Norway travel advice

2 min summary When to go Map & highlights Things to do Fjords & islands Killer whales Sami communities Walking ideas Northern Lights Families Advice Responsible tourism

Norway travel advice

Freewheeling all day long

Britt Elton from our supplier Discover Norway offers her Norway travel advice:
“Biking in the fjord landscape, you see spectacular waterfalls, green-blue fjords and high mountains covered with snow, changing side on the fjords with local ferries - which cyclists like! Rallarvegen is Norway’s most popular cycling route, from arctic mountain nature across the Hardangervidda National Park to the verdant Flåmsdalen valley – which has a lot of waterfalls – and the wild west coast.

You ride from the highest point (1,222m) down to zero! In northern Norway in summer, the sun never goes down! So you have light both day and night to see towering mountains, ocean vistas and thousands of islands. The landscape along the coast is easy to cycle - the highest points are often the bridges you pass over!”

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Breathe in the air

Laura Greenman from our supplier Magnetic North has something to say about the very air itself in her Norway travel advice: “One part of Norwegian life which influences many of our trips is the idea of Friluftsliv. Translated literally as 'free air life', Friluftsliv is about enjoying nature and the outdoors in a simple and uncomplicated way. It is not about conquering a mountain peak or going to any extremes of nature, but rather enjoying the outdoors and reaping the benefits of nature to our own well-being.”

So what time is it?

Andrew Appleyard from our supplier Exodus has Norway travel advice about the unique hours and conditions visitors may find themselves keeping at different times of the year: “The Northern Lights are a magical experience that one never tires of - but bear in mind you will be in virtual total darkness during the winter months up to at least January 26. In complete contrast, our summer voyages to the Arctic are in 24 hours of daylight! This makes for stunning wildlife viewing – but expect to get woken up at 3am if we see polar bears on the horizon or a pod of whales emerging from the bows of the ship.”

A secret enclave

Charles Wara from our supplier Aurora Borealis shares his Norway travel advice on a sometimes overlooked part of the country: “The eastern part of the county of Finnmark is a very under-rated region. It's a perfect area for winter activities like cross-country skiing and the Northern Lights, while in spring, summer and autumn it's great for bird watching, hiking and fishing. There's plenty to do and see.”

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Norway or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Health & safety

HEALTH

Tap water is safe in Norway - but beware drinking from streams as even the cleanest-looking water may harbour parasites such as giardia. Boiling will make it safe – or use purifying tablets such as Biox Aqua drops with you if you are going off the beaten track. Rabies is present in certain parts of Norway – specifically, Svalbard and Finnmark. Any bite from dogs, cats, foxes or bats is a potential risk - thoroughly clean the spot immediately with soapy water then apply alcohol or iodine solution.

SAFETY

Strict safety rules apply against the threat from polar bears on Spitsbergen. In recent years, visitors have been killed and others injured in attacks. If travelling beyond the main town Longyearbyen, travellers must be armed with – and proficient in using - a high-powered rifle. If camping, alarms must be set-up – and tested - around tents to warn of any approaching bear. Thankfully, your holiday company and tour leader or guide will take care of all of this! Always check weather forecasts and information on other local conditions (e.g. crevasses on glaciers) before setting out cross country – hikers and skiers have died after ignoring advice in popular hiking areas. Conditions can become treacherous almost any time of the year apart from July and August. And even in high summer, be aware of the risk of avalanches, particularly in high areas like Jotunheimen. Your tour leader should stay up to date. Never venture onto a glacier without proper equipment and experience, and always consult locals on current conditions. And of course, even better, go with an experienced guide.

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Tips from our travellers in Norway

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Norway travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.

Make sure you have excellent binoculars, a really powerful zoom on the camera, and are prepared to take literally thousands of photographs.

– Justin Watts

“Visit the Art Gallery and Museum in Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen).” – John Vose

“Listen to your guide - they know what they are talking about and are responsible for the safety of you and the rest of the group - don't wander off.” – Julie Davis

“Bring warm clothes - even in summer. The temperature can go from being really quite warm when the sun is out to being pretty cold when it isn't!” – Mark Heron

"Don't set your heart on seeing anything specific. Be prepared for the changes in weather. It's not as challenging as I expected - to take account of the huge spectrum of ages and abilities. But most of all HAVE FUN!" – Lisa Thomas

"Try and keep a spare night free in case you fail to see lights the first time you try" – Amandeep Manget

Don't expect a close up of a polar bear, that would be very rare. They are usually spotted in the distance on a mountainside or beach.

– Keith Brignell

"Make sure you have petrol if driving although there are filling stations, they do not take cash and are often unmanned so credit card essential" – Jo Dunstone

"If you want good photographs make sure you have a camera with long range focus as you are often at a distance from wildlife so as not to disturb them" – Susie Barrett

"Go for it! The weather was sunny on 4/6 days and temps varied between 10-25 degrees. As long as you remember to take warm clothes and waterproofs, there is no problem. The adventure will be one of my most memorable holidays" – Sally Sheppard

More about Norway

Best time to visit Norway

The best time to go to Norway can depend on whether you’re visiting Bergen, Tromso or Spitsbergen which is why our handy temperature & rainfall chart features all three destinations and our month by month guide is just as useful as our cultural pick from the Norway calendar.

Norway travel guide

Our Norway travel guide takes you beyond the myths and legends in order to let you discover what we rate & what we don’t about a country that’s just as famous for trolls as it is for fjords; read our brief history of Norway to find out more.

Norway map & highlights

From Kirkenes, Svalbard and the Lofoten Islands in the north to Telemark, Stavanger and Jotunheiman National Park in the south, if you’re looking for places to visit in Norway then always make our interactive map page your first port of call.

Things to do in Norway

Things to do in Norway will usually start and finish with the fjords however, if you want to know where to cycle, trek and watch walrus, elk and puffins then read on for our suggestions for top activities in Norway.

Fjords & islands in Norway

Norway’s coastline has been designed with natural beauty in mind with deep fjords and remote islands transforming ferry rides into some of the most scenic voyages in Europe.

Killer whale watching in Norway

If you've always wanted to witness the humbling sight of humpback and killer whales in the wild then Norway, in the fjords to the north of Tromso, is one of the best places in the world to do just that.

Northern Lights watching in Norway

Watching the Northern Lights in Norway will have you wide eyed with wonder and if you want to know where, when and how to watch the world’s most spectacular natural light display, right here is where your adventure begins.

Sami communities in Norway

If you’re visiting Norway then it’s really important to learn a bit more about the Sami communities in Norway which represent the relationship between Scandinavia’s indigenous people and the natural world.

Walking in Norway

Walking in Norway lets you feel the rocks as they steadily rise to 600m; you can hike through fells and fjords and spend nights in mountain lodges; and you can tuck into traditional Norwegian cuisine, like gravlaks, salmon or lingonberry-covered reindeer, safe in the knowledge that by George you deserve it!

Travelling in Norway with kids

Find out what Responsible Travel recommend for travelling in Norway with kids as from troll hunting and Viking heritage to snow shoeing and dog sledding we’ve asked our experts so you can discover what to do with little ones before you head to Norway.

Responsible tourism in Norway

Do a little research into responsible tourism in Norway and you’ll soon find that whaling and the rights of indigenous Sami people are still high on the agenda when it comes to understanding how to travel right in Norway.