Choose from 27 Fun Things to Do in Norway
ShowingFilter 21-27 of 27 listings.
Kvaløya
Kvaløya is Norway's fifth-largest island, covering 740 square km (285 square miles), and its name translates from Sami to "Whale Island" thanks to its cluster of central mountains. Lying west of Tromsø and connected by the elegant spans of the Sandnessund Bridge, the eastern shores of Kvaløya now form a suburb of the city, known as Kvaløysletta and home to a population of about 10,000.
Of its snow-capped peaks, Store BlÃ¥mann is the highest at 1,044 meters (3,425 feet) and can be scaled by intermediate climbers. Kvaløya is also indented by fjords and wild coastal scenery, with its western fringes hitting the untamed Atlantic, while the island of Sommarøy "“ famous for its glorious white sandy beaches "“ hangs off its southwestern coast. Humpback whales can be spotted offshore from late November until January, and the little settlement of Ersfjordbotn, dominated by the sheer cliffs of its fjord, is one of Norway's top destinations for spotting the Northern Lights during the winter months.
As well as Kvaløya's untamed alpine beauty, there are prehistoric rock carvings to discover at Skavberg and a clutch of traditional wooden houses at Hella, which were moved there from Tromsø city center for conservation. The farm of Straumen GÃ¥rd near Straumsbukta was abandoned in the 1960s and now serves as a museum, complete with tools and machinery dating from that period.
Practical Info
The island of Kvaløya is 20 km (12.5 miles) west of Tromsø and is easily accessible over the Sandnessund Bridge.
Address: Kvaløya, Norway
From $ 157
Munch Museum (Munchmuseet)
Named and built after the Norwegian symbolist painter Edvard Munch, the Munch Museum (or Munchmuseet) first opened its doors in 1963 to commemorate what would have been the painters 100th birthday. It contains 1,200 paintings, 4,500 drawings, 18,000 prints, and 6 sculptures, watercolors, and graphic art, all bequeathed to the city of Oslo upon Munch's death.
The museum also contains less conventional pieces of Munch's artwork, including lithographic stones, etchings, and woodcut plates, as well as newspaper cutouts, books, and other information about the artist, further encapsulating the full career of the adored artist.
Whether you're a fanatic or just interested in Munch's work, you can take the experience home with you at the museums souvenir shop, complete with books, posters, shirts, and catalogs.
Practical Info
The exhibition space totals a very spacious 12,380 square feet, which includes a lecture hall that is used for various functions including temporary exhibits. For a more interactive experience, guests are free to check out available audioguides, guided tours, concerts, lectures, and screenings; all available for a nominal fee. Note that guided tours in English occur only once a day at 1pm during July and August.
The museum is beautifully located at the south side of Oslo's Botanic Garden, and near the Zoologisk Museum, making it a convenient location for other city attractions. You can take either the Metro to Tøyen, the 17 tram to Lakkegata skole, or easily drive to nearby parking.
Address: Tøyengata 53, Oslo 0578, Norway
Hours: Sept - May: Tues - Fri: 10am - 4pm, weekends 11am - 5pm; closed Mondays. Summer: Open daily 10am - 6pm
Admission: Adults: NOK 75, Children (over 7yrs): NOK 40
From $ 48
Bygdøy Peninsula
Jutting out into Oslo Fjord, the Bygdøy Peninsula is a one-stop leisure destination just west side of the city center. A clutch of Norway's most popular museums are found here along with hiking and cycling trails, beautiful "“ if small "“ beaches at Huk and Paradisbukta, plus several cafes and seafood restaurants. Come sunny days, the peninsula is full to bursting with Oslo families enjoying the peninsula's laid-back vibe and the organic farm at the Royal Manor, which is the summer residence of King Harald V.
Altogether Bygdøy is home to the Neo-Gothic castle of Oscarshall, the Holocaust Center in the austere Villa Grande, and no less than five museums. Of these, the Viking Ship, Fram, Maritime and Kon-Tiki museums deal with Norway's illustrious nautical heritage, while the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum concerns itself with Norway's cultural past. It displays a colorful collection of Sami national costumes from Lapland alongside 150-odd reconstructed buildings including traditional Sami goahti and a magical 13th-century wooden stave church from Gol, a small town north of Oslo.
