Fjords that make your jaw drop, cities that ooze Scandi cool and some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe. Holidays in Norway feel like stepping into a nature documentary, with an extremely good coffee in your hand.
Holidays to Norway 2026 and 2027 Highlights
Fjords that defy belief with Bergen as your gateway to the most spectacular natural scenery in Scandinavia
Northern Lights visible from Tromso between September and March, one of the genuine bucket-list experiences of a lifetime
Oslo's world-class culture from the Munch Museum (home of The Scream) to the waterfront Opera House you can literally walk on top of
Seafood straight from the source with fish markets, harbour restaurants and some of the freshest catches in Europe
Good to know for your Norway holiday
☀️ Summers are surprisingly pleasant at 18-23°C with incredibly long days (the midnight sun means it barely gets dark in June and July up north). Winters are cold at around -2 to 3°C in the cities, colder in the north, but atmospheric and brilliant for northern lights
💷 Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK), not the euro. A pint of beer costs around 90-130 NOK (roughly £7-10), a main course at a mid-range restaurant about 200-350 NOK (£15-27) and a coffee around 40-55 NOK (£3-4). Yes, it's expensive, but almost everywhere takes card and the quality is consistently high
🏔️ Norway has over 1,000 fjords, and the western coastline from Bergen northwards is one of the most dramatic stretches of scenery anywhere on the planet. You don't need to go far from the cities to see it
A holiday in Norway is perfect for you if...
You want holidays that mix fjords and mountains with the comfort of a city.
You'd stand in the snow at midnight for a chance to see the Northern Lights.
You like your seafood straight off the boat and your coffee strong.
You want a short break to Norway that feels nothing like the Med.
You think a funicular up a mountain counts as a theme-park ride.
🏨 Top Hotels for Norway Holidays 2026 and 2027
💑 What are the best hotels for a couples' city break in Norway?
Hotel Charmante - Four-star in the centre of Bergen, a short walk from Bryggen and the fish market, with a restaurant and a bar and lounge downstairs.
Scandic Ishavshotel - A quayside hotel in Tromso with harbour views and a restaurant and bar, 50 metres from the Hurtigruten terminal and close to where many of the Northern Lights and whale-watching tours set off.
👨👩👧👦 Which hotels are best for a Norway family holiday?
Clarion Hotel The Hub - Central Oslo with an indoor pool, a gym and plenty of places to eat, a short walk from Karl Johans gate and the Opera House.
Scandic Holmenkollen Park - Up on the hill at Holmenkollen with views over Oslo and the fjord, an indoor pool and a spa, 600 metres from the ski jump and its museum, and a short walk from the train into town.
✨ What are the best luxury hotels for Norway holidays?
Grand Hotel Oslo by Scandic - The grand hotel on Karl Johans gate, Oslo's main boulevard, 100 metres from the Parliament, with a fine-dining restaurant. Its new spa opens on 1 December 2026.
Hotel Continental - Five-star and family-run, opposite the National Theatre in central Oslo, with the famous Theatercaféen downstairs.
🎉 Which Norway hotels are best for a group city break?
Scandic Byporten - Right next to Oslo Central Station and on Karl Johans gate for shops and restaurants, six minutes' walk from the Opera House, with a bar and restaurant on site.
Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret - Central Oslo near the station and the airport express train, with a sun terrace, a bar and a restaurant, and Karl Johans gate a short stroll away.
💰 Which hotels are best for cheap Norway holidays?
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen - Beside Bryggen, 100 metres from the fish market and close to the Fløibanen funicular, with a lobby bar and a big breakfast buffet. One of the best-reviewed hotels we sell in Bergen.
Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station - A simple, well-priced base right by Oslo Central Station, so the airport train and the city's sights are on your doorstep.
🏔️ Must-Dos on your Norway Holidays
Norway's scenery is the main event, but the cities bring serious culture and food to the table too.
Munch Museum, Oslo - the striking angular building on the waterfront houses the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's work, including The Scream. One of the best art museums in Scandinavia.
Oslo Opera House - walk right up to the roof of this angular marble building for panoramic views over the Oslofjord. The architecture alone is worth the visit, and there are regular performances inside.
