Traveler’s Haunt: A Guide to Norway’s Most Eerie Destinations

Norway boasts an abundance of supernatural legends and eerie ghost stories. It’s not only during Halloween that one can encounter these ghosts! Below, a list is provided of some of the country’s most haunted – and haunting – destinations. All across the nation, one can discover chilling supernatural stories and experiences – from a notorious former prison in Oslo to haunted hotels in spectacular surroundings. Here are just a few of them:

Akershus Fortress, Oslo

Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Norway, is renowned for its wealth of supernatural tales. For seven centuries, this fortress has steadfastly protected the capital’s inner harbor, successfully repelling all foreign hostile forces. Yet, behind its imposing walls and within its dimly lit corridors, it holds a history stained with bloodshed.  Sections of the fortress served as a prison for some of Norway’s most infamous criminals for many years. Prison sentences often involved grueling physical labor, and the facility gained notoriety for employing irons, chains, and solitary confinement as means of discipline.

Over time, numerous reports have surfaced regarding eerie whispers and mysterious scratching sounds echoing through the fortress’s hallways. Many guards have also reported peculiar occurrences, such as the sensation of being pushed, especially while on solitary duty. Ultimately, the prison within the castle was shuttered in 1950.

Website: https://kultur.forsvaret.no/forsvarets-festninger/akershus-festning

The Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim

In Trondheim, Norway, the country’s most significant cathedral, The Nidaros Cathedral, harbors its most renowned ghost. “The Monk” first appeared in 1924, witnessed by Bishop Marie Gleditsch, who described the apparition as bearing a ghastly gash across its throat. Subsequently, numerous reports have surfaced of unexplained chanting and haunting organ music echoing through the cathedral’s halls during late-night hours. The fame of this enigmatic ghost is not without controversy, as several historians argue that no historical connection exists between monks and The Nidaros Cathedral. Nevertheless, the tales of “The Monk” haunting The Nidaros Cathedral persist to this day.

Website: https://www.nidarosdomen.no/en/attractions/nidarosdomen

Dalen Hotel, Telemark

In Telemark, Norway, Dalen Hotel distinguishes itself as one of the most notorious among the country’s lodgings associated with the strange and supernatural.  Among both guests and staff, stories frequently circulate about room 17, which has gained notoriety as the domain of a ghost known as “The English Lady.” In the late 19th century, this spectral presence was formerly identified as Miss Greenfield of England. She arrived at Dalen Hotel on a spring morning and stayed as a guest for several months. Remarkably, none of the hotel’s staff were aware of her pregnancy during her stay. It was only after Miss Greenfield’s departure that a tragic discovery was made in her room—a lifeless infant.

Following this grim revelation, Miss Greenfield faced arrest and murder charges. However, before the trial could commence, she took her own life. To this very day, a table remains meticulously set in the hotel restaurant in her memory.

Website: https://www.dalenhotel.no/en/dalen-hotel

Hotel Union Øye, Norangsfjorden

In the late 19th century, a heartbreaking love story unfolded at the picturesque Union Øye hotel, nestled in Norangsfjorden in Sunnmøre.

The tale revolves around a servant girl named Linda, who found herself deeply enamored with one of Emperor Wilhelm’s officers—a German duke trapped in an unhappy, arranged marriage. Their love blossomed, and during the duke’s visits, they always chose to stay in “The Blue Room.” Tragically, when the duke’s pursuit of a divorce was thwarted, he took his own life. Soon after, Linda, consumed by heartbreak, vanished into the lake while dressed in a wedding gown and adorned with a crown of flowers.  Since those haunting events, guests have reported hearing the ghostly sobs of Linda echoing within The Blue Room.

Website: https://www.unionoye.no/en

Bærums Verk, Oslo

The village and former ironworks of Bærums Verk in Bærum are renowned throughout Norway as one of the most haunted destinations. Within the restaurant known as Værtshuset, there have been numerous reports of eerie occurrences. Many attribute these phenomena to the ghost of Anna Krefting, a woman who owned and managed Bærums Verk for a remarkable 50 years during the 18th century.

