Everything you need to know for you upcoming adventure to…Norway!

Norway in winter is pure magic. Everything is covered with snow, it’s a cozy atmosphere and a big highlight: the Northern Lights. It was my first time in Norway and I don’t regret visiting it during winter. It’s certainly also beautiful in summer but it’s more special in winter. 

We spent 7 days in Norway, with 2 nights in Oslo and 5 nights in Northern Norway where we had the chance to experience really incredible adventures. Although we did a lot of outdoor activities, the time in Norway was also very relaxing. So read on to find our when to visit Norway, where to stay and of course what to do.

Best time to go?

It all depends on your preferences. If you are like me and crazy about snow and winter, you definitely have to visit Norway during winter. It is a white dream from November to March. Keep in mind that there is almost no sunlight during December/ January. I stayed in Northern Norway at the very beginning of February with 4 to 5 hours of daylight. The sunset was around 15 o’clock. The northern lights can only be seen during wintertime.

In summer there is always daylight because they are having the midnight sun in Northern Norway. I’m sure this is also very special if you are not used to this. So it is up to you to chose when to travel to Norway.

How to get there?

You have many options to fly to Oslo as it is the capital city of Norway. I took the plane in Frankfurt with Lufthansa. 

When it comes to Alta, there are not so many companies, that are flying up there. It is located about 1.800 km away from Oslo, therefore we chose to fly with Norwegian Air to Alta because they offer a daily connections to Alta. Besides Norwegian Air, you can also take SAS Airlines.

Renting car?

Definitely yes! If there is a possibility to rent a car, I would always chose this way to go. I’m sure there are also some amazing public transports in Norway but you are really more independent with a renting car! Taking public transport is certainly a good thing and a really good option when you don’t want to drive in the snow but it will restrict you. A renting car makes you very flexible in your daily planning. If you want to go hunting for Northern Lights in the middle of the night, you can do it.

You don’t need a renting car in Oslo. Public transport is great because almost everything is close together. But up in Northern Norway, there are certainly some distances between your chosen destinations.

You can rent your car directly at the airport in Alta. There you can find all the big car rental companies as Avis, Budget, Europcar or Alta Bilutleie ANS. 

Driving conditions?

When you chose to visit Norway during winter time, be prepare to drive in the snow. When you have spikes on your wheels, there will be no problem to drive safely. It is definitely not the snow that we are used to here in central Europe. When the Norwegians are talking about good road conditions, they speak about roads covered with thick ice.

The real problem starts with snow storms. Wheater can change very quickly from one moment to the other. Once you’re in the storm you can barely see the road because of all the snow coming from everywhere. Stay calm until it’s over.

Currency & Costs?

The currency in Norway is the Norwegian krone, known usually as NOK. So basically, when you are not living in Norway, you have to exchange your currency. 1 NOK is about 0,12 USD or 0,10 Euro.

Traveling to Norway is not that cheap. Especially when it comes to alcohol. Be sure to take enough money with you. Otherwise, they will take the credit card everywhere. 

Below you will find a general idea of a route I suggest for 14 day Canada road trip itinerary. However, you are always free to extend or shorten your route. 

Oslo – Alta – Honningsvag – North Cape – Alta

Where to start and end your Norway Road Trip?

Oslo was the starting point of my trip to Norway with Northern Norway as further destination. I spent one week in Norway which is certainly not enough to discover all of its beauty. Oslo was also my ending point because it is easily accessible.

Oslo – 2 nights

As Oslo is the capital city of Norway, it is not to miss. I only spent 24 hours in Olso. But I’m sure that this capital city has a lot more to offer. So be sure to plan at least one day in your itinerary to explore Oslo.

Read next: Oslo in 24 hours

Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum is now closed for rebuilding. We will reopen as the Museum of the Viking Age in 2026.

This museum is located a little bit outside of the city center of Oslo and therefore you need to take the bus to get there. It is really easy to get there. The museum is a really important part of the Norwegian history. They are hosting 3 different viking ships, which are all very amazing. They also exposed other belongings from the vikings like beds, horse carts, tents and even clothes.

The Viking Ship Museum is opened everyday from 10.00 to 16.00, even on Sundays. Entrance costs 100 NOK, which is around 10 euro or 12 dollar.

The museum is basically famous for the Oseberg ship, which is almost completely undamaged. It was discovered in 1904 to 1905 by a Norwegian and a Swedish archaeologist in a burial mound with numerous grave goods and two female human skeletons. The ship itself is said to be older than 800 AD but its interment into the burial mound dates from around 834 AD. The Gokstad ship is also almost completely undamaged and was discovered and excavated in 1880. With the excavation of the ship, they also found the burial chamber, three small boats and also two tents boards from the burial chamber. The last one, the Tune ship, is not in such a good condition as the other two ships. There is only a part of the body of the ship who is remaining. But even the remains of the ship are impressive.

