I’ve been running this travel blog for twelve years now, and I’ve seen a lot change in people’s travel habits over the past decade. People used to visit blogs to find tips and inspiration beyond the generic top ten advice in guidebooks. They wanted to find hidden gems that only locals know about.
But now with the popularity of social media I see more people actively choosing to visit the most popular trending destinations. I’m sure you’ve seen it where you live as well – people might line up outside a coffee shop that has gone viral on TikTok, while an equally wonderful coffee shop down the street is empty. But people want the trending coffee, not just because it’s good enough to gain attention, but also simply because it’s trending.
Thanks to social media algorithms, posts from trending destinations will have more views, just as videos made with trending songs will get more views than videos using more niche or obscure music. If views and likes are the social media currency, it pays to follow the pack.
However, I still get occasional messages from people looking for something different, wondering if I can recommend places to visit that they might not have heard of before. And this guide is for those people!
Now, don’t despair if you really have your heart set on cruising through Norway’s prettiest fjords, driving up Trollstigen’s eleven hairpin turns, and getting those epic shots on Trolltunga, Segla, and Reinebringen. You absolutely can visit these places without getting lost in the crowd – if you’re willing to visit outside of peak summer months (or at least July and the first half of August). They’re gorgeous in the spring and autumn, and even in the winter. I’ve written a full guide to the best time to visit Norway here.
But I also get that some people, especially students and parents of schoolchildren, can only really travel to Norway in the summer. So what to do?
Tourist spots to avoid in the summer
If you want to escape the crowds, it’s probably best not to spend too much time in Bergen, Geiranger, Lofoten, or even Stavanger in the summer if you don’t want to be paying crazy high prices to hang out with crowds of tourists.
Of course, you don’t need to avoid these places altogether, but at least be aware that they’ll be extra crowded and expensive, and maybe try to schedule in some time outside of these tourist hubs as well.
a hike up from Rauland, where I rarely come across other hikers
Tourist spots to avoid in winter
Tromsø is really the main place in Norway that gets super crowded in the winter. It is a great place to go to see the northern lights, but if you visit from November through the end of March, accommodation will be super expensive and downtown will be full of tourists. This is the best time to visit if you want to see both snow and the northern lights, but if you can skip the snow you could visit in September or October instead for a third of the price!
September and October also have milder temperatures, so you won’t be quite as cold standing outside watching the northern lights. This is also a good time to visit Tromsø if you plan on renting a car but don’t have experience driving on snowy roads. Of course the weather varies year to year, but usually the roads don’t get icy until around mid October (I used to live in Tromsø).
Lofoten has also gotten more crowded in the winter, though it’s not as reliable a destination for northern lights because the weather varies and northern lights tours here can’t easily drive inland towards clearer skies as they do from Tromsø.
Off the beaten path places to visit in Norway
The thing is, there are so many beautiful places in Norway that people never hear about. In fact just about everywhere in Norway is gorgeous and worth visiting.
And yet it can be hard to find the best places to visit in Norway outside of the obvious tourist choices, I think partly because financially Norway doesn’t need to market these places for tourism, but maybe even more so because locals don’t want their favorite places to get crowded with tourists.
Though most people I’ve spoken to living here agree that it would be better if tourists spread out a bit more instead of overwhelming a few popular places each year. And oh are there some gorgeous places here to spread out to!
Instead of Lofoten
Helgeland
Helgeland is my favorite region of Norway – I even lived there (in Mosjøen) for a couple of years.
What I most love about Helgeland is that there are so many small islands here to explore and aside from a few popular spots, most of Helgeland is pretty quiet even during peak summer months. The mountains on Helgeland’s islands are just as beautiful as those in Lofoten, and Helgeland also happens to be home to Norway’s second largest glacier, Svartisen.
You can even travel by express boat from Bodø, so you don’t have to rent a car if you don’t want to. And if you want to camp, this is a far better choice than Lofoten, which I always recommend campers and camper vans to avoid. I’ve written a full guide to visiting Helgeland, Norway here.
My personal favorite places in Helgeland are: Mosjøen, Marmorslottet, Vega, Dønna, Træna, Myken, Lovund, Bolga, Støtt and Susendal.
Vesterålen
Vesterålen is another fantastic alternative to Lofoten, especially if you are traveling on a tighter budget.
Vesterålen has plenty of beautiful mountains, beaches, and hiking opportunities but even in July it’s so quiet compared to Lofoten. I spent last summer in Vesterålen partly because accommodation there is inexpensive, but also because I wanted to get away from the summer tourist crowds.
Read my Vesterålen travel guide here.
Ibestad
I first stayed on the island of Andørja in Ibestad last winter when I was driving up to Senja. But I loved it so much I immediately planned a return trip in the summer and wow, what a lovely place! Andørja is northern Europe’s most mountainous island, with twenty peaks over 1,000 meters!
And I never saw anyone on my hikes here in the summer, even though I would say the views were equally as beautiful as the more popular island of Senja to the north of Andørja.
And Ibestad is just a short ferry from the city of Harstad, so while it feels remote it’s actually very easy to get to!
I first stayed at this lovely cottage, which is certainly one of the cosiest places I’ve stayed in Norway. I loved it here so much! Unfortunately it was already booked when I returned in the summer, so I stayed in this converted barn instead, which was also very nice.
Kvæfjord
Also near the city of Harstad, Kvæfjord is most famous for its cake, kvæfjordkake (also called verdens beste, or Norway’s best), but Kvæfjord and the island of Kveøya is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit as well!
In Kvæfjord I stayed in this little cottage, which was simple but very cosy for me and my dog and had a beautiful view.
Steigen
Steigen is slowly gaining in popularity, but it’s a good detour off of the main road between Bodø and Narvik, so it’s still quite quiet here. About a three hour drive north from Bodø, Steigen lies directly opposite Lofoten with views out across to Lofoten’s famous mountain peaks.
But you don’t need to turn towards Lofoten for incredible mountain views – Steigen has plenty of its own dramatic scenery. And in my experience the people here are super friendly, which is always an added bonus of visiting less popular places.
Read my guide to Steigen here.
Senja
I almost didn’t include Senja on this list because it is quite popular with tourists these days, but it’s still certainly less visited than Lofoten. And if what draws you most to Lofoten is those iconic mountain views you’ve seen on Instagram, then Senja is a great slightly quieter alternative with equally iconic peaks. Hesten is probably one of the most beloved mountain peaks in all of Norway!
Tromsø (in summer)
I used to live in Tromsø and was surprised by how few tourists we saw there in the summer – most only visit in the winter for the northern lights. Accommodation is actually quite affordable in the summer months too, while from November through March hotel prices skyrocket.
I also highly recommend visiting Sommarøy as well when you’re in Tromsø. Read my guide to Tromsø here.
Lyngen Alps
The Lyngen Alps are a 2 – 3 hour drive from Tromsø and so incredibly stunning. I’ve taken a bunch of my foreign visitors here and they loved it as well. Read my guide to Lyngen here.
Finnmark
And if you want a truly unique experience take a road trip through Finnmark, the far north of Norway. In Finnmark some of my favorite places are Sørøya, Vardø, Karasjok and the North Cape. I’ve written about them in this one week Finnmark itinerary and this two week itinerary.
Here you won’t find the same dramatic mountain peaks of Lofoten, however if you’re looking for an outdoor hiking and wild camping experience, Finnmark is the place to go.
Lofoten really is no longer a great place for long distance trekking and camping, but Finnmark is perfect. So if you are considering doing the “Lofoten Crossing” (which is not an official route and has caused serious damage to the nature in areas not meant for hikers), I highly recommend instead flying to Hammerfest and hiking through Sørøya instead. You will thank me!
Rauland and Hardangervidda
Another great option for long distance treks is Hardangervidda in southern Norway. I used to live in Rauland and since it is mostly a winter ski destination, it’s a lovely place to visit in the summer and early autumn.
If you do visit Rauland, I highly recommend getting the ferry to Mogen and hiking into Hardangervidda National Park. Just be sure to bring warm clothes – at over 1,000 meters the summer temperatures can be chilly!
