The Kingdom of Norway is a country in Europe with its capital being Oslo. Though the official language used in Norway is Norwegian, English is widely used by most locals. Here are some of the landmarks included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - Bryggen in Bergen, Urnes Stave Church, and the Rock Art of Alta. Norway is home to many glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls. This is the place to go to if you want to connect with nature and witness for yourself the magical northern lights. You can stay in a vacation rental or a glass igloo hotel in Noway. In this article, we will introduce to you the top things Norway is famous for. Read on.
1. Norwegian Vikings
Vikings are real in Norway! They were led by King Harald Hardråde between AD 800 to 1066. While they are not physically present anymore, you can still experience the Norwegian Viking spirit during the Viking season between October to April. Discover for yourself the contrasts from foggy to clear autumn days and see the difference between islands and majestic mountains. Most importantly, you get to connect with the descendants of the Norwegian Vikings - the people who live in Fjord Norway.
2. Norway Fjords
You might be wondering what a fjord is. It is essentially a long and narrow sea surrounded by steep cliffs, usually formed by a glacier. They are commonly associated with a bay or cove, though there are slight differences. You might want to add some of these famous fjords to your bucket list - Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, and Hjørundfjord. Geirangerfjord, which is 15 km (9.3 mi) long, has been on the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list since 2005 and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Western Norway.
3. Aquavit
Aquavit or akvavit is Norway’s most famous flavoured alcoholic beverage. Wonder how aquavit tastes like? Some say it’s like savoury spiced vodka. Norwegian aquavit is usually a distilled spirit made from potatoes but there are also other varieties out there in the market made from grains. Once the distillation process is completed, herbs, spices, lemon, or orange peels are some of the common flavourings added.
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4. Ostehøvel (cheese slicer)
Ostehøvel is a Norwegian invention by Thor Bjørklund in 1925. Back in the days, the cheese slicer was one of the most iconic souvenirs one can purchase from Norway due to its practical usage. Fast forward to the present day, when brands like Barbantia and Fiskars have started producing their own cheese slicers. Make a trip down to the local supermarkets in Norway and see if you can take one home!
5. Polse (Norwegian sausage)
Polse is how the people in Norway identify with hot dogs. It is one of the most affordable bites you can find in Oslo and usually served in a tortilla with vegetables and sauces. In fact, their love for polse can be found in restaurant menus, food stalls, cafes, and even at gas stations. We’re sure you can even grab a packet or two of polse and have it for breakfast for a quick meal fix. Just make sure you know what it is made from because there are a variety of fillings - deer meat, mushrooms, egg protein, and more.
6. Helly Hansen
Founded in 1877, Helly Hansen has been the go-to brand for sports and outdoor wear. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, this business started off with producing waterproof oilskin jackets and trousers. Fast forward to today, it is now an award-winning brand with collections for men, women, and even kids. You can buy anything outdoors-related including ski and sailing jackets and even boots.
7. Rosemaling (folk painting)
Rosemaling is part of Norwegian culture and it began in eastern Norway during the 1750s. Since 1850, Os, Norway, became one of the areas that continued the tradition of folk painting. This type of art was initially inspired by Renaissance and Baroque styles. Did you know that in the London Olympics, the team from Norway donned scarfs that had such paintings on them? Talk to the locals about rosemaling and see if you can get some insights on this art form.
8. Oil production
Norway is one of the world’s largest exporters of oil. Its location on the North Sea has led to the country becoming the 15h-largest oil producer in the world. Since the late 1960s, exports of oil and gas have contributed greatly to their economy with the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the North Sea. These two are considered the most significant export commodities in Norway’s economy, making up approximately half the total value of export goods in Norway.
9. Norwegian salmon
Fancy some salmon sushi? It’s interesting to note that salmon sushi was not popular in Japan back in the olden days. The Japanese thought that their own Pacific salmon was not clean enough to consume in a raw state. But thanks to the ocean-farmed Atlantic salmon, the well-loved Japanese salmon sushi with Norwegian origins is born. If you ever get to visit the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon, take a trip to a fish farm!
10. Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch was a painter best known for his piece, The Scream. He was born in Ådalsbruk, a village in Norway. As a child, he was often unwell during the winter season and unable to attend school. As such, he turned to art to keep himself occupied. However, his life as a painter was met with many misfortunes. He received criticism from the media and reproach from his own father in the early days. But he met eventual success and his legacy lives on with the establishment of Munch Museum in Oslo in 1963.
The best time to visit Norway
The peak season is between mid-June to August. If you want to avoid the influx of tourists and prefer to tread quietly through the Scandinavian country, spring and fall would be great times to visit. Get a bird’s-eye view of a Norway fjord, admire the rosemaling art forms, learn more about the life and works of Edvard Munch at Munch Museum, and don’t forget to taste some aquavit and fresh Norwegian salmon while you’re there.
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