Norway needs to be probably the most 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 climbing on the planet…what extra may you need?!
In the event 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 way of the Fjords
In the event you’re planning to discover Norway by sea, a cruise offers you 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 the guts 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 under, the size feels simply as spectacular, with towering rock partitions rising nearly vertically from the ocean, a perspective that solely a fjord cruise can absolutely seize.
The cruises in Norway are made for anybody who loves the outside. Think about cruising by legendary waterways like Hardangerfjord and the crown jewel, Geirangerfjord – it’s probably the most 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 lovely canine? That’s positively one thing I might 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 known as “mushing”. It was important for hauling provides and touring lengthy distances, however as of late, canine sledding has turn out to be a preferred exercise and sport for locals and vacationers.
This highly rated trip begins off in Tromsø and takes you thru some picturesque surroundings. You possibly can simply sit again and benefit from the view, or truly attempt main the sled your self! Click here for details.
3. Witness the Northern Lights
It is 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 the event you 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 pink.
On this trip, 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 really useful. Click here for details.
4. Go Mountaineering
In the event you’re into 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 provide.
A bonus of climbing in Norway is simply how a lot selection is on provide. Within the western a part of the nation, you may hike above glacier-carved fjords, take a look at 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 may blow your thoughts!
Take a look at AllTrails for hikes you are able to do independently across the nation. After all, at all times put on applicable clothes, climbing boots, and pack sufficient water and snacks for the path.
In the event you choose, you may at all times be a 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 here for details.
5. Be taught About Norwegian Delicacies (and style some!)
In the event 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 linked to the nation’s panorama, seasons, and traditions. There’s a heavy concentrate on utilizing easy components…finished properly.
Recent seafood is outstanding right here, particularly salmon, cod, Arctic char, and shellfish – all pulled straight from chilly, clear waters. For pink 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 (brunost), which has a candy, caramel-like flavour.
The standard dishes are usually rustic and comforting, however you’ll additionally discover a lot of trendy Norwegian eating places serving up delicacies that blends these basic components with up to date methods.
A good way to expertise that is on a food tour in Oslo. On this tour, you’ll stroll a complete of 3kms, which is nice as you’ll be consuming lots throughout your journey to three totally different eating places! The menu sounds wonderful. Click here to learn more and guide your spot.
6. Be a part of a Strolling Tour
That is one thing we at all times do after we go to a brand new nation. It’s one of the simplest ways to study a bit concerning the historical past, get a lay of the land, and find out about one of the 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 may be a part of a free strolling tour (which is definitely not “free”, it’s tip-based), or you may pay a really reasonably priced quantity and revel in a smaller group tour.
In the event you’re in Bergen, take pleasure in this reasonably priced tour; for those who’re in Oslo, this walking tour received’t break the financial institution; and this walking tour in Tromsø even features a cinnamon bun!
7. Chase Waterfalls
As you may inform, there are such a lot of stunning locations to go to and issues to do in Norway. Visiting waterfalls is one other journey you received’t need to miss – specifically, the spectacular Vøringfossen waterfall.
The waterfall plunges almost 600 ft into the Måbødalen valley under! 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 accessible with just a bit effort – excellent for these days when you might want to relaxation your legs!
You possibly can go to your self, however for those who don’t have your personal wheels, or would reasonably go together with a bunch, this trip covers the waterfall and different gorgeous locations. Click here for details.
8. Spend Time with Reindeer
In the event you’ve ever wished to stand 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 individuals themselves – who’re the indigenous individuals of Norway. Historically, many Sámi individuals practiced reindeer herding, fishing, searching, and small-scale farming, with reindeer herding turning into probably the most well-known elements of Sámi life as we speak.
That is an precise tradition, not a efficiency, and selecting Sámi-run experiences like this implies the tales are shared with honesty, respect, and satisfaction.
On this group trip, you’ll be a part of your information for reindeer sledding, and feeding, earlier than heading into a standard tent for a sizzling 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.
In the event you’re fishing in the summertime months, you’ll have the entire day to take action – you may actually fish at any hour. Within the northern a part of Norway, like Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands, the solar doesn’t set from Might – 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 may catch salmon.
Most individuals don’t journey with fishing gear, so for those who’d prefer to expertise fishing in Norway (with out packing all of the gear), you may be a part of a tour that gives all the pieces.
On this polar fishing adventure from Tromso, you’ll take pleasure in a real arctic fishing expertise. The guides set the course for Kvaløystraumen or Ryøyastraumen – areas that provide robust currents and large fish.
On this popular trip 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 – immediately. They prepare dinner up a freshly made fish soup on the boat! It’s the proper method to keep heat.
10. Do Some Biking
Through the hotter months, hopping on a motorcycle is an effective way to discover Norway. If you wish to merely take a look at the cities, you may rent a motorcycle when you’re there, or for those who’re in Oslo, you may join this 3-hour bike trip that takes you round all the primary highlights of the town (Metropolis Corridor, Royal Palace, Frogner Park, and many others.).
In the event you’re visiting in winter, you may nonetheless get round on 2 wheels with this fat bike trip in and round Tromso! All the pieces’s included and it’s a enjoyable factor to do in Norway within the winter.
In Conclusion
In the event you’re able to be energetic on vacation, there’s no scarcity of adventurous out of doors actions. In the event you’d like a mixture of journey, nature, and leisure, a cruise is likely to be best for you. In the event you’d reasonably simply wander across the cities, having fun with good meals, that’s accessible too!
Whether or not you go to in the summertime or winter, Norway will shock you at each flip. As you may see, there’s one thing for each sort of traveller on this Scandinavian nation.
