If you think that all Europe has to offer is the standard sites that we’ve all seen a million times – Rome, Paris, Madrid, Berlin – you’d better think again. Norway might not be the top of the first-time traveller’s list, but the beauty of the sun at midnight, the polar nights, and, of course, the majestic vision of the aurora borealis has to be seen to be believed.

If you’re looking for a holiday that is far from the general touristy places and is somewhere with character, travelling Norway is the way to go. Here are some ideas to try out if you venture Nor-th!

Five Reasons Why Travelling Norway Should be on Your Bucket List

Check out the culture in Oslo

While the cities don’t have the depth and sheer scale of its more famous counterparts, the proximity to the mountains and wilderness more than makes up for this. If you’re looking for a way to open your mind and get in the open air, you could go around the museums and head through vast forests, all in the same day.

For the art connoisseurs, you can head to The Nasjonalgalleriet, where you can see Edvard Munch’s The Scream for yourself. Once you’ve got your fill of culture and exploring, there are many options for boarding boats and heading for a local fjord.

Take a sightseeing cruise

Although Oslo will provide you with plenty to do, you might want to see the sheer scale and beauty of travelling Norway via other means. There are cruises in Norway that start from Tromsø and finish up in the medieval fishing town of Bergen. Cruises are probably one of the most perfect ways to see Norway, and they give you a lot of opportunities to see so much in so little time. Some cruises last only 8 days. Perfect.

Visit iconic fish markets and mountain ranges

Once you land in Bergen, you can take the opportunity to visit the historic fish market, enjoy the picturesque views of the wharves, timber houses, and warehouses, or go and look at the fortress that surrounds the harbour. From Bergen, you can head out to tours of the Western Fjords, where you can hike through the beautiful mountains and if you’re really into seafood, you can sample some of the most wonderful in the world.

Hop on a train from Oslo to Trondheim

Another mode of transport is to take the train and go on the Hurtigruten & Norway In A Nutshell experience. This journey goes from Oslo to Trondheim, a popular university town. These tours are very flexible and allow you to tailor your trip accordingly, stopping overnight if you wanted to. The Hurtigruten experience lasts over 6 days, and if you’re an adventurous type, it’s definitely worth your while, but it can take some planning due to the various hopping from each port.

Make use of your weatherproof wardrobe

The weather is wet, and it’s not that warm, although the temperatures can be in the mid-teens (Celsius), so be sure to pack boots that are waterproof, and pack some thermals! Norway is a beautiful place, but make sure you’re ready for all weathers. If you’re after somewhere completely off-centre and not part of the normal holiday package, Norway is a good shout!

This ‘travelling Norway’ post was contributed to The Lady-like Leopard.