Norway has been called a “shithouse” country lately. So we might as well show off the world-class view and prize-winning architecture of our ourdoor toilets.
Would you have guessed all these ones were public toilets without us telling you?
01: Eggum, National Scenic Route Lofoten. Architect: Snøhetta AS. Photo: Jarle Wæhler / Norwegian Public Roads Administration02: Ureddplassen in Gildeskål, on the Helgeland Coast National Tourist Route. Architects: Haugen Zohar Arkitekter / Landscape architect: Inge Dahlman / Asplan Viak AS. Photo: Steinar Skår / Norwegian Public Roads Administration03: Selvika rest area in Måsøy. Havøysund National Tourist Route. Architect: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS. Photo: Harald Christian Eiken.04: Ersfjordstranda, Senja National Tourist Route. The restroom building, known as "Gulldassen" (The Golden Loo). Architect: Tupelo Arkitektur. Photo: Hugo Fagermo / Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Outdoor toilets with world-class view and award-winning architecture
The restroom at Ureddplassen in Gildeskål has repeatedly been named and described as “the world’s most beautiful public toilet.” In 2018, the major British newspaper The Telegraph officially bestowed this label upon the rest area, writing that Norway had just opened the “world’s most beautiful public loo.” Since then, both Norwegian and international media—including the travel publication Atlas Obscura and various national news outlets—have embraced this designation, referring to the wave-shaped structure as the world’s finest outdoor restroom.
01: Ureddplassen in Gildeskål. National Tourist Routes – Helgeland Coast. Photo: Frode Kvam / Norwegian Public Roads Administration02: Ureddplassen in Gildeskål. National Tourist Routes – Helgeland Coast. Photo: Lars Grimsby / Norwegian Public Roads Administration03: Ureddplassen in Gildeskål. National Tourist Routes – Helgeland Coast. Photo: Lars Grimsby / Norwegian Public Roads Administration
The world’s most beautiful public toilet
Ureddplassen is situated on the scenic route of Helgelandskysten in Northern Norway. Designed by Haugen/Zohar Arkitekter, its concrete roof rises like a wave from the terrace. The soft curves fit so naturally into the coastal landscape, with sea and mountains completing the picture. Even under moody skies, this little restroom gets its moment to shine. The rest area also has steps leading towards the shore, perfect for lingering long after your toilet break.
The coast of Helgeland
Six hundred and fifty kilometres and six ferry crossings, spectacular mountain formations, tens of thousands of islands, a rich cultural heritage, seabird colonies, an enormous glacier, caves and cycling tours; the scenic Kystriksveien from Trøndelag along the Helgeland coast to Bodø is an exciting and action-packed adventure. But there is still more along the way to explore! Read more at https://arcticnorway.com/discover/journeys/norwegian-scenic-routes/norwegian-scenic-route-in-helgeland/
01: Jektvik ferry quay in Rødøy. Helgeland Coast National Tourist Route. Architect: Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk. Photo: Steinar Skaar / Norwegian Public Roads Administration02: Forøy ferry quay in Meløy. Helgeland Coast National Tourist Route. Architect: 70° Nord / Gisle Løkken. Photo: Steinar Skår / Norwegian Public Roads Administration03: Hellåga by Sjonafjorden. Helgeland Coast National Tourist Route. Architect: Nordplan AS – Arild Waage. Landskapsfabrikken – Inge Dahlman. Photo: Trine Kanter Zerwekh / Norwegian Public Roads Administration04: Ureddplassen in Gildeskål, on the Helgeland Coast National Tourist Route. Architects: Haugen Zohar Arkitekter / Landscape architect: Inge Dahlman / Asplan Viak AS. Photo: Steinar Skår / Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Lofotens islands
The National Scenic Route through Lofoten runs through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, and is exceptionally beautiful. And even then you have to set aside time for all the detours: most of the best parts aren’t actually along the main road. Read more at https://arcticnorway.com/discover/journeys/norwegian-scenic-routes/norwegian-scenic-route-in-lofoten/.
