tromsø.
Do you need a car in Norway?
Not for the cities, which have good public transport. A car helps for the Lofoten Islands and for exploring the fjords at your own pace.

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