Read about my experience visiting Mogen here
I do love staying in cabins in the mountains, but in Rauland I would actually recommend staying at the Rauland Mountain Hotel. I’m a little biased because my grandparents worked there when they were young (it’s actually where they first met!) but it really is such a special place. Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir even visited once!
These mountain hotels have fallen a bit out of fashion, as Norwegians now prefer to stay in private cabins, but that actually means that they’re really good value, and also a bit frozen in time. It feels like what I imagine the Norwegian mountains were like in the 50s or 60s (though everything is updated and totally luxurious!). It also has a spa and an indoor swimming pool.
Hoddevik
If you’re drawn to the surf culture in Lofoten, you should also check out Hoddevik Beach in western Norway! Read my guide to Hoddevik here.
Kråkenes Fyr
By Hoddevik you should also check out the Kråkenes Lighthouse. I spent a night here years ago and it’s still one of my favorite experiences in Norway. The weather here can be insane and certainly rival the high winds we experience in Lofoten!
Read about my experience staying at the Kråkenes fyr here.
Instead of Bergen & Flåm (Norway in a Nutshell)
Someone working in Flåm tourism is going to send me an angry email for telling you this, but I really think the Flåm Railway is not even close to one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Norway. It is purely marketing, because Flåm is a cruise ship hub as well as easily accessible to Bergen, so companies can offer “tour” packages like Norway in a Nutshell that are simply a collection of public transport tickets that could have been a fraction of the cost if you booked them yourself.
I’ve shared a guide for how to book this route yourself, however if I’m being honest I would never send any of my friends to Flåm or the Flåm Railway. It used to be a nice enough experience a decade ago, but these days it is absolutely swamped in the summer and not a worthwhile experience, in my opinion.
Bergen & Rosendal
I lived in Bergen for three years and can confirm that it is a wonderful place to visit in any season. And of course one of the draws of Bergen is that it offers access to Norway’s majestic fjords.
Sognefjord is the most popular fjord to visit, however if you want a less touristy experience, I highly recommend visiting Hardangerfjord instead. You can rent a car and take a road trip (I’ve shared two gorgeous road trip itineraries from Bergen to Hardangerfjord here), but you can also skip the car rental and take the express boat to Rosendal!
Rosendal is a lovely little town right on the fjord, with a beautiful hotel, the Folgefonn glacier museum, and the Barony Rosendal estate. And if you want to extend your stay here, you can spend the night at the beautiful Rosendal Fjordhotel right on the fjord.
I especially love the restaurant at Rosendal Fjordhotel, which has beautiful views out over the water and delicious food.
If you really want to experience a beautiful train journey, you could consider flying into Oslo and taking the train to Bergen. In my opinion the train from Oslo to Bergen is much more beautiful than the Flåm Railway, though the journey takes much longer at about 7 hours.
Fjærland and Balestrand
If you do choose to go to Sognefjord from Bergen, I recommend opting for Fjærland or Balestrand instead of Flåm.
The Fjærland Hotel is an old family-run hotel that dates back to the 1930s and just oozes character, while also maintaining an impressive level of luxury. The hotel is right on the fjord, and from the delicious Norwegian meals served in the restaurant to the old antique Norwegian furnishings, staying here is the perfect way to experience Norway. It even has a private beach!
While this perhaps might not be ideal for people looking for a modern luxury hotel, if you want to experience more of Norwegian culture the Fjærland Fjordstue Hotel could not be more perfect.
The fjord views in Balestrand are stunning, plus it’s home to one of my favorite hotels in Norway, the Kviknes Hotel. And if you’re visiting by car, Balestrand is near the start of the Gaularfjellet Scenic Route, which makes for the most incredible road trip.
I’ve shared my guide to Balestrand here.
Trondheim & Røros
While Bergen has more spectacular nature, I’d argue that downtown Trondheim, particularly Bakklandet, is more beautiful than Bergen. Trondheim is a student city also well known as Norway’s foodie destination.
I lived here for half a year, and then when I lived in Helgeland I would often get the train down to Trondheim for a city break and now that I live farther north I actually miss Trondheim so much!
From Trondheim you can take the train up into Helgeland, or you can head down to Røros!
Røros is my mother’s favorite place in Norway. Founded in 1644, Røros is one of the oldest towns of wooden buildings in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This old mining town is definitely on the tourist path, but it’s far enough inland that it still doesn’t get as many visitors as the stops along the fjord cruise route. And it’s on the train line, so you won’t need a car to get here!
Røros is most popular as a Christmas destination, but I love it in the summer as well.
Read my Røros travel guide here.
Bodø & Mosjøen
This is definitely more niche than Bergen and Flåm, but I actually think Bodø and Mosjøen are the perfect alternative to the Norway in a Nutshell route, especially if you want to stick to public transportation instead of renting a car. The train ride between Bodø and Mosjøen actually is the most beautiful train ride in all of Norway.
And if you want to make a loop from Bodø, you can take the train down to Mosjøen, spend a night there, and then take the bus to Sandnessjøen. From Sandnessjøen you can take the express boat to spend a night on Lovund, Træna or Støtt (or any other island you fancy), and then from there you can take the express boat back to Bodø.
Or if you want a shorter journey, you could simply take the express boat from Bodø to Støtt and back, which is a beautiful journey.
Instead of Geiranger
Like Flåm on Sognefjord, Geiranger is a village on Geirangerfjord that has become immensely popular with tourists because it is a cruise stop. I would say Geiranger is more beautiful than Flåm and perhaps worth visiting, however if you want to avoid the tourist crowds there are other spots on Geirangefjord and as well as nearby fjords that are equally if not more beautiful.
Sæbø & Hjørundfjord
If your heart is really set on seeing the fjords, you might consider visiting Hjørundfjord near Ålesund instead of the more popular Geirangerfjord. Sæbø is probably my favorite fjord village, and far less touristy than Geiranger.
I also happen to think Hjørundfjord is the most beautiful fjord in Norway! You can read my guide for visiting Hjørundfjord here.
Øye
Another gorgeous option if you can afford it is a stay at the Hotel Union Øye, in the heart of Norway’s magnificent Sunnmøre Alps, as well as at the end of Norangsfjord, a branch of Hjørundfjord. It’s also just a 30 minute drive to Hellesylt, which has one of the prettiest viewpoints of Geirangerfjord.
I’ve shared my experience staying at the Hotel Union Øye here.
Hjelle
If you are taking a road trip around Geirangerfjord, I highly recommend driving a bit south to Hjelle Hotel! This historic inn is run by a family who has been living there since the early 1900s, and its location right on the turquoise Oppstrynsvatnet lake is just so beautiful. There’s even a white sand beach!
It’s close enough to Geirangerfjord to visit, but far enough away to be off the main tourist path, and it’s actually really good value. Check current rates and availability here
Instead of Stavanger & Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Ålesund
Stavanger is a popular destination for its proximity to Lysefjorden and Pulpit Rock, one of Norway’s most famous hikes. The city itself is lovely and has an interesting history with the oil industry – if you haven’t watched State of Happiness I highly recommend looking it up.
But this area is very popular in the summer, so I prefer to recommend people visit Ålesund instead, which I find to be a prettier town with easy access to incredible natural landscapesx.
I’ve shared my guide to Ålesund here. And from Ålesund you can easily explore Romsdalen and Hjørundfjord, and you can drive up Trollstigen.
Åna-Sira
Åna-Sira is definitely further off the beaten path and you’ll need a car to visit. I only found out about this place because when I was working at a supermarket my assistant manager lent me his summer cottage here. It’s near Flekkefjord and has one of the most stunning views I have ever seen in Norway.
Here you can also hike up Brufjell, which is famous for Ice Age potholes that look out over the sea, or relax by the beach.
There are several Airbnbs in Åna-Sira here. For more information about Brufjell and Åna-Sira, you can read my full guide to the area here.
Mandal
Mandal is Norway’s southernmost town and while it’s not exactly a hidden gem, it’s nowhere near as crowded as the fjords in the summer. The town itself has colorful wooden houses along the water and a cute little center with cobblestone streets, and outside of town, you’ll find an 800 meter-long beach, Sjøsanden. If you can brave the cold waters you can go swimming!
