Norway Holidays

How to reach Norway

• Flight time: Flights to Oslo, Norway's capital, from Dublin take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. For cities like Bergen or Tromso, travel time may stretch to 3–4 hours, including a layover.

• Transfer time: From Oslo Gardermoen Airport, the city centre is easily reached in 20 minutes via the high-speed Airport Express train. Bergen Airport offers a 30-minute light rail journey into the city, while Tromso's transfers are just 10–15 minutes by bus or taxi.

• Price: The Airport Express train to Oslo costs around NOK 210 (€17.50) one way, while regular trains are cheaper at NOK 120 (€10). Bergen's light rail tickets cost NOK 40 (€3.50). Taxis, though convenient, are pricier, ranging from NOK 600–800 (€50–65) depending on the destination.

Weather and best time to visit Norway

This will really depend on how you wish to spend your time during your trip; you will get more daylight to enjoy the sights during spring and summer, but winter offers the opportunity for snowy escapades and you might see the northern lights.

• March to May: Easter is the time of the colourful Sámi festivals, and mid-May can be delightful if your visit coincides with the brief Norwegian spring. It's particularly beguiling in the fjords, with cascading waterfalls fed by the melting snow and wildflowers in abundance. Expect temperatures to climb from around 2°C to 10°C, with moderate rainfall at 30–70mm per month.

• June to August: This is the time of the midnight sun: the further north you go, the longer the day becomes until at Nordkapp the sun is continually visible from mid-May to the end of July. The summer season, however, is relatively short, stretching roughly from the beginning of June to the end of August. Temperatures average between 15°C and 22°C in cities like Oslo and Bergen and rainfall can be unpredictable, with 50–120mm per month.

• September to November: Autumn can be exquisite, with September often bathed in the soft sunshine of an Indian summer, but – especially in the far north – it can get bitterly cold. Temperatures drop from 12°C in September to 2°C by November and rainfall increases, especially along the coast (up to 150mm per month in Bergen).

• December to February: Winters are long and dark, with reduced daylight, opening times and transport services. But seeing the phenomenal northern lights is a distinct possibility and once the days begin to lighten, the skiing – and dog-sledding, ice-fishing and snowmobiling – is excellent. Temperatures range from -6°C to -2°C, with plenty of snow in the north. Expect 5–50mm of precipitation and just 1–4 hours of daylight in January.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Norwegian is the official language, but almost everyone speaks fluent English.

• Local habits and customs: Norwegians value nature and simplicity; be punctual, respect their love for the outdoors, and prepare to embrace friluftsliv – the concept of open-air living. Few Norwegians tip at cafés, but rounding your bill up by a few kroner is pretty standard and considered polite.

• Currency: Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but having a little cash for smaller purchases is advisable.

• Health and safety: Norway is one of the least troublesome corners of Europe, with street crime and general hassle relatively rare even late at night.

• Getting around: There are three main domestic train routes, which link Oslo to Stavanger in the southwest, to Bergen in the west and to Trondheim and Bodo in the north. Bus travel is almost invariably less expensive than the train, with tickets usually bought on board, but on both NOR-WAY Bussekspress and Vy Buss there are generally significant discounts for purchasing tickets in advance. Using a ferry is one of the highlights of any visit to Norway while domestic flights are also common for reaching the far north.

• Time zone: Norway is on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. It observes Daylight Saving Time from late March to late October.

Best things to do in Norway

From majestic fjords to Northern Lights adventures, Norway holidays are packed with unforgettable experiences. Whether you're into outdoor thrills or scenic city strolls, here’s what not to miss on your Nordic escape.

Explore Oslo’s culture and coastline

Start your trip in the stylish capital. Oslo combines cutting-edge architecture with a deep sense of history. Visit the Viking Ship Museum to see perfectly preserved longships, wander through the contemporary MUNCH Museum, or relax by the water at Aker Brygge. Don’t miss a walk on the roof of the Oslo Opera House for panoramic harbour views.

Cruise Norway’s breathtaking fjords

One of the top things to do in Norway is to cruise the fjords. Set sail through the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord or Nærøyfjord, where dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls and deep blue waters offer postcard-perfect scenery. Cruises depart from towns like Bergen, Flam and Ålesund.

Discover the charm of Bergen

Bergen is a must-visit on any Norway holiday. This colourful coastal city is surrounded by mountains and serves as the gateway to the fjords. Stroll through the historic Bryggen district, take the funicular up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views, and enjoy fresh seafood at the buzzing fish market.

Hike Norway’s iconic trails

For adventure seekers, Norway’s hiking routes are among the most scenic in Europe. Conquer Trolltunga, a rock ledge jutting out over the fjords, or Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), which offers dramatic views over the Lysefjord. These trails are best tackled between May and September.

Chase the Northern Lights in Tromsø

In winter, head north to Tromsø, one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. From late September to early April, you can join guided tours that take you far from city lights for a better chance of spotting the aurora. While you're there, try dog sledding, snowshoeing or even a stay in a traditional Sami tent.

Experience the Midnight Sun

If you're visiting in summer, the Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon not to be missed. In parts of northern Norway, the sun doesn’t set for weeks—giving you extra daylight for hiking, kayaking, or simply soaking up the scenery at midnight.

Local dishes in Norway

One of the highlights of holidays to Norway is its fresh, locally sourced cuisine. At its best, Norwegian food can be excellent: fish is plentiful and carnivores can have a field day trying meats like reindeer and elk or even, conscience permitting, seal and whale.

Some typical dishes

• Kj√∏ttkaker: Norwegian meatballs served with mashed potatoes, gravy and lingonberry jam.

• Fårikål: Norway's national dish, a hearty lamb and cabbage stew that's especially popular in autumn.

Meat dishes

• Fenalår: Marinated mutton that is smoked, sliced, salted, dried and served with crispbread, scrambled egg and beer.

• Reinsdyrstek: Reindeer steak, usually served with boiled potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Gravetlaks: Salmon marinated in salt, sugar, dill and brandy.

• Bacalao: A warming fish stew, with Portuguese roots, featuring dried cod, tomatoes and spices.

Sweets and desserts

• Riskrem: Rice pudding with whipped cream and sugar, usually served with frukt saus, a slightly thickened fruit sauce.

• Multer: Cloudberries – wild berries mostly found north of the Arctic Circle and served with cream (med krem).

Local drinks

• Aquavit: A bitter concoction which, at 40 percent proof or more, is real head-banging stuff, arguably made more palatable with beer chasers. Linie aquavit, made in Norway from potatoes, is one of the more popular brands.

• Norwegian beers: Norway now has well over 100 microbreweries producing some outstanding brews with two notable star-turns being the √Ügir microbrewery, at the Flåmsbrygga in Flåm, and Inder√∏y Gårdsbryggeri, out in the sticks near Steinkjer.