The largest cities in Norway by population are Oslo (around 700,000), Bergen (about 290,000), Trondheim (roughly 210,000), Stavanger (about 145,000), Drammen (around 100,000), Sandnes, Tromsø, Fredrikstad, Kristiansand, and Bodø. Together these urban centres anchor a country of approximately 5.4 million people, most of whom live in the warmer, more sheltered south where the coast curves toward the Skagerrak strait.
The Top 10 Cities at a Glance
Norway is a long, narrow country, and its population thins out dramatically as you travel north toward the Arctic. The ten largest municipalities reflect that geography, with the heavyweights clustered around the Oslofjord and the southwestern coast.
- Oslo — about 700,000; the capital and by far the biggest city.
- Bergen — about 290,000; the western gateway to the fjords.
- Trondheim — about 210,000; the historic medieval capital.
- Stavanger — about 145,000; Norway's oil and energy capital.
- Drammen — about 100,000; a port and rail hub near Oslo.
- Fredrikstad — roughly 85,000; near the Swedish border.
- Sandnes — roughly 80,000; neighbour to Stavanger.
- Tromsø — roughly 78,000; the largest city north of the Arctic Circle.
- Kristiansand — roughly 70,000; the southern coast's main hub.
- Bodø — roughly 55,000; an Arctic gateway in the north.
Note that Norwegian population figures often refer to entire municipalities rather than dense city cores, so reported numbers can vary depending on whether you count the urban settlement or the wider administrative area.
Oslo: The Capital and Largest City
Oslo sits at the head of the Oslofjord and is the political, financial, and cultural heart of Norway. With roughly 700,000 residents in the city proper and well over a million in the surrounding metropolitan region, it dwarfs every other Norwegian city. Founded around 1000 AD and rebuilt under King Christian IV in the 17th century (when it was briefly renamed Christiania), Oslo today combines a compact downtown with vast forested hills and waterfront districts. It hosts the Norwegian parliament, the Royal Palace, the Munch Museum, and the National Museum, and ranks among Europe's fastest-growing capitals.
Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger
Beyond Oslo, three regional cities define their respective corners of the country. Bergen, the second-largest city, is the gateway to the western fjords. Once Scandinavia's busiest port under the Hanseatic League, its colourful Bryggen wharf is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famously rainy and ringed by seven mountains, Bergen is a hub for shipping, seafood, and tourism.
Trondheim, founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997 AD, was Norway's first capital and remains its religious centre, home to the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral where Norwegian monarchs are blessed. It is also a leading university and technology city. Stavanger, on the southwest coast, transformed from a fishing and canning town into Norway's energy capital after North Sea oil was discovered in the late 1960s. Its picturesque old town of white wooden houses contrasts with the modern offshore industry that drives the region.
Northern Cities: Tromsø and Bodø
Norway's northern cities are smaller but disproportionately important. Tromsø, well above the Arctic Circle, is sometimes called the "Gateway to the Arctic" and "Paris of the North." It is one of the best places on Earth to view the aurora borealis in winter and experiences the midnight sun in summer. Bodø, a transport and military hub, served as a European Capital of Culture in 2024 and lies near the Saltstraumen, one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. Despite long polar winters, both cities benefit from the warming Gulf Stream, which keeps their harbours ice-free year-round. For more on the wider country, see our norway country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest city in Norway?
Oslo is the largest city in Norway, with around 700,000 residents in the city proper and more than a million in its greater metropolitan area. It is also the national capital.
What is the second-largest city in Norway?
Bergen is the second-largest city, with about 290,000 people. Located on the southwest coast, it is the main gateway to Norway's western fjords and a historic Hanseatic trading port.
What is the largest city in northern Norway?
Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway and the biggest urban area north of the Arctic Circle, with roughly 78,000 residents. It is a renowned destination for viewing the Northern Lights.
How many people live in Norway?
Norway has a population of approximately 5.4 million people. The vast majority live in the milder southern half of the country, particularly around the Oslofjord and the southwestern coast.
