There are some magicinet tunnels all over the world, from those that stretch 23 miles underwater to a playful slinky tunnel and even those built by sloths. Yet, there’s one tunnel that has long been hailed as the most beautiful, as it delights drivers with a dazzling light show beneath its arches.

The Lærdal Tunnel in Norway, also known as Lærdalstunnelen, is the world’s longest road tunnel, spanning a staggering 15.2 miles (24.5 kilometres), connecting Lærdal and Aurland. The road consists of two lanes along the European Route E16 highway and provides a vehicle route between Oslo and Bergen, bypassing the ferry connection.

The project took a whopping five years to complete, with the tunnel officially opening to traffic on November 27, 2000. The total cost was a hefty 1.08 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately $113 million; £90 million at the time).

While it’s the longest tunnel in the world to drive through, it’s thought to be one of the safest, thanks to its unique design. Due to the strain of driving through such a long tunnel, it is divided into four sections, separated by three large mountain caves at 3.7-mile intervals, with parking areas available.

The tunnel has white lights, but strikingly, the caves display an array of blue and yellow lights, mimicking natural daylight and creating a more soothing environment. Drivers are also able to take a break here if necessary.

Elsewhere, the tunnel is equipped with a state-of-the-art air purification system that eliminates dust and pollutants, maintaining high oxygen levels and ensuring clear visibility. It also boasts emergency phones, fire extinguishers every 500 metres (1,640 feet), and 15 safety cameras, so if an incident occurs, an automated system promptly shuts the tunnel to prevent further accidents.

Unlike many lengthy tunnels, Lærdal is free to use, with no tolls. It’s open around the clock, takes around 20 minutes to drive through, without any stops, and has become a major tourist attraction.

Since it opened, it has been admired for its colourful light installations and the unique experience it offers drivers. One traveller shared on TripAdvisor: “It is really very interesting. A big time saver. The first time, we just drove to the first spots where the lights changed. We had to experience such a cool tunnel.”

Another also said: “When I think of tunnels (or tunnelen as the Norwegians call them), I think dimly lit, eerie and boring death traps waiting to happen. But for its couple of light installations and ability to now say I’ve been through the longest road tunnel in the world, this tunnel has surpassed expectations. Added bonus that it got me (safely) to the phenomenal Aurlandfjord much faster than the ‘scenic’ road.”

Although one visitor wasn’t impressed, as they commented: “Our expectation was very high after looking at the pictures taken by others. When we drove through it, there were only three short sections with weak blue light. We didn’t know if the colourful lights would turn on only at some given time. A total disappointment.”

Interestingly, the Lærdal isn’t the only impressive tunnel in Norway. The country is also home to the world’s longest purpose-built cycling tunnel, located in Fyllingsdalen, which cuts through the Løvstakken mountain in Bergen, Norway.

The cutting-edge tunnel, which only opened in April 2023, spans 1.8 miles and took four years to construct at a cost of £22.8 million. Similar to the Lærdal, the Fyllingsdalen Tunnel features striking art installations, vibrant colours and ambient lighting throughout the passage.

Walkers can enjoy a 40-minute stroll through the tunnel to take in the artwork, whilst cyclists can whizz through the spectacle in roughly 10 minutes.