Norway Travel Guide
Breathtaking, adventurous, rugged, inspiring, photogenic, extraordinary…these are all words that can be used to describe Norway. It is hard to look at photos of Norway without saying “Wow!” over and over again. Norway is the land of fjords, quaint coastal towns, the Northern Lights, Vikings, trolls, dramatic photo spots, scenic drives, and some of the best hiking in the world. Whether you are coming here for a relaxing cruise through the fjords, an epic hiking adventure, or a trip to the Arctic Circle, Norway will not disappoint.
Norway Itineraries
Here are a few Norway itineraries to help you plan your trip. Spend 10 days in southern Norway, exploring Bergen, Stavanger, and the fjords or spend 10 days in northern Norway and the Lofoten Islands. Or, combine both areas into one epic trip.
10 Day Northern Norway Itinerary with the Lofoten Islands
The islands of northern Norway are the perfect destination if you enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and jaw-dropping landscapes. On this northern Norway itinerary, road trip from Tromsø down through Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, ending with several magical days in the Lofoten Islands. This is the type of trip where every day just seems to get better […]
10 Day Norway Itinerary: Summer Road Trip through the Fjord Region
For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, this Norway itinerary is perfect. In 10 days, you will be able to do four amazing hikes. Be daring and stand on Kjeragbolten, hike out to Trolltunga and pose for the camera, enjoy epic views out to the Atlantic Ocean from Romsdalseggen Ridge, and hike Norway’s most popular hike, Pulpit […]
10 Days in Norway: The Fjords and the Lofoten Islands
10 days in Norway…the options are endless for the best way to explore this gorgeous country. We have been to Norway twice and after each trip we wrote a 10-day Norway itinerary. Our 10 Day Norway Itinerary only covers the fjord region, from Stavanger to Ålesund, with epic hikes, fjord cruises, kayaking, and more. Our […]
Norway Inspiration
Here are a few articles about things to see and do in Norway.
14 Epic Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List
If you ask us, putting one foot in front of another on a hiking trail is the best way to experience Norway. Hike along the jagged mountain peaks of the Lofoten Islands, the picture perfect fjords in southern Norway, and through some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Stand on iconic Trolltunga and Pulpit Rock […]
Norway Bucket List: 20 Epic Things to Do in Norway
Norway is the land of fjords, quaint fishing villages, Vikings, trolls, the northern lights, the midnight sun, scenic drives, and some of the best hikes in the world. If you are planning a visit to this amazing country, here are 20 of the best things to do in Norway. So far, we have visited Norway […]
Southern Norway
In southern Norway, you have several amazing hikes to choose from, such as Trolltunga, Kjeragbolten, Pulpit Rock, and Romdalseggen Ridge. You can also do Norway in a Nutshell, explore Bergen and Stavanger, and go on scenic drives past the fjords.
10 Day Norway Itinerary: Summer Road Trip through the Fjord Region
For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, this Norway itinerary is perfect. In 10 days, you will be able to do four amazing hikes. Be daring and stand on Kjeragbolten, hike out to Trolltunga and pose for the camera, enjoy epic views out to the Atlantic Ocean from Romsdalseggen Ridge, and hike Norway’s most popular hike, Pulpit […]
Exactly How to Hike Trolltunga: Cost, Parking, Stats & Hiking with Kids
Trolltunga is one of Norway’s most popular hikes for good reason. It is an incredibly scenic hike, ending at the Troll’s tongue, a thin sliver of rock perfect for creative photographs. This is definitely a hike to add to your bucket list. We did the Trolltunga hike on our first visit to Norway. On that trip, […]
How to Do Norway in a Nutshell on Your Own
Norway in a Nutshell is a scenic tour of Norway. Targeted towards travelers on whirlwind tours of Norway, this is a convenient way to see the “best of the best” of Norway in just one day. If you only have a week in Norway and want to cruise the fjords and ride one of the […]
Kjeragbolten: Our Favorite Hike in Norway
When Tim and I first researched Norway as a travel destination, we repeatedly saw photos of what looked to be crazy people standing on a boulder with 3000 feet of empty space underneath of it. Who does this? As we learned more about the hike, Tim and I decided we wanted to join the club. […]
Hiking Kjeragbolten: Is It as Scary as It Looks?
