VISIT NORWAY

Listen visit Norway info best places to visit in Norway best Norway destinations

Listen visit Norway info best places to visit in Norway best Norway destinations.

Norway offers visitors an incredible mix of cultural and natural wonders. From cosmopolitan Oslo to its endless snow-capped mountain peaks and deep fjords, there's no end of choices for travelers in the land of the midnight sun and stunning northern lights. Getting around the country is easy, and the country's top-notch transit systems offer some of the best sightseeing opportunities, too, whether by rail or the fantastic coastal steamers.

One of the world's most prosperous nations, Norway seems to have a fascinating museum for just about every important aspect of its rich cultural and social history, covering everything from the Vikings to seafaring and fishing, as well as art and entertainment. Norway is also rich in spectacular scenery, from its stunning fjords to its spectacular mountains and glaciers, many of which are easily accessible to tourists.

Scenic Rail Routes

There's no better way to see Norway's stunning countryside than by train. Perhaps surprisingly for such a mountainous country, Norway's rail lines stretch more than 2,000 miles, encountering along the way some 775 tunnels and over 3,000 bridges. The best scenic routes begin in Oslo, including the Bergen Railway, which runs over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Other routes of note are the Dovre Railway from Oslo to Trondheim with its sideline the Rauma Railway between Dombås and Åndalsnes, and the famous Flåm Railway, the world's steepest. Norway's rail network also offers a number of other interesting diversions, such as classic steam trains, gourmet train excursions, and pedal-powered rail tricycles ('draisines') for use on abandoned rail lines.

Hurtigruten

A way of life since its establishment in 1893, the incredible Hurtigruten ferry system continues to be a vital connection between the country's far-flung corners. Although nostalgically referred to as coastal steamers, the modern ships of the Hurtigruten carry freight and passengers on regular services that have become increasingly popular amongst tourists. One of the fleet's 11 ships departs Bergen daily, sailing to Kirkenes and back in just 12 days at an average speed of 15 knots, stopping at numerous interesting ports along the way from which you can branch out and explore this great country.

Geirangerfjord

Part of the spectacular Fjord Norway network - and regularly topping the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list - the Geirangerfjord region north of Ålesund offers some of the finest scenery anywhere in Norway. The eastward continuation of the Sunnylvsfjord, the Geirangerfjord boasts some of the country's most spectacular views. One of the best is from the summit of Dalsnibba: at 4,905ft, the views of the surrounding mountains and the Geirangerfjord far below are simply breathtaking. Numerous cruises and tours are available, but if you're driving, be sure to take the winding Eagles' Road with its 11 hairpin bends and great views.

Arctic Circle

A sizable section of northern Norway is located within the Arctic Circle, a fact that provides the country with two of its most popular tourist attractions. The first, the Midnight Sun, is an impressive sight and experience. During the summer months, surrounding the summer solstice, these latitudes see endless days when the sun doesn't set. However, it's the spectacular Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, that really steal the show in winter. Caused when electrically charged particles emitted by the sun are caught up in the earth's magnetic field and producing striking light effects in the thin ionized upper atmosphere at heights of between 40 and 620 miles, the sky comes alive with spectacular bluish arcs of light, glowing coronas and shimmering curtains of radiance flaring over the sky in constant movement.

National Day

Held each May 17th, Norway's Constitution Day - referred to as National Day - marks country's independence from Denmark in 1814