01: Eggum on Vestvågøya, National Tourist Route Lofoten. Remains of a German radar station, along with a service building from 2007. Image from June 2025. Architect: Snøhetta AS. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell.02: Akkarvikodden rest area in Moskenes. National Tourist Route Lofoten. Architect: Manthey Kula / Landskapsfabrikken – Inge Dahlman. Photo: Frode Kvam / Norwegian Public Roads Administration03: Moskenes ferry quay. National Tourist Routes in Lofoten. Photo: Frode Kvam / Norwegian Public Roads Administration04: Haukland Beach in Vestvågøy. National Scenic Routes Lofoten. Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Silje Myhhre Amundsen05: Straumanstua by Gimsøystraumen. National Scenic Rooute Lofoten. National Tourist Route. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell / Norwegian Public Roads Administration06: Eggum, National Scenic Route Lofoten. Architect: Snøhetta AS. Photo: Jarle Wæhler / Norwegian Public Roads Administration07: Moskenes Ferry Quay, Lofoten National Tourist Route. Architect: Vardehaugen Arkitekter AS. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell
Outer edge of Andøya
The North Atlantic beats against a naked coastline on the outer edge of Andøya. Dark, threatening mountain formations, white sandy beaches, Norway’s largest peat bogs and distinctive coastal settlements. Look out for whales and seabirds. Read more at https://arcticnorway.com/discover/journeys/norwegian-scenic-routes/andoya-in-midnight-sun/.
01: Bukkekjerka is currently closed. National Scenic Routes – Andøya. Photo: Linda Aas Larsen / Norwegian Public Roads Administration02: Bukkekjerka is currently closed. National Scenic Routes – Andøya. Photo: Frode Kvam / Norwegian Public Roads Administration03: Bukkekjerka is currently closed. National Scenic Routes – Andøya. Photo: Frode Kvam / Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Senja’s outer coast
Senja has two coastlines — a green and gentle inner coast, and a grim, exposed outer coast. So why are the most important settlements on the outer coast? Because that’s where the best fishing is. Read more at https://arcticnorway.com/discover/journeys/norwegian-scenic-routes/norwegian-scenic-route-in-senja/.
01: Mefjordvær, along the Senja National Tourist Route. Architects: Fur Arkitekter and Agraff Arkitektur. Photo: Roger Thorstad / Norwegian Public Roads Administration02: Rest area and parking lot at Ersfjordstranda along the Senja National Tourist Route, featuring a restroom building known as "Gulldassen."03: The Golden Toilet, National Scenic Routes Senja. Photo: Marie Nystad Helgesen / Arctic Norway Tourist Board04: Ersfjordstranda, Senja National Tourist Route. The restroom building, known as "Gulldassen" (The Golden Loo). Architect: Tupelo Arkitektur. Photo: Hugo Fagermo / Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Route to Havøysund
Are you looking for a detour through Arctic coastal scenery that keeps you away from the classic tourist trap? The Norwegian Scenic Route at Havøysund is in every way a journey off the beaten track, especially if you can get yourself out to Fruholmen lighthouse. Read more at https://arcticnorway.com/discover/journeys/norwegian-scenic-routes/norwegian-scenic-route-to-havoysund/.
01: Selvika rest area in Måsøy. Havøysund National Tourist Route. Architect: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell02: Selvika rest area in Måsøy. Havøysund National Tourist Route. Architect: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell03: Lillefjord in Havøysund National Tourist Route. Photo: Frid-Jorunn Stabell04: Selvika rest area in Måsøy. Havøysund National Tourist Route. Architect: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS. Photo: Harald Christian Eiken.05: The Selvika rest area in Måsøy, along the Havøysund National Tourist Route Varanger. Architect: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS.
Varanger peninsula to Hamningberg
In a region almost completely destroyed by the ravages of war, there is one place that survived. Hamningberg provides a look back into the world of old Finnmark, which is otherwise almost completely lost today. Your journey takes you through a geological textbook. Read more at https://arcticnorway.com/discover/wwii-and-reconstruction/hamningberg-fishing-village/.
03: Hamningberg rest area. Varanger National Tourist Route. Architect: Asplan Viak. Photo: Trine Kanter Zerwekh / Norwegian Public Roads Administration
National Scenic Routes in Arctic Norway
Shit happens!
Along our National Scenic Routes, you can use the restrooms amidst striking architecture and views towards magnificent landscapes. Make the “shithouse” great again! You are welcome!
