Norway Travel Guide

Some facts about Norway

Like the UK, Norway is a constitutional monarchy – which means it has a head of state, King Harald V, and a head of government, Jonas Gahr Støere, the prime minister.

Unlike the UK, a large chunk of the country lies north of the Arctic Circle, with the wintry promise of dog-sledding, Northern Lights hunting and even polar bear spotting.

But if you don't quite warm to that idea, what about the absolutely, jaw-droppingly beautiful fjords that characterise the country? Because of these fjords, the country has around 80,000km of coastline (or 50,000 miles) – that's one of the longest coastlines in the world. Longer even than Australia, the USA and Russia. How bonkers is that?

Norway's capital, Oslo, lies in the south of the country at the tip of its very own fjord. It's got an intriguing mix of old-fashioned and modern scandi buildings, forested open spaces and galleries housing iconic pieces like Edvard Munch's The Scream. Then there's the fascinating maritime heritage of the city of Bergen, or the dramatic landscapes that surround Stavanger.

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

70 to 80% of the population identify as Christian, with the main denomination being the Church of Norway.

Tipping

Do you need tip in Norway? About 5% is expected, but you can tip up to 15% if the service was particularly good.

Smoking

Smoking is illegal in enclosed public spaces, including shops, restaurants and public transport.

Language

The official language is Norwegian, though there are two variations: Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål evolved from 14th-century Danish while Nynorsk, which means new Norwegian, was introduced in the 19th century and has Old Norse roots. Typically, Bokmål is spoken while Nynorsk is more often written. Either way, about 80% of the population also speak English.

Further north the indigenous language of the Sami is spoken, and this has official status as well.

Here are some Norwegian phrases to get you started:

Hello - Hallo

Excuse me - Unnskyld meg

Yes - Ja

No - Nei

Please - Vær så snill

Thank you - Takk

Do you speak English? - Snakker du Engelsk

How much does it cost? - Hvor mye koster det?

Where is? - Hvorer?

• One - En
• Two - To
• Three - Tre
• Four - Fire
• Five - Fem
• Six - Seks
• Seven - Syv
• Eight - Åtte
• Nine - Ni
• Ten - Ti

Goodbye - Ha det bra

Æ/æ pronounced like the 'a' in sad.

Ø/ø pronounced like the 'ur' in burn.

Å/å pronounced like the 'o' in lord.

Jabs, visas and other advice

Norway isn't a member of the EU but it is in the Schengen Zone, making it essentially visa-free. That's assuming you're a UK citizen and staying for fewer than 90 days. You'll need a return ticket and at least six months left on your passport though.

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website

Emergency numbers

For fire call 110, police call 112 and call 113 if you need an ambulance.

What's the weather like in Norway?

Norway has four distinct seasons but of course it gets colder the further north you go – especially beyond the Arctic Circle where the sea around the remote island of Svalbard freezes solid.

The coastal southwest areas of the country have a temperate climate similar to the UK but with milder summers. Temperatures get a bit more extreme as you head closer to the mountains or the north, where snow or rain are a lot more common. Whatever time of year you visit, it's always a good idea to prepare for rain.

When's the best time to visit Norway?

The peak season is June to August when the weather is warmest and you can even enjoy a bit of midnight sun if you visit the right spot at the right time.

That's not to say the country has nothing to offer throughout the rest of the year. It's quietest in spring and autumn, but you can enjoy the colourful flowers that spring up around the edges of the fjords, or the crispy, golden foliage of the forests.

You could argue that Norway is at its best in winter, when snow covers more than just the mountain tops and you've got the best chance to see the Northern Lights.

Getting to Norway

It takes about two hours to fly from London to Oslo, which is ideal if you're after a long weekend in the city with some time to explore the forests and mountains that surround it.

But one of the best and most popular ways to see the country is on a cruise ship. The fjords lend themselves perfectly to getting around this way, allowing you to take in the scenery in all its glory while stopping in some of the country's most iconic destinations, like Bergen, Tromsø and the island of Svalbard.

Or you can take the train. Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim are all part of the Interrail network, meaning you can get there from the UK using just one ticket.

Accessibility in Norway

Norway is pretty well connected with an efficient public transport network, all of which is accessible for all travellers, from the railways to the ferries. Of course, the level of accessibility can vary depending on where you go – cobbled streets and hiking trails can be a bit trickier to navigate but with advance planning and the right assistance you shouldn't have any problems.

Take a look at Visit Norway's accessibility page for more advice.

Norway for LGBTQI+ travellers

LGBTQI+ travellers are as welcome in Norway as everyone else. The laws there support equality, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2009 and public opinion is largely supportive of LGBTQI+ rights.

Oslo has a 10-day long pride every year where ideas of equality and human rights are explored through the mediums of art, debates and parties. You can usually find a gay bar in most big cities, Oslo and Bergen included, so if you're after a night on the scene you won't have to look far.

Sustainability in Norway

Norway is a world leader in sustainability and it landed in the top 3 for sustainability in our Good Trip Index. Around 98% of energy in Norway comes from renewable sources and the majority of that is hydropower.

Norway is also ahead of the game when it comes to electric cars, with a well-developed infrastructure making it super easy to switch to an electric vehicle (or hire one!) – of course this all results in cleaner air and fewer emissions.

To keep the country's incredible landscapes preserved for years to come, a significant portion of the country is dedicated as national parks or protected habitats.

It's worth mentioning that while Norway is now a world leader in sustainability, it's a relatively big exporter of oil. So while it doesn't use a lot of it, a chunk of its economy does rely on the drilling and sale of oil and gas.

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