Norway Travel Facts

Norway borders Sweden to the east and Finland and Russia to the northeast. In terms of landscape, the country is perhaps one of the most exciting countries in Europe. A long, wild coast, the fjords – Norway is rich in natural highlights. The country can be traveled very well by car, train or ship.

Source: Destination Explorer

Fast facts to know

• Norway is a constitutional monarchy.
• An identity card is sufficient for a trip to Norway.
• Many Norwegians speak English, often even German.
• Only around 5 million people live in Norway.
• The country has 2,600 kilometers of coastline.
• Norway is considered the birthplace of winter sports.
• Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
• Norway consists of 5 parts: Nord-Norge, Østlandet, Sørlandet, Vestlandet and Trøndelag.
• Is known for its extraordinary landscapes and the many fjords.
• The highest mountain is Galdhøppigen with a height of 2469 m.
• Around 150,000 small islands belong to Norway.
• Norway has a very good education and health system.
• Groceries in Norway are expensive.
• Alcoholic beverages can only be bought in state-run shops, the Vinmonopolets.
• According to the Human Development Index, Norway has the highest standard of living in the world.

Exciting cities in Norway

• Oslo
• mountains
• Tromso
• Flemish
• Trondheim
• Pure
• Alesund
• Stavanger

History of Norway

• First human settlement: around the 8th millennium BC Chr.
• 800-1050 Viking Age.
• From 1380 in personal union with Denmark part of the Kalmar Union.
• 1814 Denmark ceded Norway to the King of Sweden after the Napoleonic Wars in the Peace of Kiel.
• Independent for a short time from 1814.
• 91 years personal union with Sweden.
• 1905 Dissolution of the personal union. Prince Carl of the House of Glücksburg became King of Norway as Haakon VII.
• Neutral in World War I, occupied by Germans in World War II despite neutrality.
• In 1949 Norway was one of the founding members of NATO.
• Modern history since 1969 has been characterized by growth and wealth through oil.

Climate & travel weather in Norway

• Mild climate on the west coast.
• Southwest coast with a lot of precipitation.
• East and Northeast: warm summers and very cold winters.
• Summer in the east very stable.
• Most precipitation falls in autumn and winter.
• Recommended travel time:
  • Outdoor Activities: May to September.
  • Northern Norway: June to August.
  • High season: July and August.
  • Ski Season: November to April.
  • Observe the Northern Lights: November to February.

Ideas for trips in Norway

• Bryggen – historic Hanseatic Quarter in Bergen.
• Drive along the Trollstigen.
• Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo.
• Hike to the Preikestolen.
• Walk in the Oslofjord.
• Train journey with the Flåmsbana to Kjosfossen.
• Watch the Northern Lights.
• Dog sledding in the north.
• Hike to the “Troll’s Tongue”.
• Aksla viewpoint in Ålesund.
• Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Ski Jump in Oslo.
• Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
• Drive along Atlanterhavsvegen.
• Journey on the “Hurtigruten”, the traditional mail boat line.
• Dalsnibba on the Geirangerfjord.
• Voringsfossen near Eidfjord.

Eating & drinking in Norway

• The cuisine is simple and nutritious, with little seasoning.
• Local ingredients and food are very important to Norwegians.
• Norwegian potatoes are extremely tasty.
• There are more fish than meat dishes.
• Norwegians love good food.
• Food and groceries are often very expensive, but of very high quality.
• Dinner is usually a 3-course menu from 6 p.m.
• There are berries for dessert.
• Salmon and herring are among the most popular food fish.
• Alcoholic beverages are only served in special stores, of which there are only 160 across the country.
• Norwegians like to drink coffee.
• Typical dishes:
  • Bacalao (Norwegian fish stew with cod).
  • Fiskekaker (fish cakes).
  • Røkt elgsteik (smoked elk meat braised in the oven).
  • Lutefisk (Pickled Cod).
  • Fårikål (sheep in cabbage, often with potatoes).
  • Klipfisk (dried fish, mostly dried cod).
  • Lammesteik (roast lamb).
  • Ovnsbakt steinbit (oven-baked catfish fillets).
  • Bergen fiskesuppe (Bergen fish soup).
  • Rømmegrøt (a kind of sour cream porridge).
  • Lapskaus (potato and beetroot stew).
  • Raspeball (dumplings often with a kind of slaughter plate).
  • Pinnekjøtt (Salted Lamb Rib).
  • Kjøttkake (meatball = boulette).
  • Eplekake med is (warm apple pie with cinnamon and vanilla ice cream).

Particularly scenic

• north cape
• Lofoten
• Saltstraumen
• Twin waterfall Latefossen
• Briksdalsbreen Glacier
• Rondane National Park
• The most beautiful fjords:
  • Geirangerfjord
  • Naeroyfjord
  • Sognefjord
  • Hardangerfjord
  • Nordfjord