Norway Travel Guide

Making up one-third of Scandinavia, there’s one simple reason to visit Norway: it’s breathtakingly beautiful. 

Deep blue fjords, sprawling glaciers, quaint arctic towns, long-spanning history and a plethora of magical natural phenomenons from the northern lights to the midnight sun meld together to create one extremely visually-appealing, winter paradise. 

An intriguing blend of culture and nature, Norway, of course, offers much more than just beauty. Modern Norway has only been in existence for 200 years, yet these Nordic lands stretch far back to the last Ice Age. Whilst there were many settlers in between the Ice Age and modern-day, Norway is perhaps most famous for its Viking period, during which the whole of Scandinavia expanded.

Today, it is this intriguing history and the spectacular beauty of its lands of which most of Norway’s activities and must-see attractions revolve around. Home to four distinct seasons, Norway is an all-year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers and adventurers. From chasing the northern lights and witnessing the arctic dawn at midday to snowmobiling across vast ice fields and keeping cosy under reindeer hides in a hotel made entirely of ice, Norway is a country of ‘firsts’ and bucket-list tickers.

Voted the happiest place in the world in 2017 and having retained its spot in the top 15 best places to live in the world, Norway’s sophistication and charm ooze from its vibrant cultural life. The cities are famously cosmopolitan with a particular Scandinavian flair whilst its arctic-inspired remote towns bring warmth to any Norway trip.

Not only is it one of Europe’s top active destinations, but Norway is also one of the few places on the continent where you will be in the presence of whales (humpback, sperm and orca), wild reindeer, moose, prehistoric musk oxen and the elusive Arctic fox. Of course, polar bears and walruses are paraded as the poster species of the high Arctic regions and spotting one of them will you spellbound by Norway - that is, if you aren’t already.

Norway is a country blessed with beauty all year round. However, depending on what you’re looking for, there may be a right or wrong season of the year for you to travel to this Arctic paradise. 

Spanning nine different climate types and with half of the country being above the Arctic circle, the temperatures and unique happenings vary drastically across this country. Ultimately, the best time to go to Norway depends on the activities you want to indulge in and the temperatures you find comfortable. 

The high season in Norway lasts from June to August (the European summer) when the hotspots will be busy and you’ll have to book tours and accommodation in advance. Low season in Norway lasts from November to April. This is when the temperatures are at their most extreme and most attractions are closed for the winter. 

Ultimately the best time to visit Norway are the shoulder seasons - May to June and September to October. During the shoulder seasons in Norway, the weather is comfortable and there aren’t too many other tourists. 

For those on the hunt for the northern lights, this magical natural phenomenon is best seen at higher altitudes during the colder months, namely between September and March and peaking from December to February. If you want to see the famous midnight sun on your Norway tour, June, July and August are the ideal months. You’ll also have great hiking, cycling and cruising opportunities if you do your Norway tour during these months. Whilst winter in Norway can be bitter, the country turns into a snowy paradise where snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are popular activities.

From north to south, west to east, Norway is packed with unique local experiences and wonderful places to visit. Of course, depending on interests and travelling style, different activities will interest different people. However, if you have an appreciation for culture, history and spectacular scenery, a Norway trip won’t disappoint. 

Catch the Elusive Northern Lights in Norway

Tromso is renowned as one of the best places in Norway to catch the magical show that has come to be known as the northern lights. As well as heading out each night in search of this often-playful-in-its-attendance lights show, you’ll be exploring Norway’s historic cities and towns and diving into the Norwegian culture by day on this 3-day Northern Lights and Sami Culture trip. 

Due to the sheer length and climatic diversity of Norway, getting from one destination to another isn’t always simple. However, by using a range of different transport modes to travel around Norway, you are able to experience the country in a richer, more rounded way. 

Despite the lack of A-to-B links, public transport and different methods of transport are abundant in Norway. Norway has 50 airports, eight of which are international airports meaning flying in is easy. During your trip, you can opt to use a mixture of cruises, trains and car transport to get around Norway. 

In a country known for its dramatic scenery, driving yourself around either in a rental car or with a private driver in Norway means you’re in control of when you stop. With stunning fjords, snow-capped peaks and quaint alpine towns, you’ll be hard-pushed not to stop for photo opportunities at every turn. A self-drive trip to Norway like this 8-day Fjords and Mountains adventure sees you travelling from high mountains to deep fjords whilst staying in alpine and fjord villages.

On almost every Norway trip, you’ll experience part of the journey travelling by boat. Cruising from one destination to another one on of Norway’s fjords means you’ll be surrounded by spectacular scenery and serenity that would not be achievable by travelling any other way.

In Norway, there are several train journeys that should be on your bucket list. The country is home to several train journeys which claim to be one of the best scenic journeys in the world, such as Norway’s Flamsbana iconic railway from Flam to Myrdal.

