Things to do in 

Norway

Find alternative things to do in small boatyards, Sami reindeer camps, and timber towns scattered between Oslo’s forests and the far-north coast.

Cultural experiences: Watch glassblowers at Hadeland Glassverk in Jevnaker, about an hour north of Oslo, and try a simple piece yourself, a fun stop for families and older travelers. In Norheimsund, 1.5 hours from Bergen, the Hardanger Maritime Centre shows wooden boatbuilding you can touch, sand, and smell. Up in Tromsø, share a reindeer camp visit with Sami hosts for stories and a gentle sled ride that couples often remember most. Farther south, Røros near Trondheim invites you into historic courtyards to bake flatbrød and learn old mining-town life, while luxury travelers can book private tastings at farm cider houses around Ulvik, 2.5 hours from Bergen.

Day trip ideas: From Oslo, ferry to Drøbak for Oscarsborg Fortress and smoked cod, or ride south to Fredrikstad’s cobbled Old Town for galleries and river walks. From Bergen, take a small boat up the narrow Mostraumen or bus to Osterøy’s farm roads for quiet fjord views. From Tromsø, loop Kvaløya by car to Ersfjordbotn and Sommarøy for white-sand coves and golden evening light. From Ålesund, cross to Godøy for Alnes Lighthouse and simple cafés facing the sea.

Explore Norway's regions: Fjord Norway around Bergen and Ålesund blends steep walls, small ferries, and farm tastings on Sognefjord and Geiranger. Lofoten and nearby Vesterålen, reachable by flight to Svolvær or Leknes, stack fishing villages, rorbuer cabins, and photogenic hikes. Farther north, Tromsø and Finnmark lead to Alta’s rock carvings and wind-swept Varanger near the Russian border. The Oslo Region links forests, lakes, and museums with easy trains to Lillehammer on Lake Mjøsa. Trøndelag centers on Trondheim’s cathedral and the wooden lanes of Røros.

Travel tip: Count on 7–10 days for Oslo plus Fjord Norway; add 4–6 more to reach Lofoten or Tromsø. Winter and summer feel like different trips, so pick one or focus by region if traveling with kids or older travelers.

More places to see in Norway

Beyond Oslo, you’ll find places that show Norway’s variety, from bright harbors to bold cliffs and quiet Arctic light.

Bergen: Start by slipping through the lanes behind Bryggen’s old warehouses, then ride the Fløibanen up to Mount Fløyen for an easy forest walk and wide views in late afternoon. When you come back down, grab a bowl of fish soup at Søstrene Hagelin and watch the harbor settle into the evening.

Lofoten Islands: Follow the curve of the road to Reine and Hamnøy, where red rorbuer line the water and cod racks frame the shore. Drop into the KaviarFactory in Henningsvær for contemporary art, then wander Uttakleiv Beach when the summer light lingers well into the night.

Stavanger & Lysefjord: Set out in the morning for the Preikestolen trail, with coffee packed for the cliff-top break. In the afternoon, take a boat into Lysefjord to idle beneath waterfalls and the Kjerag walls, then finish with a quiet stroll past the white wooden houses of Old Stavanger.

Ålesund & Geirangerfjord: Climb the Aksla steps for a clear look over Ålesund’s islands, then drive or ferry into Geiranger to watch the Seven Sisters fall straight into the fjord. If the weather’s clear, continue up to the Dalsnibba viewpoint for a high, wind-in-your-face panorama.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Watch waterfalls swell and orchards bloom along Hardangerfjord as snow retreats from the valleys. Stroll waterfronts in Oslo and Bergen as patios reopen, while migratory birds crowd the Varanger coast. Families and senior travellers tend to appreciate milder days and quieter roads, with late-season skiing still possible in the mountains.

Summer: Follow the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle, hike airy ridgelines in Lofoten, and kayak calm fjords in the evening glow. Choose relaxed fjord cruises or scenic rail if steep trails aren’t the plan, a favourite for families and senior travellers. Luxury travellers lean into quiet boutique lodges and private boat days, and things to do in Norway in summer stretch well past midnight.

Fall: Savour ruska colours, forage berries and mushrooms with a local, and watch the first auroras return from late September. Drop into harvest markets and cosy coastal cabins for storm-watching, a season couples often favour for its slower pace. Photographers often call this the best time to visit Norway for rich light and calm trails, while whales start gathering in the north.

Winter: Chase the Northern Lights, mush a dog team across silent valleys, and snowshoe through spruce forests before warming by a woodstove. Ski groomed cross-country loops near Oslo or carve turns in classic resorts; families love sled hills while senior travellers choose scenic train rides such as the Flåm line. Christmas in Norway brings candlelit streets and traditional markets in Bergen, Oslo and storybook Røros.

Across the year, join locals for open, recurring celebrations. Constitution Day on 17 May fills towns and villages with bunads, flags and brass bands; midsummer bonfires blaze along beaches in late June; Oslo Pride brings colourful parades downtown; Sami Week in Tromsø spotlights Indigenous culture and reindeer racing; from late November, Christmas markets brighten city squares.