Things to do in Norway

Norway’s capital city has plenty of museums and galleries, and a mix of interesting arts and cultural spaces, like the National Theatre and Nobel Peace Centre. The most scenic and striking of them all, though, is the Oslo Opera House . This iconic landmark resembles a glacier floating in the harbour, and watching the opera, ballet or concert here is one of the best things to do in Norway.

Wondering what to do in Norway that brings you closer to its history with the sea? It may not sound too appealing, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? Stavanger’s Norwegian Canning Museum is set in the city’s sought-after Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) neighbourhood. Housed in a factory at Ovre Strandgate, in the old part of town near the harbour, it’s preserved in its original state as the museum. In the big open room with its curing ovens, the guides describe the life of the people who worked long hours at the intricate process of threading the sardines onto long rods, smoking, then packing them, almost all of it being done by hand.

The most famous mountain formation in the Lysefjord, east of Stavanger, is Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), which sticks out about 30 metres from the mountain that towers over 600 metres over the water below. A hike up to this tourist attraction is one of the most popular things to do in Norway, and is visited by around 120,000 people every year. The trail starts near the stunning Preikestolen Mountain lodge on an accessible hike - keep an eye out for golden eagles and reindeer. The hike takes two hours each way, so wear sturdy walking boots, warm clothing and water. The views are simply breathtaking, and you’ll understand why it’s best to set off early to beat the crowds. Looking at Norway holidays and wondering where to base yourself? The surrounding areas of Lysefjord and Stavanger have a great range of places to stay, and are set against some truly beautiful backdrops.

You might not know much about Bergen, but you should. Aside from its relaxed atmosphere and appealing mix of the cosmopolitan and the outdoors, this southwest-coast city boasts one of the largest art, craft and design museum complexes in the Nordic countries. KODE, Art Museums and Composer Homes is centred around Lille Lungegardsvann, the lake in the middle of the park. The collection of around 50,000 art objects is spared over four sites, all within easy walking distance of each other. KODE 1 showcases furnitures, ceramics and textiles; KODE 2 focuses on contemporary art; KODE 3 displays the Rasums Meyers paintings collection and the Munch collection, and KODE 4 has art collections ranging from the 14th century to the present day.

The Old Town (Gamblebyen) in Fredrikstad is Scandinavia’s best-preserved fortress town, dating back to 1567. The cobbled streets of the Old Town were laid by prisoners; you can still see the wooden stocks that face the former prison on the main square. Here you’ll also find the former military barracks (now a school) and a statue of Frederick II, the Danish king who founded the town. Also worth checking out are the drawbridge at the entrance to the town; the former arsenal (now the tourist office); and the Provianthus, the Old Town’s oldest building. Looking for a picture-perfect shot? There’s a good view over the Glomma River, and the moat that surrounds the fortress, including 200-odd cannons that are still in place.

A thousand years ago, Trondheim was Norway’s capital, but today, it’s the historical, cultural and religious capital instead. Although it’s got modern ties, it still retains an old-world charm, but the stand-out sight is Nidaros Cathedral . This is where King Olav Tryggvason - or St Olav, the country’s patron saint - is buried; his nephew, Olav Kyrre, built this great stone church over where his body was laid. For centuries, pilgrims travelled from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and even Greenland to pay homage to the saint, making it easily one of the most important sites in Trondheim you can still visit today.