Raahe Guide Raahen Esittely
Norway offers a plethora of experiences that wait to be explored. It is located in Northern Europe in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Its area is approximately 385,207 square kilometers and the neighboring countries are Sweden, Finland and Russia. About two-thirds of the country’s surface area is mountainous, and its coast has about fifty thousand small islands. It also has one of the longest coastlines in the world.
Norway’s population is only 5.4 million and the official languages are Bokmål-Norwegian and Nynorsk-Norwegian. Other languages spoken in the country are Sami and Finnish.
Attractions in Norway
The country of Vikings and midnight sun is home to amazing glacier fjords, picturesque mountains, pristine lakes, tranquil medieval towns upgraded with modern amenities, and astonishing waterfalls. All of them are easy to reach thanks to the highly developed road network. Find below a list of top Norway attractions.
Preikestolen
If you are an active traveler, you would love taking a hike to Preikestolen. In spite of taking time and effort to reach, this is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Norway. It features a steep cliff hanging 604 meters above Lysefjord. The cliff has an amazingly flat top where travelers can enjoy the stunning fjord and take photos.
Located near the city of Stavanger, the mighty rock requires ferry and bus rides, then an uphill hike that lasts around two hours. If you are not ready for this challenging journey, Stavanger is still a place worth exploring. It boasts a museum that displays preserved wildlife, a canning museum, and a 12-century cathedral that combines Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Fjords
No tour of Norway is complete without visiting its fjords. The country has many fjords that deserve to be discovered. However, some of them stand out from the crowd with their impressive grandeur and breath-taking beauty.
The largest one is Sognefjord that stretches for 204 kilometers and its cliff walls reach a maximum height of 1,307 meters, offering magnificent views.
Another natural wonder is Geirangerfjord, renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and towering cliffs. You can take a boat cruise or a sightseeing tour to explore the fjords.
Scenic routes
Norway has 18 panoramic routes that take you to the most beautiful parts of the country. You will get to see the coast, mountains, glaciers, fjords, crystal clear rivers and picturesque villages along the way. One of the most popular routes is the Atlantic Ocean Road connecting a series of islands with 7 bridges in the Norwegian Sea. There are also scenic train routes that offer great views of Norway’s countryside.
Oslo
Oslo is a city of remarkable beauty that should definitely be on your itinerary. There are many landmarks to visit here. The Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle that served as a residence of Norway kings. It offers beautiful views of Oslo harbor and hosts two museums, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum and the Museum of National Resistance.
Another attraction is the Vigeland Sculpture Park featuring 650 iron, bronze and granite sculptures depicting different topics, all created by Gustav Vigeland. In addition, Oslo has a stunning modern architecture that blends ideally with the old one.
Some modern architectural pearls include the buildings of Oslo Opera House and Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. A great way to discover the city is by strolling the bustling Aker Brygge area near the harbor which is full of inviting cafés, fine shops and lovely architecture.
Tromsø
Located about 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is a popular supplier of arctic experiences. Tourists flock in here to see the northern lights. Moreover, the city is home to the most northerly aquarium in the world, Polaria, and the Polar Museum that shows captivating exhibits related to Arctic exploration and the history of Tromsø as a fishing community.
Surprisingly, the city also has a botanical garden featuring a large collection of flowering plants, including a garden with traditional medicinal plants.