There is an abundance of places to stay in Norway to suit every traveller. Norwegian hotels, which are the most expensive choice, are world-renowned for their clean, high-standard appeal. Take a step down and guesthouses are another great choice for a cosy stay in Norway. For the budget and adventurous traveller, staying in hostels will deliver great value for money. 

Not known by many, but almost everywhere in Norway, it is free to wild-camp. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Norway’s spectacular nature, camping should be high on your list.

Surrounded by rich waters and home to several islands, Norway’s well-placed location brings about a variety of distinctive delicacies. 

Serving up some of the best salmon in the world, salmon is a staple food in the Norwegians diet. Due to the colder climate, the fish grow for a longer period of time, allowing their flavour to fully develop. You’ll find salmon on the menu almost everywhere you go in Norway but one special way to have it is smoked, known as Røkt Laks. This salmon is dry-cured in salt, dill and sugar for 24 hours, producing a delicious dish which is something you should not miss on your Norway trip. 

Not only do Norwegians enjoy salmon and other fish dishes like fish dish is tørrfisk (an unsalted and cold-air dried fish), meat also makes up a large majority of their popular dishes. Kjøttboller or kjøttkaker is Norway’s version of Swedish meatballs flavoured with ginger and nutmeg, served with a creamy sauce or a hearty gravy.

Much of Norway’s cuisine has a heavy emphasis on warmth and hearty meals that enable the locals to survive the long and harsh winters with bellies full of goodness. In Norway, a tasty bowl of stew or fårikål as it’s also known, is a favourite of many. Most commonly found in the west of the country, the dish consists of cabbage, mutton and seasoning cooked for hours in a big pot.

If you were starting to think “hey, where are all the desserts?”, don’t worry, your sweet tooth can also be satisfied whilst on your Norway trip. Krumkake is a dessert consisting of paper-thin rolls of pancake which are filled with whipped cream or any other yummy filling. You’ll find this delicious dessert in most Norwegian bakeries. 

Finding local delicacies can often be difficult if you don’t know where to look, or where to find the best ones. Choosing to design your trip with one of our Local Designers means that you’ll be taken to the spots where only the locals go and once there, you won’t sit looking puzzled at the menu, you’ll drooling over local delicacies picked for you.

Festivals of food, art, music, film and more, Norway is a country where there’s always a reason to celebrate. Its diverse culture and rich history have resulted in an abundance of special events and festivals which can be easily tied into your Norway trip.

Oya Festival, Oslo

Did someone say Norwegian Coachella?

Every August, Øya Festival brings together around 60,000 people in the heart of Norway’s capital, Toyen Park. From international stars to up-and-coming local artists, the vibe at Øya Festival is focused on youth, fun and sustainability. Sing your heart out and eat delicious vegan food; you won’t want to miss this festival. 

Nordlysfestivalen, Tromso

Not only is Tromso known as one of the best places in Norway to see the northern lights, but it’s also home to a whole festival dedicated to this magical natural phenomenon. Nordlysfestivalen (northern lights festival) has taken place for the last 30 years in Tromso as the end of January each year. From jazz to symphonic orchestras, this festival will not only enchant you with its music but its chosen location: inside a cathedral. 

Riddu Riđđu, Northern Norway

The indigenous people of Norway, Sami, host an international indigenous festival every July that aims to celebrate their culture and expand the awareness around cultures like theirs. From music and films to workshops, literature readings and other performances, to learn more about the Sami culture in Norway, Riddu Riđđu is the festival to come to. 

Gladmat, Stavenger

Foodies unite!

One of Norway’s biggest food festivals, Gladmat takes place every July. During this time, 250,000 foodies and chefs from all over the world come together to discover and appreciate the quality ingredients and fine cuisine that Norway produces. 

If we were to continue listing Norway’s festivals and special events, the list would be never-ending. There is something for everyone, from international film festivals to the world beard championships and many more. Choosing to tie in a festival or a special event like these into your Norway trip, will add a healthy dose of culture and local insight to your trip.

Currency: The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian krone (NOK). At the time of writing, November 2020, 1 NOK was equivalent to 0.11 USD.

Sushi: Norway introduced salmon sushi to Japan. It was not used as part of this popular Japanese dish until the 1980s when it was suggested by a Norwegian so you can thank them for this delicious combo!

Language: There are two written variants to the Norwegian language. Bokmal is used by the majority of the country whilst Nynorsk is spoken in more rural areas. Luckily for you, you’ll find most Norwegians speak excellent English. 

Skiing: This may come as no surprise but both modern and ancient styles of skiing were invented in Norway.

Camping: Wild camping is allowed almost everywhere in Norway. Of course, make sure to only leave footprints behind if you choose to wild camp!

Whatever may have caught your eye in this guide, you’ll be sure there’s a reason for everyone to visit Norway in their lifetime.

Why not make it a truly magical trip by designing your adventure with a Local Designer in Norway who can tailor the trip to your interests, budget and travel style? Browse our range of Norway tours or design your own trip from scratch to one of our 60-plus destinations with one of our trusted Local Designers.