It’s about a 40-minute drive from Kristiansand and 2 hours and 45 minutes from Stavanger.
In Mandal, I recommend staying at Mones Feriesenter, which has apartments overlooking the sea and offers free canoe and pedal boat rentals so you can enjoy the seaside! Check current rates here
Kristiansund, Molde & the Atlantic Ocean Road
Kristiansund and Molde are two of my favorite small cities in Western Norway, and they happen to be right by the spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road.
The Atlantic Ocean Road is one of Norway’s most famous drives, however not as many people actually make it here because Kristiansund and Molde are less popular destinations than Stavanger and Bergen. But I love them both!
Read my guides to Kristiansund, Molde, and the Atlantic Ocean Road.
Instead of Tromsø for northern lights
This is a tricky one. Usually I am all about getting off the beaten path, and I tend to prefer exploring myself instead of joining a tour. However I have to admit that if your heart is absolutely set on seeing the northern lights, joining a tour from Tromsø will be your best bet. I lived in Tromsø for two years, but I’ve also visited all of the other top northern lights destinations in the Nordics multiple times, and in my experience Tromsø really is the best if all you care about is seeing that aurora.
This is partly because of Tromsø’s location high above the Arctic Circle, but also because of Tromsø’s popularity. Its popularity means that there are lots of northern lights tours offered each night, which means that there are many guides out each night searching for clear skies. These guides talk to each other, creating a network that together finds the best place each night to spot the northern lights.
These guides do this almost every night in the winter, so they really know what they’re doing. Many of the tours will also drive hours and hours to find clear skies, even if it means driving to Finland! I’ve shared my top picks for northern lights tours in Tromsø here.
However, Tromsø is so crowded with tourists in the winter that I absolutely understand if you want to avoid it. It has also become so incredibly expensive that even locals living in the surrounding area will try to avoid scheduling appointments and doctor’s visits here during northern lights season.
Alta
Alta is a lot smaller than Tromsø and the downtown is certainly not as interesting, but I love the feeling of Arctic wilderness there. Hotels here are considerably cheaper than in Tromsø, though flights here can be more expensive, so book as early as possible!
Alta is popular enough to have a lot of great northern lights tours, as well as other Arctic experiences.
Kirkenes
If you want to venture farther north, I personally love Kirkenes. It’s right by the border to Russia and there are also several northern lights tours and winter activities available here. And they have a Snow Hotel! If you don’t actually want to sleep on a block of ice you can stay in one of their warm bungalows instead like I did.
I also love Kirkenes in the summer – it’s such an interesting part of Norway!
Svalbard
And if you really want to head farther north, fly to Svalbard!
Svalbard is a Norwegian group of islands far north of mainland Norway – up by the North Pole. Visiting Svalbard in winter is one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve had. And since in December it is pitch black all day long, you can see the nighttime and the midday northern lights here.
I’ve shared my guide to planning a trip to Svalbard here.
Narvik
Narvik is another good northern lights destination in Norway. There are some tours from Narvik offered here, and Narvik also has a fantastic mountain for downhill skiing!
But most interestingly, Narvik has Norway’s northernmost railway station, which is actually connected to Sweden instead of the rest of Norway. So from here you can take the train to Abisko and Kiruna in Sweden, both also fantastic northern lights destinations.
Or you could drive west from Narvik and head into the Lofoten Islands – both places share the same airport, Evenes Airport.
Other hidden gems
Rjukan
Rjukan is perfect for shorter trips from Oslo, with a fascinating WWII history and what I think is Norway’s most beautiful mountain: Gaustatoppen.
Rjukan has recently made huge efforts to expand parking areas, so this is one of the few places in Norway that is actively trying to draw in more visitors. So like, you will actually be really welcome here!
For more information about things to do, read my full guide to Rjukan. I’ve also included Rjukan in my three one week Norway itineraries.
Heddal Stave Church
And if you drive from Oslo to Rjukan, I highly recommend driving via Notodden, which is also on UNESCO’s world heritage list for its industrial history. If you go by Notodden you can stop at the Heddal Stave Church, which I think is the most beautiful stave church in Norway (and I have seen a lot of stave churches in Norway).
Folldal
I only learned about Folldal when a friend in Trondheim invited me to visit his family’s cabin there, but it has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery I’ve seen in Norway.
(It’s actually a great place for skiing and husky-sledding in the winter, too.)
You can read about my experience in Folldal here
Hjerkinn
And nearby Folldal is a place you might have heard of: the Snøhetta viewpoint!
The building has won loads of international awards and offers views out over Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park, and the chance to spot muskoxen!
Read about my visit to Snøhetta here
The nice thing about Hjerkinn is that it’s actually on the train line, just two hours from Trondheim, so you could even visit here without a car. Plus it happens to be one of the driest places in Norway, making it a perfect destination for some longer hikes as you won’t have to worry as much about rain as you do on the coast.
National Parks
In general, it seems that if you actually go deeper into a national park instead of just stopping by the edge you’ll quickly find yourself all alone. And Norway has some amazing national parks to explore!
Breheimen National Park
Jotunheimen National Park
Tanya says
This is exactly why I love travel blogs. I love how honest you are, and all the off the beaten path places you shared look amazing! I feel like I only ever hear about the same places in Norway over and over, so this was very refreshing. Now I need to start planning!
Silvia says
So glad you found it helpful!
Geir says
Hi!
Realy nice traveling-blog!
Next time your in the fjords of Norway, try to visit the ouside villages!
Like Flåm got 70 cruiseships in the summer, and is a chaos!
Undredal is 15 min with a car from Flåm.
Small cozy and quiet village with farmers (goats), 1 café, one old style groccery.
One guiding company.
Hope we are able to change you thougth about Norwegians in our village 😀
Best regards
Geir
Explore Undredal
Shelly Hostetler says
Hi, Silvia!
I truly loved looking through the beautiful scenes & thoughts you’ve shared, here, on your blog. I’m thankful it was on your heart to share it all with us! I must admit that my enjoyment was enhanced by the music you chose to accompany it all; it was especially moving! After watching your travelogue, it makes me all the more hopeful of visiting Norway, someday. It is my mother’s family’s ancestral home going back to 1636.
I was very glad to see you noted the composer, Tim Roberts, at the end pf the video but I haven’t been able to find what I enjoyed, here, among his works. Dear… would you be so kind as to provide the name of the piece that’s in this video. I’d be so grateful if you could find some time to do this; not only for me as I’m confident there are many others who would appreciate it, as well!
Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of this request. Will be watching for your reply…
Sincerely,
Mrs. Shelly Hostetler
Silvia says
So glad you’ve enjoyed the music! And sorry, I’ve listed the name of the song in the description on YouTube, but forgot to do so here. It’s called Idyll for Strings.
Bethany says
As a Canadian, totally agree with the callout for my country at the end! Newfoundland in particular has some incredible fjords that in my mind live up to Norway 🙂
So want to head back to Norway and visit these off-the-beaten path gems!! I was there last May and hiked Pulpit Rock and there were actually maybe about 10 people on the whole hike, even though it was absolutely beautiful out. Maybe I just got lucky!
Nynke de Haas says
Fjords in Newfoundland, you say? Interesting; I’d never heard of them!
I think you did get lucky at Preikestolen — I went up there on a Saturday in September a few years ago and it was really quite busy!
Silvia says
I’ve heard amazing things about Newfoundland and now you’re making me want to visit even more!!
And I think May is actually a really good time to hike Pulpit Rock, as not as many people are here then (though it also sounds like you were quite lucky!).
Bayram says
Interesting. Did Canadians mention any particular places on par with Norway? If it’s Newfoundland, where exactly? Gros Morne, or just any other place on the NFL shores?
I’ve been living in Canada for 10 years now. And thanks to my job, I visited Norway many times in that period. There is something in Norway that is totally “mine”, and I don’t feel anything like that in Canada.
Thanks for the blog, Sylvia. I’ve been looking for something like that for a long time.
