Norway is a seamless mix of old and modern, with natural landmarks lurking alongside cutting-edge cultural venues. Oslo is a lively capital, but you can drive through the snow-capped mountains and breathtaking gorges if you want. It’s known for being the country of the Midnight Sun that never finishes days and the sun permanently fills the sky often during the year, as well as being one of the places of northern illumination in the world.
Norway is one of Europe’s richest countries, so you can expect high-quality services, including the various public transport options while traveling here. Norway is considered to be extraordinarily safe as well, so it is a great choice for solitary women who travel easily across the world. Having a fascinating past, you’re sure to do many things from museums to other sites like glaciers. You will read more about the fascinating Viking culture here and also look at the modern Norwegian sides, which are still abundant.
Here’s what Norway’s best to do…
- Take a train journey
Norway has a number of large and easy to use rail routes, so one of the best ways to enjoy the country is by train.
There are over 2,000 miles of paths and you can take Norway from a completely different viewpoint by scenic journeys.
The Bergen Railway, which leads past Hardangeridda and Dovre Railways from Oslo to Trondheim, is among its highlights.
- Explore Mount Floyen
You need to come to Mount Floyen that is a 399-meter peak overlooking the city if you want to get the best view of Bergen.
If you feel lazy, you can easily take the 8-minute walk from the funicular railway up to Bergen and its stunning fjords.
There is a lookout area close to the top and if you don’t like the cable car, you can still walk to the top and mountain bicycle along the nearby trails.
The Floyen folk restaurant has traditional music recitals and local food. Another great attraction here.
- Visit Oslo Cathedral
The cathedral of Oslo is one of the city’s key attractions and was originally built in the 11th century.
The church’s style is Baroque and the first church in Norway was ever built.
The church has seen an iconic procession of events like the royal family and now, on a journey, you can see the whole past for yourself.
The big organ and the decorated chair and the bright murals covering the ceiling are all things to look for.
- Take a ferry
Another great way to discover Norway is to travel on the Hurtigruten ferry to some of Norway’s less explored areas.
The ferries are called coastal steamers and in Bergen, you can catch one and go to Kirkenes for an epic 12-day journey.
Along the way, you can go up and down to some of Norway’s popular scenic ports.
- Explore the Geirangerfjord region
Geirangerfjord is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the large Fjord Norway Network.
It extends several miles, but Alesund in the north, famed for its icy Norwegian scenery, is one of the highlights.
Sunnylvsfjord, the most beautiful of the countryside, is also a nice place.
If you want to climb one of the peaks, go to the 4,905 feet high Dalsnibba summit.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy the glory here is to book a tour that takes you to all of the region’s most beautiful spots to avoid missing anything.
- Marvel at the Arctic Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Arctic is the work of Jan Inge Hovig, a Norwegian architect who dates back to 1965. This is therefore one of the country’s newer cathedrals and is designed in a spectacular way.
The structure has the appearance of massive blocks of ice, with sparkling mosaics and the famous glass façade with a large crucifix inside it.
During winter, it is even more beautiful to see the cathedral from the outside.
- Tour Akershus Castle
The castle of Akershus was established in 1299 in the medieval era to defend Oslo from an attack by the enemy.
Over the years it took many uses, including functioning in more modern days as a renaissance castle and jail.
It is still used by the Norwegian Defense Ministry, and some of the lovely rooms such as a dining room and chapel can be visited and taken in here.
Antique collections also take you on a trip through the history of the castle, so you do not skip this if you want to learn more about Norway in the days of old.
- Visit the Arctic Circle
Many people don’t know that most of Norway are in the Arctic Circle, so it is the perfect place to seek the Midnight Sun.
Every year during the summer solstice, this natural occurrence occurs when the sun never goes down, but when the day ends.
The appearance of the famous Northern Lights which are made up of particles from the sun that penetrate the world atmosphere is also a key characteristic of the Arctic Circle.
- Travel along the Atlantic Ocean Road
You should not skip a trip along Norway’s Atlantic Ocean Route.
The path extends for 5 kilometers along the rough yet sightly coast and takes you through charming fishing villages and picturesque sights such as ancient cathedrals.
There is a certain route to take since it is now one of the highlights of Norway tour packages and the famous Troll Church Cave is a huge attraction.
- Go skiing in the Lyngen Alps
The amazing Lyngen Alps is situated in the Arctic Circle and extends over 90 kilometers to the Swedish border.
The area is surrounded by fjords, glaciers, and waterways, and there are high peaks and scenic gorges.
Dog sledding or snow-safari is also popular in the Alps and there is a great opportunity to see the northern lights.
Also, top sports in the Lyngen Alps include skiing and rock climbing. Jiekkevarre, the highest mountain, is 1,833 meters above sea level.
- Visit the Kon-Tiki Museum
A series of souvenirs from a renowned Norwegian explorer, Thor Heyerdahl, can be found in the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo.
There are a variety of galleries that Heyerdahl has undertaken, as well as a 30-meter long cave tour.
If you are interested in Norway’s geology and topography, this is a nice range and you can also lookout for a subsoil with a whale shark.
The museum restaurant here is also known as the Kon-Tiki fish casserole for serving traditional Norwegian specialty foods.
- Marvel at the Vigeland Sculpture Park
Gustav Vigeland, a famous Norwegian sculptor, devotes the Sculpture Park of Vigeland to his work.
More than 200 pieces of bronze and granite are present here and it is also a sculpture park of its greatest nature which shows the work of an artist.
The Main Gate, the Children’s Playground, the Wheel Life, and the Bridge are some parts of the Park.
Many of Gustav’s artworks show complex personal emotions, and sculptures, including skeletons, are visible in the branches of the trees.
- Admire the Munch Museum’s paintings
Edvard Munch, known for its symbolic style, is one of the most popular Norwegians ever.
Since 1963 the museum has worked and 1,200 of these paintings and 4,500 sketches and an impressive collection of 18,000 impressions have been displayed here.
Some sculptural and lithographic items, as well as memorabilia, such as letters and books, are dedicated to Munch’s existence.
- Visit the Viking Ship Museum
One of Norway’s favorite museums, the Viking Ship Museum exhibits a variety of Viking objects.
This includes objects found in local graves and in all their glory Viking ships.
Three of the longboats date back to the ninth century and are exceptionally well preserved in turf and.
The best known of those is the boat of Oseberg that was allegedly used as a burial boat for the Viking aristocracy at ancient times.
- Discover the Cultural History Museum of Norway.
In Oslo Fjord is located the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
Here you will find anything from 1500 up to the present day about the rich culture of this country.
The museum contains works from all over the world and signatures such as a 13th-century wooden stave can be found.
Other parts are devoted to the restoration of traditional Norwegian homes and clothes belonging to the Sami.
Each person interested in Norwegian folklore and art should also not skip the museum and toys, photographs, and folk dance displays performed here year-round.
- Visit the village of Geiranger
The village of Geiranger is surrounded by woods and rivers, with sparkling cliffs.
Located on the coast, Geiranger is a pretty picture postcard and is known for its numerous colorful buildings.
There is also a lovely fishing port, where local people can look at their catch and the scenery here has inspired the movie Frozen.
- Tour Oslo City Hall
Many people don’t think of Oslo as a cultural town, but it is wrong and Norway’s politics and culture are seen in the Oslo City Hall.
It was designed in 1915 and now has a number of galleries such as the Festivalgallery and some pretty frescoes from the 20th century. The building itself is one of the most famous in the world.
Don’t skip any other iconic objects like the St mural.
The patron of Oslo is Hallvard.