Architecture
Most Beautiful Cities, Towns And Villages In Norway - Top 7
Updated Feb 13, 2020
There are plenty of beautiful settlements in Norway, mainly thanks to the spectacular surroundings. We have tried to single out the most stunning ones. Here is our list of the most beautiful cities, towns and villages in Norway.
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7. Tromsø
The city of Tromsø is located 350 km (217 mi) north of the Arctic Circle – further north than all of its neighboring country Sweden. It is called the "Gateway to the Arctic", and has a unique beauty being a proper city in an Arctic surrounding. The city houses the world's northernmost university, and a surprisingly rich cultural life. Winters are long and dark, but the Gulf Stream brings heat that keeps the harbor ice-free all year round and makes the summers pleasant.
6. Undredal
Another settlement with beautiful surroundings is Undredal, a small village on the shore of the lovely Aurlandsfjord. Undredal was only possible to reach by boat until the end of the 1980s, when a road was built in conjunction with the construction of the nearby Gudvanga tunnel between the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. Above the houses is a very small white stave church – a medieval type of church built out of wood and almost exclusively found in Norway.
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5. Bergen
Bergen is located on the far west coast and is Norway's second largest city. Bergen stretches across a beautiful piece of the coast, by the mouth of a fjord surrounded by mountains. The location is, besides its beauty, known for its rainy weather, which is a result of the constant collision between the moist Atlantic air and the hilly coast. Several spots in Bergen are well worth a visit, especially Bryggen (bottom photo) – a picturesque district of well-preserved medieval buildings by the dock.
4. Husøya
Husøya is the name of an island and a fishing village located just at the Arctic Circle. Husøya is part of the municipality of
Træna, which consists of several hundred small islands in the Norwegian Sea, about 4 km (2.5 mi) from land. All islands are flat, except Husøya's neighboring island Sanna, which rises spectacularly from the sea and makes a beautiful background to the quaint fishing village. The Træna festival – perhaps the most remote music festival on the planet – is held here every year, during which the few inhabitants are joined by boatloads of young people who camp under the midnight sun.
3. Ålesund
Scattered on islands on the Atlantic coast is Ålesund, a town often described as one of Europe's most beautiful, and rightfully so. Almost the entire town burned down in 1904, but was quickly rebuilt with the help of talented architects. The town's new buildings became deeply influenced by the architectural style Art Nouveau and were given towers, spiers and other ornaments. The pretty buildings, combined with the scenic location and a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, have made the town a popular tourist destination.
2. Reine
The small fishing village of Reine is located north of the Arctic Circle, far out in the magnificent Lofoten archipelago. Tourists flock here every year, despite the remote location, and it is easy to understand why. The nice village in the middle of the extremely scenic landscape has been pictured in countless books and brochures. When tourists have finished photographing, they can visit the doll and toy museum Dagmar's Dukke-og Leketøysmuseum. Norway's second most beautiful village offers, in other words, limited entertainment. And the tranquility is probably what draws people to this place.
1. Geiranger
The village of Geiranger is located at the head of the Geirangerfjord – perhaps the world's most beautiful fjord – and is surrounded by majestic mountains. Geiranger is visited by hordes of tourists every year, who either arrive by car via one of the two serpentine roads, or on one of the cruise ships that constantly anchor in the fjord. The area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, and is, despite the large number of visitors, relatively unexploited and peaceful. The village itself is tourist-oriented and consists mainly of hotels and holiday cabins, but the jaw-dropping scenery lands it the number one spot as the most beautiful village in Norway.
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