Five not-to-be-argued with reasons to visit Norway in 2025
I'd dreamed of seeing the Norwegian fjords my entire life, so when I finally turned 40, I said 'no thanks' to a milestone party and instead took my family on a Holland America cruise touring all of the spots that had long captured my imagination.
What I couldn't have predicted is how deep Norway – with its spectacular landscapes, friendly locals, and goats on roofs – would get under my skin.
As a result, I've been back several times since.
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Norway is a bucket list destination. Getty
Now, this list could easily be called 10 or 20 reasons to visit Norway, but the following are the key highlights…
Cruising the fjords
Straight after you Google images of Norway's celebrated fjords, you're likely to ask which ones to see. The first question you should really be asking is 'When's the best time to go?'
Outside of winter, when cruising becomes impossible, every season has its own beauty. Head there in northern spring and you'll still see snow-dusted peaks (perfect for photos) while summer brings the best outdoor weather - and of course, the associated summertime crowds.
Autumn can mean a drizzle here and there, but you can count on a blanket of burnt orange, golden and vibrant yellow foliage.
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Visiting the fjords is a must. Getty
Among the top fjords to see are Geirangerfhord, Sognefjord and Lysefjord. The best towns to circle on your itinerary are:
- Alesund, a picturesque town located by the Sunnmøre Alps where a scenic day trip to Geirangerfjord is possible (and encouraged).
- Stavinger, much-loved for its coastal landscape and popular with travellers using this culinary hot spot as a stepping stone to see Lysefjord.
- Bergen, a bustling town that is considered the gateway to the fjords. Happily, it's located by some of Norway's finest, including Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord.
See the Northern Lights
Need yet another reason to book a Northern Lights tour? Due to strong aurora activity this year (the solar maximum is at the peak of its 11-year cycle), you're much more likely to see the sky show, and it will be at its brightest in Northern Norway.
You can't just head over any time, of course; tickets are best booked for dates between late September and late March (historically March/April and September/October have had the highest level of aurora borealis activity.
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This year will see strong aurora activity. Getty
Tromso, in the country's north, is considered the main hub for northern lights tours, but you can also head over to Lyngen, Alta, the Lofoten Islands, or Bodo, which falls a little further south in Norway's Salten region.
Solid choices when it comes to northern lights tours include those offered by 50 Degrees North, The Northern Lights Company, and Nordic Visitor.
Experience Oslo's art scene
You know you can't leave Norway without paying your respects to the most celebrated Norwegian artist, right? At the MUNCH museum, you'll learn all about the life and works of the man behind The Scream. While you're still in an arts frame of mind, the National Museum has over 5,000 exhibits across three floors, but you can certainly still make time for a couple of hours at the Nobel Peace Center.
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From small towns to big cities, Norway is a charming place. Getty Images/iStockphoto
For something different - if not a little depressing - Climate House at the Natural History Museum welcomes you to learn all about climate change, global warming, and the hell it will soon be unleashing on our planet.
And since we're all about variety, why not check out the Nordic Bible Museum, where you can marvel over a collection of over 3,000 bibles.
Embrace Nordic cuisine
Fresh seafood plucked from icy Atlantic waters, reindeer prepared a million different ways, and a wealth of Michelin restaurants; Norwegian cuisine may not be the first that comes to mind during a 'What should we eat?' session on Friday night, but it warrants solid exploration.
Under is submerged in the icy waters of the Atlantic. Wikimedia Commons
Key dishes to keep an eye out for include Torrfisk, king crab and salmon, but note you're also likely to see a fair whack of whale meat, seal and reindeer on menus across the country. Travel the Trøndelag region in Central Norway - home to over 200 food producers - and be sure to pop by Trondheim, which, along with Trøndelag, was named a European Region of Gastronomy in 2022.
Lock in a king crab safari in Kirkenes, eat your way through the different cheese farms located in the Cheese Village between Oslo and Bergen, and if you've after one stellar Michelin experience while in the country, you can either dine under the sea in the aptly named Restaurant Under, or at Maaemo, the proud bearer of three Michelin stars.
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Norway has amazing hiking oppoortunities. Getty
Unleash your inner Action Man
You could visit Norway to grace its restaurants, cruise its fjords, and little more. For those keen to cycle, paddle, hike, climb, and ski their way through a holiday, however, Norway's dramatic landscape sets the scene for some of nature's best adventures. Some of the top options?
- Take a sea kayak tour of Sognefjord, which runs from the Atlantic to the village of Skjolden.
- Cycle the famous Rallarvegen route, which kicks off in either Bergen or Oslo and follows the historic Bergensbanen railway line past glaciers, fjords, and valleys.
- Lace up your hiking boots to tackle Preikestolen, a popular 8km hike which towers some 600 metres above Lysefjord.
- Climb some of the most death-defying mountains in Norway.
- Enjoy a spot of ice-bathing
- Watch the local wildlife show you how it's really done during an Arctic animal safari
