Tourist Attractions & Monuments Norway

Øvre Pasvik National Park, located in a Norwegian enclave between Finland and Russia, is home to a fragile and highly specific flora and fauna. From Hoyde Tower 96, a former military watchtower dating back to the Cold War, you'll be able to contemplate the different landscapes perfectly! Every year in the vicinity of the tower, we witness the presence of bears and some unusual bird species. The Park Visitor Centre is open in summer only. Many other experiences are available all year round!

In a green setting, this large park offers many attractions, such as roller coasters, a space shot and carousels, as well as cafeterias, kiosks and stores. Reconstructed western movie sets. It is particularly popular with locals. Theme nights like Halloween for example. All kinds of water games to get sprayed, small cars, a ride surrounded by trolls, a great carousel, a tree house...

Geiranger Church is a small octagonal wooden church built in 1842. The church is said to have been built on the remains of a ^15th-century church. The church was decorated by woodcarver Einar Flydal after Vigeland introduced the artist. The work was carried out during the period 1938-1945. The woodcarvings were painted by Lars Tynes, Karl Gjere and Nils Bjørdal, all from Geiranger.

The Troll Wall is a vertical wall more than 1,000 m high, whose ascent is considered to be one of the most difficult in the world. Uncharted until 1965, it is now used for climbing in summer and winter. In the 1980s, the wall became, unfortunately, very popular for paragliding jumps. The dangerous and treacherous rising winds caused several fatal accidents, and paragliding was finally banned in 1986.

It is the first Norwegian constitutional monument. The room where this historic event took place is still publicly owned and remains in the same condition as it was at the time. The original painting by Oscar Wergeland is in the Parliament in Oslo. The constituent assembly that met there from 10 April to 20 May 1814 consisted of 112 delegates. At that time, it was a private house belonging to a rich industrialist. It is an example of neoclassical architecture, inspired by the lines of antiquity.

Close to Eidsvoll Manor, and in order to better understand why the Constitution was written there, you can also visit the open-air museum, Eidsvoll Bygdetun. It contains 26 old buildings of various sizes, all of which are evidence of local rural activity in the 19th century. All but four of the buildings are from different farms in the area and date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Evocation of the life on the farm in the past years, historical reconstitutions not bad at all which allow to be immersed in a past culture. The houses are fully furnished and many farm tools are on display. Little kids will probably enjoy the visit very much as it is very visual. A museum of the occupation during the Second World War is also located here. Guided tours of both museums are offered during the summer months. The museum is a popular place for picnics and relaxation with its lawns, woods and lake. Barbecues and picnic tables are available, and on Sundays enjoy traditional Norwegian dishes in the cafeteria. Also, the Feiring Ironworks(Feiring jernverk) is located in the forest northwest of Eidsvoll and is a testament to Carsten Anker's iron production in the early 1800s. The interior of the old blast furnace is still intact. Explanatory boards are present.

The horn of the Romsdal valley, which rises 1,550m above the valley, hides a hydroelectric station in its side. An old noble farm, which has belonged to English lords (the Davenports) for generations, nestles on the banks of the Rauma River, which flows through the Romsdal Valley before emptying into the fjord near Åndalsnes. For many years it has been considered one of Norway's best salmon and trout rivers.

This pagan temple-like church is beautifully situated in the open countryside between 2 green hills. Built in 1150, it has preserved several runic inscriptions. The interior is original. The carved wooden portal is one of the most magnificent of its kind. Dragon heads reach for the sky at the end of the multiple roofs, on which small wooden tiles are laid like the scales of a reptile.

We learn that the glacier is blue because of the spectrum of light it creates, and that the fjord is green because of the particles carried by the meltwater. Also on display is a copy of a pair of skis dating back to 1170, trapped in the glacier. Explanatory text in French. In the cafeteria, you can warm up with soup and rolls while admiring the view through the large windows. The museum also organizes guided hikes on the glacier.

Some 40 houses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved and grouped together in this open-air museum created in 1920. The interiors of the houses tend to represent the lifestyle of the Norwegians of the time. A superb boat, called Holvikejekta, is on display 2 kilometres from the town centre. Made by the brothers Jakob and Andreas Apalset in 1881 in Krånafjøra, it is 20 metres long and 8.6 metres wide. Guided tours. Free parking. Nice café and shop.

