From ice caves to Indigenous reindeer tours: 10 unique experiences to have in Norway
Norwegians love nature, and being outdoors year-round is a way of life. They believe you can enjoy outdoor activities no matter the weather — as long as you wear the proper clothing. This is especially true in the winter when the temperatures in northern Norway dip into the single digits (or below zero if you're measuring in Celsius).
From late April through August, the polar Arctic experiences what is called the "midnight sun." Due to the tilt of the Earth, these places see sunlight 24 hours a day. This phenomenon occurs in most of northern Norway during the summer, which can make it hard to feel tired and go to sleep. On the other hand, it also makes Norway a very unique travel destination.
I was able to experience the midnight sun on a recent trip to Svalbard, Norway — an archipelago that sits at 78 degrees north and is the most northern inhabited year-round settlement on the planet.
Even if you're not as far north as Svalbard, places like Lofoten and Tromso can have 18 to 24 hours of daylight, depending on the month of the year. The benefit is that you won't have to worry about having enough daylight hours to fit in all of your activities. Kayaking at 10 p.m.? Hiking at midnight? All possible.
With that outdoor stage set, here's a selection of unique activities — some of which are seasonal — that you can experience on your next trip to Norway.
Dog sledding
Dog sledding with professional musher Tove Sørensen absolutely makes my list of best activities in Norway.
Tove has owned Tromso Villmarkssenter for the last 30 years. With more than 200 huskies, Tove doesn't just run dog sledding tours, though. She and her dogs have competed in the Finnmarkslopet (Europe's longest race) 19 times, and she hopes to be the first woman to finish the race 20 times. She's also competed in the world's longest dogsled race, the Iditarod in Alaska.
Guided tours are available, followed by lunch in Husky Cafe, where you can taste Norwegian delicacies and warm up by the fire.
Sami reindeer experience in Tromso
The Indigenous Sami population are reindeer herders. Eight years ago, Johan Isak Turi Oskal started Tromso Arctic Reindeer to educate the public about the Sami culture and reindeer's importance in the natural environment. His family has been herding reindeer for generations, and he feeds the reindeer in the winter months from November to April. In the summer, they migrate up to the mountains to give birth to their calves.
Tours can include everything from feeding and sledding with reindeer, viewing northern lights and having a campfire cookout while joiking (traditional Sami singing).
Chase the northern lights
While in Norway, you can chase the northern lights on a tour with Tromso Accessible Tours.
They break down barriers for travelers of all abilities and aim to make adventure tours accessible to everyone. Martin Lobert started his tour company during the pandemic to fill a void in the local tourism industry. He purchased a wheelchair-accessible van that can hold up to four wheelchairs and provides "skis" for the wheels. This way, visitors can glide over the snow to reach previously inaccessible areas.
Another vehicle can fit up to 16 passengers total or two wheelchairs plus 12 additional passengers for larger families or groups traveling together.
Experience Norwegian fishing history and culture
You can experience Norwegian fishing history and culture at Full Steam in Tromso. The former fish factory from 1902 sits on the waterfront and has been turned into a restaurant and maritime museum.
Here you can learn about the region's maritime history, the Sami culture and fishing heritage. You can also enjoy fresh Arctic cod or a warm bowl of bidos — a traditional Sami stew of rich, tender reindeer meat and vegetables such as carrots and potatoes. And yes, it is delicious.
Fly to the northernmost airport in the world
For a unique aviation experience, fly into the northernmost airport in the world, Svalbard Airport (LYR). Norwegian Air offers daily flights from Tromso and Oslo to the northernmost airport in the world for commercial aviation. Flying over the northern Arctic and seeing snow-covered glaciers from above is beautiful.
But flying there is only part of the experience — stay a few nights in the area to enjoy outdoor activities in a breathtaking location.
Electric snowmobiling
Experience an EV snowmobiling adventure on Svalbard with Hurtigruten Adventures, which offers snowmobile tours on electric snowmobiles.
As snowmobiles are the main mode of transport on the island, this is an important step toward reducing emissions and the accompanying noise that disturbs wildlife. On one of these snowmobiling adventures, you could encounter everything from puffins to Arctic reindeer to polar bears.
Take a cross-country skiing tour
Explore the frozen wonderland of the Spitsbergen on skis by taking a half-day cross-country skiing guided tour, or go all in on a four-day adventure. No matter how experienced you are on skis, you'll want a guide who knows the local area and carries polar bear protection. In fact, it's required — you cannot venture out of the immediate Longyearbyen settlement without an experienced guide and/or a gun.
Visit an ice cave
Visit a 1,000-year-old ice cave on Svalbard. This unique activity is offered seasonally from February through May. You can be transported in a snowcat — a heavy-duty snow vehicle — up the mountain to an ice cave high above Longyearbyen. From there, you'll descend on foot into the glacial opening and through a tight corridor made of ice thousands of years old.
Cruise along the coast
Cruise the Norwegian coastline with Hurtigruten. The line has been offering cruises up the Norwegian coast for more than 150 years; it offers cruises to many ports along the coast and up to Svalbard. From ships of 150 to 619 passengers, you'll take in the majestic scenery as you travel through the fjords and into small fishing ports. The ships double as supply vessels for smaller communities bringing supplies and medicine to locals.
Drink a beer at the top of the world
Drink an IPA with brewmaster Andreas Hegermann-Riis at the northernmost brewery in the world. Svalbard Brewery was started in 2015 by Robert and Anne Grete Johansen and prides itself on brewing IPAs at the top of the world. Due to the nature of laws in Svalbard and its history as a coal-mining community, there are limits on alcohol consumption and purchases (if local).
Residents are issued a card for any purchases made in Svalbard. Visitors can show their flight tickets to purchase up to 24 beer cans. Tours of the brewery are available, and you can book them online.
No matter what time of year you decide to visit Norway, there's an adventure and beautiful scenery waiting for you. From medieval fishing villages to the polar Arctic, you'll find friendly locals who enjoy sharing their culture and love of nature.
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