The second happiest country in the world (according to the United Nations World Happiness Report) is also one of my favourites! With so many pristine and extraordinary places to choose from, it was a tough decision, but after exploring time and again, here are the places I keep coming back to…
1. The Fjords
Yep hype is real – the UNESCO-listed fjords delivered jaw-dropping scenery, with vast glacial valleys, dramatic cliffs, waterfalls tumbling into sapphire waters, and charming wooden villages, all wrapped in a deep, calming stillness that felt like a true escape from modern life.
I flew into Bergen and spent two idyllic weeks chasing Norway’s most spectacular scenery — cruising the dramatic Geirangerfjord, hiking the iconic Pulpit Rock and Trolltunga, kayaking the tranquil Nærøyfjord, and gazing at the candy-coloured houses of Bergen’s UNESCO-listed Bryggen!
Location: Western Norway along the North Atlantic coast | Size: vast region | Vibe: majestic, wild, and soul-stirring
My favourite highlights…
Staying at the Insta-worthy 4-star Hotel Union Geiranger Bad & Spa – I loved outdoor infinity pool, the holistic spa and the cool onsite vintage car museum (especially the 1919 mint blue Cadillac)!
2. Bergen
I loved Bergen — the famous colourful fjordside city often linked to the movie Frozen, where Bryggen’s wooden wharf, medieval landmarks, and charming hillside houses sit against a dreamy backdrop of misty mountains and lush green landscapes.
After a one-hour flight from Oslo, I spent three charming days wandering riding the Fløibanen up Mount Fløyen while gazing at postcard views, gawping the Edvard Grieg Museum at Troldhaugen, cruising the fjords to Nærøyfjord, and browsing its quirky indie stores (especially the funky Aud’s Atelier)
Location: Western Norway on the country’s southwest coast | Size: medium-sized city (Norway’s 2nd largest) | Vibe: colorful, creative, and cozy
My highlights…
Staying at the unique 4-star boutique Det Hanseatiske Hotel was so atmospheric, with exposed beams, antique bookcases, and an enameled cast iron claw-foot bathtub!
Staying at the unique 4-star boutique Det Hanseatiske Hotel was so atmospheric, with exposed beams, antique bookcases, and an enameled cast iron claw-foot bathtub!
3. Ålesund
This town felt like a visual feast — I stumbled across elegant Art Nouveau architecture, vibrant waterfront façades, and a stunning fjord setting, paired with a lively harbour atmosphere and a flourishing creative scene.
I drove a full seven hours from Bergen to reach Ålesund, and it turned out to be one of my favourite stops. Three nights at the Insta-famous Hotel 1904, a visit to the Art Nouveau Centre, a lung-burning climb to Aksla Viewpoint, and a day trip to the show-stopping Geirangerfjord made it all very special!
Location: Western Norway on the Atlantic coast | Size: small coastal city spread across several islands | Vibe: elegant, scenic, and storybook-pretty
My favourite highlights…
Dining at the rustic-chic Apotekergata no. 5 restaurant housed in a 1907 pharmacy – I dined on a velvety Porchini mushroom risotto which came with a zesty lemon ricotta and crunchy kale chips!
4. Lofoten Islands
Now firmly on travellers’ radars, these islands delivered jaw-dropping scenery — I saw soaring peaks, sparkling seas, a raw, untamed coastline, and picture-perfect villages of red fishermen’s cabins, all infused with a calm, timeless Nordic vibe.
Winter in Lofoten was just extraordinary – I flew into Leknes Airport, spotted the Northern Lights dancing over Uttakleiv Beach, stayed in a postcard-perfect red rorbu in Reine, and watched Arctic surfers take on the icy waves at Unstad Beach.
Location: Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea | Size: scattered archipelago | Vibe: wildly photogenic with a remote, Nordic-cozy charm
My favourite highlights…
Staying in a super-cute renovated village fishing hut in unique 4-star Nusfjord Village & Resort – I tucked into a breakfast of Bolle (a sweetened bread roll) and lingonberry jam while gazing at incredible sea views!
5. Oslo
I thought Oslo nailed the balance perfectly – contemporary chic meets historic charm, with fortresses and modern icons, leafy parks, forested hills, and fjord views creating a calm, progressive city that felt far more liveable than showy.
I took a direct flight from London and spent four easygoing days in Oslo, mixing culture and calm — Viking ships, Vigeland’s sculptures, a performance at the Oslo Opera House, The Scream at the Munch Museum, and slow afternoons by the water in Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen.
