Top attractions in Bergen

Bergen is an international city full of history and tradition, a city with small-town charm and atmosphere. Bergen offers you the ideal combination of nature, culture and exhilarating city life.
Bergen's first buildings were erected along the old, Hanseatic wharf, Bryggen, which has been a lively and important part of the city through the centuries. This site, which features on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, comprises the remains of the old harbour buildings and is one of the best known medieval city settlements in Norway.

The Hanseatic merchants dominated Bryggen for 400 years. The area has been ravaged by fire repeatedly. Walking through the narrow alleyways and dark external galleries is like travelling back in time. At Bryggen the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, the Hanseatic assembly rooms, give an intimate picture of the life of a Hanseatic merchant.

Bryggens Museum based on the archaeological excavations of Bryggen, illustrates commerce, handicrafts and daily life in the Middle Ages. Next to the museum lies the twelfth century St. Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen. Bryggen also houses the Theta Museum of the Resistance Movement during the Occupation of Norway during World War II.

Where to stay in Røros

In addition to first-class hotels offering superb service, Røros has cabins, mountain lodges and guesthouses where history is in the walls and your stay may be more than just a stay. In some cases, the charming old town of Røros is virtually right outside your door.

At Verthuset Røros you find yourself literally in the midst of the cultural treasures of Røros. The Krog Brothers' Textiles Factory is a unique overnight stop. The building dates back to 1914 and the history of the factory and of Røros itself is the inspiration behind the interior decor and furnishings. The interplay between past and present guarantees a truly unique experience.

Situated immediately above the church, Erzscheidergaarden has a beautiful view of the town and surrounding mountains. Erzscheidergaarden is a part of the historical tradition of Røros and the owners have added modern comforts, while preserving the sense of history and the genuine features of the old town traditions. Sections of the house dating from the 1500s have been protected as a historical site. Erzscheidergaarden home-made breakfast is well-known and worth the stay it self, including freshly baked bread with all the trimmings, and hot waffles right off the iron.

Or what about a stay at an exotic farm dating back to 1742 in the centre of old Røros? Frøyas Hus & Gjestegård offers two charming rooms with fur beds and a unique atmosphere.

In beautiful natural surroundings you will find country guesthouses and tourist cabins. There are also camp sites and cabins if you prefer self-catering.
You can also stay at an environmentally certified business such as Fjellheimenor Vauldalen Fjellhotell.

Scenic attractions in Lofoten

 

Bird rocks

On the tip of Lofoten you find the island of Røst and many other islands, islets and reefs. These are home of the largest number of nesting birds in Norway, with approximately one quarter of the country's seabird population. Visit the Skomvær Lighthouse - the final outpost overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The island of Moskenes

Moskenes has plenty to offer for those who want a date with the natural elements. A boat trip through Moskstrømmen, characterized as one of the most fiercest and dangerous maelstroms in the world, brings you to the "outside" of Lofoten. Here you find traces of settlements dating thousands of years back in time. The gigantic Kollhellaren Cave in Refsvika is a coastal cavern with approximately 3,000-year-old cave paintings.

The fishing village of Nusfjord 

Nusfjord has an intertwining building area, which evolved at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. The building complex has survived as a homogenous unit, unscathed by fires or intrusive elements of modern architecture. This gives Nusfjord its uniqueness. Here archaeologists have uncovered evidence of the earliest "industrial fishing" in the Nordland region. Diggings have uncovered settlements from the fifth century.

Henningsvær

With the mountain at its back and otherwise surrounded by the sea, Henningsvær was a natural hub of activity during the Lofoten Winter Fishery. In the 1800s, the island community prospered, and Henningsvær became one of the most prominent fishing villages in Lofoten.Unlike many other fishing villages, the population of Henningsvær has remained stable in recent years, and there are still over 500 people living there.The islands of Henningsvær were not connected to the rest of Lofoten by bridges until 1981, a fact that probably helped save the community from the contemporary style of architecture, that otherwise left its mark on just about all other Norwegian towns and villages in the 1960s and 70s.

Attractions in Oslo

Top attractions in Oslo include Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park, the Opera House, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and the Viking Ship Museum.

Oslo's impressive Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park is a must-see. The park's 212 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland can be viewed for free at any time.

The Opera House became an instant hit when it opened in 2008. Groundbreaking architecture and world-class opera and ballet performances have made the extraordinary marble and glass building in Bjørvika one of the Oslo's most popular attractions.

One of Norway's most visited tourist attractions, the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, was rebuilt for the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo. The new ski jump opened in March 2010, and the final touches have been put in place. The Ski Museum reopened 1 May 2010, and the new observation deck at the top of the tower is now open to the public.

Oslo's fascinating history is on display at the Historical Museum in the city center and Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum) on Bygdøy. The museum peninsula of Bygdøy also includes the Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum, all of which provide insight into Norway's exciting maritime history and great explorers.

The Norwegian capital is over 1,000 years old, and the remains of medieval Oslo can still be seen in Gamlebyen (the old town) and at Akershus Fortress.
Oslo's fascinating industrial history can be explored on a walk along the river Akerselva River, which runs from Lake Maridalsvannet, through the city and into the Oslofjord.

Art lovers adore Oslo for its fine art establishments; highlights include the Munch Museum, The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (is comprised of the National Museum of Architecture, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the National Gallery and Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.

In the summer season, TusenFryd Amusement Park, just south of Oslo, offers thrilling rides, a water park and great family fun. Also in summer, guided tours are available at the Royal Palace, home of Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja.

Oslo is the home of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the Nobel Peace Center and the Holocaust Center have both been designed to give you an understanding of Norway as a nation of peace.