Norway is unique thanks to its blend of mountainous and coastal scenery. Did you know that Norway boasts the longest coastline in Europe? Or that it has the highest concentration of fjords in the world? Visit Norway and you’ll be treated to astounding views, traces of Viking history, and so much more.

Read more about Norway facts and what Norway is known for on our blog.

Norway, like other countries in the Nordic region, is considered a safe country to visit. There are low levels of crime and high standards of healthcare. The fact that Norway ranks highly both in the Global Peace Index and World Happiness Report is reassuring when you’re planning a trip here.

Learn more about health and safety in Norway on our travel guide.

Norway is brimming with beautiful fjords – narrow sea inlets that were formed during the ice age. When you visit the Norwegian fjords, the sight of jewel-like waters, soaring cliffs and natural wildlife will leave you in awe.

These are the must-see fjords we recommend you visit on your Norway vacation:

• Geirangerfjord
• Sognefjord
• Aurlandsfjord
• Nærøyfjord
• Hardangerfjord
• Lysefjord
• Trondheim Fjord

Read more about these best fjords in Norway and top Norwegian cruise journeys on our blog, with advice on the top things to do and how to explore them.

Depending on where you go and when you visit, you have a good chance of seeing the northern lights in Norway.

In terms of where to go, you want to be as close as possible to the North Pole as that’s where the strongest aurora activity occurs. Your best bet is to head up to Northern Norway or Svalbard, as both these regions are situated within the Arctic Circle.

Then you should think about timing your Norway vacation for the winter. The reason is that winter brings with it dark nights, and you need a dark sky to see the colours of the northern lights clearly. In December and January, the Arctic Circle experiences polar nights, whereby the sun does not rise at all.

At the height of summer, you’d witness the opposite phenomenon – the midnight sun. In June and July, the sun doesn’t set in the Arctic Circle. So although the aurora borealis occurs all year round, in summer it is difficult to see the dancing colours as the nights are too bright.

Read our guide to the best time and place to see the northern lights in Norway.

Whether you’re looking for an action-packed trip, a slow-paced vacation, or something in between, you’ll find it in Norway. These are some of the top things to do in Norway:

• Tour the stunning Norwegian fjords
• Hike to viewpoints in national parks
• Chase the mesmerising northern lights
• Stay up late with the midnight sun
• Enjoy epic views from your train window
• Look for polar bears, whales and puffins
• Visit palaces, museums and art galleries
• Drive hairpin bends on a scenic road trip
• Take a hop-on, hop-off cruise along the coast
• Go dog sledding and stay in a snow hotel

This is just a taste though. Discover more incredible things to see and do in Norway and things to do in Norway in winter.

Norway is a vast country, which means that there are so many sights to see and places to visit. The best destinations for you to explore depend on the sort of landscapes and activities you want to experience.

For stunning fjord scenery, head to the western Norway region. You could start your tour in the capital, Oslo, or Bergen, the “gateway to the fjords” and Norway’s second largest city. You’ll find some of the best and most beautiful Norway fjords in this part of the country.

If you’re interested in a cultural tour of Norway, Oslo and Bergen are two of the top cities you should discover, along with Ålesund, Stavanger and Trondheim. You could visit world-class museums and art galleries, as well as royal palaces, medieval wharfs, and irresistible restaurants serving Norwegian cuisine.

Or soak up the jaw-dropping sights in the north of Norway. Exploring this realm within the Arctic Circle is a real adventure, with the chance to see the midnight sun or the northern lights.

These are some of the top places to visit in Norway:

• Oslo
• Bergen
• Geirangerfjord
• Tromsø
• Flåm
• Ålesund
• Sognefjord
• Trondheim
• Nærøyfjord
• Lofoten Islands
• Kirkenes
• Stavanger

Need more inspiration? Read about must-sees in Norway on our blog.

You can explore Norway all year round, with each month and season offering its own special charm and reasons to visit.

If you tour Norway in summer – that’s June, July and August – you get the most pleasant weather conditions of the year, particularly in southern Norway.

It’s also when daylight hours are longer, with the northern region enjoying the midnight sun. This makes summer an ideal time for your trip if outdoor activities are top of your wish list.

