The 10 most beautiful cities in Norway with breathtaking landscapes and typical, unique architecture. | A must on your next Norway trip! ✓
With breathtaking landscapes and with its typical, unique architecture, Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From small, traditional villages on the edge of the fjords to colorful cities that can span several islands, discover Norway’s most beautiful places to vacation or even live in the following article. In this article we would like to introduce you to the 10 most beautiful cities in Norway, which are are Must on your next trip through Norway.
Top 10 most beautiful cities in Norway
Ålesund
Founded in the early 19th century, Ålesund was destroyed in a major fire that ravaged most of the city. Like a phoenix from the ashes, Ålesund renewed itself again, becoming one of the most beautiful and unique cities in Norway. Today, the streets are lined with an incredible variety of buildings in Art Nouveau architecture. You will see there colorful houses with unusually high and arched roofs and decorative ornaments on their facades. The city itself stretches over seven islands and is crisscrossed by charming waterways. In the background, Ålesund is surrounded by the sea and mountains.
Bergen
Bergen is Norway’s second largest city with a population of about 270,000 and offers as much charm and beauty as many of the smaller picturesque towns and sleepy fishing villages. The city is known as the “Gateway to the Fjords” and is surrounded by captivating, unspoiled nature. Admire there steep mountains, impressive waterfalls and breathtaking views. Bergen itself is a lively city in the midst of this fascinating landscape. In the old Bryggen district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, historic wooden houses stand to the left and right of the old cobbled streets. The rest of the city is a unique juxtaposition of diverse architectural styles, ranging from medieval to Art Nouveau to contemporary.
Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad is proud of its fortress (Fredrikstad Festning). It is one of the best preserved in all of Scandinavia and is an excellent example of an old European architectural form in fortresses. The fortress walls and moats are built to look like a star when viewed from the air (Star Fort). The Old Town was built on the Dutch model and is surrounded by wide ditches and high earthen ramparts over six star points, which should make it impossible to capture the city. The old town consists of a busy market square, winding cobblestone streets and charming traditional stores selling unique handicrafts and souvenirs. Thanks to its unusual structure, there is plenty of room for lush greenery in the city, making it a peaceful yet exceptional destination.
Geiranger
One of Norway’s most popular tourist destinations, Geiranger has nevertheless retained its unspoiled, authentic atmosphere. The village has just 250 permanent residents and is beautiful with its charming traditional houses and white wooden church. In summer, up to 2,000 inhabitants live there. Geiranger’s location makes it a unique place. The tiny village is located right at the end of the Geirangerfjord, which offers an impressive backdrop with its rugged, jagged rocks and the crystal clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The fjord is one of the largest in Norway and is a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Hike along one of the many mountain trails, past numerous waterfalls and enjoy the breathtaking view from above.
Henningsvær
On the Lofoten Islands, off the north coast of Norway, lies Henningsvær, a charming fishing village spread over several of the small islands in the ocean. The beautiful, traditional Norwegian houses, painted in bright colors or refreshing white, seem to rise out of the sea and are reflected in the crystal clear water. Thanks to its extreme northern location, you will experience exceptional weather conditions in Henningsvær. In winter, snow covers the islands and turns the buildings into gingerbread houses, while in summer the village has 24 hours of daylight on beautiful clear days.
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the largest city in the Svalbard Islands, a group of islands located in the Arctic Ocean and considered the northernmost settlement in the world. The surrounding landscape has an unusual yet desolate kind of beauty: set in a flat, sweeping valley framed by steep mountains, with a sandy bay at its edge, this town is a small, colorful speck amidst rough rock and bitterly cold snow. Longyearbyen consists largely of rows of charming houses painted in bright red, green, yellow or blue, contrasting with the sparkling snow that keeps the town firmly in its grip for eight months of the year.
Reine
The pretty little fishing village on the island of Moskenesøya, which is part of the beautiful Lofoten archipelago, attracts thousands of visitors every year. The landscape around Reine is simply breathtaking. The village’s winding streets and colorful houses cluster around the calm blue waters of the sea. Lush green hills form an idyllic background. And sprawling around the village, huge snow-capped mountains rise from the sea like islands, creating an awe-inspiring and impressive sight.
Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn is located at the southernmost tip of the island of Karmøy and is considered one of Norway’s best preserved and most charming small towns. The old quarter includes nearly 130 original 19th-century wooden houses and is painted a striking white. Skudeneshavn’s location on the North Sea coast adds to its beauty. The idyllic-looking white houses frame the clear blue water, while numerous boats trundle along in the harbor. Hundreds of boats are out at sea in the summer during the annual Boat Festival, while craft markets and traditional folk performances line the streets.
Tromsø
Tromsø is located about 200 km north of the Arctic Circle and benefits from its location. The area is considered one of the best places to see the unique natural spectacle of the Northern Lights. The city itself is full of hints of its Nordic culture. Thus, you can find an Arctic aquarium, whose main attraction is bearded seals, and the Polar Museum, where you can get a lot of interesting information about numerous polar expeditions. The surroundings of the city are equally impressive with large birch forests and breathtaking views of the numerous fjords and mountains of the region.
Trondheim
Trondheim is the perfect city to explore Norway’s medieval past. The city was founded in 997 AD and was the capital of the country for almost 300 years under the Vikings. As a result, this city is bursting with history. For example, Nidaros Cathedral is an impressive example of Gothic architecture and was one of the most important churches in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. The medieval fortress of Sverresborg boasts impressively preserved historic buildings and today serves as an open-air museum.
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