Norway

Cruise the deep Atlantic fjords or take a break in the charming cities of Oslo and Bergen; fish the rivers, go mountain climbing or glacier hiking in the pristine wilderness, or take a trip to the Arctic city of Hammerfest for the incredible northern lights.

Oslo
Norway’s capital and home to some half a million citizens, cheerful and cosmopolitan Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals. Its location at the head of an inlet known as the Oslofjord and at the foot of some deep and enchanting woods connects this modern and progressive city inextricably to its Viking past. Oslo is home to some fascinating and enlightening museums and architecture and can boast the title of the gourmet capital of Scandinavia.

Bergen
A jewel of a city set among seven sweeping hills and close to some stunning fjords, Bergen is Norway’s second largest city. A lively university town, Bergen is steeped in culture and offers an inspiring mix of the ancient and the modern. The city is pleasantly compact and features a labyrinth of cobblestone streets as well as green and verdant areas perfect for rest and relaxation.

Stavanger
Enjoy a trip to dynamic and cosmopolitan Stavanger, a confident and prosperous city offering something for everyone. Probably the tidiest and most user-friendly of all of Norway’s cities, Stavanger is an interesting mix of old and new, with its historic harbour being home to some modern and eclectic architecture and its many museums offering an insight into history both local and national.

Tromso
Boasting the liveliest nightlife in Norway, Tromsø is a small and spirited city set largely on an island close to the wild and savage nature of the polar region to the north. Dominated by breathtaking snow topped peaks and the starting point for many polar expeditions, the city enjoys a surprisingly pleasant climate and features round the clock activity during the almost perpetually bright days of summer.

Activities and Tours

Emanuel Vigeland Museum
Emanuel Vigeland Museum at Slemdal is one of Oslo's best kept secrets. The museum's main attraction is a dark, barrel vaulted room, completely covered with fresco paintings. The 800 sq.m. fresco Vita depicts human life from conception till death, in dramatic and often explicitly erotic scenes.

Jotunheimen National Park*
Jotunheimen (“Home of the Giants”) National Park has long been recognized as one of Norway's premier hiking and fishing regions. The national park covers 1,151 km² and is part of the larger area Jotunheimen. More than 250 peaks rise above 1,900 metres.

*Norsk Folkemuseum
Norsk Folkemuseum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History at Bygdøy in Oslo, has a large open air museum. It was established in 1894 by Hans Aall and contains 155 buildings which have been relocated from different districts of Norway. Among its more significant buildings are Gol stave church from the 13th century, Raulandstua from the 14th century, and the 18th century tenement building relocated from Wessels gate 15 in Oslo.

Akershus Slott and Festning
A visit to Oslo is incomplete without taking in the medieval Akershus Castle and Fortress. As you wander around the castle you'll find tiny rooms where outcast nobles were kept, in stark contrast to the far more elaborate dining halls and staterooms on the upper floors.

Travel Tip and useful information

Climate
Coastal areas have a moderate climate owing to the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. Inland temperatures are more extreme with warm summers and often very cold winters (November to March). In general, the lowlands of the south and the inland mountains experience colder winters than the coastal areas. Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent inland snowfalls during the winter. The northern part of the country inside the Arctic Circle has continuous daylight in midsummer, and twilight all day during winter.

Population
There are approximately 4.7 million Norwegians, most of whom live in urban areas and all of whom enjoy uncrowded surroundings. The Sami (formerly known as the Lapps) are the indigenous people of Norway with origins in the northern regions of Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

Transport
Norway also has an extensive bus network, with routes connecting every main city as well as more remote areas. The national rail system is good, though somewhat limited, with main lines running from Oslo to Stavanger, Bergen, Åndalsnes and Bodø.

Time Zone
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +1 hour

Currency and credit cards
The Norwegian currency consists of "kroner" (NOK). The use of credits cards is widespread in Norway, and they are accepted almost everywhere. Eurocard, MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Diners Club are the most common. Traveller’s checks are accepted, and these should be purchased before arriving in Norway.

Dress Code
Whatever the season, the Norwegian weather is liable to change from day to day. So it is a good idea to bring a selection of items. Your luggage should include some light clothes, items you can layer (that way you can add or remove layers depending on temperature), at least one warm jumper, waterproof coat and/or umbrella and comfortable walking shoes/boots/trainers.