Tourist Attractions & Monuments Norway

Small wooden church. Built in 1974 to replace the one built in 1807 which had become too small. It is one of the oldest in Norwegian Lapland, and also the only monument that was not destroyed by the Germans during the Second World War. It is worth a visit if you are in the area. The church is still in operation and you can, if you wish, hear a mass in Norwegian or Sami. There is also singing from time to time. The shape of this church is unusual!

This park dedicated to Sami culture opens with a 25-minute film on the history of the Sami people, followed by a tour of several buildings that recreate the Sami way of life during the summer (traditional tents or lavvu, food shelters, a reindeer pen). The premises aren't very big, and you quickly get the hang of it, unlike the store, which is huge. All the staff are dressed in traditional costume. An opportunity to discover a little more about Saami culture, the original people of these northern lands.

Founded in 1972, this museum is Norway's first Saami cultural institution. Dedicated to Saami culture, it is both an open-air museum and a gallery with several collections. It includes a "river house" and a model reindeer herders' camp. It exhibits some 5,000 traditional objects of all kinds: traditional costumes, handicrafts... It's the ideal place to discover or deepen your knowledge of this people.

Oslo Guide bureau offers 3 2-hour tours led in English or Norwegian by certified guides, on the following themes: the capital's major attractions, the history of the Akerselva River, urban development in Oslo. A great way to understand the Norwegian mentality by learning more about the country's history, but also a great way to discover the city, its very different neighborhoods, and their every secret! Even without the Oslo Pass, prices remain among the most attractive in the city!

The Visit Oslo website is a real goldmine! You'll find free access to a series of self-guided themed tours, the Oslo Escape Tours, which you can even download in handy GPX format. Other articles, illustrated with a map, cover topics such as urban art and sculptures in public spaces. Don't hesitate to visit the office for personalized assistance, and to ensure a tailor-made visit to the capital!

Off the coast of Andøya stands this bird rock, one of the most famous in the country. A local fishing boat goes to this island every day, where a large number of species can be seen. Between 70,000 and 80,000 pairs of puffins, over 4,000 pairs of kittiwakes and hundreds of cormorants, guillemots, petrels and other seabirds nest here. Remember to take your binoculars and why not a sketchbook for yourself or to draw your own postcards. A very beautiful place.

Since 2003, Lofoten has had its own ice palace. But here, the play on reflections and lights has nothing to do with Versailles. It is about sculptures of boats, animals, everything that makes the regional culture, but especially the Icebar in ice! An icy and unique universe which is worth the detour, if only to appreciate the talent of the ice sculptors! Fairy-like. It is also a bar, and you will certainly not often have the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail in such a setting. An extraordinary place not to be missed!

The former apartments of the great playwright Henrik Ibsen, where he lived from 1895 until his death in 1906, have been transformed into a museum in recent years. The original furniture was salvaged from the Bygdøy open-air museum to bring it back to its original setting. The museum has been restored and recently reopened. It features an interactive exhibition dedicated to the artist's life and work, and now boasts its own theater stage!

It's a kind of Aqualand with a large pool and a 26-meter slide, as well as other water games. We recommend the flowrider, a large artificial surfing wave, to experience an amazing, powerful pleasure usually reserved for those who live on the edge of capricious waves. On a slightly drier terrain: ponies, playgrounds, reconstructions of Norwegian alpine pastures. Prices a little cheaper by buying the ticket directly from their web page. A great activity with friends or family.

It is a farm court of the th century. In summer there are demonstrations of goldsmith and sales of popular crafts. You can also see art exhibitions and the largest Hardanger violins collection in the country. Concert hall, concert shows and folk dances. Café, with traditional dishes on the menu.

This company offers day cruises to the different fjords around Stavanger. It also offers a number of activities and guided tours from Stavanger (glacier climbing, hiking ...). It is the company that operates connections between several cities and is therefore a good option for a one-way trip. Be careful, some boats are for passengers only. The company offers the FJORDcard, valid for 5 days of unlimited travel in the region, not bad!

