After spending nearly two weeks in Norway, it felt like the perfect holiday to escape from the dreaded Maltese heatwave. The cool air, endless daylight, and beautiful landscapes make you feel like you’re on another planet.
And this got me thinking about how it offers the exact opposite activities that Malta does. The reality is that most of us complain about how we’re tired of the heat and then go on our way to book a week-long holiday on a sandy, humid beach in the Mediterranean. That’s why my first trip to Scandinavia was just what I needed for some peace and fresh air.
So here are 5 reasons why you should book your next summer trip to Norway:
- Not popular among Maltese tourists
Have you ever been to Sicily, and all you hear is Maltese chatter everywhere? It’s as if you stayed home. Norway, on the other hand, isn’t as popular with Maltese tourists. So you can be sure you’ll have a nice break, well detached from the islands.
- The breathtaking fjords
If you still want your summer holiday to include a relaxing beach day, you can take a dip in the refreshing, beautiful fjords. Spas right next to the fjords are also very common. Imagine this scene: stepping into a warm sauna with beautiful views of the fjord and then going for a soothing jump right in it. The combo is just what you need to relax your body and get your blood flowing.
- Endless daylight (or magical darkness)
In Bergen, I never saw true darkness. If visiting in the winter months, you might have a chance to spot the northern lights. However, if visiting in summer, you’ll be able to experience the longest days. In places like Bergen, the sun rises at 5 am and sets at 10 pm, having a total of 17 hours of daylight. However, even after that, it never truly gets pitch black as it does in Malta.
Compared to Malta’s sun, which sets at 8 pm, it was the most beautiful feeling that, after a late dinner, you’d still be left with plenty of light for an evening stroll. Ultimately, you are left with more time in your day to explore, which is what we all crave to have in our holiday.
- Outdoor adventures for all abilities
The air is incredibly fresh and cool, not at all humid like our Maltese summers, where we’re all scared to go outside and end up spending our months inside due to the air conditioning. Norwegian summers are a perfect time for outdoor activities. The country offers hikes to glaciers, kayaking in fjords, and even simple scenic strolls in pine forests. Imagine going for a swim in a huge waterfall after a day of biking – it truly doesn’t get better than that.
And if you prefer a more chill adventure, you can take a boat tour on the fjord, and you might even spot an old Viking village along the way. Norway is made up of 70% nature, highly contrasting with Malta’s 11%, so wherever you are, be sure you’re only a few minutes away from beautiful views.
- A different kind of seafood culture
You won’t find lampuki in Norway, but instead you’ll have salmon, cod, and fish prepared in ways that might surprise Maltese palates. Norway is known to have the best salmon in the world, and it comes prepared in different ways: smoked, cured, fried, and raw.
The fish market in Bergen is extremely popular and touristic, and it’s also a sushi lover’s haven. I can confirm I’ve tasted the most flavourful and softest salmon of my life at the Bergen fish market.
But apart from having incredible food, it’s extremely clean and odourless, unlike the Marsaxlokk market, which, despite having amazing fresh fish, is claustrophobic and can become quite smelly, particularly in the summer months due to the scorching heat.
And if you’re brave enough, it’s possible to try whale meat as well. It can be served grilled on the BBQ or even as a salami to form part of your charcuterie board.
But if you’re not into fish, don’t worry. Eating deer in Norway is very common and popular, and can be found in all local restaurants. But even if that sounds a bit too daring, hot dogs are a very common and affordable street food, with most vendors staying open for almost 24 hours a day.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Malta to Norway, but common layover stops are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Stockholm airports. Prices can vary according to the season you’ll be visiting and the specific city in Norway, but they can be anywhere from 64 euros to 300 euros for a one-way ticket. That’s why it’s important to book in advance and check out websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights to get notification alerts of when flight prices are most likely to drop. With a bit of planning, getting there is easier than you might think, and once you arrive, the reward is well worth the journey.
So if the heat, noise, and crowds have you dreaming of somewhere else, swap your sandals for hiking boots and let Norway show you just how refreshing a holiday can be.
