Norway needs to be one of the crucial 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 among the greatest mountain climbing on the planet…what extra may you need?!
If you happen to’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 checklist.
1. Take a Cruise Via the Fjords
If you happen to’re planning to discover Norway by sea, a cruise provides you with a front-row seat to among the nation’s most spectacular landscapes. Do you know there are greater than 1,700 fjords in Norway?!
Southern Norway, particularly, is woven collectively by fjords and waterways that carve deep into the land. When you can drive these routes or cross by ferry, taking a Norwegian fjords cruise enables you to glide straight by way of the center of this panorama, passing steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant villages.
Lots 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 way of legendary waterways like Hardangerfjord and the crown jewel, Geirangerfjord – it’s one of the crucial rewarding methods to expertise Norway.
2. Go Canine-Sledding
Being from Canada, I’m used to the snow (and never an enormous fan of it!), however taking a visit throughout the snowy land whereas being pulled by some cute canine? That’s positively one thing I could possibly be into!
A canine sled is a light-weight car mounted on runners and pulled by a group of canine over snow and ice, which is named “mushing”. It was important for hauling provides and touring lengthy distances, however today, canine sledding has change into 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’ll be able to simply sit again and benefit from the view, or really 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 isn’t any exception. With lengthy, darkish nights within the winter, it makes viewing spectacular right here.
If you happen to don’t know what it’s, the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are one in all Norway’s most unbelievable pure wonders. They type when charged particles from the solar work together with gases in Earth’s environment, lighting up the sky in ribbons of inexperienced, purple, and generally purple.
On this journey, your information will know the very best locations to go to witness this spectacle. Even when it’s cloudy in Tromsø, they’ll drive to a different space. They know the very best spots, which is why having a information is really helpful. Click on right here for particulars.
4. Go Mountaineering
If you happen to’re into mountain climbing, and also you go to Norway through the summer season months, you’re in for a deal with! The landscapes listed below are wild, dramatic and there are tons of trails on supply.
A bonus of mountain climbing in Norway is simply how a lot selection is on supply. Within the western a part of the nation, you’ll be able to 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 few 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, mountain climbing boots, and pack sufficient water and snacks for the path.
If you happen to choose, you’ll be able to at all times be part of a tour with knowledgeable information to make sure a secure 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. Be taught About Norwegian Delicacies (and style some!)
If you happen to’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 deal with utilizing easy components…executed nicely.
Recent seafood is outstanding right here, particularly salmon, cod, Arctic char, and shellfish – all pulled straight from chilly, clear waters. For purple meat, you’ll discover lamb, reindeer, and recreation 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 (brunost), which has a candy, caramel-like flavour.
The normal dishes are typically rustic and comforting, however you’ll additionally discover plenty of trendy Norwegian eating places serving up delicacies that blends these traditional components with modern 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 loads 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 a part of a Strolling Tour
That is one thing we at all times do once we go to a brand new nation. It’s one of the simplest ways to be taught a bit in regards to the historical past, get a lay of the land, and find out about the very best spots to eat and drink out of your native information.
You’ll discover them in every of the primary cities in Norway. If you’d like, you’ll be able to be part of a free strolling tour (which is definitely not “free”, it’s tip-based), or you’ll be able to pay a really reasonably priced quantity and luxuriate in a smaller group tour.
If you happen to’re in Bergen, take pleasure in this reasonably priced tour; for those who’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’ll be able to 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 need to miss – particularly, the spectacular Vøringfossen waterfall.
The waterfall plunges almost 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 an excellent lengthy hike, it’s out there with just a bit effort – good for these days when you might want to relaxation your legs!
You’ll be able to go to your self, however for those who don’t have your individual wheels, or would slightly go along with a bunch, this journey covers the waterfall and different gorgeous locations. Click on right here for particulars.
8. Spend Time with Reindeer
If you happen to’ve ever needed to rise up near Rudolph, Norway is the place! From Tromso, you are able to do a tour to find out about 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 changing into one of the crucial well-known features of Sámi life in the present day.
That is an precise tradition, not a efficiency, and selecting Sámi-run experiences like this implies the tales are shared with honesty, respect, and delight.
On this group journey, you’ll be part of your information for reindeer sledding, and feeding, earlier than heading into a standard 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 prime issues to do in Norway. And, with the nation being so coastal, that is no shock.
If you happen to’re fishing in the summertime months, you’ll have the entire day to take action – you’ll be able to 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 for those who’re deep sea fishing, and for those who’re on the rivers, you’ll be able to catch salmon.
Most individuals don’t journey with fishing gear, so for those who’d wish to expertise fishing in Norway (with out packing all of the gear), you’ll be able to be part of a tour that gives every little thing.
On this polar fishing journey from Tromso, you’ll take pleasure in a real arctic fishing expertise. The guides set the course for Kvaløystraumen or Ryøyastraumen – areas that supply robust currents and massive fish.
On this fashionable journey out of Tromso, you’ll gear up in heat tools and head to sea. The cool factor about this journey is you get to eat what you catch – straight away. They cook dinner up a freshly made fish soup on the boat! It’s the right approach 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’ll be able to rent a motorbike when you’re there, or for those who’re in Oslo, you possibly can be part of this 3-hour bike journey that takes you round all the primary highlights of the town (Metropolis Corridor, Royal Palace, Frogner Park, and so forth.).
If you happen to’re visiting in winter, you’ll be able to nonetheless get round on 2 wheels with this fats bike journey in and round Tromso! The whole lot’s included and it’s a enjoyable factor to do in Norway within the winter.
In Conclusion
If you happen to’re able to be lively on vacation, there’s no scarcity of adventurous out of doors actions. If you happen to’d like a mixture of journey, nature, and rest, a cruise may be best for you. If you happen to’d slightly simply wander across the cities, having fun with good meals, that’s out there too!
Whether or not you go to in the summertime or winter, Norway will shock you at each flip. As you’ll be able to see, there’s one thing for each kind of traveller on this Scandinavian nation.