Hotel

Scandic Victoria Oslo Hotel

The Scandic Victoria Oslo Hotel is located perfectly to discover the city. You can reach everything easy by foot and there is a bus station just close to the hotel. I have to admit that we almost missed our plane to Alta and so we needed very quickly a taxi to get to the airport. When I told this to the receptionist, she helped called a taxi an it took almost 1 and a half minute to get the taxi. I was really impressed and we didn’t miss the plane.

Flying time: Oslo to Alta: 1 hour 55 minutes

Alta – 2 nights

Alta is also known as the city of Northern Lights. It is a small city in the county of Finnmark. Although it is not that big, this northern city has really a lot to offer and I can only recommend this on your road trip through Norway. Besides all the winter activities like snowmobile safari, ice fishing or snowshoeing, there is also the Northern Lights Cathedral. This is a rather special building that can be visited. If you are looking for more relax activities, you can simple hike through the snow or walk along the Altafjord.

I really was impressed by the kindness of the people in Alta. Especially of the people of the tourist information North Adventure, who really helped when something went wrong.

Read next: Alta – the city of Northern Lights

Northern Lights

According to Visit Alta, Alta is a really good choice for visitors who want to observe the magic of the Aurora Borealis. It has a really stable climate with temperatures below -30°C in winter, which is perfect for experience the Northern Lights. Cold temperatures make the clouds disappear.

When you want to go hunting for the northern lights, you can either chose a company to go with or you can go on your own. The company will bring you outside the city and its light pollution. They know exactly where to go to see them and they also know if they will appear. There are a few companies, who offers northern lights tours in Alta, like Sorrisniva or GLØD. They are both very good and professional. Hunting with your own car is more spectacular because you don’t know when and where the northern lights will appear. You simple drive through the dark and wait until they show up. If they are really strong, you can have the chance and see them from your hotel.

Snowmobile Safari

I chose the company Sorrisniva for the snowmobile safari but I’m sure there are also other companies, which will offer a snowmobile tour. gave us some thermo suits. Even if you have very warm clothes, be sure to take those thermo suit because it will be very cold driving through the wild nature of Northern Norway.

Basically you will start very slowly to get a feeling for the snowmobile. Than after driving for a while, you can speed up. You can drive up to 70 km/h but this will be already very fast. At one moment you will pass the tree line and everything is white. At the Finnmark plateau, you will have a view on the Pæska mountain. It is also possible to see wild animals during your tour. So the guide will make several stops to explain some things and to just appreciate the beauty of nature. After the tour, you can have a little rest at Sorrisniva with coffee an some snacks.

Read next: Snowmobile Safari in Alta

Snowshoeing & Ice fishing

You can easily combine snowshoeing and ice fishing. I chose the company GLØD. The company will come and pick you up and they will take you to their home base to try the shoes on and explain everything. Then they will drive you more outside the city where the adventure can start.

The first step with the snowshoes is really strange because you will be able to stand on the snow. At the beginning it is really exhausting because you are not used to it. But the incredible view will let you forget everything! It is amazing to walk through the forest with the trees covered with snow and with only the sound of snow underneath your feet.

After walking a while in the beautiful nature, you will reach the frozen lake where you try ice fishing. The guide will show you how to make your hole in the ice to be able to fish. From that moment on, all you have to do is waiting. Unfortunately nobody caught something. During the time that you will fish, the guide will cook a delicious meal with fish. We ate our lunch in a typical Sami tent. It is really interesting to sit in that tent and listening to all the stories  that the guide will tell you.

Read next: Snowshoeing and Ice fishing in Alta

Reindeer Sledding & Sami Experience

Another recommendable activity is the reindeer sledding and the sami experience. Who has not dreamed in their childhood about a slight drawn by a reindeer. You also have the chance to meet Sami people. Those are the natives in the north of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. I booked this tour again with Sorrisniva. They are a really good company for all those winter activities. I can only recommend it.

Firstly you will meet the reindeer. Reindeers are normally very shy. They had only one reindeer that was not afraid of humans. So you you are able to pet it. There are two Sami explaining a little bit of their daily life with reindeers. Then you take a seat in a sleigh and a reindeer will pull you through the forests of Northern Norway.

After a wonderful but cold ride through the snow, you will stop at a tent named lávvu. This is a typical Sami tent. Inside the lávvu, everything is covered with reindeer skin, which is a really good thing to stay warm. It was a really cozy atmosphere and very interesting. I did this tour on the 6th February, which is the National Day in the Sami culture. We were even so lucky to hear the Sami women joiking. A joik is a traditional Sami song. According to the tradition, the Sami People get their joiks from the fairies and elves of the artic land. It is very touching to hear a joik from a Sami.

Hotel & Restaurant

Altafjord Gjestegaard & Spa Hotel

I stayed at the Altafjord Gjestegaard & Spa Hotel. I really loved this hotel because it reflects immediately a image of being at home in front of a cozy fire. It is a rather small hotel but really cozy. The rooms  are decorated with a lot of love for details. The highlight is definitely the electric chimney, which will make it very comfortable.

