Welcome to Norway, the natural choice if you are looking for unspoiled nature, clean air and the true feeling of contact with nature. The panorama of the Norwegian fjords and mountains make it hard to arrange a suitable travel itinerary from abroad and therefore, we have selected a series of itineraries that include the places and the most popular and beautiful destinations.
The Sognefjord, the Hardangerfjord, Geirangerfjord, and Lysefjord Preikestolen, the spur the pulpit, the Postal boat that travels along the west coast, Lofoten islands, mountainous areas and glaciers, the famous travel along the rail trail Flåm and the line Bergensbanen from Oslo to Bergen and major cities Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Alesund, Trondheim, Bodo & Tromso.
At the northern end of Europe, Norway extends up to Nordkapp, the village from where you can admire the coast and the Arctic Ocean. This mysterious country, where the sun to go down hard in the summer and where amazing aurora borealis appear in winter, is extremely rich in beautiful natural places. In addition to the glaciers, which are becoming increasingly rare, the coast is punctuated by hundreds of fjords behind which rise the imposing mountains. Summer or winter make the trip totally different, but equally surprising for tourists.
Norway is a tourist destination indeed suggestive of the beauty of the fjords, the nature and distinctive villages. The variety of scenery is extraordinary: the regions of the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands, colorful farms at the foot of the glaciers, wild parks, the fishermen's houses built on stilts, high mountains and broad valleys make the varied landscape and full of contrasts. And then the spectacle of the midnight sun, the presence of the people of Sami Sami, the traces left by the Vikings and their customs, legendary places such as the North Cape make this tourist destination a route inevitably exciting and full of charm.
A country of mountains, fjords and glaciers during the Ice Age, the ice has dug deep valleys of the rivers in the mountains. As a result of climate change, most of the ice melted and the valleys slowly filled with salt water of the coast, thus creating the fjords. Not all the ice melted, however, leaving part of the mountainous areas covered by ice, resulting in the creation of the glaciers and the nature that makes Norway travel destination of extraordinary interest.
Given that Norway is positioned far north, the summer nights are bright and passing the Arctic midnight sun shines during the summer nights. Nature, therefore, has given us some of the sights more exotic and spectacular in the world. A quarter of the country is covered by forests. To the north is the Tundra, white in winter and becomes a huge blooming meadow in spring, on the south span thousands of square miles of forests of oak, beech and birch. In the thick of forests and vegetation you can meet wonderful animals, such as reindeer, foxes, bears, wolves. In watercourses which flow into the sea abound trout, salmon and pike. And they live in the sea, unaware of being among the most important for the national economy, cod and herring.
The climate of the west coast is relatively mild because of the warm current of the Gulf, which runs along the coast, with summer temperatures comfortable 15 to 20 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures normally above 0 degrees Celsius. Inland and in mountainous areas there are generally cold winters with snow, excellent for winter sports. In summer the climate is mild: the months from May to September are the best times to visit the country. It's the right season to enjoy the visits, thanks to whole days of light, and to stay long outdoors. To the north of the country, in the summer the sun never sets practically ever, is the time of the midnight sun.
Norway is a fascinating country closed between the mountains and the sea. On one hand, the Scandinavian Alps, with the highest peak of the mountain Galdhøpiggen (2,500 meters) in the massif of Jotunheimen. Across the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea that their waves crashing on the rugged coast, worn by time and storms, undisputed reign of the Fjords, one of the most important tourist attractions of the country. But in the rest of the country there are places and places rich in history and traditions that enrich the cultural heritage of Norway.
Norway is an uninterrupted succession of breathtaking scenery, from the coasts of the south to the majestic fjords, glaciers to tundra of Finnmark. Some regions of Norway entered the history of travel: those who have never heard magnify the region of the Fjords or the legendary North Cape. These classics have been added over the years the Lofoten Islands, the archipelago over the line of the Arctic Circle with rorbuer characteristic, and the Svalbard Islands, Norway before the last piece of the North Pole. Oslo and Bergen
The two cities are almost always the starting point of any trip to Norway. Oslo, the capital town at the fjord and surrounded by mountains, will allow you to discover the spirit of seafaring Norse: The Viking Ship Museum, the Museum of polar Fram, the Museum of the raft Kon Tiki well symbolize the close relationship between Norway and the sea. Bergen, the Capital of the Fjords, preserves its past in the Hanseatic League in the buildings that still exist in the neighborhood of the same name.
From Bergen beginning circuits to the great fjords, Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord, the peak of Preikestolen and glaciers of the interior, as well as cruises along the Atlantic coast on board the Hurtigruten postal fjords. Our suggestion Distances and characteristics of the territory recommend if you have not enough time, to devote more time to individual regions.
Do not try to merge into a 8 day trip to the Fjords, Lofoten and North Cape, however, do not you be able to discover and enjoy all that nature has to offer Norwegian. If you have already visited the Fjords, planned the trip in Arctic Norway, from Bodo to North Cape in Finnmark and, passing through the Lofoten, if you previously already reached the far north, choose a route that privileges the Fjords and the south-west coast. Travelling throughout Norway in a week is impossible.
The Norwegian capital, Oslo, is home to about fifty museums and many other attractions of interest. The most visited is the Vigeland Sculpture Park, in which there are more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron Gustav Vigeland. A dip in ancient history you can do in the Viking Ship Museum, where an exhibition of the best-preserved vessels dating back to ancient people.
An experience not to be missed is the navigation along the fjords to discover unspoiled landscapes, which can start from Bergen, with colorful houses roofed tip, to reach the delightful town of Ålesund, where you can breathe authentic atmosphere of the spectacular northern villages or Sognefjord, a deep fjord 204 km. Also for those who loves nature, it is highly recommended in the summer a cruise to Svalbard Icebreaker, to go and observe them in their habitat polar bears, seals, sea lions.
