Tromsø is the lively Arctic capital many travelers imagine when they think of northern Norway. It blends a walkable city center with snow-capped mountains, fjords, and a culture shaped by long winters, bright summers, and Sámi traditions. You can chase the northern lights, ride a cable car to a panoramic viewpoint, meet huskies, taste Arctic … Read more
Stavern is one of those small Norwegian seaside towns that quietly wins people over. Tucked just south of Larvik in Vestfold og Telemark, it is all clean skerries, white wooden houses, summer galleries, and salty air. In July the harbor hums with life, cafés spill onto the quay, and kids cannonball off the warm rocks … Read more
Røros is one of Norway’s most atmospheric small towns, a former copper mining community where colorful wooden houses line narrow streets and the landmark church rises above it all. The town sits high on the mountain plateau near the Swedish border, with crisp winter light, long summer evenings, and a deep sense of heritage. It … Read more
Å in Lofoten is the postcard-perfect full stop at the very end of Norway’s famed E10 road. This tiny fishing village sits on Moskenesøya, backed by jagged granite peaks and fronted by open Atlantic swells. With red rorbuer cabins on stilts, the smell of stockfish in spring, and a living fishing heritage you can feel … Read more
Tucked on the north side of Vestvågøy, Bø in Lofoten is the kind of place you end up remembering for how calm it felt. Pastures, sea views, a handful of homes, and mountains that rise quickly from the shore. It is quieter than the famous fishing villages farther south, yet close enough to reach Lofoten’s … Read more
Brevik is one of those little coastal towns that sneaks up on you. Tucked where the fjords meet the Skagerrak, this historic port between Porsgrunn and Langesund is all white wooden houses, bobbing boats, and polished granite outcrops warmed by the sun. It is small, walkable, and easy-going, the kind of place Norwegians slip off … Read more
Skien is one of Norway’s oldest towns, rooted in timber trade, water power, and the life of playwright Henrik Ibsen. Today it is the southern gateway to the Telemark Canal, a compact city with lakes and forest on its doorstep, and a relaxed base for exploring the Grenland region. I grew up visiting family in … Read more
Risør is one of southern Norway’s most charming coastal towns, known for its white wooden houses, snug harbor, and a laid-back maritime rhythm that pulls you into holiday mode within minutes. Tucked into the skerries of Agder, it has been a haven for sailors, craftspeople, and vacationing Norwegians for generations. If you like slow mornings … Read more
Porsgrunn is a small, characterful town where river life, coastal islands, and industrial heritage sit side by side. It anchors the Grenland area along with Skien and is an easy base for slow travel in Telemark. Walk the promenade, hop a local ferry to quiet islands, tour the porcelain museum, then settle into a waterfront … Read more
Langesund is a small coastal town in Bamble, tucked into the sun-warmed outer edge of the Telemark coast. With white wooden houses, rocky headlands, and a lively summer scene, it is one of those places Norwegians head to when the sea starts sparkling and the nights stay light. I grew up with day trips here … Read more