As it gets dark very fast at that time of year, you are spending a lot time in the hotel. So you have a lot of time to try their delicious food. They are offering a lot of traditional Norwegian food. Norwegian people do not often go to restaurants but mostly eat at home. Therefore there are not many restaurants in Alta. Mostly all hotels have their own restaurants.

Driving time: Alta to Sorrisniva: 20 minutes

Sorrisniva – 1 night

Who has not already dreamt of being the queen in the ice castle? Well this dream can come true at Sorrisniva in Alta. There you can sleep in the igloo hotel completely built out of ice. You will get your own room in the igloo hotel. The „bed“ is covered with reindeer skin to keep you warm in the night. The average temperature at night is between 4 an 7 degrees. It is not recommended to take your luggage with you in the ice room. You can leave everything inside. The hotel provide you with sleeping bags and pillows. When you want to take your mobile phone with you, be sure to put it into the sleeping bag.

Whenever you are staying in the hotel, be sure to have dinner in their restaurant. Their food is amazing. With the big oven in the middle, you feel really comfortable. It is a really cozy place to stay and eat. They offer several menus with regional products.

Driving time: Alta to Honningsvåg: 3 hours

Honningsvåg – 1 night

The city of Honningsvåg is the most northern city in Norway and is one of the main stop of the costal ships Hurtigruten. Although it is a really small city, there are a lot of tourists visiting Honningsvåg, especially because of the North Cape. Honningsvåg is located in the south of the island Magerøya. It is the perfect starting point for your trip to the North Cape.

Northern Lights

Honningsvåg is also a good destination for chasing northern lights. As there is not that much around the city, you leave light pollution quickly behind you. Sometimes you have to be very patient to see them. When I wanted to go chasing the northern lights, a snow storm appeared and made me returning to the hotel. Luckily I didn’t give up. I had the most spectacular light show on the sky the same night.

Read next: Northern Lights in Honningsvåg

Hotel & Restaurant

Scandic Bryggen

I stayed at the Scandic Bryggen Hotel in Honningsvåg. It was a very comfortable hotel with very nice rooms. After the night in the igloo hotel I was really happy to sleep in a warm and cozy bed.

When I stayed in Honningsvåg, all the restaurants were closed and so I ate in the hotel restaurant. It was a really delicious meal, which I can recommend to everyone, especially when you want to leave afterwards to hunt the northern lights.

I have to say that I was really happy with the lady at the reception because she helped with the trip to the North Cape. She told us where to drive for the convoy to the North Cape. 

Driving time: Honningsvåg to North Cape: 40 minutes

North Cape

Have you ever heard of the North Cape? Well from the moment that I knew that you can visit the North Cape, it was on my bucket list. It is simply a magical place. If you are standing in front of the ocean knowing that the only thing to come in that direction is Spitsbergen an the Arctic. Although it has become really touristic, it is absolutely worth it to visit.

In summer the road to the North Cape is always accessible for everyone, even for camping cars. This is not the case in winter. Seeing the North Cape in winter is not that easy during wintertime. If you want to drive with your own car, you have to drive with a convoy because otherwise it would be too dangerous. The route is closed for traffic in winter. So you have to be at a certain time on the meeting point to be able to drive with the convoy. If you are not at the meeting point when the convoy is leaving, you cannot drive to the North Cape. Better be on time! The same counts also for the way back.

There are several monuments that can be visited on the North Cape. In the North Cape Hall you can buy souvenirs, have a drink or something to eat. You can even send a postcard with an extra North Cape stamp. If you want to visit the North Cape, you have to pay an entrance fee, which is 275 NOK per adult. This comes almost to 28 Euro or 35 dollar.

Most of the people run directly to the iconic North Cape monument. I recommend you to explore firstly the surroundings of North Cape and the main monument when most people already went inside the North Cape Hall. Be sure to dress adequate for the North Cape. Even if the sun is shining, it can be freezing up there.

Read next: North Cape: Europe’s most northern point

Driving time: North Cape to Alta: 3 hours 30 minutes

Alta – 1 night

I spent my last night in Alta because the airport is only 10 minutes from the city center. You never know if there is a snow storm on the route. So I prefer to be already very close to the airport whenever I’m flying. 

Whenever you have any question about Alta with a booking or anything else, contact the tourist info, North Adventure, because they will help you with everything.

Hotel & Restaurant

Scandic Alta

For the last night in Alta, I stayed at the Scandic Alta, which is a lovely hotel with an amazing restaurant. The rooms were really cozy and perfect for that cold weather. As there are not many restaurants in Alta, it’s very practical to have a good restaurant in your hotel.

Norway Road Trip Conclusion

During the road trip through Norway, I really learned to admire the calmness of the Norwegian lifestyle. Especially, when you are a snow lover as me, your desires will be satisfied! Although you do a lot of outdoor activities, it is a rather relaxing trip because at 15 o’clock it gets dark. So you have a lot of time to relax in front of a chimney. When you are standing in the middle of nowhere and the only thing you hear is your breath, you know you have reach your target.