Norway – Top Destinations and Travel tips
Splashing waterfalls, impressive fjords, and breathtaking gorges – if you are a nature lover, outdoor fan, active holidaymaker or just looking for relaxation, Norway is the place for you.
The 10 most spectacular must-sees in Norway
Capital Oslo
In Oslo, the urban flair of a lively metropolis meets a diverse culture and numerous parks and green spaces. Check out the Vigeland Sculpture Park, City Hall, Royal Castle, and Akershus Fortress. You can learn more about life in the past at the Norwegian Open Air Museum. Also, don’t miss the white opera house with its spectacular architecture. The hip district of Oslo, Grünerløkka, impresses with colorful residential buildings, small boutiques as well as vintage shops and hip street art.
Also, did you know that Oslo is one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the world? The urban development project “Vulkan” is a new, sustainable urban district which, in addition to modern and innovative architecture, is characterized above all by a local energy center.
The capital of Norway is one of the trendiest cities in Scandinavia. If you want to spend several days in Oslo, the Oslo Pass is worth it for you. This is available in three variants for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The pass gives you free entry to 30 museums and you can also use local public transport for free. In addition, you get free entry to some pools or participation in a hike. Since you also get discounts at other attractions, the pass is worth it.
Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord is the most famous fjord in Norway and unfolds its true beauty when you cross it standing on the deck of a ship. The best way to do this is to go on board in the old Viking port of Hellesylt and experience a fabulous tour through idyllic mountain peaks, wild waterfalls, and wide valleys.
Cliffs with abandoned houses and crystal-clear emerald-colored water await you. While roaring waterfalls plunge into the depths, there is a very unique calm that will not only leave you speechless but will also take your breath away.
However, you can also take the ferry from Linge to Eisdalen and drive about four hours by car to the Geiranger Fjord viewing platform. Ice floes, deep snow, and frozen lakes await you here even in summer. This fjord has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
Jotunheimen National Park
Jotunheimen National Park is a highland in the heart of Norway and attracts many nature lovers with its well-developed hiking trails. Translated, the name means “home of the giants” and you will meet them here. 275 peaks are more than 2,000 meters high and the 60 glaciers also impress with their imposing size.
If you visit the national park, you should hike the Besseggen ridge or visit the Hurrungane massif. These are landscapes that leave you speechless!
Trolltunga Outcrop
If you haven’t had enough hiking, Trolltunga is the perfect place to take a day trip to the heights of Norway. The rocky outcrop, which in English means ” Troll’s Tongue “, is located near Odda. Passing mysterious moors and clear lakes, you climb high up over rocky rocks and lush green meadows. Once at the top you will be rewarded with a spectacular view.
Be sure to start hiking early in the morning and pack enough provisions, because your hike will take at least eight hours. Good hiking equipment is also an advantage here.
The coastal road Kystriksveien
At 400 miles long, this road that runs through the north is anything but an ordinary road. On the route, you will encounter inland glaciers and many small islands that tempt you with a ferry ride as a small break in your journey. Not only does the landscape of the coastal road fascinates, but here you will also discover many animals in the wild.
If you like birds, you should visit the island of Vega and its rare eider ducks. Lovund impresses with wild puffins.
On this road, you should only internalize one thing: the way is the goal. Take short breaks and with a bit of luck, you will stumble across small and large wonders of nature.
Lofoten Islands
Nature lovers are also drawn to the Lofoten Islands, whose mountain peaks rise steeply and offer a wonderful environment for hikers.
The air is so fresh here that you should take a deep breath and let the unique landscape with the green and yellow shimmering nature work its magic on you. The salty smell in the air is sure to whet your appetite for freshly caught fish, which is particularly delicious in this region.
If you prefer to marvel at the fish alive, you will find them in Lofoten. There are even whales here that follow the herring in winter. There is a high probability of spotting orcas and humpback whales on whale-watching tours at this time.
Spitsbergen Archipelago
Svalbard, Spitsbergen’s Norwegian name means cool land and lives up to its name. The climate here is sub-polar and 60 percent of the area is covered by glaciers. Nevertheless, the island archipelago with the main island Spitsbergen is easily accessible and with a bit of luck, you can admire arctic animals in the wild.
Polar bears live here and slowly move between massive peaks and bizarre ice landscapes.
The highlight on Svalbard, however, is watching the Northern Lights, which are particularly visible between the long nights from October to March. The natural phenomenon manifests itself through mesmerizing dazzling lights in the night sky, moving in bright colors – amidst the endless stillness of the snow. They take on magical shapes, dance up and down and change their colors, shapes, and intensities in a fabulous way – a spectacle that you will never forget.
You can marvel at them particularly well from the Kjell Hendriksen Observatory. While there is no 100% guarantee that you will see them, the observatory can give you a fairly reliable prediction. Dog sled tours are also offered on Svalbard.
Hardangerfjord
The 170 km long fjord is located near Bergen and offers a very special kind of nature experience. In mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers, mountain bikers and hikers, in particular, get their money’s worth. Here you can experience the dreamy landscapes of Norway in all their glory.
Pulpit Rock
From the Preikestolen (“the pulpit”) in Ryfykel you have one of the most spectacular views in Norway. The rock pulpit rises at a height of over 600 meters as a plateau directly above the Lysefjord and rewards you with an impressive view after the approximately two-hour hike.
Mountains
In picturesque nature, rugged coastal landscapes, and unique fjords lie one of the most beautiful cities in Europe: Bergen. With over 900 years, the origins of the city go back to the Viking Age. For several centuries Bergen was known as a prosperous port city.
The Bryggen harbor district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and between old wooden houses, markets full of handicrafts, and traditional restaurants you can capture the charm of the centuries-old trading and port city.
From the surrounding seven mountains, you have a breathtaking view of the whole city. But if you prefer to join the fray, the Fish Market is the place to be. There you can experience the colorful hustle and bustle of the market up close and try freshly caught fish.
The famous music festival takes place in Bergen in late May and early June.
Travel information for Norway
Travel time
In the summer months from May to September, it is warm and bright all over Norway, which is why summer is considered the ideal time to travel to Norway. While it is dark all day in winter, the sun only sets for a short time in summer. This is not only pleasant for the attitude to life, but also the flora and fauna. The result: Norway is blooming in its fullest and most magnificent bloom.
On the midsummer night in the second half of June, the sun shines for up to 24 hours at a time and all of Norway celebrates the longest day of the year. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the northern lights, the months of October, February and March are particularly suitable.
However, Norway is not only worth a trip in summer. Winter sports enthusiasts in particular are drawn to the country from the end of September to the beginning of April to ski and snowboard under the best conditions. Lillehammer, Hemsedal, and Skeikampen are among the most popular ski regions in Norway.
Accommodation
Apart from groceries, the hotels in Norway are also expensive and on your round trip, it is certainly more suitable to spend the night on a campsite, in a tent or sometimes in the car. You can pitch your tent almost anywhere in Norway, so all you have to do is look for nice spots.
However, if you need more comfort, you can also sleep in small guesthouses or rustic log cabins, which you can book online in advance. Most of the time you need your bedding.