The Kjeragbolten hike is one of the most spectacular hikes in the world. We have hiked on some amazing trails around the globe, in countries like Australia, South Africa, China, and Nepal. The four of us agree that the Kjeragbolten hike is still our favorite in the world. To read about our 20 favorite hikes in the […]
First Time Doing the Pulpit Rock Hike? Read This First!
The hike to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is one of the most popular hikes in Norway. With great views, a relatively easy hiking trail, and convenient accessibility from the town of Stavanger, this hike has a big appeal for many visitors to Norway. With that being said, you should expect big crowds in the summer months. […]
Hiking Romsdalseggen Ridge in Norway (+ Photos & Helpful Tips)
The Romsdalseggen hike is a point to point hike that traverses the Romsdalseggen Ridge, with views over the fjords, the town of Åndalsnes, and even out to the western coastline of Norway to the Atlantic Ocean. On our first trip to Norway, this was the hike that I was looking forward to the most. The […]
Where to Stay Near Trolltunga: Budget Hotels to Apartments with a View
Trolltunga is one of Norway’s best hikes. It is a very long day hike and for the best experience you should plan on spending the night near the start of the hike. Here are recommendations for some of the best places to stay near Trolltunga. Best Places to Stay Near Trolltunga When you look at […]
Northern Norway
Northern Norway is a beautiful road trip destination in Europe. The Lofoten Islands are one of the most popular areas to visit, but Senja and the Vesteralen Islands are also well worth your time.
10 Day Northern Norway Itinerary with the Lofoten Islands
The islands of northern Norway are the perfect destination if you enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and jaw-dropping landscapes. On this northern Norway itinerary, road trip from Tromsø down through Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, ending with several magical days in the Lofoten Islands. This is the type of trip where every day just seems to get better […]
Lofoten Islands Itinerary: Build Your Dream Adventure in Norway
The Lofoten Islands are one of the most stunning areas of Norway. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coastlines, and hiking trails criss-cross their way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe. If you are planning your Lofoten Islands itinerary, we have a lot of […]
How to Hike Ryten and Enjoy the View over Kvalvika Beach
The hike to Ryten has all of the ingredients of a perfect Lofoten Islands hike: sweeping vistas across the mountains and fjords, a fun but slightly strenuous hike to a mountain peak, and a breathtaking view of a white, sandy beach. The icing on the cake is a “mini Trolltunga,” an outcropping of rock where […]
Top Ten Things To Do in the Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands are a wonderland of jagged mountains, beautiful fjords, and white sandy beaches. This is a spectacular part of Norway to explore, especially for those who love scenic drives, hiking, and being outdoors. If you are planning a trip to Norway, here are 10 epic things to do in the Lofoten Islands. Best […]
14 Epic Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List
If you ask us, putting one foot in front of another on a hiking trail is the best way to experience Norway. Hike along the jagged mountain peaks of the Lofoten Islands, the picture perfect fjords in southern Norway, and through some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Stand on iconic Trolltunga and Pulpit Rock […]
Complete Guide to Climbing Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands
Svolvaergeita, also called “The Goat,” is a pinnacle of rock that is a popular rock climbing spot in the Lofoten Islands. It is named The Goat because of the two horns of rock that sit atop the rock. Those with a sense of adventure can climb to the top of Svolvaergeita and those who are […]
How to Hike Segla, An Iconic Peak in Senja, Norway
The hike up to the summit of Segla is one of Senja’s most popular hikes. And this was our main reason for visiting Senja. Many visitors skip past Senja, heading directly to the Lofoten Islands. But those people are missing out seeing a gorgeous part of Norway and some hidden gems. That’s fine…that means less […]
Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands | Top Picks for First-Time Visitors
If you are making a decision about where to stay in the Lofoten Islands, you have a lot of options. Take your pick from rorbuers (fisherman cabins that have been converted into small apartments), hotels, hostels, and campsites. Not only do you have to choose what kind of accommodation to stay in, you also have […]
How to Hike Svolvaer Fløya & Djevelporten in the Lofoten Islands
