Holiday rentals in Norway

With its famous fjords, Arctic wilderness, and colourful fishing villages, Norway is a country where you can truly lose yourself. Its vast forests and jagged coastlines offer endless exploration. And you don’t have to attempt it all in hiking boots. Adventure-seekers can get out on cross-country skis or snowmobiles in the winter, and kayaking and white-water rafting are popular summer activities. The country has no fewer than 47 national parks, packed with awe-inspiring wildlife. Arctic foxes, reindeer, walruses, and polar bears can be found the further north you venture, and its coastal waters teem with whales. Norway’s towns and cities are inspired with historic charm and Scandi design, from trendy Oslo to timber-built Bergen to the Art Nouveau centre of Ålesund. And even a simple ride on a car ferry here reveals the magnitude and magnificence of its trademark fjordland.

The long summer days that Norway’s northerly location provides are one of its great attractions. June to August have the midnight sun and the warmest temperatures, and are unsurprisingly the most popular time to visit and stay in one of the country’s scenic cabins. They’re also the times when the population gets most festive. Midsummer (24 June) is a major celebration across the country. Late spring and early autumn can be mild, and they’re also times when the scenery is particularly colourful; May, when the trees blossom, is also the start of Bergen’s International Festival, one of the country’s major cultural events. Another — UKA, in Trondheim — lasts almost the entirety of October, while Oslo’s classical music celebration, Ultima Festival, takes place in September. Many summer tourist operations, including some transport links, shut down in autumn and winter. But this is also the time when the skiing season takes over, offering plenty of entertainment of its own.

Lofoten Islands

This northerly archipelago offers some of the most stunning scenery in all of Norway. The islands’ granite mountains rise directly out of the sea, surrounded by deep blue waters, and are popular with climbers. They’re just as appealing to cruise around in a kayak. Colourful fishing cabins (or rorbuer) dot the landscape. In addition to all the amazing marine and birdlife, there’s also a Viking museum to enjoy.

Femundsmarka National Park

Located right on the Swedish border, this national park is a favourite among Norwegians, yet it remains under the tourist radar, despite being one the largest wildernesses in southern Scandinavia. It’s a great place to see the country’s wildlife in its natural habitat — look out especially for reindeer and musk oxen.

The South Coast

While the western coastline tends to grab all the attention for its fjords, Norway’s southern shores are lined with pretty holiday towns. To the west of Kristiansand, Mandal and the Lindesnes Peninsula are beloved for their sandy beaches, while to the east, where the Skagerrak strait separates the country from Denmark, you’ll find historic towns like Arendal and Grimstad.