Norway

With nearly one quarter of its land inside the Arctic Circle, Norway is relatively unknown to many visitors. The fjords are perhaps its most famous characteristic, channels that splinter the coastline revealing glorious scenery, but there’s much more to this mysterious, magical land than its western reaches.

Camping in Norway is really the best way to become well acquainted with the country. It’s a place that lends itself to touring – the inky blue of the fjords, the crisp white of the snow-laden mountains, and the lush green of the forests provide contrast you’ll never tire of. There’s something new to discover, from the modern vibe in Oslo to the relaxed, edge-of-the-wild feel in Trondheim.

One of the highlights of a camping holiday in Norway is the opportunity to try Norwegian cuisine. The seafood is first-rate, with stockfish and salmon being particular delicacies, and lamb is also a popular dish, especially in autumn time.

Discover campsites in Norway on our search listing. Refine your results by region and theme to find a range of locations for your stay.

Basic Information

Capital Oslo
Currency Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Language(s) Norwegian
Time Zones CET (UTC+1)
Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+02)
Telephone Code +47
Units Metric

EU Member No (EFTA Member)
Schengen Area Yes

Tourism Website www.visitnorway.com

Norway is part of the Schengen area, and customs inspections are occasionally conducted on individuals and vehicles crossing the border to ensure compliance with Norway's regulations.

Shopping in Norway

Norway might have a shorter fashion history tradition than many European countries. Still, interest in Norwegian design and architecture has grown significantly in the last decade. Strong, locally oriented designers and creators have combined old Norwegian traditional materials, such as wood, leather, and wool, with contemporary styles from Scandinavia and beyond. Names such as Norway Designs and Pur Norsk in Oslo are just a few examples of places emphasising home design by local designers and producers.

There are a few souvenir options to take home with you; Norwegian clothing is renowned for focusing on functionality, sometimes minimalism, and bright colours. Look for high-quality wool and knitwear, and benefit from the fact that the art of knitting has long traditions in Norway. More typical souvenirs to take back home with you are the mythical Norwegian trolls, local jewellery, or sheep and reindeer skin, which can be bought at most tourist destinations. Local food delicacies are sausages, fenalår (the traditional dried and salted leg of a lamb), award-winning mountain cheeses, and local brews.

 Most shops in Norway open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many shops are closed on Sundays. Most Supermarkets stay open until 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and on Saturday, they can remain open until 10 p.m. Shopping centres have extended opening hours Monday to Friday from 10a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Norwegian Money

Norway uses the Kroner as its official currency. Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and many places also accept payment by phone, like Google Pay and Apple Pay. ATMs are readily available in almost all resorts, towns and cities, and many have multilingual instructions. Most small villages and towns usually have at least one ATM. But it is still a good idea to have a bit of cash on you for small purchases. 

Public Holidays in Norway

• New Year's Day: 1st January
  
• Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday & Monday
• Labour Day: 1st May
• Constitution Day: 17th May
• Ascension, Pentecost, and Whit Monday
• Christmas Eve: 24th December
  
• Christmas Day: 25th December
• Saint Stephen's Day: 26th December

Please note Some dates are moveable, so please check before travelling.

Driving in Norway

Visitors to Norway who wish to drive in the country must comply with the following requirements:

1. A valid driver's license: Visitors must have a valid driver's license from their home country.
2. Car insurance: Visitors must have valid car insurance for their vehicle, covering both the driver and passengers.
3. Road rules:  In Norway, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. As a general rule, trams and vehicles from the right have priority. Visitors must follow Norway's traffic laws, including speed limits, traffic signals, and road signs.
4. Use dipped headlights in the daytime (in towns as well as outside built-up areas)
5. A vehicle towing a caravan must be equipped with special rear-view mirrors
6. Safety equipment: It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle, Spare bulbs for your car's external lights, A fire extinguisher, A first-aid kit
7. Minimum driving age: The minimum driving age in Norway is 18 years old.
8. Alcohol law: Alcohol laws are strict in Norway. The drink-drive limit for all drivers is 0.02%, and the police may ask you to undergo a random breath test. 
9. You will have to pay tolls to use some roads, bridges and tunnels in Norway. You will also be charged to drive in the main cities, including Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger.
10. You are required to use winter tires during the winter or when it is snowy or icy on the roads in Norway.

Norway Emergency Services

• European Emergency Number 112
• Police 112
• Fire department 110
• Ambulance 113

Weather in Norway

NORWAY WEATHER

The climate of Norway is oceanic, rainy but not too cold, on the west coast (Bergen) and semi-continental in the southeast (Oslo). The northern coast (North Cape) is subpolar oceanic, while inland areas it is continental, with very cold winters and milder summers.

In Norway, summers are warmer and wet; winters are freezing, snowy, and partly cloudy year-round. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from -13°C to 26°C and is rarely below -22°C or above 31°C.

July is the hottest month in Oslo, with an average temperature of 17.5°C, and the coldest is January at -3°C, with the most daily sunshine hours at 8 in June. Of course, Summer daylight hours are longer the further north you venture. 

Tromsø experiences around 6 weeks of darkness, where the sun remains below the horizon.