Parks and gardens

in Norway

Imagine strolling around in a lush world,
– just like in the fairytale The Secret Garden...

Havlystparken at Ramme Farm .
Photo: Per Sollerman

...or on a 'tropical' island, near Stavanger in Fjord Norway.

The flower garden Flor & Fjære .
Photo: Flor & Fjære

Vibrant colours...

Tulips in Oslo Botanical Garden .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

...and wonderful scents.

Cherry trees in Oslo Botanical Garden .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

Gardens are the perfect place for so many things, whether you need a space for meetings, a place to study or meditate, or...

Oslo Botanical Garden .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

...maybe travel through time?

Take a peek at some of Norway's most beautiful gardens!

Havlystparken park at Ramme Gård .
Photo: Ramme

Are you a real garden enthusiast, or would you love to surprise someone with a wonderful experience?

Norway is a long and diverse country with a varied climate, and has lots of different parks and gardens! Visit everything from a 'tropical' paradise in Southern Norway and gardens in Fjord Norway, to beautiful polar gardens in Northern Norway.

Japanese cherry trees blossom in Oslo Botanical Garden.
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

There are six botanical gardens in Norway, as well as a selection of arboretums and theme gardens throughout the country. The gardens have plant collections with both native and endemic species from Norway, and plants from around the world.

The botanical gardens and arboretums are often administered by local councils, and are usually free to visit. The privately owned parks and gardens charge an entrance fee.

In many rural areas around the country, you can also find historical hotels with beautiful gardens. The largest cities often have many green parks, where you are free to sit down and enjoy your lunch or have a barbecue with your friends – just make sure to throw away your rubbish afterwards.

In the capital, Oslo, you can also visit some amazing sculpture parks, like the famous Vigelandsparken or the Ekebergparken Sculpture Park. The huge, impressive Kistefos Museum and sculpture park in Hadeland is just an hour's drive outside Oslo.

Book your trip to Kistefos!

Autumn leaves

Since the seasons change, you get a completely different experience of the gardens depending on what time of the year you visit. Like many other places, most of the plants and flowers in Norway are at their most beautiful in the spring or middle of the summer.

But how about a visit in the autumn, when the gardens and trees are a riot of colour? Or a totally different experience in the winter, when everything is covered in white, like a winter wonderland?

Check out 5 of the most amazing parks and gardens in Norway below!

At Ramme Farm you can visit the adventurous garden, Havlystparken, and what once was one of the least known homes of Edvard Munch!

Havlystparken at Ramme gård .
Photo: Per Sollerman

Here, you can also visit exhibitions of paintings by Edvard Munch, explore an ecological farm, dine at a restaurant, and stay overnight by the sea!

Ramme Fjordhotell .
Photo: Ramme Fjordhotel

The big, 'tropical' garden, Flor & Fjære on the small island of Sør-Hidle outside Stavanger, has been owned and run by the same family for three generations.

Get there by boat from Stavanger, stroll around among the over 50,000 flowers and plants planted there every year, and take a break in its restaurant by the sea. It's a real adventure!

Tulip Beach at Flor & Fjære .
Photo: Flor & Fjære – Region Stavanger

Once upon a time, a baron lived at this manor house, Baroniet Rosendal, by the Hardangerfjord in Fjord Norway.

Today, you can experience both the 300-year-old building, and the historical garden surrounding it.

After walking around in the fairytale garden, relax at the café and enjoy a delicious lunch!

Baroniet Rosendal in the Hardangerfjord region .
Photo: Baroniet Rosendal / Visit Hardangerfjord

The delightful garden at Hovelsrud Farm, at Helgøya island by Lake Mjøsa, looks just like it did in 1840 when it was first created.

Take in the silence and the fresh air, while admiring the scenic view across Norway's largest lake.

Hovelsrud Farm by Mjøsa .
Photo: Are Herren / Visit Norway

You don't need to go to the countryside to find nice parks and gardens, though. You can enjoy true green lungs in the hustle and bustle of city life in all the big cities.

The Oslo Botanical Garden, located in the middle of the capital, has a collection that contains over 5,000 plants, from Arctic areas...

Oslo Botanical Garden .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

...to tropical oases inside custom-built buildings that house large palm trees and rare species of fish!

Oslo Botanical Garden .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

There is also a cosy café in the middle of the park, serving fresh baked goods and tasty drinks, where you can relax and maybe plan your next adventurous garden trip!

The café at the Oslo Botanical Garden .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix – Visitnorway.com