A woman sitting in front of the The Fjord Mirror in Nes Gard in Luster
A flower meadow in front of Ryvingen lighthouse in Lindesnes in Southern Norway
Bryggen in Bergen, wharf
Woman outside the Nusfjord Landhandel shop

Sustainable Destination

Norway’s national program for developing more sustainable tourism destinations.

A good place to live is a good place to visit.

Visit some of the almost 50 destinations in Norway that hold the Sustainable Destination label!

The label indicates that the destination is working systematically to develop tourism in a more sustainable way.

Did you know that the label requires not only environmental improvements, but also improvements in terms of impact on the local community and preservation of cultural heritage?

“We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We have a great responsibility to keep it that way.”

Line Renate Samuelsen

CEO of Destination Lofoten

Do your travel habits align with your values? When you visit a Sustainable Destination, you are supporting a place in Norway that is committed to making travel more responsible, both for today and in the future.

Logo for Sustainable destinations

The Sustainable Destination programme helps destinations to work systematically over time to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, nature, and local communities, while strengthening its positive social, economical and cultural benefits.

Today about 50 destinations hold the label.

The certification does not mean that a destination is 100 percent sustainable in every area, but that it is actively taking part a long-term process of becoming more sustainable.

Destinations are evaluated every three years, at which time they are required to document significant progress.

Learn more about Sustainable Destination here.

There are many positive sides to tourism, but the industry is also facing challenges. If you’re eager to experience a unique destination that aims to minimise travel's negative impacts and maximise its positive ripple effects, you should visit some of the nearly 50 places in Norway that hold the Sustainable Destination label. Many more are in the process of being certified.

These destinations have committed to working systematically towards making tourism more sustainable, with the goal of making them a better place both to visit and to live.

Norway is a forerunner in developing such a national programme, which was first established in 2013. The core of the programme is a Standard containing a set of criteria and indicators that are measured, registered, and regularly monitored. Destinations are evaluated every three years and must document substantial improvement.

The standard has achieved ‘GSTC-Recognized status, given by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

  • Woman drinking water from a river, Hemsedal, Norway.
    Three people riding a horse and sleigh at Røros a cold winter day
    Three people mountain biking in the Lyngenfjord region, Northern Norway
    Lindesnes lighthouse is Norway's southernmost point

'Sustainable tourism' is defined by the UN Environment Program and the UN World Tourism Organization as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”.

See all labelled destinations

10 principles of the Sustainable Destination label

These principles reflect the values guiding sustainable tourism development in the programme, based on internationally recognised standards. Conservation of Nature, Culture, and Environment

  1. Cultural identity: Respect, further develop, and highlight the local community's historical cultural heritage, authentic culture, traditions, and distinctiveness.
  2. Biodiversity: Support the conservation of natural areas, wildlife, and habitats, and minimise their destruction.
  3. Climate emissions and climate adaptation: Minimise the climate emissions of tourism and tourists, and adapt tourism to a changing climate.
  4. Clean environment and resource efficiency: Minimise pollution of air, water, and land (including noise) by tourism businesses and tourists, and reduce waste and consumption of scarce and non-renewable resources.

Strengthening of Social Values

  1. Quality of life and social values: Preserve and enhance the quality of life in the community, including social structures, access to resources, facilities, and the common good for all, while avoiding any form of social degradation and exploitation.
  2. Local control and engagement: Engage and empower local communities and local stakeholders regarding planning, decision-making, management, and development of local tourism.
  3. Job quality for tourism employees: Enhance the quality of tourism jobs (direct and indirect), including wage levels and working conditions without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, disabilities, or other factors.
  4. Guest satisfaction, safety, and quality of experiences: Ensure safe, satisfying, and enriching experiences for all tourists regardless of gender, race, disabilities, or other factors.

Economic Viability

  1. Economically viable and competitive tourism destinations through local value creation: Ensure the viability and competitiveness of tourism destinations in the long term, through maximising tourism's value creation in the community, including the sums visitors spend locally.
  2. Economically viable and competitive tourism businesses: Ensure the viability and competitiveness of tourism businesses in a long-term perspective.
Woman drinking water from a river, Hemsedal, Norway.
A man and a woman practicing yoga at Nøsen yoga and mountain hotel in Eastern Norway
The Twist at the Kistefos Museum in Hadeland - Norway’s new art destination - surrounded by dense forest

So, what's in it for you, as a visitor?

