Why You Should Travel to Norway
Photo by Oleksii Topolianskyi on Unsplash
Norway is a Scandinavian country that is so beautiful and pristine that it may be hard to explain why, of all reasons, it is worth visiting. However, it is well-known not only for its incredible nature but also for its harsh climate. Let's observe each season independently and consider why each one may be the best for travelling to Norway, depending on what you would like to experience. Following this we will look through some of the most amazing stays in the country that feature luxurious lodges as well as modest cabins. No matter how big your budget is, you can enjoy what makes Norway so unique — soaring fjords and the mysterious Aurora Borealis are there for everyone.
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Season |
Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring |
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Temperatures |
North: 11°C / 52 °F South: 20 °C / 68 °F |
North: 2 °C / 35 °F South: 6 °C / 48 °F |
Inland: -3 °C / 25 °F Coast: 2 °C / 35 °F |
Oslo: 0-11 °C / 32-52 °F Average: 4 °C / 39 °F |
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Activities |
Road trip Sightseeing Hiking Kayaking Cycling Boating Fishing Seeing the midnight sun Swimming Birdwatching |
Hiking City touring Cruising Spotting sea life Seeing Aurora Borealis |
Cruising Train journeys Seeing Aurora Borealis Winter sports Reindeer- and dog-sledding Learning about Sami culture Stay in the SnowHotel Riding a snowmobile |
Seeing waterfalls Birdwatching Visiting fjords Coastal cruise Kayaking Rib boat tour Seeing spring blossom
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Places |
Geirangerfjord North of Norway Lofoten Islands Mt Ulriken Honningsvåg |
Oslo Bergen Havila Hurtigruten Kirkenes Pulpit Rock Trolltunga |
Northern Lights Belt (between 65 and 72 degrees north) Tromsø Lofoten Islands North Cape Kirkenes Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower (near Oslo) Svalbard |
Trondheim Geirangerfjord Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls Trollstigen road (near Ålesund)
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Events |
Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø (June) Norwegian Wood, the music festival in Oslo (June) Riddu Riđđu Festival in Kåfjord (July) The Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund (August) |
Bergen International Film Festival (September) Dark Season Blues, music festival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (October) |
Northern Lights Festival, music festival in Tromsø (January) Ice Music Festival in Geilo (February) Rørosmartnan, the largest winter festival (February) |
Stavanger Vinfest, food and wine festival (April) Constitution Day, all over the country (May 17) Bergen International Festival (late May) |
As you can see, Norway is a magnificent destination during every season. Depending on what you would like to see and experience, you find plenty of exciting attractions in winter, summer, spring, and autumn, in every part of the land. The next step in planning your trip to Norway is to select accommodation. Norwegians are widely known to pay a lot of attention to nature preservation and enjoy the outdoors whenever possible and despite rather severe weather conditions. The accommodation options reflect those traits, offering secluded getaways surrounded by the breathtaking Northern beauty. Let’s look through Norway’s hotels and select the best ones.
Tunheims Lodges, Fjøra
tunheimsfjora.com
The hotel’s motto goes «escape tourism — embrace nature», and it has all the rights to claim this. Its location on a lake next to spectacular fjords makes Tunheims Lodge a secluded haven for true nature lovers. It has a whole of three spacious lodges: the Fisherman (coastal style), Casa Argentina (Latin American style), and Kong Ring (Viking style). Each lodge has an area ranging from 1500 to 2000 sq ft and three king-sized bedrooms. Outdoor amenities include a furnished veranda, a boathouse with your own fishing boat, a gas grill, a jacuzzi terrace, and a private sauna. Each of the lodges features a simple yet cosy Nordic interior design which makes for an ideal atmosphere with a backdrop of majestic fjords mounting behind the lake.
Hotel Brosundet, Ålesund
brosundet.no
The hotel, set in one of the most beautiful cities in Norway, borders both Art Noveau-styled buildings and the iconic Brosundet Channel. Once the building was used as a warehouse for local fisheries; now, it’s a unique stay where history meets urban luxury. Every Saturday, Brosundet hosts afternoon tea gatherings (14:00 to 16:00) accompanied by piano music. And on Wednesdays, live music is played by the fireplace.
All the rooms, from suites to standard ones, are decorated in a classic Nordic style. If you wish to have a unique stay, book a room in the Molja Lighthouse, situated a 5-minute walk from the hotel. This so-called Room 47 is a romantic experience and a true work of art combining luxury with authentic Norwegian style.
Rorbu Cabins, Sakrisøy, the Lofoten Islands
sakrisoy.no/rorbu
sakrisoy.no/visit_us
Rorbuer are fisherman’s cabins located on a seaside in the vicinity of the awe-inspiring Reinefjord and soaring mountains. The authenticity of the cabins is combined with all mod cons for travellers wishing to explore one of the northernmost archipelagos on Earth. Initially, rorbuer were acting as a means to attract fishermen sailing from some other places to stay at local fishing stations. This one, Sakrisøy, is located 3 km from the fishing village of Reine, which is accessible by car, ferry (from Moskenes), ship (by Costal Steamer), and plane (from Leknes).
The options are: Olstind cabin (named after the mountain in the backdrop), which has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a sitting room with a fireplace; Mini Apartment with two floors, featuring a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom on the ground floor, and a bedroom for two upstairs; Olenilsøy cabins are simple lodgings with basic amenities.
However, the most important thing about Rorbu Cabins is that they are a perfect base for exploration of the Lofoten Islands’ raw nature, for hiking the spectacular fjords, and, of course, for watching the northern lights. Between explorations, learn the history and traditions of these severe islands, get acquainted with the people dwelling here, and embrace the essence of true Nordic living.
Ramnereiret (Raven’s Nest), Kaupanger
visitnorway.com
Situated in the Sognefjord, stretching over 204 km in length, and reaching up to 1000 m in depth, Hugin (the treetop cabin) is indeed a place to admire. It is located 190 metres above the Sognefjord, which promises incredible views. The house itself doesn’t pale in comparison with the surrounding nature: both its exterior and interior are inspired by traditional Norwegian stave churches and adorned with lots of elaborate carvings. This design turns Ramnereiret into an amazing Norse luxury oasis.
Hugin’s area is 25 sqm and consists of a fully-equipped kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, four sleeping places (one large bed in the bathroom and two small ones in the loft), a 70-sqm terrace with an outdoor fireplace and a gas grill. All the rooms in the building have hydronic heating. Food can either be cooked yourself, be delivered from the partner’s restaurant or even by the chef himself.
Outdoor activities offered by Ramnereiret include: wine tasting at the nearby Slinde Vineyard; visiting (hiking or sailing) the Sognefjord, visiting the Viking Village of Njardarheimr with around 1000 inhabitants and lots of entertainment and history, and various adventure tours taking you all over Norway.
Conclusion
These are only some of the fantastic hotels located in Norway. Further options include: the secluded island getaway Manshausen in Nordskot Brygge, Steigen; Namsen Salmon & Train Experience in Overhalla; multiple lighthouses; Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel on Spitsbergen; several fabulous ice hotels; the Arctic Hideaway in the island group of Fleinvær; the Bolder by the Lysefjord in Jørpeland (high-perched lodges); the Wonder Inn Riverside in Nes (riverside cabins); and various types of glamping, such as Arctic domes, yurts, hanging cocoons, glass or ice igloos, and Sami lavvus.
The choice of unique accommodation in Norway is really vast! The thing that unites them all is the opportunity they give — the opportunity to experience this charming Scandinavian land in all its beauty. Release your stress and unite with nature in Norway!