Norway’s capital is a great place to start your trip, particularly if you want to get a feel for the country before heading into its wilder landscapes. Oslo offers contemporary architecture and a thriving food scene with fascinating museums, waterfront neighbourhoods and plenty of green space.

Start with the striking Oslo Opera House, where you can walk up onto the sloping roof for views across the pretty harbour. The waterfront is worth exploring in its own right, especially Aker Brygge, with its restaurants, cafés and waterside terraces. For a glimpse into Norway’s past visit the city’s museums, or head to Vigeland Sculpture Park to see an extraordinary collection of sculptures set among landscaped grounds.

Oslo is also a surprisingly easy city to enjoy outdoors. Forests, lakes and walking trails are within easy reach of the centre, while the surrounding fjord offers opportunities for boat trips during the warmer months.

If you picture Norway as a collection of colourful wooden houses, mountain backdrops and deep blue waterways, then Bergen probably comes close. Often used as a gateway to the fjords, this attractive coastal city has plenty to offer in its own right and is one of the best places to visit in Norway.

The historic Bryggen waterfront is a good place to start. Its colourful timber buildings reflect Bergen’s trading heritage, while the surrounding streets are full of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Head up Mount Fløyen on the funicular for sweeping views across the city, harbour and surrounding mountains.

Bergen is also one of the best places to visit in Norway if you’re looking to explore the coast by boat. A cruise from Bergen to Mostraumen takes you through increasingly narrow waterways, past waterfalls and dramatic rock faces. Alternatively, travel inland to discover the villages and landscapes of Fjord Norway.

For many people, the fjords are the best place to visit in Norway, and it’s easy to see why. These enormous waterways cut deep into the landscape, surrounded by steep mountains and tiny villages that seem to cling to the shoreline.

Geirangerfjord

Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s most famous landscapes, with sheer mountain walls, deep blue water and waterfalls cascading down the cliffs. A boat trip is the best way to appreciate the scale of the scenery, while viewpoints above the fjord offer spectacular panoramas. The village of Geiranger makes a lovely base for exploring the surrounding countryside.

Hardangerfjord

Known for its fruit orchards, mountain scenery and waterfalls, Hardangerfjord is particularly appealing in late spring, when blossom covers the surrounding hillsides. It’s also a great area for walking, with routes leading to amazing viewpoints, lakes, and dramatic natural landmarks.

Nærøyfjord

Narrow and surrounded by towering mountains, Nærøyfjord is one of the best places to visit in Norway if you want to experience the most striking fjord scenery. Boat trips are a great way to experience it and the nearby village of Flåm is a popular base for exploring the region.

Nordfjord

Further north, Nordfjord combines dramatic mountains and glaciers with peaceful lakeside villages and a rugged coastline. It’s a good choice if you want to venture beyond the best-known fjord destinations and spend more time outdoors.

Small but spectacularly situated, Flåm is one of the best places to visit in Norway for good reason. The village is surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls and beautiful waterways.

The main attraction is the Flåm Railway, which climbs through the fjord through a dramatic mountain landscape to Myrdal, where you can connect with the Bergen Railway. The journey passes rushing rivers, rocky slopes and waterfalls, making the train ride an experience in itself rather than simply a way to get from A to B.

Once in Flåm, you can take a fjord cruise, explore the surrounding countryside by bike or simply soak up the views from the village. It’s a particularly good stop if you want to experience Norway without moving around too much.

Often overlooked in favour of Oslo and Bergen, Trondheim is well worth considering if you want to see another side of Norway. This historic city has colourful waterfront warehouses, a relaxed café culture and a strong connection to Norway’s Viking and medieval heritage.

The highlight is Nidaros Cathedral, an impressive Gothic building that has been an important pilgrimage destination for centuries. Cross the old town bridge for lovely views of the colourful warehouses lining the Nidelva River, then spend some time exploring the independent shops and restaurants. Trondheim is the main city in Trøndelag, a central region stretching between southern and northern Norway. Beyond the city, you’ll find a quieter coastline, historic communities and small towns that make rewarding stops on longer journeys.

Rørvik, on the coast, is one place to consider if you’re travelling along Norway’s coastal route. It offers a glimpse of life in a maritime community and makes a natural stop on a coastal cruise.

If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, then Tromsø is one of the best places to visit in Norway. Located well above the Arctic Circle, this lively city is surrounded by mountains and waterways, with a calendar of winter adventures that makes it much more than simply a place to watch the sky.

From autumn through to early spring, visitors travel here to join Northern Lights excursions, heading away from city lights in search of clear skies and the aurora. Sightings can of course never be guaranteed, but Tromsø’s location makes it an excellent base for trying your luck!

There’s plenty to do during the day as well. Husky sledding, reindeer encounters, snowshoeing and whale-watching excursions are among the experiences available at different times of the year. In the city, visiting the striking Arctic Cathedral, take the cable car up Mount Storsteinen or settle into a cosy café after a day of fun in the snow.

Tromsø is also interesting in the summer, when the Midnight Sun brings exceptionally long days and opportunities for hiking and exploring the surrounding coastline.

The Lofoten Islands are among the most photogenic places in Norway. Jagged mountain peaks rise straight from the sea, tiny fishing villages cluster around sheltered harbours, and white sand beaches look almost tropical on a sunny day (although the water is definitely colder than it looks!)

Reine and Hamnøy are two of the best-known villages, with traditional red fisherman’s cabins, known as rorbuer, creating a striking contrast with the mountains.

The best way to explore is by car, stopping at viewpoints, beaches and small villages along the way. You can hike to panoramic viewpoints, go kayaking in sheltered waters or simply take your time driving through the extraordinary scenery.

The islands are also a great place to experience the Midnight Sun in the summer. In winter, they offer the chance to see the Northern Lights against a dramatic mountain backdrop, although weather and road conditions can make travel more challenging.

For a truly different type of holiday, travel to Svalbard, a remote Arctic archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. This is the best place to visit in Norway for wilderness, extraordinary landscapes and experiences you won’t find on a typical European break.

Most visitors stay in Longyearbyen, the main settlement, which has surprisingly good restaurants, comfortable hotels and a fascinating history. Beyond the town, guided excursions take you into the surrounding wilderness, with activities depending on the season.

Winter brings snowmobile adventures, dog sledding and opportunities to explore the beautiful frozen landscape. Summer offers a different experience, with long daylight hours, boat trips and opportunities to see Arctic wildlife. Guided excursions are essential for exploring safely beyond the settlement, where polar bears roam.