Jenny says
THANK YOU! I remember reading all those articles at the end of last summer about how the fjords couldn’t take more tourists, but this year there has literally been nothing said about it on the tourism websites. I’ve been wanting to visit Norway, but I didn’t know if this summer would be a bad idea, and I couldn’t find any helpful information. And you’re right, it’s so hard to find out about places outside of the main tourist attractions. It’s been very frustrating. So thank you, now I finally have an idea of where in Norway to visit! Though you might have sold me on Montenegro instead 😀
Silvia says
Yeah, after getting so many emails from people asking what was up with the fjords this summer it seemed like I had to write something about it! I guess it makes sense that sites like Visit Norway won’t want to directly address it, but I do think they should be doing a better job of marketing lesser known destinations instead at least.
Nynke de Haas says
Now I’m kind of happy that my plans for a summer holiday in fjord Norway have fallen through for the year (but as we’re now going to Japan, I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself anyway!). Still, with your tips, it should still be doable, like, next year! And I seem to have done the Trolltunga hike just in time, in August 2014, which was apparently before the hype, even though it certainly already seemed quite busy then!
I do wonder at hotels jacking up prices even further. They were already really high!
Silvia says
Oooh you’re going to Japan! When I left after living there for two years I was kind of over Japan, but recently I’ve been thinking that it’s really time for me to go back – plus Dan really wants to go.
And yeah, I checked some of the hotels in the big tourist spots and they are SO expensive for this summer! It’s really crazy.
Fenne says
I would add the middle of Sweden to the list, not for the highest mountains or similar views but for peace and quiet, hiking often just a little less heavy and camping wild by lakes. Depending on where you go you can also add some history and traditional things to your trip in Dalarna for example (mining, Dalahorses, midsommar celebrations, crayfish parties,…).
Silvia says
I’ve never been to the middle of Sweden, but now I totally want to!
Tina says
Now I’m a bit worried, cause I hate crowds.
We will be going to Sweden the last two weeks of June and I am more than happy, that we rented a camper, so we are very flexible and just can get the hell out of a place if we want to.
We went to Iceland last summer and I just got more happier, the more west we drove and the fewer people we saw. It was just so magical to have the beautiful nature all to yourself.
We wanted to do and visit some of the places you talked about and now I’m afraid, that are just so crowded with people 🙁 But maybe we can just visit them, really late or if the weather is not that great.
Silvia says
Having a camper will be great! I would try to get places either early or late in the day to avoid most of the crowds. I think as long as you have your own transport you can get to the nicer quiet spots very easily and just breeze through the more crowded places.
Rosie says
This is really interesting, I hadn’t heard anything about Norway being pretty full during the summer but I can’t say I’m surprised given how often I’m seeing Norway on Instagram at the moment, especially Lofoten. I guess this is the downside of living in such a beautiful country; people want to escape their busy cities or towns for somewhere quieter, but ironically so many people want to do it that it’s busy.
I’ve not been to Norway (yet) but I went to Canada last year and having seen some of your photos and comparing to to my experience, I would say they’re on par.
Silvia says
Yeah, I think they are! And that’s actually what frustrates me about the tourism marketing in Norway – it’s a huge country with SO many beautiful places I wish they would highlight more lesser known places too.
Kelsey says
Love this! I’ve been thinking about going to Norway more and more (and more) and your blog is making me want to go, like, NOW. Thanks for all the tips – I hate hordes of tourists in general and this will make it easier to avoid the crowds. 🙂
Silvia says
Haha yay I’m glad I’m making you want to come!
Susan says
Ughhhhhh! My heart just sank. I’m so disappointed to know that Norwegians really feel this way. I have wanted to visit Norway for ages (long before the movie Frozen ever came out) and collected up all kinds of pins from Pinterest as well as started learning the language (I have since deleted all). I definitely don’t want to visit anywhere that doesn’t view tourism as a good thing. Travel is way too expensive to waste good money on somewhere like that. I guess I will just love Norway from afar. I love your blog though and will continue to read.
Silvia says
I completely agree – I hate visiting places that are negative towards tourists, it just feels like such a waste for everyone. It does sound like people in Northern Norway are much more welcoming to tourists though, if you want to go there! But then if you think about the other places I’ve mentioned here, like Montenegro, that would love to have you visit, it does sort of feel like it would be better to spend your money there.
Marie says
I think saying Norway doesn’t view tourist as a good thing isn’t accurate. We dislike TOO MUCH tourism, and also: disrespectful tourism. A lot of Norwegians make their living of tourists and we’re happy to share our sights and culture, but being viewed as rude/cold just because we are behaving as Norwegians in our own country? I think people need to read up on the culture they are visiting, not just the sights. Then you would not break into peoples private property or take photos into their homes. I mean, some tourists seem to think that wandering into someones livingroom or pooping in their garden is ok. They also should learn basic hiking knowledge, as it really isn’t fun saving hords of toursits every year because they went out in bad weather or with extremely bad gear (hiking in flip flops and crocs?!).
I would say that most of the problems with tourists stems from the cruise tourists. Having thousands of people enter what are tiny cities and sights, spending hardly any money locally, and messing up our nice views with huge ships..takes a toll on our peacefull everyday life. And Norwegians do a lot of hiking themselves, so yes; having to walk in a queue or watching some tourists litter and poop all over our most beautiful trails really suck.
Please notice how I wrote some tourists, not all. Most tourists are wonderful and respectful and cherish our nature as much as we do. But even with just 10% being idiots, it really messes things up when we’re talking about small, but real communities not built around tourism. I would however say that this is an advantage of Norway. Cities like Cinque Terra are built around tourists and feel a bit fake, in Norway it’s super easy to find stunning things that are non-touristy. And there you’ll maybe be lucky enough to discover that the cold Norwegians actually are super friendly and say hey to strangers when we are hiking. As long as it’s not in a queue 😉
Heather says
I cannot even imagine witnessing people behaving in such a poor fashion… that is truly foul and horrific.
Tonje-Elisabeth says
I could not have agreed with you more! Very well said! Greeting from a fellow Norwegian:)
Danielle says
Great post! I was looking to go to Norway but was worried because I heard about the crowds in Bergen. I’ll have to check out some of these other towns!
Silvia says
Yeah Bergen is tourist central in the summer! But these other places are lovely.
Lauren says
Was thinking of heading that way this summer. I think I may now avoid. Thanks so much for these tips 😀
Silvia says
Lol yup, that might be a good decision 🙂
Maria says
That’s a really comprehensive list you’ve got there, thanks for sharing 🙂 I think I hadn’t even known I wanted to visit Norway really before I read your post, so this traveler might actually be on you 😀 I’ll make sure to check out some of the places you recommended off the beaten path though, they look so beautiful and I totally agree with you that hikes and nature aren’t much fun with crowds around. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Silvia says
Haha well I hope you do come and that you love it!
Hannah Lu says
OMG Norway looks gorgeous! We haven’t been to Europe since Christmas 2014, I think it’s safe to say we need to get back and head to Norway.
Silvia says
It totally sounds like you need to come back here then!
Sarah says
Wonderful post as ever! I’m desperate to visit the Norwegian fjords but I’m glad for the warning not to go in summer. I really don’t deal well with crowds and my number one reason for wanting to visit is how peaceful they look in pictures. Will definitely check out some of the other places on your list. I also second Montenegro – it’s such a beautiful country and Kotor was pretty empty when I visited in June.
Silvia says
Right? Montenegro is crazy beautiful – I’m dying to return!
Samantha says
Thanks for that fantastic article! Unfortunate that Norway feels that way about tourists, but it’s always so useful to hear from someone with more knowledge of the area. The insight on best times to go to the best known attractions, and also to about others that you might not otherwise hear about is invaluable. I’ve wanted to go to Norway for so long and you’ve just made me what to go even more. Have a lovely weekend!
Silvia says
Yeah I actually wrote this because I was frustrated by the lack of useful information out there about summer in Norway! Glad it helped.