Practical Info
The Bygdøy Peninsula can be reached by taking the ferry from Pier 3 or bus 30 to Bygdøy. Museum times vary, but the peninsula is accessible 24 hours a day.
Address: Bygdøy Peninsula, Oslo, Norway
Hours: Daily. Museum times vary.
From $ 23
Royal Palace
Oslo's Royal Palace was designed by architect Hans Linstow and built in the early 19th century for King Charles III, who reigned over a united Norway and Sweden. He died before work was completed on the vast Neo-classical edifice and it was his son Oscar I who finally moved into the palace in 1849. Today it is the official city residence of King Harald V and his wife Queen Sonja, and is open during the summer for guided tours of parts of its 173 palatial rooms.
A dozen of the palace's ornate staterooms are included on the tour, including the Council Chamber, King Haakon VII Suite, Bird Room "” delicately decorated with 40 species of bird "” the Mirror Hall, Great Hall "” where lavish balls still take place under dripping crystal chandeliers "” and the Banqueting Hall.
The colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place outside the palace daily at 1.30pm; it's short in winter but in summer takes a full 40 minutes of pageantry, with the King's Guards on horseback, bands, square bashing and parades along Karl Johans Gate.
The Royal Palace is surrounded by the manicured gardens of Slottsparken, also laid out by Hans Linstow. As well as lakes, leafy promenades and picnic spots, the park is dotted with statues of Norway's great and good, including King Carl Johan and Queen Maud, mathematician Nils Henrik Abel and women's rights defender Camilla Collett "” the latter two both by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, whose lifework can also be seen in Oslo's Vigeland Park.
Practical Info
Slottsplassen 1, Oslo. Open daily 11am"“5pm from mid June to late August for guided tours only. There are four English-language tours per day, at 12pm, 2pm, 2.30pm and 4pm. Tickets adult NOK 135; seniors, students & children younger than 13 NOK 105; family ticket NOK 330. Slottsparken is open daily free of charge. The palace is a 10-minute walk from Central Station.
Address: Slottsplassen 1, Oslo, Eastern Norway 0010, Norway
Hours: daily 11am"“5pm in summer for guided tours only
Admission: Adult NOK 135; seniors, students & children younger than 13 NOK 105
From $ 41
Flåm Railway
Winding its way through lush river gorges, climbing steep peaks, and passing dramatic waterfalls, the Flåm Railway is one of Europe's most spectacular train journeys. Running 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) between the Norwegian towns of Flåm and Myrdal, the train is among Norway's most popular tourist attractions, offering incredible views over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjords.
The Basics
It's possible to complete the round-trip journey from Flåm to Myrdal in about two hours, including stops at Kjosfossen waterfall and Myrdal. For an even more unforgettable journey, combine the ride with a cruise around the Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, or soak up the scenery on a self-guided transfer from Bergen to Oslo that includes a ride on the Bergen Railway and a ferry cruise across the Naeroyfjord fjord.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are restrooms, cafes, luggage storage, and souvenir shops at Myrdal and Flåm stations.
- There's time to get off and take in the views at Kjosfossen waterfall and Myrdal (for round-trip passengers), so dress accordingly for the weather as it can get chilly in the mountains.
- Wheelchair access is available at all stations.
How to Get There
It's possible to ride the Flåm Railway in either direction, from Flåm or Myrdal. Flåm Station is located in Flåm, Aurland, a roughly 10-minute walk from the Flåm ferry port on the Sognefjord.
When to Get There
The Flåm Railway runs daily year-round, but there are more than double the number of trains running in summer than winter. Those hoping to take advantage of the hiking trails and outdoor activities around Myrdal should plan a visit in spring or summer, but winter visitors benefit from magical views of glittering fjords and snow-dusted peaks.
The Flåm Railway by the Numbers
The Flåm Railway ranks as one the steepest trains in the world, with a gradient of 5.5 percent reaching a height of 2,841 feet (866 meters) in just 12.5 miles (20 kilometers). Opened in 1940, the train took almost 20 years to build and includes 20 tunnels and one railway bridge"”an impressive engineering feat.
Address: Flåm, Western Norway, Norway
Hours: Daily.
Admission: Roundtrip: NOK$ 550; One Way: NOK$ 390
From $ 198
Viking Ship Museum
Set on Oslo’s Bygdoy Peninsula, the Viking Ship Museum houses an extensive collection of Viking-era artifacts discovered around Oslo Fjord. The museum is best known for its Viking ships, which have been painstakingly reconstructed and elegantly displayed in pristine white galleries.
