Travel guide Norway
At the northernmost point of the European continent, southeast of Greenland, Norway is an inhabited Nordic land, but with a very low density. If you are in Europe, you can get there thanks to a ferry crossing for ocean lovers. A parliamentary monarchy, it is above all the kingdom of a rough nature, from a country abundant in national parks. Mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls, sandy beaches, glaciers or desert lands swept by the icy wind, compose the grandiose landscapes of this country. Famous all over the world for its treks, the fjords and their heights are breathtaking and must be visited; those of the west of the country are registered as a Unesco world heritage. In the South, you can walk on large beaches, stroll through cute little fishing villages. In road trip, the charm of the country is all the more imposing. In the North, you can observe orcas and whales. The North will offer you the spectacle of the Northern Lights in winter; or the midnight sun in summer thanks to the Arctic Circle... A small paradise for nature lovers and wooden houses. You will meet the Sami (or Lappish) people. If the center of the country is sparsely populated, it is because Norwegians are mostly concentrated near the ports, in soft and quiet cities: Oslo the capital, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger... where you can visit majestic wooden churches. The Norwegian people, humble, courteous and generous, with Viking influences, have many things to tell us about their eventful history, which brings about an internal change of scenery thanks to their Viking origins, their relationship with nature, their gastronomy where salmon reigns, and their art of living.
What to see, what to do Norway?
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When to go Norway ?
The best time to visit Norway is undoubtedly from May to September, when the weather is mild and all tourist sites are open. However, if you're an avid skier, winter is the perfect season and if you're lucky, you'll be able to contemplate the northern lights of the aurora borealis. There is an unrivalled passion for Christmas in Norway, even among adults: in companies and businesses, the famous Julebord (Christmas party) is a huge hit with employees. But there are also many traditions such as gløg, a kind of low alcohol punch with currants that is sold on street corners. Christmas beer, Advent calendars, staying in the mountains (many Norwegians own a second home in the form of a mountain chalet), also remain deeply rooted customs among the population.
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Voici des positions d'itinéraires allant de quelques jours à quelques semaines. Si vous le pouvez, restez au minimum une semaine car autrement vous n'aurez ni le temps de profiter de quelques randonnées ou d'une ville ni celui de vous attarder dans un endroit qui vous plait particulièrement. D'autre part, la Norvège est un pays si grand et qui s'étend sur tellement de kilomètres qu'il vaut vraiment mieux explorer une zone en particulier plutôt que de chercher à tout voir pour au final se retrouver à passer son temps dans les transports. Si vous y aller l'été, les journées à rallonge vous donneront l'impression d'un séjour beaucoup plus long. Dans ce cas, il serait judicieux de faire le plein de sommeil avant de partir pour en profiter au maximum et faire comme les scandinaves qui dorment peu l'été. Plus vous resterez longtemps mieux vous découvrirez la nature du pays et aurez des opportunités de discuter avec les locaux.
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How to go Norway
How to go alone
Norway is surely one of the safest destinations in the world, so traveling there alone or with your family is very simple. The mastery of English is enough to get by for daily life and tourist visits, and it is relatively easy to get around. You will quickly adapt to the local customs and the kindness of the inhabitants will make your stay easier.
How to go on a tour
There are many different ways to visit Norway. You can opt for long stays (two or three weeks), short stays (three days in Oslo for example), for stays in immersion with the Sami population, tours on the traces of the Vikings, and of course cruises through the fjords... In short, there is no shortage of options and you will have plenty of time to choose a trip that suits your wishes!
How to get around
There are about 50 airports in Norway. However, flights are still quite expensive. Ferries and ferries are essential and very frequent in the fjords. The railway network, rather well developed, does not serve the Far North and is not very present in the fjords. The bus will take over. The car, provided it is well equipped (nails, chains, snow tires), is a real pleasure. Finally, don't forget the bicycle, very popular in Scandinavia!
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Discover Norway
Whatever the season or location, Norwegian nature is exuberant and all-consuming. Norwegians know how to live in harmony with nature, whether inland or on the shores of a fjord. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, dog sledding, skiing, ice skating... a multitude of sports are practiced in Norway, where the population cheerfully alternates between winter and summer sports. A nation steeped in history, certain influences from the past still live on today. Fauna and flora live to the rhythm of the seasons in this land with its sometimes harsh, sometimes mild climate. A pioneer in the environmental field "thanks" to oil, we know that 100% electric power is not the solution, but rather the reduction of consumption, something on which Norwegians (like all countries!) still have a lot of progress to make. Here are a few files to help you get to grips with this fabulous country of a thousand contrasts.
