The ranking of the 10 largest cities in Norway

1. Oslo, the Norwegian capital

It is about 840 000 inhabitants who were counted in the “landsdel” of Ostlandet which is in the south of the country. Oslo is the capital of Norway and the largest city in the country. A city in permanent mutation where futuristic buildings grow one after the other.

2. Bergen, the capital of the Fjords

Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway, has a population of 278,100 (2017 figures).

The lowest point of the city is at sea level and the highest point is at 981 meters. The city covers more than 465 km² which gives a density of about 600 inhabitants per km².

It should be noted that Bergen was originally a small town to which many surrounding municipalities were added. This is how this large Norwegian city was created. The city is therefore divided into eight districts of which Bergenhus is the city center. It is also the historic city of Bergen. And there are officially 35,000 inhabitants in the ultra-center.

Located in the southwest of the country, Bergen is the tourist starting point for discovering the Norwegian fjords. This city is home to a large port, but also many universities and even a bishopric.

3. Trondheim, one of the largest cities in Norway

This Norwegian city is located in the center of the country halfway between the North Sea and the Swedish border. Trondheim covers an area of 342 km², which gives a population density of 530 inhabitants per km². In fact, there are 181,500 inhabitants. (2013)

This city has a long history because it was founded on the banks of the Nidelva River in 997 by the Viking king Olaf Tryggvason.

4. Stavanger

Stavanger has a population of 130,750 persons and is the fourth-largest city in Norway. The city of Stavanger has an area of 71 km² and a population density of 1,000 inhabitants.

Located on the southwest coast of the country, this city is a place of extremely ancient settlement. Traces of settlement can be found around 10,000 BC. Around the Bronze Age (from 1800 to 500 AD) the city was already trading with continental Europe. During the Viking period, Stavanger was a very important place for the Vikings. The natural harbor of Stavanger allowed them to keep control over the whole region. But Stavanger was also a center where the Viking chiefs resided.

Then around the 12th century, a large cathedral was built, but it disappeared during a fire that destroyed the whole city.

More recently the port of Stavanger knew an important development in the XIXth century thanks to herring fishing.

Towards the beginning of the 20th century, the shipbuilding industry became one of the largest shipyards in the country, allowing Stavanger to remain a very attractive city. Today, it is the service industry that allows the city to continue to prosper. More than 70% of the city’s activity is in the service sector.

Sandnes attached to the city of Stavanger

71,900 inhabitants live in Sandnes, a city located on the southern coast of Norway.

There are many clay deposits around the city of Sandnes and this is what has allowed the concentration of the ceramic industry. This is why Sadness is called “the city of pottery”.

Another strong point of the city is its impressive network of bicycle paths, which makes it the capital of cycling in Norway. It must be said that the relief of the city presents itself rather well for the practice of this sport. Indeed the city is flat, so it is perfect for cyclists.

5. Kristiansand, a large port city in southern Norway

Kristiansand has about 86 000 inhabitants. A city in the south of the country that covers 276 square kilometers and has a density of 310 inhabitants per km².

If this city in southern Norway is so important, it is undoubtedly linked to its port activity. Indeed, the city is located about four hours by boat from northern Denmark. Thanks to this ideal situation, Kristiansand has been able to develop as it is located on an important communication axis for the country.

6. Fredrikstad

Fredrikstad has a population of 75,600. A city that is practically on the border between Sweden and Norway.

Fredrikstad is a port city that lies at the mouth of the Glomma, the country’s largest river.

Sarpsborg, a town attached to Fredrikstad

7. Tromso, the capital of the Norwegian far north

There are 70,360 inhabitants in Tromso (2012 figures). This city in the far north of Norway is located above the Arctic Circle. As such the city knows winter days without sun and in summer white nights because the sun never sets.

The climate in Tromso is inevitably harsh because the city is located north of the Arctic Circle. It is the largest city in the Arctic Circle (Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, USA).

8. Drammen

Also located in the south of the country, Drammen is in the Top 10 largest cities in Norway. There are 65,500 inhabitants in this city.

9. Skien

53,450 inhabitants live in Skien, a city that is located on the southern coast of Norway. The city of Skien covers an area of 780 km² and has a density of 70 inhabitants per km².

This city is one of the oldest cities in the Kingdom of Norway. For it is a city that dates back to the Viking period. We find traces of this city from the 10th century (around 900 AD)

The main activities of the city are, the sawmill and the mechanical work of wood which could develop thanks to the activity of the floating of wood. But in Skien, there is also mining activity with the Glasergruya mine and also a metallurgical center.

Porsgrunn, a town attached to Skien

10. Tonsberg

There are 41 550 inhabitants in Tonsberg. Another city in the southeast of the country is on the list of the largest cities in Norway.