Scenic Drives in Scandinavia

Oslo, considered one of Norway's greatest attractions, is not to be missed, but there are many other highlights to see in the region. This includes places like Risør, Kristiansand and Lillehammer.

Other smaller settlements in the eastern part of the country worth visiting include Røros, one of Europe's oldest towns built almost entirely of wooden structures, and Dombås, an ideal gateway to Dovrefjell National Park with the impressive Snøhetta.

The western part of Norway is a real treasure trove of tourist attractions. Stavager, Lysebotn, Eidfjord and Bergen are all about the breathtaking scenery with fjords, mountains and sandy beaches stretching along the coast. Each of the towns has a number of popular museums, entertainment venues and cultural events to offer.

Although Bergen is considered the real gateway to the world of fjords, places like Norheimsund, Kaupanger, Ulvik or Gudvangen should not be missed while in the region. A visit to any of these places brings tourists closer to nature and allows them to look deeper into Norway's natural treasures.

Alesund and Geiranger both offer attractive town centers surrounded by clear water and large rocks on the horizon. The region is best known for its numerous waterfalls, breathtaking mountain trails and picturesque green plains. Hellesylt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomes tourists with an array of hiking opportunities, Åndalsnes is an excellent base for exploring the Romsdal Valley and Romsdal Fjord, and Rauma will enchant you with its atmosphere and local wooden churches.

The Trollstigen, also known as the troll path, is one of Norway's most popular tourist attractions. This must-see highlight is over 100 km and offers intense visual experiences with great insight into Norwegian nature at its best. Dry valleys, deep fjords and rugged mountains form a breathtaking mix of unspoiled landscapes.

Trondheim, along with Steinkjer, is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts as well as those who fancy long sightseeing tours. In addition to a wide range of museums, churches and town monuments, the towns also offer excellent accommodation and cycling trails.

If you are looking for solitude and relaxation from the most popular urban highlights, you should direct your steps toward Foldereid or Vennesund. Both offer tranquility and many local specialties that simply cannot be missed during your stay in Norway.

The best place to experience the charm of small Norwegian towns is in Mosjøen, Mo i Rana, Fauske or Bodo. Magnificent views of the surrounding nature, pristine forests and plenty of ideas for hiking and mountain tours await you in these places.

The north of Norway is characterized by fascinating old fishing villages, pristine natural wonders and the Norwegian tundra. The essence of these features is felt in every corner of places like Narvik, Svolvær or Moskenes.

You can dive a little deeper into the north and visit popular highlights like Tromsø, Skibotn, Alta or Honningsvåg, Norway's northernmost city. However, your trip through the northern region is not complete without a visit to the North Cape, the jewel of Finnmark. The attraction is located above the arid Arctic Circle and the sun does not set here for almost three months. In addition, the cape is also home to thousands of charming puffins and cormorants.

One of the many ways to travel around Norway is to rent a car. This is possible in most major cities, as well as at international airports. The wide range of interesting rental car's and insurance offers is sure to satisfy even the most demanding drivers. Although you must be at least 18 years old to get a driver's license in Norway, most car rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old.

Norwegian roads are in reasonably good condition; however, due to the country's topography, most roads are very winding and uphill. This is not only an obstacle for the driver, but also for the vehicle itself.Try to be careful and vigilant at all times to avoid dangerous traffic situations.

Toll roads in Norway are part of the road network. Tolls are collected through a special electronic system called a car pass. To avoid having to stop at every toll booth, you can use a simple pre-paid system that makes everything easier. Sometimes you will also be asked to pay when entering certain cities, such as Oslo, Trondheim or Bergen. There are also toll booths on so-called "private roads", which often lead to valleys or mountains. In such cases, it is best to have some cash on hand, as you cannot pay with your credit card.

The penalties for breaking traffic rules in Norway are very severe. Not having a speakerphone is a traffic violation, and you are not allowed to touch the screen of your cell phone, even if it is in a special holder. Wearing seat belts is mandatory for all vehicle occupants. Moreover, you should not even think about driving under the influence. The prescribed limit for alcohol is 20 mg per 100 ml of blood. This means that even a larger drink can put you over the specified limit. Penalties for being caught include an extremely high fine, disqualification from driving and the possibility of imprisonment.

Documents you need when driving on Norwegian roads include: driver's license, liability insurance, identity card or passport, registration certificate and technical inspection certificate of the vehicle.

What's more: due to Norway's approach to ecology, fuel is quite expensive at all gas stations.

On highways you can drive at a speed of 100 km / h. In built-up areas you must drive at a speed of up to 50 km / h or sometimes even 30 km / h (for example, near schools or stores) In rural areas the speed limit is 80 km / h and on highways 90 km / h. So if you want to save yourself extra costs during your trip, it is best to drive under the indicated limits.

When traveling through Norway, you should at least carry a safety vest and a warning triangle. It is also advisable to consider a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a set of spare lights, a spare tire and a tow rope.