Norway, a place of unparalleled beauty, is intriguing to explore because of its awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking fjords, and shimmering lakes.
Tucked away among these natural treasures, its vibrant cities provide a wealth of sights and activities that visitors are sure to love, with viking village ruins close to magnificent museums and busy pubs.
Indeed, the greatest cities in Norway perfectly integrate old and contemporary, which is what makes the nation so fascinating to visit.
1.Haugesund
Haugesund, formerly a major fishing port, is today fueled and kept going by the oil sector. The waterfront area around the port is a bustling spot with several intriguing pubs and eateries worth checking out.
Because the region has been inhabited for thousands of years, there are several historical sites to see, including the old church and viking farm. A boat journey to the adjacent Karmoy island — a gorgeous spot to explore – is a must-do when visiting Haugesund.
2.Tonsberg
Tonsberg is the oldest town in Norway, despite the fact that little relics of the past survive. As a result, history buffs will appreciate stopping by on their way from Oslo down the coast to explore what it has to offer.
There is a decaying mediaeval castle, Viking remains and burials, and a wonderful museum featuring a blue whale skeleton. Tonsberg is a busy town, and the scenery surrounding it are beautiful if visitors choose to venture into the local countryside.
3.Drammen
Historically an industrial area with a bustling harbour and a reputation as a dirty, drab, and dreary city, Drammen has cleaned up significantly in recent years and is now much more tourist friendly.
The city, which is not far from Oslo, offers some nice walks and paths on both sides of the river that divides Drammen, and the heart of town is easily visited on foot.
Visitors almost often utilise this city as a stepping stone to the country’s interior, or as a pit stop on their route to the adjacent mines at Blafarvevaerket.
4.Larvik
Larvik, located on Norway’s southern coast, has a busy port and, while it is not a popular tourist destination, there is more than enough to encourage a visit.
There are a handful of wonderful historical museums in town, as well as a modern cultural centre, and the ancient baroque lighthouse looks out over the sea.
From here, you may explore Bokeskogen, the country’s largest beech forest, and the surrounding region has some fantastic Viking excavations for visitors to enjoy.
5.Lillehammer
Lillehammer has a tremendous choice of winter sport activities on offer, which is expected given that it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994. There are several fantastic museums and galleries in town, as well as a lot of lovely restaurants, on the edge of Lake Mjosa.
Lillehammer, one of the most popular ski resorts in the nation, offers a gorgeous environment surrounded by roaming hills and woods. Although there are intriguing things to see and do throughout the year, Lillehammer comes alive in the winter.
6.Hamar
Hamar, located on the shores of Norway’s biggest lake, has a surprising amount to offer for its small size. It’s not a terrible alternative if you’re searching for a place to halt on your way north from Oslo.
It has Europe’s biggest glass structure, which surprisingly contains the remnants of a cathedral. The adjoining Viking museum is fascinating. Aside from that, Hamar is a pleasant, laid-back town where you can go fishing or kayaking on the lake.
7.Kristiansand
Kristiansand, Norway’s fifth biggest city, is a picturesque location with a magnificent marina and a bustling vibe.
The city boasts some gorgeous sandy beaches and claims to be Norway’s most popular vacation destination, with lots of shopping opportunities and some wonderful restaurants and pubs along the waterfront.
While many Norwegians visit here, it is usually as a stopover on their route to other sites in the south. The adjacent archipelago is beautiful to explore, and the southern shore is not far distant.
8.Fredrikstad, Sweden
Fredrikstad, located on the banks of the Glomma river, is a picturesque, historic fortified city that has been very well kept.
A lovely spot to stroll about – when the weather shines, the new waterfront is especially lovely; there are a variety of coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs for guests to enjoy.
The ancient town on the other river, with its spectacular Kongsten fort and characteristic moat, is undeniably the showpiece and what makes Fredrikstad a popular tourist destination.
9.Bodo
Bodo, being the largest city in the Nordic region, is an important economic centre and transportation hub for the surrounding area.
Although the city itself is unappealing physically – it was nearly entirely destroyed during WWII – Bodo’s lovely position, with snow-capped hills in the background, compensates for its drab architecture.
Many tourists visit Bodo to go to the neighbouring spellbinding Lofoten Islands, which are located at the end of the beautiful Kystriksveien Coastal Route. From here, you may explore the country’s vast and rocky north, which is reason enough to visit Bodo.
10.Tromso
Tromso is located in the very north of Norway, on an island surrounded by beautiful blue fjords and majestic snow-capped mountains.
The city is one of Europe’s northernmost destinations, located around 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. As a result, it is one of the best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights.
Tromso is an excellent place to visit if you enjoy bars, a vibrant cultural scene, and a dynamic nightlife.
There are several winter sports accessible, as well as numerous stunning locations in which to participate. If you’re looking for an adventure, tour providers in the city may arrange journeys to the Arctic.
11.Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger’s economy is rising as a result of the adjacent oil resources. As a result, the feared urban sprawl has taken over most of the city’s periphery. This has resulted in an increase in costs, and it is currently one of the most expensive areas in the country.
Stavanger’s downtown has managed to escape being swamped by contemporary structures, and it is lots of ancient wooden buildings that are lovely to wander about.
During the summer, the neighbouring waterfront is extremely bustling, and there are many fantastic restaurants to select from, as well as some vibrant nightlife. Many visitors stop in Stavanger on their route to the spectacular sites of Lysefjorden and Preikestolen.
12.Alesund
The city was destroyed by fire in 1904 and is a rather strange location to visit due to its diverse blend of architectural styles. Its rapid restoration explains the combination of mock-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and folklore decorations seen on its streets.
The dazzling port, built on a few islands near to each other, contributes to Alesund’s allure. There are some amazing panoramic views of the surrounding fjords and mountains from the local hills. Alesund is a vibrant city with several great restaurants and a booming bar scene.
13.Trondheim
Trondheim is one of the most gorgeous cities in the country, with forest-clad hills and shimmering canals around its colourful buildings and lovely, ancient port.
Norway’s ancient capital includes an incredible mediaeval church. Its relaxed streets exude a feeling of timelessness as people go about their business.
There’s plenty to keep you occupied for a few days, and you’ll quickly find its wonderful museums, great restaurants, and evocative cafés.
Due to the vast university campus, there is a current arts and music scene in addition to its rich cultural legacy. After Trondheim, travel north to discover the untamed landscapes of northern Norway.
14.Bergen, Norway
Bergen, was a member of the Haneseatic league and formerly the capital of Norway, is in a stunning position, and tourists will enjoy the abundance of sites on offer.
The city’s vividly coloured buildings cascade down the hillsides until they reach Bryggen – the beautiful wooden cottages in the city centre that were previously utilised for trading and commerce. It is surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords.
Bergen has a lovely ambiance, with some fantastic art museums, a busy music scene, and an enthusiastic nightlife – despite the fact that it rains practically every day of the year.
Hiking in the neighbouring mountains is spectacular, and a boat journey into the local fjords provides breathtaking views.
15. Norway
The country’s capital is full with beautiful architectural designs that accentuate the city’s contemporary vibe, as do instructive museums, intriguing galleries, and emotive art pieces. Oslo, which is located close to the sea and surrounded by mountains, is one of the greenest cities in the world, owing to its forward-thinking eco-friendly policies – making it a pleasant place to roam about.
In reality, homeowners may be skiing, hiking through the woods, or sailing along the waterways of the Oslo fjord in no time.