Norway travel guide: how to plan your trip
Travelling in Norway is about dramatic nature: deep fjords, high plateaus, Arctic islands and a long coastline, with compact, walkable cities in between. Cruise the Nærøyfjord, hike above Geiranger, photograph Lofoten's fishing villages and look for the northern lights around Tromsø. Distances are long, so slow travel by train, ferry and car works best.
When to go
June to August is the classic season for fjords and hiking: mountain roads and trails are open, days are long, and north of the Arctic Circle the midnight sun lasts for weeks. May and September are quieter, with fresh green or autumn colours. For the northern lights, head north to Tromsø, Alta or Lofoten between late September and late March, when nights are dark. Winter also brings skiing, dog sledding and snow-covered coastlines.
Where to go
Oslo
The capital sits at the head of the Oslofjord, with forest and lakes at the edge of town. Walk on the roof of the Opera House, see Munch's work at the MUNCH museum, visit Vigeland Park and the museums on Bygdøy, and take a ferry to the fjord islands.
Bergen
Surrounded by mountains and often by rain, Bergen is the gateway to the western fjords. Walk the colourful wooden wharf of Bryggen, ride the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen and browse the fish market before heading out to the Hardangerfjord or Sognefjord.
The western fjords
The Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are steep, narrow arms of the sea lined with waterfalls and farms clinging to the slopes. Combine a fjord cruise with the Flåm Railway, the Trollstigen mountain road or the Stegastein viewpoint above the Aurlandsfjord.
Lofoten
These Arctic islands rise straight out of the sea in sharp peaks, with red fishermen's cabins called rorbuer, white beaches and wooden racks for drying stockfish. Drive the E10 from Svolvær to Å, stop in Reine and Henningsvær and hike to viewpoints such as Reinebringen.
Tromsø and the Arctic north
Tromsø is a lively Arctic city and a common base for the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. Visit the Arctic Cathedral, take the cable car up to Storsteinen and join trips to the fjords, to Sami reindeer herders or to the Lyngen Alps.
What to do
Fjord cruise and the Flåm Railway
A boat trip on the Nærøyfjord brings waterfalls, cliffs and tiny villages close. Combine it with the Flåm Railway, which climbs from the fjord to the mountain station of Myrdal through tunnels and past the Kjosfossen waterfall, on the route known as Norway in a Nutshell.
Chasing the northern lights
In the dark season, the aurora borealis can appear over northern Norway on clear nights. Head away from city lights around Tromsø, Senja, Alta or Lofoten, dress for serious cold and give yourself several nights to improve your chances.
Classic Norwegian hikes
Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, above the Lysefjord, Trolltunga near Odda and Reinebringen in Lofoten are well-known hikes. Some are long and demanding, so check the route, start early, carry layers and food, and skip them in poor weather.
Medieval stave churches
Norway's stave churches are medieval wooden buildings carved with dragon heads and intricate ornament. Urnes, on the Lustrafjord, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Borgund in Lærdal and Heddal in Telemark are easy to include on a road trip.
Flavours of sea and mountain
Norwegian food is built on the sea and the mountains. Try fresh shrimp at the harbour in Bergen or Oslo, cod and stockfish in Lofoten, cured lamb, sweet brown cheese (brunost) on waffles and the cinnamon buns sold at every bakery.
Practical tips
- The right of access, allemannsretten, lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, as long as you respect nature, keep away from houses and leave no trace.
- Weather in the mountains and along the coast changes fast, even in summer; pack waterproof layers, warm clothing and good shoes whatever the season.
- Distances take longer than they look: roads wind around fjords and car ferries are part of the road network, so plan fewer stops per day.
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including on ferries and at small kiosks, and you will rarely need cash; the currency is the Norwegian krone.
As a couple, family or with friends
For couples and groups, Norway rewards fewer bases and longer stays: a cabin by a fjord or a rorbu in Lofoten gives everyone space and a shared kitchen for long evenings together. Families enjoy short hikes and boat trips. Plan the driving days together in the Gata app so the time behind the wheel is shared fairly.
Save ideas and stays and decide as a group with the Gata app.
Frequently asked questions
When can I see the northern lights in Norway?
The northern lights are visible in northern Norway from roughly late September to late March, when nights are dark enough. You need clear skies and some solar activity, so stay several nights in places such as Tromsø, Senja, Alta or Lofoten.
When is the midnight sun in Norway?
North of the Arctic Circle, the sun stays above the horizon around the clock for part of the summer, roughly from late May to late July in Tromsø and Lofoten. Further south, in Bergen or Oslo, summer nights are short and light, but the sun does set.
How many days do I need for the Norwegian fjords?
Allow at least four or five days from Bergen to see the Nærøyfjord, the Flåm Railway and a viewpoint or two. With a week or more you can add the Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen, or drive slowly through Hardanger with its orchards and waterfalls.
Can I travel around Norway without a car?
Yes, on the main routes. Trains link Oslo with Bergen, Trondheim and Bodø, boats and buses connect fjord villages, and coastal ships sail north along the coast. A car gives more freedom in Lofoten, around Trollstigen and in remote areas.
