Norway is a country in Northern Europe that is located on the Western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It shares a border with Sweden to the east and Finland and Russia to the northeast. Norway is a surprisingly long country that stretches for about 1,090 miles long. It is the longest European country and driving from the capital, Oslo, to the northern cape takes approximately 35 hours. It is recommended to carve out ample time for your road trip in Norway if you plan to see the capital all the way up to the Northern Cape. If you plan your trip during the summer months, however, you can utilize the midnight sun to maximize drive and exploring time.

Currency:

The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian Krone. The currency code for the Norwegian krone is NOK and the sign is KR. You can find ATMs and banks located all throughout the country. Less and less krone is being utilized these days. Most restaurants, shops, and gas stations all accept credit and debit cards.

Language:

The official language in Norway is Norwegian. There are several different variations and dialects spoken across the country. English is the most common foreign language spoken among Norwegians. This is due to English being taught in their schools from around the age of eight. By the time Norwegians are in their teens, most of them are fluent in English.

Norway experiences four seasons which are spring, summer, fall, and winter. Visiting during these different times of the year can cause for drastically different experiences. Below is an outline of the different seasons to visit Norway and what you will experience during them.

The Peak Season: June to August

The Peak Season in Norway is from mid-June through August. During these months, the weather in Norway is at its warmest and the days are at their longest. So long that if you visit during these months you can experience the midnight sun across Norway. This gives you the most daylight out of the year to be able to explore and adventure this beautiful and diverse country. With the long days and warm weather also comes greater crowds and higher costs. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance if you plan to visit this time of year.

Shoulder Season: May-June and September-October

The shoulder season in Norway is from May to mid-June and the months of September and October. This would be my recommended time to visit Norway. The weather is still beautiful and warm making for perfect weather to explore the fjords and get in some beautiful hiking. Although the days may not be as long as the summer months, they are still extremely long providing plenty of daylight to explore and road trip across the country. The crowd levels are also greatly reduced as opposed to the peak season making for a more enjoyable experience while exploring all Norway has to offer.

The Low Season: November to April

The low season in Norway is during the winter months of November to April and brings colder temperatures. During these months, the days are short lasting only 5-6 hours in southern Norway and getting shorter the farther north you go. Tromsø, Norway experiences the polar night during many of these winter months when the sun never rises above the horizon. The long dark days of these months provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to view the northern lights. You can find many tours and excursions taking place this time of year that help visitors experience this natural phenomenon. Another popular activity this time of year is winter sports. Skiers and snowboarders can start hitting the slopes starting in November.