Norway Travel Tips and Insider Guides
Click a city or region to browse our insider travel tips and guides about Norway.Read Our Insider's Guide To Norway
Norway is one of the most stable countries in the world and it boasts an environment mostly protected from the ravages of progress and modernization. Norway is famous for its thousands of fjords, deep forests and snow-capped mountains. The early Norwegians were the first Vikings (along with the Danes) and when they ceased raiding the coasts, they built some of Europe’s... [Read the full story]
Our Insider's Articles about Norway
Photographer Andrea Albertino chronicled his trip to Norway with these stunning photographs. Click on each photo to enlarge. Norway... [Read the full story]
The lovely city of Alesund is situated among the fjords in the Sunnmore region of Norway. Amazingly, there are subsea tunnel... [Read the full story]
The lovely city of Alesund is situated at the peak of the fjords in the Sunnmore region and consists of five Islands. Amazingly,... [Read the full story]
A trip to Norway would be incomplete without a ride on the spectacular Flam Railway. This journey, involving two trains and a... [Read the full story]
About Norway
The northernmost country in Europe, Norway has mountains, arctic plains, fjords, alpine lakes, and coastal villages crammed with Art Nouveau buildings. A host of activities await visitors, from dog sledding and riding the cable car up Mount Floyen to climbing on the marble exterior of the Oslo Opera House. Here are tips to help guide you on your trip to Norway.
Norway is an expensive country, and it has one of the highest standards of living in the world. In tune with its environment, the country has done a great job at preserving its natural resources. Sweden, Finland, and Russia border Norway to the west, and the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea lie to the east. The northern part of the country is in the Article Circle, and the northern lights can be spectacular. The coastline is one of the most rugged and longest in the world, and a popular activity is taking a cruise and stopping along the coastal towns. Norway has over 50,000 islands. Alternatively, you can join a ship and journey through Norway’s fjords. The capital of Norway is Oslo, which is the most metropolitan of Norway’s cities, with museums, a good nightlife, and plenty of restaurants. Bergen is one of the most touristy cities, and it has one of the most beautiful waterfronts in Norway. It is composed of ancient Art Nouveau houses, painted a variety of colors, made from timber from the nearby forests, that are built right on the water’s edge. Stravanger has a lively pub scene, and it’s worth hiking the strenuous trail to Pulpit Rock, an outcropping with a sheer drop into Lysefjord. One of the country’s most popular ski resorts is in Gielo.
As of July 2011, U.S. travelers do not need a visa to visit Norway for 90 days or less. The official currency is the Norwegian Krone; Euros are not accepted. The best way to get cash is by ATM, and major credit cards are commonly accepted. The official language is Norwegian, and Sami is also official in some regions. English is spoken prevalently.
Because many of Norway’s most important sights are found in nature, rent a car and pack your hiking boots. If traveling on a budget, buses run to a significant number of national parks. Trains and domestic flights provide a very reliable way of getting between cities and towns. The Flam Railway, one of the steepest tracks in the world, takes visitors through some of Norway’s most beautiful terrain. The Oslo Airport, which is located 29 miles from Oslo, is the largest in the country.
