Norway Tourism And Travel Guide

Norway is one of the northernmost Scandinavian country, known for its fjords, glaciers, forests and the Northern Lights. The country was the stronghold of Vikings at one time in history and is still immersed in the deep roots of Norse Gods and Nordic myths. The tourism in Norway hence is a mix of history, culture and the most natural nature, what with the Arctic Circle and the crisp, ice blue ocean surrounding the country. To know more about Norway, read this little travel guide for your next holiday preparation.

From India, you have a few connecting flights to Norway, but the better option is to fly to Sweden or Denmark and then take another flight to Norway.

By Air:

Norway’s most significant airport is the Oslo International Airport and it mostly connects to Scandinavian and European destinations, with only a few flights to other continents. So the best way to reach Norway from India is to either take a connecting flight from Mumbai to Oslo, or fly to Stockholm in Sweden and then take a fight to Oslo. 

By Rail:

You can travel to Norway from almost anywhere in Scandinavia and even Europe. The trains come into Oslo as the central hub from Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg and Helsingborg very frequently. Domestically also Norway is well connected thanks to the NSB or the Norwegian State Railways.

By Road:

You can cross into Norwegian borders by road from Finland as well as Sweden. The highways are great and you can hire a car or even go for one of the Eurolines buses.

By Sea:

A lot of boats, ferries, cruises and catamarans ply to Norway’s shores from other Scandinavian and European countries like Iceland, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Russia. Bodo, Bergen and Ålesund are the major ports.

Norway is a summer as well as winter destination, depending on the activities you wish to indulge in.

Spring (March to May):

Spring is a good shoulder season to visit Norway on a budget. The snow has melted and rhododendrons are the highlight of the country as they bloom. You can see migratory birds return and indulge in kayaking, hiking etc without too much crowd, and a mild 6-16°C temperature range.

Summer (June to September):

Summers in Norway are extremely crowded, with the temperature touching a nice warm 22°C. At this time, you will find hiking, kayaking, fishing, cruising along fjords the most common activities, along with the midnight sun phenomenon. 

Autumn (October to November):

Autumn sees at lest 10 rainy days per month here and is not the best time to visit. The sky is dreary even on days it does not rain so nothing much can be done outdoors. November can however be the shoulder season to see Northern Lights in the northernmost regions.

Winter (December to February):

The best time to see Northern Lights, especially in Tromso and Lofoten Islands; winters are freezing but very rewarding. You can also indulge in reindeer sledding, skiing and other snow adventure activities.

Midnight Sun Safari:

You can indulge in a safari down the Lofoten Archipelago near the Arctic Circle to see the midnight sun, as it hovers just above the horizon on the ocean. May to July are the best months for sighting the midnight sun on these RIB boats.

Reindeer Sledding:

Travel to Tromso or Bodo during the thick of winter and indulge in reindeer sledding, where a couple of reindeer will pull your sled through the ice slopes and plains, making you feel like Nicolas Claus himself!

Cruise through Fjords:

Fjords or the steep mountains with gorges and crevices are a unique geographical feature of Norway and can be best enjoyed on cruises. Your boat will zip through the stream or river between these gorges, spiking adrenaline through your body. Geirangerfjord and Næroyfjord have some of the best cruises in summer.

Take a Train in Flam:

A train ride to the village of Flam is one of the best rollercoasters you will experience. The train goes up and down steep slopes, shows you some amazing landscapes and also stops at a waterfall. How amazing!

See Northern Lights:

Of course, Norway is synonymous to Northern Lights and most tourism attracted this way is for these fiery skies. The best places for viewing Northern Lights include Bodo, Tromso and Lofoten Islands. You can camp outside, take a boat cruise or reindeer sled while enjoying these bursts in the sky.

In Norway, eat the traditional items and find yourself immersing in a culture that has evolved over two centuries. Try the Brunost or brown cheese spread over breads or pancakes, go for fish dishes like salmon, pickled herring and Fiskeboller (fish balls), as the Norwegians love their fish. For street food, you will find almost every cafe and stall selling the delicious Norwegian waffles, lathered with jam or cream cheese or brown cheese. Hot dogs are also quite famous on the streets, as are potato lefse or sweet potato pancakes (especially during Christmas). If you are up for it then also do try the favourite Norwegian delicacy of Reindeer meat, and partake in Aquavit or the ‘water of life,’ an alcoholic beverage that was drunk by Vikings.

Norway is not a very fashion oriented destination so hold your horses. You can, however, shop for traditional and local stuff like knitted Norwegian sweaters, Viking jewellery and headgear, Viking drinking bowls etc. For souvenirs, take back Lucky Troll figurines, Brown cheese jars, Jams and local Liquorice candies.