The country of Norway appears on a LOT of bucket lists. And for good reason: it's got Viking history, Northern Lights, beautiful fjords, and great cities. And that's not even taking into account the excellent food and tourism infrastructure.
Norway isn't known for being a cheap destination, though, and that scares away many people who might otherwise want to check it off their list.
But here's the thing: Norway is SO WORTH IT.
I love Norway!
Ever since my first visit to Norway in 2015, there's been something about the country that continues to draw me back. It's not just one thing, but rather a combination, I think, of amazing scenery, good quality of life, delicious seafood, and ease of travel.
It's a country that I definitely see myself returning to again and again.
To convince you that it's time to book that trip to Norway, here are more than 50 photos of Norway to prove just how magical this Nordic country really is.
These photos are in no particular order, but represent a wide range of cities and landscapes throughout Norway, from Oslo and Bergen in the south to Tromsø and Alta in the north. Check out each photo caption for more info!
The city of Ålesund is best viewed from above at the Mount Aksla lookout. From there, it looks like a town made of Legos!
Nothing quite like a cozy lavvo tent covered in snow with the Northern Lights dancing overhead. This is at the Holmen Husky Lodge in Alta.
The famous red fishing cabins of Eliassen Rorbuer in Hamnøy in the Lofoten Islands
Norway's fjords are magical. This one is Geirangerfjord, one of the most famous in the country.
Even the old churches in Norway look like something straight out of a storybook. This is a stave church at the folk museum in Oslo.
These little red houses in the port town of Gryllefjord look like they belong in the pages of a storybook.
In the winter, snow and ice cover Arctic Norway, making for roadside attractions like this frozen waterfall near Kåfjord.
These craggy mountains from the Tungeneset viewpoint on Senja look like the perfect place for trolls to live.
Trondheim doesn't appear on every Norway itinerary, but I think it should! These old wooden buildings are so photogenic.
Did you know that Norway is full of trolls? This is Trollstigen, or Troll's Road, which winds down the mountain in 11 hairpin turns.
Are you even real, Norway? I love this snowy scene in Northern Norway.
The fjords in Norway will take your breath away.
Yes, Bryggen in Bergen really is this colorful!
I pulled a U-turn after crossing the Hadsel Bridge on the way to Stokmarknes because the color of that water just begged to be photographed.
This little yellow cabin in the Lofoten Islands is the definition of charming.
Boat in a snowstorm in Alta, Norway. It's screaming “Frozen” don't you think?
Looking down on Geirangerfjord from Eagle's Bend gives you a whole new appreciation for how big this fjord is.
The Northern Lights Cathedral in Alta is especially impressive at dusk. It's meant to resemble the “curtains” of light you can often see in the aurora borealis.
This soccer field on an island in Henningsvaer in the Lofoten Islands is just too cool! (drone photo)
The old fishing cottages on Gripholmen island are now picture-perfect summer homes.
The Northern Lights are great, but sunsets in Norway can be beautiful, too. This one was captured in Kristiansund.
Bridges, mountains, and Caribbean-teal water – yes, this really is Norway! (drone photo)
Tromsø is the Gateway to the Arctic and is beautiful under a layer of snow in the winter.
The mighty Northern Lights!
The Andøya coast took my breath away! It reminds me a bit of Scotland, another of my favorite places in the world.
Queen of the Fjord high above Geirangerfjord – would you dare?
Driving over the Storseisundet Bridge on the Atlantic Ocean Road must go on your Norway bucket list.
Even though it wasn't close to a meal time, I pulled over along the National Tourist Route on Senja just for this picnic spot.
The view of Tromsø from Fjellheisen tramway looks like something straight out of “Frozen.”
The Midnight Sun is magical, too – seen here at the Vesterålen Kysthotell in Stokmarknes.
This beach in Northern Norway sure looks magical to me.
Even Oslo is colorful, especially along Karl Johans Gate.
And no good fairy tale would be complete without some furry friends. In Norway, you'll find plenty of reindeer!
Again… perfect troll mountains!
Tromsø at sunset under a blanket of snow is the stuff postcards are made of.
Sailing along Norway's fjords, you see all sorts of picture-perfect villages, like Undredal on the Aurlandsfjord.
This happy goat could come straight off the pages of a fairy tale, don't you think?
The coastline, too, is something to write home about.
The Northern Lights are extra magical because no two “shows” are ever the same.
Winter in northern Norway is stark, yet still beautiful.
Fun fact: Norway has beaches that look like this!
Sailing on a fjord is also a must.
This snowy photo of Reine in the Lofoten Islands was taken in June! Where are Anna and Elsa?
In the winter, head to Alta for an overnight stay at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – and keep an eye out for Elsa!
The Lofoten Islands get a lot of love on social media, but I think the fishing town of Husøy is just as pretty!
