The 10 most Instagrammable places in Norway (that aren’t in Oslo)

When the entire country regularly tops lists of the most beautiful places in the world, it proves a challenge to pick a mere ten unforgettable spots on its map. With its vast rolling fjords, dramatic snow-capped peaks, and charming seaside villages, Norway is arguably the best looking child of all the Scandinavian siblings. And as one of Europe’s most visually striking countries, that means there’s always an opportunity for that photo-ready moment.

Whether it’s a shimmering fairytale-inspired sauna floating on Telemarken’s Bandak lake, or exploring the abandoned Skageflå mountain farm teetering high above the Geirangerfjord, visual feasts are around (almost) every corner.

Here are the ones to start with.

Jutting sharply out from the mountainside of Aurland, stands an architectural feat – the pine-clad Stegastein viewing platform majestically hovering 650 metres above the ​​steely blue of the Aurlandsfjord. This gravity-defying plateau gives visitors a dramatic 360-degree view over the misty cloud-shrouded mountains and meandering waters below at an otherwise impossible vantage point.

The jewel in Norway’s second-largest city Bergen’s crown is its historic Hanseatic trading district, with ultra-quaint colourful facades and winding, narrow passageways, which line the harbourside. Now an area of recognised cultural capital, having firmly made its mark on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the wharfside has long played a key part in the country’s trading prowess and today it continues to add value – offering visitors a picture-postcard reminder of a remarkable bygone time.

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Reaching the unspoiled mountain farm of Skageflå, teetering 250 metres up a rocky overhang above Geirangerfjord, might prove tricky, but it’s well worth the challenge. At least, Queen Sonja seemed to think so when she hiked the route back in 1993 to celebrate her silver wedding anniversary to King Harald. Once you’ve conquered the pass, stunning panoramic shots of snowy mountaintops and gushing waterfalls await. And if it’s good enough for Scandinavian royalty, well…

The creators behind Europe's first underwater restaurant, Oslo-based architecture firm Snøhetta, must have embraced the famed words of a certain Disney crustacean ("Darling, it's better / Down where it's wetter") when they came up with the plans for this beautifully brutalist structure submerged five and a half metres below the crashing Norwegian waters. With an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the southern coastal seascape, diners can gaze (and ‘gram) out from the 11 metre-high panes onto the blue abyss beyond.

Though Norway boasts over 200,000 pretty-as-a-picture islands, Sørfugløya is a cut above them all. This seabird hotspot, situated outside Tromsø, is not only home to puffins, guillemots, and other rare bird species, but also boasts spectacular scenic walks along its craggy terrain making it the perfect playground for any photographer. Accessible only by boat, the photogenic nature reserve is brimming with Nordic wildlife – you might even spot porpoises and seals en route if you’re lucky.

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Inspired by a much-loved Norwegian fairytale of a golden palace nestled in the mountains, this gleaming polygon-shaped sauna, the work of architect David Fjågesund, is a sight worth seeing and, of course, capturing. Surrounded by the natural waters of the Bandak lake and Dalen’s bewitching leafy mountainsides, the Soria Moria Sauna is a must-visit for both spa and design lovers alike.

Places of worship don’t always have to be ultra-traditional, conformist structures, as demonstrated by the ethereal design of this hyper-futuristic cathedral in Alta. Europe’s northernmost cathedral, the structure features a 47-metre-high spiral that whirls skyward, while the rippling titanium-clad exterior helps reflect the vibrant green flickers of the region’s unique Aurora Borealis, intensifying the heavenly vision for any mere mortal below.

Along one of Norway’s toughest yet visually arresting hikes, 1,000 metres above the epic Lysefjord, you’ll come across an incredible natural wonder: a gigantic boulder that’s permanently wedged itself into the rockface there. Certainly not for the faint of heart, courageous walkers can steel themselves for that ideal Insta-moment, standing proud atop the five-cubic-metre stone, 3,156 feet up – just don’t look down.

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One of the most colourful streets in Stavanger is a meandering joy-giving route, dotted with little independent shops and cafes. Though only given a lick of paint in 2005 after a local hairdresser determined to provide the formerly dull thoroughfare with a vibrant new makeover, the street has since consistently given locals and visitors alike reason to smile with its hues of lilac, tangerine, and baby blue. So yes, the weather might be grey and drizzly, but there’s always a perfect rainbow to be found on Fargegaten.

There’s perhaps nothing more romantic than envisaging a long, sight-laden road trip – wind in your hair and eyes on the horizon. And this Norwegian Scenic Route, which snakes from Kårvåg to Bud taking in 36 kilometres of coastal wilds, is considered to be the most spectacular of them all. Stop off at quintessential villages like Kårvåg and Vevang along your journey, or Storseisundet bridge, where crashing waves sometimes scatter the way ahead, and watch the likes roll in.