1. FIND PEACE IN THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS

A long, long time ago the movement of glaciers carved out deep valleys and left behind a dramatic landscape, sprinkled with waterfalls, rivers, lakes and mountains. The fjords are Norway’s most distinctive feature – the word itself comes from Old Norse ‘fjörðr’, an inlet or estuary. There are around 1,190 fjords scattered along the coast, the largest concentration of fjords in the world.

Norwegian fjords are considered the world’s most beautiful. Besides being on bucket lists of most true nature lovers, some of them made their way to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

To enjoy the serene and picturesque scenery is already a goal worth pursuing, but there are plenty of more adventurous things to do in the ‘Fjord Norway’. You can try out your fishing luck; you have good chances of catching salmon, cod, mackerel, trout  and more than 90 other species that live in the mild waterways.

If you prefer to stay dry, the diverse terrain offers many hiking and cycling routes, spanning from flat roads to gentle slopes and higher mountains, so you can explore the nature by yourself or in the company of your family. Just be sure to check the weather forecast first ☺!

2. Embark on the world’s most beautiful voyage

There’s a particularly memorable way to see the ‘fjord-full’ Norwegian coastline: from aboard of a ship. Embark on a Hurtigruten cruise along the Norwegian coast, dubbed as the world’s most beautiful voyage by the Lonely Planet.

Hurtigruten ships go all the way from Bergen in the south to Kirkeness in the north, sailing almost the entire length of Norway. It takes 12 days to make the round trip, but you can also hop on and off between any of the 30-something ports along the way.

Once known as the fast route, the Hurtigruten voyage is now a staple of slow travel. Slow, peaceful and beautiful.

This is not your typical cruise. There are no fancy dinners or lavish parties, Mother Nature provides all the entertainment, and it’s glamorous in every season.

During the spring and autumn, you can observe the changing colours of the landscape and the contrast between the warmer south and the wintery north. In the summer, you can bask in the light of the midnight sun. In the winter, you have a good chance to see the northern lights, as the ship takes you away from light pollution.

 3. Go Aurora hunting

The Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the northern lights, is the spectacular dance of various coloured lights across the sky that can be observed near the Earth’s magnetic poles.

Norway is one of the best places to see this surreal natural phenomenon, created by collision of particles from the sun and gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Or, according to an old legend, by foxes running through snow so fast that their tails shoot sparks all over the dark sky – who can know for sure?

What we do know is that it’s very difficult to predict when the northern lights will appear, which only adds extra excitement to the quest and if you succeed, the feeling is even more precious.

Winter is considered the best season to see the northern lights because of the longer periods of darkness. Bad weather and light pollution are your enemies, and patience is the key to success. You might consider enlisting help from the locals; there are numerous northern lights tour offers to choose from.

Also, you have to be willing to leave your warm bed at 1 am and step outside into the cold Arctic night, but the experience will make it worthwhile.

4. Watch the landscape pass by through a train window

If you want a cosy way to explore the scenic Norwegian landscape, but you’re not the sailing type, you can opt in for a train ride instead. It won’t take you as far up north as the Hurtigruten, but it will nevertheless take you up – to the mountains.

 The Flåm railway (Flåmsbana) is a touristic railway that runs from the small village Flåm (at sea level) up to the Myrdal mountain pass (at 886 meters above sea level). It has been named one of the 10 best European train trips by the National Geographic and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway.

The ‘mere’ 20 km long train ride – which takes a little less than an hour – is packed with characteristic sights of Western Norway with its waterfalls, snowy mountain tops and charming villages. The train stops at several camera-ready viewpoints, crosses one bridge and goes through 20 tunnels.

There are hiking trails throughout the Flåm valley, so you could go one way of the 20 km on foot and take the train back. To hike up or down, that’s up to you to decide😊.

5. Take a hike to Preikestolen

To stay on the subject – Norway is a paradise for hikers with its many paths and trails. One of our all-time favourite hiking destination is the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), the pulpit shaped mountain that towers 600 metres above the Lysefjord near Stavanger. 

Each year, the Preikestolen receives around 300,000 visitors. The hike takes about four hours both ways and is relatively easy, making it perfect for a family trip. There are picnic areas, swim spots and amazing views already along the way, but to reach your goal is to arrive to one of the most spectacular viewing points in the world.

The Preikestolen is extremely popular, so the chances you’ll have it all for yourself are slim, unless you are Tom Cruise and want to film a scene for the next Mission Impossible. It is however possible to avoid the crowd and secure some peace and quiet: by starting the trip in the middle of the night and arriving to the top just in time to watch the sunrise.