Going local to view Norway’s stunning scenery
Fantastic fjords, magical mountainscapes and eye-watering prices may be leap to mind when you think of Norway. But there’s way more to this fascinating country than simply stunning scenery.
We’ve consulted locals and long-time residents about what they think you should know before visiting one of the world’s most beautiful countries. So, here’s our guide to 21 surprising and fun facts about Norway.
1) Norway introduced salmon sushi to the Japanese. Traditionally salmon wasn’t used for sushi, but the quality of the seafood from Norway’s chilly waters is so good, that the Japanese were persuaded to try it – and now it’s one of the most popular forms of sushi.
2) Everyone underestimates the time it takes to drive anywhere in Norway – even Google maps. What may look like a short journey in miles often involves switchback roads and challenging weather, plus lower speed limits than you may expect.
So, take your time, enjoy the views, and don’t try and see too much on one trip.
3) It gets light very early in summer, even if you’re nowhere near the midnight sun – pack an eyemask unless you want to wake-up at silly o’clock.
4) Slow TV is massive. Staying in to watch 24 hours of clicking needles? It must be 1 November, aka National Knitting Night. Or maybe you fancy twelve hours of watching a log fire burning? Or how about 18 hours of salmon spawning?
Public service broadcaster NRK’s first slow show involved strapping a camera to the Bergensbanen express train and screening the seven-hour journey in real time.
It was such a hit that NRK followed up with Hurtigruten Minute by Minute (across 135 hours). Over half the population of Norway tuned in at some point to watch.
5) Cheese can be brown. If you see a fudge-like block on the breakfast table, with a mysterious slicer next to it, it’s Brunost.
It’s made from whey, boiled down to caramelise the natural sugars before being left to cool into ‘cheese’. For added pungency, try an aged gammelost (‘old cheese’) if you dare.
6) Queueing is for wimps. Be prepared to use your elbows to get onto public transport in big cities like Oslo.
7) Dinnertime in Norway is early – typically around 5pm. Restaurants will serve food later, but still tend to close by about 10pm.
Do as the locals do, and go for a fourth meal called kveldsmat (evening food). It’s more of a late snack, really – to fit it in, have an early lunch around 11am and dinner at 3pm.
8) You can pitch your tent pretty much anywhere in the country for free, as long as it’s 150m from the nearest house, thanks to allemannsretten (loosely translated as ‘right to roam’).
9) Polar bears, walrus and Arctic foxes – Svalbard in the Arctic Circle is famous for all three. But world-class restaurants, too? Yep. Chefs gravitate here, attracted by the challenge of cooking at 78 degrees north, just 1300km from the North Pole.
Svalbard’s capital, Longyearbyen may have a population of just 2000, but it’s home to three of Norway’s most amazing restaurants, Huset, Funktionaermessen and Gruvelageret.
10) When socialising with Norwegians, don’t feel you have to fill the gaps in any conversation. Chitter-chatter isn’t really a thing here, and long silences are normal.
11) It’s not just the scenery and breathtaking views that make Norway’s 18 Scenic Routes so amazing to drive along. The award-winning architecture of the rest stops and public toilets en-route are pretty impressive too.
For more on these spectacular drives, check out our ultimate guide to Norway’s top ten scenic routes.
12) Staying in a mountain hut is an integral part of Norwegian life – and the Norwegian Trekking Association has a vast network of them. As far as Norwegians are concerned, the fewer the mod cons, the better.
The whole point is to get back to basics, so it’s great if there’s no electricity or running water. And bonus points if you can only get there on skis or by snowmobile.
13) A former staple subsistence food, Lutefisk is having a moment. Made from dried cod soaked in lye, this jelly-like dish originated from the days when people only survived on preserved food throughout the winter, but it’s now served in Norway’s trendiest restaurants.
14) Mountain biking is big in Norway – buses will sometimes stow bikes in the boot to take some of the leg-work out of a ride, and there are plenty of shared cycle/walking routes, single tracks and off-road paths – check out the trail code here.
15) Never offer to buy a round in a bar. Given the price of alcohol, Norwegians usually just buy a drink just for themselves – and they certainly won’t be offended if you do the same.
16) And don’t expect to stock up on cheap booze at the supermarket either. Although you can buy lager-type beer at supermarkets, wine and spirits are only sold in the state-run (pricey) vinmonopolet.
Note, Norway also has an active black market in homemade hooch.
17) Good news if you’re not a fan of mud and soaking-wet gear: staying on a campsite doesn’t have to mean ‘under canvas’. Most sites have cabins for rent with everything you need including a kitchenette.
18) On 17 May, aka National Day, the whole country takes to the streets for a huge party to celebrate the country’s declaration of independence on 17 May 1814.
Wear bunan (traditional dress) or go smart (the kind of outfit you’d wear to a wedding) to fit in.
19) We’ve got to say it, prices here are jaw-dropping. Even when you’ve been in the country for a while you can’t help but come out with the occasional ‘How much….?!’
20) The days are so short in winter they can feel over before you’ve done anything. Even if you’re not a morning person, brace yourself and get up early.
21) Norway is coffee-obsessed. With a per capita consumption of nearly 10kg a year, it’s amongst the world’s top coffee-drinking nations.