For many years now, the main cultural event in Norway is the one with the Bergen International Festival, two weeks in May and June full of music, literature, visual arts, dance, with performances illuminated by the sun even at night. In Oslo's lively music scene and festivals follow one another especially in the summer. The Norwegian Wood Rock Festival in mid-June, will be the stage for four days in a row-known names of the international rock scene.
Four days and three stages for the Øya festival, rock music festival which takes place in August. Of good caliber are the Oslo Jazz Festival and the Festival of Chamber Music, while the Inferno Metal Festival attracts every year from all over the world, on Easter Sunday, crowds of fans of the metal genre.
At Molde, in late July, is headquartered another important International Jazz Festival, the oldest in Europe. For the folklore, the most important event is the Competition Norwegian Traditional Music and Dance, which is held in a different location each year. The national holiday most felt throughout the country is the Constitution Day (17 May), during which many Norwegians wear traditional dress and children parade with flags.
In the traditional gastronomy of course dominates the fish of the sea and freshwater, typically smoked, pickled or boiled and served with sauces. First of all laks (salmon) and torsk (cod). Menus are also very present in the game, the moose, the reindeer and sheep, often accompanied by berries, as in Finnbiff reindeer steaks with a side of blueberries. The dried meat, said spekemat, is in the form of ham or sausage.
Starring shopping are knitted sweaters, from different regions of the country, and the design objects like glass, ceramics, jewelry, watches, household goods. Nice souvenirs are the sculptures made of wood, pewter or silver depicting the horses of the fjords or troll. Among the specialty food, obviously, stands out the smoked salmon or marinated , which is sold in convenient vacuum packs. In the capital, Oslo, one of the most interesting shopping area is Grunerløkka, where there are also independent shops of fashion and design.
To know the history of the ancient inhabitants Norwegian is very useful to read The Vikings by Johannes Bronsted. The volume Norway instead collects a series of photographs on the very beautiful country, including fjords. It is set in a late nineteenth-century Oslo (then called Christiania) the novel Hunger, one of the masterpieces of the great Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun, the Nobel Prize winner. Another classic is Peer Gynt, Henrik Ibsen's drama written in verse and inspired by Norwegian folk themes.
The most popular drink is beer, and among the spirits, l aquavit brandy derived from potatoes and flavored with caraway that also serves frozen accompaniment to salmon. In the restaurants of Oslo is on the table even the new Norwegian cuisine with refined dishes which have earned several Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Keep in mind that in Norway going to the restaurants costs rather expensive, and you can eat well and more economically in cafes.
The cultural institutional heritage in Norway is concentrated in the capital. The main places of tourist interest in Olso, such as the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Munch Museum, the National Gallery (Nasjonalgalleriet), the Akershus fortress, the Opera House, but also the Vigeland Park with its permanent exhibition of sculptures and works by the artist Gustav Vigeland, are visited by millions of tourists, and it is for this reason that the carrying capacity of the Norwegian capital is very large in proportion to the number of its inhabitants. Its easy to find a hotel in Oslo that meets the needs of different types of tourists who flock.
It's good to always put pack a warm sweater, even in summer, however, when in the evening the temperature can drop rapidly, then a waterproof jacket that shelters from the wind and rain, an umbrella and comfortable walking shoes with no problems. In the winter, heavy sweaters, thermal jacket, hat and boots. Comfortable shoes for walking and sports, Cotton clothes in summer, but with a sweater to keep on hand. If you point to the North, better predict wool jackets and sweatshirts even in good weather.
In winter, very warm boots, a padded jacket, sweaters, cashmere hat and scarf. Better to dress in layers. If you labour to sleep in the summer do not forget a mask for the eyes as the sun sets late and rises early. sure the electrical outlets in Norway are designed only for bipolar plugs. Check the electrical appliances that you'll use on the trip and if you bring an adapter.
Going to the extreme north of the Norwegian territory you get to the North Cape, which is the northernmost point of Europe. The visit usually takes place in the summer, but if someone happens beyond the Arctic Circle in winter has a good chance to witness the phenomenon of the aurora borealis. Attracts many tourists also Trondheim, the historic capital of Norway, founded by the Vikings in 997, with many cultural events of interest.
Starting with the ancient rock carvings at Alta in Finnmark county, or the Hanseatic Wharf in Bergen, or the mining town of Røros, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cultural tourist sites in Norway are also considered fjords Nærøyfjord in the county of Sogn og Fjordane and that of Geirangerfjord in the region of Møre og Romsdal.
Definitely more recent objects in the Kon-Tiki Museum, which preserves testimonies of several shipments of Thor Heyerdahl, including the famous raft which gives its name to the museum. On top of the hill Akerneset you can visit the Akershus Fortress, dating from the fourteenth century, where every day at 13:30 there is the traditional Changing of the Royal Guard. Not to be missed for lovers of painting, is the Munch Museum, which displays many works of the great Norwegian artist.
Among the things you should not miss on your trip to Norway, we can mention the ruins of the medieval cathedral in Hamar, the wooden church of Urnes, and why not, the international airport at Gardermoen, with the beautiful terminal in wood, stone and large windows opening onto a breathtaking view. Finally, a truly unique experience, is to bring about the culture and Sami (Lapp), starting for example from the theme park Sápmi Karasjok in the Plateau of Finnmark.
Getting there
SAS Scandinavian Airlines offers direct flights to Oslo Airport Gardermoen. Norwegian Air Shuttle has cheap flights. Even Ryanair connects Oslo.