In recent years Norway has enjoyed quite the tourism boom. From cruise ships making weekly visits to regular flights to all parts of the country, it’s suddenly become impossible to scroll through your Instagram feed without finding at least one post about Norway.
Norway’s sudden rise to fame has resulted in a wide variety of people being attracted to explore this beautiful country, which is a double-edged sword. If you are the kind of person that appreciates the beauty of nature and enjoys hiking up a hill to visit an impressive viewpoint then you’ll love Norway. If you’re the kind of person who likes to tick off tourist attractions like you’re catching Pokemon then you might find yourself feeling a little underwhelmed.
There’s Nothing to Do in Norway
I will freely admit that in preparation for my first trip to Norway I found myself looking at Google Maps and wondering how I was actually going to fill my time in the ports. I’m very much a “go with the flow” kind of person so I decided to just turn up and see what I found on my travels. As soon as we docked in the first port I instantly understood and fell in love with Norway.
There is no “instant gratification” in Norway. In most ports there aren’t any tourist attractions as such - interesting viewpoints and scenic hikes replace theme parks and shopping centres. Norwegians take pleasure in being outside and appreciating nature, and if you’re not someone who enjoys the same things then Norway might not be for you. In larger ports you may find cable cars or small museums, but nothing like you could expect in a Mediterranean port. You need to look for things to do - follow the paths, get lost, find the viewpoints, stumble upon a little coffee shop. Searching “what to do in Norway” (swap Norway for your specific port) might not yield a long list of results, but go exploring and you’ll soon find yourself running out of time!
It’s Too Cold/Wet/Windy
Have you heard the Scandinavian saying “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes”? On my first visit to Norway I didn’t realise quite how literally people take this phrase. Young children take naps outside in their prams, if it’s raining you put on waterproofs, and if it’s cold you just put on another layer.
As British people I feel like we could learn a lot from the Norwegian mentality. As winter rolls around we tend to hunker down and wait for the warm weather to return. Having spent last Christmas in the Arctic Circle, I came home armed with a practical wardrobe and a new mentality to make the most of everyday, regardless of what Mother Nature is throwing at me, and it made winter much more enjoyable.
Unless there is a really bad storm you will find that life continues as normal in Norway. If it rains you’ll get wet, if it’s cold you’d better put another jacket on and make the most of the day anyway!
Norway is Expensive
To put it bluntly, yes it is. Norway is a wealthy country, the standard wage is higher and the taxes are higher. It’s not unusual to find something costs almost double what it would in the UK in Norway. That doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands to have a great trip though. Food is expensive in Norway - both groceries and meals in restaurants - so unfortunately there’s no getting around that one. Outside of finding somewhere to stay and places to eat, you can actually have a great time in Norway without spending a lot of money.
Tourist attractions, shops and restaurants in touristy areas can get quite pricey, so if you want to holiday in Norway on a budget then you need to live like a local as much as possible. Try to eat at restaurants a little off of the tourist circuit or buy groceries from the local supermarket. For entertainment, look at local viewpoints, hikes or waterfalls. Consider renting bikes or canoes - these will still be more pricey than at home, but as it’s self-led it’ll be cheaper than a boat trip or guided tour.
Final Thoughts
Other than a few places which have, in my opinion, become massively overdeveloped in order to cope with the demand of tourism (looking at you, Flåm), Norway is almost entirely focused on getting out and enjoying nature. Norway is popular because of it’s unspoilt beauty, so if that’s something you wouldn’t’ enjoy then Norway might not be the place for you.
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