Norway is a country renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, dramatic fjords, and stunning natural wonders. There’s an endless amount of photo spots around every corner, from towering peaks reflecting in tarns, to photogenic roads winding through mountains and waterfalls.
We spent six weeks road-tripping Norway, with the goal of finding the most incredible locations and hidden gems. Now we’ve put together this guide to help you find these incredible photo spots and Instagrammable locations for yourself.
1. Voringfossen
Located in the Hardangervidda National Park, Vøringfossen is one of Norway’s most famous waterfalls, and it’s easy to see why. With a sheer drop of 182 metres, the powerful waterfall crashes into the valley below, and is an incredible sight.
The viewpoint near Fossli Hotel provides a stunning vantage point, you’ll see the mesmerising waterfalls cascading down the cliffs and into the river below. The viewing platforms stretch all the way around the landscape, and there’s even a staircase over the waterfall if you’re not afraid of heights.
If you’re up for an adventure, you can hike to the base of the waterfall and find a swing bridge with a backdrop of the waterfall. The return trip takes around 1-3 hours depending on where you park, and is well worth the walk for the unique perspective of Voringfossen.
2. Borgund Stave Church
Nestled among the majestic fjords of Sogn og Fjordane, Borgund Church is a 12th-century stave church that provides a glimpse into Norway’s history. The intricate wooden architecture and the serene natural setting make it an incredible photography spot.
During our visit in autumn, the orange hues of the changing leaves perfectly complemented the ancient 1200-year-old building, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a scene from Game Of Thrones.
A ticket to enter the grounds of the Church costs 110 NOK, and is completely worth it, as you can enter the church and see the remarkable craftsmanship up close.
3. Waterfall Valley
This spot is a hidden gem that we stumbled upon while driving, and we had it completely to ourselves! Located on the 655 road after Øye, is a valley of mountains with thousands of waterfalls flowing down, reminding us of Milford Sound in New Zealand.
Along this area, there were plenty of incredible spots to photograph, from the majestic mountains covered in flowing waterfalls, to photogenic huts built into the side of the mountain. These unique huts, originally intended for milkmaids during the summertime, set against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring surroundings creates an incredible scene.
4. Litlefjellet
For a short but steep 45 minute climb, Litlefjellet mountain offers breathtaking 360 views of mountainous landscapes around you. Behind you, are the majestic Venjetindane mountains and beside you is Romsdalshorn mountain. In front, you have spectacular views of the Rauma river winding down the valley, and Trollveggen, Europe’s tallest vertical, overhanging rock face.
That’s not all, when you reach the peak of Litlefjellet, you’ll find a pristine lake with perfect reflections of the mountain; resulting in the perfect photo spot. Hike up for sunrise or sunset to get the perfect lighting for capturing this epic spot.
5. Innerdalen Valley
Often referred to as Norway’s most beautiful mountain valley, Innerdalen is a hidden gem tucked away in the Trollheimen mountain range. Surrounded by towering peaks, emerald lakes, and cascading waterfalls, this untouched wilderness is perfect for photos and admiring Norway’s natural beauty.
The walk through the valley takes around one hour, but along the way you’ll be stopping countless times to marvel at the beauty and snap photos.
Towards the end of the walk is a particularly photogenic spot; grass-roofed cabins perfectly framed against the backdrop of the Innerdalstårnet mountain. Not only are these cabins photogenic, but they’re also accommodation that you can stay in during the summer. You can stay overnight at Renndølsetra or just buy some coffee, waffles or dinner after your walk.
6. Trollstigen
Known as the “Troll’s Path,” Trollstigen is an impressive mountain road that winds its way through the dramatic mountains of western Norway, with the powerful Stigfossen waterfall cascading down the valley and under the road.
The road offers stunning views and numerous photo opportunities from the bottom to the top, so we definitely recommend driving up it yourself so you can pull in.
The best view can be seen from the top of the road, where there is a viewing platform that looks over the valley. To capture this vast landscape, we recommend using a wide lens and taking a panorama!
7. Stetind
As Norway’s national mountain, Stetind is a striking pinnacle rising dramatically from the surrounding landscape in Nordland county. Its unique shape and dramatic presence make it a favourite subject for landscape photos. The road also makes perfect leading lines to the mountain, offering some epic compositions.
Stetind is also a popular mountain to climb, sitting at 1400m above sea level with astonishing views from the peak. However, it is a challenging hike, and you’ll need some climbing experience and equipment. Although we did not attempt the hike, we did venture off into the surrounding forest to find some different perspectives of the mountain and get some unique photos.
8. Segla
Located on the island of Senja in Northern Norway, Segla is a towering mountain that offers panoramic views of the Norwegian Sea and surrounding fjords. The hike to the summit is rewarding, you’ll be greeted with an impressive view of the sharp peak that looks incredible in photos.
To reach the perfect photo spot, veer off towards the bottom of the peak instead of following the trail above the peak. This will allow you to get an incredible composition of the massive landscape contrasting with a tiny person. This path will require you to be cautious though, as there is a sharp drop off the side of the mountain along the ridge.
9. Preikestolen – Pulpit Rock
Perched on the edge of a towering cliff, Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, is one of Norway’s most iconic natural landmarks. Rising 604 metres above the Lysefjord, it offers mesmerising panoramic views of Norway’s beautiful landscapes. The hike to Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most famous treks, and takes around 4 hours, but is well worth the effort for the view at the end.
This spot is a paradise for instagram-worthy photos, providing countless opportunities to capture the iconic rock from various angles, beautifully framed by the surrounding dramatic landscape.
10. Lofoten Islands
One of our favourite parts of Norway and definitely the most photogenic, is the Lofoten Islands. Nestled above the Arctic Circle, this archipelago is famous for its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and traditional fishing villages.
Any trip to Norway has to include the Lofoten Islands, and we definitely recommend taking a road trip so you can stop off at the many photo spots dotted around. As there’s so much to see in this part of Norway, we have created a photo spots guide for the Lofoten Islands here.
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