Norway’s breathtaking scenery and otherworldly allure will take your breath away. Norway is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and the world due to its stunning natural beauty. The country features everything from picture-perfect towns on the edges of fjords to colorful coastal getaways dispersed over a number of islands.
Norway, the “overall happiest country,” is brimming with opportunities for exploration and discovery, both culturally and in the natural environment. Year-round, locals and tourists alike enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. The small towns of Norway are a tourist’s paradise because they provide unparalleled access to the country’s culture, way of life, and breathtaking scenery.
12. Lillehammer
Lillehammer is a small town encircled by mountains, with breathtaking vistas of the Lågen River and Mjøsa Lake. The town is best known as the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics, but it also has many stunning examples of 19th-century wooden architecture. Storgata, the town’s primary shopping street, is located in the old city center and is thus an absolute must-see.
At Maihaugen, you can explore the history of Northern Europe in one of the roughly 200 buildings. Sports fans know the city well because of its excellent ski slopes and other winter sports infrastructure. The Perfect Escape is a three-part themed escape room where one of the options involves robbing the Bank of Norway and rescuing riches.
11. Undredal
Undredal is a small town near the Aurlandsfjorden that is well-known for its brown goat cheese, also known as Geitost, which is still created in the same manner as it was a few centuries ago. The town is home to around 100 people and 500 goats.
Undredal is also home to the smallest stave church in all of Northern Europe, the Undredal Stave Church. An additional local specialty is goat sausage. Undredal, which was once reachable only by boat, is now also accessible by road.
10. Haugesund
Haugesund, a small coastal town, has earned the nickname “homeland of the Viking kings” due to its association with the legendary Norse dynasties. The Vikings established their kingdoms and settled here. Waterfalls, fjords, culture, Viking heritage, mountains, the sea, and much more can all be found in and around the town.
Take your toddlers to the Nordvegen, the History Center in Avaldsnes, and let them try on authentic Viking attire. Åkrafjord is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls on the planet, and you should definitely see it. Exploring the busy streets and taking a boat ride to the neighboring islands is a must when visiting the pier at Smedasundet Strait.
Many annual events take place in this culturally significant town. The Norwegian International Film Festival and the Sildajazz Festival are two of the most well-known.
9. Flekkefjord
The town of Flekkefjorden, so named after the nearby fjord, has enough entertainment to keep visitors busy for days, if not weeks. Flekkefjord is a famous tourist destination between the popular towns of Kristiansand and Stavanger, and its rail bike tours take visitors through 17 tunnels and provide breathtaking views of the area.
Go hiking in the Brufjell Caves and check out the Dutch Quarter. You should check out the Konstali Gard Museum and the Flekkefjord Museum. Finally, treat yourself to some shopping at any of the town’s niche stores.
8. Harstad
Harstad, Norway, often referred to as the “cultural capital of Norway,” is situated on Hinnøya, the country’s biggest island. Besides being a great place to see the Aurora Borealis and the Midnight Sun, this little town also has excellent hiking and skiing.
For anyone interested in visiting the world’s northernmost archipelago, Svalbard, this location serves as an excellent home base. By boat or bicycle, you might explore the island’s seemingly endless craggy mountains, exquisite white beaches, and hidden coves. Discover the fascinating Kittiwake Cliff as you explore the region’s historic communities. Fishing and whale-watching safaris are great ways to relax.
7. Narvik
Narvik, a town on the shores of Narvik Fjord, has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age. Formerly occupied by Vikings, the town now has a wide variety of exciting destinations for tourists. When it comes to alpine skiing, Narvik is the place to go in the country’s far north.
Take the cable car to Fagernesfjellet so you can go even higher into the mountains and take in the surreal scenery. The ski resort in town, Narvikfjellet, boasts one of Scandinavia’s highest vertical drops.
The skies are often clear here, making it an ideal spot to see the Northern Lights throughout the winter, early spring, and late fall. Pay your respects at the Freedom Monument and learn about the region’s bloody past at the Narvik War Museum.
6. Geiranger
Geiranger, a small tourist town of around 250 people in the country’s west, is a popular destination for Norwegians and foreign visitors alike. Towns near the head of Norway’s fjords tend to have some of the country’s most breathtaking views to offer visitors. The respected Lonely Planet guidebook company has recognized this small town as the best place to visit in all of Scandinavia.
There is a large waterfall known as “The Suitor” to the east of town and another, smaller waterfall known as “The Seven Sisters” to the west. The town attracts thousands of tourists annually as the country’s third-busiest cruise ship port.
5. Henningsvaer
In the Lofoten archipelago, on a group of beautiful islands, you’ll find the quaint fishing town of Henningsvaer. Homes in bright colors, typical of Norway, dot the shoreline, giving the illusion that they are rising from the water.
Divers and mountaineers are only two of the many types of tourists that flock to this little town every year. Henningsvær is famous for its stunning scenery and world-class art galleries, all of which can be seen in various locations across the town against the backdrop of the towering Vågakallen mountain. The town’s Galleri Lofotens Hus (both a museum and gallery) as well as Engelskmannsbrygga and the Kaviar Factory are not to be missed.
4. Skudeneshavn
Skudenes, as this place is sometimes called, has breathtaking scenery. Picture the streets of the “old town,” lined with hundreds of white wooden homes that date back to the 1800s. Skudenes, one of Norway’s best-preserved small towns, is also the site of the country’s largest gathering of coastal culture each year during the “Skudefestivalen” boating festival.
There is a plethora of boats in the area, including sailboats, tall ships, modern boats, and other types of boats from different eras. Over 600 boats and 35,000 people are expected to attend.
3. Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen, the biggest of the several towns spread throughout the Svalbard islands, is the northernmost human habitation on Earth. The town serves as a hub for regional tourism, but its ground remains frozen solid all year thanks to a layer of snow that can be anywhere from ten to forty meters deep.
You should already be aware that every year, for four months, the town of Longyearbyen receives no sunlight (mostly from the end of October to the beginning of March). In fact, a week-long event called Solfestuka is held every year to commemorate the return of the sun in this particular town. You can camp out at Longyearbyen and enjoy the midnight sun instead of the Northern Lights.
Do not miss the opportunity to eat at Huset, the world’s northernmost restaurant, while you are in the area. As a matter of fact, this is also the location of the world’s most northern commercial airport, bank, university, post office, museum, and ATM!
2. Flam
In spite of having just 400 permanent residents, the town of Flam sees more than 450 thousand tourists annually. Why? Because the 20-kilometer Flam Line connects Flam and Myrdal and is not just one of the world’s steepest railway lines, but also one of the most picturesque train journeys.
The train ride is nothing short of otherworldly as it winds through the breathtaking scenery that surrounds this picturesque town. About 160 cruise ships visit the town’s port annually. After seeing the town’s historic sites, the next mind-blowing thing to do is take a boat trip through the town’s breathtaking fjords and the surrounding waterfalls.
1. Reine
Small yet fantastic, Reine is one of Norway’s most visited destinations. In fact, how could it not? The town of Reine is located on the Lofoten Islands’ expansive and beautiful route.
Reinefjorden serves as a dramatic background to the town’s collection of bright red and white fisherman’s huts. Visit the Reinefjorden to go hiking or kayaking and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Lofoten Wall and the fjord itself.
Horseid and Bunes beaches are beautiful and can be reached by taking a morning ferry. Oh! Don’t forget your camera; Reine is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.
