Experience the Best of Norway: 25 Must-Do Activities that you do not want to miss when planning a Norwegian vacation. Go ahead and add these to your travel bucket list!
- Explore the Fjords of Norway
- Visit the Vigeland Park in Oslo
- Take a trip to the Arctic
- Go Skiing in Norway
- Chase the Northern Lights
- Take a Cruise
- Take a trip on the Flåm Railway
- Explore the Lofoten Islands
- Visit the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folke Museet)
- Go Fishing
- Visit Bergen Museum
- Hike to Preikestolen (Puplit RocK)
- Visit Holmenkollen Ski Jump
- Take a dog sledding tour
- Visit Stave Churches
- Go Kayaking
- Visit Munch Museum
- Experience the thrill of a RIB ride (Rubber boat)
- Discover the beauty of Jostedalsbreen National Park
- Visit Tromso Museum
- Enjoy Horseback riding adventure
- Tour the Kon-Tiki Museum
- Take a side trip to Akershus Fortress
- Visit the Røros Mining Town
- Try the floating Sauna
25 Best Things You Must do in Norway
Norway is blessed to have all the natural beauty in the land. From fjords, mountains, and waterfalls that will take your breath away.
From the busy streets of Oslo to the serene landscapes of the countryside, there’s something in this charming country that you do not want to miss.
Here are 25 of the best things to do in Norway that you need to add to your bucket list.
- Explore the fjords
In my last blog post, I talked about the fjord cities you must visit in Norway. You can check it out here.
These are some of the popular places to see the picturesque beauty of Norway’s fjords, Sognefjord, the Geirangerfjord, and the Nærøyfjord.
These deep, narrow inlets are surrounded by towering mountains and offer some of the most stunning views in the world.
- Visit the Vigeland Park
Gustav Vigeland is the man behind the popular bronze, granite, and cast iron sculptures that are spread all over this open park.
The park is free to enjoy. Go out sunbathing, feed the ducks and swans that are on the lake, stroll and admire hundreds of beautiful sculptures or just sit and enjoy a picnic and so much more.
- Take a trip to the Arctic
Norway’s Arctic regions offer a unique and unforgettable experience, with the chance to see the Northern Lights, spot polar bears, and explore the frozen tundra. Svalbard and the Lofoten Islands are popular destinations for Arctic adventures.
Furthermore, the arctic road in Norway is one of the most scenic routes that you do not want to miss. This is a must-experience when planning a visit to Norway.
- Go skiing
With Norway’s beyond zero degrees temperature in the winter time, no doubt that Norway is a place to go skiing. There are a variety of ski resorts offering everything from beginner-friendly slopes to challenging runs for experts. Popular ski destinations include Hemsedal, Trysil, and Geilo.
- See the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that can be seen in the Northern regions of Norway.
The best time to see them is between September and April, and popular viewing spots include Tromsø, Alta, Svalbard, Bodo, and Narvik.
You can either book a Northern lights tour or just go and discover it by yourself. Either way, you will be mesmerized by this natural beauty.
- Take a cruise
Norway’s fjords are best explored by cruise. Hurtigruten and Havila are the main coastal expresses that have various ports. But there are also small boats for short trips that go around the fjords.
- Visit the Flåm Railway
The Flåm Railway is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions, offering breathtaking views of the fjords as it winds its way through the mountains.
The train journey takes about an hour and is a must-do for anyone visiting the region. The journey itself is as beautiful and amazing as the destination.
The ride is from Sognefjord in Flåm to the Myrdal mountain station.
- Explore the Lofoten Islands
These islands, located in the Arctic Circle, offer some of Norway’s most dramatic landscapes, with towering peaks and crystal-clear waters.
The Lofoten Islands are a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offer a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing.
This open-air museum in Oslo offers a glimpse into Norway’s past, with over 150 buildings from different regions of the country on display.
The Norwegian museum of cultural history will take you back to the old times of Norway. You will get to see the style of living of the Norwegian people as early as the 16th century to the modern days.
You can also get to see one of the many stave churches in Norway in this open-air museum.
The museum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
- Go fishing
A variety of freshwater and saltwater species are available to catch in the Norwegian water. Fishing is a popular outdoor summer activity for everyone.
But winter fishing is also a fun activity to try during the winter season.
11. Visit the Bergen Aquarium
This aquarium in Bergen is home to a wide variety of marine life from small to big ones. Experience the beauty of fauna at Bergen Aquarium. Check their websites for tickets and opening hours.
- Hike to Preikestolen
Also known as Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen is a popular hiking destination located in the Lysefjord. The hike to the top offers stunning views of the fjord and is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast.
