Norway must be one of the magical locations. I imply, dramatic fjords, vibrant fishing villages, Viking historical past, trolls and folklore, the northern lights, the midnight solar, jaw-dropping scenic drives, and a few of the greatest mountaineering on the planet…what extra may you need?!
In case you’re planning a visit to this spectacular a part of the world, these are 10 of the perfect issues to do in Norway. Whether or not you’re visiting the nation through the summer season, or winter, you’ll discover one thing for you on this record.
1. Take a Cruise By the Fjords
In case you’re planning to discover Norway by sea, a cruise provides you with a front-row seat to a few of the nation’s most spectacular landscapes. Do you know there are greater than 1,700 fjords in Norway?!
Southern Norway, specifically, is woven collectively by fjords and waterways that carve deep into the land. Whilst you can drive these routes or cross by ferry, taking a Norwegian fjords cruise helps you to glide straight by means of the center of this panorama, passing steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant villages.
A lot of Norway’s most iconic viewpoints sit excessive above the fjords, providing unforgettable views from land…however, from the water beneath, the dimensions feels simply as spectacular, with towering rock partitions rising nearly vertically from the ocean, a perspective that solely a fjord cruise can totally seize.
The cruises in Norway are made for anybody who loves the outside. Think about cruising by means of legendary waterways like Hardangerfjord and the crown jewel, Geirangerfjord – it’s one of the rewarding methods to expertise Norway.
2. Go Canine-Sledding
Being from Canada, I’m used to the snow (and never a large fan of it!), however taking a visit throughout the snowy land whereas being pulled by some lovely canines? That’s undoubtedly one thing I could possibly be into!
A canine sled is a light-weight automobile mounted on runners and pulled by a crew of canines over snow and ice, which is named “mushing”. It was important for hauling provides and touring lengthy distances, however today, canine sledding has grow to be a preferred exercise and sport for locals and vacationers.
This extremely rated journey begins off in Tromsø and takes you thru some picturesque surroundings. You possibly can simply sit again and benefit from the view, or truly strive main the sled your self! Click on right here for particulars.
3. Witness the Northern Lights
This can be a should when visiting any vacation spot within the northern hemisphere that’s near the Arctic – and Norway is not any exception. With lengthy, darkish nights within the winter, it makes viewing spectacular right here.
In case you don’t know what it’s, the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are one in all Norway’s most unbelievable pure wonders. They kind when charged particles from the solar work together with gases in Earth’s ambiance, lighting up the sky in ribbons of inexperienced, purple, and generally crimson.
On this journey, your information will know one of the best locations to go to witness this spectacle. Even when it’s cloudy in Tromsø, they’ll drive to a different space. They know one of the best spots, which is why having a information is beneficial. Click on right here for particulars.
4. Go Climbing
In case you’re into mountaineering, and also you go to Norway through the summer season months, you’re in for a deal with! The landscapes listed here are wild, dramatic and there are tons of trails on provide.
A bonus of mountaineering in Norway is simply how a lot selection is on provide. Within the western a part of the nation, you possibly can hike above glacier-carved fjords, try the alpine surroundings within the east, and wander alongside coastal trails within the north with views of the Arctic Ocean.
A number of the hottest hikes within the nation are Trolltunga, Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), and Kjeragbolten – all of which result in viewpoints that can blow your thoughts!
Try AllTrails for hikes you are able to do independently across the nation. After all, at all times put on acceptable clothes, mountaineering boots, and pack sufficient water and snacks for the path.
In case you choose, you possibly can at all times be part of a tour with an expert information to make sure a protected journey. This highly-rated tour picks you up in Stavanger and takes you to Pulpit Rock, and again. It’s a 7 hour day with unreal views alongside the way in which. Click on right here for particulars.
5. Study About Norwegian Delicacies (and style some!)
In case you’re a foodie like me, you’re going to like exploring all of the culinary delights that Norway has to supply. Norwegian meals is deeply related to the nation’s panorama, seasons, and traditions. There’s a heavy give attention to utilizing easy elements…completed effectively.
Contemporary seafood is distinguished right here, particularly salmon, cod, Arctic char, and shellfish – all pulled straight from chilly, clear waters. For crimson meat, you’ll discover lamb, reindeer, and sport meats (like deer), all of which mirror Norway’s rural and Arctic heritage.
Not shocking as a result of location and local weather, you’ll additionally discover hearty meals like potatoes, root greens, flatbreads, and wealthy dairy merchandise, together with brown cheese (brown cheese), which has a candy, caramel-like flavour.
The normal dishes are typically rustic and comforting, however you’ll additionally discover a number of fashionable Norwegian eating places serving up delicacies that blends these basic elements with up to date methods.
