Mr NordicNorway is the nature destination of Europe and is known worldwide as one of the most unique countries in terms of nature. You will not find it greener than here. The landscape is enchanting in every region. The most famous are of course the fjords. But don’t forget the south coast with countless islands and coves for beautiful boat trips. The north, including the North Cape and Lofoten, will amaze you with their beauty. In addition to the unique fauna and flora, the country has beautiful cities, excellent cuisine and a hospitable population.
The land full of natural wonders
Norway has always been a popular destination for nature-loving holiday makers. In Norway you will find the wonderful Norwegian fjords, mountains, forests, lakes, coast and of course the Northern Lights. Almost all of Norway can be visited year-round – every season has something special to offer. In the top ten most popular destinations in Norway you can see everything passing by: from the pleasant atmosphere in Oslo to the rough life in the Arctic, such as at Spitsbergen. Choose your favorites and remember that traveling in the off season can also have its advantages.
Fjord: UNESCO natural wonders
The west of Norway is also called Fjord Norway. Here you can find the most impressive fjords. The fjords Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are even UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites. The backdrop of waterfalls, valleys and cliffs makes a visit to this area an inspiring experience.
Norway has more than a thousand different fjords, and one is even more spectacular than the other.
The Norwegian fjords are the reason for many people to go on holiday to Norway in the summer. They are therefore in almost all lists of Norway sights. The country has more than a thousand fjords that extend over the entire western coastline. Overall from Stavanger in southern Norway to Alta in the very north of Norway. But also in the Oslo area, a fjord can be found in the shape of the Oslofjord. UNESCO has included the Norwegian fjords on the World Heritage List in 2005.
A fjord is characterized by the steep walls and majestic cliffs, sometimes accompanied by a waterfall. Although a fjord is officially a cove in a mountainous coast, a number of lakes are also mistaken for fjord in Norway because of the steep mountains. Norway is not the only country that has fjords. Other famous countries with fjords are Scotland, Iceland, Canada, New Zealand and Greenland.
Northern Lights: natures magic
Northern Norway is known for its wonderful sky. In the summer the nights here are golden, because the sun never sets completely. In winter this is the place where the Northern Lights are most often spotted. So no matter what season you visit the high Norwegian north, you will certainly experience something special.
The northern lights, few natural spectacles are as impressive as this phenomenon. Everyone knows the photos, but experiencing the northern lights themselves is quite an experience.
Norway is one of the best countries for Northern Lights travel. Due to its location in the middle of the Aurora Zone, the northern lights in Northern Norway can be seen almost every evening. Almost everywhere in the north of Norway you have a good chance to spot the Northern Lights. But perhaps the most famous place is Tromsø, the proud ‘capital of the northern lights’. On clear nights you have a 90% chance of seeing the northern lights in this area. From the city it is possible to book a northern light excursion. You then go on a bus with a small group, led by an experienced guide, on a hunt for the Northern Lights. This is particularly useful when it is cloudy. But there are also other adventurous excursions in which you can participate. So you can take a snowmobile ride or husky safari from Tromsø. Whichever Northern Lights journey you choose in Norway: it will be a special experience.
I dare to say that Northern Norway is one of the best and most pleasant places to admire the Northern Lights: it is not for nothing that hundreds of thousands of people live in this vast area. The region offers a wide range of activities, tours, cruises, restaurants and hotels. So you don’t have to go into the wilderness on your own to get a great arctic experience.
Fjell: national parks
In Fjell Norway you have to be for an active holiday. With national parks in abundance, the Norwegian mountain landscape offers the ideal environment for an adventurous cycling or hiking trip. You will also get the opportunity to fish in the many lakes and rivers here.
Hemsedal: illuminated slopes and snow parks
The small mountain village of Hemsedal is known in winter for its excellent skiing facilities and in summer as an outdoor destination. Start your day on one of the 52 slopes in the winter or go on a night-time ski trip. With 24 lifts you have access to slopes of various levels of difficulty. There are also several “fun parks” that are well known among snowboarders and ski enthusiasts worldwide. In the summer, Hemsedal is ideal for walking and cycling.
