Norway map & highlights
Norway is more than fjords. Add jagged peaks, glaciers, flowery meadows, island chains – plus historic towns and clapboard villages.
Big ticket nature hogs the limelight here. Vast glaciers create eerie blue ice mountain kingdoms. Archipelagos dot azure ocean, scattered with red hut hamlets. Fjords thrust into the south and west coasts, while Spitsbergen sets visitors amid stunning Arctic landscape and wildlife. But see Norway's gentler side too – backwater hamlets ringed by orchards, wide pastoral valleys, plus a host of evocative towns: 10th century Trondheim (the country's oldest), Art Nouveau Alesund, bustling Bergen and the lively Arctic city of Tromso.
Our Norway Vacations
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling vacation, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
From
NKr 14950
8 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands winter photography vacation, Norway
Unique Photography in Norway's beautiful Lofoten Islands
From
£2450
8 days
ex flights
Cross country skiing in Norway
Skiing in Norway's Telemark ski region
From
US $1879 to US $2179
8 days
ex flights
Self guided biking tour in Norway, Arctic Coast
Biking under the midnight sun from Tromsø to Svolvær
From
NKr 14000
8 days
ex flights
Kamben cross country skiing in Norway
Beautifully situated on an undulating plateau in central Norway
From
US $2049 to US $2179
8 days
ex flights
Norwegian fjords hiking vacation
Trolltunga, Preikestolen and Kjerag hiking icons
From
NKr 25000
6 days
ex flights
Norway self guided biking vacation, Hardangerfjord
Spectacular view of the fjords, mountains and glaciers
From
NKr 13350
7 days
ex flights
Norway wildlife vacation, walking safari
Camping wildlife vacation in the Norwegian wilderness
From
£400 to £720
7 days
ex flights
Fjords self guided cycling vacation in Norway
Experience the amazing Fjords south of Bergen
From
NKr 10750
7 days
ex flights
Swim with Orcas in Fjords of Norway
6 night live-aboard tour in the stunning fjords 0f Norway
From
US $6300
6 days
ex flights
Hiking vacation in Norway, Rondane National Park
Self guided trekking in Rondane National Park
From
NKr 10850
7 days
ex flights
Venabu cross country skiing vacation in Norway
Independent cross-country skiing in dramatic landscape
From
£1489 to £1829
8 days
inc UK flights
Whale watching and Northern Lights sailing cruise in Norway
Far North. Far East. Whales and Northern lights.
From
NKr 11900
5 days
ex flights
Scotland to Norway sailing vacation
Sailing expedition from Scotland to Arctic Norway
From
£2240
16 days
ex flights
Swim with killer whales and humpback whales in Norway
Swim near magnificent whales under the Northern Lights
From
US $7798
8 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands and Svalbard northern lights safari
Take in the Arctic beauty on this exhilarating adventure
From
£4995
8 days
ex flights
Peer Gynt ski touring vacation in Norway
Cross county skiing The Peer Gynt Trail - Lillehammer Norway
From
NKr 12200
7 days
ex flights
Norway and Scottish Islands sailing vacation
Exploring the magnificent islands of Norway and Scotland
From
£1799
14 days
ex flights
Scandinavia small group tour
Soak up a little Scandinavian minimalism
From
US $7265
21 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen polar bear watching cruise
Venture into the staggering realm of the King of the Arctic
From
£4149
11 days
ex flights
Fjords walking vacation in Norway
Discover a world etched with beauty
From
US $3799
8 days
ex flights
Northern Lights tour, Sweden, Finland & Norway
Visit Sweden, Finland and Norway in a handcrafted itinerary
From
£3295
8 days
inc UK flights
Lofoten Islands summer photography vacation, Norway
Midnight Sun Photography in Norway's lovely Lofoten Islands
From
£3150
9 days
ex flights
Norway photography tour, Sami culture
Unique chance to follow the Sami during their nomadic trek.
From
€3780
6 days
ex flights
Norway to Iceland sailing vacation
Ocean passage above the arctic circle
From
£2219 to £2369
15 days
ex flights
Swim with orcas in Norway, Northern Lights
Northern lights and orca swim adventure in Norway
From
US $6500
9 days
ex flights
Northern Lights vacation, Norway adventure
Northern Norway’s coastline & natural world at its finest
From
£2095
6 days
ex flights
Svalbard and Northern Lights vacation
Northern lights activities included hotel at Spitsbergen
From
NKr 7500
4 days
ex flights
Norway self guided biking, Senja
Biking under the midnight sun - start and end in Tromsø
From
NKr 11650
8 days
ex flights
1.
