So far in my travels, I have visited no place as beautiful as Norway. From the majestic southern fjords carved over the eons by glaciers to the saw tooth mountains of the North beyond the Arctic Circle, Norway’s beauty is evident and elegant. There’s just something about the gentle U-shape of a glacial valley that oozes sophistication to me. Honestly, I can’t find the words to do it justice, so let’s just go to the tape. It’s time to make my Norway Power Rankings, or Norway Top 10.
Fjords, surprisingly tropical Arctic Islands, a mountain railway, and beautiful drives constitute the Norway Top 10. As always, I’ll provide you with a Google Map so you can visualize where the locations are. Additionally, I’ll provide a brief overview of each attraction along with copious amounts of photos.
Lofoten Islands
Number 1 on the Norway Top 10 is the Lofoten Islands. The Lofoten Islands is the most extraordinary place I have ever seen, full stop. This is an island chain in the far north of Norway, well above the Arctic Circle. But if that sentence conjures up glaciers, snow, and ice, you’d be mistaken. You see, the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean terminates here. Therefore, despite its high latitude, these islands are surprisingly mild. Yes, they still get snow. But when we went in early September, the temperatures were in the mid-60’s AND we were able to see the Northern Lights! Absolutely incredible.
There’s not many sites in the traditional sense. No castles or major museums. The draw is the nature. The heaves and sighs of the coastline. The jagged, saw-toothed mountains that edge close to the water. The secluded beaches that have no business being above the Arctic Circle. If you enjoy hiking and the unspoiled beauty of God’s creation, this is the place for you. While the Lofotens are most certainly on the tourist map, their relative isolation compared to the Western Fjords of Norway means that you’ll likely find yourself with relatively few crowds.
Trollfjord & Hurtigruten
While technically located in and around the Lofoten Islands, I still consider number 2 on the Norway Top 10 to be a separate experience. The Hurtigruten is a coastal ferry that has been servicing the crevasses and coves of the long Norwegian coast for well over 100 years. The ferry is and was a vital link for people and commerce from Bergen all the way to Kirkenes along the border with Russia. Plying the icy waters of the North Atlantic with the Hurtigruten feels like stepping back in time. Plus the views of the Norwegian coast are stunning.
If that was all there is to it, a quick hop on the Hurtigruten would still be worth it. But if you take the boat from Stokmarknes to Svolvaer you get a chance to gaze upon the majesty of the Trollfjord. The Trollfjord is just what it sounds like, a miniature fjord. The sheer walls of the fjord encroaching upon your vessel is staggering and disarming. The fjord ends in a sort of cul-de-sac just barely big enough for a ship to turn around. A visit here is not very long but the memories will last forever.
Nigardsbreen
Being born and raised in Florida, I’m not very familiar with ice. Maybe that’s why I love glaciers so much. In my mind, there’s no way these things should exist. Anyway, they obviously do exist and they’re amazing. Only problem with glaciers…they’re shy. They are typically not readily accessible. But Nigardsbreen, number 3 in the Norway top 10, is an outlet glacier of the massive Jostedalsbreen ice cap and fairly easy to reach.
After a short boat ride through the lagoon and a nice walk, you come face to face with the glacier. The effervescent blue of the ice makes it almost look fake. But the cold, brisk breeze blowing off the ice is a stern reminder of its power. Glaciers like these formed all the valleys you drove through to get here. While you can’t walk onto the glacier without a guide, you certainly get close enough to make it worth your effort.
Geirangerfjord
Numerous fjords slice and cut Western Norway. Ice ages of yesteryear slowly carved the fjords. As the glaciers receded they left behind these deep, sheer-sided ravines subsequently filled by the oceans. They are all jaw dropping, but for my money the most beautiful one is Geirangerfjord. Geirangerfjord is so beautiful it is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Geirangerfjord is best viewed and appreciated from the water. Taking a ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger town has to be one of the best ferry rides on the planet. As the boat navigates the serpentine profile of the fjord, you are enveloped by impossibly steep cliffs and waterfalls gracefully falling into the cold waters of the fjord. This is one of those places where you are just left feeling dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of nature. And you’re all the better for it.