Location: Southeastern Norway on the Oslofjord | Size: large capital city | Vibe: modern, creative, and effortlessly cool
My highlights…
Staying at the 4-star boutique Saga Hotel Oslo, WorldHotels Crafted housed in a restored 1890s building on the fashionable Bogstadveien Street – their freshly baked Knekkebrød with brunost was divine!
6. Trolltunga
An absolute bucket-list spot, the ‘troll’s tongue’ treated me to heart-stopping views from a dramatic rock ledge suspended over a fjord, offering one of Norway’s most breathtaking panoramas — thrilling, awe-inspiring, and very much a hike I had to work for!
After driving from Bergen to Tyssedal, I stayed at the fjord-facing Tyssedal Hotel and took a 10-minute taxi to Skjeggedal — a long, demanding 27 km hike that paid off when I camped overnight and watched sunrise over Trolltunga.
Location: Western Norway near Odda above Lake Ringedalsvatnet | Size: single dramatic cliff ledge | Vibe: epic, adventurous, and pulse-raising
My highlights…
Gazing out from the vertigo-inducing cliff was magical — the vast, inky-blue Ringedalsvatnet shimmered far below, framed by snow-dusted peaks and brooding grey clouds that gave everything a mystical, other-worldly feel!
Gazing out from the vertigo-inducing cliff was magical — the vast, inky-blue Ringedalsvatnet shimmered far below, framed by snow-dusted peaks and brooding grey clouds that gave everything a mystical, other-worldly feel!
7. Flam
Small but stunning, this village completely charmed me with its epic fjord setting, storybook scenery, historic church, and the iconic Flåmsbana Railway threading through the mountains. I arrived from Bergen on the scenic four-hour rail journey and spent three peaceful days soaking it all in at Flåm Marina Hotel.
I rode scenic Flåmsbana railway (and found out it was one of the steepest train rides in the world!), cruised the stunning Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, hiked the picturesque surrounding trails, visited the historic Flåm Church, explored the interesting Flåm Railway Museum, and enjoyed delicious locally crafted brews at Ægir Brewery.
Location: Western Norway at the inner end of Aurlandsfjord | Size: tiny fjord village | Vibe: tranquil, fjord-front and postcard-pretty
My personal highlights…
Taking the 15-minute drive from Flåm to the sleek, wood-and-glass Stegastein Viewpoint, which juts 30 metres out from the mountainside — it was seriously vertigo-inducing, but the views over the shimmering Aurlandsfjord made every wobbly step worth it!
Taking the 15-minute drive from Flåm to the sleek, wood-and-glass Stegastein Viewpoint, which juts 30 metres out from the mountainside — it was seriously vertigo-inducing, but the views over the shimmering Aurlandsfjord made every wobbly step worth it!
8. Henningsvær
One of the prettiest spots in the Lofoten Islands, this village blends bright fishermen’s cabins, cosy waterfront restaurants, and a thriving harbour with jaw-dropping scenery of calm seas and sheer granite mountains — relaxed, creative, and wonderfully authentic.
I flew into Leknes Airport and drove two hours to Henningsvær, stayed in an incredible converted fisherman’s cabin at Henningsvær Rorbuer, explored the lively harbour, visited the contemporary KaviarFactory, and caught a magical glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Location: Lofoten Archipelago in Northern Norway | Size: tiny fishing village spread across small islands | Vibe: artsy, sea-salted, and very photogenic
My personal highlights…
Having an oat-milk Islatte espresso in the cool gem the Klatrekaféen restaurant – I loved the quirky and very creative decor which included light shades made from bronze cutlery and driftwood mobiles hanging from the ceiling!
9. Reine
I was completely in awe of Reine — towering peaks rising straight from blue-green fjords, iconic red rorbu cabins lining the shore, and glassy waters reflecting the raw, dramatic beauty of the Arctic.
After landing in Leknes, I followed the E10 into the heart of Lofoten and spent three unforgettable days summiting Reinebringen, paddling across Reinefjorden, and sleeping waterside in a classic red rorbuer cabin.
Location: Moskenesøya Island in the Lofoten Archipelago, Northern Norway | Size: tiny fishing village | Vibe: peaceful, very dramatic, and photogenic
My favourite highlights…
Staying at the 4-star Reine Rorbuer – by Classic Norway Hotels – it was incredible staying in a restored red fishermen’s cabin with knotty pine walls and huge windows which framed the Arctic Ocean and jagged Lofoten peaks — I could even hear the gulls when I cracked the door open!
Staying at the 4-star Reine Rorbuer – by Classic Norway Hotels – it was incredible staying in a restored red fishermen’s cabin with knotty pine walls and huge windows which framed the Arctic Ocean and jagged Lofoten peaks — I could even hear the gulls when I cracked the door open!