These buildings in Bergen are hundreds of years old – think of the stories they could tell!
Another magical beach in Norway, this time along the Andøya coast.
And Midnight Sun “sunsets” can be pretty epic, too.
The sea views in Andenes are pretty epic.
I may or may not have stopped to make a wish on one of these giant dandelions along the road to Tromsø.
Sorry, I really couldn't get enough of these red cabins, OR that magical reflection.
Misty fjords always make me think about myths and legends – of which there are plenty in Norway!
Lastly, there are few views more magical than Norway from above on a sunny afternoon!
Want more Norway?
For more on Norway, check out one of these great posts:
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien
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75 Comments on “50+ Pictures of Norway That Prove Norway is Straight Out of a Fairy Tale”
Seriously, stop it with the pretty, Norway 🙂 I’m postponing visiting Norway simply because I don’t feel a short city trip would be worth it (like Stockholm & Gothenburg & Helsinki) when it comes to Norway I would like to dive all in. Your pictures provide the perfect business case!
Norway is definitely worth a longer trip! I’d say a week at least, and even then you can only cover a portion of the country. It’s certainly a must-see, though!
Norway is definitely a dream location of mine! It is definitely a huge goal of mine to see the northern lights & Norway certainly seems like a fairytale location to do so.
Norway is a great place to see the Northern Lights! It doesn’t get as cold as some of the other northern countries where you can see them, so it would probably be my first choice!
Northern Lights! I’ve seen them from my parents’ house in northern Michigan, but nothing like your trips! Having been to Finland, I think Norway is a definite must!
Amanda: These pictures are so beautiful! I wanna add Trondheim to my (never ending) travel wish list now! And the Igloo hotel looks like such a fun/quirky place to stay!
For those of you who only have a few days in Oslo, I suggest taking the train two hours north to the little town of Lillehammer. It’s a lively student town, with lovely, narrow streets and cozy pubs/cafe’s. It’s set by the lake Mjøsa, which is beautiful, especially during summer 🙂 (It’s also known as the place who hosted the Olympics in 1994, which can still be seen as pictured on their postcards;). I lived there for three years. I recommend the tiny cafe set in one of the old, original buildings with lowered walls & lots of timber: One Hand Clapping. You find pretty much everything on the town’s only main street.
The hiking trails and waterfalls surrounding Lillehammer are in short distance from the city centre, and stunning all year around. If you’ve got a car, driving onwards to Kvitefjell is recommended. It’s like driving up a beautiful spiral of gravel road, surrounded by trees and hill views. Mountain goats and lone cabins stand firm on the very steep hills. But drive carefully because deers are known to frequently cross the roads.
These. Photos. Are. Stunning!! It really feels like I’m looking at art, when I look at these photos. It must be incredible to see these sights in real life 🙂
I love the Trondheim buildings! I thought the snowy forests and northern lights would pull me over the line with fave pics, but I love this image and the story behind it. I love the fact it is off the tourist track. I want to see inside these buildings. I want to know more about how they live. It’s intriguing.
I love those buildings, too! Trondheim only has a very small section of its old town left (wooden buildings unfortunately catch fire very easily), but the whole city has a very cool vibe, even in the newer parts.
The “Norway In A Nutshell” route is an absolute must, riding the Bergen, and then, the Flam railroads. So cool was Kjossfossen (sp?), an immense waterfall, (a stop on the Flam RR,) where a Hulda suddenly appears and sings. The entire trip is fantastic, including a boat ride on the fjords. Did that several years ago when we were there on a trip through Scandinavia.
Amazing post, all of the photos are beautiful! Norway is SO high on my travel wishlist right now. I think I’m only going to get to visit for 3 days maximum this year. I’m thinking about flying into Bergen and spending 2 days there and one on the “Norway in a Nutshell” route – I NEED to see those fjords! Have you ever done the tour route, would you recommend it? I would absolutely love to spend longer (I love your “highlights from 10 days in Norway post” but it’s just not feasible any time soon :-(.
I actually haven’t been to Bergen yet, but everyone I know who has done the Norway in a Nutshell tour has loved it! So if you only have a couple days, that seems like it would be a great introduction to Norway.
I couldn’t agree more. Norway is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. Although ridiculously expensive, you’re rewarded with quality in every way.
Seriously, stop it with the pretty, Norway 🙂 I’m postponing visiting Norway simply because I don’t feel a short city trip would be worth it (like Stockholm & Gothenburg & Helsinki) when it comes to Norway I would like to dive all in. Your pictures provide the perfect business case!
Norway is definitely worth a longer trip! I’d say a week at least, and even then you can only cover a portion of the country. It’s certainly a must-see, though!