Corinne Simpson says
Wow! I’m so glad you posted this. I went to Tromsø in February after daydreaming about Norway for years. It was truly the best experience of my life, and I can honestly say, the scenery there is so stunning it reduced me to tears several times. Tromsø was a great city and I met some really nice people there – they share the same opinion that the southerners are rude! My friend and I had a rental car and spent most of our time driving out to quieter spots such as Sommarøy and Ersfjordbotn because we wanted this to be a really peaceful getaway. Sure it was often bitingly cold, but we found the snow made everything even more beautiful. While there, we did also go into Finnish and Swedish Lapland to see the Northern Lights, but we actually saw them better back in Tromsø itself! I really liked your list of alternatives, many of them are already on my bucket list. I’d also love to go to Rjukan – it was the first place I read up about in Norway and I owe my love of the country to it. Hopefully I’ll get there one day.
Silvia says
Ooooh that sounds like such a lovely trip! And lucky you, seeing the Northern Lights too! Rjukan is such a cool place – I always recommend it to everyone.
Abbi @ Spin the Windrose says
I must admit that Norway and its fjords and beautiful hikes are on my wander-list, but I will endeavour to visit outside of the summer months. What you said about the over-popularity of the area and of tourists under-estimating the hikes reminded me a litle of how inundated some of the walking tracks in New Zealand are becoming – particularly in summer. I often think that places look prettier in Spring and Autumn anyway! Thank you for sharing some of the off-the-beaten-path places with us too – I would love to see them myself!
Silvia says
Oh interesting that it’s happening to New Zealand now too!
Chris says
New Zealand is suffering from a similar situation. The popular sites are inundated (Rotorua, Tongariro Crossing, Abel Tasman, Milford etc) to the point where the environment is suffering. Some attractions to international tourists such as our Te Araroa trail (length on NZ, almost all of it is backcountry travel) have created created something of a rift between tourists and ‘Kiwi’s’. A lot of Kiwi’s resent the fact that you can walk the length of NZ with a $90 hut pass, or drive around in an old van and camp for free and get rescued for free – when you do something stupid like climb a mountain in shorts and jandals… then it starts snowing.
Yet if you stay away from the ‘tourist traps’ it’s quiet, it’s pristine, it’s amazing!
We’re coming to Norway in August and we’re not visiting the big attractions: we hope to see more Norway than tourist (even though we’re part of the problem).
Bri says
This just made my heart sink 🙁 I’m sad that Norwegians really feel this way, but thanks for your honesty though! I’ve wanted to visit Norway for as long as I could remember (my ancestors are from Bergen) and still want to but I’ll probably visit during the Fall season instead of Summertime.
Silvia says
Norway in the autumn is truly magical 🙂
Helen says
This is SO useful! I’ve been wanting to go to the fjords for a while but hate crowds and that feeling when you’re all just shuffling around in a queue the whole time. I’ll check out some of these other places instead, thank you!
Silvia says
Yeah, I HATE shuffling around in big crowds!
Lindsay | The Anthrotorian Travel Blog says
This is a really helpful post! I had no idea that Norway was getting so many tourists in the summer! Your photos are gorgeous and great suggestions for places that are like Norway.
Silvia says
Yeah, it’s become really crazy just in the past few years, so it’s still a new thing!
Jamie says
Wonderful post – I don’t want to be one of the crowd. Thank you for sharing the other areas where visitors can enjoy serenity as well as beautiful landscapes.
Silvia says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Rhiannon says
Norway looks so beautiful, and I’m so glad you’ve shared a lot of gorgeous off the beaten track options. I love exploring new places, and I’m especially fond of hiking to find beautiful views. So thank you! 🙂
Silvia says
It sounds like Norway is right up your alley then!
Sally says
This is so beautiful & helpful- thank you! I prefer avoiding the crowds- it’s makes for more interesting travel memories! Gorgeous photos as well!
Silvia says
I totally agree – the experiences are always more memorable off the beaten path!
Anne says
The best time to avoid tourist crowds in the north of Norway is from the end of march until the end of may. The northern light season is over and the midnight sun hasn’t come yet. But there’s still so much to see and experience. I live in Tromsø. It has the most cultural events per capita in Norway, a lovely night life and good food. Also; Tromsø has a unique location where you get the feel of a city, but hiking and wilderness is right outside your doorstep. And we actually love tourists and showing off our hometown. It’s totally true that northeners are more open and friendly than southernes. Even I don’t feel welcome down south, lol. Can also highly recommend Vesterålen. And Bodø/Steigen.
Silvia says
Oh interesting, thanks for the inside scoop! I’m dying to go to Vesterålen. And really all over Northern Norway, haha.
Kelly says
This post came at the perfect time!! I am actually going to Norway this summer (oopps) but I hate crowds and will be sure to avoid some of the most famous places. I’ll save this guide so I can visit some of the quieter places that Norway has to offwr.
Silvia says
Oooh I hope you have an amazing time!!
Camila says
Great post! I had been hearing about it and wondering how it would be achieved and seems they are really at it. I think it’s okay for countries to want to stop some tourism in natural regions especially, and especially if people are being reckless. Norway is on my list, but not that high at the moment, probably because living in Scotland makes me feel like I should go somewhere a bit more different 😉
Silvia says
Haha last summer my only holiday abroad was to Scotland – everyone thought I was crazy! Though I was lucky with sunshine and warm weather, so it actually did feel really different from Norway.
Jade says
It’s such a shame that it has got to the point where tourists aren’t welcomed but I totally understand why – Norway is such a beautiful country that it would be an absolute disaster if it turned into a tourist-ridden money making resort-type place. I really enjoyed reading your post but the problem is now I am itching to get over to Norway!!! I’ll follow your advice and go off the beaten path for sure though!
Silvia says
True, I’m sad for the towns here that have become overcrowded with tourists, but we’re lucky that it’s a huge country with so many empty spots too!
Paroma says
I have never been to Norway but have always dreamed of going to the Fjords! This post has been bookmarked for tons of useful info, thank you so much! I agree on the whole summer crowds thing, makes it impossible to go anywhere (we had the same problem in Turkey). Loved the photos too!
Silvia says
Ugh yeah, summer crowds are the worst. So happy you found the post useful!
Jessica C says
This is such a perfectly perfect post. I’m hoping 2018 will be the year I spend more time up north and this guide will certainly help! I love how much you love Norway but are still open to other beautiful areas AND you are still willing to share Norway 🙂
Silvia says
Aah that makes me so happy!
Renates Reiser says
I love all your suggested places! I most definitely recommend the northern parts of Norway, like the coast of Helgeland (so many great mountain hikes and beautiful islands), Vesterålen, Senja, Lyngen – many of those places you said you want to go.
One island you should definitely visit is Værøy, the second most southern island of Lofoten. It’s stunning! Futher south the island of Træna is just magical. The island of Leka, even further south, is a kind of strange geological phenomenon which makes it look like something from the western part of the US.
Finnmark is also a gorgeous place to explore, with wide open spaces and so few people (but unfortunately a lot of mosquitoes). Alta Canyon is quite impressive, and the penninsula of Norkynn is like something from another planet.
I just wrote a post about places to visit in Northern Norway a little while ago, if you want more tips. I truly love this part of the country! 🙂 But yeah, I guess I am kind of biased since I was born and raised here. 😉
Silvia says
Whoa, I just Googled Leka and it looks crazy! I’m going to have to stalk your blog before the next time I head up north 🙂
Danielle Theriault says
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My husband and I have had a trip to Scandinavia planned for years. Of course, it is this summer…. end of June. I have been so worried about the crowds that we even considered canceling it and rebooking for a different time! Now we will go off of your list. This is so, so helpful! | http://ourpassportpages.com
Silvia says
So glad it was helpful! I also have some accommodation guides to the fjords with a few quieter spots. It should be really beautiful at the end of June – as very, very light!
Margit says
I come from one of the places that is super crowded with tourists in summer. I van for sure say we have been very welcoming to tourists. But enough is enough. One can’t have all of Norway’s tourists in one place. And one can’t have tourists treating homes and private property as an amusement park.
I say, come to norway. But find other places than the most touristy ones. There are so many beautiful places that arent the fjords. There are so many places that have the capacity for way more tourists. I can for sure not understand why Visit Norway won’t advertise just the neighbouring fjords to the popular ones.
Mark says
I love that this is happening out there. I wish the Philippines would do the same and start saying no to tourists at least until they have better infrastructure. There should be some governing board for tourism that helps regulate this. Funny about Norway being visited as a result of Frozen! Too funny. Awesome post.
