5 Great Reasons To Visit Norway In 2024

04.11.2023 - 12:41 / forbes.com

Epic landscapes, rich cultural history, and a growing commitment to sustainable tourism make Norway a top destination for travelers the world over.

While classic experiences like city breaks in Oslo and Bergen, road trips through the Norwegian fjords region, or chasing the northern lights in the Arctic winter will surely remain popular, the new year offers some new travel opportunities.

From the largest ever cultural festival in Arctic Norway to some brand new options on a historic transportation route, here are five reasons why Norway should top your travel plans in 2024.

In 2024, Norway’s coastal culture and Sami traditions come under the spotlight like never before as Bodø becomes a European Capital of Culture.

Plans are now in place for what is set to be the largest cultural project ever held in Northern Norway. Queen Sonja plans to attend the opening ceremony, highlighting the importance of this festival at a national level.

Never before has a city so far north held the title. As such, expect a packed program of cultural events reflecting life not just in Bodø but across Nordland county as a whole.

This means Norwegian coastal culture and Sami traditions will be at the forefront of the program, including a Sami theater trilogy that touches on themes such as nature, climate change, and justice.

Events get underway in February when, despite the presumed low temperature, an audience of 15,000 people is expected at the city’s harbour to watch the opening ceremony.

At the back end of the year, Nordland's first ever light festival will begin by turning out the lights across Nordland, inspired by the growing trend of dark sky tourism.

After the disruption caused by the pandemic and construction delays to the new Havila vessels, the Norwegian coastal route is now back up to full capacity. With daily departures from Bergen, the historic coastal ferry service doubles as a round-trip cruise for international travelers.

Before booking passage, it's essential to understand the unique nature of this experience. Norway’s coastal voyage is not a typical cruise. Major differences include the 34 ports of call across the 12 night voyage and a lack of typical cruise ship amenities. These are working ships with passengers and cargo joining and leaving the ship at every port.

For roundtrip guests, it’s the Norwegian coastline that plays the starring role. Although not as feature-packed as cruise ships, these coastal cruise ships are much more comfortable than ferries while being specifically designed to navigate the narrow channels that define so much of the Norwegian coast.

Onboard cuisine reflects the regions the ships pass through, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients with plenty of seafood and an