Best Things to Do in Norway

1. Lofoten Islands

Staggering in its beauty, the Lofoten Islands stretch into the Norwegian Sea, beyond the Arctic Circle. This rare and untrammeled wilderness adds to your Norway tour fjords and waterfall views, strolls on secluded beaches, photographs of soaring mountains and wildlife sightings galore - in short, this is the place to see the best of Norway.

2. Bergen

Beautiful Bergen is a jumping-off point for many Norway tours. Don’t miss the medieval Hanseatic wharf, Bryggen. Norwegian history tours delve into the 12th-century lore of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dine of local seafood, visit the bustling art museums and galleries and soak up the fairytale vibe of this Norwegian metropolis.

3. Geirangerfjord

Once you see the top fjord in Norway - the Geirangerfjord - you may just plunk down your daypack and never leave. It’s that stunning. Look for the Seven Sisters and other waterfalls as they plunge down sheer cliffs to the deep blue waters of the fjord.

4. Tromsø

Gateway to the Arctic, Tromso headlines Norway’s Northern Lights tours. In addition to hiking, kayaking, dog sledding and whale watching, depending on the seaon, Tromso offers a high probability of seeing the Northern Lights because it is centered in the auroral oval - which means, if you’re visiting between September and March, you’re almost guaranteed an Aurora Borealis show.

5. Oslo

From a burgeoning haute cuisine scene - including the world’s most northerly three-star Michelin restaurant - to some of the world’s best baristas, this Norwegian capital city boasts an opera house with a roof you can walk atop, family-friendly activities, an increasingly popular music scene and a bike- and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

6. Svalbard

If it’s true Arctic you seek, include Svalbard on your Norway guided tour. This is the high Arctic, where glaciers and tundra dominate your view and polar bears roam free.

During the summer, the midnight sun allows for hiking and kayaking, while the Arctic winter is a time to see the Northern Lights, see polar bears and explore the wintery landscape by skis, or snowmobile or by dog sled.

7. Flåm

As you research your Norway outdoor travel, you’ll likely see eye-popping photos of the Sognefjord and wonder, “How do I get right there?” Fortunately, guided Norway tours can easily include Flåm, sitting at the head of the Aurlandsfjorden and beside Sognefjord.

While it used to be a well-guarded secret, Flåm is a popular Norway tour spot these days, but well worth the trip for the Flåm railway, Stegastein viewpoint, fjord cruises and picturesque villages.

8. Sognefjord

The arm that contains Sogneford - Norway’s longest, deepest fjord - has World Heritage status, so look for Norway tours that include this, one of Mother Nature’s finest accomplishments. The mountains that surround this region are home to Norway’s most popular hiking trails.

9. Pulpit Rock

Visit and walk on famous Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), which juts out into the Lysefjord and is a top Norway photography location. Or, view Pulpit Rock from down below on a Lysefjord cruise.

10. Trondheim

Pretty Trondheim adorns many a Norway postcard. Norwegian history tours are common here in the country’s third-largest city and its historic epicenter. This is where you’ll find the most northern Gothic cathedral in Europe (the Nidarosdomen), pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and a busy harbor. There are several top museums to visit in Trondheim, from the Rockheim contemporary music museum to the Trondheim Art Museum.