Norway is one of those countries that evokes an emotional response solely from its pure and unspoiled beauty. We enjoyed road tripping around the west coast of Norway from Bergen to Stavanger before flying over to enjoy the capital of Oslo for a fun filled week in June. From 24-hour sunlight to some of the world’s best hikes, here are 6 reasons you need to visit Norway in the summer.
1. The Colorful Houses of Bergen: Bergen is a colorful city located on the Southwestern Coast. If you’re interested in seeing the many fjords of Norway, Bergen should definitely be your jumping off point. Enjoy fresh fish along the waterfront and take the funicular to the top of the mountain for incredible views of Bergen and its surrounding areas. As the town is home to a large population of students, there is always fun to be found in the downtown area with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars! Skål!
2. The Amazing Hikes: From the thrilling Trolltunga hike to crazy Kjeragbolten, great hikes are omnipresent in the country of Norway. The hikes are closed in the winter months so make sure to visit during the summer months when the hikes are open and ready for you to climb! These hikes are not for the faint of heart or for beginner hikers so remember to prepare for a full day of hiking and check the weather reports before embarking on your hike. The top hikes in Norway are all on the west coast by the fjords. If hiking is important to you, make sure to road trip from Bergen to Stavanger, stopping at the various hikes along the way.
3. Preikestolen Rock: The Preikestolen hike, also known as Pulpit Rock, was one of our favorite hikes in the entire world. We recommend starting the hike early to beat the crowds since this is a very popular hike. This is a fairly intermediate hike that can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to the top. From the top, you’ll be 604m above the Lysefjord. Pack a sandwich and enjoy lunch from one of the best viewpoints in the entire world.
4. Surf the Midnight Sun: Surfing in Norway? Are you crazy? Yes, those Norwegians sure are! During the summer months, northern Norway is privy to 24 hours of sunlight. During these few precious months, the daring can head to the city of Lofoten to surf the crisp waves of the Atlantic under the midnight sun. Think of this as a once-in-a-lifetime experience – to surf the Atlantic Ocean as the midnight sun glistens upon the waves.
Photo Credit: http://wavetribecompany.com/norway-surfing/
5. The Fjords: There are few places that can compare to the beauty of Norway, specifically in those special summer months. Take a boat ride through the fjords of Western Norway for an unforgettable experience. If you’re road tripping the west coast, you’ll also be able to take a car ferry across various fjords on your way from Bergen to Stavanger.
6. The Art: Vigelandsparken in Oslo is one of the most visited sites in all of Norway. This park is filled with unique art that is reminiscent of Norway’s Viking past. In the summer months, this park is the place to be with people of all ages enjoying the wide variety of artwork.
Omg we NEED to take follow me away here! So convinced!
Victoria, Let us know when you visit! It’s a fantastic country!
Such a gorgeous country! Another place to add to our list!
Alright, you’ve convinced me! Going to look into flights for this summer, haha – Norway as been on our list for awhile!
Awesome! Keep us updated on how it’s going. We’d love to hear and possibly feature some of your stories.