10 Things That Will Surprise You About Norway

Norway is known for its breathtaking scenery and relaxed atmosphere. But beyond the famous fjords, there are plenty of little quirks and everyday differences that many visitors only discover once they’re here. Here are 10 things that might surprise you about Norway. Doch neben den berühmten Fjorden gibt es viele Besonderheiten, die Besucher oft erst während ihres Urlaubs entdecken. Hier sind zehn Dinge, die dich in Norwegen überraschen könnten.

1. The weather can change within minutes (!)

Sunshine, rain and wind can replace each other much faster than you might expect – especially on Norway’s west coast. On an otherwise rainy day, this can be a wonderful surprise when the clouds suddenly disappear and you find yourself enjoying beautiful sunshine. But it works the other way around too: even when the forecast looks promising, you should always be prepared for an unexpected shower. A rain jacket should always be in your bag.

2. Tap water is excellent almost everywhere

In Norwegen kannst du dein Trinkwasser in der Regel bedenkenlos direkt aus dem Wasserhahn trinken. Es gilt als eines der saubersten der Welt. Die meisten Norweger kaufen daher auch kein Wasser, sondern trinken Leitungswasser oder peppen dieses mit Kohlensäure-Zugabe zu Hause auf. Kleiner Tipp: Sollte mal ein Norweger zu Besuch kommen, freut er sich meistens eher über eine angebotene Pepsi oder Cola, statt über ein Glas Wasser 😉

3. Many people hardly use cash at all

You can pay by card almost everywhere in Norway – even for very small purchases or at more remote campsites. You may also be asked whether you can pay with Vipps. This is an extremely popular Norwegian mobile payment app linked to your phone number. For most international visitors, however, paying by card is the easier option.

4. Many shops are closed on Sundays – but there are exceptions

Many supermarkets and shopping centres are closed on Sundays, although smaller grocery stores or specially designated sections may remain open. In Bergen, for example, you’ll find some supermarkets – including certain Bunnpris stores – where only a small section of the shop is open on Sundays while the rest is closed off. So if you need a big grocery shop, Saturday is usually the safer choice.

5. Nature belongs to everyone

Thanks to Norway’s right to roam (Allemannsretten), you’re free to explore much of the countryside – as long as you treat nature and the people around you with respect. Looking after the environment is deeply ingrained in Norwegian culture. Community clean-up days are common, and even young children are encouraged to pick up litter and take responsibility for their surroundings. The freedom to enjoy Norway’s nature comes with a simple expectation: leave it as you found it.

6. Alcohol is considerably more expensive – and not always easy to buy

Order a beer in a restaurant or bar and you’ll quickly notice that alcohol in Norway is significantly more expensive than in many other European countries. Stronger alcoholic drinks are sold through the state-run Vinmonopolet stores rather than ordinary supermarkets. Their opening hours are also more limited, so buying alcohol is something you may need to plan ahead for.

7. Being on time matters – even when it comes to public transport

Whether it’s a bus, ferry or meeting someone, punctuality is highly valued in Norway. One of the first things we noticed was just how reliable public transport can be. Buses and ferries often leave remarkably close to their scheduled departure time, making public transport a genuinely pleasant way to get around. Cleanliness and politeness are also part of the experience. A friendly “Hei” when boarding and “Takk for turen!” (“Thanks for the ride!”) to the bus driver when leaving are completely normal. Coming from Germany, the reliability of public transport was certainly something we appreciated very quickly. 😉

8. Peace and quiet are respected

Norwegians are generally friendly, but often fairly reserved. Being very loud in public is less common, and we’ve rarely experienced people shouting or having loud arguments in public places. There is, however, one notable exception: weekend nightlife. Meet a group of Norwegians after a few drinks on a Friday or Saturday night and that famous Scandinavian reserve can suddenly disappear. 😉

9. The light changes everything

During summer, it barely gets dark, while winter brings much shorter days. Depending on when you visit, Norway can feel like a completely different country. One thing many Germans have to get used to is the lack of proper roller shutters. Even in Western Norway, it may not start getting properly dark until around midnight in June. Blackout curtains help – although sometimes not quite as much as you’d like. Winter is the opposite. When darkness has already settled over the landscape by late afternoon, resisting the urge to start yawning at 4 pm can be surprisingly difficult. Now in our second year in Norway, however, we’ve found that adjusting to the changing light is largely a matter of mindset.

10. The landscape is constantly changing

Mountains, fjords, glaciers, waterfalls and dramatic coastline can sometimes be only a few kilometres apart. That’s exactly why road trips through Norway feel so incredibly varied. When we first started exploring the country, it was almost impossible to put the phone away because every few minutes there seemed to be another: “I HAVE to take a photo of that!” ☺️

Our Verdict: The Many Sides of Norway

Many of these little differences are part of what makes Norway such a unique and fascinating destination. Arriving well prepared makes it much easier to relax, enjoy your trip and get a better feel for Norwegian everyday life along the way.

At INTO NORWAY, we hope to give you all the information, inspiration and practical tips you need to make the most of your time in this wonderful country. 🇳🇴!