Why Norway is a perfect holiday destination for Europeans

In 2021, many of us Norwegians had little choice but to spend our summer vacation in our home country. Although drinks on the beach in Spain or city breaks in Italy are appealing, we who live in Norway are not limited to choices when planning our vacations on home soil.

Our extensive coastline with uncountable islands and inlets make for fantastic sailing and boating experiences with fish-a-plenty. The fjord areas of Western Norway have obvious appeal with hiking and biking options galore. Norway has numerous National Parks that preserve the natural beauty of the landscapes within offering wild camping, hiking, biking, animal spotting, and fishing.

Have a look at our information page for updates on possible travel restrictions, travel advice, and the general Covid-19 situation in Norway.

• Read More: Tips for Traveling to Norway as Borders Open Up

Already as we drive along the beautiful national tourist roads in Norway, we see more and more license plates from abroad. The fact that the country opened for entry only a couple of weeks ago does not seem to scare foreign tourists. On the contrary, it feels like they were packed, ready, and waiting for the news from authorities in Norway on who could travel to Norway without quarantine restrictions and when.

Here we will give you a brief roundup of the best experiences in Norway which is now open to many European citizens.

Mountains

Norway is renowned for amazing hikes in spectacular natural surroundings. Trolltunga (The Troll's Tounge), the hike to Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock), or the hike to the Kjerag Boulder is up there with some of the most popular hikes for tourists and Norwegians alike. 

Foreign adventurers may also want to check out Besseggen and Romsdalseggen ridges for exciting, challenging, and definitely selfie-friendly hikes. See all our hiking adventures here.

Fjords

For many visitors, the fjords of Norway are some of the most spectacular in the world and the main attraction when it comes to exploring this beautiful country. But what’s so special about the fjords of Norway and how are they formed exactly? Find out here!

Cities

For those who like the familiarities of exploring cities, Norway has you covered! Museums, opera houses, art galleries, cathedrals, we’ve got all of those too… Get a quick overview of the main cities in Norway and find exciting things to do!

Outdoor activities

An outdoor enthusiasts paradise, from the eerie beauty of the Northern Lights to the calm tranquility of the forests and fjords, Norway is a country filled with opportunities to explore. With landscapes that are as dramatic as they are magnificent, Norway has so much to offer anyone looking for a nature holiday:

• Hiking Activities
• Biking Activities
• Climbing Activities
• Glacier Hiking Activities
• Action Sports
• White Water Rafting
• and much, much more!

Check out this article with a few suggestions for all levels of fitness: Outdoor Activities in Norway. 

Lofoten

Explore one of the most spectacular destinations in Norway! Lofoten has been especially popular this year and it is drop-dead gorgeous and just as mindblowing for us natives as tourists. Deep blue turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, stunning mountain rock formations, idyllic and picturesque fishing villages all await in these enchanting Islands.

On our  Lofoten Islands in a Nutshell Tour you can experience the beautiful Arctic Lofoten in a simple, comfortable, and easy way, without the need for your own car.

The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a spectacular natural phenomenon that cannot fail to impress when in its full glory. This phenomenon can be seen from as early as September to the end of March. In this article, we try to shed some light (excuse the pun) on what causes nature's most extraordinary light show and some of the best places to see it. 

Language and culture

Many Norwegians love to meet foreign tourists and practice their English. Most have a basic understanding and given a little encouragement seem to be fluent in no time. It is fun to try the local lingo yourself but don’t be surprised (or offended) if the Norwegian person you are trying to practice with switches to English immediately.

Fashion, music, and culture are all strongly influenced by English-speaking countries, particularly the US and the United Kingdom with generations growing up watching Friends and Highlander reruns and now Downton Abbey or Game of Thrones.

Infrastructure

Norway has extremely reliable rail service. You can travel pretty extensively with over 3,000 kilometers of track crisscrossing the country from Kristiansand in the South to as far North as Bodø above the Arctic Circle. The E6 Highway is Norway's main road artery and stretches all the way up to Nordkapp (North Cape), Norway’s most northern tip.

Telenor is Norway’s national mobile telephone network and covers most of the country pretty well. Plenty of 4G coverage to post your selfies straight from the top of the mountains or deep in the fjord lands.

Finance & Currency

All major banks and credit cards are widely accepted and it is actually pretty uncommon for Norwegians to carry cash. Read more about our currency here.

Travel with Fjord Tours when booking your next holiday in Norway: Your Guide to Norway