All this means you can travel to a place that makes a big effort to help you minimise your impact on nature, wildlife, and the climate.

A destination in balance.

Visit destinations that are committed to making local people happy.

Local destinations, local flavours.

Enjoy local specialities and world-class seafood.

Explore nature.

Choose electric or low emission transport whenever you can.

Add some extraordinary culture.

And make some lasting memories.

Discover your next destination

Head to Norway's Sustainable Destinations.

These destinations are also certified:

  • Stranda in Sunnmøre
  • The National Park Kingdom including Dovre, Dovrefjell, Jotunheimen, Rondane, Breheimen, and Reinheimen
  • Åfjord with Stokkøya and Inderøy in Trøndelag
  • The Elverum region, including Våler and Elverum in Eastern Norway
  • Vest-Telemark, Midt-Telemark and Nome municipality in Telemark
  • Four persons having a drink at the bar of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Northern Norway
    Alta
    View over Arendal from the Glass Lift
    Arendal
    Bryggen in Bergen, wharf
    Bergen
    Midnight sun in Bodø, Northern Norway
    Bodø
    Two people paddling on Lake Femunden in Eastern Norway
    Femund Engerdal
    A family is buying shellfish at Skjærhalden fiskemottak, Eastern Norway
    Fredrikstad
    Family of four biking around Ustedalsfjorden in Geilo, Eastern Norway
    Geilo in summer
    View over Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters waterfall
    Geirangerfjord
    A family enjoying themselves in Gol, Eastern Norway
    Gol in Hallingdal
    Kistefos-Museet, Jevnaker
    Hadeland and Ringerike
    Alpine skiing in Hemsedal, Eastern Norway
    Hemsedal
    Restaurant at Snowhotel Kirkenes in Northern Norway
    Kirkenes
    Boats in the harbour in Kragerø in Telemark in Eastern Norway
    Kragerø
    The Kilden culture house in Kristiansand, Southern Norway
    Kristiansand
    Lindesnes lighthouse in Southern Norway during sunset.
    Lindesnes and Mandal
    Three people summer biking at the Narvikfjellet with midnight sun
    Narvik
    People playing with the polar foxes at Langedrag farm in Nesbyen in Hallingdal, Eastern Norway
    Nesbyen
    Hiking at Mount Hoven near Loen Skylift in Loen in the Nordfjord area of Fjord Norway
    Nordfjord
    Two people skiing in Norefjell
    Norefjell
    People standing at the top of Mount Gaustatoppen near Rjukan in Telemark, Eastern Norway
    Rjukan
    Three kids on a beach at Senja, Northern Norway
    Senja and Central Troms
    A man in the national costume Setesdalsbunad lying in the grass and watching an old steamboat on the Byglandsfjord in Setesdal, Southern Norway
    Setesdal
    A view of Litunet in Suldal, Ryfylke, Fjord-Norway.
    Suldal
    Five people kayaking close to the Folgefonna glacier in Kvinnherad
    Sunnhordland
    Utsikten viewpoint scenic route Gaularfjell
    The Fjord Coast and Sunnfjord
    Plan your trip to the Gjøvik region in Eastern Norway and go cycling along Lake Mjøsa
    The Gjøvik region and Ringsaker
    A woman enjoying the view of Lake Gjende from the top of Besseggen in Jotunheimen, Eastern Norway
    The Jotunheimen mountains
    A family having a great time in Maihaugen, Lillehammer
    The Lillehammer region
    The fishing village Hamnøy in Lofoten in winter, Northern Norway
    The Lofoten Islands
    Two people walking hand in hand in the scenic mountain landscape of Lyngenfjord, Northern Norway
    The Lyngenfjord region
    People standing on Preikestolen mountain in Lysefjorden in Fjord Norway
    The Lysefjord
    The midnight sun shining over the North Cape
    The North Cape
    Two people admiring the view from the top of mount Molden in the Sognefjord area of Fjord Norway
    The Sognefjord area
    "Spisshusene" in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
    The Svalbard Islands
    Two women are hiking up the Sherpa staircase to Mount Storsteinen in Tromsø, Northern Norway
    Tromsø
    A family of four is biking through the woods in Trysil bike arena in Trysil, Eastern Norway
    Trysil in summer
    Woman walking the Besseggen ridge in Valdres
    Valdres
    Vippefyret at Verdens Ende, "The World's End", in Færder national park in Vestfold
    Vestfold
    A group of paragliders landing on a green field in Voss in Fjord Norway during the Ekstremsportveko extreme sport festival
    Voss
    People biking on a gravel road in Ål in Hemsedal, Eastern Norway
    Ål in Hallingdal
    A person standing at the tip of Rampestreken viewpoint, looking out at the fjord and mountains of Åndalsnes in Northwest, Fjord Norway.
    Åndalsnes