Museum “Island”
Coming in at number 5 in the Norway Top 10 is my first site not made by nature and my first site from Oslo: Museum “Island.” Why the quotes, you ask? Because technically this area is a peninsula as it is connected to the mainland by a small strip of land. But regardless of geographical semantics, this area is chock full of world class museums. Additionally, you can reach this area via ferry from downtown Oslo, making it enjoyable to reach as well.
Once in this area, you have your choice of 5 fantastic museums. My favorite is the Viking Ship Museum. Here you can see a couple of viking ships almost entirely intact. Ok, that sentence likely undersells it a bit. But just being able to see the intricate carvings on these ships up close is pretty special. You can also see the Fram museum. Fram was a polar ship that explored both polls. It went further north and further south than any wooden ship in history. The Kon-Tiki, Naval, and Folk museums round out what’s on offer here. I normally do not recommend museums, but this area is a clear exception.
Flam Railway
Number 6 on the Norway Top 10 is likely a site you’ve heard about: The Flam Railway. It is part of the much marketed “Norway in a Nutshell” tour. This steep, inclined railway weaves a curvy journey between Flam down by the fjord shores to Myrdal up in the mountains. This short, 12.6 mile journey goes through 20 tunnels and gains over 2,800 feet in elevation.
The views from the train are awesome. Additionally, the train stops midway at a nice waterfall. Here, everyone gets out and takes photos, providing a nice break for the journey. Quite simply, it’s an amazing engineering feat and a great activity for the entire family. Yes, the train and the town itself will be bursting at the seams with tourists. But just make a reservation ahead of time and enjoy the experience.
Sognefjord
Sognefjord is by far the largest fjord in Norway. It cuts a formidable 127 miles into the interior of Norway. It is almost 4,300 feet deep. Sognefjord is so vast that it has 12 “fingers” that have different names. One such finger is Naeroyfjord that terminates at Flam. I deliver this lengthy preamble to hopefully convey just how massive this thing is. Regardless of stats, this fjord makes the Norway Top 10 for one reason: staggering beauty.
Unlike yours truly, the fjord does not have a bad side. Whether you are viewing the grandeur from the Stegastein viewpoint or the front yard of your Airbnb, the fjord is mesmerizing. You get lost in its beauty like the eyes of the one you love. Time just seems to melt away as you gaze upon the boats gently plying the calm waters. I know, this is getting a little much. My bad.
Oslo Opera House
Unless you live under a rock, you probably know what the Oslo Opera House looks like. The opera house design suggests an iceberg extending out of the harbor. I would say the architect accomplished their mission. Now, in an admission that should surprise no one, I don’t think I know the name of a single opera. If you’re an uncultured brute like me, never fear! You don’t have to appreciate opera to love walking around the grounds of the #8 site on my Norway Top 10.
Walking around the grounds of the opera house is a peaceful joy. The gentle slope of the roof creates an inviting crescendo asking you to climb. From the roof you gaze upon the tiny harbor, the passenger ferry from Denmark, and the urban sprawl of Oslo rooftops.
Route 55
Norway possesses dozens of fantastic roads that weave their way through its beautiful landscape. Norway christened 18 of these roads as National Tourist Routes. These National Tourist Routes showcase a beguiling mix of otherworldly beauty and engineering marvel. Therefore, they are quite popular scenic driving routes. The last two sites in my Norway top 10 are both National Tourist Routes. First up is Route 55, known as Sognefjellet.
Sognefjellet blazes a path through the heart of the Jotunheimen mountain range. Beginning in the town of Lom in Central Norway, the road climbs past waterfalls and beautiful landscapes until it reaches the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe. On its descent, it weaves through more of that beautifully desolate Norwegian landscape until it posits you on the welcoming shores of Sognefjord in Skjolden. It’s a long drive but well worth every mile…and kilometer for that matter.
The Snow Road
Another National Tourist Route rounds out my Norway Top 10. The road is named Aurlandfjellet. Yeah, I don’t know how to pronounce that either. Therefore, the road is named “The Snow Road” in a lot of places. Unlike Route 55, this road is essentially abandoned, being replaced by a tunnel through the mountain. This road traverses the mountainous peninsula between Laerdal and Aurlandsvangen. The drive takes maybe around 45 minutes. But for those who pick the road less traveled, you are rewarded with an uncrowded adventure through signature, isolated Norwegian beauty.