Best Places to Visit in NorwayOur top 5 picks for the best places to visit in Norway. From bustling cities to breath taking nature.

Norway's capital city is the perfect combination of culture and natural beauty. The city boasts an array of world-class museums and art galleries, and a backdrop of pristine forests and lakes for those who prefer to explore the great outdoors. Oslo is full of surprises, with glistening modern architecture, a 14th century fortress and attractive green parks. As the country's largest city, Oslo is a thriving metropolis with an air of confidence that charms visitors. Within the city limits you can feast your eyes on fine 18th-19th European art, let your hair down and take advantage of the cosmopolitan nightlife, and enjoy scenic hiking trails.

Located off the far north coast of Norway at a 1,308km distance from the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago is a true Arctic wilderness with breath taking mountain ranges, towering glaciers and vast rocky fields. Of the dozen or so islands only one is permanently populated. That's Spitsbergen, where you'll find the colourful settlement of Longyearbyen. It is here that many visitors base themselves for an adrenalin-pumping adventure of boat trips, glacier hikes, expeditions by snowmobile and husky sledding. Svalbard is also home to one of the highest densities of polar bears in the world, and is a great place to spot this member of the New Big Five in the wild!

With a calendar of lively events, a vibrant nightlife and the world's northernmost university, the city of Tromso is the cultural capital of Arctic Norway. Spread out across Tromsoya island and the mainland, one of Tromso's most prominent features is the gracefully slender bridge that connects the two parts of the city though what attracts most visitors here is the chance to spot the Northern Lights. Tromso's location within the Arctic Circle in the north of Norway means the long, dark winters are ideal for catching a glimpse of the spectacular celestial display.

Nestled along mountainous coastline carpeted in dense forest, Norway's second-largest city is one of its most appealing. Bergen is home to a historic, UNESCO-listed wharf, one of the first places you'll want to head on arrival in the city. Crammed with charm, from the cobbled streets to the colourful wooden houses, Bergen combines history with modern living thanks to its lovingly preserved port and thriving cultural life. The city also boasts a healthy offering of restaurants, cafes, museums and art galleries. Its reputation as a predictably rainy destination is well-deserved but that doesn't dampen the mood of the proud and friendly locals who add to the easy-going character of the place.

A picturesque village in Norway, Flam is nestled in the heart of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord, the country's longest and deepest fjord. Known for its breath-taking natural beauty, Flam is surrounded by towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush green valleys. The village is famous for the Flam Railway, one of the steepest and most scenic railways in the world, offering travellers stunning views of the fjord landscape. Flam is also a hub for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and fjord cruises, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.