Mineral collections from all over the world. The 175 m of the mine galleries houses one of the most beautiful collections of crystals from Norway. Antique jewellery objects for sale at the shop. Exhibitions of ad hoc art. Large adjoining stone park and some old buildings.

Located 10 km from Dalen, this is the traditional farm where the sculptor Anne Grimdalen (represented in the National Gallery in Oslo) was born. There are indoor and outdoor exhibitions of her work, including animal sculptures all over the huge garden, which children will be happy to explore and touch. The wooden houses are very old and very pretty, all carved. There is a bright cafe where you can have lunch or dinner for very little money and without having to travel for miles!

The museum tells the story of electricity from 1901 to the present.

The town museum is located in the oldest house in Flekkefjord, which dates from 1724. It tells us all about the way of life at that time by organising temporary exhibitions on historical themes. A very interesting museum that promises a nice visit with family or friends. A small shop in the summer and above all, many different workshops, particularly suitable for children, such as the construction of wooden and cardboard houses for birds, the manufacture of small plaster moulds and painting afterwards. Great!

This red and white lighthouse, which represents the southernmost point of Norway, is also the oldest lighthouse in the country, built in 1916. The first lantern was built on this site in 1656! Has always, Lindesnes Fyr guided the boats through the shelves and the reefs that cover this dangerous coast. The view from the top of this lighthouse, stowed on a large rock constantly beaten by the swell, is very beautiful, perhaps more impressive still in bad weather. Here a gift shop and public toilets are found.

This documentation centre on the beginnings of skiing offers a multimedia exhibition showing the evolution of this sport. The Cinemascope film features Sondre Norheim in the lead role, before entering a reconstructed snowscape where a play of lights and sound effects recreate a winter atmosphere... A great activity to do with the family that is a bit different from the usual. Take the time to stop there if you can! We recommend it.

In the Eiganes district, a little way from the centre, it is a 19th century residence of neoclassical architecture with, inside, a heterogeneous mixture of Rococo, Empire and Biedermeier styles. It was built between 1799 and 1803 for the Kielland family as a summer residence. In 1936 the city of Stavanger took over the house and turned it into a museum. Temporary exhibitions and events are held on a regular basis. Large and beautiful collection of paintings, the oldest dating from 1710. Beautiful park.

Close to Mosvann lake and the youth hostel, unfortunately a bit far from the centre (25 minutes walk from the city centre, and 5 minutes by bus), this modern museum has about 1,500 paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries and exhibits about two thirds of Lars Hertervig's total neo-romantic works. The museum also has paintings by Kitty Kielland. Cafeteria in the building. Guided tours. Activities for children and families.

The Musée de la Marine tells the story of the shipyard with the help of ship models. A reconstruction of a shipowner's office of the time can also be seen. There are interactive exhibits for the youngest visitors, such as a reconstruction of a trading platform, where children can dress up as they did in those days and play different roles! In this museum you can see different interiors as they were. Great visit.

Probably founded in 1250 by Magnus Lagabøter, Utstein Monastery is set in beautiful surroundings and surrounded by gardens. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it was the royal residence of Norway's first king, Harald the Fair-haired, before being handed over to the monks of Stavanger in the ^12th century. Today, the private manor house offers a privileged setting for occasional concerts in the monastery church, as well as mass every Sunday.

It is located opposite the Royal House. It is still a patrician house from 1881, a perfect example of the Swiss style of the time, having kept all its original furniture. The villa is surrounded by an English-style park with a small museum of horse-drawn carriages in the barn. You can find a good part of the museum collection online with lots of information. This villa is spread over three floors and therefore promises a rather nice and diversified visit. Please note that there is no access for people with reduced mobility.

2 km to the west is Furulunden, a small pine-covered point with many easy trails for all levels of walkers. You can even take them with a baby stroller (if you have good wheels!). This is the place where all the inhabitants of Mandal go for their jogging and Sunday walk. To the left in the distance is Mandal's lovely beach, Sjøsanden, a well-protected cove of fine sand. A large rock with a small house clinging to it stands out in the distance. A nice place, that's for sure!

