The top 10 most beautiful viewpoints in Norway

Norway is known for its stunning landscapes: fjords that dive deep into the sea, mountains that rise above the clouds, and panoramic roads with spectacular views. But some places really stand out.

Here, we share our top 10 favorite viewpoints in Norway that you absolutely can't miss during a road trip through the fjords.

Preikestolen is the iconic cliff of Norway. A rock plateau measuring 25×25 meters that juts out 604 meters above the Lysefjord. Below your feet: a dizzying abyss.

The view from the top is spectacular: the fjord stretches out like a dark blue ribbon, surrounded by steep rock walls. On a clear day, the horizon seems endless. It's no wonder this is one of the most photographed spots in Norway.

Crowds at the top

Preikestolen attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year. In July and August, there can easily be 200–300 people at the top at the same time. Want to experience some peace and quiet? Head out before 6 AM or after 6 PM. The sunrise from the top is magical...

Practical tips

• Hike: 8 km round trip, 4–5 hours, average difficulty
• Parking: paid, 250 NOK at the starting point
• Make sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the rocks can be slippery
• Best time: May – October (outside of this period, snow/ice, special equipment needed)
• Safety: there are no railings at the top, so be extremely careful at the edge

Hardanger Region, near Odda

Trolltunga is probably the most spectacular (and Instagram-worthy) viewpoint in Norway. A horizontal rock that extends 700 meters above the Ringedalsvatnet. When you stand at the edge of this natural plateau, the adventure literally hangs beneath your feet. An intense experience!

The hike to Trolltunga is a lot tougher than Preikestolen: 28 km round trip, 10 – 12 hours of walking, 800 m elevation gain. This is a full day in the mountains and definitely not something to take lightly. But the effort is absolutely worth it. The view from Trolltunga is unique: you’re hovering above the turquoise lake, surrounded by endless mountains.

Practical tips

• Hike: 28 km round trip, 10 – 12 hours, difficult level
• Departure: 5 AM to have enough time and avoid the crowds
• Make sure to bring enough food and drink, it’s going to be a long day
• Gear: warm clothing, rain jacket, trekking poles recommended
• Best period: mid-June – mid-September (too dangerous outside this period)
• Parking: paid, 600 NOK
• Guide recommended, especially if you’re not an experienced hiker

Geirangerfjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for a reason: it’s probably the most beautiful fjord in Norway. To truly experience it, you need to see it from above. The best view is from Dalsnibba, at 1500 meters high.

From the top, you have a complete view over the fjord. The deep blue waters wind between steep mountains, waterfalls cascade down (the Seven Sisters), and the village of Geiranger looks tiny.

The road to Dalsnibba (Nibbevegen) is impressive: a mountain road with 11 hairpin turns through stunning alpine scenery. At the top, there’s a modern viewing platform with a 360° view.

From Geiranger, it’s about a 30-minute drive. The road is narrow and winding, but well-maintained. Along the way, you pass the Djupvatnet lake at 1000 meters high – already a beautiful view – and then it continues to the top where the panorama opens up completely.

Practical tips

• Toll road: 250 NOK per vehicle (Nibbevegen)
• Best time: June–October (closed in winter)
• Driving time from Geiranger: 30 min, narrow mountain road
• Clothing: dress warmly, it’s 10°C colder at the top than down below
• Café at the top: small café with a view
• Combination: after the drive, you can take the ferry down the fjord

The Stegastein viewpoint in Norway is an ultra-modern viewing platform that extends 30 meters out over the rocks, standing 650 meters above the Aurlandsfjord. Its minimalist design, made of light wood and sleek lines, seems to almost blend into the landscape, giving you a complete view of the fjord and the surrounding mountains.

Stegastein is part of the Aurlandsfjellet, one of the 18 National Tourist Routes of Norway. This panoramic road between Aurland and Lærdal takes you through impressive alpine landscapes, over mountain lakes, and along steep hairpin turns before descending back to the fjord. Stegastein is the highlight of this route.

Practical tips

• Cost: free, no tolls or paid parking
• Best time: May–October (closed in winter due to snow)
• Location: ideal for a short stop between Flåm and Lærdal
• Parking: close to the platform, a 5-minute walk
• Note: afraid of heights? The platform can be pretty impressive
• Photo tip: both the platform itself and the view are super photogenic

The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien) on the west coast, between Molde and Kristiansund, is often referred to as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Over 8.3 km, the road winds between islets and rocky reefs, with eight bridges spanning the ocean. In some places, it feels like you're literally driving over the water.

The most iconic viewpoint is the Storseisundet Bridge, also known as “the bridge to nowhere.” From certain angles, it looks like the bridge rises into the air and suddenly ends in nothingness. It's a spectacular optical illusion and one of the most photographed bridges in the world.

On sunny days, the turquoise waters and green islets sparkle, but it's during a storm that the route truly impresses: waves crash against the bridges, spray shoots up meters high, and it's both breathtaking and thrilling to drive.

National Tourist Route
The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's National Tourist Routes and has been named the “most beautiful route in the world” multiple times. Along the route, there are various viewpoints set up for photos and short stops.