Silvia says
Yeah it is really tough when places get so overwhelmed by tourists – in Norway’s case at least there are sooo many places with no tourists too.
Scott G says
I’m coming in June and remain excited! I am normally a solo traveler, who has made friends in many countries, not your normal tourist but I really want to see certain places. Going Oslo-Lofoten-Bergen-choice and then back home to Tennessee. Bringing my 19-year-old son. Love your blog and your honesty, can’t wait to put all the “challenges” to the test and make some new friends! 🙂
Silvia says
Oh wow, that sounds like an amazing trip! I’m sure you guys will have a wonderful time 🙂
Scott Gerlock says
Silvia, urgent question!! Do you think staying three nights in Bergen is too long? Are there good day trips that are more off the beaten path (we will have a car), or should we stay two nights and go somewhere after that?
I don’t want to be too much of a tourist, however we are still going to take the train to Flam and then to Oslo (N.I.A.N.).
Thanks!!
Silvia says
Yeah, if you have a car then three nights in Bergen will be great. I’d spend at least one of your days just driving around exploring. You could even drive to Hardanger: http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/routes/hardanger
Have an amazing time!
Jo says
This is amazing! Exactly what I needed before I start planning my trip to Norway from 28 Jul to 3 Aug, would it still be the summer peak season?
I am thinking of flying to Oslo or Trondheim, where would you suggest? Would you have any suggestions on the places or itinerary I must go given the short time I have? We will be driving. Thanks!
Silvia says
Hmm Oslo is a bigger city with more things to do, but Trondheim is much more beautiful (I think). I would actually suggest flying to Bergen or Alesund if you can, but otherwise my pick would be Trondheim. Here are things you should do in Trondheim: http://nordic-journal.info/norway/things-to-do-trondheim/%3C/a%3E or if you do go to Alesund here’s what to do there: http://nordic-journal.info/norway/alesund-travel-guide/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
It will still be peak season then, but if you have a car then you can easily get away from the touristy places. From Trondheim you could drive to Hjerkinn (http://nordic-journal.info/oppland-hjerkinn/%3C/a%3E%29 or from Oslo you could drive to Rjukan and take Krossobanen up to Hardangervidda National Park (http://nordic-journal.info/norway/rjukan-telemark/%3C/a%3E%29. I also have more suggestions here: http://nordic-journal.info/life-travel-norway/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Eivind Toreid says
I live in Rjukan, just below Gaustatoppen. Gaustatoppen may be quite crowded with more than 1000 visitors on busy days, in weekends with good weather in summer. On the other hand, on a rainy weekday in September you may be the only person on the mountain.
But despite a handfull of destinations being crowded, most places in Norway are not. When I go hiking in the sides of the valley around Rjukan, most of the times I don’t meet anyone at all.
I recommend https://www.ut.no/kart/ , which has a searchable map with an enormous number of routes and route descriptions. Most of route descriptions are in Norwegian, but Google translate will help.
Bhavesh says
Hi.
Great article. I have been looking for something offbeat wherever I travel. I’m travelling to Norway end of july for 9 days and would try to visit these hidden gems. I am landing at Stavanger and driving up north till Tromso to witness the Midnight Sun.
I visited Iceland in September last year & was completely mesmerized by its beauty. I completed the entire ring road & also went to the western fjords.
Any idea if I can expect similar landscapes in Norway?
Silvia says
Oh wow that is going to be quite a trip – I would love to drive from the south up to northern Norway someday. It’s hard to compare Norway to Iceland – in some aspects the landscape can be quite similar, especially above the tree line, but in other ways they look really, really different. But they both are similar in how their landscapes are so stunning and almost other-worldly.
Alex says
Very helpful – I reached this site from Googling “Tell me where to travel in Norway away from the crowds” and this was top of the list!
Silvia says
Perfect!
Padi Phillips says
Sad to hear that some areas of Norway are becoming a victim of their own success, but heartened that it’s been decided to put on the brakes too. It’s fortunate that your country is wealthy enough, with a diverse enough economy, (and all that oil must help!) that it doesn’t need to rely on tourism. We here in Wales know what it is like being a popular ‘tourist’ destination, but sadly the economy of Wales is too dominated by tourism for the brakes to be applied here too. There have been attempts to disperse tourism, by promoting lesser known areas, but this merely ends up ruining those places too.
Sadly, too much of the holiday trade, (a better term than tourism, in the case of Wales I feel) isn’t geared towards emphasising our unique culture, and tends to be aimed predominantly at the low-end, ‘bucket and spade brigade’ who aren’t one bit interested in culture, or really what Wales has to offer outside of the tacky touristy developments.
In fact, in some areas, tourism so dominates the local economies that they have become unattractive for other industries, as the local infrastructure is inadequate, and often overwhelmed in the summer months due to holidaymaker numbers, especially the road network, which, if improved, would begin to destroy much of the very beautiful landscape. More fundamentally, the holiday trade has so distorted the local economy that local, Welsh people find it difficult to find affordable homes that they can live in year round, especially younger people. In the winter it is possible to find winter lets of cottages that are let out in their thousands in the summer, or maybe in a caravan on one of the hundreds of caravan parks that blight the coastline. So called tourism can be a huge curse, as well as a blessing, but I don’t think it should ever be allowed to dominate an economy. We should always be in a position to tell the visitors to bugger off somewhere else.
I used to live near the coast in Mid Wales, and every summer I used to head to the hinterlands, as it was much, much quieter, and I could go for miles without seeing a soul, let alone a bloody tourist! (If you are familiar with the Welsh TV crime series, ‘Hinterland’ you will know the kind of landscape I’m referring to, though really only the coast is deluged by tourists in the summer.)
As a child I lived in Norway for a couple of years, and I have distinct, if faint memories of how lovely a place it was, (some 50 years ago now). The country and the people must have had something of an impact on me, as it angers me that so few of my compatriots seem to have the same kind of vision as Norwegians. However, here is something of an amusing tourism related anecdote I remember from the time.
We lived on a small housing estate that was mostly Nato service families just outside Oslo, where there was a Norwegian caretaker, a former merchant mariner, who was always really nice to us children, and he always looked forward to his annual holidays; he used to go to Blackpool, Lancashire, England! I know that Blackpool has a certain appeal (!?) but notion of leaving such a beautiful place as Norway to visit what is probably the definitive example of what is a tacky, manufactured English holiday resort certainly made us giggle.
I hope to visit Norway once again in my life, though the perceived cost has made me postpone. Reading your blog has enthused me, though I certainly won’t be visiting in summer. The one thing I learned about my own country, is that it’s always better to visit in May, or early June, when the weather is pretty good, everything is open, but BEFORE all the tourists have arrived! That seems to me a rational approach for a visit to Norway too.
Silvia says
That’s really sad to hear about Wales, though I guess not too surprising. Norway is definitely lucky not to really too heavily on tourism economically, but I do wish that they’d make a stronger effort to promote lesser visited destinations. It’s such a big country that it could easily handle more tourists, if only they would spread out a bit!
May and early June is also lovely in Norway, as is September. I hope you do make it back here someday! With the kroner so weak at the moment it’s at least not as expensive as it used to be.
Tim Rogers says
Interesting stuff. I took the kids (6 &10) to Bergen last week after visiting as a student 25 years ago. We live in the Scottish Highlands so it’s an easy trip, only an hour flight from Aberdeen. I couldnt get over how busy it had become. There were large tour parties everywhere from the giant cruise ships in the port – and the price of everything!
Living in the highlands we are use to the increase in coaches on the roads, not being able to get a seat on a normally quiet train and having to watch out for tourists forgetting which side of the road we drive on but it’s nothing like we experienced in Bergen. I suppose we were contributing to the madness but it was a bit overwhelming.
Silvia says
Yes, Bergen gets so overwhelming in the summer. If it’s such an easy journey from Scotland you should definitely try to return in the autumn!
Shirley says
I’m so glad I came across this page as I was just deciding where to go next week! This confirmed my fears that it would be too crowded in Bergen in summer and would be lost cause for us flying 17 hours to try to escape the crowds back home….
