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Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Nordic Choice Hotels – a different hotel company
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Hostelling International – the door to Norway
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2020
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – travel green with express busses
Vy – it should be easy to travel green
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Authentic Scandinavia – exciting Norway tours
Up Norway – tailored journeys
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Fjord Tours – experience Norway in a nutshell® with one ticket
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
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Spend a week exploring some of the highlights of Norwegian architecture, from a wooden church that dates back to the 12th century to the latest high-tech hotel which blends in with nature.
Norway is best known for its nature, but visitors who are hooked on architecture will find equally stunning attractions. The tips below, chosen by recognised architect Espen Surnevik, take you to architectural masterpieces in places that also offer plenty of recreational activities.
One of Surnevik’s own works – the Våler church – was awarded best religious building by Archmarathon in 2016. His firm keeps winning competitions for its constructions around Norway and has gained international acclaim for its ability to combine practicality with poetry.
Start in Oslo where you can get to know the impressive city hall, a clear landmark in the capital situated by the harbour. The interior walls are extensively decorated with art from 1900 to 1950, representing Norwegian daily life and work. The construction began in 1931 under the supervision of architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson. The project was put on hold during the Second World War and the city hall finally opened in 1950.
Go by car to Våler in Solør, where the freshly built, prize-winning church drawn by Espen Surnevik has replaced the old church that burned down. The interior displays an intricate play with light. If you have extra time, this part of Norway offers non-stop sports activities all year.
Your next stop is Lillehammer and Bjerkebæk, the home of author Sigrid Undset (1882–1949) who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928. The visitor centre’s distinctive architecture was created by Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk AS. It opened in 2007, on the same date that Undset was born 125 years before. Of course, this former Olympic City (1994 Winter Games) has numerous other activities for the outdoor-minded.
Welcome to the home of Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset (1882–1949), one of Norway's great female writers.…
Go to: Bjerkebæk - Sigrid Undset's homeWelcome to the home of Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset (1882–1949), one of Norway's great female writers.…
Continue towards Sohlbergplassen, a constructed viewpoint above the Atnsjøen lake by the Rondane national park. The lookout point, which is part of the Norwegian Scenic Routes project, was drawn by the architecture firm Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk. The view towards Rondane is the same as in Harald Sohlberg’s renowned painting “Winter Night in the Mountains”.
The Rondane National Tourist Route follows the border between the Rondane massif and a well-preserved cultural…
Go to: Norwegian Scenic Route RondaneThe Rondane National Tourist Route follows the border between the Rondane massif and a well-preserved cultural…
Spend the night after day two in Alvdal and start day three at Aukrustsenteret. This entertainment park is an homage to the late Kjell Aukrust, one of Norway’s favourite authors, known for his juicy, humorous descriptions of people and life in rural Norway. The visitor centre is a masterpiece by the internationally acclaimed architect Sverre Fehn.
Juvet Landscape Hotel is located at the entrance to western Norwegian fjords that were included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005. The architecture firm behind the hotel is Jensen & Skodvin who based their work around the idea of avoiding unnecessary intervention in the nature. The hotel opened its doors in 2010 and quickly became a popular destination, so remember to book well in advance to enjoy this one-of-a-kind accommodation option.
Espen Surnevik, architect and professor at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design.
Oslo is rapidly growing into an exciting, international metropolis, whilst in the countryside, prestigious projects seem to grow out of nature itself.
Extensive use of plain wood and stone are common traits of many new houses, cabins, and public buildings across Norway, showcasing sleek, simple shapes that nevertheless bring to mind mountains and glaciers.
Along the Norwegian Scenic Routes, several notable buildings and landscape designs enhance the experience of the surrounding nature, with rest areas and viewpoints that are works of art in their own right.
Start the day visiting the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland. The architect behind this glacier-inspired building is Sverre Fehn, who won the Pritzker award in 1997. The museum has a comprehensive collection of information about the peculiar material the glaciers are made of, as well as entertaining exhibitions that reveal the secrets of the eternal ice.
If you are going to see just one of Norway’s 30 remaining stave churches, make it Urnes. It is believed to be the oldest of the characteristic wooden churches, and the decorations are supposed to illustrate a link between the Viking Period and the Christian era. UNESCO has listed the Urnes stave church as a World Heritage Site.
From one historical site to another: Bryggen in Bergen. This row of former depots with origins from the 14th century is a wharf (“Brygge” in Norwegian) in Hanseatic style. The buildings are brimming with history, but there is also room for a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants. Bryggen is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Norway’s second most important city also offers top restaurants and entertaining.
Tyssedal power station, a hydroelectric power station in Odda, has been running since 1906 and houses an extensive museum for those interested in the history of architecture and industry. The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage has officially taken the site under its wings. Architect: Thorvald Astrup. Historically strong hiking tourism ensures good possibilities for accommodation and food services.
Learn about the start of the Norwegian industrial history. See the power station at the fjord, follow in the…
Go to: The Norwegian Museum of Hydro Power and Industry in TyssedalLearn about the start of the Norwegian industrial history. See the power station at the fjord, follow in the…
Whether you choose to spend the night or decide to go straight back to the base of Oslo, it’s not bad to have seen the highlights of Norwegian architecture of the past thousand years in just one week.
See our selection of companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
Oslo is rapidly growing into an exciting, international metropolis, whilst in the countryside, prestigious projects seem to grow out of nature itself.
Extensive use of plain wood and stone are common traits of many new houses, cabins, and public buildings across Norway, showcasing sleek, simple shapes that nevertheless bring to mind mountains and glaciers.
Along the Norwegian Scenic Routes, several notable buildings and landscape designs enhance the experience of the surrounding nature, with rest areas and viewpoints that are works of art in their own right.
Oslo is rapidly growing into a modern, international metropolis. In the countryside, prestigious projects seem to grow out of nature itself.
There has never been a more exciting time for Norwegian architecture! Bold designs and urban developments are popping up all over the country, and many of the projects reflect the powerful, often brutal contrasts in nature.
Where magnificent architecture meets the fjord landscape – Ålesund has wild Viking ancestry, an abundance of succulent seafood and jaw-dropping vistas.
Progressive architecture has put Varanger on the map as one of the Arctic’s premier birdwatching destinations.
Gone are traditional features like log walls and tiny windows. It is increasingly common to encounter mountain lodges and cabins that have new and exciting designs.
Norway’s 17 national fortresses are cultural arenas that get visited by millions of people each year. Akershus Fortress in Oslo and Oscarsborg Fortress in Drøbak are amongst the most popular ones.
In Norway, climbing mountains feels like the most natural thing to do – so why should this not also apply to buildings?
Elaborately carved wooden churches were once present in many parts of northwest Europe. Today, they are almost exclusively found in Norway.
The barns have been landmarks in the cultural landscape of Norway for centuries. Some beautiful and magnificent, others marked by the ravages of time and standing like monuments of the past.
From award-winning museums and architectural masterpieces to renowned food, film and music festivals. Norway is more than just stunning nature!
Norway is a country of great variations and vast distances. If you want to see it all, the easiest way is to take a round trip. You can experience a lot of Norway in a week – or even just three days.
Norway is far larger than most people realise. We recommend focusing on one region at a time, If you only plan one trip to Norway, take your time as you travel; make the journey itself your destination.
Most parts of Norway offer diverse accommodation, ranging from historic fjord hotels and urban boutique hotels to camping, glamping, and mountain cabins. Rates are often fair when booked in advance.
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