Among the fjords: Oslo, Bergen, the Naeroyfjord and the Flam railway, the Geirangerfjord, the Trollstigen and the Preikestolen
In the Arctic: Tromso and the northern lights, the island of Senja and the legendary Lofoten islands
Explore itineraries grouped by geographic area
Planning a trip to Norway? Here you'll find our 2 day-by-day itineraries (The south-western fjords, The Arctic: Tromso, Senja and the Lofoten), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.
The climate is milder than you might think on the coast (thanks to the Gulf Stream), but cold and snowy in the mountains and the north. For the southern fjords the best time is May to September (long days, roads and boats open). For the northern lights you need winter (late September to March) in the north; for the midnight sun, the Arctic summer (June-July). Always bring layers and rain gear: the weather changes quickly.
Updated: June 2026
Norway is not in the EU but is part of the Schengen area. EU/EEA citizens can use a national ID card valid for travel (or a passport), valid for the whole stay; no visa. Note that for some operations (e.g. banking) a passport may be required. Other nationalities should check the Schengen entry rules.
Norway does NOT use the euro: the currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). It is one of the most expensive countries in Europe (food, alcohol, fuel, restaurants), but also one of the most cashless in the world: you pay by card or smartphone literally everywhere, even for tiny amounts and in the remotest places, so you almost never need cash. You may bring in up to 25,000 NOK in cash (about 2,500 euros) without declaring it. Tap water is excellent everywhere: fill your bottle.
The language is Norwegian, but English is spoken excellently by almost everyone, at every age: communicating is never a problem. Signs and menus are often bilingual in tourist areas.
No mandatory vaccine. Healthcare is of excellent quality. EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to necessary emergency care; travel insurance is recommended anyway, given the high cost of services and to cover repatriation. The sale of medicines is more regulated than in many countries: bring a supply of your own medicines and any prescription.
The main operators are Telenor, Telia and Ice, with good 4G/5G coverage even in many remote areas (but signal can be lacking in the most enclosed fjords and among the mountains). Good news: Norway is part of the European Economic Area, so EU SIMs roam 'like at home', at no extra cost. Alternatively there is the eSIM. Still, download offline maps for areas without coverage.
Power is 230V/50Hz with type C and F sockets, the same as continental Europe: European two-round-pin plugs fit without an adapter.
Norway is at UTC+1 (Central European Time), with daylight saving time. NOTE the light, though: north of the Arctic Circle there is the midnight sun in summer (24-hour daylight), while in winter there is the polar night (almost total darkness for weeks).
💡 Norway is very expensive but almost entirely cashless: leave the cash at home and pay for everything by card, even a coffee. EU SIMs roam like at home (it is in the European Economic Area). Pack layers and rain gear in every season, and plan your routes allowing for the ferries between fjords. For the aurora choose winter in the north, for the midnight sun the Arctic summer.