Travel better

How you travel matters. A lot.

  • Green hotels: The historic Dalen Hotel in Telemark, Eastern Norway
    Eco certified hotels
    A family exploring Norway the green way on e-bikes from Hotel Aak
    11 cool ways to explore Norway for the eco-conscious traveller
    A man tenting in Namdalen
    Camping in a tent
    A man driving an electric car in Norway
    How to go on an EV road trip in Norway
    A person on the beach by the fishing village Hovden in Bø in Vesterålen, Northern Norway
    Let the eco-labels guide you
    The hybrid electric vessel Vision of the Fjords cruising the Aurlandsfjorden fjord surrounded by mountains
    Go all electric
    A woman doing yoga while on a hike in Lofoten, Northern Norway
    Travel better: 9 tips for more responsible travel
    Woman drinking water from a river, Hemsedal, Norway.
    Travel better
    A man getting on board on the Dovre Railway train.
    10 Norwegian train travel tips
    A person holding a cellphone in Langsua national park, Eastern Norway
    Visitor guidelines
    A boy on a bike in mid-air.
    Life is best outdoors: Trysil

Let the eco-labels guide you

Choose certified hotels, eateries and travel providers.

Ecolabel Nordic Swan logo

The ecolabel Nordic Swan

More than 5,000 products in Norway are certified with Nordic Swan, which indicates that they satisfy strict demands relating to energy efficiency, materials, and chemicals, all the way from raw materials to end products and waste management.

Eco-Lighthouse logo

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 logo

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 logo

ISO 14001

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

Blue Flag logo

Blue Flag

Global, prestigious award based on a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and accessibility criteria to be met and maintained, aimed at beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. More than 4,100 sites in 46 countries are Blue Flag certified.

Take advantage of top offers

See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.