Bryggen, Bergen - the colourful wooden wharf buildings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most photographed spot in Norway. Narrow alleyways lead to craft shops, galleries and cafes.
Floibanen funicular, Bergen - ride up Mount Floyen in minutes for panoramic views over the city, the fjords and the surrounding mountains. There's a network of walking trails at the top and a brilliant playground for kids.
Northern Lights from Tromso - between September and March, Tromso is one of the best places on earth to see the aurora borealis. Guided tours run nightly and chase the lights across the Arctic landscape.
Whale watching from Tromso - between November and January, humpbacks and orcas follow the herring into the fjords north of Tromso, and boat tours head out from the harbour to find them. Genuinely unforgettable.
🏘️ Where to Stay on your Norway Holidays
A holiday to Norway with us means one of three cities, and each does something the other two can't.
👨👩👧👦 Where should families stay in Norway?
Oslo The best all-round base for families. Flat, walkable and packed with kid-friendly things to do: the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology, the Vigeland sculpture park, the Fram polar ship museum, and the Tusenfryd theme park from late April to September. The Oslo Pass covers buses, trams, ferries and museum entry.
Bergen Compact and easy to manage with children. The Fløibanen funicular up the mountain is a hit with kids, Bergen Aquarium has penguins and sea lions, and VilVite Science Centre keeps curious minds busy. The fish market is a fun lunch stop too.
💑 Where should couples stay in Norway?
Bergen The most romantic of the three cities. Stroll through Bryggen's colourful streets, take the funicular at sunset, share a seafood platter at the harbour and use the city as a base for fjord day trips. Nordnes, the old quarter of narrow lanes and wooden houses out towards the aquarium, is made for an evening wander.
Tromso For couples after something truly special. Chase the Northern Lights together, take a fjord cruise, visit the striking Arctic Cathedral and finish with a candlelit dinner in the world's northernmost city of more than 50,000 people.
🎉 Where should groups stay in Norway?
Oslo The biggest nightlife scene, with bars and restaurants around Aker Brygge and Grünerløkka. Kayaking on the Oslofjord, food halls like Mathallen, rooftop bars and plenty of museums make it easy to keep everyone happy.
Bergen A brilliant group destination with the Bryggen quarter for daytime exploring, the fish market for shared seafood platters, and a compact bar scene that's easy to navigate without losing half the group.
🗣️ Local Lingo
Hei (hay) - hello
Vær så snill (vair so snill) - please
Takk (tahk) - thank you
Skål! (skoal) - cheers!
Regningen, takk (RYE-ning-en, tahk) - the bill, please
Deilig! (DAY-lee) - delicious!
God morgen (goo MOR-en) - good morning
Hvor er...? (vor air) - where is...?
Unnskyld (OON-shuld) - excuse me
👀 Norway Travel Guide 2026 and 2027 - Things to do in Norway
👨👩👧👦 What are the best things to do on a Norway family holiday?
Tusenfryd, Oslo: Norway's biggest theme park, with rollercoasters and rides for all ages, about 30 to 35 minutes south of the city by bus. Open from late April to late September, plus a Christmas season.
Fram Museum, Oslo: climb aboard the Fram, the wooden polar ship used by Nansen and Amundsen, and explore it deck by deck. Properly impressive for kids, and a good one for a cold day.
Bergen Aquarium: penguins, sea lions, crocodiles and tropical fish in a harbourside location. Combine it with a ride on the Fløibanen and the fish market for a brilliant family day out.
VilVite Science Centre, Bergen: hands-on exhibits covering everything from weather to the human body. Kids can spend hours here without getting bored.
Fjord boat trip from Bergen: take the family out on the water to see the scenery up close. Several operators run half-day and full-day trips from Bergen harbour, and kids love the boat ride.
💑 What are the best things to do on a couples' city break in Norway?
Oslofjord sunset cruise: float past islands, beaches and the city skyline as the sun goes down. Some cruises include food and drink, and they run from May to September.
