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1. The Oslo region A lot of things are cooking in the Norwegian capital, which was named European Green Capital 2019. A cutting-edge food scene, new and funky neighbourhoods, a fully-packed event calendar, and several brand-new museums and attractions are just a few teasers of what you can expect. Surrounded by the Oslofjord and deep forests, you can easily combine urban city life with nature-based fun like cycling, skiing at some of Norway´s top ski resorts and trips to nearby regions of Østfold and Vestfold, with charming towns such as Fredrikstad and Tønsberg dotted along the coast. About an hour’s drive from Oslo lies Norway’s new art destination Hadeland, where you can visit the wonderful outdoor art park at Kistefos-Museet with the spectacular exhibition building The Twist. You are also just a couple of hours from hiking and biking in the central mountain regions. 2. Tromsø and the land of the northern lights The capital of the Arctic, Tromsø, is located right in the middle of Northern Norway. If your bucket list includes northern lights, whale watching, midnight sun, and epic nature adventures, this is where you want to go. Enjoy superb conditions for ski touring, biking and hiking in the Lyngenfjord region, experience the Sami culture in towns like Karasjok and Alta, and enter the northernmost point of Europe at the North Cape. In the eastern part of this vast region, you’ll find the Varanger peninsula, which is a bird watcher’s paradise. Go king crab fishing and dog sledging in Kirkenes and Varanger, where you also can spend a night at an ice hotel. In the areas surrounding Tromsø, several islands are waiting to be explored, including Senja, Kvaløya, and Sommarøy. 3. Lofoten and Nordland Staggering peaks, glittering fjords, authentic fishing villages, and picture-perfect beaches. Not to mention northern lights and midnight sun! You have probably seen jaw-dropping images of Lofoten and Vesterålen (the kingdom of whales!) on Instagram. A hot tip is to visit these places outside of the summer season when the crowds are gone. Next-level outdoor adventures also await in the skiing, biking and hiking paradise Narvik, and a lesser-known gem is Helgeland a little further south. Here, you can drive The Coastal Route between Trøndelag and Bodø, voted one of the world’s most scenic drives. The lively coastal town of Bodø is the largest city in the county of Nordland and offers plenty of outdoor fun in the nearby Salten region as well as a booming cultural scene. In fact, Bodø will be the European Capital of Culture in 2024. 4. Bergen and the western fjords Historical World Heritage sites meet innovative fashion, trendy restaurants, and a progressive music scene in Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen. Visit some of the country’s top museums like KODE art museums and composer homes, get lost in squiggly cobblestone streets, and experience the city from above at one of the seven surrounding mountain tops. Bergen is the gateway to some of Norway’s most famous fjords, including the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, in the north, and the Hardangerfjord – where you’ll find the famous mountain plateau Trolltunga – in the south. Many of the fjords have sidearms that are at least as beautiful, but far less busy. Travel to the fjord village Flåm with the Bergen Line and Flåm Line, voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. For outdoor fun in epic surroundings, visit Voss and Nordfjord. 5. The Geirangerfjord and the Northwest The picturesque art nouveau town Ålesund is an ideal starting point for a fjord adventure in the Northwest, situated in the northern part of Fjord Norway. This region attracts avowed outdoor buffs all year round. From Ålesund, you can go by boat or bus to the UNESCO-rated Geirangerfjord, Norway’s most famous fjord, with the Seven Sisters and numerous other waterfalls that run down steep mountainsides. The mountaineering capital of Åndalsnes is another ideal base here, as it is surrounded by staggering peaks (you can hike to the top with a gondola), situated only a short distance from world-famous attractions like the Trollstigen mountain road and The Atlantic Road. Åndalsnes is the endpoint of the Rauma Railway, voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. Northwest’s is also home to the jazz town Molde and the “clipfish capital” Kristiansund.