Explore Norway’s more sustainable destinations

Some places just care a bit more. About the environment, their unique culture, the local community, and last but not least – your wellbeing. Travel smooth and visit a more sustainable destination on your next adventure.

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There are many positive sides to tourism, but the industry is also faced with challenges. If you’re eager to experience a unique destination that can give you memories for life, and also cares for the locals by ensuring that your environmental footprint stays as low as possible, you should visit places in Norway that are labelled as sustainable destinations. Here, you can get more than a beautiful experience, as you also help preserve local communities and cultural heritage while making the destinations an enjoyable place to live and visit.

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Mountain biking in the Lyngenfjord region.
Photo: Visit Lyngenfjord / www.visit-lyngenfjord.com / Lyngen

Lindesnes lighthouse, Norway's southernmost point.
Photo: Inger Hutchinson / Visit Sørlandet

Kayaking in Femund Engerdal.
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

Winter in Røros.
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

Lindesnes lighthouse is Norway's southernmost point

If fantastic nature experiences are what you’re searching for, it will be well worth your time to visit the activity and ski touring paradise of Lyngenfjord in the north or the Lysefjord in the southwest – especially if you like majestic hiking and fjord experiences. The region of Lindesnes in the south can tempt you with the underwater restaurant Under, which you can visit after a trip to the southernmost point of Norway. And if you seek the peace and quiet of the countryside, you can find it in the deep forest of Femund Engerdal in Eastern Norway.

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Visit the destinations

Check out Norway’s greener destinations and read more about their sustainable practices.

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Sustainable destinations

A man climbing up the Flørli staircase above the Lysefjord in Rogaland, Norway

The Lysefjord area

Step on world famous mountain plateaus like Preikestolen and Kjerag, and then challenge yourself on the 4444 steps of the wooden staircase of… Read more

The Lysefjord area

Femund Engerdal

More and more visitors come for the peace and quietness by more than 900 lakes, just interrupted by folk music and wild animals. Read more

Femund Engerdal

Overview of Inderøy in Innherred an autumn evening light. Trøndelag, Norway

The Golden Road

The Golden Road is a surprise of many colours – easily accessible in the middle of Norway. This fun detour landscape gives you great… Read more

The Golden Road

Person watching the northern lights over the Lyngen alps

The Lyngenfjord region

The Lyngenfjord and the Lyngsalpene mountain range form an Arctic area of exotic and family-friendly outdoor activities based on pure fun… Read more

The Lyngenfjord region

Evje and Hornnes in Setesdal

Explore this interesting area only one hour by car from Kristiansand. The gateway to Setesdal offers a number of activities and is… Read more

Evje and Hornnes in Setesdal

Lindesnes & Åseral

The official webpage for the southern most part of Norway, the Lindesnes region. Find out what to do, what to see, where to stay, what's… Read more

Lindesnes & Åseral

Setesdal

The Setesdal valley is centrally located in Southern Norway and easily accessible from continental Europe. In the winter you can choose between… Read more

Setesdal

Geilo

Geilo is one of the first alpine resorts in Norway and offers fantastic winter outdoor adventures, from alpine and cross-country skiing to… Read more

Geilo

Tromsø

Tromsø is ideal for seeing the northern lights and has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat… Read more

Tromsø

Trysil

Family-friendly Trysil is Norway's largest ski destination. Surrounded by unspoilt nature, Trysil was one of the first holiday spots in Europe to… Read more

Trysil

A group of people in old costumes walk past the stave church at Maihaugen, Lillehammer

The Lillehammer region

The Lillehammer region is known to the world for the Olympic winter games in 1994 and the Netflix series Lilyhammer. Go there for real and take part… Read more

The Lillehammer region

Røros

The traditional town of Røros, which is known as one of Norway’s sustainable destinations, is a modern community in which people live and… Read more

Røros

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Norefjell

The mountains at Norefjell, just 90 minutes from Oslo, offer peaceful nature with a grand view. In winter, you can go skiing and snowboarding –… Read more

Norefjell

Vesterålen

The archipelago of Vesterålen is a place characterized by contrasts, from white beaches and idyllic farmlands to craggy mountain peaks rising… Read more

Vesterålen

Majestic mountains rising from the sea in Senja

Senja and Central Troms

Go kayaking and hiking in the midnight sun, or skiing and dog sledding under the northern lights. Or simply kick back and enjoy some of the most… Read more

Senja and Central Troms

Narvik

It’s wild, it’s dramatic – and it’s most certainly unique. Narvik is perfect for nature experiences or an active holiday. Read more