You have seen a lot of Norway. Myself, I live in Bergen on the west coast. Would recommend a trip to the Hardangerfjord. It’s quite stunning in the spring when all the fruit trees are blooming. The Trolltunga, Troll tongue, is a must as well.
Providing a link to a video:
http://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/fjord-norway/the-hardangerfjord-region/?lang=primary
I definitely need to visit Bergen and Trolltunga! Maybe on the next trip. 🙂
Norway is definitely a dream location of mine! It is definitely a huge goal of mine to see the northern lights & Norway certainly seems like a fairytale location to do so.
Norway is a great place to see the Northern Lights! It doesn’t get as cold as some of the other northern countries where you can see them, so it would probably be my first choice!
Northern Lights! I’ve seen them from my parents’ house in northern Michigan, but nothing like your trips! Having been to Finland, I think Norway is a definite must!
Yes, the Northern Lights way up north are WAY different than anything we can sometimes see in the upper U.S.
Amanda: These pictures are so beautiful! I wanna add Trondheim to my (never ending) travel wish list now! And the Igloo hotel looks like such a fun/quirky place to stay!
I seem to be selling Trondheim quite well! 🙂
Wow the photo look amazing. Its a absolute dream of mine to see the Northern Lights in Noway. Hoping I get the change to later this year.
It’s an amazing experience, to be sure. And no matter how many times I see the Lights, it’s always still like the very first time!
Stunning photos Amanda! And great memories from our trip together in the Arctic.
Thanks, Marie! And yes, what a great trip!
For those of you who only have a few days in Oslo, I suggest taking the train two hours north to the little town of Lillehammer. It’s a lively student town, with lovely, narrow streets and cozy pubs/cafe’s. It’s set by the lake Mjøsa, which is beautiful, especially during summer 🙂 (It’s also known as the place who hosted the Olympics in 1994, which can still be seen as pictured on their postcards;). I lived there for three years. I recommend the tiny cafe set in one of the old, original buildings with lowered walls & lots of timber: One Hand Clapping. You find pretty much everything on the town’s only main street.
The hiking trails and waterfalls surrounding Lillehammer are in short distance from the city centre, and stunning all year around. If you’ve got a car, driving onwards to Kvitefjell is recommended. It’s like driving up a beautiful spiral of gravel road, surrounded by trees and hill views. Mountain goats and lone cabins stand firm on the very steep hills. But drive carefully because deers are known to frequently cross the roads.
You’ve definitely sold me! It sounds lovely.
Check out the show lillyhammer. An american mobster mobing to the town of lillehammer
These. Photos. Are. Stunning!! It really feels like I’m looking at art, when I look at these photos. It must be incredible to see these sights in real life 🙂
Aww thanks for the kind words, Ella! It is indeed very special to see all of this with your own eyes!
All the pics are so beautiful! For us the fjords would be the first thing on the list to see in Norway and hopefully we could make it happen soon!
The fjords are definitely incredible! As so very iconic in Norway.
I love the Trondheim buildings! I thought the snowy forests and northern lights would pull me over the line with fave pics, but I love this image and the story behind it. I love the fact it is off the tourist track. I want to see inside these buildings. I want to know more about how they live. It’s intriguing.
I love those buildings, too! Trondheim only has a very small section of its old town left (wooden buildings unfortunately catch fire very easily), but the whole city has a very cool vibe, even in the newer parts.
The “Norway In A Nutshell” route is an absolute must, riding the Bergen, and then, the Flam railroads. So cool was Kjossfossen (sp?), an immense waterfall, (a stop on the Flam RR,) where a Hulda suddenly appears and sings. The entire trip is fantastic, including a boat ride on the fjords. Did that several years ago when we were there on a trip through Scandinavia.
I’ve heard great things about it, but haven’t actually visited Bergen yet!
Amazing post, all of the photos are beautiful! Norway is SO high on my travel wishlist right now. I think I’m only going to get to visit for 3 days maximum this year. I’m thinking about flying into Bergen and spending 2 days there and one on the “Norway in a Nutshell” route – I NEED to see those fjords! Have you ever done the tour route, would you recommend it? I would absolutely love to spend longer (I love your “highlights from 10 days in Norway post” but it’s just not feasible any time soon :-(.
I actually haven’t been to Bergen yet, but everyone I know who has done the Norway in a Nutshell tour has loved it! So if you only have a couple days, that seems like it would be a great introduction to Norway.
I couldn’t agree more. Norway is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. Although ridiculously expensive, you’re rewarded with quality in every way.
Agreed! I wouldn’t tell anyone to skip it just because of the expense – it really is worth every penny!
Wow!
I’ve always wanted to go to Norway and after seeing those pictures I’m ready to book my ticket!
Everything looks stunning! ?
Awesome to hear! It’s definitely a great country.