Vacationing in Norway
Have you lot never visited Norway before? Here's how to make the near of your first trip to the country of the fjords.
So, you've finally decided to whip out the credit carte and volume that dream trip to Norway?
Welcome! This article is for you. I'k going to run through everything you need to know to make the most of a showtime-fourth dimension visit.
Who am I? My name is David Nikel, author of the 400-folio Moon Norway guidebook, and owner of this very website. I've spent vii years living in Oslo and Trondheim, and traveling the length of this remarkable country.
I've lost count of how many international visitors I've bumped into on my travels who've had a burning question or a frustration, that could have been easily solved. That was partly the reason I wrote the guidebook, and partly the reason for this commodity.
I'll beginning by talking about the best places to visit whether you want to see cities, fjords or a scrap of both. I'll await at when to come, and requite lots of practical advice, likewise every bit linking to other relevant articles I've written.
Gear up? Permit's go!
Do I demand a visa to visit Kingdom of norway?
Citizens of all European union/EEA countries do not demand a visa to visit Kingdom of norway. This likewise applies if y'all hold a residence permit in an European union/EEA country.
You lot just show your passport/let at the border control, and you're in. If you lot're arriving from a Schengen area country, in that location are no passport checks.
Citizens of many other countries also don't need a visit because they concord a passport from a country that Norway has a visa exemption agreement with. This includes the Usa, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Nippon. You can see the full list here.
In all these cases, yous tin visit Norway for upwards to 90 days without any need to annals. You tin also visit countries within the Schengen expanse during this 90-day menstruum.
When to go?
Neat question! Norway isn't like say the Canary Islands where you can just book a flying and pretty much guarantee proficient weather anytime of the year. The seasons are very singled-out and they can brand a massive impact on travel.
For case, the fjords look absolutely stunning in the wintertime with a dusting of snow over the steep mountainsides. But the reason yous don't see many photos? Information technology's simply because many of the access roads are airtight at that time of twelvemonth!
The summertime is generally regarded as the all-time fourth dimension to visit Kingdom of norway every bit its the warmest time of yr, relatively dry, and tourist attractions are in full swing.
Simply you'll demand to recall once again if y'all want to ski or see the northern lights. Read our full guide on when to go to Norway for the lowdown and our recommendations.
Where to get
Perhaps even more so than when to visit, the well-nigh common question I get is, "where in Norway?"
My reply, frustrating equally it is, is that it depends. Simply put, my own preferences won't necessarily be the same equally yours.
Norway is a large, various nation full of different experiences, so what I'm going to do side by side is run-through the major destinations i-by-1 to help you lot decide which places are best for you.
One theme that threads runs all of these places is the outdoors. Norway has spectacular natural beauty even in its cities, and Norwegians are outdoors people. That is reflected in many of the attractions on offering.
Oslo
Kingdom of norway's capital is the starting point for so many people given that wing into Oslo Airport. Information technology's worth spending at least a day in the city every bit the museums and sculpture parks are some of the best in Scandinavia.
If you only take time for a metropolis pause, Oslo nevertheless gives you lot the chance to savour the nifty outdoors. There'due south miles of forest on its doorstep and the modest Oslofjord islands make bang-up boat trips.
Read more: Oslo Travel Guide
Bergen
Norway's second city is known as the gateway to the fjords, but it has a lot to offer by itself. From the UNESCO World Heritage site at Bryggen to the restored stave church in a leafy suburb, Bergen is a neat place to spend a day.
It also has its share of quirks, such as the leprosy museum and a stave church in a leafy suburb.
Like Oslo, Bergen besides has great access to nature. Take the short funicular railway for a panoramic view of the city and admission to miles of hiking trails.
Read more: Bergen Travel Guide
The fjords
While the Norwegian fjords were recently ranked past 1 travel publisher as the earth'south number ane travel destination, it isn't actually a destination. At least, non one you can go to and relish in one day, or even in a calendar week.
The Norwegian fjords are spread all over the country, from the Trollfjord about Lofoten to the Oslofjord near the capital.
Even what most people would consider as the main area – the region marketed as Fjord Norway – stretches for hundreds of miles forth the west coast.
So if you want to see the fjords, there's two main strategies to consider. Firstly, plan a road trip around one or more than of the biggest fjords, or secondly, incorporate a visit to a fjord that's attainable from some other destination.
Fjords that fall into the latter category include the Lysefjord (Stavanger), the Hardangerfjord (Bergen) and the Hjørunfjord and Geirangerfjord (Ålesund).
Although some distance away from Bergen, the Nærøyfjord is as well a good option from the city thanks to adept fast ferry and train connections.
The mountains
Kingdom of norway has 46 national parks, of which 39 are on the mainland and seven on Svalbard. The regime creates national parks to preserve large natural areas for now and for future generations.
Many of these areas are Norway'due south epic mountains! Peradventure the all-time known is Jotunheimen. More than 250 peaks rise in a higher place 1,900 metres, including Northern Europe's ii highest mountains.
At ii,469 metres, the elevation of Galdhøpiggen is a popular destination for locals and foreign visitors. Despite its heigh, its relatively like shooting fish in a barrel to climb given that roads wind their fashion upwards to well over 1,500m higher up sea level.
There' too plenty of places to stay in and around the park, such equally this beautiful former farmstead, now hotel.
Simply that's just one option. The Scandinavian mountains stretch for hundreds of kilometres through the very eye of Norway, and then hikers are not going to be disappointed.