An exciting museum is located at the foot of the Nigardsbreen glacier in the Jostedalen valley. This centre provides information to visitors about the national parks Jostedalsbreen and Breheimen. Natural history, regional culture, various sports activities on the glacier. There is a pleasant cafeteria, a souvenir shop and a climbing gym for the little ones. Here you will also find all the information you need to book a guided tour of the glacier or a cruise on the lake.

The tower can be reached in 5 minutes on foot from the town centre. From the top of this rock there is a beautiful view of the open sea, the island of Grip to the north and the large mountains of Nordmøre and Romsdal. In summer, a small terrace with refreshments is set up here. There are many walking paths below, around the Vandamman (the town's former freshwater reservoir), which has been converted into a park.

In the city centre, this museum tells the history of the city. The building is a former homestead and, despite the sometimes cramped rooms, it is a very pleasant visit.

There is a model of Ålesund before the great fire of 1904, which destroyed the city during a terrible winter storm, as well as Art Nouveau objects, remains of the German occupation, a former dentist's office and a reconstructed photographic studio under the roof.

This open-air museum presents the daily life of the people of the region, the tools and the environment of the people of the North 1,100 years ago. The open-air part of the museum allows visitors to see traditional Norwegian houses from previous centuries. The site is particularly pleasant, on the edge of a lake, where it is good to walk, and picnic in the summer. Perfect to discover the history of the Sunnmøre region. This museum is built on both sides of an archaeological site.

In an old fish warehouse, typical of the city of Ålesund, the fish museum reconstructs the history of fishing, with a special focus on the export of certain fish. Explanations on the transport of fish, and of course, a lot of information on the production of the famous Klippfisk, the dried and salted fish that made the fame of Alesund since the 1950s. Even today, Alesund's Klippfisk production is exported mainly to Brazil.

The Haraldshaugen Obelisk, 2 km from Haugesund, stands on the burial mound of the Viking king Harald Hårfagre (Harald with the beautiful hair) who unified Norway in 872. Erected in 1860 for the millennium of the reunification, this 17 m high granite obelisk, placed on a 5 m mound, is surrounded by 29 smaller obelisks, each of which represents one of the subjugated provinces: The Saga of the Norwegian Kings, written by the Icelandic scalde Snorre Sturlasson (1179-1241) tells all the deeds of the great Vikings. See Les Sagas Icelandaises, published by Payot.

It is a cultural centre and a folk museum, located in the heart of a fjord. This lighthouse was built in 1849. There is also a nice café with tea and coffee, and their specialty, waffles with jam and cream. Light savoury meals, such as soups, are available, ideal after a short walk! Temporary art exhibition and nice little souvenir shop with things you can't necessarily find elsewhere. A change of scenery!

A local art gallery, exhibiting a collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures, from the end of the last century to the present day. Through grants, new works are added each year. International, national and local artists also exhibit here. The museum has 1,000^m2 of exhibition space and also offers activities for children. The museum also has a small shop and a café, with wifi connection. It is possible to take a guided tour, by reservation only.

The building is an example of Norwegian neoclassical architecture. Whatever one thinks of it, it has been voted the most beautiful building in the city. At the time, in 1921, the building cost 1 million Norwegian kroner to construct, donated by the wealthy shipowner Knut Knutsen. The architects Herman Munthe-Kaas and Gudolf Blakstad were finally chosen to design the future town hall. The construction took a total of 8 years.

Bergen Guide Service offers walking tours, citysigthseeing by bus with licensed guides in Bergen. A la carte tours in more than 20 different languages. Several tour programs are offered, from 2 hours to a full day, in Bergen, in the Hordaland region to see Ole Bull's house in Lysøen for example... Tours are organized on Saturdays at 2pm and 4pm, in Norwegian and English, starting from Holmedalsgarden 4, in Bryggen. Contact them to help you put together your program in Bergen. A good option to get all the information live.

