Classic Norway Holidays

Norway is famous for its diverse landscapes and breathtaking natural attractions, such as the fjords, Lofoten Islands, and the Arctic Circle region. It is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and plenty of charming towns and cities. The capital Oslo is where the Nobel Peace Prize is decided and awarded every year. 

Learn more about Norway’s renowned attractions in our guides to Norway’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the best and most beautiful fjords.

The people of Norway speak Norwegian and Sami. English is also widely spoken in the country.

The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Find out more about exchanging currency and spending in our travel guide.

Norway has an abundance of attractions and activities to enjoy.

Did you know that you can go dog sledding in northern Norway? Or spend the night in a hotel made entirely of snow and ice? You can also join northern lights excursions and experience snow-capped mountain views. Visit during the winter or autumn months to experience these.

The great outdoors are at your fingertips in Norway and you can hike nature trails, drive pretty country roads on self-drive tours, and enjoy scenic rail journeys.

Norway fjords holidays are popular for good reason, as the country's famous natural attractions are not to be missed. You can see the fjords on kayaking excursions, cruises and ferry trips. For a stunning aerial view, you can take the Loen Skylift to see the Nordfjord area.

For more ideas check out our winter guide or article on the best things to do in Norway. Read our blog for the best road trips in Norway.

Norway is a great choice for a family trip as there are plenty of kid-friendly activities to enjoy, like dog sledding, fjord kayaking and nature walks. As well as this, it’s famous for scenic driving routes and dependable transport links which is ideal for when you’re travelling with youngsters.

The availability of excursions will depend on the season, so have a look at our guide on the best time to go to Norway.

Norway is a stunning holiday destination with extraordinary natural beauty and delightful cities and towns. Condé Nast Traveler has even rated it as one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Are you a budding photographer? You'll be treated to incredibly photogenic backdrops across Norway. Love driving and want the ultimate road trip? Norway was named the world’s greatest country for driving by The Telegraph. It’s family-friendly as well, with fun excursions like rib boat fjord safaris, glacier hikes and dog sledding available to entertain the kids.

Finding the best time to visit Norway will depend on your interests and the excursions you want to experience.

If you love exploring the outdoors, why not book one of our spring and summer holidays? You can go hiking around the picturesque fjord countryside and enjoy longer days too. As well as this, the milder weather means it’s a great time for bird watching and admiring the local wildlife.

On the other hand, if you want to experience snow-blanketed landscapes, then the winter months are perfect for you. Your getaway could feature excursions like dog sledding and northern lights tours in northern Norway or Svalbard.

For more ideas, have a look at our comprehensive guide on the best time to visit Norway.

The northern lights have enchanted mankind for thousands of years, and despite the many folktales and legends about them, we now know they’re a natural phenomenon.

Here are just a few of the best places to see the northern lights in Norway:

• Tromsø
• Kirkenes
• The Lofoten Islands
• North Cape (Nordkapp)
• Svalbard

Now you know some of the best locations to view the aurora borealis, check out the ideal time to go to Norway for sightings. Alternatively, have a look at our northern lights tours.

We recommend visiting northern Norway or the Svalbard archipelago to experience the midnight sun in June and July. This is because these destinations are located in the Arctic Circle and the further north you go, the longer the days are.

Svalbard is an estimated 2,030 kilometres (1,261 miles) from Oslo, Norway. It’s an Arctic archipelago that’s home to polar bears, walruses and Arctic foxes.

The cost of your holiday will depend on what you want to do in Norway. Excursions like fjord boat trips or walking food tours may add to the price of your trip. As well as this, stays in accommodation like the SnowHotel may cost extra.

Fortunately, if you book a Nordic Visitor break, a lot of your costs are already covered. Hotel stays and hearty breakfasts are included, as are any train or cruise tickets. We also provide Package Travel insurance, which is similar to ATOL protection. However, while the ATOL scheme protects flights, Package Travel insurance covers your tour purchase in the unlikely case of our insolvency. 

While Nordic Visitor tours are not all-inclusive holidays, they provide high-quality service and amazing value for Norway. Explore our itineraries to find one that suits you.

Nordic Visitor offers Package Travel insurance protection in line with EU regulations. Package Travel insurance is similar to the ATOL scheme but covers your tour with us, not flights that you book independently. 

You can travel in confidence with Package Travel insurance as it will safeguard your tour purchase in the unlikely event of our insolvency. See our Booking Terms and Conditions for more information about financial protection, or speak to a travel consultant.

Flight times can vary depending on your route and whether you’re flying to Oslo, Svolvær, Tromso, Bergen or Longyearbyen.

Here are some flight estimates:

• UK: travel time can range from 1.5-19 hours
• USA: travel time can range from 7-20 hours
• Australia: travel time can range from 18-30 hours
• South Africa: travel time can range from 14-43 hours
• India: travel time can range from 10-25 hours

Check out our travel guide for more information on airports and flying to Norway.

Yes, you can choose the ideal arrival date for your tour. We suggest that you book as soon as you can though, as activities and hotel stays can be in high demand, especially in places like Svalbard, Bergen and Kirkenes.

Already booked your tour but now need to change your date? Get in touch with your travel consultant who’ll be able to help.

All Nordic Visitor tours are customisable to suit your ideal wish list. However, tour flexibility depends on the type of package you choose.

Self-drive, independent cruise and train, and partially guided holidays are the most flexible options, and there’s plenty of wiggle room for extra activities and days.

Small guided group tours are less changeable due to pre-booked activities, but you can extend your stay with extra days at either end of your tour.

All of our breaks can be enhanced with hotel upgrades – ideal for those travelling for a special occasion or romantic honeymoon.

To get a better idea of the types of customisations and extras you can add on, explore our Norway holiday packages or get in touch with our friendly team of travel experts.

We recommend that you hold off buying your flights until you’ve had your package confirmed by email. The reason behind this is that once you’ve been introduced to your dedicated travel consultant, you’ll have all of the relevant tour details you need to book appropriate flights.

This means you can make an informed choice when deciding on flight tickets. By all means, review flights for times and dates beforehand. If you’ve had to change flights or the times you want aren’t available, speak to your travel consultant.

The weather in Norway is known to change throughout the day. We advise you to prepare for any eventuality by packing sensibly and bringing along items like good walking shoes, waterproof jackets and thermal layers. You’ll also want to charge your phone, tablet or camera while you’re there so remember to pack your chargers and adaptors.

Here’s a list of items to take with you to Norway:

• Fleece jacket and lightweight wool jumper
• Water and windproof trousers and jacket
• Sturdy walking shoes with a good grip
• Hat, scarf and gloves
• Warm woolly socks
• Binoculars for northern lights sightings
• Thermal vests and leggings
• Small rucksack for personal belongings
• Thermos flask or reusable water bottle

For more packing ideas, see our handy travel guide. If you’re planning on going to see the aurora borealis, here’s our article on what to wear for a northern lights viewing trip.