Narvik

Boats in the fjord outside of Hamnøy in Lofoten, Northern Norway

The Lofoten Islands

Lofoten is known for excellent fishing, nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, and small villages off the beaten track.… Read more

The Lofoten Islands

Bodø

Bodø is home to the world’s strongest maelstrom Saltstraumen. The largest city in the county of Nordland is also just a boat ride away… Read more

Bodø

Silhouette of person inside Sorrisniva igloo hotel

Alta

In the city of Alta you can experience Sami culture up close, see UNESCO protected rock carvings, sleep in a ice hotel or hunt for the northern light. Read more

Alta

Voss

If you are craving thrilling adventures, extreme surroundings and Norwegian food specialities, Voss will not let you down. Read more

Voss

Five people kayaking close to the Folgefonna glacier in Kvinnherad

Sunnhordland

Sunnhordland has some of the most distinctive scenery in Fjord Norway. Folgefonna - Norway’s third largest glacier - is the icing on… Read more

Sunnhordland

A man standing on a mountain with a view of Fjord Norway

The Sognefjord area

The Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, and it’s famous arm the Nærøyfjord has World Heritage status. The… Read more

The Sognefjord area

View over Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters waterfall

The Geirangerfjord area

The deep blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is surrounded by majestic, snow- covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush, green vegetation. Read more

The Geirangerfjord area

Valdres

According to National Geographic, the Besseggen ridge is one of the top 20 hikes in the world. Not surprisingly, it’s located in Valdres - the… Read more

Valdres

People standing at the top og Gaustatoppen enjoying the view on a sunny day

Rjukan

Rjukan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located close to the Hardangervidda National Park. The area is known for Gaustatoppen mountain peak and the… Read more

Rjukan

Oslo

Between the Oslofjord and the forests lies Norway’s capital and largest city, with its vibrant social scene and special combination of nature… Read more

Oslo

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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

… and more are in the pipeline

Becoming a certified destination takes years of work, with the whole local community working together. These are the next in line and are expected to be certified in the year to come.

Travel greener

Make sure your holiday in Norway has the smallest footprint possible.

Green travel logo

Every time you see a tuft of grass on Visitnorway's pages, you know that the associated products and offers are a part of the environmental scheme. “The tussock”/Green Travel is a common navigation to all qualified environmental schemes used among tourism enterprises in Norway. The symbol helps you find environmentally certified alternatives.

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“The tussock”/Green Travel is a common navigation to all qualified environmental schemes used among tourism enterprises in Norway. The symbol helps you find environmentally certified activities and accommodations when planning your trip to Norway. Every time you see a tuft of grass on Visitnorway's pages, you know that the associated products and offers are a part of the scheme. This makes it easier for you to go green.

These certifications fall under Green Travel: Ecotourism Norway, The ecolabel Nordic Swan, Eco-Lighthouse, The Green Key, ISO 14001 and Blue Flag. Individually and collectively they guarantee that the labelled experiences follow strict rules and guidelines for the production and management of waste, energy, transport, use of chemicals and demands for subcontractors. These measures go beyond what the Norwegian law requires.

Green travel logo

The following certifications fall under Green Travel

Ecotourism Norway

This national certification is awarded to businesses and operators that hold a high international level in ecotourism. Over 100 strict criteria on environmental performance, host-role, local community integration, and purchasing must be met and often improved. The certificate is renewed every three years.

The ecolabel Nordic Swan

More than 5000 products in Norway are certified with Nordic Swan, which indicates that they satisfy strict demands within energy efficiency, materials, and chemicals, all the way from raw materials to end product and waste management.

Eco-Lighthouse

Eco-Lighthouse enterprises work towards satisfying requirements and implementing environmental measures on a systematic and ongoing basis in order to create more environmentally friendly operations and safer work environments. Enterprises are certified subject to independent assessment and must undergo a recertification process every three years.

Green Key

Global ecolabel, recognized by GSTC, for hotels, small accommodations, campsites, and attractions. Certified businesses must meet strict criteria for waste, energy, water, procurement, green areas, CSR, and staff involvement. High standards are maintained through annual certificate renewal, rigorous application process, documentation, and frequent audits.

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is given to enterprises that have a high-quality environmental managing system for organizational performance.

Blue Flag

Global, prestigious award based on a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access related criteria to be met and maintained, aimed at beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. More than 4100 sites in 46 countries are awarded with Blue Flag.

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… and more are in the pipeline