What is ‘slow travel’ and why Norway ticks all the boxes
Have you ever felt more exhausted after a trip than before you left? Then you have probably done the exact opposite of slow travel! When slow traveling, there is no need for a vacation after your vacation.It is not about "likes" that generate hotspots on Instagram and overwhelmingly long bucket lists.
Slow travel is about getting back to the roots of why we first started traveling. It’s all about authentic experiences and being present in the moment.
Slow travel is about the journey, not the destination. The journey starts already when leaving your house with your backpack over your shoulder or a suitcase in hand. When having a snack at the airport and taking pictures of the snow crystals gathered around the airplane windows and the clouds when flying over mountain peaks in foreign lands.
Norway is a perfect destination for slow traveling. Whether you want to enjoy the beauty and the silence of nature, saunas, and spas, village life, or shopping and champagne in the city, Norway has it all! Here are some popular slow travel destinations to visit in Norway:
Cities
Shopping and champagne in Oslo
Oslo is the largest city in Norway, and it has been the country's capital since 1814. The city offers an abundance of shopping options, a flourishing cultural side, and a choice of restaurants which is almost unparalleled in Scandinavia. A ten-minute boat ride from the center takes you to lovely beaches on the islands in the Oslofjord
Culture and mountain hikes in Bergen
Bergen is Norway's second-largest city with a population of roughly 270,000. King Olav Kyrre founded the city of Bergen in 1070, and it was the country's capital from 1110 until 1299. Bergen is called ‘the city of seven mountains’ because of the seven mountains that surround it. At 624 meters, Mount Ulriken is the tallest of them. Bergen is also a European City of Culture and its many museums and art galleries are well worth a visit.
Close to nature in Stavanger
With a population of approx. 130,000, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth-largest city. The town is known as Norway's energy capital. The area in and around Stavanger offers varied, wild and beautiful nature experiences. From steep mountains and lovely fjords to long, wild beaches along the open coastline of Jæren: everything is within easy reach of the city of Stavanger.
Culture and nature in Ålesund
If you are seeking exciting nature and culture-based activities, Ålesund is a great starting point. There are opportunities for fishing, bird watching, diving or cycling around the many small islands. It is also only a short distance to the world heritage area the Geirangerfjord.
Back to nature
Silence and beauty in Lofoten
Lofoten is a spectacular archipelago in the northern part of Norway, famous for the midnight sun, northern lights, sea, and mountains. Lofoten is one of those special places on Earth with untouched natural splendor, an abundance of fish in the sea, and incredible wildlife all around. More than anything, the Lofoten Islands are characterized by a craggy coastline with awe-inspiring mountains towering over pristine white sandy beaches.
Village life in Flåm
The small picturesque village of Flåm is situated at the innermost point of Aurlandsfjord and is home to the Flåm Railway. Aurlandsfjord is an arm of the 204-km long and up to 1308 meter deep Sognefjord. Flåm is the end station of the popular Flåm Railway, which is included in several of our popular round trips.
Retreat in Loen
Loen is a small village in Nordfjord, below the mighty Jostedalsbreen Glacier. This is the home of Loen Skylift, and the perfect place for exploring the mountains during the day, and pampering yourself in the evenings.
Fjord sightseeing in Geiranger
Geirangerfjord is one of Norway's most visited tourist sites and with good reason. Surrounded by steep mountains on either side with a host of waterfalls including the famous seven sisters, Geiranger is a beacon for Norwegian tourism.
Our most popular tour, Norway in a nutshell®, takes in many of the above sights and is the ideal recipe for a slow travel feast.
Get inspired!
Looking for inspiration for your next trip? Dive into all things Norwegian, from the Northern lights, to famous movie locations and delicious culinary delights.
Norway´s famous fjords
It’s no secret that Norway is famous for its magnificent fjords. No trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to one of the world-famous fjords! We’ve put together a list of the most famous and beautiful fjords Norway has to offer, so you can plan your next trip to our fair land.
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ highlights
The Ledleys experienced Flåm and the famous Norwegian fjords on their visit to Norway. This is the very best experiences on the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.
The Flåm Railway - one of the world's best train journeys
Lonely Planet named it the best train journey in the world. Norway's Flåm Railway is a truly unique experience of breathtaking nature and quaint fjord villages. "It's so powerful and dramatic," says Audrey Olson, who experienced the train journey as part of the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.
A fjord for everyone
It seems like everywhere you look in Norway, there is another amazing fjord full of dazzling sights and experiences. With over 1,100 fjords throughout the country, even most locals have not seen them all. But, when you visit Norway, going on a fjord safari is an absolute must since they are such a big part of the country’s identity.