When nature calls on a road trip, most of us brace ourselves for the worst—fluorescent lighting, dubious odors, and a questionable roll of toilet paper, if you’re lucky. Often, roadside bathrooms take “bare minimum” to heart, lacking essentials like soap or even functioning locks. Somehow there are also bored kids eager to peek under the stall doors at these stops, what’s up with that? But in Norway, even the call of nature is answered with elegance. One of the most popular success stories is at Ureddplassen, a public restroom and rest area along the Helgelandskysten Scenic Route, where stopping for a bathroom break is no longer a low point. It’s the highlight.
Here, the humble toilet has been elevated to an art form—proof that with enough vision (and 15 million Norwegian kroner, the equivalent of $1.5 million dollars), you can turn even the most mundane of stops into something extraordinary.
Why Scenic Toilets?
The story of Ureddplassen begins in the late 1980s, when Norway’s parliament faced a crisis: tourism numbers were dropping. Where tourist goes, so flows the money. To tackle this, they enlisted the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) to boost the country’s appeal by creating National Scenic Routes. These carefully planned drives would showcase Norway’s natural beauty, from dramatic fjords to snow-capped peaks.
But the genius of this initiative lay in its details. Rather than simply paving roads and posting signs, the program sought to transform the act of traveling itself. Every rest stop along these routes was reimagined, turning something as utilitarian as a restroom into a place of beauty, reflection, and utility. Think museum, but elevated, with elements that bring the awe and wonder but also a dash of the unexpected. “The place has to communicate something worth building something upon,” explained Per Ritzler of Statens Vegvesen, emphasizing how every site needed to resonate with its surroundings.
Mike Richard of The Manual captured this transformation perfectly, remarking, “Norway is angling to change [the perception of public restrooms] with a series of rest areas that feature some of the most beautiful roadside designs we’ve ever seen.”
It’s stunning to think that bathrooms are central to the success of this effort. Imagine how many plans and emails and calls and meetings were held on a topic that usually does not get top billing: the often humble bathroom. Even better, the cost of entrance is basically gas money, so it is democratic in nature.
Ureddplassen: Where Function Meets Reflection
Completed in 2018, Ureddplassen epitomizes the Scenic Routes ethos. Its frosted-glass walls and wave-like concrete roof don’t just look stunning—they seem to ripple in harmony with the surrounding landscape. As Afar Magazine noted, the design evokes “a sense of poetic solitude,” making it a space that complements rather than competes with the raw, untamed beauty of Norway’s coastline.
The surrounding area invites visitors to linger. An amphitheater-style terrace, crafted from Norwegian Rose marble, descends gracefully to the shoreline, providing an ideal spot for contemplation. Here, you can watch the midnight sun in summer, the northern lights in winter, or simply take in the unspoiled views of the Norwegian Sea.
One Reddit user, u/tupungato, recounted an unexpectedly memorable experience: “I accidentally locked myself in this very toilet. The door handle was broken… Luckily, the bottom gap in the door is wider than it seems, so I was able to reach the other part of the handle.” After their escape, they made the most of the stop, catching three mackerels from the nearby shore. “The biting action was crazy good,” they said, proving Ureddplassen can also deliver unexpected adventures for the weary travelers.
Meanwhile, another commenter, u/Ky_furt01, captured the playful versatility of the amphitheater’s design: “10/10 would skate.” This sparked others to share similar thoughts about its smooth curves and seamless integration with the environment.
The Poo of a Lifetime
And dare we say it—this could be the poo of a lifetime. It’s not every day that a bathroom break becomes a defining moment of your trip. But between the natural beauty, the flawless design, and the thoughtful touches, Ureddplassen manages to make even the act of going to the restroom memorable.
Mike Richard humorously underscored this unique phenomenon: “Can you really put a price on what’s sure to be the most blissful poop of your life in the mountains?” Reddit users joined in the fun. “You fjord people really love an epic sh*t,” quipped u/pacet_luzek, while u/Kerbal92 joked, “This is where Rick comes to poo.” The idea of a restroom as a destination rather than a necessity is both absurd and perfectly fitting here. While many may tell stories about places they have visited, racking up a crap in a stunning setting tends to be a private adventure, unless you maybe anonymously spill the beans on Reddit.
A Restroom with History
But Ureddplassen isn’t just about design and comfort. It’s also about remembrance. The site honors the 42 crew members of the Royal Norwegian Navy submarine HNoMS Uredd, who died during World War II. The word “Uredd” translates to “fearless,” and a marble memorial inscribed with the crew’s names ensures their bravery is never forgotten.
“Ureddplassen is not just a bathroom—it’s a fearless place,” remarked Designboom, underscoring the site’s emotional resonance. Reddit user u/voffmjau added a typically Norwegian perspective: “We also have so few real problems that we need something to argue about: the price of the toilets.” This dry humor highlights the balance between the site’s functional luxury and its deeper, reflective purpose.
The Comfort of a Stress-Free Stop
For road-weary travelers, Ureddplassen is more than just a pretty rest stop—it’s a lifeline. Anyone who’s experienced the creeping panic of searching for a restroom on a long drive knows how stressful and distracting it can be. Ureddplassen eliminates that stress entirely, offering a clean, inviting space where you’re encouraged to take your time. In the know users seem to understand that there is a chance of having to wait, since the experience is so unique and luxurious.
“This isn’t just a place to stop; it’s a place to pause,” Ritzler said, reinforcing the rest stop’s mission to create moments of relaxation and joy for travelers. Whether you’re stretching your legs, watching the waves, or taking in the view, this is a place that invites you to linger.
Success on a Grand Scale
The Scenic Routes initiative has been a resounding success. According to Escape Magazine, the concept of making toilets a destination has reinvigorated Norway’s tourism. Travelers now flock to see fjords and northern lights and to visit these architectural marvels.
Ureddplassen, often called “the most beautiful public loo in the world” by The Telegraph, is the project's crown jewel. At $2 million, the investment might seem steep for a restroom, but its impact is undeniable. It’s proof that thoughtful design can transform even the most utilitarian spaces into sources of joy and inspiration.
A Journey to Remember
Ureddplassen challenges everything we thought we knew about rest stops. It dares to ask: Why shouldn’t something as ordinary as a bathroom break also be extraordinary? It turns acts we often rush through—going to the bathroom and hitting a rest stop—into a moment to savor.
So yes, it’s fair to say this could be the poo of a lifetime—one where the natural beauty of Norway, the serene design of the space, and the weight of history all combine to create something unforgettable. The next time you’re on a road trip, wouldn’t it be nice to look forward to your rest stops instead of dreading them?
Because when your pit stops are this good, the journey isn’t just part of the destination—it is the destination.
Are you so loving your time with Mary Poopins? Keep the potty humor brewing! Show your love with a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/marypoopins!
Disclaimer: No matter where you are in the world, get thee to a licensed and trained doctor for medical advice.
References
Morris, H. (2018, March 28). Norway has just opened the world's most beautiful public loo. The Telegraph.
Forget the Northern Lights, tourists are visiting Norway to see its pretty public toilets. Escape.
Richard, M. (2018, April 12). Norway lifts the lid on the world’s most beautiful public toilet. The Manual.
Norway opens the world’s most scenic public restroom. Afar.
Neira, J. (2019, August 30). HZA’s public toilets in Norway feature a concrete ceiling that waves up from the floor. Designboom.
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