Lost in the Right Direction

Norway 

Norway is Scandinavian country that offers some of everything. From the museums and culture of Oslo, to the scenic beauty of the fjord lands in the west, to the rugged arctic of the north, there’s something for everyone.

When you visit Norway, be sure to see the stunning fjords in the west and Oslo’s fantastic museums. If you have the time, you might want to take a trip up north to Svalbard, an archipelago that’s possibly the most accessible part of the arctic.

Regions

Itineraries

Eat & Drink

Naboen Pub & Restaurant

Restaurant offering delicious fish, meat, and desserts. For a cheaper option, try the Swedish menu.

Olhallen

Oldest bar in Tromso with 72 beers on tap. It can get crowded so you might want to get their on the earlier side

Emma’s Under and Emma’s Dream Kitchen Tromso

These are among the most popular places to eat in Tromso. Emma’s Under is more of a cafe and the kitchen is a tablecloth type restaraunt. We ate at the cafe for lunch and it was very good – especially the fish gratin. You will probably need a reservation fo dinner upstairs as they only […]

Restaurant Kroa

The best restaurant on Svalbard. Visit for a delicious meal of meat or seafood, and enjoy the well-appointed interior which has a cozy arctic vibe.

Svalbar Pub

A hip bar in the heart of Longyearbyen. Enjoy the drink of your choice with a burger, pizza, or fish.

Roast

This is the restaurant in the recommended Scandic Ishavshotel. They offer good food and service and it’s very convenient for a late arrival to Tromso if you’re staying in the adjacent hotel.

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Fiskekompaniet

One thing you will find is that if you are eating on Sunday many paces are closed. This one wasn’t – and is right on the water downtown in a great location. We thought the food was very good – interestingly not a salad on the menu but they made on for us anyway. They […]

Café Opera

Great for a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Cafe Opera serves up food all day.

Rorbua Pub

This pub has been around for 40+ years. Apparently the interior is the setting of one of Norway’s most popular TV shows, Du skal høre mye. There’s a good selection of local beer and wine and they make good pizza.

See

Fram Museum

A fantastic museum about arctic exploration. The Fram’s main attraction is the Fram itself, a wooden ship designed by Colin Archer to Fridtjof Nansen’s specifications specifically for arctic exploration.

The National Museum (Norway)

The National Gallery of Oslo has a huge collection of art, including many of Edvard Munch’s best known paintings (including The Scream). You can also find the works of Gauguin, Claudel, Picasso, El Greco, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Matisse, Cézanne, and Monet. Temporarily closed for relocation.

Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset)

A museum with a collection of 3 Viking ships from the 10th century. Two of the ships are remarkably well preserved—almost completely intact—while one is missing about half its structure. The ships were used in ceremonial burials, so they sank with numerous gifts and artifacts.

Norway Resistance Museum

A fascinating presentation of the history of the Norwegian resistance against the German occupation during World War II.

Norsk Folkemuseum

An open-air folk museum containing buildings from Norwegian history, some dating to the medieval period. Highlights include a stave church from the 1200s and farmhouses and schoolhouses with soil and grass roofs.

Fjellheisen (Tromso cable car)

Just across the water from downtown Tromsø is a cable car that goes up 421 meters for a great view of the city from the mountain top. Fjellheisen is the name of the cable car running you up Mount Storsteinen on a 4 minute ride. You’ll see the snowy mountain ranges surrounding Tromsø as well as the city itself. The cable car runs late – you might get lucky and see the northern lights if they, and weather, cooperate. There is a restaurant up here and trails as well.

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Frogner Park (Frognerparken)

Oslo’s central park is a beautiful green space with a collection of 14,000 roses and the Vigeland installation, a permanent sculpture installation including smaller sculptures as well as bridges and fountains.

Rosenkrantz Tower (Rosenkrantztårnet)

Fortress dating to the sixteenth century. Exhibits inside tell you about the structure and the area’s military history. Climb to the roof for great views of Bergen.

