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.
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 Norway Vacations
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling vacation, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
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Whale watching and Northern Lights sailing cruise in Norway
Far North. Far East. Whales and Northern lights.
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Northern lights sailing vacation in Norway
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Hiking vacation in Norway, Rondane National Park
Self guided trekking in Rondane National Park
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Self guided biking tour in Norway, Arctic Coast
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Swim with Orcas in Fjords of Norway
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Travel Team
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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
Find the best time to go to Bergen, Tromso and Spitsbergen, and our cultural pick from the Norway calendar.
Our Norway travel guide takes you beyond the myths and legends; read our brief history of Norway to find out more.
Want to know where to cycle and trek, or watch whales, elk and puffins? Then learn our top things to do in Norway.
Winter vacations in Norway are all about embracing the great outdoors through a raft of fun activities.
Norway’s coast, with deep fjords and remote islands, makes ferry voyages some of the most scenic in Europe.
Learn the best time of year to see killer whales in Norway and how you can help sustainable whale tourism.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Norway will leave you wide eyed with wonder and this is where your adventure begins.
Discover how visiting Sami communities in Norway helps sustain traditions from reindeer herding to joik singing.
Walking in Norway lets you hike fells and fjords, sleep in mountain lodges, and tuck into traditional cuisine.
We've asked our family travel experts for their advice on what to do with kids before you head to Norway.
You can trust our Norway travel advice because it comes directly from our friends and travelers in Norway.
From whaling to the rights of indigenous Sami people, understand how to travel right in Norway.
From Spitsbergen to seeing the Northern Lights, find all our Norway related guides in one place.