Munch Museum and a waterfront walk: spend a few hours with The Scream and Munch's extraordinary collection, then walk along the waterfront to Aker Brygge for dinner by the harbour.
Northern Lights chase, Tromso: guided tours head out from the city between September and March, driving to the clearest skies. Watching the aurora together is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Fløibanen and dinner in Bergen: ride the funicular at sunset for panoramic views, then head down to one of Bergen's harbourside restaurants for fresh seafood.
Coffee in Grünerløkka, Oslo: Oslo's hippest neighbourhood is packed with independent coffee shops, vintage stores and brunch spots. Perfect for a lazy couples morning.
🎉 What are the best things to do in Norway with a group?
Mathallen food hall, Oslo: stalls selling everything from smoked salmon and reindeer to artisan cheese and craft beer. Everyone can try something different and compare notes.
Kayaking on the Oslofjord: rent kayaks from the harbour and paddle around the islands. A brilliant way to see the city from a different angle.
Bergen fish market: grab a big shared platter of prawns, crab and smoked salmon and eat it by the harbour. One of those group experiences everyone remembers.
Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Oslo: even outside winter, the view from the top of the jump tower is sensational. There's a ski museum inside, and a zipline back down from March to November for anyone brave enough.
Aker Brygge bar crawl, Oslo: the waterfront district has a good spread of bars and restaurants, so it's easy to hop between spots without covering much ground.
🌍 More Destinations
Norwegian Cities
Oslo Fjords, world-class museums, a thriving waterfront food scene and the Munch Museum
Bergen Gateway to the fjords, with a UNESCO-listed wharf, brilliant seafood and the Floibanen funicular
Tromso The Arctic capital, famous for northern lights, whale watching and midnight sun
More Scandinavian Destinations
Stockholm Spread across 14 islands with a medieval old town, world-class museums and 30,000 archipelago islands
Copenhagen Colourful Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, New Nordic cuisine and the most bike-friendly city in the world
Helsinki Saunas, design, island-hopping and the gateway to Finnish Lapland
Lapland Northern Lights, Santa Claus Village, husky safaris and glass igloos under the Arctic sky
Popular Norway hotels
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FAQs
What currency does Norway use?
What currency does Norway use?
Norwegian Krone (NOK). The exchange rate sits at roughly 14 NOK to £1. Like Sweden, Norway is essentially cashless and you can pay by card almost everywhere. You might not need to withdraw any cash at all.
Is Norway expensive?
Is Norway expensive?
Honestly, it's one of the more expensive countries in Europe. Basically expect to pay anywhere what you'd pay at a really fancy place back home. A pint of beer in a normal bar costs around 90-130 NOK (roughly £7-10), a main course at a basic restaurant about 200-350 NOK (£15-27) and a coffee around 40-55 NOK (£3-4). The upside is that quality is consistently high, portions are generous and tips aren't expected (service is included). But the scenery is incredible and the culture is fantastic. And if you're on a budget, you can keep costs down by eating at food halls, making the most of hotel breakfasts and grabbing lunch from bakeries and supermarkets.
What's the best time to visit Norway?
What's the best time to visit Norway?
It depends what you're after. Summer (June to August) is the most popular season: long, bright days with temperatures around 18-23°C and the midnight sun in the north. It's ideal for fjord cruises, hiking and city exploring. For northern lights, visit Tromso between September and March, with peak season around December to February. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are quieter and often cheaper, with beautiful light and fewer crowds.
Can I see the northern lights from Oslo or Bergen?
Can I see the northern lights from Oslo or Bergen?
Occasionally, but your best bet by far is Tromso, which sits inside the Arctic Circle and has prime aurora conditions from September to March. Oslo and Bergen are too far south for reliable sightings, though a particularly strong solar storm can produce displays visible across the whole country. If northern lights are a priority, head north.
Do I need to speak Norwegian?
Do I need to speak Norwegian?
Not at all. Norway consistently ranks among the best English-speaking countries in the world. You'll have no trouble communicating in hotels, restaurants, shops or on public transport anywhere in the country. A "hei" (hello) and "takk" (thanks) will earn you a smile, though.