Munchmuseet

This museum is dedicated to Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch (painter of The Scream). It houses the largest collection of his work in the world. However The Scream is actually at the National Gallery along with a bunch of his other works. They often have rotating exhibits of other modern artists. The museum is set to move to a new elaborate building next to the Opera House at Bjørvika in 2020.

Svalbard Museum

A fascinating look at the human and natural history of Svalbard.

Tromso Museums

There are several and none are blockbuster – but adds to the interest of Tromso as a place to visit when not out seeking whales or northern lights. Several are right downtown making them very convenient to visit/

Museum of Science and Technology

Near Lake Maridal, this museum has Norway’s first tram, car, water wheels, and clock along with tons of interactive displays and competitions. It also has great exhibits about medicine, science, and technology through history.

Merete Rein Art Glass

Art gallery and workshop selling local hand-blown glass. The artist frequently does live demonstrations and has beautiful glassware for sale.

Arctic cathedral

A somewhat unique modern “cathedral” across the water from Tromso near the cable car. It’s characterized by triangular architecture and the white seems fitting for the surroundings. It’s considered the “Cathedral of the Arctic Sea”.  It’s probably only worth seeing if you’re combining it with a visit to the cable car or going to the […]

Håkon’s Hall

Built by King Håkon Håkonsson between 1247 and 1267, Håkon’s Hall served as a royal residence and feasting hall. The hall is impressive, and it’s not hard to imagine medieval Norsepeople feasting inside.

Vangen Kyrkje

A small but beautiful church with a peaceful graveyard.

Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene

History and culture museum housed in a merchant’s home dating from 1704. The museum traces the history of Bergen and the Hanseatic League, a powerful confederation of guilds and merchants that dominated northern Europe’s economy for centuries.

Svalbard Kirke

The world’s northernmost (or possibly second northernmost) church, the current building was erected after the church on this spot was bombed during World War II.

Do

Northern Soul Adventures – northern lights tour

There are a multitude of northern lights tours from Tromso (that’s why people come here). We chose this one because it was highly rated in reviews and it was small (7 max). They did not disappoint – this is a GREAT tour.

Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

Kayak across an icy fjord to the base of Hiortfjellet, a 3,000-foot mountain. Then climb it for breathtaking views of Spitsbergen, Longyearbyen, and the surrounding archipelago.

Whale watch in Tromso

A whale watching trip is a great way to get out on the beautiful water around Tromso. There’s a bunch of whales that hang out to the north – including Orcas. We visited the travel agency to book a tour and they suggested this one as a nice smaller craft leaving right from the harbor […]

Svalbard Dog Sledding

Your dog sledding adventure on Svalbard will vary with the seasons. In the winter, you might enjoy a ride through the snow beneath the northern lights. In the summer, you’ll use a wheeled training sled to see some of Spitsbergen’s beautiful valleys.

Tromso Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is another popular Tromso attraction. There needs to be enough snow – so won’t open till December. The dogs sure seem to enjoy the run.

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Esmark Glacier and Barentsburg Cruise

Cruise the Arctic Ocean to the Esmark Glacier for views of the stunning, massive wall of ice (and a chance to see seals and polar bears). Then you’ll circle to the south and visit the Russian settlement of Barentsburg.

Flåm Railway

A scenic train ride up the side of the Sognefjorden and into the mountains.

Svalbard Horseback Riding

Spend a morning riding a friendly Icelandic horse west of Longyearbyen and soaking in views of the outlying islands and glaciers. But don’t expect a secluded ride through the arctic wilderness.

Reindeer and Sami culture

Visit a Sami camp and herd of reindeer – you can do reindeer sledging as well.   There are a variety of activities

Stay

Klosterhagen Hotell

Cozy and comfy hotel in central Bergen. Great location, reasonable prices, and a delicious complimentary breakfast.

Scandvic Ishavshotel

This is a hotel recently renovated right on the waterfront in Tromso. One of the most amazing (award winning) breakfasts you’ll find anywhere. It was reasonably priced lodging for Norway (where no, nothing is cheap).

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri

Small and cozy cabins right on the water of the gorgeous Sognefjorden. Full kitchens and incredible location, but the lofts are cramped.