SKIP THE CITIES
I visited a few major cities while I was a Norwegian resident (Oslo, Stavanger, Tromsø), and I didn't really fall in love with any of them the way people experience a soul connection with New York or Paris, for example. Sure Norway probably has the best-run cities in the world as far as infrastructure goes (you seriously won't find better public transport or fewer homeless people anywhere else), but compared to Europe's other major cities, Norwegian cities don't have many attractions. All you'll really find is ridiculously expensive restaurants and shops.
But if you must remain in the city, here are my favorite places in Oslo.
1. Folk Museum
Here you'll find a Norwegian version of Colonial Williamsburg with actors dressed in period costumes doing wood carving demonstrations. There's a historic Stave Church, carriage rides, and plenty of grass-roofed cottages with pig pens and bleating goats.
2. Akershus Fortress
This defensive fortress was historically the seat of power for Norway. Whoever controlled the fortress thus ruled the country. Don't bother paying the fee to go inside though, nothing aesthetically spectacular by European standards. But there is a nice lawn for having a picnic overlooking the Oslo harbor.
The best free place to visit in Oslo. This sculpture park is beautiful both in the summer and in winter (plus there are plenty of fun photo ops with the statues!).
3. Hovedøya
4. Holmenkollen
This olympic ski jump offers the best views of Oslo. The jump itself is huge, and still in use during the winter season. There are ski jumping schools nearby as well, and you might even catch some athletes practicing.
HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Norway has a well-deserved reputation on the internet for being a really, really ridiculously good looking country. So instead of visiting the cities, I recommend venturing out into nature. There are three main hikes that make Norway famous (sadly, I only made it to 2 of them)
1. Preikestolen
Preikestolen literally means Pulpit Rock because this giant stone slab juts out of the mountainside like a pulpit. The hike takes about 3 hours each way and is steep but not strenuous at all.
2. Trolltunga
Trolltunga means Troll's Tongue, and this hike is the most difficult I've ever been on. It took about 9.5 hours to complete and about a month to regain full capacity in my knees.
It's also a bit tricky to get to; the closest town is Odda, which is tucked away between mountain ranges and I'm pretty sure the only way to get there is by overnight bus (no trains or planes). But it is very much worth it!
3. Kjerag
My only regret from living in Norway is not doing this hike. All I know is that it is relatively close to Preikestolen.
GO NORTH
...and chase those Northern Lights! (Do dog sledding too; it's expensive but worth it!)
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