The round-trip hike takes about 4 hours. So you should be physically healthy if you are planning to hike Pulpit rock.
Hike to Preikestolen might be an easy one for skilled hikers and might be a challenging adventure for beginners.
Did you know that the movie Mission Impossible: Fallout has a scene shot in Preikestolen?
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump is a famous ski jump located in Oslo and is considered one of the most iconic sports venues in Norway.
You can also visit the Holmenkollen museum when you are in the area.
Holmenkollen is accessible by metro from the city center to Holmenkollen station and just a few minutes walk to Holmenkollen Ski Jump.
- Take a dog sledding tour
Norway is home to the Sami people, an indigenous population who have been using dog sleds for centuries. Visitors can take a tour and experience the thrill of mushing through the snowy landscapes.
- Visit the Stave Churches
Norway is home to several ancient stave churches, including the Borgund Stave Church and the Urnes Stave Church.
These wooden structures are considered to be some of the best-preserved examples of medieval architecture in the world.
You can easily find one at the Norsk Folkemuseet in Oslo.
- Go kayaking in the fjords
Norway is surrounded by a beautiful body of water so kayaking is one of the popular outdoor activities you can do during your Norwegian vacation.
Kayaking is available anywhere, even in the city of Oslo. There are kayaks for rent available, you can visit Tourist centers and ask or check for more information and availability.
- Visit the Munch Museum
This museum in Oslo is dedicated to the work of famous Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, best known for his painting “The Scream.”
The museum houses different artworks of Munch including paintings, drawings, and prints.
It has recently been transferred to the new Munch museum building right at the city center of Oslo so it is very accessible once you are at the center.
The new Munch Museum building is a work of modern architecture, you will not miss this building in the city as it has a very distinctive design.
- Go on a RIB boat tour
RIB means Rigid Inflatable Boat. This rubber boat ride is a thrilling water activity where tourists can enjoy the flow of the Norwegian water.
You can check out Fjord Safaris which includes rubber boat rides at any Norwegian Tourist center.
- Visit the Jostedalsbreen National Park
This national park is home to the largest glacier in mainland Europe, the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
Visitors can take a guided tour and explore the glacier’s rugged landscapes and ice formations.
- Visit the Tromsø Museum
This museum in Tromsø offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the Arctic region of Norway.
The museum houses a variety of exhibits, including artifacts from the Sami people and displays on Arctic exploration.
Tromso is known for its excellent Northern Lights viewing opportunities and also offers activities such as dog sledding and reindeer sledding.
So there are tons of things you can do in this beautiful city.
- Go horseback riding
Norway offers a variety of horseback riding tours, from short rides to multi-day expeditions.
Did you know that you can explore and discover Norway’s gems on a horse?
You do not need to be an expert to enjoy this thrill. There are guided tours that will help you.
You can find horseback riding at Bø (just a short drive outside Oslo), Bergen, Geilo, Nesbyen, and many more.
- Visit the Kon-Tiki Museum
This museum in Oslo is dedicated to the famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his expeditions, including the Kon-Tiki expedition.
You will get to learn about Heyerdahl’s adventures in this museum.
- Visit the Akershus Fortress
One way to get to know and learn Norway’s history is to visit Akershus Fortress.
On the top side of the fortress is a panoramic harbor view of Oslo city, and it is such a beauty you want to see!
I have covered places to visit in Oslo in this blog. You can check it out here.
- Visit the Røros Mining Town
This UNESCO World Heritage site is a well-preserved mining town from the 17th century.
Visitors can take a tour and learn about the town’s history, culture, and way of life of the people who lived there.
25. Try the Floating sauna
One exciting way to enjoy Oslo city is to try the floating sauna. It was not a long time ago that the floating sauna started.
The sauna is a traditional wooden structure that sits atop a raft, allowing visitors to relax and rejuvenate while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding fjord.
It is open all year round and is available for rent per hour. You can either enjoy swimming during the summer or dive into the freezing water of the harbor during winter.
Take your pick! Both ways are for sure a must-try activity in Oslo. (Check out this blog for more places to visit in Oslo.)
In conclusion:
There are 25 thrilling and fun must-do activities to experience the best of Norway. You can either explore Norway’s hidden beauty by foot like hiking Preikestolen or by train to see the beauty of Flåm and even horseback riding.
Norway is a home of natural beauty like mountains, glaciers, fjords, and the like.
There are countless activities you can do in Norway and tons of beautiful charming places you can visit.
Bear in mind that some activities are open all year round, while other activities are available during specific seasons. Nevertheless, you will never go wrong if you choose to visit Norway.
Plan your visit ahead and do advance booking to experience the best of Norway.
