A Nordic country in Northern Europe whose mainland territory comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic Island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part. One of Europe’s last wild frontiers, it remains one of the most exciting destinations left in Europe, blessed with an incredible diversity of life and culture and a landscape of peerless beauty and majesty. This is the land of reindeer herders and wandering polar bears, where the unique Northern Lights play out against the dark mantle of the polar night. All this natural splendor is popularly enjoyed through adventure-tourism activities such as hiking, rafting, skiing and even dog-sledding. However, those who want to experience the massive glaciers, fairytale forests, fjords and jagged coastline in a slightly more laid-back manner and without exerting themselves too much can enjoy some of the most scenic cruises, as well as road and train journeys in Europe.
By Sprok (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit Norway is between mid-May until mid- September, if you want to take advantage of the country’s legendary midnight sun and enjoy more reliable pleasant weather. At this time of year, the days are long and warm, and greenery stretches as far as the eye can see. While temperatures in the north stay low at around 11°C, temperatures in the south climb into the 20s°C, allowing you to make the most of the country fantastic outdoors and discover the beautiful scenery featuring majestic fjords, some of Europe’s largest glaciars, scenic mountains, spectacular coastline and impressive waterfalls. Nevertheless, it is worth considering that even during this time cool, windy and rainy days are still relatively likely and weather can change fast everywhere in Norway, so it pays off to be prepared. Far north, in the Svalbard archipelago, located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, weather is extremely cold during most of the year, but is possible to visit during the summer months when average temperatures are around 5°C.
The weather in Norway should always be a point of determination when it comes to planning your holiday, but to be honest, the best time to travel to Norway mostly depends upon what activities you wish to indulge in. While the warm long days of summer are perfect for hiking, climbing, rafting and many other outdoor activities, Norway is also a winter sports’ heaven during the cold and dark winter, during which you may also be rewarded with the spectacular sight of the Northern lights. So, in summary, there are plenty of reasons to choose to visit Norway at any time of the year.
Northern lights: between late September and late March, Northern Norway is dark from early afternoon until late morning, and the northern lights frequently soar across the sky. Best chances to see them are from November to February and from within the Artic circle (north of Bodø).
Wildlife watching: in Svalbard, around Spitsbergen in particular, between May and August it is possible to see the polar bears that inhabit these islands, with summer expedition cruises also offering chances to spot walrus, seals and migrating Arctic shorebirds. Arctic skrei spawning during springtime makes this the best time for birdwatching off the coast, while summer is a better for inland species. Puffins arrive in Norway arround March and the best time to see them on the northern coast lasts until August. Reindeers can be seen specially from March to October in areas of the south of the country such as Dovrefjell and Hardangervidda in the wild, as well as within the Artic Circle where the Sami herd them. The whale-watching season runs from the end of October to mid-January, with humpbacks usually present off the coast until the end of March, and you are pretty much guaranteed a sightinging in one of the numerous guided trips during these months. In addition, from end of May to September, orcas (killer whales) and porpoises can be seen around the coast and inlets of the Lofoten islands.
Hiking and other outdoor activities: best time of the year for hiking is from May to September, as it is the warmest time and there is the least snow, with most roads and hiking routes being accessible.
Winter sports: the ski season sometimes starts as early as late October, but mainly between November and December. The slopes are usually skiable until April. For excellent skiing conditions both on and off the pistes, March and April in Arctic Norway are difficult to beat with long days and a good chance of both blue-sky days. The best time for dog sledding in Norway is from December to March-April, although in the far north, the season for dog sledding extends from mid-November to late April or even early May.
Svalbard archipelago: a remote archipelago between Norway and the North Pole, it is a land of ice-covered fjords, glaciers, soaring mountains, and raw, untamed nature. Where one can observe polar bears in their natural habitat, are organised from July to August, as it is the warmest season and the cubs born in spring have already grown up and their mothers bring them out of the dens.