There are two ways to get a spectacular view over the town of Svolvaer…hike to the top of Svolvaer Fløya or climb Svolvaergeita. We did both on the same afternoon, making this one of our most memorable days in the Lofoten Islands. Svolvaer is one of the largest towns in the Lofoten Islands. Fløya is […]
Hiking to Måtind on the Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail, Vesteralen, Norway
Norway never ceases to amaze me. You know how you see photos online and think to yourself, “yeah, that looks nice…I’d like to do that.” And you get there and it’s so much better than you thought it would be? For us, that was the Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail on the Vesteralen islands. It’s not an […]
How to Hike Reinebringen (+ Where to Park)
Reinebringen, with its dazzling view over the fishing villages of Reine, Sakrisøy, and Hamnøy, is the most popular hike in the Lofoten Islands. It’s a hard, steep, challenging hike on long, stone staircases and muddy, rocky trails, so it’s not to be underestimated. Don’t let the short distance fool you…it’s a tough hike and you […]
Ørnfløya, A Short but Sweet Hike in Sommarøy, Norway
The view from Ørnfløya over Sommarøy is gorgeous! The hike up Ørnfløya is short and easy, perfect if you like the idea of getting an amazing view with minimal effort. This hike can be done as a day trip from Tromsø or if you are road tripping through Norway. How to Hike Ørnfløya Hiking Stats […]
Hiking Festvågtind in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
From the top of Festvågtind, the views over the fishing village of Henningsvaer are breathtaking. This hike is very similar to Svolvaer Fløya and Reinebringen, in that it’s a steep, somewhat unexciting climb to an awesome viewpoint. It’s absolutely worth it on a clear day but consider skipping this hike on a cloudy, rainy day. […]
Svalbard
Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago that is located in the Arctic Ocean. This is a land of glaciers, the northern lights, the midnight sun, and frozen tundra. Svalbard is a very cool destination to add onto your Norway itinerary (pun intended). Here are some articles to help you plan your visit.
Top Ten Things to Do in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Longyearbyen is the world’s northernmost city. This is a town where the streets have no names, reindeer wander through town, and there are more snowmobiles than people. If you have plans to visit Svalbard, Longyearbyen is where you will eat, sleep, and fill your time in between arctic adventures. The best thing to do in […]
Svalbard Travel Guide & Itinerary for First Time Visitors
Svalbard. An arctic playground where there are more polar bears than people. This is a land of glaciers, the northern lights, the midnight sun, and frozen tundra. Svalbard may seem barren, but it is filled with arctic wildlife like reindeer, walrus, and polar bears. If you like the idea of exploring the great outdoors, your […]
Svalbard Packing List: What to Pack for the Summer Months
One of the biggest questions we had while planning our trip to Svalbard was “what do we pack?” Svalbard is located so far north that it’s easy to assume that it will be ice-cold all year round. Good news! That’s not the case, at least not during the summer months. Even so, we packed an […]
Our Svalbard Budget: How Much Does it Cost to Visit Svalbard?
Do you have big dreams of visiting Svalbard? Then you probably also have the question how much does it cost to visit Svalbard? The short answer: it can be very expensive. We spent four days in Svalbard at the end of June 2018. Here is our Svalbard budget, with a full cost breakdown of flights, […]
Kayaking Adventfjord and Hiking Hiorthfjellet: A One Day Adventure in Svalbard
Svalbard offers a wide range of adventure activites. Ride on a rib boat and search for walrus, kayak in front of an active glacier, or cruise out to an abandoned mining town. For a really cool one day adventure, how about kayaking across Adventfjord and then hiking to the summit of Hiorthfjellet, one of the […]
Glacier Kayaking in Svalbard, Norway
Does the idea of kayaking in icy waters to get up close to a glacier sound like fun to you? If so, put the Icebreaker excursion with Better Moments on your list of things to do in Svalbard. We had a lot of awesome experiences in Svalbard, and this just may be the best one. […]
Cruising to Pyramiden, a Russian Ghost Town in Svalbard
Cruising to Pyramiden, an abandoned Russian mining town near Longyearbyen, is one of the most popular excursions in Svalbard. On the way, you also get to see a massive glacier, go whale watching, and if you’re really lucky, you could even spot a polar bear. According to National Geographic, Pyramiden is one of the top […]
Top Experiences in Norway
Hike to Trolltunga. Nowadays, almost everyone has seen the photos of people posing on a narrow outcropping of rock, with the dramatic scenery of Norway in the background. You can hike, bike, and climb to Trolltunga, this being one of the epic hikes possible to do in Norway.
