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My humble opinion: Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

There, I said it. While living in Sweden, I have been able to escape to Norway many times during my three years here and I am continuously impressed by how gorgeous it is. Norway is full of such friendly people and even better nature. As one who is also an avid lover of road trips, it is perfect for one. It is SO beautiful in fact that its scenery can actually be VERY distracting while you’re trying to drive, so eyes on the road and hands at 10 and 2 please!

All joking aside, I have managed to visit the capital city of Oslo, the 2nd largest city of Bergen, the largest Norwegian city in the Arctic Circle at Tromsø, and the smaller city of Stavanger. We also did hikes in the Lofoten Islands (5 islands in total), as well as Preikestolen and Trolltunga.

I have written individual blog posts for each place that I mention, just click the link and you can get a breakdown of each place and the sights I highly recommend seeing.

Just a few things to note about Norway before your visit:

1. Scandinavia is Expensive, and Norway is no exception. Try to budget accordingly.

2. Speaking to point 1, a lot of travelers stay in hostels and cook their own meals to keep costs down.

3. Everyone is friendly! And they all speak excellent english.

4. If you want to drive through the country just know that Norway is LONG. Its true size is skewed on a typical map, so plan accordingly.

5. Because it is so beautiful, only take photos when you have pulled off in an appropriate area. There are accidents every year of people not respecting the road ways while trying to capture the country’s beauty.

6. The currency is the Norwegian Krone, or NOK.

7. Expect to take some ferries in your routes, which will save you time overall.

If there are any tips that I have left out, please let me know below in the comments!

If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes, including Norway, available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames).

Oslo

(Blog Post: Oslo: A Guide to the Norwegian Capital)

Oslo was the first Norwegian city that I happened to visit in the country. As the capital of Norway, it is its most populated city and has origins dating back to the end of the Viking Age in 1040. Present day, it is a ‘Beta World City’ and is home to many maritime industries. The city was rather large as it also spans the adjacent Bygdøy peninsula. I remember doing a lot of walking however in retrospect, I should have also taken some of the ferries that were available as well. I would recommend three days to really see what Oslo is about. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above. In the meantime, here are some pretty cool places in Oslo:

• Oslo Opera House - What is so spectacular about this building is that its exterior serves as a plaza for patrons to walk on to enjoy panoramic views of Oslo. This means you can go from ground level and go up the angled walkway of the façade, all the way to the roof.

• Akershus Fortress - A castle and modern-day museum that was first constructed a defense for the city against mostly Swedish forces centuries ago.

• Viking Ship Museum - This museum on the Bygdøy peninsula contains actual unearthed Viking ships in excellent condition.

Bergen

(Blog Post: Exploring Norway's 2nd City: Bergen)

Bergen is Norway’s 2nd city, that is it is the 2nd most populated and as in most countries, is a natural rival (so to speak) with the capital city of Oslo. It is located on the western side of Norway and is known as the ‘city of 7 mountains’. Indeed, you can even hike to some amazing viewpoints to see all of Bergen in its entirety. The city was founded in 1070 and served as Norway’s capital only in the 13th century. I have been to the city twice myself, separated by a few years. I was fortunate enough to have good weather each time, which is quite rare. Nonetheless, the city was very walkable and could be seen in roughly 2 days. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above. In the meantime, here are some pretty cool places in Bergen:

• Bryggen - A UNESCO World Heritage Site) which is a series of Hanseatic heritage buildings in the Vågen harbor.  The buildings themselves are rather old, but are currently used as museums, restaurants, and bars.

• Mt. Fløyen - A mountain top giving great views over all of Bergen. You can take the Fløibanen Funicular to reach it.

• Bergenhus Fortress - A castle that dates back to the 13th century. It is very well preserved and is a gorgeous area to walk around and read more about the history of its existence. The castle is one of the oldest and best preserved stone fortifications in Norway.

• Kode Art Museum - The museum boasts pieces from Picasso, Dahl, Dalí and more dispersed across 4 buildings in the city center. Old antiques are also showpieces in some of the exhibitions as well.

