Its scenery is spectacular. It oozes history. It’s a foodie’s delight. Ask any Norwegian and you’ll hear a different reason why they love their country, so it's no wonder Norway was once voted the best place to live in the world. Writer Emmie Harrison-West picks some of our favourite things about the Scandi country...
DK Norway
View BookHiking in the wilderness
Nature belongs to everyone in Norway, and being in nature is the nation’s favourite pastime. Vast, unspoiled wildernesses – from mountain ranges to glaciers – await exploration. Whether you choose enchanting marked hiking trails or wild unmarked landscapes is up to you.
The Northern Lights
The most mesmerizing phenomenon, the Northern Lights – or the aurora borealis, named after the Greek goddess of Dawn – shimmy across the sky while the cities rest. To some they’re a source of Norse mythology; to many, they’re the greatest show on earth.
Oslo's foodie scene
There’s a palpable excitement around Oslo’s restaurants. Upstart Oslo chefs are pushing the boundaries of New Nordic cuisine, showing off Norway’s abundance of irresistible ingredients, spectacular seafood and foraged fruits. The culinary scene in the capital is booming, and on the rise to worldwide recognition.
Magnificent wildlife
Norway is the last refuge for some of Europe’s most beguiling wildlife – moose meander across highways and reindeer roam in national parks, surveyed by hovering eagles. Join a safari and see a myriad of creatures for yourself.
Munch
In summer 2021, a brand new museum will open by Oslo’s waterfront, showcasing the world's largest collection of art by Edvard Munch. A romantic and restless soul, Munch painted The Scream in Oslo. The prolific artist also sought inspiration for Three Girls on a Pier in the idyllic beach towns of Hvitsten and Åsgårdstrand – it only takes a stroll along the sands to uncover the imagination behind Munch’s creativity.
The Norwegian art of kos
Like Denmark’s hygge, cosiness is a life skill in a climate as harsh as Norway’s. Whether in a cabin or a café, being koselig means getting comfy by an open fire, snuggling up and enjoying hearty food alone or with friends.
Norway's fjords
Carved into the coast by glaciers, the breathtaking emerald fjords are the ultimate symbol of Norway. There are more than 1,000 of them around the country which can be explored by boat, bike or on foot.
Scenic skiing
The word ‘ski’ comes from Old Norse, and Norwegians claim they were born with skis on their feet – hunters and warriors from the Middle Ages are said to have used them, too. Hit the flawless powder during the winter months, or ski down a glacier in summer.
Craft beer
Norwegians have been brewing since the Viking Age, so it’s not surprising how enthusiastically they have embraced craft beer. In 934-961 it was made law to celebrate Christmas with a beer! In the last decade alone, close to 200 microbreweries have bubbled up across the country.
Wooden architecture
From stunning wooden cathedrals and charming turf roof cabins, to photogenic timber wharf buildings lining harbourfronts – you can’t miss Norway’s wealth of architecture. The wooden trading houses of Bryggen are quintessentially Norwegian, and have even earned the badge of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Lofoten Islands
The red midnight sun hovers over the craggy Lofoten islands all night from May to July. A kayaking trip is an unforgettable way to experience this incredible scene that will stick with you for years to come.
Viking heritage
There are many traces of the seafaring Vikings across the whole of Norway — their footsteps pepper Norweigan’s history, like its islands. There are dozens of modern monuments, from reconstructed longhouses, to Fritz Røed’s colossal Sverd i fjell in Hafrsfjord.
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