Often referred to as Europe's 'wild west', Norway has a ruggedly beautiful frontier character, with easy access outdoor country and forested green belts that circle even its largest cities. Its mountains, fjords and glaciers are highly prized, along with its cultured cities, unspoiled fishing villages and rich historic sites, from the Vikings ships to medieval churches. North of the Artic Circle, the population thins, the horizons grow wider and seals, walruses and polar bears can be seen sunning themselves on the ice.

Best time to visit

May to September.

Essential experiences

Being overawed by the grand fjords of Artic Norway, which dwarf anything in the south; wandering the streets of colourful historic Bergen; visiting the virtually intact 9th-century Oseberg Viking ship and museum in Oslo; walrus, polar bear and whale watching in the high Artic; immersing oneself in the most fantastic light show on earth the aurora borealis; viewing the midnight sun from Nordland.

In a few words, Norway is

Vikings, fjords, the aurora borealis, skiing, the midnight sun and whaling.

Did you know

The legal drinking age in Norway is 18 years for beer and wine, but 20 for spirits.