Geirangerfjord
2. Hardangerfjord
3. Jostedalsbreen National Park
4. Jotunheimen national park
5. Kirkenes
6. Kystriksveien
7. Lofoten Islands
8. Rjukan & Gausta
9. Sognefjord
10. Stavanger & Lysefjord
11. Svalbard
12. Telemark
2. Hardangerfjord
3. Jostedalsbreen National Park
4. Jotunheimen national park
5. Kirkenes
6. Kystriksveien
7. Lofoten Islands
8. Rjukan & Gausta
9. Sognefjord
10. Stavanger & Lysefjord
11. Svalbard
12. Telemark
Geirangerfjord
1. Geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is one of two Norwegian fjords to be UNESCO-highlighted, with abandoned farms clinging to lush banks on ledges set into sheer cliffs watered by plummeting cascades. The eponymous town is a popular cruise destination with a fine fjord museum – and a base to explore a stunning mountain backdrop. The local ferry to Hellesylt is more fun than any cruise ship.
Hardangerfjord
2. Hardangerfjord
Connecting the Atlantic with the hiking mecca of central Norway's Hardangervidda Plateau, this is a microcosm of classic fjord landscape. Highlights include glacier walking in Folgefonna National Park and the gorgeous waterfall-and-mountain ringed town of Eidfjord. The apple-growing village Ulvik is an idyllic base for hiking, cycling and farm-stays, scented by glorious blossom in May.
Jostedalsbreen National Park
3. Jostedalsbreen National Park
This glacial enclave is quite distinct from the watery attractions of nearby Sognefjord. Centred on mainland Europe's largest glacier (and its multiple spurs), this wonderful southern Norway wilderness contrasts wide agricultural valleys with jagged 2000m peaks, cut by gushing streams and cascades. Former livestock trails like Oldeskardet offer great hiking.
Jotunheimen national park
4. Jotunheimen national park
Mountains and 60 glaciers dominate a wilderness mecca dubbed 'Home of the Giants', with 275 peaks above 2,000m including northern Europe's highest, Galdhopiggen. Hiking routes take in deep ravines, plunging waterfalls and glassy lakes – plus Norway's most popular route along the Besseggen Ridge. Ibsen mentioned it in Peer Gynt as having an “edge like a scythe”.
Kirkenes
5. Kirkenes
Hurtigruten's northern terminus has a fantastic winter snow hotel, year-round trips to bag giant king crab – and a rich frontier history, 15km from the Russian border. The Soviets and Nazis fought fiercely here in WW2, though today the Russians come to stage monthly markets. 100km south, the Pasvik National Park offers Norway's finest taiga, roamed by bear and wolf.
Kystriksveien
6. Kystriksveien
This island-flanked 650km coastal ribbon is a gorgeously quiet alternative to the crowded Arctic Highway heading for Lofoten or the far north. Bodo provides a great base for dipping in – or cycle the whole route in two weeks! Ferries are key links, taking in islands like Vega with its 1500 years of rich community history, plus the puffin paradise of Lovund.
Lofoten Islands
7. Lofoten Islands
Fishing hamlets of red and yellow clapboard dot this magically diverse northern archipelago. Startling white sands fringe Flakstadoy, while spiky Moskenesoy is an island out of Tolkien. Spread across several islands, Henningsvær is known as 'Lofoten's Venice'. Museums range from dolls to Vikings, while atmospheric galleries showcase the myriad artists inspired by Lofoten's stunning Arctic light. See our Lofoten Island travel guide.
Rjukan & Gausta
8. Rjukan & Gausta
Rjukan is southern Norway's outdoor activities HQ in the lee of the famous Gausta mountain. A town museum chronicles its role in Hitler's plan to build nuclear weapons, close to northern Europe's oldest cable car and an extraordinary railway burrowing deep into Gausta. Hikes (allow 4 hours) to the summit promise jaw-dropping views taking in an estimated 1/6th of Norway.
Sognefjord
9. Sognefjord
The world's longest ice-free fjord (205km) and Norway's deepest (1,300m), Sognefjord cuts a deep gash in the west coast, framed by 1000m cliffs and gentler shorelines cradling gorgeous villages like Undredal (80 humans, 500 cheese-producing goats) and cherry-growing Laerdal. The 17km Naeroyfjord is a stunning UNESCO-listed spur that narrows to 250m across, home to tumbling waterfalls and hamlets like Gudvangen.