Kjeragbolten. Quickly becoming another Norwegian icon, Kjeragbolten is a large boulder wedged between two cliffs. Do you dare step out onto this rock? Even if you don’t, the hike to get there is packed with breathtaking scenery.
The Northern Lights. Northern Norway is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights. The best chances to see the Northern Lights are during the winter months from the Lofoten Islands and Tromso.
Geirangerfjord. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Geirangerfjord is labeled is one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. View it from land, cruise ship, ferry, or kayak.
Trollstigen. Also called the Troll’s Footpath, this dramatic road is one of Norway’s most visited sites. This winding road provides more dramatic views and a chance to drive on one of Europe’s “most dangerous roads,” although we found it to be quite safe.
Svalbard. The Svalbard Islands are located between Norway and the North Pole. Visit polar bears, historic mining towns, and the town Longyearbyen.
Bergen. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Eat fish caught fresh from the ocean, visit Bryggen, the Hanseatic houses that dominate the harbor, and get a bird’s eye view of the city from the funicular.
Pulpit Rock. This is the most popular hike in Norway. Easily accessible from Stavanger, expect large crowds of people during the summer months.
Lofoten Islands. Located in the Arctic Circle, these islands are one of Norway’s most beautiful and off the beaten track destinations. Known for its quaint fishing villages, the Lofoten Islands are also spot to go surfing. Who knew?
Ålesund. This coastal town is one of the prettiest in Norway. It’s quick to visit and don’t miss the short uphill climb to a viewpoint over the city.
Tromso. Tromso is considered to be the northernmost city in the world and one of the best places to witness the Northern Lights.
Oslo. Oslo is Norway’s capital. Things to do include seeing the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian National Opera, and Akershus Castle.
How Many Days Do You Need in Norway?
For the best experience, plan on spending 10 days in Norway. This gives you enough time to explore a portion of southern Norway, go on a road trip through northern Norway and the Lofoten Islands, or combine both regions into one trip.
Best Time to Visit Norway
The best time visit Norway is between June and September. During this time, the weather is warm and the roads and trails are clear of snow.
If you plan to go hiking in Norway, you should be aware that the hiking season in southern Norway runs from June 1 through September 30. Outside of this time, you should only go hiking with an experienced guide.
Even if you don’t plan to go hiking, some roads in Norway can be closed from November through May.
Europe Travel Inspiration & Practical Info
30 Popular Tourist Attractions in Europe & How to Visit Them
From world class museums and ancient archaeological sites to stunning natural wonders, Europe boasts a diverse array of attractions that attract millions of visitors every year. Here are 30 of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe and how to visit them.
One Week in Europe: 25 Epic Itineraries
Do you dream of visiting world-class cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Venice? Or would you rather hike the Alps, go on a scenic train ride, explore the beautiful beaches and coastal towns in southern Europe, visit fairytale towns and castles, island hop in Greece, or go on an unforgettable road trip in northern Europe?
In this article we list 25 ways to spend one week in Europe.
10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries for Your Next Trip
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15 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe
Having a car provides a lot of freedom and convenience when traveling through Europe. You can travel at your own pace, stop frequently to take in the view, and get to some places that are difficult to reach with public transportation. However, there are some things to know about renting a car in Europe. Knowing […]
30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe (+ Map and Photos)
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7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe
If you are planning your first trip to Europe, it can be an overwhelming experience. Where should you go? How much will it cost? How many places can you visit? Does this sound familiar? We get emails every day from people who want advice planning their first trip to Europe. And we see the same […]
Best Hikes in Europe: Our 20 Favorite Day Hikes
Europe is one of our favorite places to go hiking. There’s no better way to explore the dramatic and varied landscapes here, from the snow-capped Alps to coastal trails to the remote, volcanic interior of Iceland. In this guide we list 20 of the best hikes in Europe, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful […]
Travel Photography Gear Guide: What’s In Our Camera Bag
Do you want to know how we capture the images that you see on our website? Here is our photography gear guide, with links and explanations of our photography gear and accessories. At the end of this post, we offer tips and tricks on how to take better photographs while traveling. Photography Gear Guide The […]