Stavanger
Norway's oil capital offers visitors relatively piece of cake access to the Lysefjord and its famous Pulpit Rock, but the city itself is worth exploring too.
That's especially true for fans of street art, equally Stavanger is one of the world's premier destinations to come across the fine art form. The metropolis'due south warehouses, homes, even lampposts are a canvas, and are home to one of Europe'due south biggest street fine art festivals.
Chill Norway
Norway's far due north may likewise be a different country. There's dissimilar dialects, unlike scenery and a very different experience to the place.
For example, in Kautokeino, Karasjok and to a certain extent Alta, there's a visible community of Sami. In Kirkenes, many of the street signs are bilingual, with Norwegian and Russian spellings.
The mountains of Lofoten are jagged and almost vertical, nothing like the rolling mountain ranges farther south. In much of Finnmark, you won't run across a person – or even a tree – for kilometres at a time.
Arctic Norway is a wonderful experience, whether you visit the vibrant 'capital' Tromsø, accept a road trip to Lofoten or to the Northward Cape, or go chasing the northern lights.
Other cities
My ain city, Trondheim, has the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral, Tromsø has the Arctic Cathedral, Lillehammer has an Olympic heritage to explore and savor, Kristiansand is an astonishing summer destination, and the list goes on.
If yous're looking for something dissimilar, check out the art nouveau architecture of Ålesund, within day-trip range of the Hjørundfjord and the Geirangerfjord.
Cruising
A popular alternative to forging your ain path on land is to see Norway from the water. The most famous trip is the Hurtigruten coastal voyage, which goes from Bergen all the way up to Kirkenes and back again in effectually 12-days.
The trip gives you the opportunity to explore some of Kingdom of norway's most interesting cities like Ålesund, Trondheim, and Tromsø, and you can book optional excursions to see other highlights.
Read more: Everything you need to know near cruising Norway
If y'all don't fancy being stuck on a boat for nearly ii weeks, and then you can book shorter trips such as Trondheim to Tromsø or merely do the journey in one direction.
There'due south many other options of course, and some of the earth'due south biggest cruise lines call at Norwegian ports, about typically in a 'Nordic and Baltic' itinerary.
Skiing
While Norway'southward ski resorts lack the glamour of their counterparts in France, Switzerland and Italia, they do tend to be quieter. Merely if downhill isn't your thing, why not give the first love of all Norwegians a try?
Thousands of kilometres of cross-country skiing trails are prepared at the beginning of every season past a defended nationwide team of volunteers.
Non only that, but there's cabins available for apply all around the state (joining DNT is recommended), significant multi-day trips are possible.
How to get effectually
This ane depends very much on where you'll be going. If you want to explore the cities, y'all tin easily become by on airplanes and public send.
While Norway's cities accept (generally) well-established public transport systems networks, and long-distance links betwixt cities are fabricated possible with planes, trains and to a certain extent buses, public ship gets a lot more than difficult in the countryside.
Buses exist and comprehend much of the country, but they are infrequent and require meticulous planning. If you desire to run into the fjords, you tin choose betwixt an organised trip or renting a auto and taking a DIY approach.
While there are obvious environmental considerations, having your own transport gives y'all the flexibility you lot'll want while exploring Norway.
In Lofoten for example, at that place'south something new to see effectually every corner, and yous'll chop-chop lose count of the number of stops you lot'll want to make for photos.
Practical matters
Generally speaking, Norway is a prophylactic land to visit. Tap water is drinkable!
Locals speak English, or at the very least sympathise it, and typically are happy to help a lost visitor. Engaging in conversation beyond that, however, may exist hard!
When it comes to staying in touch, Norway is subject to the aforementioned roaming regulations as all EU fellow member countries, so if you accept a mobile phone from an EU/EEA country you tin can use information technology in Norway on the same terms. More here.
Planning to drive? If you lot have a licence from an Eu/EEA state, it tin exist used in Norway with no hassle for as long as information technology is valid. Everyone else can employ a valid driving licence for upwardly to 3 months, merely an international driving permit is required for some countries.
You may use your valid driving licence from any country for up to three months in Norway, whether yous are simply visiting or are planning to stay. Of class, information technology's your responsibleness to familiarise yourself with the Norwegian rules of the road.
Finally, bank check out our recommendations for a VPN to keep your data prophylactic while yous travel, and travel insurance.
How much does it cost?
Ah, the one thousand thousand dollar question! I've sort of surprised myself by writing more one,800 words without mentioning the toll, but it's time to address the elephant in the room.
Because of the way currencies and exchange rates piece of work, Kingdom of norway is an expensive country for almost all foreigners to visit. Only your trip doesn't accept to break the bank.
The two nigh expensive elements of a Norwegian vacation are accommodation and food. If you want to stay in loftier-terminate hotels and eat in fancy restaurants every dark, then bring your credit card.
Staying in cabins (many located on campsites) where you lot tin can melt your own meals and enjoy Norway'due south wonderful nature is my pinnacle tip to save money, and get a true Norwegian experience thrown in too.
If you're sticking to the cities, there's a lot more budget hotels in Oslo now than when I showtime moved to Kingdom of norway, and this trend has spread to other cities likewise.
A helping hand
I hope this guide has pointed you in the correct direction when information technology comes to planning your trip.
Want more than? Check out my Moon Norway guidebook, which has a full 400-pages more information for the first-time visitor. If y'all're only going to Oslo, bank check out Moon Oslo.
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Source: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/norway-for-first-time-visitors/
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