A good way to expertise that is on a meals tour in Oslo. On this tour, you’ll stroll a complete of 3kms, which is nice as you’ll be consuming quite a bit throughout your journey to three totally different eating places! The menu sounds wonderful. Click on right here to be taught extra and e-book your spot.
6. Be part of a Strolling Tour
That is one thing we at all times do after we go to a brand new nation. It’s the easiest way to be taught a bit concerning the historical past, get a lay of the land, and study one of the best spots to eat and drink out of your native information.
You’ll discover them in every of the principle cities in Norway. If you would like, you possibly can be part of a free strolling tour (which is definitely not “free”, it’s tip-based), or you possibly can pay a really inexpensive quantity and luxuriate in a smaller group tour.
In case you’re in Bergen, get pleasure from this inexpensive tour; in the event you’re in Oslo, this strolling tour received’t break the financial institution; and this strolling tour in Tromsø even features a cinnamon bun!
7. Chase Waterfalls
As you possibly can inform, there are such a lot of lovely locations to go to and issues to do in Norway. Visiting waterfalls is one other journey you received’t wish to miss – specifically, the spectacular Vøringfossen waterfall.
The waterfall plunges practically 600 ft into the Måbødalen valley beneath! Standing on the viewing platforms or strolling throughout the suspension bridge that stretches over the canyon, you actually really feel how wild this panorama is.
The excellent news is that the waterfall isn’t your reward after a brilliant lengthy hike, it’s obtainable with just a bit effort – excellent for these days when you should relaxation your legs!
You possibly can go to your self, however in the event you don’t have your personal wheels, or would moderately go along with a gaggle, this journey covers the waterfall and different beautiful locations. Click on right here for particulars.
8. Spend Time with Reindeer
In case you’ve ever needed to stand up near Rudolph, Norway is the place! From Tromso, you are able to do a tour to study reindeer, get pulled in a sleigh by them, and feed them. Did I point out there are 300 reindeer on this herd?!
However, extra than simply seeing reindeer, this expertise is about studying from the Sámi folks themselves – who’re the indigenous folks of Norway. Historically, many Sámi folks practiced reindeer herding, fishing, searching, and small-scale farming, with reindeer herding turning into one of the well-known points of Sámi life right now.
That is an precise tradition, not a efficiency, and selecting Sámi-run experiences like this implies the tales are shared with honesty, respect, and pleasure.
On this group journey, you’ll be part of your information for reindeer sledding, and feeding, earlier than heading into a conventional tent for a scorching meal and dialog and tales with the locals and your information.
9. Go Fishing
Whether or not you’re visiting in summer season or winter, fishing is among the high issues to do in Norway. And, with the nation being so coastal, that is no shock.
In case you’re fishing in the summertime months, you’ll have the entire day to take action – you possibly can actually fish at any hour. Within the northern a part of Norway, like Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands, the solar doesn’t set from Could – July!
Count on to hook into cod, mackerel, pollock, and halibut in the event you’re deep sea fishing, and in the event you’re on the rivers, you possibly can catch salmon.
Most individuals don’t journey with fishing gear, so in the event you’d prefer to expertise fishing in Norway (with out packing all of the gear), you possibly can be part of a tour that gives all the pieces.
On this polar fishing journey from Tromso, you’ll get pleasure from a real arctic fishing expertise. The guides set the course for Kvaløystraumen or Ryøyastraumen – areas that provide robust currents and large fish.
On this well-liked journey out of Tromso, you’ll gear up in heat gear and head to sea. The cool factor about this journey is you get to eat what you catch – instantly. They prepare dinner up a freshly made fish soup on the boat! It’s the right strategy to keep heat.
10. Do Some Biking
Through the hotter months, hopping on a motorbike is a good way to discover Norway. If you wish to merely try the cities, you possibly can rent a motorbike when you’re there, or in the event you’re in Oslo, you may be part of this 3-hour bike journey that takes you round all the principle highlights of town (Metropolis Corridor, Royal Palace, Frogner Park, and so on.).
In case you’re visiting in winter, you possibly can nonetheless get round on 2 wheels with this fats bike journey in and round Tromso! All the things’s included and it’s a enjoyable factor to do in Norway within the winter.
In Conclusion
In case you’re able to be energetic on vacation, there’s no scarcity of adventurous outside actions. In case you’d like a mixture of journey, nature, and leisure, a cruise may be best for you. In case you’d moderately simply wander across the cities, having fun with good meals, that’s obtainable too!
Whether or not you go to in the summertime or winter, Norway will shock you at each flip. As you possibly can see, there’s one thing for each kind of traveller on this Scandinavian nation.
