Discover the myriad wonders of Norway on a tailor-made holiday with Best Served Scandinavia. This is a spectacular country that boasts stirring landscapes on a grand scale – from majestic fjords and soaring coastal cliffs to jagged, snow-capped mountains and Arctic tundra with the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun as a glorious backdrop. See itinerary ideas
Tromso & Arctic Norway holidays
Norway’s far north is a haven for adventurous travellers, with summer's endless daylight bringing countless hiking, biking and fishing opportunities before giving way to winter's snow-covered expanse and the celestial glow of the Northern Lights. This is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, as the region lies directly beneath the auroral oval and benefits from having minimal light pollution outside of the main towns and cities.
Tromso in winter, as seen from Mount Storsteinen
Tromso, which lies 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, is by far the most popular destination in Arctic Norway, offering an enticing blend of urban attractions and a superb choice of restaurants alongside an abundance of opportunities for exhilarating adventures in the surrounding nature. Consider combining a trip to Tromso with a stay at Malangen Resort, where remote red timber cottages provide a cosy, fjord-side base from which to go husky sledding, snowmobiling, meet reindeer and, with a little luck, see the Northern Lights.
Northern Lights in Alta, a small city deep inside the Arctic Circle
Around 170 kilometres northeast of Tromso lies Alta, a considerably smaller and lesser-known city that’s also renowned as one of the best Northern Lights hunting destinations in the world – a fantastic option for those seeking to venture a little off the beaten track. Right up in the far northeast corner of Arctic Norway is Kirkenes, which serves as the starting, finishing or turnaround point for many Norwegian coastal cruises. It’s also home to the Snowhotel Kirkenes, where you can spend a night in a room intricately carved out of snow and ice.
Summer in the Lofoten Islands
Scattered off the west coast of Arctic Norway, meanwhile, are the Lofoten Islands, a remote archipelago characterised by razor-sharp granite mountains rising dramatically out of the choppy waters of the Norwegian Sea – awe-inspiring to explore both in the depths of winter and in the eternal daylight of the summer months while staying in a traditional ‘rorbu’ timber cabin.
Explore Arctic Norway holidays
Svalbard Holidays
Colourful houses of Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Around halfway between the northern tip of mainland Norway and the North Pole lies Svalbard, a collection of nine frozen, mostly uninhabited islands in the Arctic Ocean where polar bears roam in the wild. This is a land of immense glaciers, spellbinding fjords, barren tundra and mighty mountains that remain cloaked in snow and ice for most of the year. For four months between roughly 20th April and 20th August, the sun never sets, bathing Svalbard in constant daylight; from late October until mid-February, the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon, as Svalbard experiences Polar Night.
Polar Night lasts around three months in Svalbard
The vast majority of Svalbard’s human inhabitants live in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town with a population greater than 1,000. For somewhere so remote, it has a remarkably plentiful choice of hotels, restaurants and shops, making it an ideal base for venturing out into Svalbard’s pristine wilderness by snowmobile or by husky sled. Despite its hostile environment, Svalbard is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the likes of polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, whales, seals and seabirds.
Bergen & Fjord Norway Holidays
The UNESCO-listed harbour district of Bryggen, Bergen
The southern half of Norway is where you’ll discover most of the country’s famed fjords, cutting great slashes into the coastline and forming a seemingly endless showreel of mesmerising views.
Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, is a fabulous gateway to some of the most captivating western fjords, including Sognefjord (Norway’s longest fjord), Hardangerfjord and Aurlandsfjord, as well as the iconic Trolltunga (Troll’s Tongue) rock formation. It’s also a compelling destination in its own right, with its UNESCO-listed wharf, Fløibanen funicular, famous fish market and magnificent mountain surroundings. A trip to Bergen can also be easily combined with a delightfully scenic journey aboard the Flåm Railway, which connects the village of Flåm (on the shore of Aurlandsfjord) with the remote mountain station of Myrdal.
Geirangerfjord: one of Norway's most spectacular fjords
Further north, the picturesque port city of Ålesund – known for its elegant Art Nouveau architecture – is another excellent gateway to the fjords, including some of the most beautiful ones in Norway, such as Hjørundfjord, Romsdalsfjord and Geirangerfjord.
Cruises are also a wonderful way to explore Norway’s fjords, with a multitude of options sailing along the breathtaking coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes, ranging between two-week round-trip voyages and much shorter cruises of just two or three days.
Explore Norwegian fjord holidays
Trondheim & Central Norway Holidays
Colourful wooden buildings along the Nidelva River in Trondheim
Trondheim, Norway’s third-largest city and former Viking capital, is an understated delight, with its resplendent Nidaros Cathedral, colourful timber wharves, historic Bakklandet neighbourhood and thriving foodie scene. It’s commonly visited on Norwegian coastal cruises, but there’s plenty to warrant further exploration both in the city itself and in the surrounding region. From Trondheim, you’re perfectly placed to drive along the fabled Golden Road, which winds through the idyllic Inderøy peninsula, linking over 20 small-scale destinations that showcase the bucolic countryside and culinary gems of the Trøndelag region.
Venture inland, meanwhile, to explore the UNESCO-listed copper mining town of Røros, replete with beautifully preserved wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Or, head south to Kristiansund, from where you can access the Atlantic Ocean Road – one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Explore Central Norway holidays
Oslo & Southern Norway holidays
Oslo Opera House
Norway’s vibrant capital is a perfect destination for a laid-back city break or as a welcoming introduction to the country before setting off on a longer adventure. It’s home to world-class museums, an impressive medieval castle, gorgeous parks, urban bathing spots and an intriguing mix of ultra-modern and traditional architectural styles. And, for a change of scene, you can easily hop on a boat to the islands of Oslofjord, or take the tram or the metro to the nearby forests.
Pulpit Rock, overlooking Lysefjord
Over on the southwestern coast of Norway, Stavanger beckons visitors to discover the cobbled lanes of its timber-clad old town and its flourishing street art scene. It’s also ideally placed for exploring the beguiling Lysefjord, a 42-kilometre fjord flanked by two of Norway’s most striking landmarks: Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and Kjerag boulder.
Explore Southern Norway holidays
Our custom Norway holidays linger long in the memory once you've visited, and we think it's safe to say you won't visit here just once. Get in touch with a tailor-made travel specialist today to begin planning your trip.
