Travel Norway
Experiences, accommodation, events, and transport across Northern Norway, Lofoten, the Fjords, and Svalbard.
Northern Norway
3,500 km of Arctic coastline from Bodø to the Russian border. Tromsø sits inside the auroral oval. Dog sledding, whale watching, and the midnight sun.
Explore Northern Norway
Lofoten Islands
170 km of jagged granite peaks rising 1,000m from the Norwegian Sea. Red rorbuer, stockfish racks, and the E10. 800,000 visitors in summer, 24,000 residents year-round.
Explore Lofoten Islands
Norwegian Fjords
Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord carry UNESCO World Heritage status. Bergen, Stavanger, Ålesund, and Trondheim serve as basecamps for the fjord region.
Explore Norwegian Fjords
Svalbard
Polar bears outnumber people 3:1. A direct 3-hour flight from Oslo lands you in Longyearbyen. Four months of polar night, four of midnight sun.
Explore SvalbardFeatured experiences
10 hand-picked activities across Norway.
Northern Lights Dog Sledding
Dog sledding under the aurora at 78°N — the most extreme aurora experience on earth. A team of Alaskan huskies pulls you across the frozen Adventdalen valley while the sky shifts green and violet overhead. Peak season runs November through February, when the polar night guarantees total darkness and KP3+ activity is frequent.
Polar Bear Safari by Snowmobile
Multi-hour snowmobile expedition into Svalbard's eastern wilderness, where the polar bear population outnumbers humans 3:1. Your licensed guide carries a rifle — mandatory outside Longyearbyen settlement limits. Routes vary by ice and weather conditions, covering 60–120 km across glacial valleys and frozen fjords.
Glacier Hiking Expedition
Svalbard has 60% glacier coverage. Guided day hikes on Longyearbreen and Nordenskiöldbreen with crampons and ice axes provided. You walk across blue ice, through meltwater channels, and past crevasse fields that have been forming since the last ice age. The guide reads the ice conditions live — no two trips follow the same route.
Preikestolen: The Pulpit Rock Hike
Preikestolen is a 604-metre flat-topped cliff that drops vertically into Lysefjord. The hike is 8 km return with 334 metres of elevation gain — rated DNT Blue. Allow 4–5 hours in good conditions, longer in rain or ice. The trailhead is at Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, reached by ferry from Stavanger harbour (45 min) and then bus. The cliff edge has no guardrail. In July and August, the path is crowded from 09:00 onward — start before 08:00 or plan for a late afternoon start. GetYourGuide and Viator both list guided group transfers from Stavanger if you prefer a joined tour with transport included.
Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavanger
A RIB speedboat covers the 42 km length of Lysefjord in under 3 hours, passing under Preikestolen (604 m) and Kjerag (1,084 m) from the water. The cliff faces are sheer — looking straight up at the rock walls from sea level is a different experience than standing on top. Rødne Fjord Cruise operates departures from Skagenkaien, Stavanger. Season runs April to October. Bring a windproof jacket regardless of the weather — at 50 km/h across open water, the wind cuts through cotton.
Trolltunga: Guided Hike from Odda
Trolltunga — the Troll's Tongue — is a horizontal rock shelf jutting 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet in the Hardanger region. The hike is 22 km return with 800 metres of elevation gain. It is a DNT Red trail: exposed ridge sections, river crossings, and route-finding above the treeline. Allow 10–12 hours minimum. Snow can persist on the high sections into June — check conditions before leaving Odda. The trailhead is at Skjeggedal car park, reached via Odda, roughly 2 hours from Bergen by car or bus. Guided groups depart daily from May to October. Solo hikers attempting this in poor visibility or late in the day get evacuated at serious cost — bring a GPS, pack extra layers, and turn back if clouds close in on the plateau.
Upcoming events
Festivals, concerts, and cultural gatherings.
Lofotfiske (Lofoten Cod Fishing Season)
The annual Arctic cod migration to Lofoten has shaped Northern Norwegian identity for 1,000 years. Skrei (migrating cod) arrive from the Barents Sea between January and April. Henningsvær, Stamsund, and Reine harbours fill with fishing boats. The cod drying racks (hjell) go up across the islands. This is not a ticketed event. It is the working rhythm of the archipelago. Visit the harbours at 06:00 to watch the boats return.
Tromsø International Film Festival (TIFF)
One of Scandinavia’s leading film festivals, screening 150+ films across venues in Tromsø. TIFF focuses on international cinema, Norwegian premieres, and Arctic-themed documentaries. The 2027 edition runs 18–24 January, as the first sun returns to Tromsø after the polar night. Screenings run from morning to midnight.
Sami Week in Tromsø (Samisk uke)
Sami Week runs in Tromsø from 31 January to 7 February 2027. It takes in Sami National Day on 6 February and ends with the Norwegian Championships in reindeer racing in the city centre, which draws thousands of spectators. You are a guest at a Sami celebration: ask before photographing people, and keep clear of the reindeer and their handlers on race day.
Nordlysfestivalen (Northern Lights Festival)
A music festival in Tromsø combining classical, jazz, opera, and contemporary performances. Founded in 1988, it runs 11–20 February in 2027, in the dark-season months when Tromsø’s nights are long enough for aurora. Concerts take place in Ishavskatedralen (Arctic Cathedral) and venues across the city.
Finnmarksløpet (sled dog race)
Europe’s longest sled dog race starts from Alta. In 2027 the new FL-300 class starts in Alta city centre on Friday evening, 5 March, alongside the FL-Junior, FL-600 and FL-1200 classes. The start in Alta is the easiest place to see the teams. Check finnmarkslopet.no for each class’s start time and checkpoint schedule.
Sami Easter Festival (Påskefestivalen)
The largest annual gathering of Sami culture, held in Kautokeino during Easter week. Includes the Sami Grand Prix (joik competition), reindeer racing on the frozen Kautokeino river, Sami film festival, art exhibitions, and traditional duodji craft markets. This is a Sami-led, Sami-run event. Attend as a respectful guest.
Where to stay
Hotels, rorbuer, cabins, and camping across Norway.
Longyearbyen Apartment
Longyearbyen Apartment is a self-catering apartment in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Full kitchen and independent access — suited for stays of three nights or more. Search availability on Booking.com.
Nordenskiöld Lodge
Nordenskiöld Lodge is a self-catering cabin near Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Kitchen facilities and independent access make it a practical choice for multi-night stays. Check availability on Booking.com.
Haugen Pensjonat Svalbard
Low-key guesthouse featuring simple rooms & apartments, plus a shared kitchen & mountain views.
Funken Lodge
Warmly decorated rooms & suites in a homey hotel with a restaurant & glacier views.
Longyearbyen Camping
Longyearbyen Camping is a campsite near Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Pitches for tents and caravans, with basic sanitary facilities. A practical base for travellers arriving by car or campervan.
Svinøya Rorbuer
Relaxed seaside hotel set in former fishing cabins, plus a seasonal restaurant & mountain views.
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