10. Stavanger
This gorgeous coastal city really wowed me! I was completely charmed by its mix of charming white and colourful wooden houses, stunning fjord landscapes, scenic harbours, soft sandy beaches and impressive historic landmarks. It felt vibrant yet laid-back vibe, with an inviting historic charm and a thriving food and arts scene.
I drove six hours from Oslo and spent three romantic days in Stavanger, staying at the romantic 4-star Hotel Victoria, wandering the white wooden streets of Gamle Stavanger, hiking to the iconic Preikestolen for breathtaking fjord views, and unwinding on the wide sandy shores of Solastranden Beach.
Location: Southwestern Norway on the North Sea coast | Size: medium-sized coastal city | Vibe: lively, historic, and sea-breezy
My highlights…
The cute Kant boutique gift store – I really liked the chunky, hand-knitted Nordic jumpers and the ceramic crab coffee mugs glazed in soft sea-blues and sandy whites!
11. Trondheim
This city completely won me over with its Insta-worthy riverfront, candy-coloured Bakklandet wharves, and the awe-inspiring Gothic Nidaros Cathedral — historic and timeless, yet buzzing with student energy and a brilliant cultural and food scene.
The seven-hour drive from Oslo paid off — a romantic stay at the Britannia Hotel, time spent exploring the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, and slow wanderings through Bakklandet’s colourful wooden streets
Location: Central Norway on the Trondheimsfjord | Size: medium-sized historic city| Vibe: scholarly, charming, and quietly vibrant
My highlights…
Dining at the very creative and trendy Troll Restaurant – I loved the unique forest decor, the soft, dim lights (where I almost felt like I was in a troll’s cave!) and how my dish was garnished with locally grown edible flowers! |
12. Skudeneshavn
I loved how effortlessly cute this coastal town felt — winding car-free streets, white timber houses, a charming harbour, and Insta-worthy sea views, all infused with a calm, nostalgic, seafaring atmosphere.
The four-hour drive from Bergen was well worth it — two sunny days based at the cosy Reinertsenhuset Guest House, exploring the postcard-pretty streets of Old Skudeneshavn, and soaking up the laid-back beach vibes at Sandvesanden.
Location: Southern tip of Karmøy Island on Norway’s west coast | Size: small historic seaside town | Vibe: dreamy, white-washed and maritime-pretty
My favourite highlights…
Majorstuen Antikviteter — a quirky little antique shop–café filled with carved chests, old pianos, bronze candlesticks, and nostalgic artwork. The kind elderly couple who run it made it extra special (Johannes had brilliant stories!), and the warm waffles with homemade raspberry jam were heavenly!
13. Fredrikstad
I thought this city was genuinely impressive, thanks to its exceptionally well-preserved Old Town (Gamlebyen), complete with mighty fortifications, cobbled streets, historic houses, and bustling squares, all paired with a laid-back atmosphere and a vibrant arts scene.
Just an hour from Oslo, I enjoyed two easygoing days in Fredrikstad — a cosy stay at Hotel Fredrikstad, slow wanders through Gamlebyen’s atmospheric streets, and panoramic walks along the old city walls, and performances at Blå Grotte!
Location: Southeastern Norway near the Swedish border on the Glomma River | Size: medium-sized fortified town and coastal city | Vibe: historic, relaxed, and village-pretty
My personal highlights…
Exploring the more modern part of the town Vestsiden (West Side), which is part of the modern city centre and stumbling across the Fredrikstad Cathedral featuring stunning stained-glass work by Emanuel Vigeland and a striking steeple!
14. Jotunheimen National Park
Jotunheimen National Park felt vast, wild, and deeply remote — a hugely photogenic alpine wilderness of soaring peaks, glacial valleys, turquoise mountain lakes, rugged shores, and remote lodges, all wrapped in an untamed, adventurous stillness that made solitude feel magical.
Five hours from Oslo delivered a proper mountain adventure — three days at Filefjellstuene Hotel, hiking Besseggen Ridge’s unreal blue-green lake views, and climbing Galdhøpiggen for sweeping, high-alpine panoramas.
Location: Central Southern Norway in the Scandinavian Mountains | Size: vast alpine national park | Vibe: raw, untamed, and gloriously dramatic | Wildlife: including reindeer, foxes, martens, wolverines, lynx, and the rare golden eagle!
My personal highlights…
Learning from the local guides about why it was known as the “Home of the Giants” – they told me that according to local legend’s mythical ancient Jotuns (giants) roamed the vast wilderness!
Location of Norway
Norway is located in the Nordic area of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, along with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
