Norway is beautiful. This is just fact. I feel really glad, that I didn't visit it as a tourist, but could live there for a whole year. I didn't waste my time: I went out to hitchhike at almost every weekend. Obviously I couldn't say, I've seen everything - I wouldn't even use the word "enough". Anyway, I decided to make a list about my favourite places for those, interested in the scandinavian country. And who isn't?
South Norway
Skipping south Norway is a bad idea. Walking in the most populous norwegian towns, one can feel the viking history. Altough the centers are usually modern, and full of life, the colorful wooden houses around the historical ports look like, time had stopped there. Travelling in south Norway will always give you some history lessons, regardless visiting the Viking-, the Kon-Tiki-, or the Flam Museum in Oslo, or just any lonely fortresses in the countryside.
World's end
Let's start at the end of the world! This coastline is literally called like that (in norwegian: Verdens Ende) The place looks like any other south norwegian coastline, but it sounds cool to visit the end of the world, doesn't it?
Lindesnes
The neighbouring peninsula of Kristiansand is the southernmost point of the country. Maybe not a real attraction, but if you are around it definitely worth to climb up to the light tower for this view.
Random coastlines and fisherman's villages
South Norway's biggest highlight (in my opinion) are those small, unknown villages, you can find a lot. The biggest chance is around the swedish border, in Østlandet county.
Horten
Next to the swedish border, you find the fortress of Horten, from where you can enjoy the beautiful view. If you are travelling between Oslo and Göteborg, it's a "must stop" place!
Oslo
Oslo is the city, norwegians love to hate. Even the inhabitants of the norwegian capital like to criticize the pollution, the over-population and the "city-life" itself. Let's admit: norwegians aren't born to live in cities! Therefore, their largest city is not as big attraction as one would expect according to other capital cities around the world. Although it's still worth a few days! Here you can find the norwegian royal palace, the "park of the domestic violence", the Holmenkollen ski jumping tower, the Nobel Peace Center, the muslim Greenland and the famous painting of Edvard Munch the "Scream".
Central Norway
Most of the national parks, the highest peaks and some of the real wildrenesses are located in the heart of the country. Altough the viking aged wooden churches and the tiny beatiful norwegian towns are worth to see as well, let's make it clear: if you visit central Norway, wear hiking boots!
Gubransdalen
After Oslo, the second most hated place by norwegians is the so called Gubransdalen, where the most important highway (E6) goes. During hitchhiking I've heard many times the drivers complaining about, how boring this road is, and that they prefer to go on other ways if possible. Well, here is a picture. Look at it, and now imagine a country where this counts to be boring!
Lillehammer
On the southern edge of the abovementioned boring valley, and on the coast of the largest norwegian lake is Lillehammer located. This area is well-knows scandinavia wide about its mountains and ski slopes. It's not a coincidence, that the winter olympics in 1994 was held here. If you are strong enough for the almost 1000 stairs, you can enjoy the royal view from the top of the ski jumping tower!
Since I was living on these hills for a whole year, I have so many pictures, I created an own post for them.
Kvitskriuprestin
Also located in the Gudbrandsdalen, the long named geological formation is worth a visit as soon as possible. Unfortunately due to the erosion, there is no guarantee that this will wait you long...
Rondane Nemzeti Park
Above the Kvitskriuprestin you find the first national park of Norway, the Rondane. Amazing place!
Jotunheimen Nemzeti Park
In the front of the Rondane, on the other side of the highway is the Jotunheimen located. It's name means the "land of giants". However it could be explained by the fact, that this national park has the highest peaks of Norway, in fact the name has a mythological background. In this part of Norway the rich folktales of giants and trolls are still well alive! Wanderful places!
Reinheimen
The Reinheimen National Park is less known, than the previous ones, but therefore is ideal place for those, seeking to hike far from the crowds in the norwegian wilderness.
Heddal
Heddal is the largest wooden church of Norway from the viking times, and it is only a 2 hours ride away from Oslo!
Telemark
The northern part of Telemark county is one of the most isolated places of Norway. This territory hosts the military trainings but is suitable for anyone looking for a real adventure!
Hardangervidda
The Hardanger plateau (Hardangervidda in norwegian) is the largest national park of the norwegian inland. It's bigger than the Yosemite!
Vøringsfossen
There are plenty of gorgeous waterfalls in Norway, so let me just highlight my favourite one. The Vøringsfossen falls 182 meters from the abovementioned Hardangervidda into the fjord.
Gol
There are also a lot of viking wooden churches too, and the one in Gol isn't a famous one. But this is what gives the charm to this little church in the pine forest which is often unknown for the norwegians too!
Røros
Røros is a small mining town in the often overlooked eastern Norway. Ideal for those, willing to see a completely different urban landscape! Definitely worths a visit!
"Desert"
Not far from Røros, there is a very suprising place, which is often just called as the norwegian desert, From the top of these sand dunes you can have amazing view on the traditional mining valley!
Rauma valley
The Rauma railways between Dombås and Åndalsnes is without doubt one of the most spectacular train lines of Europe!