The Basics
Keep an eye out for the three ninth-century Viking-age longboats, which were excavated in Southern Norway after centuries of being buried in peat. View the Gokstad Viking Ship, a well-preserved Viking ship built around AD 890, and the Oseberg boat, which features exceptional woodwork and is believed to have been constructed purposefully for the burial of wealthy Vikings.
Most city tours feature a visit to the Viking Ship Museum, including hop-on hop-off bus tours and Oslo walking tours. Many excursions combine a museum visit with stops at other city highlights, such as Akershus Fortress, Vigeland Sculpture Park, and Oslo City Hall. The Oslo Pass includes admission to the Viking Ship Museum and is a good option if you’d rather visit independently.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Viking Ship Museum offers free audio guides in English.
- There are no restaurants on-site, so be sure to eat before you arrive.
- The museum and its exhibit halls are wheelchair accessible.
- Entrance to the Viking Ship Museum also includes access to the Norwegian ethnographic collection in the Museum of Cultural History, where artifacts include Egyptian mummies and medieval decorative arts.
How to Get There
The Viking Ship Museum is located outside Oslo’s city center and is easily accessible by bus or ferry. Organized tours offer an easy way to visit and allow you to avoid the hassle of navigation.
When to Get There
Open year-round, the Viking Ship Museum has longer hours in the summer to accommodate a spike in tourism. Opt for an early morning or late afternoon visit to avoid crowds.
Nearby Attractions
Make the most of your time in the Bygdoy area with visits to the nearby Fram Museum, Norsk Folkmuseum, and The Kon-Tiki Museum—all located within a 10-minute walk of each other.
Address: Huk Aveny 35, 0287, Oslo, Norway
Admission: Varies
From $ 12
Hardangerfjord
Norway's second-longest fjord, Hardangerfjord stretches nearly 124 miles (200 kilometers) inland from the Atlantic. Highlights include a massive glacier covering more than 77 square miles (200 square kilometers) and Troll's Tongue (Trolltunga) rock, hanging 2,300 feet (701 meters) above Ringedalsvatnet Lake in Odda.
The Basics
Hardangerfjord starts about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Bergen and heads northeast while branching into smaller fjords. Visitors can take guided walks on the glacier or hike on well-marked paths around the fjord. The hike up to Trolltunga is challenging and not for the faint of heart, but rewards hikers with sweeping views of the fjord and surrounding area, as well as some fantastic photo opportunities. There are also several interesting museums along the fjord, including the Hardanger Folk Museum in Ullensvang, the Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry in Odda, and the Hardanger Maritime Museum and Kabuso Art Centre in Kvam.
Private guided day trips and self-guided tours from Bergen generally travel the length of the fjord, taking in the waterfall- and mountain-dotted scenery along the way. Some tours travel by a combination of bus, train, and boat, so visitors can experience diverse viewpoints.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Hardangerfjord is a must-visit destination for outdoor and adventure lovers.
- Hardangerfjord is an easy 1-day tour from Bergen.
- There is an excellent tourist infrastructure in the area, with plenty of well-marked trails and cabins, if you want to stay overnight.
- Trolltunga is a challenging 1-day hike that requires proper gear and good footwear.
How to Get There
Hardangerfjord is more than an hour's drive from Bergen, where you can catch a boat (daily) to the village of Rosendal on the southern shore of the fjord. To explore the fjord by boat, numerous services run guided sightseeing tours, stopping at towns, such as Herand, Utne, Lofthus, Kinsarvik, and Ulvik. Alternatively, skip the hassle by visiting on an organized tour that leaves from Bergen.
When to Get There
Hardangerfjord is accessible year-round but is perhaps at its prettiest in spring when the area's many fruit trees are in bloom. The best time to hike to Trolltunga is between May and September"”snow and ice can create hazardous conditions outside of those months.
Orchard of Norway
Sometimes known as "the orchard of Norway," around 40 percent of Norway's fruit is grown around Hardangerfjord. English monks introduced apples to the region in the 13th century, and today one of its most famous products is a strong, alcoholic cider.
Address: Hardangerfjord, Bergen, Norway
From $ 246