10 Top Tourist Attractions in Norway

Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock

Norway, the land of the midnight sun, is a fascinating place just waiting to be explored. It is a country where the picture perfect fjords cut the land all around with breathtaking natural sceneries and an interesting blend of history and culture. The land that nurtured the legendary Vikings, Norway with its striking wooden churches and lovely countryside with delightful people gives the tourists an experience not to be forgotten. If you are planning to explore the beautiful country of Norway, following 10 top tourist attractions in Norway should be in your bucket list:

10. Jostedalsbreen

Jostedalsbreen
Jostedalsbreen (Image)

Jostedalsbreen, commonly known as Jostedal Glacieris, is a large glacier in Norway, located in the “Sognog Fjordane” county. It is the largest glacier in entire Europe. The glacierlies are spread across an area of 487 square kilometers and the highest point of the glacier is located at 1,957 meters above the floor of Atlantic. Today, it has shrunk significantly in depth but it was once possible to cross the glacier on foot. It houses one of the Grand National parks in Norway, the Jostedalsbreen National Park. Hiking and glacial skiing is a popular sport in the area. This is surely one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in Norway.

09. Urnes Stave Church

Urnes Stave Church
Urnes Stave Church (Image)

Among the 28 spectacular wooden or stave churches in Norway, the Urnes Stave Church is perhaps the oldest and most charming one set on a picturesque backdrop. Known locally as UrnesStavkyrkje, the church dates back to the 12th century. It is located in the town of Luster in Sognog Fjordane county of Norway. An amazing mix of several architectural styles, the church is adorned with Celtic, Vikings and Romanesque designs, making it one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Norway.

08. Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral (Image)

One of the finest works of the Vikings, the Nidaros Cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag County, is a spectacular Cathedral in Norway. It is the official location for the consecration of the King of Norway. The origin of the Cathedral dates back to the 10th century and it was built to honor the burial place for Olav II of Norway, the Viking chieftain who was killed in the famous battle of Stiklestad. Today a religious and cultural event called Olav’s Wake still takes place here.

07. Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock (Image)

Pulpit Rock also known as the Preacher’s Pulpit, located in Forsand of Ryfylke region in Norway, is a great place to observe the captivating fjords and appreciate the gorgeous Norwegian scenery. It is a large stone plateau with a stiff rocky cliff that overlooks the magnificent Lysefjord. The top is the cliff which is located at 604 meters above the fjord. The site receives nearly 200,000 visitors each year and is one of the most scenic tourist attractions in Norway. One can enjoy the place most during the summer as snow can make the hike to the top of the Cliff a little adventurous.

06. Vigeland Park

Vigeland Park
Vigeland Park (Image)

The Vigeland Park is sure one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway. It is located in Frogner of Oslo and commonly referred to as the Frogner Park. It is the lifework of the famous artist “Gustav Vigeland”. It is most notable for being the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist. The park contains nearly 200 amazing sculptures made of bronze, granite and wrought iron. The park entertains a wide range of tourists from around the world.

05. The Flam Railway

The Flam Railway
The Flam Railway (Image)

A 20 kilometer long railway line which connects Myrdal and Flåm region in Aurland is called the Falm Railway and is one of the most beautiful scenic train routes in Europe. The rail goes through the valley of Flåmsdalen traveling from the mountains to the fjords. One of the steepest lines in the world, the amazing journey will take you through charming countryside, rocky and snowy cliffs and dense forests and give you an unforgettable experience. That is why it is one of the top tourist attractions in Norway.

04. The Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum (Image)

The Viking ship Museum, located at Bygdøy in Oslo, is the perfect place to get a glimpse of the legendary Vikings civilization. The stubborn race that once terrorized the northern seas and stricken fear in even the strongest of men almost comes back to life as many spectacular Viking vessels are in display here. Here the prominent features include the Oseberg ship, Gokstad ship and Tune Ship. Other artifacts include some nicely preserved textiles, tools and household items. The Museum is surely one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Norway.

03.  Oslo Opera House

Oslo Opera House
Oslo Opera House (Image)

A brilliant feat of architecture that appears to rise up from the waters of the fjord, the Olso opera house, is an attraction not to be missed. It is located in the mouth of Oslo Fjord in the Bjørvika district of central Oslo. It was built in the year 2007 by designers who won a competition for the privilege. The interior of the building is also fascinating and it can accommodate nearly 2000 people. It is made of Italian marble and white granite and the building is one of the most spectacular sights in Oslo and surely one of the best tourist attractions in Norway.

02. Nordkapp

Midnight Sun at Nordkapp
Midnight Sun at Nordkapp (Image)

Nordkapp or the “North cape” is a 307 meter high cliff that is known as the northernmost point on Europe. It is located in an area with the same name in Finnmark, Norway. It is a place where sun never sets between May 14 and July 29. It is known as the land of the midnight sun and attracts nearly 200,000 visitors each year. Aside from the midnight sun, the cliff also produces some breathtaking natural scenery. Known for being a rich bird habitat, the Nordkapp in the summertime becomes a paradise for the sightseers, making it one of the finest tourist attractions in Norway.

01.  GeirangerFjord

GeirangerFjord, top tourist attractions in Norway
GeirangerFjord (Image)

Among the many fascinating fjords located in Norway, Geirangerfjord perhaps stands out as the most stunning one. It is a spectacle of nature where deep blue waters are surrounded my majestic mountain tops all around. Located in the Stranda Municipality, it is a 15 kilometer long section of the Sunnylvsfjorden. It is named the Geirangerfjord for the picturesque and peaceful village Geiranger  located in a close proximity. Amazing waterfalls on the mountains, charming countryside, exotic travel boats all add to the unforgettable experience of the Geirangerfjord.
These are our 10 top tourist attractions in Norway. Please comment and let us know what other attractions in Norway could have made this list. Suggest us an edit if you think it is necessary.

Author: Tajirul Haque

Tajirul Haque is a travel enthusiast and freelance travel writer on Upwork. Having written hundreds of travel articles on so many travel destinations around the world for his clients, Tajirul started Top Travel Lists back in September 2014. Travel writing is his passion and he always loves to write about a new destination as it allows him to know about more beautiful places the planet has to offer. He is always available for freelance travel writing opportunities.