Trolltunga and Stavanger

(Blog Post: The Perfect Road Trip to Hike Trolltunga and Preikestolen in Norway)

Stavanger is the 4th largest city in Norway and is home to the Norwegian oil industry. It is also home to a number of international military installations, like the NATO Join Warfare Center. It was founded all the way back in 1125 with the completion of the Stavanger cathedral. It has a small town feel due to its large amount of 18th and 19th century wooden houses that are now part of the city’s cultural heritage.

I flew into Stavanger and used it as a starting point in a mini road trip to see Preikestolen and Trolltunga, two amazing natural formations in the Norwegian countryside that have become quite popular over the recent years:

• Preikestolen translates to 'The Pulpit Rock', 'Pulpit', or 'Preacher's Chair' and is located in the Strand municipality. It is a steep cliff that is 604 meters above the Lysefjord. The top is uncharacteristically flat and almost a perfect 25 by 25 meter square. There is a lodge at the start of this hike where people can use facilities and grab food before the nearly 2 hour hike to the top.

• Trolltunga translates to "Troll tongue" is another rock formation near the village of Skjeggedal in Norway. It sits 1100 meters above sea level and the rock that resembles the ‘tongue’ juts out horizontally from the cliffside. The hike itself is challenging with the first four kilometers giving the most drastic change in elevation. Camping is not allowed on the site unless with a licensed guide. And with how popular this hike has become in recent years, I cannot recommend this option enough as we had the entire formation to ourselves during our trip.

Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

Tromsø

(Blog Post: A Guide to Exploring Tromsø: Norway's Northernmost City in the Arctic Circle)

Tromsø is located in Northern Norway and is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and third largest in the Arctic Circle after the cities of Murmansk and Norilsk in Russia. The city spans the island of Tromsøya and the landmasses on either side of it. As north as it sits geographically, the climate is actually very mild due to its position in the North Atlantic Drift (a Gulf Stream effect). Check out my blog post for more information on the link above. In the meantime, here are some pretty cool places in Tromsø:

• Arctic Cathedral - This church possesses a large glass façade on its west side, and a large glass mosaic on its eastern side. There is a small fee to enter the church to see this glass mosaic in full. Nevertheless, the church was created by Jan Inge Hovig and dedicated in 1965.

• Fjellheisen - A tramway located on the east side of the city (across the bridge) and takes you up to Tromsdalstinden, the 1,238 meter high peak that towards over the area. I cannot recommend this place enough in the summer to see the midnight sun!

• Tromsø Harbor - There are plenty of restaurants here as well, but perhaps on the more pricier side. The collections of boats and view of Tromsø over the water towards the East are what make this spot particularly charming during golden hour.

• Storgata - The main thoroughfare through Tromsø. This is the main street of the city with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir/specialty shops.

Lofoten - Austvågøya

(Blog Post: A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of Austvågøya)

The island of Austvågøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Fløya, Festvågtind, Matmora, and Djevelporten. Also including the towns of Slovaer and Henningsvaer, the latter is probably one of the best to explore in warmer weather. It is known for its football stadium, built into one of the outer islands of town. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

• Henningsvaer - A fishing village located on the islands of Heimøya and Hellandsøya. The town has a population of 510 and is replete with cafes and a large harbor for seemingly all the residents’ boats. Do yourself a favor and park in the town by the grocery store and take an hour to walk around the area.

• Matmora - A hike starting in the small town of Laukvik and easily one of the best hikes in Lofoten. The hike takes you along meandering pathways, flanked by plush green trees, with occasional appearances by the loitering sheep. The vegetation starts to disappear as you ascend higher and about 1 hour into the hike, you can see the summit.

• Djupfjorden - A tidal lake separated from the sea by a land bridge. You will know you’ve reached it when you see a lot of cars on the side of the road for seemingly no reason. If you do find a parking, you can climb up the rocky terrain (I managed in my sandals) and get a perfect view of the mountains across the landscape over the sea.

• Rorvikstranda - This beach was just off the main E10 road on the way to Henningsvær. What I really enjoyed about it was the turquoise color of the water. It was so intense and the wildflower vegetation of the area just added to the enchanting vibe.