Jaermuseet is a joint science centre and museum for seven municipalities in the region. The museum presents the history, culture and industrialisation of Jaeren. It is divided into two main branches: "Vitengarden" ("Science Farm") in Naerbø and "Vitenfabrikken" ("Science Factory") in Sandnes. A number of other museums in the region are also dependent on it. The central administrative office is located at Vitengarden. Voted Museum of the Year 2009 by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, it also received the European Micheletti Award in the same year as the best technical museum in Europe. And for good reason, the visit is really exciting and beware, time flies without you realizing it! Both sites offer interactive animations about food, architecture and building methods and materials. The Naerbo Museum is located in an old wooden and stone farmhouse in the heart of the countryside. It tells the story of the history and development of industrialisation and offers interesting exhibits on the daily life of the farmers of the time, and on the evolution of industrial techniques and methods. Extremely educational for young and old. Almost every week there are special events on offer, so check out their website or phone directly to book an event. There is a nice café serving hot and cold food. Wifi. Parking.

The Sandnes Arts Association was founded in 1955. Until 2009, it exhibited in a beautiful Empire building, but it has now moved to the premises of an art cinema centre in the heart of the town. Exhibitions of painters and artists from various backgrounds are on display, such as Yngve Henriksen from the Lofoten Islands, Anna Kristin Ferking and the superb bird photos of Einar Sira. You will see mostly local, regional and national. A nice place to go if you have the time.

This open-air folk museum offers an insight into the traditions and daily life of Norwegians from 1000 years ago to the present day. During the summer, the traditional houses are open to visitors but there are no fixed times, so it is best to check before you visit. You can see houses, boats, textiles, fishing nets and tools. Please note that it is located 13 km from Bergen city centre, so you have to go by car or bus.

The city museum consists of two museums: the Museum of History and the Museum of Natural History. The History Museum tells the story of Norwegian art and cultural heritage and has important archaeological and anthropological collections. The Natural History Museum has many exhibitions and important zoological, botanical and geological collections. A very nice botanical garden and arboretum, if you are there in spring and summer of course.

Tvindefossen Falls are 152 metres high and can be seen from the road. They stand white on the ledges formed by the rocks. It is said that bathing in the waterfall gives you strength and sexual vitality. Up to 200,000 visitors a year (mainly from the USA, Japan and Russia) come to admire the waterfall and of course to fill small (or large!) containers. The Danish-Norwegian painter Johan Christian Dahl painted it in 1830.

Mølstertunet is an old farmhouse with 16 buildings and the original furniture. Finneloftet is a Viking banquet hall from 1250, one of the oldest wooden buildings in Norway, which can only be visited in groups. The museum has about 20,000 instruments and everyday tools from previous centuries. There is also a shop (hand-blown glass, organically grown textiles) and a café with good carrot cakes.

Ole Bull (1810-1880), composer and virtuoso violinist, made a fortune by giving many concerts in Europe and especially in the United States. He bought this little island to build his "madness", a kitsch délire called the Petite Alhambra. It is a wooden villa painted in blue and white blue. A horseshoe staircase rises to the veranda flanked by a turret in onion bulbs. The concert hall inside is a wooden imitation of the Moorish architecture. This summer residence, including the built trails and small pieces of water invited to romantic walks, was a meeting place for the many friends and relations of the artist. The house has remained unchanged since his death. Listed in Historical monuments, it has been open to the public since 1985.

By following the marked trails, visitors come to discover traditional agricultural activities (mowing, burn) that will save the végétation vegetation, which is now threatened. Exhibition, film projection and cafeteria. This natural park received the UNESCO Prize for Cultural Landscape in 2001.

Bergen, Norway's second largest city, offers a multitude of tourist attractions to suit all tastes. One of Bergen's must-sees is Bryggen, the old wharf famous for its colorful wooden houses. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bryggen is home to the small Bryggen Museum, as well as numerous restaurants and boutiques. The fish market (Fisketorget) is also a popular attraction, where you can sample fresh seafood or buy Norwegian handicrafts. Other popular cultural attractions in downtown Bergen include the Bergen Museum, the medieval Bergenhus Fort and the KODE Art Museums, Scandinavia's largest collection of art, design and music. Lovers of classical music can also visit Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg. Surrounded by mountains and located close to the Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, Bergen is also a dream for active travelers and nature lovers. For the best panoramic views, take the Fløibanen funicular from downtown to Mount Fløyen and enjoy a stroll through the surrounding woods. Or take the Ulriksbanen cable car to the summit of Ulriken, the highest of Bergen's seven hills, for a refreshing hike with superb views. Bergen is also the departure point for the famous Hurtigruten coastal cruise, which follows the magnificent coastline to the town of Kirkenes. This cruise offers breathtaking views of the main sights of Bergen and the west coast. Bergen is easily reached by plane from Oslo International Airport, and by car or train from Oslo.

