Norway tours & vacations

Most of Norway has a maritime climate with cold winters and cool summers. However, due to its diverse topography, the climate varies throughout the country. Coastal areas are temperate with milder temperatures and more rain, while the mountainous interior is more extreme with snowy winters and dry summers. Inland areas in the north have an arctic climate and experience the Polar Night and Mightnight Sun.

While the perks of summer are clear (long days and mild weather), international and local tourists flock to Norway’s fjords and hiking trails in June and July. If you want to hike all day, stay up all night (because the sun pretty much doesn’t set) and don’t mind rubbing shoulders with other travelers, this could be the ideal time for you.

Winter in Norway is cold. In November through January, day temperatures are between 30°F and 39°F and the sun sets in the afternoon. That said, this is the only time of the year you can glimpse the stunning Northern Lights. Even if you don’t see the Aurora (you’ll have more luck the further north you go), the Christmas festivities and the snow-covered mountains make it a magical season to visit.

Spring and fall are both crisp in terms of temperature – think about 10°C in May and September. These shoulder seasons can be a good way to split the difference between winter and summer if you can handle some cold and moderate crowds. 

Today, Norway enjoys a high standard of living and is renowned for its mostly free and independent press and strong democracy. A love of nature permeates every level of society, from the freedom to camp on public land (known as the right to roam) to the old Norwegian joke about being born with skis on their feet. You’ll also come across a phrase that has no direct translation in English: ‘koselig’ (pronounced coosh-ly), which is best understood as the feeling of coziness and contentment that accompanies wholesome activities.

While the Viking Age is the most famous part of Norway’s history, it was fairly short. From around AD800 to AD1060, Scandinavian warriors traveled around the world to colonize and build alliances. After invasions into Scotland, England, and Normandy, Saint Olaf unified the country for the first time under Christianity.

Norway was joined with Denmark in the 14th century through a royal marriage and then given to Sweden in the early 19th century before achieving independence in 1905. It declared itself neutral during WWII, but that didn’t stop the Nazis from occupying the country as a strategic military stronghold. After a quick economic recovery after the war, one of Norway’s most significant events was the discovery of rich natural resources in the late 1960s – oil and gas exports quickly became Norway’s dominant industry and continue to provide most of its wealth.

Norway occupies the northern corner of the Scandinavian Peninsula, with the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea hugging its northern, southern and western sides. It shares borders with Sweden, Russia, and Finland and swathes of north Norway, including the popular mainland city of Tromso and the Svalbard archipelago, which sits in the Arctic Circle.

Norway’s scenery is incredible, with forests, rivers, lakes, glaciers and almost a third of the land covered in mountains. However, the western fjord system is probably the most well-known landmark, with over 1,000 deep ravines formed by retreating or melting glaciers.

It also has over 200,000 islands, most of which are uninhabited, which protect the mainland from North Atlantic storms. The Lofoten archipelago is one of the most well-known thanks to its colorful fishing villages, steep mountains and rugged beaches.

Traditional Norwegian cuisine (think: meat and potato offerings) is simple, hearty and designed to keep you warm during those freezing winters. You’ll also find diverse cuisine options from around the world in Norway’s larger cities.

Things to try in Norway

1. Kjottkaker

Kjottkaker is basically a fried meatball, but flatter and without breadcrumbs, typically served with mashed or boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam and vegetables. It's ubiquitous in Norway, so you won’t have to look too hard to find it.

2. Farikal

Norway’s national dish is a perfect warmer for freezing winters (or even chilly spring or autumn nights). Simmered with cabbage and mild spices, pieces of lamb or mutton become fall-off-the-bone soft in this tasty and rustic meal.

3. Linie aquavit

This Norwegian brand of aquavit – a botanical vodka – is a potato-based spirit infused with caraway and other Nordic herbs and spices. It’s traditionally aged in sherry oak casks on a cargo ship that crosses the equator twice. Supposedly, the ship’s rocking motion and changes in temperature and humidity make it taste better.

4. Brunost (brown cheese)

Made by simmering the by-product of the cheese-making process (whey), then sliced and served on bread or crackers, sweet and salty brown cheese is an iconic lunch or breakfast accompaniment.

5. Sursild (pickled herring)

Herring is salted before being submerged in pickle liquid of vinegar, onion and a mix of spices such as peppercorns, mustard seeds and allspice. Tangy and slightly sweet, it's typically served on buttered bread for breakfast.

Major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted throughout Norway. While credit card payments are popular, it's still worth carrying cash for everyday items or smaller retailers.

You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Norway's cities and urban areas, but they can be harder to find in remote regions, so prepare accordingly before leaving the cities.