Silvia says
Haha yeah, Bergen is very crowded in the summer!
Barney says
Have started planning a 2018 Norway trip – Oslo, Lofoten Islands, and Bergen (Fjord Nutshell tours). Concerned about July or August even before reading this excellent article. Can go late May or early June, but a little worried about temperatures, especially in Lofoten. However the crowds should be smaller everywhere. Hate to eliminate Bergen as seeing the fjords is important! Should I switch from Lofoten to Vesteralen even on the earlier dates? Is exploring the coast and islands near Tromso a good alternative to Lofoten?
I can’t wait to read more of your articles!
M.J. says
I love the suggestions you have for alternatives to the big touristy places in Norway, but I think I’d have to disagree with the implication that attractions are uncomfortably crowded. My husband and I went to Norway in late June of this year (2017). We had already planned our trip to hit all the big places: Oslo, Heddel & Eisborg Stave churches, Stavanger, Trolltunga, Urnes Stave Church, Geirangerfjord, and Bergen. My observation was that things were incredibly empty: we had multiple tours where we were the only ones or maybe there was one or two other people with us. Transportation was free of crowds, the roads were not at all congested. There was always ample parking, seating at restaurants, and lodging. We never had to wait more than two or three minutes in lines for tickets (and that was really only because the Norwegians were being friendly to someone and giving them extra directions or help). The only exception to these observations was Geirangerfjord. But once the cruise ships left for the evening, the place was all our own. We never got the sense that, as tourists, we were burdensome on our Norwegian hosts: they were, without exception, friendly, cheerful and helpful. I just wanted to comment about our experience because when I initially read this blog post, I interpreted it to mean that we would encounter NYC levels of traffic and Disney Land levels of crowds. We really enjoyed our trip and would love to go back to Norway. We were happy we saw the big touristy things on our first go and we love the idea of having yet more great ideas of places to visit if we get the chance to go back again.
Amar says
Hi, Thank you for the information, Can you please give me a rough idea about the cost to travel Norway in the most budget way, I am from India and would like to be there in Autumn or Spring avoiding the main tourist season and off beaten places.
Mary C says
My husband and I traveled to Sweden and Norway from Aug 28 -Sept 17. Let me tell you—-there is NO ONE in northern NO and SWE at that time. In fact we learned the word “stangd” or “closed” wherever we went. However!!! We had no problems finding lodgings along the way through tourist offices and we had a marvelous time. The northern lights in Abisko were phenomenal and breathtaking. Hiking the trails in Abisko NP is amazing!! These are not like the NP in America that we are used to. You are on your own to follow the snow mobile “crosses” that light the way. Love it!!!
I will say—- The Lofoten Islands is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL place in the world. In fall the aspens are turning, there are no crowds, we stayed in several youth hostels on the islands and LOVED the place. You feel like a Viking on the cold and clear days but with a Subaru with seat warmers and a tin of hot tea….life is great!!
Happy Travels.
Silvia says
It sounds like you had an amazing trip! I really want to travel more through northern Norway and Sweden.
Brian says
Recently booked a trip for the middle of May, and now that I’m doing more research, I’m glad we picked those dates. Correct to assume the biggest summer crowds won’t be there yet? Just hoping for some decent weather now!
Linda says
I’m enjoying your blog very much and appreciate all the information you share. I’ll be visiting Norway for the first time this summer and am taking notes from your advice, thank you! I do wonder if the northern islands you mention have the bird colonies that Lofoten has?
Mark says
Nice blog with some interesting little known places mentioned. I’ll be heading from Canada to Norway in late May/early June this year for a week-long retreat. I’m in British Columbia so we’ll see how it compares, lol.
On a side note a friend from New Zealand working here in the mountains of BC thinks here looks a lot like home.
I’m also looking for some side trips to make the long journey to northern Europe into more of a proper trip… 2-3 weeks so I may be checking out some of those spots. Montenegro was already on my radar, but it’s kind of far from Norway so maybe another time. Though I do love those cheap European flights.
Maira says
Norway looks breathtakingly beautiful and it has been on my bucket list from so long.
Your post is very helpful, there is so much to do and see in Norway and your photos are gorgeous
Thanks Silvia!!
Ellen says
Hi Silvia, I’ve greatly enjoyed your blog! Our group has been hoping to go to Lofoten, but it doesn’t look like we have enough time. Do you have any other suggestions of an area near Bergen, Stavanger, or Alesund of a quaint fishing town that may give us a similar feel? Alesund definitely has the mountainous island feel.
Blake says
I’ve been reading a lot of your blogs about traveling to Norway. I am planning a trip for mid to late September. I want to stay away from a lot of crowds, but also want to see the beauty of the land, like the fjords. But I also want to see the history, like temples and things from the Viking age. I’m making travel adjustments as I’ve been reading your tips for fjords and to see the Northern Lights. So, I guess my question is do you have a blog or any information of than the nature of Norway?
Mary says
I spent two months in Norway as a summer exchange student. That was many years ago when dirt was new and I was in high school. I hadn’t put two&two together to realize that “land of the midnight sun” meant the northern lights wouldn’t show up for half a year. If you’re looking for the Northern Lights, take a winter trip.
Nicole says
Hi Silvia. I’ve loved browsing your blog for all your tips and tricks – thank you!
We’re coming in July and want to do the bucket list Trolltunga and Priekstolen too… Is it possible to avoid the crowds by doing a much later hike (since it will be light much later in summer) and/or camping on the trail/near the top? Are the paths accessible 24 hours?
I’m also struggling to find ferry times (with a car) from Moskenesoya to Vaeroy to Bodo – is it possible to do it in one day and get off to explore and hike in Vaeroy and hopefully see some puffins but not necessarily stay over?
Meredith says
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super
long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m
still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips for rookie blog
writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
Silvia says
Ah sorry about that, but I’m glad you’ve been enjoying it. You can find all of my blogging tips here: https://nordic-journal.info/tag/blogging/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Leo says
Hi Silvia, Came across your blog after booking my tickets (wish I had found it sooner) to Bergen and return from Oslo. Bergen has been on my list for a long time but having experienced Halstatt a few years ago in the middle of summer and your blog confirms the same for Norway especially the tourist hotspots. So although we would like to go to the Sognefjord and do the main attractions the crowds do put a damper on the experience. Currently I only have plane tickets and nothing else booked, we plan to rent a car and drive ourselves around – in your experience how would you manage if you got in this situation and what places, drives you would choose to avoid the summer crowds? I do have a stay booked at Nes Gard, Høyheimsvik but that’s only for 2 days and still leaves me with 8 more open days. Would really appreciate your comments as you sound very honest and it appeals to our sensibilities when it comes to traveling, enjoying a place at our pace without being in a herd that annoys the locals. Thank you
Leslie says
Enjoyed reading your blog Silvia! Similar to what Leo wrote, we are one of those ‘cruise boat tourists’ heading your way late August, stopping in Eidjford, Alesund, Geiranger & Bergen. I picked up “Rick Steven’ Scandanavia” and learned about visiting the Sognefjord via Voss-Gudvangen-Flam-Myrdal by train, bus & boat. Sadly it can’t be done in the 9 hrs. in port in Bergen.
Could you recommend any off-the-beaten-path day trips from those port cities do-able on our OWN in the 7 hrs. allotted?
Jo says
My husband and I have just got back from an awesome trip to Norway, we drove from Manchester in the U.K. so it was a pretty epic road trip. We found your blog super helpful and informative in planning our route so thank you very much for that!
One place we did go to was Femund canoe camp, which is near the border with Sweden. I’m not sure how we even found this place – random googling perhaps? – but we would really recommend it. It’s in the middle of nowhere and you can either camp there and hire a kayak to go out to the lake with, which we did as we only had one night there, or you can take a kayak and go wild camping wherever you decide to paddle to in the National Park. Apparently people go for up to 4 weeks. We are definitely going back again to spend more time there. It’s a family business and has been going for over 40 years.
raghav sharma says
Amazing article, nice and useful information to plan holidays. Great work!!!
