Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Norway
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| | | Ruggedly beautiful |  | Why go on holiday to Norway?
Around 2,000km in length, Norway is a rugged, beautiful country of mountains, fjords and glaciers. There are beaches in the south and Arctic tundra in the north.
There are year-round winter sports and mind-boggling train and road journeys. Its cities are clean, low key and steeped in history. Outlying settlements are unspoiled and can be breathtaking.
A must for outdoors enthusiasts, Norway has something for everyone.
How much does it cost?
A two-night city break will cost around £300. Flights-only with budget airlines are as low as £60 return but more likely to cost around £100. A mid-range hotel room will cost about £40 per night. Sailing from Newcastle can be as little as £40 in winter, but it's more than double in summer.
Norway, like all of Scandinavia, is expensive. The best way to save cash is to either camp (there are more than 1,000 camping grounds) or stay in a hostel. The latter has the advantage of breakfast thrown in.
When should I go?
May to September is the brightest time in Norway, with late spring particularly pleasant and not too crowded. Winter is cold and dark, so it's only for dedicated skiers.
In the far north constant daylight extends from May 13 to July 29 and May 28 to July 14 in the Lofoten islands. Summer temperatures average 61F/16C in the south and around 52F/11C in the north, though occasionally temperatures can soar to 86F/30C.
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| | | Gateway to the Arctic |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Check out the oldest capital in Scandinavia, Oslo. Its architecture is very much a mix of present and past. Most attractions are within walking distance or easily reached by public transport.
The Norwegian Resistance Museum in the splendid medieval Akerhshus Fortress is a definite highlight, as is Vigeland Park and Vigeland Museum. These attractions are both in honour of sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
Another artist so honoured is Norway's best-known, Edvard Munch, at the Munch Museum. Across the harbour Bygdoy has museums and parks.
Where else to go?
Risor is one of Norway's most picturesque spots, a collection of historic white houses around a small fishing harbour. There are inexpensive water taxis to the nearby islands - try Stangholmen with its lighthouse bar.
Tromso is the gateway to the Arctic and a town where Nordic reserve is forgotten. Street music, cultural happenings and countless pubs make this a fun stop-off, and the skiing is fantastic in winter.
What's off the beaten track?
The Jotunheimen National Park has a brilliant network of hiking trails, taking in 60 glaciers, ravines, waterfalls and lakes. On the Lofoten island of Moskenes, many buildings have been set aside as the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum.
Take time to see the mighty whirlpool in nearby Moskenesstraumen. While you're in the area you may as well check out the Northern Lights, for which you should journey to the fishing town of Hammerfest.
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| | | Fish for breakfast | | Where's good for nightlife?
Only the larger cities. Alcohol is expensive and in rural parts hard to find. On weekends, most Oslo nightspots stay open until about 3am - be aware that you're expected to be reasonably well turned-out.
Most bars in Oslo have a happy hour until about 9pm. In Bergen, the second-largest city, two of the cheapest bars in Norway are Torget Music Pub and The News, where you'll only pay around £2.50 for a beer.
What's the food like?
Not surprisingly, fish features very heavily in Norwegian cuisine. Favourite dishes include laks (grilled or smoked salmon), reker (boiled shrimp) and torsk (cod).
An unusual Christmas dish is lutefisk, dried cod smoked in lye until it is nearly gelatinous. Breakfast often consists of brown goat cheese (geitost) and pickled herring - if that doesn't wake you up, nothing will.
You can cut down on food costs by buying snacks from bakeries and food shops (some of which have reasonably priced delis). Another cheaper source of nourishment are the gatekjokken, streetside food wagons which sell hot dogs and burgers.
What should I buy?
You may well be put off by the prices, but specialities include hand-knitted clothing, pewterware, intricate silver jewellery, Sami sheath knives, reindeer leather products, troll figurines, wooden toys and woodwork.
Roros, in central Norway - a world heritage site - has attracted over 40 artists and artisans.
You'll find rustic stoneware and porcelain, beautiful nature-inspired wood carvings, hand-crafted silver jewellery, glassware, copper, and general handicrafts for sale.
What is there for children to do?
Lots! Domestic tourism in Norway is arranged largely around children's interests, and most towns have museums, or at least sections of museums, devoted to kids, along with numerous children's parks.
Dyrepark, in Kristiansand, has an open-air zoo, pirate ship battles and family accommodation in the fantasy town of Kardamomme By. Free admissions or substantial discounts are available for kids at most attractions.
Tourist office
Norwegian Tourist Board, Charles House, 5-11 Lower Regent Street, London SW1Y 4LR. Tel. 020 7839 6255.
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| | Available rental properties in Norway |
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