Winter sports in Norway attract a completely different audience than the Alps. Do not expect après-ski and miles of downhill runs here, peace reigns in Norway. The mountains in Norway are much lower, so that the descents do not bridge much difference in height. Winter sports in Norway also not only consist of snowboarding and skiing. Here it is all about cross-country skiing.
Winter sports in Norway are excellent for doing something else than just skiing or snowboarding. Step into a dog sled or take a nice walk through the winter landscape.
Those who are aware of this, however, experience a wonderful winter sport in Norway. The tranquility in combination with the untouched winter landscape ensure beautiful pictures. You experience a winter sport in Norway in the lowest gear. Hurry and stress do not occur here. The hospitable Norwegians welcome you with open arms and ensure that you experience an unforgettable winter sport in Norway.
Riding in Viking footprints
Experience Norway by following the Vikings in their footsteps along the Nordsjøvegen. From Kristiansand in the south to Haugesund in the north-west you can cycle along the coast by bike or car. Enjoy beautiful views and activities such as rafting, deep sea fishing, (music) festivals and shopping. Relax in the middle of nature Sirdal Høyfjellshotell, where you can also taste a varied menu of Norwegian specialties.
Cruise to Oslo or southern Norway
Make not only your vacation unforgettable but also the outward and return journey. Take a cruise from Germany and sail straight through the Oslofjord to Oslo with Color Line, Norway’s largest cruise company that has been sailing for 50 years. Prefer to sail from Denmark? With both Color Line and Fjord Line you sail to the idyllic Norwegian south coast.
The Hurtigruten, which literally means “fast route”, is a combination between a passenger, freight and mail transport ship. The Hurtigruten sails 365 days a year from Bergen in southern Norway to Kirkenes in the far north.
The boat trip with Hurtigruten along the elongated coastline of Norway is a unique experience. Every day you can enjoy the fjords coast, the mountain landscapes, the countless islands and islets and the various coastal towns and coastal towns where it is built. Cities such as Trondheim and Tromsø are honored with a visit, but also the impressive Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos are discussed.
Since 1893 Hurtigruten ships have been carrying passengers, mail and cargo. And that happened to ports on the elongated Norwegian coast. Today, Hurtigruten sails with no fewer than 11 ships. Hurtigruten departs from the ancient Hanseatic city of Bergen and sails all the way to Kirkenes, near the border with Russia and then back to Bergen. A 12-day sea voyage, calling no fewer than 34 ports on the outward journey. The same ports are shown again on the return trip, but then you arrive during the day in ports that were visited during the outward journey at night. Excursions are organized from various ports. And of course you can also visit the literal and figurative highlight of your boat trip – the North Cape -!
Explore Norway by rail
The Norwegian Railways, the NSB, are spread out over the entire country. More than 3,000 kilometers of rails connect the important cities and run through rugged untouched nature. Enjoy scenic panoramas of fjords, lakes, suburbs and mountains on a comfortable train ride.
By rail along wide plains, winding rivers, beautiful fjords and high mountain peaks. Traveling with the Norwegian Railways is a special experience.
One of the nicer and affordable ways to get to Norway is traveling by train. Moreover, this is certainly not the worst way to travel. Traveling by train offers beautiful views and a comfortable way of traveling. However, it is a way of traveling that takes considerably more time. Norway has a well-maintained, extensive network of railways. Traveling by train to Norway is at least one way to “do it differently”. Make sure you are not in a hurry.
Best travel time
It is not exactly clear when it is best to go to Norway. In March and April there is still a lot of snow on the tops of the fjords. The blossoms are in bloom in May. The days are the longest in June, and the sun does not set at all above the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees north latitude. In the fall, the mountain walls, hills and forests are decorated in red, yellow and orange colors. In the winter the landscape is covered with pure white snow; the air is fresh, pure and crispy. In the dark nights you hunt for the most magical of all natural phenomena, the northern lights. Every season has its charm and if it is not hot, you can enjoy the landscape inside or the true winter paradise outside. You can’t say anything about the weather: anything is possible, including hot weather in the summer. Certainly in the north, the weather can suddenly change, from stormy to calm, sometimes even several times a day.
What you should bring with you is a pair of good walking shoes, a combination of light and warm clothes in the summer and a lot of wool in the winter (or material that is just as warm), so several layers of clothing, something against the rain and at the same time also sunscreen.
Last Updated on August 3, 2019