This lighthouse, which has not been inhabited since 1970, is a popular place for painters and writers. A pedestrian bridge links the lighthouse rock to the mainland. The only inhabitants of the place are about twenty eiders that come here to nest. Beware, the weather can change very quickly! At any moment, the elements can rage around this lighthouse isolated in the sea, so watch the weather forecast. In the summer, you will find a charming little restaurant that serves breakfasts with fresh homemade bread. Lunch and dinner.

Located about 40 kilometers north of Bodø, this charming little mountainous peninsula is home to a fishermen's hamlet, a former trading post that has now been transformed into an open-air museum. It was the last port for seasonal fishermen before the Lofoten archipelago, at the time of Victor Hugo's Workers of the Sea. At the end of the last century, hundreds of small boats gathered here to wait for favorable winds to cross the dangerous waters of the Vestfjord. The most famous local figure was Erasmus Zahl, owner of the whole hamlet, and the first person to help Knut Hamsun (Nobel Prize for Literature in 1920) in his difficult beginnings.

The house in Sirilund is indeed the same as the one described in his novel Benoni and Rosa. Their television version as well as the film, taken from his work Pan, were shot on this island. Since then, many film shoots have taken place there (including the film Dina, starring Gérard Depardieu), the place benefiting from a magnificent light, which allows today a beautiful exhibition on the films shot on the island. With a bit of humor and a lot of willpower, the inhabitants of the island define themselves as living in the Hollywood of Norway. There is a café and souvenir store in the new stable (Nyfjøsen). A recommended visit to get a closer look at the atmosphere of deepest Norway and to take in the sights!

In the middle of the town, petroglyphs have been identified. The outlines and figures of Brennholtet, mainly reindeer, are estimated to be about 5,000 years old. Were they drawn in the hope of a good hunt? Or to leave a trace for future generations? As a ritual? Or simply for the pleasure of art? Archaeologists obviously can not know and only hypotheses are issued more or less likely. That of art is quite nice, isn't it?

The railroad was built in 1902 in spite of Mother Nature's wrath, with the sole aim of transporting ore, and sometimes a few passengers - today, tourists! In Kiruna, you can visit the mine and learn more about its origin, operation and importance. It's so productive that it's responsible for moving the entire town of Kiruna!

Itinerary: Narvik - Riskgränsen (Sweden) - Kiruna - Luleå. From the border onwards, the line is connected to the Swedish network and takes the name Malmbanan.

Objects of all kinds are made in this shop, but the interest resides in the glass shop. The artisan works in front of customers. Very nice collection of paintings from local artists and ceramics.

A very beautiful place which presents different works, objects, paintings and furniture. A luxury and artistic audacity which can surprise in a somewhat remote place... Temporary exhibitions of mainly Norwegian or Scandinavian artists. It is a non-profit association whose aim is to promote art and culture in all its forms. Many events are organized in addition to the exhibitions. Programmation on line or by email.

Created by the artist Oscar Bodøgaard and his son Harald Bodøgaard in 1985. Officially opened to the public in 1989, it welcomed no less than 1,200 people on its opening day! This gallery, located at 2,5 km from the city center, is one of the most important in the north of Norway. It houses millions of art and craft objects, some of which belonged to the Russian Tsars. It also hosts events such as concerts that usually accompany the opening of temporary exhibitions. A nice place that moves!

Located 8 km from the center of Bodø, this old farmhouse, managed by the Nordland Museum, has been completely restored. The wooden furniture and buildings are a perfect illustration of the buildings of the time. Some parts of the building are hundreds of years old. The farmhouse has been occupied on several occasions by members of the government, as well as skippers from ships calling at Bodø. A guided tour in English is available, by reservation only. We advise you to check the timetable before you go.

Former presbytery, this room is today in the cultural centre of Nordland. It welcomed louis-philippe of Orléans in 1795, future king of France, when it when the Revolution. Remain today to admire the frescoes of 1754 painted by Gottfried Ezekiel in rococo style, probably the oldest in the country.

