The Best Places to Visit in Norway in 2026

Norway is a country like no other.

The cold, damp chill mixed with the cozy embrace of Koselig. It's the idea of togetherness, comfort, and warmth. You may have heard of hygge, and it's a similar feeling.

With koselig, the country and the people have created this perfect blend of wilderness, strength, and cheer.

If you're one of the lucky ones who gets to visit, there are a few things you need to do. There's Norwegian travel insurance, reviewing all of the entry requirements (for instance, some travelers need to apply for a visa for Norway).

One of the most fun things to do is to plan all of the places you're going to visit and see, and the things you're going to do. That is where this list comes in handy.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Norway.

Hjørundfjorden, Norway

A fjord, if you're unfamiliar, is a long, skinny sea inlet. They can look like rivers, but they're not. Glaciers actually form them over time.

Hjørundfjorden is one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway (and there are many).

This one is in the western part of the country, and it has truly incredible cliffs all around it. Hjørundfjorden is a little less-known to tourists, so it is usually a pretty quiet, peaceful experience when it comes to what kinds of crowds to expect.

Hjørundfjorden specifically was a popular, hidden retreat for early 20th-century royalty. If you're interested in early alpine exploration, you'll also see the name come up.

Ålesund, Norway

Also in Western Norway, Ålesund is a small town (around 55K inhabitants) that has unique Art Nouveau buildings.

It's a coastal city with stunning cliff and ocean views, which makes it really popular for photographers, videographers, or travelers who want to see something really monumental.

The town has a devastating history. In 1904, it was almost completely destroyed by a fire. However, they rebuilt it.

Today, it's an important hub for fishing and the Norwegian maritime industry.

Bergen, Norway

Bergen is one of the more well-known options on the list. It's a mid-size city in the western part of the country. It's also the second largest city in the country (Oslo comes in first).

It's also an incredibly old city, dating back to 1070. In fact, Bergen used to be the capital.

Because of its roots, there is a ton of history in Bergen, including museums, monuments, and other cultural and social activities.

There is one downside to Bergen, according to a lot of travelers, but it all really depends on how you look at it. It rains - a lot.

However, many places rain a lot, like Paris and Seattle, and they're still sought-after destinations for people all around the world.

Tromsø, Norway

A lot of people see Tromsø as the capital of the Arctic, as it is inside the Arctic Circle.

This means that, yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Tromsø!

There is some truth to seeing Tromsø as the "capital" though. Historically, the town (which is fairly small) was an important center for arctic expeditions.

It's actually held several important roles over the eras. In WWII, for example, it played a role in the resistance. While less intense, it's also home to the northernmost university in the world.

Because of its northern location, the summer days are long, and winter ones are incredibly short. For context, you can see the sun at midnight for two months in the summer.

Trolltunga

Trolltunga isn't a town or a city, but it's a natural wonder.

Up high, over a lake, there's a large rock formation jutting out. That's Trolltunga, which was formed all the way back in the Ice Age.

This isn't a destination for everybody. It requires a fair bit of physical mobility, as you have to hike up to it. In fact, it is a very long and strenuous hike, so it's something travelers need to research and prepare for ahead of time.

It's very wild, meaning there aren't safety rails, stairs, or landscaped paths. There are muddy slopes, rock faces to scramble, and cliff edges. It really isn't for the faint of heart.

Svalbard, Norway

One of the most unique places on both this list and the planet is Svalbard.

Svalbard is a small island in the Arctic Ocean (yes, it's still part of Norway), between the mainland and the North Pole (yes, the real Northern Pole).

The remoteness is palpable; it really feels like you might be at the outer edge of the world.

Svalbard has glaciers, polar bears, and the Global Seed Vault (if you don't know about the Global Seed Vault, you've just reached a side quest checkpoint).

Perhaps the most unique thing about Svalbard, as if all of that wasn't unusual enough, it is governed by the Svalbard Treaty. In short, almost anyone can live in Svalbard without a Norwegian resident permit. That isn't to say there aren't any requirements at all; there are, but it's an interesting concept.

Jotunheimen National Park 

This massive national park is in southern central Norway and is home to the country's tallest peaks (Galdhøpiggen)!

Like many other places in Norway, Jotunheimen is rugged, raw, untouched.

It's an iconic spot for mountaineers. If you're a rock climber, hiker, or just love the great outdoors, Jotunheimen could be a very interesting place for you to travel to.

There are mountain lodges, but you should do substantial research before you visit. Jotunheimen is incredibly wild, and you will need to do a lot of prep work if you plan to hike or explore it.

The Lofoten Islands

Another location in the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands have some of the most amazing views on the planet.

The Lofoten Islands are an archipelago (if geography class was more than a few years back, don't worry. It means a cluster of islands. Hawaii is an archipelago, for instance).

This means that there are several different islands that make up Lofoten.

The islands have cute little towns, cozy spots combined with craggy, rocky landscapes. Perhaps it is the visual interpretation of koselig.

The islands have an important history in Norway, with cod fishing dating back centuries (over 1000 years!). It was also an important location during the Viking days.

Because it's in the Arctic Circle, the summer months see little nightfall. The winter? Say goodbye to the sun.