  • Food - Brim Explorer
    Brim ExplorerQuiet fjord tours on award-winning electric catamarans in Oslo, Tromsø, Lofoten, and Svalbard.
    Performancce Marketing
    CityboxModern and affordable hotels in central locations in Oslo, Bergen, and Kristiansand.
    Blazerbu -  Norgesbooking
    NorgesbookingBook your perfect cabin stay in the fjords, mountains, and valleys of Norway.
    Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Scandic HotelsExperience Nordic hotel hospitality at its finest at more than 90 hotels across Norway. Special offers are available.
    The Thief - A lifestyle boutique hotel in Oslo
    StrawberryA different hotel company! Look out for great weekend deals at more than 100 hotels in Norway.
    Standard Room -  Svolvær - Thon Hotel
    Thon Hotels ASFantastic breakfast included! Experience true comfort and reasonable rates at our 80 hotels in Norway.
    Valevåg Camping
    CampcationBook a camping stay in stunning and unique locations all across Norway with Campcation.
    Hotell Refsnes Gods - fasade
    Classic Norway HotelsWhen the hotel is the destination. Book a night to remember in one of Norway's most unique and distinctive hotels.
    Two people sitting in a sofa in Eagle Nest Eco Lodge in Eastern Norway
    50 Degrees North NordicChoose between unforgettable tailormade individual trips and small, exclusive group tours of Norway.
    Family in outdoor pool in winter at Radisson Blu mountain resort & residences in Trysil, Eastern Norway
    Radisson HotelsGreat value offers and comfortable quality stays in Norway´s major cities, airports, and ski resorts.
    Hardangerfjord - Authentic Scandinavia
    Authentic ScandinaviaTravel curated by locals. Our tailormade tours suit every type of traveller and budget.
    Lit-up tent in snow with colorful northern lights and mountains behind it
    Booknordics.comUnique holiday packages, adventure hotels, tours, and activities.
    Two women viewing scenic Norwegian fjord from a boat, with dramatic mountains reflected in calm water under blue sky.
    Fjord ToursHome of Norway in a Nutshell, Norway's most popular tour. Fjords, mountains, and stunning destinations — all in one trip!
    Eidfjord village - Go fjords
    Go FjordsBook fantastic tours and experiences! We offer tours in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Lofoten, the North Cape, and more.
    The Hurtigruten ship MS Nordkapp in Geirangerfjord in Fjord Norway
    HurtigrutenExperience the world's most beautiful sea voyage on an unforgettable cruise along the stunning Norwegian coast.
    Skiing on finnmarksvidda
    Norrøna AdventureGet ready for expeditions and adventure holidays with Norrøna Adventure. Hiking, skiing, and biking trips.
    Sykkeltur i Hardanger
    Discover NorwayOffers a range of exciting self-guided hiking, biking, and skiing holidays in Norway. Luggage transfer included.
    Happy family taking a selfie in an airport after arriving to Norway
    Norwegian HolidaysLow-price package holidays with Norwegian. Book your flight, hotel, and rental car all in one place.
    Hop on hop off bus - Stromma
    StrömmaSightseeing by bus and boat in several major tourist spots and cities in Norway.
    Hikers approaching a small wooden cabin with grass roof in mountainous landscape
    Up NorwayBespoke luxury hand-picked by local experts. We combine your preferences and our knowledge to make an unforgettable journey.
    Aurora borealis Tromso - Fjord Travel
    Fjord Travel NorwaySleep in an ice hotel, hunt the northern lights, and discover the magical fjords. Book your tour now!
    Woodward - Arctic Campers
    Arctic Campers ASDo you want to try van life? Explore Norway in comfort and style with our smart and cosy campervans.
    Auto Europe
    Auto EuropeAlways a smooth car rental experience. Search and compare rental rates. Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to pick-up.
    Buss bilde - NOR-WAY
    NOR-WAY BussekspressEnjoy scenic views on comfortable bus trips to the fjords and from city to city with our express buses.
    Raumabanen - SJ Nord
    SJ NordSJ NORD - the adventure starts on the train
    A bus driving along the coast in Norway, Vy express route vy146
    Vy expressDiscover Norway on comfortable express buses that take you between major cities, mountains, and fjords.
    Vy Train travelling on a scenic railway line between Bergen and Hønefoss, Norway
    Vy TrainGlide through scenery on a train between Oslo and Bergen on the Bergen Railway and explore the greater Oslo region.
    Van 4 - Cabin Campers
    Cabin CampersExperience the road trip of a lifetime with our cabins on four wheels.
    Malangen resort - My nordic travel
    My Nordic TravelChoose between DIY itineraries and pre-packaged holidays to the very best destinations in Norway.
    Campanyon - Arctic Dome Smiberget
    CampanyonUnique camping in nature. Book a stay in a treehouse or glamping tent or rent a motorhome pitch.
    Airplane
    NorwegianNorwegian offers cheap flights in Norway and direct flights from more than 70 European destinations. Book flights through our low fare calendar to your destinations.
    Elegant wooden hotel in mountain valley beneath snow-capped peaks.
    De HistoriskeHave an unforgettable stay at one of Norway's unique, authentic historic hotels. Enjoy first-class dining experiences and a broad range of activities.
    A woman hiking in the summer mountains by the fjord.
    CampioNorway's biggest camping booking site. Find the best camping and motorhome pitches throughout Norway.
    Two women waving out the windows of a campervan with Benzini Campers on the hood
    Benzini CampersThe adventure of your life starts here. Book a campervan with Benzini Campers now.

Discover more

A women with Selbu mittens in Selbu in winter, Norway.
Typically Norwegian
Family on four sitting by the campfire beside the tent in Oppdal, Trøndelag
The right to roam
Woman entering car on the Fram ferry between Geiranger and Hellesylt
Safe travel
  • Four people resting outside of a mountain cabin in Beitostølen, Norway
    12 tips for a budget holiday
    Two women in Vigelandsparken at Frogner in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Travelling with disabilities
    Two women in the Opera house in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Inclusive travel tips from locals
    Two women imitating a statue in Vigelandsparken at Frogner in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Accessible travel ideas