At the end of this path, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the highest point of the waterfall. The route goes through a wild and impressive mountain landscape until you reach the Mardalsvatnent lake. From the lake it is a 20-minute walk along the river to the highest point of the waterfall. On a clear day, the panoramic view of the Mardalsfossen waterfall and the Eiksdalen valley is breathtaking. This waterfall, the highest in Northern Europe, was the subject of much discussion in 1970 during environmental protests.

A museum about nature conservation. Exhibits tell how man has coexisted with nature, especially in the Norwegian mountains. An exciting visit where you can see reindeer and mammoths, a moment where you enter a fairy tale full of local folklore. A room reproduces some weather conditions such as rain, wind and thunder. Interactive geological explanations with this sandbox where you can model mountains!

A must-see natural area for all nature lovers. Here you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities and discover breathtaking landscapes! Between glaciers, lakes and fjords, it's the very essence of the country that you find in Jotunheimen, the "Land of the Giants" in Norwegian. Wild reindeer inhabit the western part of the park, while semi-domesticated herds graze near the villages of Lom and Vågå.

Here are about 23 old houses from the Ottadalen valley. The stabbur (a kind of log larder on stilts), dating from the 16th century, is one of the largest and oldest of its kind. It is an opportunity to step back in time and learn about the daily life of the farmers of that time. The museum also offers temporary exhibitions and if you come with children, there are many activities for them, mainly on Wednesdays.

A pretty little house where to find the history of the village, the ancestors, the valiant fishermen and the brave peasants of the current inhabitants.

A beautiful shipowner's house built around 1800. A semi-permanent exhibition is dedicated to Edvard Munch (1863-1944) and his stay in Kragerø in 1909 to rest and recover. Some say that this period in Kragerø was one of the most prolific of the painter. His sublime Sun was for example born there. There is also a small café and many activities throughout the summer. A beautiful place full of history.

The "virgin country" with only 65 permanent residents is composed of islets and reefs forming a crescent off the coast that protects Kragerø. It is bordered by sandy beaches towards the interior and pebble beaches towards the exterior. This small archipelago represents the typical landscape of the area and is home to a nature reserve. The main island, Jomfruland, is about 7.5 km long and 1 km wide. Two white lighthouses, one of them still in use, pontoons, small paths, boats, beautiful beaches and birds... not too bad!

Founded in 1996 and inaugurated by King Harald himself, this museum pays tribute to the work of Kjell Aukrust, the Norwegian cartoonist and author born in Alvdal. After working for a major Norwegian daily newspaper, he became a writer. One of his novels, The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix (in Norwegian, Flåklypa Grand Prix), was made into a film in 1975, and went on to become one of the biggest successes of Norwegian cinema. The venue is sometimes open out of season. Solan og Ludvigs Kafé welcomes you!

Elverum offers a wide range of tourist activities. History buffs can visit the Norsk Skogmuseum, a museum specializing in forestry and logging. The Glomdalsmuseet is also an interesting museum to discover, with exhibitions on the region's culture and history. For relaxation, travelers can enjoy the Bergesjoen and Sagtjernet lakes, ideal for walks or picnics. The town also boasts several churches and cathedrals, including the Elverum church, which are well worth a visit. When it comes to eating out, there's plenty to choose from, from the Ja Ja Thaimat restaurant serving Thai cuisine, to the Café Ost offering European and Norwegian cuisine. Elverum thus offers a variety of activities and places for visitors to discover.

Located in a beautiful park on the shores of Lake Mjøsa, the Nordic Railway Museum (Norsk Jernbanemuseum, in Norwegian) houses station structures, rails and machinery dating back to 1860. One of the largest locomotives in Norway, known as the Dovregubben, and carriages from the royal train can be seen here. In summer, the steam locomotives Tertitten and Knertitten take visitors on a tour through the park.

