Holiday Guide to Norway

Norway is a Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Preserved 9th-century Viking ships are displayed at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum. Bergen, with colorful wooden houses, is the starting point for cruises to the dramatic Sognefjord. Norway is also known for fishing, hiking and skiing, notably at Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.

Norway offers visitors an incredible mix of cultural and natural wonders to explore. From the country’s cosmopolitan capital city of Oslo to its endless snowcapped mountain peaks and deep fjords, there’s no end of choices for travelers in the land of the midnight sun and stunning northern lights.

Norway is also rich in spectacular scenery. From its stunning fjords to its spectacular mountains and glaciers, many of which are easily accessible to tourists, you’ll find some of the best places to visit in Europe for exciting outdoor adventures and activities.

What To See, Where To Go

Tromso

Situated in the middle of northern Norway, Tromso is rightfully known as the capital of the Arctic. This quaint old town is known for the mystical northern, whale watching, skiing, hiking and birdwatching. Here you can opt for sighting the midnight sun, dog sledging and staying in hotels made out of ice! Tromso is surrounded by several picturesque islands just waiting to be explored.

Oslo

Oslo, the capital city has a buzzing food scene, Instagrammable neighbourhoods, historical museums and fantastic art shows. Besides being a bustling metropolitan city, Oslo also offers of nature nature lovers a plethora of nature trails and natural beauty. Surrounded by a dense forest and the spectacular Oslofjord, here you can also enjoy cycling and island hopping.

Lofoten Islands

The picturesque natural beauty of Lofoten Islands is further accentuated by its many scenic fishing villages, glittering fjords and mighty snow-clad peaks. here you can indugle in epic outdoor adventures including skiing and hiking and enjoy a leisurely day at some of the best beaches in Europe. Lofoten Islands is the perfect place to enjoy the mystical Northern lights and the other-worldly phenomenon of the midnight sun. To top it all, Lofoten also has a very vibrant cultural scene. And don’t forget to drive the coastal route between Trondelag and Bodo, one of the world’s most scenic drives.

Geirangerfjord

The cerulean waters of the UNESCO protected Geirangerfjord, surrounded by majestic peaks, cascading waterfalls and lush greenery, is Norway’s most famous fjord. Norway packages to this region projects a fairy tale quality with its astounding natural scenery, believed to have been created by successive ice ages, and the sheer determination of the people to glean a living here without adversely affecting the environment. Kayaking, fishing, hiking and cycling are only a few of the adventurous activities awaiting you in this paradise. Be sure to sample the unique flavours of local cuisine while in Norway.

Bergen

A trip to Norway is never complete without a trip to Bergen, the second largest city in the country. A fantastic combination of cobblestone streets, trendy restaurants, sprawling art museums and a lively music scene, Bergen is aptly named “the heart of the fjords”. Once the centre of trade between Norway and the rest of Europe, the Hanseatic Wharf, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, retains its old-world charm with its iconic colourful wooden buildings. Overlooking the sea and surrounded by majestic peaks, Bergen has the vibe of a quaint town and offers its visitors panoramic views, fantastic hiking trails and unforgettable train journeys.

Some of the top tourist attractions in Norway are:

Where to Stay

Here is a list of hand picked luxurious hotels in Norway that will be suitable for travellers from the Middle East while on holiday in Norway. These are some of the most unique places to stay that I have handpicked to provide you a memorable travelling experience that you will rarely find in any other hotel or resort anywhere else in the world:

Best Time To Visit Norway

The best time to visit Norway is during the shoulder seasons, in spring (between May and June), and fall (between September and October), when the weather is amazing and there aren’t that many tourists. The high season to visit Norway is between mid-June and August.

How To Get There

I flew from Dubai to Norway. Emirates, KLM, Qatar Airways and three other airlines offer flights from Dubai Airport to Oslo Airport. The visa process was straightforward and I chose to bypass Oslo drive straight to Geiranger to spend our first night in Norway in a unique motorpark chalet surrounded by hills. (I don’t call these ‘mountains’ after my visit to the Himalayas!)

Visa Requirements

All travelers to Indonesia must obtain a Visa from one of the Indonesian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. They must be in possession of a Pasport that is valid for at least six (6) months from the date of arrival, and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.

Getting Around

Do what I did – rent a car from the airport and just drive your way through this beautiful country. Renting a car and planning a road trip across this mystical country is actually a really good option for budget travelers like myself not only because public transport is expensive, but also because the cheapest accommodation options are usually outside of the main tourist areas which are easy to access when you have a car to drive around. You kill two birds with one stone – save on transportation costs and find cheaper accommodation options.

In my case, my mission was to tick the bucket list item of driving across the Atlantic Road, so renting a car seemed like the natural thing to do. To top it all, driving in Norway is a memorable experience – I therefore advise everyone to plan a leisurely road trip when planning a holiday in Norway. Use price comparison search engines Auto Europe to compare prices to get the best deal on car rental. And if you’re not so status conscious like me, then go for the smallest, most fuel efficient car you can find.

How Long to Stay in Norway

I recommend at least three weeks to really delve into Norway. Don’t worry if you have less time though. Shorter visits are still feasible but should be focused on one or two specific areas. If you have more than a week, you can include remote areas like the Lofoten Islands or Svalbard.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

During my trip across Norway, I got the opportunity to travel to some of the most famous and remote tourist attractions in the country. Based on my extensive travels across Norway, here is a suggestive itinerary for travellers from the Middle East planning a holiday in Norway:

Day 1: – Oslo to Geiranger
Day 2-3: Explore Geirangerfjord
Day 4: Geiranger to Stryn/Loen
Day 5: Explore Stryn/Loen. Mt Skåla Ascend. (Spending the night at Skålatårnet tower)
Day 6: Mt Skåla Descend
Day 7: Leave Stryn/Loen to Lom (Bus NW431)
Day 8-9: Explore Jotunheimun National Park
Day 10: Leaving Jotunheimun – Trondheim
Day 11-12: Explore Trondheim
Day 12: Overnight train to Bodo
Day 13-17: Explore Lofoten
Day 18: Leave Lofoten – Bodo. Explore Bodo. Take overnight train to Lillehammar (21:10 – 12:51)
Day 19: Explore Lillehammar in the day and take night train to Bergen (20:14 – 06:51)
Day 20: Explore Bergen
Day 21: Trolltunga
Day 22: Explore Bergen
Day 23: Leaving Bergen to Stavanger
Day 24-26: Explore Stavanger, Lysefjord
Day 26: Overnight from Stavanger to Oslo
Day 27-28: Oslo
Day 29: Homebound

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Norway in Pictures

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