Or you could visit Norway in winter for a completely different experience. The months of December, January and February provide you with an opportunity to see Norway’s majestic landscapes dusted in snow and ice. It’s also the best time of year to hunt for the northern lights.

Alternatively, you could witness the bright shades of autumn by travelling to Norway in September, October or November. The conditions are still good for activities like hiking, but you’d find a more quiet environment compared to the popular summer months.

Another quiet period for travel tends to be the spring: March, April and May. It can still be cool in terms of temperature, but the days are getting longer following the winter and beautiful flowers begin to blossom.

Take a look at this comprehensive guide to the best time to visit Norway for more advice on when to go.

To decide the best way for you to travel in Norway, you should work out what your vacation style is. Would you like a local guide to accompany you and show you around Norway? Would you prefer to enjoy the freedom of a road trip? Or do you like the idea of travelling by train and cruise?

To explore with a local expert and fellow like-minded travellers, consider a small group tour of Norway. Your friendly guide will drive you to unmissable attractions and hidden gems, while sharing their insider knowledge of Norway with you.

Or if you want to take the wheel, choose a self-drive tour of Norway. This is ideal if you love the thought of taking a road trip, stopping whenever you feel like it. What’s more, our self-drive itineraries are some of the most flexible vacation packages, so you can personalise your trip.

Good to know: Bear in mind that winter is not an ideal time for self-drive tours in Norway, due to the challenging road conditions. If you’d like to rent a car, we recommend you take a trip between May and September.

Another way to explore the country is by taking a self-guided cruise or train tour of Norway. This would allow you to travel independently without needing to rent a car. Norway’s extensive rail and cruise routes are well organised and provide you with breathtaking views of the scenery.

Alternatively, if you’re heading to Northern Norway or Svalbard, a partially guided tour is a good option. You’d get to enjoy a mix of independent travel and guided activities, with the chance to go snowmobiling and catch sight of the northern lights.

Yes, you can choose your preferred arrival date. Our Norway vacations are available to purchase on our website so you can select your dates online.

Bear in mind that if you opt for a guided tour, you’ll need to choose from specific dates in the calendar. This is because these itineraries have fixed routes which start and end on certain days. However, you can always add extra nights before or after your group tour to suit your flight schedule.

If you’ve already got a tour but now need to change your dates, contact your travel consultant as soon as possible to rearrange your trip.

By booking one of our Norway packages, you’ll enjoy handpicked accommodation, carefully planned routes and pre-booked activities. As well as this, we can personalise your itinerary with added nights at the start and end of your journey and, depending on the package, extra stops during your trip.

While we may not always build a tour from scratch, we will try our best to include any special sights or attractions you want to go to.

You might have a particular interest in history, wildlife, northern lights or photography. Whatever you want to experience, our Scandinavia travel experts will help you get the most out of your trip.

Note that small group tours of Norway feature fixed routes, so you can’t add extra nights during the itineraries themselves. However, you can always choose optional activities to enjoy, or extend your trip before or after your small group tour.

We suggest that you book your flights only after your Nordic Visitor tour has been confirmed. You can always search for flights in the meantime, so you know what’s available. But wait until your travel consultant has secured your tour package before you purchase any flights.

By doing this your dedicated travel consultant will be able to introduce themselves to you and send you all of your booking details. Therefore, you can make a more informed choice when reserving flights in and out of Norway. If you have any questions you can always contact us for advice.

Like other countries in Northern Europe, when you travel to Norway, you should be prepared for rain, wind and sun at all times of the year. In winter you can also expect snow, particularly in the north. But in the summer, it can be delightfully sunny in parts of Norway.

Here’s is an essential list of what to bring to Norway:

• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Hat, scarf and gloves
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Warm layers
• Thermal socks
• Umbrella
• Small backpack

In summer you should also pack light layers, such as shorts and t-shirts, plus sunglasses, a sun hat and SPF lotion. An eye mask will come in handy for the bright nights.

In winter be sure to bring warm clothing, including wool jumpers, thermal trousers, and an insulated jacket and boots.

Learn about the weather in Norway before your trip.