The legendary Wagnerian singer Kirsten Flagstad (1895-1962) was born in Strandstuen, the oldest house in Hamar, not far from the cathedral. The exhibition, dedicated to her life and career, includes photos (she was a star singer at the Metropolitan in New York), personal objects and recordings. Kirsten Flagstad made her debut at the age of 18 and began singing Wagner's works in 1928. Her extremely powerful and well timed voice soon made her a star in Oslo, Stockholm, but also in Brussels and New York.

These mines were in operation until the 1970s. The museum was opened in 1989, visitors can go down into the bowels of the earth using the old small railway. The Wormshall, at the very bottom, has amazing acoustics. Back on the surface, in the open air, the Direksjonen is the former residence of the mine manager, transformed into a guest house for 14 people and a restaurant for up to 30 guests.

This large national park extends over the Dovrefjell mountain range. Expanded in 2002, it now covers three counties, including Oppland. The steep massifs of the western part are crowned by the white summit of Snøhetta, which rises to 2,286m. In the eastern part, the limestone rock is home to some of the richest mountain flora in Scandinavia. Animals in the park include musk ox, wild reindeer, wolverine and mountain fox. Birds are particularly abundant, and one of Norway's bird sanctuaries, the Fokstumyra Marsh, is just 20 km further south on the E6. Information center at Kongsvold. Several access routes, including E6 and train (Dovre, Hjerkinn, Kongsvoll). Marked trails, unguarded refuge and many other accommodation options in the valley. Various seasonal activities. The website is a mine of information.

Snøhetta viewpoint. An unmissable hike for all ages (3 km round trip) to a spectacular viewpoint over the Dovrefjell relief. At the summit, a shelter allows you to warm up before setting off again (closed in winter). Less frequented when the snow starts to fall, it's still well worth the detour! You may even catch a glimpse of musk oxen crossing the valley in the distance.

Formore information on hikes and walks, visit the Norwegian Hiking Association website: www.turistforeningen.no.

It is the^4th largest ecomuseum in Norway. Valdres Folkemuseum was founded in 1901 and the first buildings of the "collection" were erected in 1906 in Fagernes. In 1917 the museum was moved to the peninsula of Storøya next to Fagernes. Later, in 1950, the museum leased the rest of the island and today comprises a large area. The museum has 95 buildings and about 20 000 objects. Very nice interactive tour. Great for kids. Coffee.

Immediately south of Femundsmarka, amidst dense virgin coniferous forests, this tiny national park offers views of 250-year-old spruce and even older pine trees. Life is everywhere, from dead trees that have fallen to the ground and are teeming with insects, to lichens that tumble from the trees. Black woodpeckers and Siberian jays can be seen here. Between lake and mountains, this forest is accessible to all types of walkers.

Forests of conifers and erratic blocks of granite cover this glacial training with soft undulations, crossed by a semi-formal domestic reindeer and wild musk oxen. This park is adjacent to two major nature reserves and national park, on the Swedish coast. The brown bears do not know the borders and often come from Sweden to sow panic in the flocks of sheep, sharpening ancestral hatred that the farmers dedicate to them.

This skating hall, the fastest in the world, was built for the Lillehammer Olympic Games in 1994. Its architecture evokes the shape of an upside-down Viking ship (designed by Niels Torp and the Bjong&Bjong agency), and it's true that it's... stunning! A great success. World-class speed skating competitions are held here every year, but Vikingeskipet also hosts other types of sporting events (car rallies, soccer, luge races, track cycling) and cultural events (concerts, trade fairs and conferences).

This manor house was built in English style in 1901 for the Scottish Lord Salvesen. The buildings that make up the property are surrounded by extensive parkland with a rare collection of rhododendrons and artworks. In summer, there is a café and a beautiful sandy beach. It is also a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations. The temporary exhibitions of Norwegian artists are often of very good quality, such as the paintings of Marit Grini orLisbeth Skranes. See program on the web or on site in summer.

