Sommarøy, Arctic Norway, NorwayVideo: anotherview, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Norway
Norway, made simple: fjords, northern lights, midnight sun and easy Scandinavian cities
Norway is a long, mountainous kingdom of deep fjords, fishing villages, Arctic islands and modern, walkable cities. It is one of the safest countries in the world to visit, but it is famously expensive, distances are huge and the weather changes fast. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, money, transport and seasons so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flySchengen entry, the new EU border checks, seasons and budgets, answered
- LandingOslo Airport, the airport train into town, cards and your first night, explained
- Your days in NorwayFjords, trains, ferries, cities and the Arctic north, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain kroner, card payments, transport tickets, alcohol rules and how to keep a pricey country affordable.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Norway should feel like wonder, not worry. We answer the questions about entry, money, trains, ferries, weather and costs before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming back from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Seattle or Brooklyn to see the farm your family left, or meeting cousins in Bergen and Trondheim? This guide was written with you in mind too.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your NorwayCities, fjords, Arctic islands or northern lights: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsSchengen entry rules, the right season and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for bakeries, museums, hikes, harbours and stays across the country.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Oslo, the fjords, Bergen and the north by train, boat and short flights.
Everything your Norway trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Oslo, Bergen, the western fjords, Tromsø, Lofoten and Trondheim, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred bakeries, museums, hikes, markets and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø and Trondheim and stays in every region.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Norway trip
Oslo, the Bergen Railway, the fjords and the Arctic north
Most first trips start with two or three nights in Oslo for the Opera House, the new National Museum, the Munch museum and the Viking and folk museums on Bygdøy. Then ride the Bergen Railway over the mountain plateau, drop down the Flåm Railway and sail the narrow Nærøyfjord before reaching Bergen and its old wharf. With more time, fly north to Tromsø for the northern lights in winter or the midnight sun in summer, and on to the peaks and fishing villages of Lofoten. A week covers Oslo, the fjords and Bergen; ten to fourteen days adds the north at an easy pace.
- The Opera House roof and the fjord saunas in Oslo
- The Bergen Railway and the Flåm valley
- Bryggen and Mount Fløyen in Bergen
- Northern lights over Tromsø or Lofoten in winter
Start with the destinations
See how the capital, the fjords and the Arctic north fit together.
Norway destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Norway rewards a little preparation: entry rules checked for your passport, a contactless card, the Entur app for trains and buses, ferry and road closures checked in winter, and a budget that leans on bakeries, supermarkets, free hikes and the right to roam. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train, ferry and flight times across a very long country
- The right season for fjords, hiking, midnight sun or northern lights
- How to keep a famously pricey country affordable
Where to go in Norway
From the waterfront museums of Oslo and the wooden wharf of Bergen to the deep western fjords, the Arctic city of Tromsø, the jagged peaks of Lofoten and historic Trondheim.
Eastern Norway
Oslo
A green, easygoing capital on a fjord, with landmark architecture, Viking history, big museums and forests at the end of the metro.
Read the guidePhoto: Pudelek, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Norway
Bergen
A cheerful harbour city of wooden wharf houses and seven mountains, and the classic starting point for fjord trips.
Read the guidePhoto: JoachimKohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Vestland and Møre og Romsdal
The Western Fjords
Deep, steep fjords with waterfalls, glaciers, mountain roads and farm villages, plus the Art Nouveau port of Ålesund.
Read the guidePhoto: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Norway
Tromsø
The lively Arctic city that is Norway's easiest base for northern lights, winter adventures and the midnight sun.
Read the guidePhoto: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nordland
Lofoten
A chain of Arctic islands with jagged peaks rising from the sea, red fishing cabins, white beaches and northern lights.
Read the guidePhoto: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trøndelag
Trondheim
Norway's medieval capital, with Nidaros Cathedral, colourful river wharves, a young student vibe and a celebrated food scene.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Norway safe to visit?
Yes, Norway is one of the safest countries in the world, with low violent crime. The real risks are nature and weather: fast changing mountain conditions, icy roads and paths in winter, avalanches and cold water. Read your own government's travel advice, check the weather and follow local warnings.
Do I need a visa for Norway?
Norway is not in the EU but it is in the Schengen Area, so the Schengen rules apply. Many passports can visit visa free for short stays, others need a Schengen visa. Check your passport on the official Norwegian Directorate of Immigration site, UDI, before you book.
Does Norway use the euro?
No. The currency is the Norwegian krone, written NOK or kr. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, some places no longer take cash, and you should always choose to pay in kroner when a card machine asks.
Is Norway very expensive?
It is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, especially for eating out, alcohol, taxis and hotels in summer. Supermarkets, bakeries, free hiking, hostels and cabins, and booking trains early keep a trip affordable.
When can I see the northern lights in Norway?
The aurora season in northern Norway runs roughly from late September to late March, when nights are dark. Tromsø, Lofoten, Senja and Alta are popular bases. You need clear skies, so give yourself several nights and keep plans flexible.
How many days do I need in Norway?
Three days covers Oslo. A week adds the Bergen Railway, a fjord cruise and Bergen, and ten to fourteen days lets you fly north for Tromsø and Lofoten too.
Ready to find your Bliss in Norway?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.