My Travel Guide to Norway

History of Norway 

The history of Norway begins long before the Viking Age. All the way back to 10000 BCE, people arrived in this area to hunt and fish. They continued to settle along the icy coastline while moving inland a little to farm.  

Once the Viking Age began, there was a battle with Britain over who owned the land. Some people were even expelled from Norway. Those people moved to Greenland in hopes of a better life.  

Norway finally received full independence in 1905. This country has had many other changes over the years. Now in the 21st century, history is still happening. One of the most exciting things is people can now hold dual citizenship while living in Norway. This may be helpful if your family falls in love with this destination during your family vacation.  

Weather in Norway 

Spring in Norway 

Spring usually begins during the month of May in Norway. The sun is normally shining at this time of the year. The temperatures start to climb too. However, don’t expect it to be too warm during a family vacation in Norway during the spring. And since the snow is melting, it will be wet and muddy.  

Summer in Norway 

The temperatures in Norway reach the upper 60s and low 70s during the summer. There are days when it will reach 80 degrees. So be prepared for warmer days on occasion. It will never get too hot in some regions of Norway. It is always best to check the weather of where you will be staying prior to packing.  

Fall in Norway 

The weather starts to get cooler during the fall. You may still see some warmer days, but they are few and far between.  

Winter in Norway 

The winter months can be bitterly cold in Norway. The temperatures usually fall well below freezing and stay there all day long. Snow will fall regularly too. Winter also brings really dark, long days here. Keep that in mind while planning your family vacation.  

What to Pack for a Family Vacation in Norway 

Packing for a family vacation in Norway can be challenging, depending on when you are visiting. Your family can usually wear T-shirts and shorts or pants during the day in the summer. Yet at night, you will need a sweater or light jacket to keep warm.  

Spring and fall months will require layers, as well as a raincoat and boots. During early spring or late fall, you may need even warmer clothes for your family trip.  

Heavy jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves are a must during the winter in Norway. This is especially true if your family plans on spending a lot of time outdoors. It is best to pack multiple layers for each day, so you can dress accordingly. I actually recommend wool clothing when visiting Norway during the winter because it will keep you the warmest.  

My travel guide to Norway doesn’t cover everything you should pack for your family vacation. Everyone has their own needs and wants while traveling, so simply use this as a guide and pack what you know your family will need!

Activities to Embrace While on a Family Vacation in Norway 

One of the best ways to explore Norway is by hiking the local trails. This is an excellent activity to get your family outside. Plus, you get to see some of the gorgeous landscapes throughout this country.  

Another option is to rent bicycles and ride your way through the countryside. This might be good if you want to see a few more places during your family vacation.  

During the winter months, you can head to the nearest ski slopes. And yet, during the warmer months of the year, you can go surfing or rafting or do a little kayaking on a river.  

One of the favorite activities in Norway, though, is checking out the Northern Lights or seeing the Midnight Sun. The Northern Lights can normally be seen in Norway between late September and late March. As for the Midnight Sun, this natural phenomenon occurs during the summer.  

Other activities to embrace while on a family vacation in Norway include: 

• Fishing 
• Birdwatching 
• Wildlife Safari 
• Train Ride  
• Ferry Ride 
• Scenic Drive 
• Cable Car Ride 

Top Places to See While on a Family Vacation in Norway 

There are just as many fabulous places to see while on a family vacation in Norway. The Polar Museum should be at the top of your list. This museum is within a former warehouse that was constructed back in 1837. Inside the museum, you will see galleries filled with the history of the Arctic expeditions.  

Other intriguing museums include the Ibsen Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.  

Over at Vigeland Sculpture Park, your family can wander around to see more than two hundred sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. These sculptures are all made from granite and bronze. There are several sections within this park. I recommend walking through each section completely before heading to the next.  

Visiting Oslo Cathedral should also be at the top of your list during a family vacation in Norway. This baroque church was the first church to be established in the country. While inside, you should pay close attention to the large organ, as well as to the colorful murals on the ceiling.  

Other top places to see while in Norway include: 

• Geirangerfjord Region 
• Arctic Cathedral 
• Akershus Castle 
• Village of Geiranger 
• Oslo City Hall 
• Tromso Fjords 

There are many other things to do in Norway, so don’t think you need only to include what is in my travel guide.

Amazing Festivals to Attend in Norway 

You will find plenty of festivals to attend during your Norway family vacation if you plan your trip right. I can’t possibly share all the different festivals in my travel guide to Norway. However, I am going to share the best ones.  

Oya Festival 

The Oya Festival is considered one of the biggest music festivals in Norway. This festival was first held in Oslo in 1999. Since then, it has continued to grow while featuring popular musicians over the course of four days.  

Riddu Riddu 

The Riddu Riddu Festival began back in 1991 as a way to protect and share the Sami culture with others. This festival is normally held during the month of July in Northern Troms.  

Saint Lucia’s Day 

Saint Lucia’s Day is held on December 13th to celebrate the festival of light. This is the arrival of Christmas and is considered a major Christmas feast day. Girls will dress up as Saint Lucia, as they sing songs and carry lights.  

Tips for a Fabulous Family Vacation in Norway 

I find it is always helpful to be aware of certain things before going on vacation anywhere. Especially when you are traveling with your family. There are a few tips you need to know in order to have a fabulous family vacation in Norway. Those tips include: 

• Renting a car is usually a must when on vacation in Norway. Public transportation can be slow and unreliable.  
• Book accommodations, transportation, and activities well in advance. Norway is a country that fills up quickly with travelers, especially at certain times of the year.  
• Credit cards are used instead of cash in Norway. Keep that in mind, so you have a credit card that won’t charge you fees every time you use it. You should also alert your credit card company that you are traveling so they don’t flag your account as possibly being used fraudulently.  
• Pack the appropriate clothes and remember layers so you don’t freeze during your stay. If you have teenagers that love packing their own clothes without listening to your advice, either throw a few things in your suitcase for them or be prepared to make a few purchases upon your arrival. After all, we all know how teenagers are when it comes to dressing for the weather! 
• Always buy the chocolate. Norwegian chocolate is the best! Buy extra to take home with you. Like, by the case, so you don’t run out too quickly! 

Now that you have read my travel guide to Norway, you know many of the things you should be aware of for your family vacation. Yes, there are other things you may need to be aware of, but we can cover those as I am creating your personalized family vacation itinerary. I always make sure my clients have everything they need before heading to a new destination for a family trip.  

So, are you ready to have me personalize a family vacation itinerary for your next trip?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a family vacation itinerary planning session with me. When you click this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you. 

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