Opened in 1828, the Agder Museum is the only natural history museum in the region. It is also one of the oldest in the country. It includes a botanical garden, permanent exhibitions ("The Ice Age", "Minerals", "From the Sea to the Earth", etc.) and temporary exhibitions. It's always a pleasure to walk around in this kind of place, learning a bit about the local plants and animals. If your steps take you there in spring, don't miss this visit!

In the museum's garden a bronze statue depicts the Viking Egil Skallgrimson challenging the king with a horse's head on a pole. The statue was cast from a plaster cast from the Gustav Vigeland Museum in Oslo. Andorsengården is a former shipowner's house with large masterpieces such as Adolph Tidemand's The Hugenots and paintings by Olaf Isaachsen. It also houses the largest collection of paintings by Amaldus Nielsen and the city's library.

A good lesson for French animal parks: it covers over 150 hectares and is in impeccable condition despite being 45 years old. Among the most unusual animals: the red panda, the wild snow goat and the wolves in their little fenced-in forest. Among other games and attractions for children, there's the famous town of Kardemomme By, recreated in 1991 after Thorbjørn Egner's book, Gens et brigands de Pimentville (published in French in 1992 by Esprit Ouvert). This town of gentle brigands features a pirate ship that transports children to Summer Island in the South Sea. We also love Aqualand, with its outdoor pool heated to 26°C. Inside the park, in the miniature town, you'll feel like you're in a North African village. It's all there. You can rent child-sized houses, from 4 to 6 beds. Kids (and parents) love it!
This zoo is one of the biggest in Scandinavia and the largest in Norway. We recommend visiting during the summer months to see the animals in the African and Asian pavilions outdoors. However, it's worth visiting all year round, especially in winter to see the Siberian tigers, wolves and elks. The zoo is open all year round and staffed by qualified personnel. A little anecdote: the "Zoo Keepers" are also the actors in a TV show, broadcast on a Norwegian channel, where you can follow the daily life of the animals in the park!

The museum houses one of the largest guns ever created, the Vara Battery. So, firearms, history and big guns lovers beware! It was built by the Germans during the occupation of the country, during the Second World War, and later joined its acolytes Dora and Gustav in the list of the most fearsome weapons of war in the world. It was later used and finally dismantled by the Norwegian army.

It is a large 19th century mansion on the northern outskirts, near the church of Oddernes, in an English park with wild flowers. The ballroom displays a collection of paintings by anonymous painters and copies of masters. The small charming salons are furnished in the English Empire style. A magnificent building. In the building opposite, a small museum of natural history exhibits a naturalized musk ox and a polar bear.

This medieval church has a very rich baroque decoration with some Renaissance touches here and there. Its runestone is one of the most beautiful in Norway. Organ concerts in summer. The church is pleasant to look at. The adjoining cemetery is quiet and you can walk between the sober Norwegian gravestones. If you are passing by, consider stopping by, but perhaps don't make a detour on purpose either.

Dating from 1827, the main building, in the Empire style, has fully furnished bourgeois apartments of the period. The other buildings include a brewery, small boat building workshops, a sail making workshop, a smithy and a stable. In this museum you can see, among other things, historical tools that give a good idea of what a maritime town was like in the past. There is also a small souvenir shop in an annex with handicrafts.

The museum is housed in a white wooden house, which once belonged to Ibsen. It is the largest collection of memorabilia and personal items belonging to Henrik Ibsen. It was while working as a pharmacist's apprentice (in the adjacent pharmacy that has been reconstructed for the museum) that he wrote his first poems and plays here. A place steeped in history, and this can be felt in the atmosphere of this place, which opened in 1916, only ten years after his death!

Located in the former Naes Jernverks Iron Work, which operated from 1650 to 1959, this life-size eco-museum recreates the working environment of the former industrial site, with buildings, machinery and equipment dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Period films in English show the various stages of iron and steel production as they were carried out. The museum was also a center for other activities, such as the manufacture of horseshoes. A guided tour is organized in and around the museum.