Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Norway

It can be reached from Longyearbyen, after a three-hour navigation. The glacier is 5 km wide, 30 km long and almost 50 m high, so it is very impressive, especially when you approach it by kayak. The name of the glacier comes from an old name of Sweden. Of course, one does not venture there without a guide, except for extreme adventurers, in which case you may not have this guide in your hands! Don't get too close because of the frequent ice falls. You will be surprised by the noise that a glacier makes!

Galdhopiggen is the highest mountain in Norway and Northern Europe, at 2,469 m. On one side, the 500 m precipice in Lake Gjende, known for its intense green colour, on the other, the view of Lake Bessvatnet. And it was here that Peer Gynt rode the great reindeer that flew through the air. Allow a whole day for the excursion through Besseggen or to the top of Galdhøpiggen, although it can be done in 5 or 6 hours! The climb is said to be difficult and is for experienced walkers. Guided tours are also available.

On the riverbank outside Kautokeino, Frank and Regine Juhls have created a veritable folk art sanctuary. For more than 40 years, they have been doing more than just creating jewellery in this silver workshop. The beauty of Saami art reveals its deep artistic meaning here. The jewellery (especially the knives, with their reindeer antler handles finely decorated with animal or symbolic motifs) are true marvels. In addition to the goldsmiths at work, you can also see the sheep, horses and chickens on the farm.

Nordkapp Jul & Vinterhus, an adorable little house, temple of the Norwegian Christmas spirit! There are trinkets and other gift ideas for all seasons. Elves, tree balls, traditional cakes: nothing is missing! It is also a lively place where all the fishermen come to talk about their catches. Tasting of dried cod and visit of a traditional Christmas house. Tasting of mulled wine(gløgg) and pancakes(lefse), a delight!

Around Narvik there are several caves that can be visited and where it is possible to go caving in summer. Information at the tourist office for times and days. A sporting activity for those who are not claustrophobic of course! The Trollkirka cave, for example, is known to be quite extraordinary, with waterfalls, holes shaped over the years by water and ice, cracks here and there. May be also not recommended for people who are afraid of heights, ask your guide!

Do you want to get some fresh air, walk in nature without going far from the capital? Do you like the idea of getting a great view of Oslo, the fjord and the surrounding mountains? Would you like to find a quiet place to have a drink/lunch/waffle/dinner with a great view (Grefsenkollen Restaurant!)? Or you just want to find a nice place to go for a jog? Then Grefsen is a small, unspoiled area of Oslo (off the beaten track but accessible) that is probably for you!

The majestic Finnkirka cliff comes into view as you enter the Kjøllefjord. It's often compared to a cathedral, because it certainly looks like one. This imposing work of nature has withstood the test of time, cold and waves. For many years, it served as a sacred site for the Sami people. The lucky ones can discover it at night, when it is illuminated. Others can try their hand at climbing. One thing's for sure: from up there, the view is breathtaking. Don't forget your equipment.

Trollstigen, the famous Norwegian troll road, offers a different view of the mountains at every turn. The rock formations that frame it are visible at every panorama. The highest point, Store Trolltind (the highest) is perched at 1,788 m above sea level. The most beautiful part of the road is called Ørnevegen (the eagle road). From here, you will have the most beautiful view of the region. The difference in altitude is so important in some places (more than 9%!) that it can give some cold sweats to the most experienced drivers and motorcyclists!

It is a very picturesque coastal village, which is located at the tip of the island of Karmoy. Approximately 3,500 people live here year-round. The ferry to the village of Skudeneshavn gives a taste of how to travel in the fjords. On the island of Karmøy, an alternative route leads past Mary's Needle, a curious obelisk with runic inscriptions. Further on, the port of Haugesund, which is revived by oil from the North Sea, hosts the Norwegian film festival. The wooden houses in Skudeneshavn are really beautiful.

This medieval centre contains several buildings built as a set for the 1995 film Kristin Lavransdatter, based on the novel of the same name. A reproduction of a standing wooden church can be seen here. From the forges to the animal buildings, from the stable to the kitchen, this is a visit that will also appeal to the little ones. At the beginning of July, a folk dance festival is held here and other events are held from time to time, such as classical music concerts.

Hamningberg(Hámmanbirgi in Saami) is a small fishing hamlet exposed to the fury of the icy Arctic Ocean. It still had 250 inhabitants in 1900, was spared during the Second World War and was finally abandoned by its inhabitants in the 1960s. This village is located at the eastern end of Norway, at the very end of the Varanger Peninsula, on the edge of the Barents Sea. The fauna and flora are nevertheless quite rich and you can see birds, red foxes, and other species typical of these latitudes.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

The rock engravings found at the Åskollen and Austad sites have been dated to around 6,000-7,000 years ago. They are the first signs of human activity in the Drammen area. The largest rock carving at the site is of a moose. The animals are decorated with lines and figures on the inside of their bodies, which may suggest that this is a representation of their internal organs. Really beautiful to see.

Bymarka is quite simply the garden of the people of Trondheim. This vast 80 km² coastal natural area is home to a wealth of natural beauty and some 200 km of hiking trails! It's a meeting place for locals in fine weather, but also in winter, when the cross-country ski trails (some of which are illuminated for night-time use) are open. There are several refuges and cafés on the reserve to welcome you for a break. It's easy to get here by public transport, via Sverresborg, Kyvatnet or Lian.