10 Reasons to Make Norway Your Next Vacation

Accessibility

While it's not as easy to reach as London or Dublin, Oslo is becoming easier to get to from the U.S. Low-cost transatlantic airline Norwegian Air now offers direct flights from Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Oakland, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, Orlando, and New York JFK, with a direct Las Vegas route starting in November.

With its LowFare options, these flights are extremely affordable. I found multiple direct, round-trip fares for summer travel from Los Angeles under $900; from Boston, New York, and Oakland under $700; and from Ft. Lauderdale under $600.

Oslo is just a two-hour flight from London, too, and less than three hours from Reykjavik, both large hubs for cheap transatlantic airlines.

Fjords

Norway's fjords drive the country's tourism. While Oslo has its own fjords, it's really the Western part of the country that's most famous for these waterways. Bergen, known as the gateway to the fjords, is only a 45-minute flight from Oslo, or six to seven hours by train. Bergen itself is an incredible city to explore, but it's from here where you can really explore the other fjords.

There are four main fjord areas: Rogland, Hordaland, Sogn og Fjordane, and More og Romsdal. Overall all there are 22 fjords you can visit, each offering incredible road trip routes, hiking, biking, cruises, diving, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. Check out Fjord Norway's website to help plan your itinerary.

Climate

Even though Norway is in Scandinavia, it's a great year-round destination. In spring, fall, and summer you can easily drive any of the National Tourist routes along the fjords and enjoy the extra hours of sunlight hiking and exploring (the sun sets at 10:00 p.m. and rises around 4:00 a.m. in the summer). You can even ski year-round at most mountains, and come winter the fjord region gets the most snow in Northern Europe. Summer is the most popular time to visit, but both spring and fall boast mild temperatures (due to the Gulf Stream) that make it a pleasant time to visit as well.

Norway also has one of the brightest and most frequent sightings of the Northern Lights in the world, with popular sighting spots close to the Artic Circle in Northern Norway in the Lofoten Islands, Trondelag, Alta, Svalbard, and Finnmark. Sightings are most frequent between late September and March, when it's dark between 6:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.

People

Norwegians as a whole are some of the friendliest Europeans you'll ever meet. Whether you're in the capital Oslo or a small fishing village along the coast, Norwegians are extremely proud of their culture and want to share it with the world. English is widely spoken in the main tourist areas, and you won't encounter an attitude if you ask a question in English.

Cuisine

Nordic cuisine is trendy, with cities like Copenhagen and Stockholm at the forefront of a culinary movement—but Oslo is elbowing its way onto the list as well. Expect lots of potatoes, fish (particularly smoked salmon), and root vegetables  in your meals. Typically, dinner is the only hot meal eaten during the day. In Oslo, make sure to visit the Mathallen Food Hall for a true taste of Norway.

Museums & Architecture

There are close to 1,000 museums across Norway, with Oslo boasting dozens of famous collections and sculptures. See everything from Edward Munch's The Scream at the Munch Museum to the world's oldest ski jump at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum. There's also the Viking Ship Museum, Nobel Peace Center, and Astrup Fearnley Museum—and that's just in Oslo. Norway's small towns in the fjord areas are bursting with museums and churches where you can immerse yourself in the country's Viking past.

The blend of new and old architecture in Norway creates an intriguing contrast as well. The Opera House stands out in Oslo, as does the developing "Barcode" area. The Ekeberg Sculpture Park (and adjoining restaurant) and The Vigeland Park are also worth a visit.

Tour Options

Since the fjords can be overwhelming, especially to foreigners, there are various ways to get around. From cruises to trains, there are plenty of options through Fjord Tours. So whether you want to go on a cruise, a 10-day hike, or even by bike, there are plenty of options for you to chose from.

If you're brave and on a flexible schedule, you can also rent a car and go on your own and follow any of the National Tourist Routes.

Small Towns

The heart of rural Norway lies within the small towns and fishing villages in the fjord areas. Many embrace visitors by offering museums, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and fresh cuisine (not to mention great views). Some of the most popular stops are Kristiansand, Alesund, Geiranger, and Bergen.

Versatile Activities

From year-round skiing year to summer whitewater rafting, there are endless entertainment options in Norway. This makes it a great multigenerational destination--fjord cruises offer activities for all levels.

It's also a popular destination for those seeking intense hiking trips. Many overlooks and viewpoints require hours of hiking to reach.

And, if you're after a non-adventure trip or looking to mix in some urban culture, Oslo is a cosmopolitan option on par with many other European capitals  for architecture, shopping, museums, sightseeing, and walking tours.

Shopping

There's no getting around it: Norway is expensive. But the shopping, especially for design and art, is worth the cost. Save your receipts and fill out a VAT refund at the airport so you can shop tax free and get up to 19 percent back.

There's a new shopping center at Aker Brygge along the water that offers unique clothing shops. You can also visit the two largest shopping centers in Norway: Oslo City and Byporten. For famous design shops check out Norway designs, Pur Norsk, and House of Oslo. There are also tons of vintage shops on Markveien in the hipster neighborhood of Grunerlokka. Or, if you're looking for traditional Norwegian products and souvenirs, visit Den Norsek Husfliden Heimen and Norway Shop by City Hall.