Norway Holidays

Officially known as the Kingdom of Norway, the majority of this country shares borders with Sweden, Russia and Finland. It faces the North Atlantic and is famous for its Fjords, which are popular with cruises.

With the summer midnight sun, the Northern Lights and breathtaking fjords, Norway has a plethora of fascinating natural features and phenomena. A country that prides itself on clean living and a warm, welcoming ambience, Norway is a joy to visit. With an extensive, craggy coastline which reaches up and over neighbouring Sweden and Finland, Norway is a diverse country. The geography of Norway makes it an ideal holiday destination for those who love to be outdoors, as you can enjoy skiing, hiking and much more. From cosmopolitan cities to snow-capped mountains, no two holidays in Norway are the same. It is a country that you will want to return to again and again in order to experience everything it has to offer.

Things to do in Norway

Whether you’re cruising down the Norwegian Fjords, going on a wildlife safari, visiting museums or caving, there are a huge range of things to do when to visit Norway. For those looking for an action packed break, there are a huge range of sporting activities, such as climbing, caving, trekking, kayaking, canoeing or snowboarding. Have a look at lastminute.com’s Norway ski holidays for more ideas on action-packed fun.

For something less energetic, there are a wide range of walking tours, nature attractions, museums, galleries and monuments to visit. There are also a huge range of family friendly activities, such as theme parks, petting zoos and wildlife safaris. For a really relaxing break, there are a number of golf courses, spas and wellness centres, so you can really take the time to chill out.

Visit the country’s capital, Oslo, for a cosmopolitan view of Norway. Oslo is the centre of the country’s science, economy and politics, as well as being one of the most important trading ports in Northern Europe, which has attracted some of the world’s largest maritime traders.

Enjoy the great outdoors

With such spectacular scenery, there's no wonder Norway is a hive of outdoor activity. Mountain ranges run down the length of the country offering plenty of locations for hiking, skiing and other winter sports. Exploring the fjords and islands, by foot or on a bike, is another popular choice. The entire coastline of Norway offers incredible natural features that are perfect for an action-packed holiday for families, couples or groups of friends. Travel up to the Arctic Circle in the north of Norway and go whale spotting and take in the wonder of the Northern Lights.

Family fun

Norway is just about as family friendly as it gets. With a plethora of farms, theme parks and day trips to keep everyone happy, there are plenty of options for every day of your holiday. Many of the cities are easily walkable, making for relaxing, stress-free exploration of the museums and sights. There are also beaches and waterways, science centres and, of course, snowy activities that provide fun, education and fresh air for a truly invigorating holiday. With such spectacular scenery, there's no wonder Norway is a hive of outdoor activity. Mountain ranges run down the length of the country offering plenty of locations for hiking, skiing and other winter sports. Exploring the fjords and islands, by foot or on a bike, is another popular choice. The entire coastline of Norway offers incredible natural features that are perfect for an action-packed holiday for families, couples or groups of friends. Travel up to the Arctic Circle in the north of Norway and go whale spotting and take in the wonder of the Northern Lights.

Explore the fjords by train

A ride on the Flåmsbana Railway has been named as the world's most incredible train journey. The 20km journey takes you on a wild adventure up mountains, past deep ravines and alongside towering waterfalls for an unforgettable experience and amazing photo opportunities. A trip on the railway is great for exploring the dramatic landscape without having to be too adventurous.

Top places to visit

The Munch Museum

Featuring the world's largest collection dedicated to a single artist, the Munch Museum displays the extensive works of Edvard Munch, including the famous Scream painting. The Norwegian impressionist pioneer donated his artwork to the city of Oslo where it is now on permanent display.

The Viking Ship Museum

Located on the Bygdøy peninsula, the Viking Ship Museum displays wonderfully preserved Viking ships, carts, textiles and other artefacts. Learn about the fascinating part of Nordic history through the collections of original material. Throughout the day, a film is projected right onto the walls and ceiling of the museum for a truly immersive experience.

How to get to Norway

Flights to Norway take around two hours, if travelling to Oslo from the UK. Flights to other destinations, especially in the very north of the country will take upwards of four hours and often require connecting flights. Norway time is one hour ahead of GMT.

Things to see in Norway

• The Northern Lights - the stunning natural light show created by magnetic forces and solar winds. Watch the winter sky in Norway display beautiful colours in this must-see phenomenon.
• Glacial fjords - there are over 1,000 fjords in Norway cut from rock by glaciers over millions of years. Be sure to add a visit to your itinerary to take in the stunning views or take a cruise along the waterways through the dramatic landscapes to get another perpective.
• The midnight sun - summer in the northern-most part of Norway means everlasting days where the sun doesn't set. Stay up late and watch one day melt into the next.

Typical food and gastronomy in Norway

Due to the extensive coastline, seafood is a huge part of Norwegian cuisine. From dried cod to fresh salmon and herring, you must try some of the many fish dishes on offer when you visit. Norwegian lamb is another big feature on the menu, the meat is tender and juicy due to the untouched habitats and rich vegetation where the sheep graze. Fenalår is slow-cured lamb’s leg, which has a long history dating back to when the meat would be dried the fresh mountain air in order to preserve it for the long winter. Norway aims for sustainable meat production by using all of the animal, therefore there are also some unusual dishes available, such as smalahove, which contains sheep’s head. Norwegian food has a focus on local cuisine, such as fish and game, all of which is sourced locally. More recently, Norway has incorporated a wide range of international cuisines, which have been particularly influenced by American culture. Norwegian salmon is some of the finest in the world and is now a major export. Smoked salmon is often served with scrambled eggs, and meatballs and cod are also common. 

Best time of the year to visit Norway

Spring and summer in Norway are packed with outdoor festivals, it's definitely worth a visit if you enjoy music and food. The best time to visit if you would like to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. During this time it gets dark early and light late in the morning. On the opposite end of the scale, a visit to the north during the summer will allow you to experience the midnight sun. Another fascinating natural event where the sun never sets.
In the areas north of the Arctic Circle, it is never completely dark during the summer months, which gives Norway its nickname of ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’. The rest of the country can experience an amazing 20 hours of daylight at this time of year. During the winter, days are very short and snow is common.

Weather & Climate in Norway

The climate in Norway varies throughout the country, which is to be expected is as the north is in the Arctic Circle and it stretches almost 1,000 miles south. Along the coast, winters are mild with snow in the mountains and further inland cold winters bring lots of snow and the summers are hot and dry. July is the hottest month, temperatures average 17°C in the south and just 5°C in the north. January is the coldest month of the year, temperatures can drop to -17°C in the north and around -5°C in and around Oslo. August and October see the most rain in the Oslo area, but other more mountainous areas can see extensive rain throughout the year. The best time to visit Norway depends on what you plan on doing there. Obviously winter is best for skiing, while July and August are great for city breaks or exploring in warmer weather.

Visa and inmigration requirements

There are no visa requirements for travelling to Norway from the UK. Norway is a fantastic holiday destination for couples and families, with plenty of activities and sights to enjoy. It is also great for groups of skiers or adventure seekers thanks to the varied landscapes.