Why Norway Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Every year, Norway offers a stunning natural experience, and this is set to improve in 2024. There will be more chances to appreciate the country's beauty and resources, all while embracing eco-friendly travel adventures in true Norwegian fashion.

“A great place to live is also a great place to visit,” states Hege Vibeke Barnes, managing director of the destination marketing organization Innovation Norway, recognized as a 2022 Dinogo Travel Vanguard. “New itineraries will provide travelers with deeper, localized experiences and access to less-explored areas of the country,” she adds. “This allows visitors to engage with the authentic Norway in a sustainable and high-quality manner.”

Norway’s train system offers breathtaking views of towering mountains, dramatic fjords, and stunning waterfalls. With upcoming rail projects, travelers will have more opportunities to soak in these landscapes: the electric Norient Express will run multi-day journeys from Bergen to Trondheim, stopping at Voss and Lillehammer, the Olympic city. Additionally, long-distance hybrid-electric trains named Flirt Nex will replace older models on the Bergen-Oslo route, recognized as one of the world's most picturesque journeys.

Norway’s iconic fjords are best appreciated from the water. The tour operator SailNorway allows travelers to enjoy the Helgeland coast while participating in beach cleanups to maintain the pristine environment. Meanwhile, Brim Explorer offers silent fjord tours on hybrid-electric boats in Lofoten, Tromsø, and Oslo, enhancing the chances of spotting orcas and white-tailed eagles. By 2026, Norway will mandate zero-emission for all cruise ships and tourist vessels in the UNESCO-designated West Norwegian Fjords. Moreover, the Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten has developed a prototype for an all-electric passenger ship to navigate the entire coastline.

Driving ecologically in Norway is a breeze, with one in five cars being electric. The sale of internal-combustion engine vehicles will cease after 2025. Take an EV to Kristiansand to visit Kunstsilo, a museum housed in a former grain silo, showcasing the world’s largest collection of Nordic modernist art, set to open in 2024. Alternatively, head north to Bodø, one of Europe’s three 2024 Capitals of Culture and the first Arctic location to receive the title. The town will celebrate its unique position throughout the year, featuring art, community, and culture from an Arctic viewpoint, including a Sami stage show about land rights and global warming, along with an unusual opera focused on stockfish.

In 2024, the New Nordic Food Manifesto celebrates 20 years of commitment to regional, seasonal, and ethical cuisine. Experience this at the Michelin-starred Lysverket in Bergen, where chef Christopher Haatuft incorporates produce from urban gardens into his hyperlocal dishes. You can also visit Credo in Trondheim, where chef Heidi Bjerkan features portraits of the cows that supply the dairy, and her restaurant holds both a Michelin star and a Green Star for sustainable practices.

Norway’s culinary philosophy is a reflection of its respect for nature. As Anne Gunn Rosvold, the founder of outdoor adventure company Bergen Base Camp, puts it, “Guests frequently remark on Norway’s beauty, the dramatic contrasts in its landscapes, and the freshness and purity of its environment.” Ongoing projects will encourage both locals and visitors to further explore and preserve this stunning natural beauty.

Advice for organizing your trip

• Where to stay: Norway is renowned for its wooden architecture. Opening in 2024, the 177-room Wood Hotel Bodø is located on a mountainside just 10 minutes from the city center, featuring a café, wellness area, heated pool, and rooftop dining. (Another option to consider is Wood Hotel by Frich in Brumunddal, one of the tallest timber buildings globally, overlooking the largest lake in the country.)
  
• Make it happen: Tour operator Up Norway specializes in creating customized travel experiences across the country and is a certified B Corp.

To see our complete list of favorite destinations for this year, check out Where to Go in 2024.