Norway: Where Art and Nature Mingle: A Guide to the Country’s Most Inspiring Art and Design Destinations

Oslo: Modern art, design and vibrant heritage

• Where to Stay: Sommerro
  A former 1930s electric company transformed into an art-deco-inspired haven, Sommerro strikes the perfect balance between preservation and contemporary luxury. With standout dining, a remarkable spa and a villa option for larger groups, it’s a great base to explore Oslo.

• Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art: Located on the Oslo waterfront, this Renzo Piano-designed Museum feels like a love letter to the sea, with its maritime-inspired architecture. Inside, explore contemporary works from international heavyweights, including the iconic porcelain sculpture Michael Jackson and Bubbles. Outside the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park, an extension of the museum, adds to the visual dialogue with nature.

• MUNCH: The towering MUNCH museum, designed by Estudio Herreros, is a fitting home for the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch’s works, including several versions of The Scream. The 13 floors house not just Munch’s art but rotating exhibits that highlight connections between his legacy and modern creativity. Be sure to take a walk around the iconic Opera House or dip in the fjord followed by a sauna while there.

• Kistefos Museum and Sculpture Park: This place is just wow. The highlight of my time in Norway, Kistefos, a one-hour drive into rural Norway from Oslo, blends contemporary art with industrial heritage. The standout feature is The Twist, a stunning bridge-turned-gallery that spans the Randselva River, connecting nature, architecture, and art in a way that can only fully be grasped in person. Just go.

• National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet): Scandinavia’s largest art museum—and also one of the youngest (completed in 2022)—brings together over 47,000 works across painting, design, architecture, and sculpture. Highlights include Monet, Renoir and Norway’s "national painting," Winter Night in the Mountains by Harald Sohlberg, alongside Munch’s The Scream.

• Vigeland Museum and Sculpture Park: A tribute to Norway’s most famous sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, this park features over 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Nearby, the Vigeland Museum offers an intimate glimpse into his creative process with plaster models, early works and monuments.

• Ramme: Thirty minutes south of Oslo, Ramme offers a mix of art, culture and nature with Edvard Munch’s villa, the enchanting Havlystparken and organic dining options. Perhaps we can consider this the Giverny of Norway?

• Henie Onstad Art Center: Located a 15-minute drive west of Oslo, this modern art center combines scenic views with a standout collection that includes works by Picasso and Yayoi Kusama. Its exhibitions span contemporary art, music and performance.

Southern Norway: coastal charm meets cultural innovation

• Where to Stay: Boen Gård
  This 16th-century timber estate is rustic yet cozy. Its focus on sustainability extends to its farm-to-table dining and serene riverside setting.

• Kunstsilo: Housed in a repurposed 1934 grain silo, Kunstsilo showcases the Tangen Collection, the world’s largest Nordic modernist art collection. Located in Kristiansand, it also offers international exhibitions, events and a rooftop bar with stunning views.

Stavanger: Modern art in a medieval port city

• Where to Stay: Eilert Smith Hotel
  This boutique hotel blends Stavanger’s old-world charm with sleek modernist design. One of Eilert Smith's creations in 1937, its intimate size and functionalist aesthetic make it a standout choice.

• Stavanger Art Museum: Set by the picturesque Mosvannet Lake, this museum highlights Norwegian masters like Lars Hertervig while also hosting contemporary exhibits. Its commitment to community and inclusivity is evident in its dynamic programming.

• Hå Gamle Prestegard: A coastal gallery that combines contemporary art with historical exhibitions. The windswept setting adds a layer of drama to the experience.

Bergen: A coastal city with cultural depth

• Where to Stay: Opus XVI
  Run by Edvard Grieg’s descendants, this boutique hotel marries Bergen’s rich musical heritage with chic Scandinavian design. Located near the waterfront and major attractions, it’s an ideal retreat.

• KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes: This collection of four museums and three historic composer homes highlights Nordic art and design in diverse forms, from classical paintings to contemporary crafts. Don’t miss Edvard Grieg’s home, Troldhaugen, for its stunning fjord-side setting.

• Bergen Kunsthall: A contemporary art hub, Bergen Kunsthall offers cutting-edge exhibitions that spotlight both Norwegian and international artists. Its central location makes it an easy stop while exploring Bergen’s charming city center. Tip: Bergen can get crowded with offshore excursions, so it’s best to visit in the low or shoulder seasons.

Heading North: Scenic routes and nature-integrated art

• Where to Stay: Storfjord Hotel
  Located on a wooded hillside overlooking the Sunnmøre Alps, this boutique retreat embodies Norwegian traditions in its architecture and hospitality. Rooms offer fireplaces, terraces and stunning views of the fjord.

• Heading north toward the Arctic Circle, Norway’s artistic integration with its natural landscapes truly comes into focus. Scenic overlooks, walkways and rest areas aren’t just functional — they’re architectural marvels. Structures like the Stegastein Viewpoint or the rest stops along the National Tourist Routes blur the line between design and nature.

Northern Norway: Art at the edge of the world

• Where to Stay: Holmen Lofoten
  Perched above the Arctic Circle in the Lofoten Islands, this family-run retreat offers seasonal dining and warm hospitality. Known for hosting Kitchen on the Edge of the World, Holmen is perfect for those seeking serenity and inspiration in one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.

• Kaviar Factory, Lofoten: A striking contemporary gallery in the fishing village of Henningsvær, the Kaviar Factory showcases international art against a dramatic Arctic backdrop. Note: Visits are by appointment only and are not open year-round.

• Artscape Nordland (throughout Nordland County): This open-air art project places large-scale sculptures by international artists across the dramatic landscapes of northern Norway. Pieces like The Man from the Sea in Vesterålen illustrate how art and nature can elevate each other.