Sightseeing in Norway

Top sightseeing places in Norway for your next walking holiday

Norway is made for summer exploring, with deep blue fjords, mountain paths and little towns that feel close to nature. People here love being outdoors, and it shows in the easy way you can move between viewpoints, footpaths and scenic journeys by train or ferry.

Read on to discover our favourite sightseeing spots in Bergen and Voss.

Top sightseeing places in Norway

• Bryggen Wharf, Bergen: Colourful wooden houses, hidden alleyways and a thousand years of history. A must-see and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• KODE Art Museums, Bergen: One of Norway’s most important art collections, including pieces by Edvard Munch and a range of contemporary exhibitions.
• Voss Gondola: A quick ride from the village centre up into the mountains, opening up huge views and plenty of walking routes.
• Viking Village at Gudvangen (Njardarheimr): An immersive glimpse into the Viking Age with traditional buildings, activities and fjord scenery.

Sightseeing in Bergen

Bergen is a colourful coastal city where wooden houses brighten the harbour and mountains sit just behind the rooftops. It is small, gentle to explore and full of little surprises. You can wander across the centre in about fifteen minutes, although most people take longer because there is always something worth stopping for.

It might be a museum that pulls you in, a café that smells far too inviting to ignore or a viewpoint that appears just as you turn a corner. It is a great destination for a summer holiday if you enjoy fresh air, pretty scenery and a city that feels welcoming from the moment you arrive.

Bryggen: Bergen’s UNESCO-listed wharf

Bryggen’s colourful wooden houses may look charming, but behind those leaning walls sits nearly a thousand years of history. This was once the stronghold of the Hanseatic traders, who ruled the wharf while dealing in dried cod, grains and precious cargo that passed through the port.

Wander the narrow alleyways and you’ll find tiny workshops, studios and shops tucked between centuries-old beams. Today, Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still one of Bergen’s favourite places to meet, explore and discover what life might have been like when merchants controlled the waterfront.

The fish market and waterfront

A few minutes from Bryggen, Bergen’s historic fish market has been a lively meeting point since the 13th century. It is filled with fresh seafood, local specialities and the buzz of people moving between stalls. 

The waterfront beside it is ideal for a gentle walk, with boats on one side and mountain views on the other. 

Art, museums and culture

Bergen is a great city for anyone who enjoys art, and culture.

Start at the KODE art museum, home to one of the world’s biggest collections of Edvard Munch’s work, alongside modern galleries and temporary exhibitions.

If you fancy something more contemporary, Bergen Kunsthall and smaller studios like Tag Team Studio and Kunstgarasjen are brilliant places to spot the next big Norwegian artist before everyone else hears about them.

Just outside the National Stage theatre, you’ll meet Henrik Ibsen in statue form. He’s the legendary Norwegian playwright behind A Doll’s House and Peer Gynt, and he spent part of his early career in Bergen. Consider him the city’s original creative director, still keeping an eye on things from his spot by the theatre doors.

If you prefer to get hands-on, VilVite Science Centre is where science turns into play. Physics, energy and the human body suddenly make a lot more sense when you can poke, press and test things yourself. Kids love it, but the grown-ups often look like they’re having the most fun.

When you need a quiet moment, Bergen has plenty of green spaces to explore. Nygårdsparken is a leafy park with winding paths and calm corners, perfect for a gentle stroll.

The Bergen Botanical Garden offers peaceful walking routes, alpine plants and tropical greenhouses to wander through. You can also visit the University Museum’s natural history collections, which are ideal if you enjoy geology, wildlife or simply learning something new along the way.

Sightseeing in Voss

Voss Folke Museum

For a glimpse into daily life in historic Voss, the Voss Folke Museum has a permanent exhibition set across several traditional buildings. It sits above the town centre with views over the surrounding countryside. Take your time wandering through the rooms to see how people lived, worked and dressed centuries ago.

Voss Church

Voss Church, known locally as Vangskyrkja, dates back to the 13th century and stands in the centre of town. Built of stone, it has a long and rich history. During summer months it sometimes opens to visitors and occasionally hosts concerts.

Viking Village at Gudvangen

Reachable by bus in around one hour and thirty minutes, the Viking Village at Gudvangen offers an atmospheric journey into the Viking Age. Known as Njardarheimr, this living history site sits at the end of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. Costumed guides, timber buildings and hands-on activities bring this era to life.

You can try archery, axe-throwing or blacksmithing, sample Viking-style food and learn about Norse mythology from enthusiastic re-enactors. It’s engaging and immersive, with beautiful fjord scenery all around. It’s best to buy return bus tickets and museum entry in advance, as it can get busy during peak periods.

Sights worth travelling for

Bergen and Voss each offer their own mix of scenery, history and fresh air, and exploring them together makes for a lovely summer holiday. From colourful harbour streets to quiet mountain paths and fascinating glimpses into Norway’s past, there is plenty to see at your own pace. 

However you choose to spend your time here, you’ll find views, stories and moments that stay with you long after you head home.