Andrea Valpiani says
I had the great pleasure to visit Åna-Sira after suggestions from this post, and found one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever seen.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Vicki says
Thank you for this info. Husband and I like to rent a car, but I had no idea where to go other than the usual places in Norway. Your suggestions have made me start over in my planning!! Question: if we do want to get on some kind of ship to see some of the fjords do you have a recommendation for doing that? Thank you
Joe Restivo says
Thank you for your wonderful site and all the beautiful pictures and information.
Jay Roberts says
Thanks for the great information all across your website! Based on your info, we are planning a week out of Alesund– staying at Hjelle Hotel and another place in Saebo (which was recommended and seemed quieter). We will do 2 days in Alesund. We would really love to hike a bit and get away from the “Instagram zombies” who seem to just focus on getting the same selfie that everyone else has in the exact same place (bleh). We will be there in mid-June. Do you have any recommendations for fun day trips in and around Hjelle/Alesund that get us into nature and away from crowds? Any info on fishing? I am an avid fly fisherman and wouldn’t mind trying my luck on a mountain stream… Thanks again for the great blog and website. Since I have travelled a lot in New Zealand, I’ll offer my own suggestion for two, amazing and out of the way trips and experiences– first, the city of Whanganui and a canoe trip down the Whanganui river. The city is amazing and off the beaten path of the usual tourists. Second, the Rough and Tumble Lodge on the West Coast of the S. Island. Even better, hike or bike the Old Ghost Road trail (3-4 days) and finish at this lodge. We have stayed there multiple times and it is a true kiwi, west coast experience in the middle of the rainforest.
Minna Kanerva says
Hi Silvia, regarding the crowdedness of the most visited places, was the situation in the summer of 2018, or expected in the summer of 2019, better, equal or even worse than in this blog you wrote two years ago? Do you know, or have a feeling for the situation? It would be really useful to hear your view on this, probably for other readers too!
Silvia says
It has gotten more crowded each year, so I expect 2019 will also be crowded. If you’re planning a trip to a top site in Norway in July I wouldn’t worry about it too much, just be aware that there will be crowds, and mostly make sure you book your accommodation WAY in advance. This is really the biggest issue, because all of the hotels and accommodation do completely sell out in those areas in July.
ZACHARY STAFFORD says
What a great post! We spent 3 months in Norway in a small town near a biggerish town called Gjovik. It was quite central and a bit like Wisconsin, but just a little bit a way were amazing lakes and then further north some of the best parks I’ve seen.
I loved your videos AND especially the tips on places that are LIKE Norway. We are planning on hitting Montenegro later this year and this just seals the deal. We already booked Faroe for August, and will be bookmarking your site for sure for both places!
As a dual passport holder, do you get to use the DNT key? We just wrote about our use of the key from our 3 month house sit: https://www.visa-vis.com/interior/the-norwegian-dnt-key-explained
Haatem Alramsi says
Hi Silvia,
Thanks alot for this great effort. Your article is very informative and helpful. I need your recommendation. My wife and me will be in vacation next July starting from Copenhagen then 10 day cruise through (Berlin, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm and back to Copenhagen again on 22 of July)
I reserved our return Tickets on 3 August from Oslo back to Dubai, so we have some time to spend in Norway. The important point is my wife pregnant and on July it will be her 7th month.
We want a quiet green place. Not activities only relaxing and breath taking. We do like Juvet Landscape Hotel but unfortunately it is fully booked. Can you recommend us please.
Best regards,
Haatem
Jenna says
Thanks so much for this post, it’s been really helpful for me as I attempt to plan a July trip to Norway with only a month’s notice (not recommended, so many things are booked!) Going to rent a car and drive from Oslo to some of the places you mentioned in this post.
Adventuress_Ali says
Thanks for the great suggestions! I laughed a lot when I read about Canadian’s feelings cause I’ve been getting a LOT of that here and wondering what was wrong with me!! Hahaha.
For Canada – tip – take the public ferry to Alaska, bring a tent, sleep on the deck. 😀
Tori says
Norway is a beautiful country and it is somehow sad that the locals do not like when they come to them. My daughter wants to visit this country, I will definitely tell her about your impressions. Thank!
Jen says
Hi Silvia,
I just came across your blogs on Norway and am looking forward to reading and making notes on all the detailed information to help plan our trip. We are a couple in our 60’s and have the luxury of planning a 6 week trip to just Norway. We will holiday from the middle of August to the end of September and will be totally independent with the use of a hire car. In your opinion for that time of year, weather wise, would it be better to begin in Oslo and travel north or fly in to a northern city and travel south ending at Oslo. Thanks
Silvia says
I would begin in the south and work your way north, as then the nights will be darker by the time you get up north and you’ll have a better chance of seeing the northern lights. I would also consider starting in Bergen (you could get the train from Oslo to Bergen), as driving up the west coast is much more beautiful than driving up from Oslo. Just keep in mind that a one way car rental usually comes with a hefty fee. Have a great trip!
Ryan says
This reminds me when The Beach was filmed on the Phi Phi Leh Island in Thailand. Tourism was never the same there afterwards.
I hope they actually close some of the Thai islands down from tourists too in the near future. I was there with my wife in 2015 and it was getting to be quite dirty and crowded.
Good for Norway!
Jenni says
Hi Silvia,
Thank you for these wonderful resources! As I start to plan, I was hoping to get your high-level thoughts on when/whether it’s worth driving between the north and south of Norway?
For context, I’m planning to take a summer road trip through Norway for perhaps 3-4 weeks. I couldn’t care less for major cities but instead want to “see nature,” hopefully spending most time seeing beautiful areas both on foot (picking the best relatively easy day hikes and otherwise exploring) and by car (scenic drives through gorgeous areas) and by enjoying activities that allow me to better see and experience nature (whether kayaking, boat rides, etc). Cost is not a big concern, so I would am OK with most costs that allow me to make the most of my time and maximize the experience (one-way drop fee, fuel costs, ferry/flights, etc). I don’t mind long drives: for example, if the sights most worth seeing given my timeframe and interests are stretched along a multi-day driving route, I’m not at all put off at pulling 2-3 days in a row of long driving hours (say, 5-8 straight driving hours, i.e. 10-13 hours with lots of picture and food stops). If relevant, I’ll likely mostly camp and buy simple groceries, though with some mix of simple accommodations and eating at restaurants. Though I prefer solitude and unperturbed beauty, I’m not *particularly* bothered by crowds. For example, all else equal, I wouldn’t want to skip a crowded “A list” sight to experience an empty “B list” sight (unless, say, I’d been at another very geographically similar “A list” sight but would not otherwise experience a geographically similar “B list” sight).
Given the above, as I start planning, do you have a sense as to whether it makes sense to either (1) drive one-way through the country or (2) instead rent one car in the south and rent a second car in the north? If I were to do the latter, do I miss places in the middle that are otherwise “worth” experiencing?
Thank you for your thoughts!!
Best,
Jenni
alfonso says
Just wow, looks amazing definitely on my bucket list, thanks for sharing
Cassie says
Hi! I was so excited to come across your blog and to find out you were also from MA. The off the beaten path information has been super helpful. However, I have an bit of an different traveling circumstance. My husband and I have two giant Newfoundland dogs that we prefer to take with us. Do you have any suggestions on the most dog friendly areas in the North? We’re hoping to visit somewhere between late September-early November and would be driving from the UK.
I think the ideal places would be not super touristy, giant dog friendly, and not a major city.
Thanks! (More than happy to send pictures of the dogs as tribute)
Rachel says
Hi Silvia
Love your post – very helpful! We are going to the Storfjord hotel – do you think this will be a good starting place for adventure. Its hard to tell what the Fjord views will be like? we want to be off the beaten path from tourists but still have phenomenal views and would like to see some farms, go on fun hikes. Do you think saebo would be better? or closer to gerienger?
Silvia says
I would definitely choose Storfjord or Sæbø over Geiranger if you want to keep away from the tourist crowds. I think Sæbø is the most beautiful, but Storfjord is also a great base, especially if you want to do lots of hikes.
Landon romans says
Great web site. Plenty oof useful info here.
I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious.And obviously, thank you on your sweat!