The Norwegian Krone is the official currency. Typically, 9,35 to 10,20 krone per Euro and 8,33 to 8,48 krone per US Dollar.
Norwegian is a Germanic language which is similar to Danish and Swedish. English is a second language in Norway and is widely spoken across the country. The Sami people inhabiting the north have many languages.
Norway is not a member of the EU, but it is a member of the Schengen Agreement. This means it allows free movements of EU nationals for up 90 days. Visitors from the Schengen countries do not need a passport or visa when entering Norway, but must show valid and sufficient ID. A European Union ID-card or passport is recommended. Citizens of some countries outside the EU/EEA have to apply for a visitor’s visa.
The regulations concerning entry to and residence in the Svalbard Islands are different from the regulations on the Norwegian mainland. Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area. Norwegian authorities do not require a visa for visiting Svalbard, but as most transport connects Svalbard only with Norway, foreigners with visa requirements to Norway/the Schengen area will need a valid visa, as previously described. For more information about Svalbard check this website.
Norway is almost a cashless country nowadays and paying by creditcard is accepted almost everywhere, even for small sums. Also payment app Vipps is becoming more and more popular in Norway, allowing you to pay with your mobile phone without the need for a payment terminal. Even though cash is not necessary in Norway, ATM machines can be found everywhere, even in rural areas. Using ATMs in Norway is easy as the machines are modern and offer the option to choose the interface language, English is available as a standard.
In general, the opening hours in Norway are very similar to most other Western European countries. Shops are in general weekdays 10-17 and Saturday 09-15. Many shops are closed on Sundays and Thursday is generally the day for evening shopping. Shopping centres have extended opening hours Monday to Friday from 10-21 and Saturday 10 -18. Bars and restaurants, open almost every day from noon to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm; some do not close between lunch and dinner.
Time: GMT + 1 hour
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (is Norway’s largest airport and the airport is located north of Oslo, the distance from Oslo Airport to the centre is 50 kilometres)
Bergen Airport Flesland (is located in the small village of Flesland, is the second busiest airport in Norway, situated south of Bergen)
Trondheim Airport (is located near the small town Værnes in the municipality of Stjørdal, 32 kilometres from the city centre)
Stavanger Airport Sola (the airport is located southwest of the city in the municipality of Sola, 14 kilometers from the centre)
Tromsø Airport Langnes (located in the far north of Norway, far above the Arctic Circle, this airport is situated northwest of the city on the island of Tromsøya, 5 kilometers from the city)
Norway has a well-established public transport system and a large network of buses, ferries, trains and planes. There are many different transport companies in Norway, some of which specialise in local services, while others run long-distance services. If you are travelling by train, tram, bus or on the underground, it is cheaper to buy a ticket beforehand than on board. Tickets for the underground, trains, boats and buses in greater Oslo area are available from kiosks such as Narvesen, MIX and Deli de Luca, from ticket machines and/or from staffed ticket windows at the stations. There are many different kinds of tickets: single tickets, day passes, weekly passes, travel cards and monthly passes. Further information about tickets and fares.
By train, Norway has a well-developed railway network stretching from Kristiansand in the south to Bodø above the Arctic Circle. You can buy train tickets until 90 days prior to departure. The easiest and often cheapest way to book tickets is online. Bringing bikes and ski equipment on the train is generally allowed for a fee.
By bus, every city and town in Norway has a local bus service, and there is an extensive network of express coaches throughout the country. Express coaches link all the major towns, airports, and ferry terminals, and many of the coaches connect with each other and with local services. Coach travel is usually a lot cheaper than travelling by plane or train and most operators offer discounts to students, children, senior citizens, and families. Many also encourage online booking in advance and offer both discounts and guaranteed seating for those who do. If you are travelling in a large group, you must book your ticket well in advance. Usually, there is no problem to bring bikes and skis for a fee. You can check the availability and the different routes here.