Practical Tips

• Cost: free (previously toll until 2009)
• Best time: accessible year-round, but more spectacular in the summer
• Duration: about 30 minutes with stops at the viewpoints
• Activities: there are special fishing spots along the route
• Note: impressive during a storm but drive carefully
• Combination: perfect to combine with Trollstigen for a complete road trip

Trollstigen, located in the Romsdal region between Åndalsnes and Valldal, is one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe. Eleven hairpin turns climb up the rock face at a gradient of 10%. From above, the road looks like a winding snake sliding into the abyss.

The main viewpoint is at the top: a modern platform overlooking the entire valley. From here, you can see the 11 turns, the Stigfossen waterfall cascading down the mountain, and the steep mountain peaks framing the valley. Breathtaking!

Driving on Trollstigen is an experience in itself. The road is narrow (sometimes barely wide enough for one vehicle), the turns are sharp, and the climb/descent is intense. But every meter is spectacular.

Modern infrastructure
At the top, there's a visitor center from 2012 with exhibitions, a shop, and a restaurant with panoramic views. The viewing platforms extend out over the abyss for impressive perspectives.

Practical tips

• Best time: May–October (closed in winter due to snow)
• Recommended climb: better for handling the turns
• Encountering buses: tricky on some narrow sections, watch out for passing zones
• Parking: free at the viewpoint, but busy around noon in summer
• Waterfalls: Stigfossen runs alongside the route and is beautiful to see
• Alternative routes: check if Trollstigen is closed due to fog or maintenance

The Lofoten Islands, village of Reine

On the Lofoten, you'll find some of the most spectacular landscapes in Norway: jagged mountain peaks rising from the ocean, colorful fishing villages, and white sandy beaches. The most famous viewpoint in the archipelago is Reinebringen, which overlooks the village of Reine.

From the top (448 m high), you look straight down at Reine, nestled between the sea and the mountains. You can see the fjords cutting through the island group and the rugged mountain peaks stretching to the horizon. This is the classic postcard view of the Lofoten.

The hike
The climb to Reinebringen is steep: about 1500 stone steps, laid out in 2019 (previously, it was a muddy and very slippery path). It's a solid climb, but doable for most people. Expect about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip.

The most beautiful village in Norway
Reine is often called the most beautiful village in Norway. The typical rorbuer (red fishing cabins on stilts) reflect in the calm fjord water, with the mountains in the background. From Reinebringen, you have the perfect view of this landscape.

Romsdalseggen is often mentioned as one of the most beautiful hikes in Norway. This spectacular ridge in the Romsdal, near Åndalsnes, runs about 10 km along a narrow ridge up to about 1200 meters high. Along the way, you'll have an impressive 360° view of fjords, valleys, and rugged mountain peaks.

One of the most famous viewpoints is Nesaksla (708 m). From here, you look straight down at Åndalsnes, the Romsdalsfjord, and the surrounding mountain peaks. Further along the ridge, you can also see the impressive massif of Trollveggen, the highest vertical rock face in Europe.

Alpine hike
Romsdalseggen is a real mountain hike: rocky sections, some exposed passages, and changing weather conditions. In bad weather, it can get dangerous, but on a clear day, it's one of the most impressive hikes in Norway.

Practical tips

• Hike: 10 km, 6–8 hours, difficult level
• Best period: June–September (off-season often has snow)
• Start early: it’s a full day hike
• Shuttle bus: available between the start and end points (best to reserve in advance)
• Gear: warm clothing, enough water and food
• Weather: only do it in good weather; rain or fog makes the route dangerous ⛰️

In the region of Sogn, near Flåm, lies the Nærøyfjord. This is the narrowest fjord in Norway. In some places, it's only 250 meters wide, yet one of the most spectacular. Steep rock walls dive straight into the water, creating an impressive and dramatic landscape.

One of the best spots to admire the fjord from above is via Stalheimskleiva. This historic mountain road is known as one of the steepest in Norway: an average slope of 18% and 13 sharp hairpin turns that descend about 300 meters in just 1.5 km. From above, the road looks like a snake winding down the mountain, with the fjord deep below you.

Along the descent, there are several viewpoints where you can stop to admire the panorama: the fjord winding between the mountains, waterfalls cascading down the rock faces, and small farms that seem to cling to the slopes.

UNESCO World Heritage
The Nærøyfjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with the nearby Geirangerfjord. Together, they are considered two of the most beautiful and best-preserved fjords in Norway. The combination of mountains, fjord, and waterfalls creates unique landscapes.

Practical Tips

• Narrow road: watch out for buses and campers driving up
• Recommended descent: this way you can better control the steep turns
• Costs: free, no toll
• Accessibility: year-round, but be cautious of ice in winter
• Combination: easy to combine with a visit to Flåm
• Tip: also take a ferry on the fjord to see the landscape from the water

From the dizzying cliff of Preikestolen to roads that seem to hang over the ocean, from alpine ridges overlooking the fjords to modern viewing platforms that literally leave you hanging over the abyss: each viewpoint reveals a different side of spectacular Norway.

With a good route, you can easily visit 5 to 6 of these major viewpoints during a one-week road trip through the fjords. And with all the unexpected stops along the way, you're guaranteed to come back with a head full of beautiful memories.

So... ready to go? 🇳🇴 Book your all-inclusive tour with Norway Nomads now (starting from €850).