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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Norway
Norwegian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Norway map · historical landmarks in Norway
Norway has 9 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 7 cultural and 2 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1979 and 2015. This map of UNESCO sites in Norway covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Norwegian World Heritage Sites range from Bryggen onwards; Bryggen was the country's first inscription, added in 1979; Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site is the most recent, listed in 2015; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations, nordic heritage and volcanoes nature.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Struve Geodetic Arc. Start with Bryggen, Norwegian Fjords and Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 9
- Cultural
- 7
- Natural
- 2
- First inscribed
- 1979
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Norway shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- BGOBergen2 sites
- HOVØrsta2 sites
- TRFSandefjord(Torp)1 site
- ALFAlta1 site
- RRSRøros1 site
- TLLTallinn1 site
Prints from Norway
All prints →Keep exploring
All 9 sites in Norway
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Norway
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| BryggenHanseatic wharf of painted wooden gables. | 1979 | Cultural | Hanseatic wharf of painted wooden gables. |
| Norwegian FjordsCliffs that drop two kilometers into the sea. | 2005 | Natural | Cliffs that drop two kilometers into the sea. |
| Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage SiteRjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2015 | Cultural | Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Rock Art of AltaThis group of petroglyphs in the Alta Fjord, near the Arctic Circle, bears the traces of a settlement dating f. | 1985 | Cultural | This group of petroglyphs in the Alta Fjord, near the Arctic Circle, bears the traces of a settlement dating f. |
| Røros Mining Town and the CircumferenceRøros Mining Town and the Circumference is linked to the copper mines, established in the 17th century and exploited… | 1980 | Cultural | Røros Mining Town and the Circumference is linked to the copper mines, established in the 17th century and exploited for 333 years until 197. |
| Struve Geodetic ArcThe Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through 10… | 2005 | Cultural | The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through 10 countries and over 2,820 km. |
| Urnes Stave ChurchThe wooden church of Urnes (the stavkirke ) stands in the natural setting of Sogn og Fjordane. | 1979 | Cultural | The wooden church of Urnes (the stavkirke ) stands in the natural setting of Sogn og Fjordane. It was built in the 12th and 13th centuries a. |
| Vegaøyan – The Vega ArchipelagoA cluster of dozens of islands centred on Vega, just south of the Arctic Circle, forms a cultural landscape of. | 2004 | Cultural | A cluster of dozens of islands centred on Vega, just south of the Arctic Circle, forms a cultural landscape of. |
| West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and NærøyfjordWest Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2005 | Natural | West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Norway
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Norway?
- Norway has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 cultural and 2 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Norway?
- Bryggen was inscribed in 1979. Hanseatic wharf of painted wooden gables.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Norway?
- Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, inscribed in 2015. Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Which sites in Norway are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 9 listings are natural: Norwegian Fjords and West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.
- Which UNESCO sites in Norway are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Norway.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Norway?
- The 9 UNESCO-listed sites above are Norway's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Bryggen (1979). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Norwegian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 9 Norwegian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.