Sports and leisure activities Norway

Budget & Tips

Getting some fresh air and exercise has never been easier than in Norway! Hire a bike and take to the many real cycle paths, slip on your sneakers and explore the wooded areas on the outskirts of towns, go hiking (watch out for ticks!), kayak (even in town!), put on your skis as soon as you leave the metro... The possibilities are endless, and we love it! The DNT.no association offers guided tours, 550 attractive refuges for hire or loan, and maintenance of 7,000 km of cross-country ski trails and no less than 22,000 km of hiking trails. In the unusual category: surfing, especially in Lofoten, is becoming increasingly popular! If you're a cross-country skier, you'll have no trouble getting a pair of roller skis in Norway to practice skating all year round!

It may come as a surprise, but (basic-standard) gyms are sometimes cheaper in Norway. Which explains why they're so popular! Being fit is part of the Norwegian DNA. You'll have no trouble finding a gym in town.

What's very local

Every weekend, Norwegians are quick to take to the slopes if it's not raining! Skiing is a common winter mode of transport, even in the city. When it comes to wellness, floating saunas are all the rage, and can now be found in major cities as well as in remote locations, particularly in the fjords. Although the practice of sauna was not born in Norway, it has become increasingly popular. Today, there are numerous public and private saunas, both floating and not, all of which charge a fee and are open to all. Nudity is not customary in Norwegian saunas.

Your documents please

Sea fishing in Norway is free and no permit is required. However, a certain number of rules must be respected: 100 m distance from fish farms, minimum catch size according to the species. The fishing associations or landowners issue permits for fishing in rivers and lakes. Fees can be purchased online from the Norwegian Environmental Agency and permits are issued locally by the fishing associations or landowners.

Sea fishing is free all year round, with three exceptions: salmon, trout and arctic char. You must pay a tax. June to August is the best time to fish for salmon and salmon trout in the inland rivers or near the coast. You must pay the tax and sometimes even a local or regional fishing license. Fishing licenses can be purchased at sports stores, campgrounds or tourist offices.

To be booked

It is necessary to reserve paid activities and organized tours, especially in high season. The same goes for the spas, which are often overcrowded.