Witnesses have claimed to see Anna Krefting herself multiple times, always on the restaurant’s second floor, and always dressed in her distinctive green attire. Notably, Værtshuset holds the distinction of being the oldest of its kind in Norway, with a history dating back to 1640.  In the administration building of Bærum Verks shopping district, a different mystery unfolds. Every night, like clockwork, a phone rings at the exact same time. Those who answer the call are greeted with an eerie, static hiss on the other end. Despite diligent efforts by technicians, the source of this nightly phenomenon remains a perplexing enigma.

Website: https://www.baerumsverk.no/

Blaafarveværket, Visit Oslo Region

The former mining site of Blaafarveværket in Eastern Norway has a history spanning nearly 250 years and was initially established to extract cobalt for the manufacturing of porcelain and glass. Over the years, intriguing accounts of “Blåmannen” circulated—a spectral figure who seemed to forewarn miners of impending disasters by appearing with a lantern.  However, the appearance of Blåmannen wasn’t always met with welcome anticipation, as it often foreshadowed tragedy and death. The most tragic incident at Blaafarveværket occurred in 1854 when six miners lost their lives in a mining accident. Among the survivors, only one man lived to recount the eerie apparition of Blåmannen.  Today, Blaafarveværket has transformed into a popular museum, preserving its rich historical legacy.

Website: https://blaa.no/en/vaerket/

Munkholmen, Trondheim

Originally, this minuscule island served as a site for nithing poles (heads on spikes), but it later underwent transformations into an abbey, a fort, and a prison. The island carries a multifaceted history, containing both moments of joy and darkness. Situated just outside Trondheim, Munkholmen has become known for the mysterious sightings and eerie sounds reported by visitors. Many attribute these phenomena to the restless spirit of the renowned prisoner Peder Schumacher Griffenfeld, who endured an 18-year confinement on the island.

In the present day, Munkholmen has evolved into a popular summer tourist destination. Between May and September, regular boat departures from Ravnkloa facilitate access to the island. Once there, visitors have the option to partake in guided tours or explore freely, all while enjoying the amenities of a quaint café.

Website: https://visittrondheim.no/en/activities-attractions/sightseeing/munkholmen/

The church ruins of Nes, Visit Oslo Region

Over the years, the Nes church ruins in Vormsund, Eastern Norway, have been the source of numerous reports detailing strange and unexplained phenomena. At the heart of these occurrences is Jacob Christian Finckenhagen, a priest who faithfully served the church from 1800 to 1837. The accounts surrounding his life and ultimate fate remain shrouded in controversy. Some contend that his children are interred within the walls behind the altar, while others insist that the priest met a tragic end by hanging himself from the church rafters. Alternatively, some propose the possibility of a peaceful death from old age. Regardless, multiple reports have emerged of his restless spirit haunting the church ruins after nightfall.

Certain visitors to this site have claimed that their movements become sluggish and impeded, akin to navigating underwater. Moreover, electronic devices have exhibited erratic behavior in the proximity of these enigmatic ruins.

Website: https://mia.no/nes/kirkeruin

Fredriksten Fortress, Halden

The majestic Fortress of Fredriksten stands proudly above the city of Halden, serving as one of Norway’s largest and most historically significant border fortresses. Despite more than two centuries passing since the last shot was fired within its formidable walls, this splendid fortress now plays dual roles as a museum and a venue for grand cultural events. Within these historic confines, audiences are treated to some of Norway’s finest concerts and theatrical performances. However, behind the fortress’s illustrious facade lies a well-kept secret.

Known as “Den Hvite Dame” in Norwegian, the White Lady is said to inhabit Fredriksten Fortress in Halden. In her past life, she was the mistress of the fortress commander. Tragically, her lover met his demise when a cannonball, fired by Swedish forces during an attack on the fortress, claimed his life, leaving his remains unrecovered. Overwhelmed by grief, she took her own life by leaping from the fortress wall. According to legend, she makes her spectral appearance near the white tower at the stroke of midnight. Accounts of her presence vary, with some claiming she waves at people or gazes out over the city, while others assert that she extinguishes the fortress spotlights just before revealing herself. For those who venture to the top of the King’s Bastion, a breathtaking vista unfolds, offering an unparalleled view of the city of Halden, the fjord, and the neighboring shores of Sweden.

Website: https://www.visitoestfold.com/en/halden/