The 12 keywords Norway
1. #Ferry
If you're heading for the west coast, you'll find it almost impossible to avoid taking a ferry across the fjords. And why not? Inexpensive, they'll not only save you an incredible amount of time, but you'll also be able to spend a pleasant moment on deck, enjoying a softis (the Italian-style ice cream that Norwegians are so fond of).
2. #Fjord
Immense and majestic, with their cliffs plunging into rushing water, witness to the marriage between the salty ocean and the fresh waters of the glaciers, the fjords are a must for your visit to Norway. They can be explored on foot, on the water, by car, on the walls via ferrata, and even in the air for the most daring!
3. #Hot-dog
Surprising as it may seem, Norwegians love hot dogs! You'll find them everywhere: from the airport to the train station, and from the city to the countryside! While they're obviously not gastronomic, pølser (Norwegian for "hot dog") are a must-have on your trip. Don't forget to ask for yours with fried onions!
4. #Hytte
These are wooden cottages, often isolated in the wilderness, with varying degrees of comfort: some without water or electricity and with dry toilets outside, others with a flat-screen TV and sofa... For a weekend or a vacation, Norwegians flock to their hytte whenever they can. There are many for rent all over the country.
5. #Kos
Equivalent to the Danish word hygge, this widely-used term represents well-being, a warm, friendly and comforting atmosphere - in short, the Scandinavian art of living! It's also used to evoke life's simple pleasures, such as an evening around the fire with a few candles and good company.
6. #Fishing
Like skiing, sea and freshwater fishing is a national sport. Although you don't need a permit or license to fish on the high seas or from the coast, regulations are very strict and respected by everyone. The aquaculture industry is also a major economic boon for Norway, which exports 95% of its production to Europe.
7. #Oil
It's thanks to him, or because of him, that Norway is so rich and a pioneer in renewable energies. At the end of 2020, Norway was awarded new licenses to extract oil in the Arctic, in contravention of the Paris climate agreement. The term "petromonachy" has been coined. Objective: 100% electric cars by 2025.
8. #Skål!
It's the equivalent of our "cheers" when we drink and probably the expression you'll use the most, if you haven't already. But beware, in Norway there is no need to clink glasses, here are the habits: 1) Lift your glass towards the other and look at him. 2) Take a sip. 3) Step 1 again.
9. #Skiing
One could say that Norwegians are born with skis on their feet as this activity is so much a part of them. If skiing is practiced from the door of one's home in the countryside, it is also very easy to go skiing from any city in Norway: in Oslo for example, the Nordic and Alpine ski slopes are accessible by metro!
10. #Dry toilets
Although they're all the rage in our country too, dry toilets are still more widespread in Norway and Scandinavia in general. And that's logical, given that most holiday homes and second homes don't have running water or drainage. When are you going to install one?
11. #Troll
In Norse mythology, a troll is a rather large, repulsive and malevolent supernatural creature that lives in the seas, mountains or forests. The troll is an integral part of Scandinavian folklore and can be found in many forms in art and literature, making him one of the symbols of Norway.
12. #Vinmonopolet
As the sale of alcohol in Norway has been a state monopoly under the Ministry of Health since 1922, only shops with this name are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages above 4.75°. Vinmonopolet closes at 4pm on Saturdays to encourage people not to go out again to buy alcohol in the evening and drive while intoxicated.
You are from here, if...
You love swimming in cold water.
You go to the mountains or the sea whenever you have a free day.
You have an array of hand-knitted woollen garments.
You're almost always on time.
You drink four or five mugs of coffee a day.
You like to shake hands or hug(klem) rather than kiss and say hello.
You usually eat dinner early, around 6 p.m., and have a light snack in the evening.
A quick lunch at noon suits you better than a long, watered-down meal at the table.
Bad weather is not one of your major concerns.
You're used to taking off your shoes when you enter someone's home.
Good citizenship is part of your daily routine: no queue-jumping, respect for the rules, silence on public transport.
You get around just as easily by car as you do by bike or ski.
You have a drawer at home reserved for candles.