Norway

Relax on a winter night with a good cup of coffee and recharge your batteries as you watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky. Welcome to Norway! With the fjords in the west, tall mountains, and a beautiful, breathtaking landscape you're in for a real treat!

Here you’ll find a natural playground where you can go skiing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, mountain biking, white water rafting, parasailing, paragliding and canyonning, just to name but a few! There are endless activities offered in Norway, and there is plenty of space for everyone to have a go, whatever their age or ability. Norwegians will always give encouragement and, with 70% of the population speaking English, you are sure to find someone to help you along the way.

Although the population is just over 4 million, Norway is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, with a very efficient transport system and the most up to date computer systems. The old and the new sit happily side by side in a country that manages to maintain its old traditions at the same time as providing the best aspects of the modern world.

There is nowhere better to see this than in Norway's cities, where the past and the present blend together and where culture abounds with fantastic museums, shops, art galleries and restaurants. Norway's capital, Oslo, is a lively and bustling modern city yet steeped in Viking heritage and traditions. Alternatively, Bergen, known as “the gateway to the fjords” was originally a charming, 13th century, Hanseatic harbour town with streets of medieval wooden buildings, small bars and cafes and a wonderful fish market.

Sightseeing in Norway

Norway is dominated by water, so it is hardly surprising to learn that, through the centuries, it has been renowned as a sea-faring nation. In fact one of the most popular ways of seeing the country is to join the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, otherwise known as the Hurtigruten and, not surprisingly, often referred to as "The World's Most Beautiful Voyage".

The 11 day round trip covers 2500 nautical miles and calls at 34 ports, towns and fishing villages from Bergen to the North Cape and on to Kirkenes on the Russian border. Highlights of the trip vary from season to season: in the winter you have the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights), while in the summer you can experience the long daylight hours and have the chance to see the Midnight Sun.

If the 11-day journey isn’t for you, try the one-day Norway in a Nutshell – it’s a single ticket, which will take you from Oslo or Bergen into the mountains. The journey includes a boat-trip through the fjords and a trip on the Flåmsbana, 20km of railway that is one of the steepest in the world.

Travel in Norway

Norges Statsbaner (NSB) rail service connects all of the major cities in Norway. If you will be doing a lot of travel by train, look at purchasing a ScanRail pass. Purchase your train tickets on the Internet through NSB for additional savings.

Currency in Norway

The currency in Norway is the Norwegian crown. ATMs are known as Minibank and will often yield an overseas visitor the best exchange rate. ATM’s are easy to locate in urban areas but may be difficult to find elsewhere.

Getting to Norway

The capital, Oslo, is the primary entry point if entering by air and makes a great jumping off point to explore this spectacular country. Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is the largest international airport in the country and has non-stop from other cities in Europe, as well as North America. The Airport Express Train will zip you between the airport and city in just 19 minutes.

International Bus lines operate into Oslo including Eurolines, Swebus Express, and Safflebussen from Gothenburg and Copenhagen.