Romsdalseggen
If you take the train, I mentioned above, it's a must to climb up to the Romsdalseggen too! I have to admit, that this place is my personal favourite from this list, I'd go back here any time!
Western Norway
Western Norway is the land of the fjords. Western Norway is breathtaking. Western Norway is something, you can't get used to, nor bored of. Western Norway is a place to visit.
Trolltunga
The Trolltunga (the tongue of the Troll) is the number one attraction of the scandinavian country. As you see I wasn't very lucky with the weather, but I still found it amazing!
Preikestolen
The Preikestolen is similar to the Trolltunga, but is much easier to reach. (and also the weather was more nice during my visit there)
Kjeragbolten
The Kjeragbolten is the third must see natural attraction. These (Trolltunga, Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten) all are close to each other and with good planning and an even better physical condition it's not impossible to visit them all in one day!
Stavanger
The city next to the "three must see"-s is famous about its oil ports and colorful wooden houses. Don't skip it!
Låtefossen
Also close the three biggest attractions, this waterfall is also a must see. (It's difficult not to, because it's just next to the road between the Trolltunga and the Preikestolen)
Eidfjord
Travelling more to the north, we reach the Eidfjord. There is a mountain farm, called Kjeåsen just above the fjord. This is believed to be the least accessable mountain farm of the world. However this might be exaggerated, I have to admit it's not really easy to get there...
Bergen
Bergen is the center of western Norway, and my personal favourite norwegian town. Only bad thing is that it's very rare to survive this place without rain...
Fræna
This place is not very well-known, also in my case it was just the hitchhiker's fortune, that I got to know it. There is a cave called Trollkirka (troll's church) deep in these mountains. Once a year the Sun shines inside and creates a rainbow in the very humid cave over it's cristal-clear lake.
Aurland
Aurland was the first place I visited during my stay in Norway, and I have to say, that this view point over the fjord is a good place to meet this awesome country!
Lærdal tunnel
Beneath the abovementioned Aurland view point one can find the Lærdal tunnel which was once the longest tunnel of the world. With its more than 24 kilometers, now it's still the longest one in northern Europe.
Borgund wooden church
Okay, I promise, there won't be more wooden churches! But if you have time for only one of them, you should visit the one at Borgund. Moreover it's on the other side of the tunnel, so you can easily visit it together with the previous two.
Geiranger fjord
The Geiranger fjord is the most spectacular fjord, and therefore one of Norway's most visited sites. Those who doesn't like the masses of tourist shall go up to the mountains, where - far from the noise of the tourist boats - they can find awesome views too.
Trollstigen
Norway's most famous road is the Trollstigen, which can be found above the town of Åndalsnes.
Ålesund
Ålesund is a wanderful town at the meeting pont of the fjords and the Atlantic Ocean. Worth to see!
Atlantic Road
The atlantic road is a spectacular road going over the sea. However it's not that unique landscape, but if you are around this shouldn't be missed!
Northern Norway
Northern Norway is a magical place, which looks like it wouldn't be on this planet at all. But those who are brave enough to go there can find reindeers, polar bears, northern lights, midnight suns, legal whale meats, russian ghost towns and temperatures under -30.
Trondheim
Trondheim is the gate of north, and in the same time a calm, beautiful university town with great night life. The fjord side town has the world's only bicycle lift!
E6 in the north
North of the Gudbrandsdalen the highway are becomes worth to see too. Did I write "highway"? Well, look at the picture: this is how the most important and most popular road looks in the north of Norway!
Mosjøen
Mosjøen is located in the middle of Norway's long "neck" and is always missed out from the "best places of Norway" lists. Dear readers: look at the picture and decide yourself!
Polar circle
It's nothing special, but if you are travelling to the north, it's worth to stop at the polar center.
Lofoten islands
Norway's most spectacular place. It's not simple to get here, but those who do it will be awarded by the high quality view of the islands, cliffs, cristal-clear lakes, untouched hills, midnight suns and northern lights...One in a life compulsory!
Tromsø
Tromsø is the capital of northern Norway, where you might see the northern lights as often as you see clouds in other towns. Don't skip this!
Finnmark
Finnmark is the northernmost county of Norway, and in this list the whole county got a place. Instead of the high mountains here you find the land of the frozen tundra.
Nordkapp
The Nordkapp is the northernmost pont of the county, mentioned above. But in the same time, it's the northernmost point of Norway and of all Europe too! At summer time, you can experience the midnight sun, at winter time the northern lights.
Svalbard
Svalbard is located even northern than the Nordkapp, halfway to the north pole. On these islands there are more polar bears than humans, and they have the "northernmost" of everything: beer brewery, church, airport, settlement, post box, Lenin statue...This is a real exotic place, only for the most hardcore adventurers!
Pyramida
I'd like to especially highlight a place in Svalbard. Pyramida the russian ghost town is probably the most suprising, shocking and surrealistic place I have ever been. The abandoned town, located on the 78th northern latitude has the world's northernmost Lenin statue, some untouched soviet propaganda, many ruins and the empty streets captured back by the nature.
Northern light
A little extra as the last. Although this amazing phenomena is not geographically fixed, if you visit Norway during winter time, it is worth to go out at clear night far from the light pollution...
