Authored by Roman Zhyvitski

Sharing a 2,000 km border with Sweden, in the northern European region of Scandinavia, Norway is a beautiful Nordic country, and in recent years rumors have begun to spread of it’s insane natural beauty.

A country defined by epic landscapes which rank among the most stunning in the world, the sheer drama of the fjords is alone worth the effort of coming here.

Rumors of this magical place are spreading like wildfire, though what can a traveler actually do? While 98% of its territory is uninhabited and impossible to live in, for those who choose to travel, there are unlimited possibilities for adventure. The following are our 5 favorite choices.

5 of the Best Things to do in Norway

See the Northern Lights From Your Car Roof

One of the world’s most dazzling natural phenomenons, observing the Northern Lights is one of the top things to do in Norway.

Located in the far-northern latitudes, northern Norway is a popular destination for witnessing the spectacle. Many people travel specifically for it, and one of the best ways to enjoy the view is from your car roof.

“Created by solar winds interacting with charged particles in the earth’s magnetic field, the lights appear as otherworldly streaks of green, red, yellow and purple dancing across the arctic skies.”

Sleep in a Tent at 1,000 Meters High

Those who hike through Norway will notice that camping across the mountain tops is a popular way to experience the scenery. And why not? What could possibly be better than waking up to majestic fjords and fresh air?

There are around 800 campsites throughout Norway, though for total freedom, nothing beats camping in the wild. If you are brave enough to face the wilderness, you could get away with free accommodation in what is often described as the most expensive country in the world.

We were envious of those who took the opportunity to sleep on the 1000 meter height. So plan to camp when you hit up Norway.

Kayak One of the World’s Longest Fjords

Norway is home to one of the world’s longest and deepest fjords (second only to Scoresby Sund in Greenland). The Sognefjord extends all of 204 km inland and contains some of the country’s wildest and most beautiful scenery.

All around the fjord, you can find numerous tourist bases with restaurants, souvenir shops, and, for the more adventurous, kayak rentals. You can rent kayaks for a couple of hours, or book tours of 1-2 days. It feels great to jump out for a swim, and you’ll pass by huge mountains and waterfalls.

You feel like an ant comparing to the grandeur and size of the surrounding natural beauty. Kayaking in fjords is a must, thing to do in Norway that you cannot skip!

Hiking in the Waterfalls Valley

Due to the large number of mountains in Norway, hiking possibilities are limitless. But, instead of going to the well-known touristy places, I recommend you head to the Waterfalls Valley.

This isn’t an official name, but given by tourists. When you visit it, you’ll find out, why. The official name is Husedalen Valley, and it is situated in the Hardangevidda National Park.

The trail is rather difficult, but the views along the way really worth it. Just try to keep going along the red “T” signs. You will see numerous waterfalls coming from the top of the mountains. Stunning view!

Trying Seafood in Cozy Fishermen Towns

If you’re not fan of active leisure, but would rather relax in a picturesque old fishermen town, you have such an opportunity in Norway.

Even when you visit Bergen, the second largest city in Norway with around 300,000 inhabitants, you feel as relaxed as you would in a small village. It is not a busy metropolitan city; here you don’t have to rush, just relax and try some seafood near the port.

In Bergen, head to the fish market to buy some fish to cook on your own, or hit up the nearby stalls, where the seafood is cooked using traditional Norwegian recipes. You can choose another nice and cozy Norwegian town to spend time in from this article.

OUR FAVORITE NORWAY GUIDES! CLICK BOOK TO LOOK INSIDE ↓

Lonely Planet Norway

DK Eyewitness Norway

Insight Guides: Norway

INSPIRED?! PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS ↓

Born in Belarus, Roman is a traveler who has visited 30 countries, and loves exploring the globe. You can find his adventures on his travel blog romanroams.com as he roams around the world.

While traveling, he discovered that almost nobody knew about the existance of Belarus, despite the fact that it’s a country with a lot of great and unique attractions. So he created Visit-Belarus.com to promote tourism to his home country, and provide a useful resource for tourists and locals interested in travel here. Though he loves Norway too!

Photo credits: Featured header image (hiking) by Christopher Michel (also used in shareable Pinterest image at end of post). Northern lights by Moyan Brenn. Camping by Jurriaan Persyn. Lysefjord by Giuseppe Milo.