A Norwegian holiday – mountains and fjords, from the northern lights to the midnight sun

Norway tends to surprise, even those who have grown up here. Not because it's unfamiliar, but because it's hard to remember how good it actually is until you're exploring it again. The fjords, the mountain peaks, the lovely silence in the middle of magnificent nature. It affects one differently than a week spent on a hot beach.

What makes Norway a destination for all seasons is that summer and winter provide two completely different experiences. You don't just choose your destination. You choose what kind of vacation you want. And no matter what you choose, it's hard to be disappointed.

Summer: midnight sun, fjords and long days

Summer in Western Norway is in a class of its own. The fjords are mirror-smooth, the days are long and there is hardly a better place to be for those who want to enjoy outdoor activities. Loen in Nordfjord is one of the most spectacular places in the country, where the Loen Skylift take you up to Hoven and there is a via ferrata for those who want extra excitement. Nearby Stryn offers glacier hiking and summer skiing on Strynefjellet well into July, and is also an excellent starting point for a cycling holiday along the Geirangerfjord. In Møre og Romsdal, you'll find the Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen, two of Norway's most iconic nature experiences.

Bergen is the gateway to Western Norway's fjords, with fjord cruises as a natural part of your stay, and a city many consider to be the most beautiful in the country. Bryggen, the Fish Market, the Fløibanen funicular and the Ulriken cable car are not to be missed. Bergen offers long summer evenings, but if you want to experience the midnight sun where the sun doesn't actually set, you have to go north of the Arctic Circle, to somewhere like Tromsø or Svalbard.

Winter: northern lights, skiing and the polar night

Winter holidays in Norway are about embracing the darkness instead of fleeing from it. And the rewards are great. The northern lights are of course a highlight for many. Tromsø is called the capital of the northern lights due to the city's location in the middle of the active northern lights zone, and is the very core of the Northern Lights season from November to March. Lofoten gives the northern lights another dimension, with traditional fishing villages, sea eagles and whales following the herring towards the coast.

Andøya offers a truly unique experience, where rocket launches from Andøya Space can happen set against the dancing northern lights in the night sky. Svalbard winter is unmissable, with the polar night, dog sledding and polar bears close to civilization.

Norway is a good destination for ski enthusiasts. From major alpine centres to world-class cross-country trails, the mountain landscape is made for winter sports. But winter in Norway is about more than skiing. Røros is a World Heritage site in Trøndelag where the snow-covered mining town is preserved almost untouched. Each February, the dog sledding race Femundløpet fills the streets with dog sleds and spectators in their thousands, making Røros one of Norway's most unique winter destinations.

Norway outside the high season

The shoulder seasons are perhaps the best-kept secret in Norwegian tourism. May and September bring beautiful scenery, far fewer tourists and better prices, whether it is accommodation, parking or boat trips. In spring, the waterfalls roar and the mountains are fresh and green, while popular mountain adventures are available without queues. Autumn brings yellow and red colours on the slopes and a tranquillity over the fjords that is difficult to find in the middle of the summer season.

Bergen is a good example. In the summer, historic medieval Bryggen and the Fish Market are filled with tourists from all over the world, but in spring and autumn you get the same charming town almost to yourself!

Oslo and city life

We can't avoid mentioning the capital. Oslo is a city that deserves more time than most people give it. If you haven't visited it in a while, there is good reason to go there again.

The opera house in Bjørvika has become one of Norway's most iconic buildings, and the city has developed into one of Northern Europe's most exciting culinary destinations, with restaurants ranging from MICHELIN-starred flavours and seafood restaurants filled with the fjords' finest ingredients to cosy brunch spots.

History buffs can look forward to the opening of the new Viking Age Museum in Bygdøy at the end of 2027, with the world's best-preserved Viking ships gathered under one roof. If you are looking for the best things to do in Oslo or the best hotels, Picolo has you covered.

In Oslo, the sauna culture is something you should not miss. Right next to the Opera House you will find saunas in one of Oslo's most unique locations. Sauna has become a Norwegian national sport, and you will find saunas by the sea, fjord and lake all over the country that are open all year round.

Find your Norwegian holiday

Whether you're travelling with kids, going away with a group of friends, planning a romantic getaway or on a senior's trip, Norway has something to offer.

Head to Loen for fjords and mountains, Stryn for glacier hikes and summer skiing, Bergen, for the gateway to the fjords and nature and urban experiences combined, Oslo for a big city break, Tromsø for the northern lights and the midnight sun, Svalbard for an unforgettable Arctic experience, Røros for cultural history and Andøya for something not found anywhere else on the planet.

If you like snow and skiing, Norway's winter is made for you. If you prefer mountain hikes, fjord cruises and gondola lifts in the sun, summer is the answer. Just choose your season and start booking your next adventure!