Thanks to the work of volunteers, this fort, a symbol of the town's resistance to the English navy, has been completely restored. The site was chosen as a millennium site. Completed in 1810, this military edifice was intended to defend the Norwegian coast against the English navy, and to protect grain imported from Russia despite the blockade to which the Norwegians were subjected. The fort never saw battle.

The museum building, shaped like a helix, covers more than 10,000 m². Two large exhibition areas are devoted to the civilian and military collections. On the program: the history of aeronautics, the discovery of many aircraft (Junkers, Ju-52, Mosquito) and flight simulators to put yourself in the shoes of pilots. An interesting and complete visit to enter the Norwegian history through aviation.

Just a few minutes from Reine is the only museum of its kind in Norway. It opened in 1992 on a personal initiative. The museum exhibits a collection of over 1,500 dolls and toys dating from 1860 to 1965. It's a museum that brings back many memories for older visitors, and often astonishes even the youngest. The second floor features an antique and souvenir store. Coffee and Norwegian-style waffles for sale.

Welcome to one of Norway's best-preserved fishing villages! The Fiskevaersmuseum tells the story of daily life in a fishing village between 1840 and 1960, and the evolution of fishing in Lofoten over the last 250 years. A number of exhibits explain, among other things, how cod liver oil is made and how delicious Norwegian pastries are made. In the village store, stock up on local products!

The Musée des Arts et Métiers, in addition to its craft and furniture collections, boasts tapestries based on cartoons by Gerhard Munthe. These motifs tell the story of the Viking epic and perfectly illustrate the Norwegian Olympus. Three other sites are associated with the museum, taking over from the main building: the jewel of Trondheim royal residence, Austrått manor house, one of the country's oldest, and the Hannah Ryggen Centre. Reopening date unknown.

This tiny walled island was once Trondheim's place of torment. A Benedictine convent built around the year 1000 (one of the first in Scandinavia) was transformed into a prison fortress in 1658, a bit like Alcatraz or the Château d'If. Today, it is a pretty and popular tourist site, with a small beach and a café-restaurant which are open during the whole summer period. Guided tours are available during the summer.

The Archbishop's Palace, the symbol of the city, is located just behind the cathedral. It was the residence of the pontiffs until the Reformation, when Norway became Lutheran. From 1556 onwards and for about 100 years, the palace housed the Danish overlords before being taken over by the army. At the end of Bispegata Street, which runs in front of the cathedral, is Gamle Bybro, the old drawbridge with its ornate, red-painted porticoes.

The largest desert in all of northern Europe where the winds have piled up the sands into large dunes. When the mine was active, almost all the forests around the town were cleared to supply the copper smelters. In the late 18th century, as part of a reforestation programme, attempts were made to plant the sands with branches and peat, sow them with grasses and then plant them with pine and birch. Most of the White Sands is now devoid of vegetation.

Visit an underground gallery 50 m below ground and discover a life and techniques developed 300 years ago. Bring good walking shoes and warm clothes, as the temperature does not exceed 5°C all year round. The Olav Mine, built at the instigation of Christian IV (King of Denmark and Norway from 1588 to 1648), is located in Storwartz, where several mines were in operation from 1644 to 1977. The Olav mine was the last one to be closed and was then 90 metres deep.

Smelthytta (copper smelters) in Malmplassen was a central point of the Røros community. From 1646 to 1953, copper was melted here. The factory was closed 1953. In 1975, the building burned. Today's foundry was built on the ruins of the old foundry.

The museum presents two permanent exhibitions: «Copper mines», which explains part of the history of Røros, and «Ti finpussa», which displays costumes worn by the lords in 1800. The foundry also offers temporary exhibitions.

Bårdshaug Manor was built in 1900 for the minister Christian Thams. An architect by training, he worked as a director for the Orkla mines and was also consul in Belgium and president of several companies in Africa and Europe. Christian Thams established Norway's first electric railway, the Thamsbanen.

The Bårdshaug Herregård consists of the manor house, which is built in the Empire style in wood, two railway buildings, and a building furnished with antiques.

The museum is the only one in Norway that specializes in musical instruments and consists of white houses in a small square courtyard. The museum's collection consists of about 2000 instruments from all over the world. Among the instruments on display are the hardangerfele violin, whose distinctive sound inspired Edvard Grieg, and the nuckelharpe, a Swedish variant of violins with under-strings. A pleasant café, a souvenir shop, a botanical garden and temporary exhibitions complete this place perfectly.