5 Great Reasons To Visit Norway In 2024

Epic landscapes, rich cultural history, and a growing commitment to sustainable tourism make Norway a top destination for travelers the world over.

While classic experiences like city breaks in Oslo and Bergen, road trips through the Norwegian fjords region, or chasing the northern lights in the Arctic winter will surely remain popular, the new year offers some new travel opportunities.

From the largest ever cultural festival in Arctic Norway to some brand new options on a historic transportation route, here are five reasons why Norway should top your travel plans in 2024.

Discover The Culture Of Arctic Norway

In 2024, Norway’s coastal culture and Sami traditions come under the spotlight like never before as Bodø becomes a European Capital of Culture.

Plans are now in place for what is set to be the largest cultural project ever held in Northern Norway. Queen Sonja plans to attend the opening ceremony, highlighting the importance of this festival at a national level.

Never before has a city so far north held the title. As such, expect a packed program of cultural events reflecting life not just in Bodø but across Nordland county as a whole.

This means Norwegian coastal culture and Sami traditions will be at the forefront of the program, including a Sami theater trilogy that touches on themes such as nature, climate change, and justice.

Events get underway in February when, despite the presumed low temperature, an audience of 15,000 people is expected at the city’s harbour to watch the opening ceremony.

At the back end of the year, Nordland’s first ever light festival will begin by turning out the lights across Nordland, inspired by the growing trend of dark sky tourism.

More Choice On The Coastal Voyage

After the disruption caused by the pandemic and construction delays to the new Havila vessels, the Norwegian coastal route is now back up to full capacity. With daily departures from Bergen, the historic coastal ferry service doubles as a round-trip cruise for international travelers.

Before booking passage, it’s essential to understand the unique nature of this experience. Norway’s coastal voyage is not a typical cruise. Major differences include the 34 ports of call across the 12 night voyage and a lack of typical cruise ship amenities. These are working ships with passengers and cargo joining and leaving the ship at every port.

For roundtrip guests, it’s the Norwegian coastline that plays the starring role. Although not as feature-packed as cruise ships, these coastal cruise ships are much more comfortable than ferries while being specifically designed to navigate the narrow channels that define so much of the Norwegian coast.

Onboard cuisine reflects the regions the ships pass through, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients with plenty of seafood and an increasing number of vegetarian options.

The new Havila vessels are some of the most environmentally-friendly vessels of their size in the world, running on LNG and capable of sailing on battery power for up to four hours.

Whether you choose Hurtigruten or Havila, there’s not been this much choice on the Norwegian coastal route for several years.

Cruise The Norwegian Fjords While You Can

The Norwegian fjords are famed throughout the world for their natural beauty and staggering scale. Seeing the towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls along these majestic waterways from a cruise ship has long been a popular travel choice. However, change is coming to Norwegian fjords cruises.

Planned to be introduced no later than 2026, new government regulations will mean that only zero-emission vessels can enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.

Although many sightseeing ferries are now all-electric and Havila’s coastal ferries can sail on battery power, the vast majority of larger cruise ships will be banned. The exact timeline for these changes still remains unclear, but one thing’s for sure; the clock is ticking.

Other picturesque fjords such as the Nordfjord and Hardangerfjord will surely replace the protected fjords on future cruise itineraries, but if you’ve always wanted to cruise into Geiranger on a traditional cruise ship, then 2024 offers a window of opportunity before the anticipated rush.

Peak Time For The Northern Lights

While the northern lights are notoriously hard to predict, there is a more predictable long-term pattern. The cycle of solar activity rises and falls over a period of approximately 11 years.

Pål Brekke, head of space research at the Norwegian Space Center, previously told Norway’s NRK that should averages play out as expected, the next solar maximum should occur in 2024.

That means a period of significant northern lights activity, so if you’ve always wanted to see the northern lights in Norway, now is a great time to start planning your trip.

New Foodie Accommodations In Fjord Norway

For many travelers, accommodation in the Norwegian fjords region involves a rustic cabin with few of the conveniences of modern life. Such an immersive, back-to-nature experience has its appeal, but it doesn’t suit every traveler’s preferences.

If you’re planning a road trip to the Norwegian fjords region in 2024, several new accommodation options combine design-led accommodation with gastronomic delights.

One of countless islands between Bergen and Stavanger, Austevoll is off the radar of most international tourists. The rustic yet elegant accommodations at Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri and Beckerwyc House are sure to receive a boost from the opening of Mirabelle by Ørjan, a new local dining concept from Bocuse d’Or winner Ørjan Johannessen.

In Voss, Elva Hotel consists of five individually-designed mini-houses with fantastic views, with a seven-course menu full of local produce on offer in the evenings.

In the heart of Bergen, Frescohallen puts an urban spin on the trend, offering sharing plates of seafood and signature grill dishes to the soundtrack of a live DJ in a breathtaking, historic setting inside the Bergen Børs hotel.