Norway is a coastal nation, ferries and boats are among the most important modes of transportation and very well integrated with road services. Certain longer or scenic ferry services may need to be booked in advance to ensure you get a spot.
Another option is the campervan or motorhome. Norway is very tolerant of campervan visitors, although numbers have increased exponentially over the past five years. You can practice free or wild camping in Norway where the land is not owned or cultivated or where there is no signage forbidding it. Norwegian drivers are usually disciplined and calm, happy to give way and wait where necessary. The road system is well maintained, even on smaller ‘B’ type roads, and often you may drive long distances without seeing other vehicles, although expect roads around popular tourist attractions to be busy. But it is important to know that there is not enough time to explore the country fully. Do your research and plan carefully, it will always take longer than you think. Some of the old roads along the edges of the fjords, which have not yet been replaced with a road tunnel and can be a bit tight so drive with caution as you will meet lots of other large vehicles. There is a sophisticated and comprehensive toll system in Norway. You will know you are on a toll road by the signage of a camera and Wi-Fi, but it is safe to assume if you are on a major main road, it will be a toll road. Here you can find more information about toll roads.
Buying bottled water when travelling (you can perfectly drink tap water), leaving trash and toilet paper behind when there are not public toilets, parking along the roadways and blocking the traffic, being loud people that are too loud are considered impolite by most Norwegians, not paying enough attention to traffic coming your way in tight fjord roads, indoor smoking in most public places, hiking without appropriate equipment (you can have all kinds of weather within a day in Norway) and information about the route.
Traditional Norwegian cuisine is strongly influenced by the hard scandinavian winters, relying on preserved foods and available fresh products such as game and fish. Some examples of traditional dishes include: “Fårikål”, a hearty stew which is quite easy to prepare, and a popular dish in the cold winter months; “Sodd”, a traditional mutton soup with potatoes and carrots; “Brunost” or brown cheese); “Lapskaus” a stew that can be made with fresh or leftover meats such as beef or lamb, with potatoes and vegetables such as onions, carrots, rutabaga, celery root as well as various spices and herbs.
You will typically find European plug types, C and F (2 round pins, unearthed and earthed, respectively). Norway operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Norway has universal health and social insurance coverage, known as the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). It is available to all citizens of EEA countries and Switzerland by means of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which proves that you are entitled to coverage of urgent healthcare in Norway, under the same conditions as a Norwegian citizen. If you are entitled to the EHIC card, you should absolutely order one in plenty of time and carry it with you during your trip. If you show your EHIC, you should be charged only the standard patient fees applicable in Norway. These are the same as a Norwegian would pay and therefore are non-refundable.
If you have had to pay full costs for medical care, contact the public health authority in your home country for reimbursement once you return home. The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Svalbard. It is therefore strongly recommended to purchase travel insurance before you go there. The EHIC is not a substitute for insurance. If you get ill in Norway but your condition is not deemed urgent, having your own insurance policy is the only way to avoid a hefty bill. European citizens should still consider taking out appropriate travel insurance that covers ongoing medical treatments and costs, alongside cover for lost luggage, cancelled flights and so on.
Tourists from all other non-European countries are not entitled to reimbursement for medical treatment given in Norway or any subsidy of travel costs home. However, anyone staying in Norway is entitled to medical care as long as it is an urgent medical necessity. Citizens of certain countries may have specific entitlements by agreement. This should be checked with your home country’s public health authority before you travel. Although entitled to urgent medical care, non-European visitors will need to pay the full cost, typically with no prospect of reimbursement in absence of an specific travel insurance policy.
Tipping to reward good customer service in Norway and/or adding a service charge to a bill in a restaurant is not part of traditional Norwegian culture. Unattended food stalls selling fresh local products during the summer are found on roadside rest areas, pay and take what you payed for. Alcohol is extremely expensive in Norway, so consider abstinence while in Norway to contain the already high restaurant bill.