Norway Travel Guide
Norway is a country defined by its geography, but it’s best experienced by focusing on individual cities rather than treating it as a single destination. While shared culture and infrastructure connect the country, Norway is best experienced city by city, where food culture, pace of life, and daily routines vary based on location and landscape.
Travelers get the most value by choosing specific cities and understanding how each one works on its own terms — particularly when it comes to dining habits, neighborhood layout, and where to stay.
Food & Travel Across Norway
Norwegian food culture is shaped by climate, seasonality, and access to the sea. What you eat in Oslo is not exactly the same as what you’ll find in Bergen or Tromsø. Ingredients, preparation styles, and dining customs differ depending on geography.
In general:
Coastal cities emphasize seafood and simple preparations
Traditional dishes reflect preservation methods like curing and smoking
Seasonal ingredients play a major role in menus
Dining culture balances casual everyday meals with refined modern cuisine
This variation is why city-specific food guides provide far more value than broad national summaries.
Travel logistics in Norway are efficient but influenced by geography. Distances between cities can be significant, and terrain affects transportation options. Choosing the right base impacts access to dining, transit, and surrounding natural areas.
Cities in Norway
Below you’ll find our city-level guides for Norway. Each city includes:
A City Guide (what to know and how the city works)
A What to Eat guide (local food, dishes, and markets)
A Where to Stay guide (best areas and accommodation types)
Oslo
Oslo is Norway’s capital and cultural center, with a food scene that blends traditional Norwegian cuisine with modern Nordic influences. Neighborhood choice affects dining access, walkability, and transportation.
Bergen
Bergen sits along the western coast, with food culture shaped by seafood and maritime traditions. Staying centrally makes it easier to access markets, dining areas, and transport connections.
Tromsø
Tromsø is located above the Arctic Circle, with food and daily life influenced by its northern setting. Where you stay affects access to dining options, transit, and seasonal experiences.
Planning Your Trip to Norway
Norway rewards travelers who focus on a small number of cities and allow time to experience each destination fully. By planning at the city level, you’ll eat better, stay in more suitable neighborhoods, and navigate the country’s geography more effectively.
Use the city guides above to plan your trip based on how you want to travel, eat, and stay, rather than relying on broad, country-level overviews.