The Far North
Constructed in the mid-19th century, and just around the corner from Tuomainengården, is this opulent merchant's dwelling, complete with stable and…
Must-see attractions in Norway
Central Norway
Some 300m uphill to the east of the stave church are the buildings from the 1743 Ringebu Samlingene, which served as the vicarage until 1991. Guided tours…
Central Norway
Outside the Smelthytta entrance spreads the large open area known as the Malmplassen (Ore Place), where loads of ore were dumped and weighed on the large…
Norwegian Science & Technology Museum
Oslo
A popular rainy-day distraction near Lake Maridal, Norwegian Science & Technology Museum has Norway's first car and tram, water wheels, clocks and enough…
Vesterålen
It only opens for a month, and even then just three days a week so take advantage if you happen to be in town. It's a typically austere northern Norwegian…
Western Finnmark
Hammerfest's newly minted Kulturhuset is worth a brief visit, simply to savour its striking architecture. Within, there's a theatre, a couple of cinemas…
Oslo
This medieval stone church, located north of the centre on Akersbakken, dates from 1080 and is Oslo's oldest building. Take bus 37 from Jernbanetorget to…
The Coast
Flekkefjord Museum is housed in a home dating from 1724. The 19th-century interiors, mostly the bequest of one local woman, illustrate how a high…
Aker Brygge & Bygdøy
Alas there's no chocolate with this great glass elevator on Tjuvholmen, but it does whisk you 54m up a transparent column to give you a good view of the…
Western Finnmark
This 19th-century church was the only building in town to survive the Nazis' scorched-earth retreat in 1944. For a time it was a communal dwelling until…
Trondheim
The cobblestone streets immediately west of the centre are lined with mid-19th-century wooden buildings, notably the octagonal 1705 timber church,…
Central Norway
These slag heaps make an unlikely protected monument, but they're an important illustration of what was left after the copper smelting process. They also…
Southern Norway
Coming from the south, Rysstad's main Setesdalsmuseet is a fine, refurbished exhibition space displaying period interiors and cultural artefacts,…
The Far North
This small museum recalls the historical trade between Russia and Norway. Based principally upon the bartering of fish against corn, it lasted until the…
Stavanger
This opulent manor was constructed for the merchant shipowner Lars Berentsen. Its authentic late-19th-century interiors include old farming implements,…
Longyearbyen
Attached to the Galleri Svalbard is the Kunstnersenteret, which serves as a workshop for local artists, with many of the works on sale.
The Far North
The tiny coastal village of Gamvik claims the world's northernmost museum. In a former fish-drying shed, it displays the fishing cultures of these far…
Central Norway
This collection of 90 historic buildings from the Glomma valley is one of the better examples of Norway's numerous 'folk' museums. It's 2km west of the…
The Far North
Those who are aroused by war games will have fun at the Troms Defence Museum, with its evocative interior dioramas and over 20 military vehicles to…
The Far North
Finnmark's oldest timber church, constructed in 1807, was the only building in Karasjok to survive WWII destruction. It's a pretty ochre-and-white…
Rana Museum of Natural History
Arctic Highway
This museum illustrates the geology, ecology, flora and wildlife of the Arctic Circle region, and features several hands-on exhibits that will engage…
Ålesund
About 20km north of the town centre, Vigra is home to Ålesund's airport as well as a long white-sand beach called Blindheimssanden (also called Blimsand).
Tromsø
Tromsø's library is a wonderful example of contemporary Norwegian architecture, airy and streaming with light. There's also free internet access here.
Tromsø
The Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum displays mainly 19th-century to present-day sculpture, photography, painting and handicrafts by artists from northern Norway.
Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords
In a field around 150m southeast of the tourist office stands the weathered stone erected in 1023 to commemorate the local conversion to Christianity.
Svalbard
The small wooden Orthodox chapel above the football pitch commemorates the twin disasters of 1996 (a plane crash) and 1997 (a mine explosion).
Arctic Highway
Alongside the fjord, the Sulitjelma Mining Museum records the area's 100 years of mining history and displays some awesome rusting equipment.
Oslo
An independent artist-run space that hosts regular shows as well as events and performances. Check the website for details of seasonal shows.
Central Norway
For one of the loveliest turf-roofed homes you'll see, head up to the top of Kjerkgata to the house signposted as Harald Sohlsbergs Plass 59.
The Coast
The 'folk' part of the Dalane Folk Museum features eight historic timber homes at Slettebø, 3.5km north of Egersund just off the Rv42.
Gregorius Kirke Ruins (Sparebanken)
Trondheim
In the basement of Søndre gate 4 are the ruins of the medieval Gregorius Kirke (Sparebanken), discovered during earlier excavations.
Vesterålen
This small turf museum is part of the historic Fargeklatten complex of restored buildings.
Kristiansand
Built in 1884 in late Gothic style, the Kristiansand Cathedral, with seating for 1800 people, is Norway's third-largest church.
Oslo
For something slippery, most kids will love meeting the snakes and lizards (as well as the odd monkey) at the Oslo Reptilpark.
Central Norway
Various museums around Røros, including the Smelthytta and Olavsgruva mine, are collected under this catch-all organisation.
Southern Norway
This stone storehouse, built between 1674 and 1691, is one of the oldest buildings in Gamlebyen and now a ceramics showroom.
Svolvær
This place is another of Svolvær's fine little galleries that show and sell paintings in which the Lofotons are the focus.
Southern Norway
This mid-11th-century stone church is one of the oldest in Norway. It hosts a week-long music and arts festival in July.
Longyearbyen
High on the steep valley wall south of the town centre, the crumbling, evocative ruins of Mine No 2 loom over the town.
Western Finnmark
This handsome pair of carved and silvered polar bears on Rådhus Plass were fashioned by woodcarver Knut Arnesen.