Stavanger & Lysefjord
10. Stavanger & Lysefjord
This oil-rich port mixes cosy historic vibe, cosmopolitan bustle and gourmet reputation. Arranged around a pretty harbour its cobbled old town of white wooden houses is augmented by a beautiful medieval cathedral and two dozen museums. Ferries run to the south's finest fjord, where hikers can make the two-hour climb to Norway's most famous viewpoint: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).
Svalbard
11. Svalbard
Home to the world's northernmost town, Longyearbyen, plus the Global Seed Vault, Svalbard is an Arctic wonderland. Most come during summer to glimpse polar bears, walrus, whales, Arctic fox and myriad birds. In winter, months of eerie Arctic night offer prime aurora spotting chances, plus or husky or snowmobile safaris to glaciers and historic mines. See our Spitsbergen travel guide.
Telemark
12. Telemark
This tranquil southern enclave of 19th century canals and farms boasts Norway's largest stave church – the 13th century beauty at Heddal. The picturesque coastal town of Kragero (former home of Edvard Munch) has boats out to Jomfruland, a twitcher hotspot with over 60 resident species. Telemark also gives its name to a famous turn in Nordic skiing.
Our top Norway Vacation
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling vacation, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
From
NKr 14950
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep
2020: 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Norway or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Travel times in Norway
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Norway.
Oslo – Tromso: 2hrs by air
Tromso – Kirkenes: 39hrs by Hurtigruten ferry
Tromso – Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen): 1 ½ hrs by air
Oslo - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen: 3hrs by air
Oslo – Bergen: 7hrs by train
Geiranger – Hellesylt: 1hr by ferry (May-Sep only)
More about Norway
The best time to go to Norway can depend on whether you’re visiting Bergen, Tromso or Spitsbergen which is why our handy temperature & rainfall chart features all three destinations and our month by month guide is just as useful as our cultural pick from the Norway calendar.
Our Norway travel guide takes you beyond the myths and legends in order to let you discover what we rate & what we don’t about a country that’s just as famous for trolls as it is for fjords; read our brief history of Norway to find out more.
Things to do in Norway will usually start and finish with the fjords however, if you want to know where to cycle, trek and watch walrus, elk and puffins then read on for our suggestions for top activities in Norway.
Norway’s coastline has been designed with natural beauty in mind with deep fjords and remote islands transforming ferry rides into some of the most scenic voyages in Europe.
If you've always wanted to witness the humbling sight of humpback and killer whales in the wild then Norway, in the fjords to the north of Tromso, is one of the best places in the world to do just that.
Watching the Northern Lights in Norway will have you wide eyed with wonder and if you want to know where, when and how to watch the world’s most spectacular natural light display, right here is where your adventure begins.
If you’re visiting Norway then it’s really important to learn a bit more about the Sami communities in Norway which represent the relationship between Scandinavia’s indigenous people and the natural world.
There's only one way to get closer to the landscapes and the people of Norway and that's on two feet.
Find out what Responsible Travel recommend for traveling in Norway with kids as from troll hunting and Viking heritage to snow shoeing and dog sledding we’ve asked our experts so you can discover what to do with little ones before you head to Norway.
Our Norway travel advice comes directly from our friends and travelers in Norway which is why anyone who wants to travel safely in Norway should read on for some really top tips on what to do, where to go and how to stay safe and healthy.
Do a little research into responsible tourism in Norway and you’ll soon find that whaling and the rights of indigenous Sami people are still high on the agenda when it comes to understanding how to travel right in Norway.
From Spitsbergen to seeing the Northern Lights, find all our Norway related guides in one place.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Iakov Kalinin] [Geirangerfjord: Vasile Cotovanu]
[Hardangerfjord: dassel]
[Jostedalsbreen National Park: Alberto Abouganem Stephens]
[Jotunheimen national park: Christian Reusch]
[Kirkenes: pxhere]
[Kystriksveien: Bent Inge Johansen]
[Lofoten Islands: Taneli Lahtinen]
[Rjukan & Gausta: martin_vmorris]
[Sognefjord: Sogning]
[Stavanger & Lysefjord: Gerben Jacobs]
[Svalbard: htearse]
[Telemark: Henrik Dvergsdal]
[Travel times: ThoKi2025]
Back to the top
- Recently viewed
