Norway travel guide : discover history, culture and must-see destinations

Essential Norway travel information

• Official name: Kingdom of Norway (Kongeriket Norge)
• Capital: Oslo
• Population: About 5.4 million people
• Official language: Norwegian
• Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Norway's rich history: from Viking age to modern prosperity

Norway has one of the most fascinating histories in Scandinavia. Here's a simple timeline:

Viking Age

From approximately 800 to 1050 CE, Norway was at the center of the Viking Age. Norse seafarers explored, traded, and raided across Europe, reaching as far as North America and the Middle East. They established settlements in Iceland, Greenland, and briefly in North America. This period saw the unification of Norway under King Harald Fairhair around 872 CE.

Medieval period

Christianity arrived in Norway around 1000 CE, replacing Norse paganism. In 1397, Queen Margaret I united Norway, Denmark, and Sweden in the Kalmar Union. After the union's dissolution in 1523, Norway remained part of Denmark until 1814. This period saw the development of distinctive Norwegian architecture, including the famous stave churches.

Path to independence

The Constitution of Norway was signed on May 17, 1814 (still celebrated as Constitution Day), though Norway entered a union with Sweden until 1905. Norway then chose Prince Carl of Denmark as King Haakon VII, establishing the current monarchy. Despite its neutrality, Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II from 1940 to 1945, with a government-in-exile operating from London.

Modern Norway

After World War II, Norway became a founding member of NATO and the United Nations. The discovery of North Sea oil in the late 1960s transformed Norway into one of the world's wealthiest nations. Norway has established the world's largest sovereign wealth fund to manage its oil revenues for future generations. Today, Norway consistently ranks among the world's top countries for quality of life, democracy, and human development.

Norwegian culture & traditions every traveler should know

Norwegian Language

Norwegian belongs to the North Germanic family of languages. Most Norwegians speak excellent English, making it easy for international travelers to navigate the country. However, Norwegian has two official written forms: Bokmål (used by about 85% of Norwegians) and Nynorsk. The language also has numerous dialects that vary significantly across regions, reflecting Norway's mountainous geography which historically isolated communities.

Art & literature in Norwegian culture

Norway has produced influential cultural figures known worldwide. Painter Edvard Munch, whose work "The Scream" is among the most recognizable images in art history, explored themes of psychology and existentialism. Playwright Henrik Ibsen revolutionized modern drama with works like "A Doll's House" and "Peer Gynt." Composer Edvard Grieg created music that captured Norway's landscapes and folk traditions. Contemporary Norwegian culture includes world-renowned authors like Karl Ove Knausgård and Jo Nesbø, and a thriving design scene.

Norwegian cuisine: What to eat & drink

Norwegian food emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients reflecting the country's mountains, forests, and coastline:

• Salmon (prepared in countless ways, including gravlaks—cured with salt, sugar, and dill)
• Brunost (sweet brown cheese with a caramel-like flavor)
• Fårikål (mutton stew with cabbage, the national dish)
• Kjøttboller (Norwegian meatballs, typically served with lingonberry sauce)
• Lefse (soft flatbread, often served with butter and cinnamon sugar)

Norway has an emerging craft beer scene and a traditional spirit called akevitt (aquavit), a potato-based liquor flavored with caraway or dill. Coffee culture is deeply ingrained, with Norwegians ranking among the world's top coffee consumers per capita.

Friluftsliv: The Norwegian Outdoor Life

Central to Norwegian identity is the concept of friluftsliv (outdoor living), which reflects a deep cultural connection to nature. Norwegians embrace outdoor activities year-round, from skiing and hiking to boating and fishing. The Norwegian "right to roam" (allemannsretten) guarantees public access to uncultivated land, allowing everyone to enjoy nature regardless of land ownership. This philosophy extends to city planning, with Oslo and other cities providing easy access to nature.

Top places to visit in Norway

Oslo: Essential sights in Norway's capital

The capital city combines innovative architecture with abundant green spaces:

• The Opera House: This architectural marvel resembles an iceberg rising from the water, with a sloped roof visitors can walk upon for panoramic views.
• Vigeland Sculpture Park: The world's largest sculpture park by a single artist, featuring over 200 bronze, granite, and wrought iron works by Gustav Vigeland.
• Viking Ship Museum: Housing remarkably preserved Viking vessels from the 9th century.
• Aker Brygge & Tjuvholmen: A revitalized waterfront district with contemporary architecture, restaurants, and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.
• Holmenkollen: The iconic ski jump offers views over the entire city and houses a ski museum detailing 4,000 years of skiing history.

Bergen: Gateway to the fjords

Norway's second-largest city charms visitors with its colorful Hanseatic history, evident in the UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront district with its wooden buildings dating from the 14th century. Surrounded by seven mountains and serving as the departure point for fjord cruises, Bergen offers both cultural richness and natural beauty. The Fløibanen funicular takes visitors 320 meters above sea level for spectacular views over the city and surrounding fjords.

Tromsø

Located 350 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø serves as Norway's gateway to the Arctic. The City of Lights is one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights from September to March. In summer, visitors experience the midnight sun. The city's distinctive Arctic Cathedral features one of Europe's largest stained glass windows and remarkable acoustics for concerts.

Geirangerfjord

This UNESCO World Heritage site represents the quintessential Norwegian fjord experience. Stretching 15 kilometers with 1,400-meter high mountains on either side, the fjord features spectacular waterfalls including the "Seven Sisters" and the "Bridal Veil." The village of Geiranger offers a perfect base for exploring this natural wonder, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and fjord cruises.

Lofoten Islands

This archipelago above the Arctic Circle is known for its dramatic landscapes where jagged mountains rise directly from the sea. Traditional red fishing cabins (rorbuer) dot the coastline, many now converted to unique accommodations for travelers. The islands offer midnight sun in summer, Northern Lights in winter, and some of Europe's best surfing year-round despite their Arctic location.

Natural wonders & landscapes of Norway

• Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): A dramatic cliff rising 604 meters above Lysefjord, offering one of Norway's most spectacular viewpoints.
• Trolltunga: The "Troll's Tongue," a rock formation extending horizontally 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet.
• Svalbard: Arctic archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, home to polar bears, Arctic wildlife, and the northern-most permanent human settlements.
• Jotunheimen National Park: "Home of the Giants" contains Norway's highest mountains, including Galdhøpiggen (2,469 meters).
• Sognefjord: Norway's longest and deepest fjord, stretching 204 kilometers inland from the coast.

Fascinating Facts About Norway

Norway has the highest concentration of fjords in the world, with over 1,000 along its coastline.

The world's longest road tunnel, the Lærdal Tunnel, stretches 24.5 kilometers through Norwegian mountains.

Norway has won more Winter Olympic medals than any other nation, despite its small population.

The Norwegian postal service once used polar bears for mail delivery to Arctic settlements (until 1900).

Norwegians invented modern skiing, with evidence of ski use dating back more than 4,000 years.

Norwegian contributions to world culture

• The cheese slicer (invented by Thor Bjørklund in 1925)
• Modern salmon aquaculture techniques (revolutionizing global seafood production)
• The aerosol spray can (developed by Erik Rotheim in 1926)
• The paperclip (perfected by Johan Vaaler, though not exactly as used today)
• The concept of ski jumping as a competitive sport