Top 10 Things about Norway You Should Know
Do you wish to travel to Norway one day? Maybe you've already booked a flight and started making plans for your trip. There are a few things you should know ... read more...about Norway before you pack your bags. You don't want to make any blunders when taking it all in, especially with such a rich history and stunning views. Here are the top Things about Norway You Should Know for the first time travelers.
-
Norway is quite huge in comparison to other European countries. Norway covers 385,207 square kilometers (148,729 square miles) and has a population of 5,425,270 people as of January 2022. The country shares a 1,619-kilometer-long eastern border with Sweden (1,006 mi).
It is bordered to the northeast by Finland and Russia, and to the south by the Skagerrak strait, which is shared by Denmark and the United Kingdom. Norway has a long coastline that runs parallel to the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea. Norway's climate is dominated by the sea, with pleasant lowland temperatures around the coasts; the interior, while cooler, is still far milder than locations elsewhere in the world at such northerly latitudes. Temperatures above freezing are normal on the coast, even during polar night in the north. Some sections of the country experience heavy rainfall and snowfall due to the oceanic effect.
It can take over 40 hours to drive from Southern Norway to Northern Norway without stopping. It's unlikely that you'll be able to cram everything into a short trip, and even then, you'll have to drive.
Looking into Norway Tours is a terrific approach to explore the top places. These tours will handle your transportation so you can focus on seeing the sights rather than worrying about driving between cities. Otherwise, plan to spend enough time in Norway to complete your bucket list.
-
You can expect to pay a fee to access most National Parks or outdoor areas in most places of the world. This is not the situation in Norway. All public lands are open to everyone, including strangers, thanks to a principle known as "Allemannsretten." The term literally means "right to roam" or "right to gain access." It dates back to ancient times and is today an integral part of Norwegian outdoor culture.
Also, you can pitch a tent anywhere in Norway thanks to "Allemannsretten" (any man or woman's right of public access) (unless anything else is stated at a specific area). For Norwegians, the outdoors is extremely important, and they strive to protect their ability to freely enjoy it. As a result, make sure you leave no traces and don't harm the environment.
It's simple to see why Norway has been rated one of the best places to live countless times. Furthermore, it is quite safe and welcoming for visitors. You'll be ready to explore this lovely region of the world as long as you know the items listed above.
-
Many people have the misconception that Norway is always very cold. While it is true that Scandinavia has hard winters, this is not the case all year. Norway has four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. If you're considering a trip to Norway, keep this in mind.
Some sites are only open during particular seasons, while some hikes are closed in the winter. Determine which season is best for visiting a given destination if that is your primary goal. Another thing to remember is that the weather fluctuates dramatically from season to season.
When traveling to Norway, make sure you carry extra clothing because it gets cold! It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure everything is open during your visit by doing some research. In the summer, it can get fairly hot, so bring appropriate clothing.
-
While Norway isn't particularly chilly throughout the year, you should still be prepared. Even in the summer, the weather in Norway is famously unpredictable, so bring an extra jacket and raincoat. This is especially important if you plan to go hiking or spend a lot of time outside.
As previously said, the weather in Norway varies greatly between seasons, so carry plenty of clothing. Most essential, you should carry an extra layer of clothing if you plan to go hiking during your visit. Even in the summer, it's a good idea to include a rain jacket and a fleece in your backpack in case the weather changes or the temperatures drop as you ascend. Remember that things can change quickly, so bringing an additional layer with you is a must.
-
The Norwegian Krone is the currency used in Norway. So, if all you have is Euro, you won't get very far. Because the Norwegian Krone has lately depreciated, traveling to Norway in the near future will be less expensive than it was only a year ago.
It should be noted that Norway is becoming increasingly cashless. A credit card can be used for almost anything, even cabs and hot dogs! That means that forgetting to carry cash isn't a big deal.Despite the fact that the Norwegian Krone is now weaker, Norway remains an expensive country in comparison to the rest of Europe. If you plan to eat out, your bill will almost certainly be more than if you ate at home. You'll want to leave some extra money in your budget for food and other expenses.
Eating supermarket food is a good method to keep prices down. In Norway, eating out is not a popular pastime, owing to the high expense of food. Buy some supplies from a grocery shop and cook your own meals for a true local experience.
-
You've certainly heard of Norway's midnight sun, but depending on the time of year you visit, it's not always what you imagine. Polar evenings are a phenomenon that occurs in Northern Norway throughout the winter. As a result, the sun never rises over the horizon, and the day is effectively black. The opposite is true in the summer. The sun never entirely sets.
Northern Norway experiences polar nights throughout the winter, when the sun never rises over the horizon and there are 24 hours of darkness. Summer, on the other hand, is completely different; the sun never sets.
You've probably heard of the Midnight Sun. Unlike popular belief, the midnight sun is not a different sun...it is simply the same sun as the rest of the year, but it does not set, resulting in 24 hours of sunshine. -
While most Norwegians are sincere and nice, their culture is not as warm and welcoming as that of other countries. You might believe someone is cold and harsh until you get to know them. Many tourists are offended by this until they learn it is only a cultural difference. When traveling in Norway, you're bound to meet a wide range of charming individuals, but don't be put off by their reserved demeanor at first. This is definitely one of the top Things about Norway You Should Know.
It's simple to see why Norway has been rated one of the best places to live countless times. Furthermore, it is quite safe and welcoming for visitors. You'll be ready to explore this lovely region of the world as long as you know the items listed above.
-
Norway is regarded as one of the world's safest countries. Even in major cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger, crime rates are extremely low.This is definitely one of the top Things about Norway You Should Know.
You should take care as you would in any other city, but there isn't much to be concerned about. Even walking alone late at night is generally safe, and the odds of becoming a victim of crime are slim.
Burglaries of homes and offices account for the majority of crimes in Norway. During the summer, several pickpocketing groups go around the most touristic sites, so keep an extra eye on your wallet when you're in a crowd (still, the possibilities of anything happening is low).
-
If you pay a visit to a Norwegian family on a Friday evening, chances are they will be eating tacos for dinner. As a joke, Tex-Mex is referred to as Norway's national dish. Yes, it is so popular that Norwegian people make tacos on Fridays!
According to a 2012 VG research, the taco is Norway's most popular Friday meal, even beating the notorious frozen Grandiosa pizza! According to this report, 400,000 Norwegians (or 8.2% of the population) consume tacos every Friday.
And fredagstaco involvement appears to be increasing. According to side2.no, up to one million Norwegians are eating Mexican food on any given Friday this year. (Ok, you probably didn't need to know this, but it's a fun tidbit that could come in handy as an awkward icebreaker!)
-
Another common misunderstanding about Norway is that it is a tiny country with simple travel. This is not correct. Despite the fact that it only has 5 million inhabitants, it is a huge country (148 718 square miles) that runs from 57° to 81° North. This implies you won't be able to visit Norway for a few days and see both the west coast, the city, and the north. Driving nonstop from Kristiansand in southern Norway to Nordkapp in northern Norway takes approximately 38 hours.
As a result, you should carefully organize your journey and consider the distances between the destinations. If you want to see everything in each region, it is recommended to extend your stay or do many trips. This is definitely one of the top Things about Norway You Should Know.