Lofoten - Vestvågøya

(Blog Post: A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of Vestvågøya)

The island of Vestvågøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Mannen, Offersoykammen, Nonstind, Veggen, and Kleivheia. There are a number of beaches too at Uttakleiv, Unstad, and Haukland. Lastly, a kayaking during the midnight sun in Eggum in a must do when here in the summer. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

• Unstad Beach - This beach has been prominently featured in many travel websites and blogs. It is one of the more popular beaches in Lofoten with silky white sand, flanked on both sides with large boulders.

• Offersoykammen - This is a small mountain peak that you can hike to, giving you amazing views of Nappstraumen below. It was a more demanding hike for us, as it was quite steep until it starts to flatten out a bit near the summit.

• Borge Church - This church has a red and white facade, perfectly contrasting with the wide expanse of (mostly) farmland in the distance. The church is concrete and was built in a fan-shape style in 1986, the vision by architect Knut Gjernes. It can fit 600 people and was consecrated in 1987.

• Maervoll - A village in the Steinsfjord, most known for its spectacular vista of Himmeltinden in the distance. This mountain stands 964 meters tall and is the perfect backdrop for an afternoon picnic, which is what we did.

Lofoten - Flakstadøya

(Blog Post: A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of Flakstadøya)

The island of Flakstadøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are many hikes to undertake on the island: Hustinden, Volandstind, Moltind, and Nubben. There are a number of beaches too at Skagsanden, Rambergstranda, and Flakstad. The town of Vikten is a MUST visit to see the glass blowing at Glashytta Kafé. Lastly, Nusfjord is a charming fishing village you can't miss. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

• Nusfjord - This is a small fishing village on the south shore of Flakstadøya. There are a number of rorbu cabins here, many of them red, some are yellow that are spread across the landscape. The town is perfectly intertwined with nature and around every corner was a photographic opportunity.

• Flakstad Church - This church is located in the village of Flakstad (obviously). The church was built in a cruciform style in 1780. For me, I really liked its red color and the surrounding grounds.

Lofoten - Moskenesøya

(Blog Post: A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of Moskenesøya)

The island of Moskenesøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Reine, Ryten, Røren, Andstabben, and Munken. Some great beaches to check out are also at Kvalvika, Horseid, and Bunes. Lastly, the fishing villages of Hamnøy and Sakrisøy are incredibly picturesque and worth stopping for. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

• Ryten - Ryten is a huge cliff that is 543 meters in elevation and because of that, it takes a few hours to get to the summit in a well marked path, however with somewhat steep terrain when you get close to the top. The photographic shot you want is the small outcrop of rocks that jut out into the air, over Kvalvika Beach below.

• Hamnøy - One of the more iconic villages in all of Lofoten. You’ve seen those pictures before: these gorgeous red colored cabins [called rorbu, or rorbuer (plural)], standing on wooden planks above the turquoise blue water with a mountain backdrop.

• Reine - This village has a population of only 314, but seems much larger giving all the tourists that love to visit.

• Sakrisøy - Another small island similar to Hamnøy. It sits at the foot of Olstind mountain with its own set of fisherman cabins you can stay at. Take a walk around this island as well if you haven’t gotten your fix from Hamnøy.

Lofoten - Vaerøy

(Blog Post: A Journey to the Lofoten Islands: The Island of Værøy)

The island of Værøy is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. It is home to roughly 728 people and accessible only by ferry from Mostenes or Bødo. The viewpoint after hiking to Håen is one of the best in all of Lofoten. You can also hike at Nordlandsnuppen, Plantefeltet, and Værøyhornet. A day trip here is all you need to see the southern tip of the Lofoten Islands. Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

• Ferry - the ferry from Mosekenes to Vaeroy is FREE!

• Sørland - This resort and fishing village is the administrative center of the municipality with a population of 640.

The Epic Lofoten Road Trip

(Blog Post: The Epic Lofoten Islands Road Trip)

The Lofoten Islands are located in Nordland County in Norway. They are composed of the islands Gimsøy, Austvågøy, Vestvågøya, Flakstadøya, Mostenesøya, and Værøy. These islands are some of the most beautiful in the world and a summertime road trip to Lofoten is a huge bucket list item. My favorite spots were Henningsvær, Reine, Ryten, Nusfjord, Vikten, Offersøykammen, and Eggum, to name a few! Check out my blog post for more information on the link above.

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