Strictly Norway
Oslo, Fjords, Bergen, Lofoten, & more arctic getaways you should have on your bucket list. My ode to Norway & notes on our magical northern lights adventure <3
Norway is truly one of the most magical places I’ve been to. In the past few years, I’ve gone twice — once to Bergen & the Fjords and most recently, to Oslo & the Lofoten Islands. Both were absolutely jaw dropping and life-changing experiences. In this guide, I’ll share good stuff and strict stops across the gorgeous country of Norway — including 6 hotels worth traveling for. It truly is the perfect destination for basking in the beauty of the natural world, eyes wide open in awe of what magic is here on earth. Grab your favorite travel buddy, a book, and a zest for adventure — and let’s get exploring!
Guide to: Oslo
Oslo is such a cool town. I ended up doing a long layover on my way to Lofoten (because TBH it required 4 flights from NYC — can be done in 3, or 2 in the summer) and spent the day exploring with my cousin that lives there! Highly recommend at least checking it out for a day or two on the way to your outdoor adventure…even if just for the most perfect Scandinavian breakfast at Babbo (I’ll dream of that sourdough). The Palace Grill is the most epic fine dining experience, if you are looking for a legendary dinner. I’d grab coffee at Tim Wendelboe and Fuglen (same as fav in Tokyo!!). For hotels, strictest I’ve found is probably Sommerro. Scandi style is always a favorite and Moniker is a great one-stop-shop for a strict curation of brands. Holzweiler is a cool Norwegian brand and definitely worth a browse. If I had more time, I’d go to the Kistefos Museum (a little out of town) and the Fashion Research Library — and of course the Kok Oslo Sauna (quickly will become a theme in this guide)!
Strict Stays: Across Norway
Ok now that you’ve had a long layover in Oslo, time to adventure onwards. Whether you want to head to the Fjords or to the Arctic, there are some epic hotels that are absolutely worth the trip. I’ll share more about the two special places I’ve stayed at the end of this guide, but here are the top four on my hit list for next time…
Arctic Hideaway: Just how it sounds. An epic hideaway in the arctic. Vastly remote and ideal for Doing Nothing and chasing the northern lights.
Ytri Retreat: Opening this April and the strictest new spot in Lofoten… Relais Chateaux goodness in the middle of the rugged islands. Where I’d stay next time.
Trevarefabrikken: A very strict spot I ended up just stumbling into in Henningsvær, Lofoten. The place to be in the summer, with live music, pizza, sauna, and epic views.
Storfjord Hotel: THE stay if your want to explore the fjords in luxury…chalet cozy luxe cabin vibes with amazing food and scenery ideal for a romantic getaway <3
Guide to: The Fjords & Bergen
I am still not over the magic of this trip I took in 2022. Shared three spots worth exploring above, but honestly the best way to see the fjords is via boat. You can post up in Bergen and take day ferries to special spots — we especially loved Rosendal and Flåm. Bergen itself was sweet, but I wouldn’t say you need to spend a ton of time there. If you are a big hiker, the Trolltunga hike is famous for the most epic views of the fjords!!
Guide to: Lofoten
Without question one of the top 10 places I’ve ever visited (and I’ve been to 100+ countries). Can’t recommend an adventure in the summer to bask in wildflower fields with sheep or in the winter aurora and sauna chase more. Here are the towns to explore, things to do, places to eat, and details on where we’ve stayed and how we got there…
