Thinking of visiting Norway, but not sure how to plan for your dream trip?
Norway is one of my favourite countries, so it’s about time I put together a guide where all the essential things are in one place.
Why should you visit Norway?
Norway offers a diverse range of experiences, from breathtaking natural landscapes to vibrant cultural attractions. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, hiking through majestic fjords, or immersing yourself in local traditions, Norway promises an unforgettable adventure.
Plan your trip wisely, embrace the Norwegian way of life, and prepare to be enchanted by this captivating Scandinavian country.
Best time to go
When you should go all depends on what you want to do. The climate is more extreme in Norway compared to most places so this should also be factored in to your final decision.
Summer – From June to August the days stretch out thanks to longer hours of sunlight. You can even experience the Midnight Sun if you go past the Arctic Circle. These long days are perfect for taking advantage of being outdoors. However, even though daylight is guaranteed, I can’t promise you hot weather!
May and September – These months offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds and gorgeous natural colours. From blossom season in May to stunning autumnal colours in September. Furthermore, if you’re on a budget, going out of seasons will be kinder to your bank balance!
Winter – Brace yourself, it can get really, really, cold. But as the Norwegians like to say, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’. Pack wisely and winter in Norway is every bit the winter wonderland you hope it to be. You can enjoy lots of activities from snow shoeing and dog sledding to cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Of course, no mention of winter in Norway is complete without the Northern Lights – once you pass the Arctic Circle they begin to appear from Sep until early April.
Independent travel Vs escorted tour
Trips to Norway are getting more and more popular thanks to social media platforms like Instagram. It’s a photographer’s dream with endless fjords, glacial cut mountains and vast forestland. In recent years influencers have visited Norway and the whole world seems to want a slice of its magnificent beauty.
You can choose from escorted tours to Norway to independent travelling, it really depends on yourself and how you prefer to travel. If you like the idea of travelling with a small group of people and letting someone else have the task of making all the arrangements, then being part of an escort tour would be ideal for your needs. Alternatively, if you like doing things on your own terms, and at your own pace, then travelling independently is probably the way to go.
One thing is true for all tours of Norway – you won’t be disappoint. Norway is considered one of the world’s most beautiful countries.
Best places to visit in Norway
Norway is rich with mountains, glaciers, and deep coastal fjords, and then you also have the cultural and historical experiences provided by the cities.
Oslo
Norway’s capital city is the only capital in the world where you can go skiing in the winter and relax on a beautiful beach in summer. There are plenty of museums to keep you engaged, including a detailed look at a preserved 9th-century Viking ship, the world-famous Munch Museum, and Vigeland sculpture park containing a jaw-dropping 227 nude figures carved from stone, cast iron and bronze.
Bergen
Home to Bryggen, an iconic series of colourful wooden houses that have been inscribed onto UNESCO’S World Heritage List. It is the starting point for cruises to the dramatic Sognefjord and also an ideal based for adventure activities like hiking, RIB boat safaris and kayaking.
Alesund
Not only is Alesund in Norway one of the most colourful towns I’ve ever visited, but it’s also the prettiest. The combination of art nouveau buildings sitting harmoniously alongside the fjord carries the grace of a stained glass window. To get this panoramic view of the town and the Sunnmøre Alps you must walk the 418 steps from the town park to viewpoint Aksla.
Further reading → Alesund: Born From Destruction
Stavanger
Nestled on Norway’s southwestern coast, Stavanger captivates visitors with its unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern charm.
Wander through the cobblestone streets of Gamle Stavanger, Europe’s best-preserved wooden house settlement, where vibrant colors and intricate architecture offer a glimpse into the city’s past.
Nature enthusiasts will be drawn to nearby attractions such as the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and the mesmerising Lysefjord, offering opportunities for exhilarating hikes and breathtaking fjord cruises. .
Further reading → 13 Best Things to do in Stavanger
Longyearbyen & Svalbard
Now you can’t get much further North than here. I’ve never fallen so fast for a place. It’s so different than anywhere else, known as the last stop before the North Pole. Taking the sting out of harsh winters you’ll discover a surprising amount of brightly painted houses and buildings to break up a landscape devoid of trees. A splash of colour adds warmth to an archipelago that’s 60% covered by glacier and a known stomping ground for Polar bears.
Further reading → Svalbard: the Last Stop Before the North Pole
Whatever route you choose, you certainly won’t be short of activities in Norway as this country is a place where the history and modern life blend seamlessly, and where you can find natural attractions like nowhere in the world.
Essential things to pack
After travelling to Norway many times, and experiencing all kinds of weather, I would like to share my recommendations for essential gear you should pack, especially if you plan to spent a lot of time outdoors:
– A good quality backpack cannot be underestimated for a Norway trip. You’ll want a bag that can fit all your things but not so big and bulky to carry up on steep Norway hikes.
– It’s super important to have waterproof gear when visiting Norway as the weather here is very unpredictable.
– Hiking boots and socks are a must-have for the hikes. The boots shouldn’t be new to avoid sore feet or blisters.
– If you’re heading to the Arctic regions, pack crampon/ice grips that you can fix onto your boots when needed.
– Compass and maps might be old school, but can prove invaluable if you get stuck on a longer hike and your electronics fail.
– Bring lots of layered clothing. The Norwegian weather can change without notice, and you can experience four seasons in one day.
– Waterproof jacket as it rains a lot in Norway.
– Hat, scarf, and buff to protect you against the elements.
– Camera gear as you will find yourself in stunningly beautiful landscapes that need to be immortalised.
– If you’re up for camping you’ll save yourself a lot of money. Sometimes accommodation options in Norway can be relatively limited outside of the main towns and cities so you’ll really get to experience the wilderness if you bring camping gear.
Transport
In Norway, you will find a well-established public transport system and a large and convenient network of buses, ferries, trains, and planes. You can travel using public transport throughout Norway: by train, bus, underground train, tram or ferry.
For something really authentic, board the Hurtigruten Ship which offers you the chance to experience a public coastal route that travels locally, regionally and between the ports of call from Bergen all the way up to Kirkenes in the far Arctic regions of Norway.
Accommodation
There is a variety of accommodations in Norway. You can rent a house, an apartment, or a hotel room. Hotels can be more expensive than usual so it’s important to do your research beforehand. Finally, there’s also the option to bring a tent and go camping.
Money
The Norwegian currency is “Kroner”, but cash is no longer king in Norway. Almost all establishments accept debit or credit cards, so you do not need to have a lot of cash.
Norwegian food
Once considered rather boring, the cuisine in Norway has become more exciting over the last several years in line with its Nordic neighbours – Sweden and Denmark which already have a strong reputation for their creative culinary flair.
Definitely try some of the traditional Norwegian dishes such as Brunost (brown cheese), Røkelaks (smoked salmon), and Tørrfisk (dried cod). Some of these traditional flavours are quite polarising – you might not like them but they’ll definitely give you something to talk about!
One Response
Hi, just wanted to get your take on spending 2 weeks in scandernavia . we were hoping to go to CopenhagenStockholm ,Oslo and bergen . Flying from New York , do you have any recconendations as to a good way to efficiently use our time to travel . Where we should go first and if 4 places is too many not to mention very spread out.Thanks any info. we would greatly appreciate, we are an older couple and look forward to traveling at the beginning of august.