Norway Travel Guide

Fjords, reindeer, cross-country skiing and the northern lights. These are just a few of the icons of this striking corner of Europe, which in amongst its snow-capped peaks hides overwhelming, spine-tingling natural beauty. Norwegians have a love affair with nature, and preservation as well as adventurous exploration is high on the agenda. Even Norway’s cities find themselves perched in enviable, eye-candy locations.

Capital Oslo, for example, occupies the shorelines of a craggy fjord, and is backed by miles of thick woodlands. It’s an expensive but easygoing city, home to c… read moreountless impressive museums and the perfect place to sample akevitt (the potent, vodka-like local spirit) and Lapskaus (traditional meat stew with vegetables). Skiing, sailing, kayaking, hiking, ice-skating and countless other winter sports lie a mere stones throw from the city, and a plethora of pricey bars and restaurants that – for those with the budget – make for a night out that sits just to the wild side of classy.

Norway’s other major cities are equally stunning: Bergen’s timber houses and gentle harbor sit amongst seven hills and seven fjords. Stavenger’s rowdy waterfront is the sole bustling corner of a quiet, picturesque city, while Tromso’s notable reputation for partying harder than anyone else brings the colorful street scenes alive with artists against a backdrop of snowy peaks.

Of course, you’ll want to get out into the wilderness, too, and there are plenty of accessible opportunities for that. Preikestolen, for example, offers vertigo inducing views over dazzling Lysefjord, while the Flamsbana railway gives a cozy ride through the creeks and past snow-capped peaks without even having to get your feet wet. The Kyrstriksveien Coastal Road takes in magnificent scenery all the way up to the frosty expanses of the Arctic Circle; time your arrival and you might just catch a glimpse of the swirling natural sky lights of the aurora borealis.

In terms of nature, Norway really is close to untouchable, but it comes at an often-extravagant price. A glance at the midnight sun, or a windswept fjord fading across the horizon, however, will quickly have you forgetting the hotel bill and reserving a few more nights. And that's if you don't get a glance at the Northern Lights.