Norway tours & vacations

Nature isn’t just a backdrop here, it’s the star of the show
With jagged mountains that cover most of the country, sheer cliffs that plummet into the sea and over 1000 glacial fjords, Norway doesn’t hold back when it comes to mind-blowing landscapes. Hike up granite peaks under the glow of the Midnight Sun, uncover Viking tales on the Lofoten Islands or embrace the wintry charm of Tromso – one of the world’s top spots to see the Northern Lights. With a culture of friluftsliv (open-air living) and koselig (feeling cozy and content), it’s no wonder Norwegians rate themselves as some of the world's happiest people.
Get inspired on The Good Times
Norway at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Oslo (population approximately 1 million)
POPULATION
Approximately 5.5 million
CURRENCY
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
LANGUAGE
Norwegian, Sami
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris
CALLING CODE
+47
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
Learn more about Norway
Best time to visit Norway
Most of Norway has a maritime climate with cold winters and cool summers. However, due to its diverse topography, the climate varies throughout the country. Coastal areas are temperate with milder temperatures and more rain, while the mountainous interior is more extreme with snowy winters and dry summers. Inland areas in the north have an arctic climate and experience the Polar Night and Mightnight Sun.
While the perks of summer are clear (long days and mild weather), international and local tourists flock to Norway’s fjords and hiking trails in June and July. If you want to hike all day, stay up all night (because the sun pretty much doesn’t set) and don’t mind rubbing shoulders with other travelers, this could be the ideal time for you.
Winter in Norway is cold. In November through January, day temperatures are between 30°F and 39°F and the sun sets in the afternoon. That said, this is the only time of the year you can glimpse the stunning Northern Lights. Even if you don’t see the Aurora (you’ll have more luck the further north you go), the Christmas festivities and the snow-covered mountains make it a magical season to visit.
Spring and fall are both crisp in terms of temperature – think about 10°C in May and September. These shoulder seasons can be a good way to split the difference between winter and summer if you can handle some cold and moderate crowds.
History and culture
Today, Norway enjoys a high standard of living and is renowned for its mostly free and independent press and strong democracy. A love of nature permeates every level of society, from the freedom to camp on public land (known as the right to roam) to the old Norwegian joke about being born with skis on their feet. You’ll also come across a phrase that has no direct translation in English: ‘koselig’ (pronounced coosh-ly), which is best understood as the feeling of coziness and contentment that accompanies wholesome activities.
While the Viking Age is the most famous part of Norway’s history, it was fairly short. From around AD800 to AD1060, Scandinavian warriors traveled around the world to colonize and build alliances. After invasions into Scotland, England, and Normandy, Saint Olaf unified the country for the first time under Christianity.
Norway was joined with Denmark in the 14th century through a royal marriage and then given to Sweden in the early 19th century before achieving independence in 1905. It declared itself neutral during WWII, but that didn’t stop the Nazis from occupying the country as a strategic military stronghold. After a quick economic recovery after the war, one of Norway’s most significant events was the discovery of rich natural resources in the late 1960s – oil and gas exports quickly became Norway’s dominant industry and continue to provide most of its wealth.
Geography and environment
Norway occupies the northern corner of the Scandinavian Peninsula, with the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea hugging its northern, southern and western sides. It shares borders with Sweden, Russia, and Finland and swathes of north Norway, including the popular mainland city of Tromso and the Svalbard archipelago, which sits in the Arctic Circle.
Norway’s scenery is incredible, with forests, rivers, lakes, glaciers and almost a third of the land covered in mountains. However, the western fjord system is probably the most well-known landmark, with over 1,000 deep ravines formed by retreating or melting glaciers.
It also has over 200,000 islands, most of which are uninhabited, which protect the mainland from North Atlantic storms. The Lofoten archipelago is one of the most well-known thanks to its colorful fishing villages, steep mountains and rugged beaches.
Eating and drinking
Traditional Norwegian cuisine (think: meat and potato offerings) is simple, hearty and designed to keep you warm during those freezing winters. You’ll also find diverse cuisine options from around the world in Norway’s larger cities.
Things to try in Norway
1. Kjottkaker
Kjottkaker is basically a fried meatball, but flatter and without breadcrumbs, typically served with mashed or boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam and vegetables. It's ubiquitous in Norway, so you won’t have to look too hard to find it.
2. Farikal
Norway’s national dish is a perfect warmer for freezing winters (or even chilly spring or autumn nights). Simmered with cabbage and mild spices, pieces of lamb or mutton become fall-off-the-bone soft in this tasty and rustic meal.
3. Linie aquavit
This Norwegian brand of aquavit – a botanical vodka – is a potato-based spirit infused with caraway and other Nordic herbs and spices. It’s traditionally aged in sherry oak casks on a cargo ship that crosses the equator twice. Supposedly, the ship’s rocking motion and changes in temperature and humidity make it taste better.
4. Brunost (brown cheese)
Made by simmering the by-product of the cheese-making process (whey), then sliced and served on bread or crackers, sweet and salty brown cheese is an iconic lunch or breakfast accompaniment.
5. Sursild (pickled herring)
Herring is salted before being submerged in pickle liquid of vinegar, onion and a mix of spices such as peppercorns, mustard seeds and allspice. Tangy and slightly sweet, it's typically served on buttered bread for breakfast.
Money matters
Major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted throughout Norway. While credit card payments are popular, it's still worth carrying cash for everyday items or smaller retailers.
You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Norway's cities and urban areas, but they can be harder to find in remote regions, so prepare accordingly before leaving the cities.
Norway travel FAQs
Nationals of many countries, including the European Union, the European Economic Area and some other nations (e.g. the US, Canada and Australia), do not need a visa for short stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, nationals of many other countries do require a Schengen visa to enter Norway.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Tipping isn’t mandatory or widely expected in Norway. Most workers, including waitstaff, are paid union-approved liveable wages, so tipping is at the customer's discretion. Feel free to round up the bill if the service is particularly good.
Yes, you can drink tap water in Norway. In fact, it’s some of the best-tasting tap water in the world, so pack a reusable bottle and take advantage. It’s always considered safe to drink unless otherwise marked.
Internet access in Norway is great, with almost 100 per cent of the country having access to a connection. In Norway's major cities and towns, you can access the internet on your phones with global roaming switched on (be careful of charges) and at cafes and free wi-fi hot spots.
Even more remote and rural areas will likely have internet access, though it may be slower in towns like Tromso and Trondheim.
Cell phone coverage is generally very good in Norway. If you want to use your cell phone, ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive (but be aware of the fees this may incur).
Flushable, Western-style toilets are the standard in Norway.
Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2009, and citizens have had the legal right to self-determine their gender since 2016. Norway has strong anti-discrimination laws regarding LGBTQIA+ individuals and public opinion is largely positive.
There are visible LGBTQIA+-friendly scenes in all midsize to large cities. Oslo’s is the biggest and the official Oslo tourism website even has a section dedicated to LGBTQIA+ spaces and events in the city.
We recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel for more detailed and up-to-date advice.
If you’re travelling with Intrepid, you’ll be roomed with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned to your passport, please let us know when booking, and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some trips for travelers who don’t wish to share a room.
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveler
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customized trip just for you.