Norway is a Breath of Fresh Air. If You Have the Opportunity to Visit, Grab It.

There’s something about Norway that is very different from any other European country you may visit. Tourism hasn’t spoiled Norway’s simplicity, rocky coastline, pristine fjords, or the quiet charm of its villages and cities. Brightly painted wooden houses line peaceful harbors, and even in popular ports, there’s a sense that life moves at its own pace—unrushed, rooted in nature and tradition.

On a recent cruise to Norway, we visited Molde, Olden, Stavanger, and Kristiansand. Each of these ports was unique from all the others, but all showcased the country’s natural beauty and historic culture. The Norwegians we met seemed very happy with their lives. I think I know why.

You see, Norway is magical. You can’t help but enjoy the unspoiled landscapes, fresh sea air, and quiet wonder of being somewhere that feels timeless.

Beware of Trolls!

Norway is crawling with trolls—or at least with the idea of them. According to local legend, trolls live in the mountains and forests, hate sunlight (which turns them to stone), and range from mischievous to mildly terrifying, depending on the storyteller. You’ll spot troll statues lurking beside souvenir shops, restaurants, and even some trailheads.

Some look fierce; others resemble elderly hobbits who forgot to moisturize. You may be told that a sleeping troll shaped one mountain, or that a nearby rock formation is a troll frozen mid-stride after sunrise. Whether you take the legends seriously or not, it’s all part of the fun. And let’s face it: you’re probably going to bring one home in miniature form like I did, so you should know a little bit about Troll legend.

Norwegian Bunads—Part of Life’s Major Celebrations

The Norwegian folk costume, or bunad, is still worn today to celebrate life's special occasions. According to visitnorway.com, there are more than 450 bunads in Norway, each with a unique design that varies depending on the village where the wearer comes from.

On our visit to Stavanger, we met a group of young women graduating that day from nursing school. All wore bunads with various designs on different colors of wool fabric (black, cranberry red, sky blue, hunter green, and navy). Each had detailed embroidery representing their region or village, as well as an ornate silver broach and belt.

One woman proudly told me her grandmother had made hers, and that it had taken most of a year to complete. There’s a ton of embroidery on most. Several mentioned that in addition to graduations, it was common for a bride to wear her bunad if it was her second marriage, but (and she was very clear about this), NOT her first!

Ports On The Cruise

Olden

Harbor in Olden, Norway. (Photo: Edie Kramer)

Tucked at the end of a tranquil fjord, Olden feels more like a postcard than a port. Snow-dusted peaks rise above green valleys, and the village itself is small, with red barns, grazing sheep, and friendly locals who seem genuinely unfazed by the arrival of cruise ships. Even with visitors pouring in each summer, Olden somehow keeps its quiet.

Instead of taking a ship excursion, we grabbed a local bus and headed to the Loen skylift. Its claim to fame is that it is one of the steepest cable cars in the world, and after taking the ride, I’m convinced that’s true! At one point, the lift was so steep near the top, the ride felt more like a glass-walled elevator than a cable car. The view was spectacular and ever-changing as the day was a bit overcast with fog rolling in at different levels across the mountains, including where we stood.

Molde

Salmon farming, Molde, Norway. (Photo: Barnabas Davoti, Pexels)

Molde’s harbor promenade, a central gathering space, is lined with cafés, restaurants with outdoor seating, playgrounds, and public art. The adjacent town square hosts markets and events. It’s also known as the “Town of Roses,” a nickname that reflects its longstanding tradition of lush, flourishing rose gardens throughout the city center.

Instead of walking throughout the center and seeing the rose gardens, we opted to take a ship excursion that included a bus drive along the Atlantic Ocean Road and a hike along the coast.

At only 5.2 miles, the Atlantic Ocean Road connects multiple tiny Norwegian islands and is one of Norway’s most iconic road trips. Some may recognize the Storseisundet Bridge (made popular by the James Bond movie, ‘No Time to Die’). The route is accessible from Molde or Kristiansand.

Stavanger

Harbor in Stavanger, Norway. (Photo: Adam Cole, Pexels)

Cruise ships dock in Stavanger’s small, charming harbor, so it’s just a few steps from the ship to cobblestone lanes and old-world charm. The city is the hub of Norway’s offshore oil industry, earning it the nickname “The Oil Capital of Norway.”

Old (Gamle) Stavanger is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a cozy stroll into Norway’s architectural past, with its preserved wooden house district. The preserved wooden buildings (170 to 250, depending on who’s counting) date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They originally housed working-class families and were traditionally built to be dismantled and moved—thanks to their timber construction. Now, they offer a glimpse into a bygone era.

Within Gamle Stavanger is Fargegaten (Øvre Holmegate)—the colorful street. This pedestrian-only street showcases a kaleidoscope of pastel and bold paints on traditional wooden buildings that house boutiques, cafes, tattoo parlors, and even a sewing supply store (Yes, Norwegians still sew!) Window boxes and hanging flower baskets everywhere add to the energy level and friendly atmosphere.

The city is also known for its street art.

Kristiansand

Otterdalsparken Harbor Park, Kristiansand, Norway. (Photo: Edie Kramer)

Kristiansand is known as one of the warmest and sunniest cities in Norway, and the weather was perfect when we visited. I’ve read that many Norwegians have summer cabins nearby, which makes sense given cities like Bergen and Stavanger on the west coast can have changeable skies, and cities and villages further north can be cool in the summer months.

The city has a laid-back vibe, and we saw many locals enjoying the sunshine at the waterfront park, the harbor restaurants, and the city’s famous fish market (Fiskebrygga). Kristiansand is generous with its use of hanging flower pots filled with pink, purple, and white flowers. Bridges, park entrances, and city squares all had this colorful element, and I found their use of vertical corkscrew-like stands inventive and beautiful. I had not seen this in any of my travels before.

Shops often have sidewalk benches covered with seat cushions and blankets for the weary or those interested in people-watching. And, electric scooter sharing is well-established and integrated into the local public transit network.

Historic Old Town (Posebyen) has Northern Europe’s largest collection of low, white wooden houses laid out in a grid from the 1600s. Most doors are painted blue or teal (two of my favorite colors). This area offers cozy streets with cafés and boutique shops that give it a small-town charm.

Like the other ports we visited, Kristiansand is known for fresh fish (in particular shrimp and fish cakes often eaten outdoors by the harbor).

Lastly, for anyone thinking about a Norway and Denmark combination trip (or Norway and mainland Europe), Kristiansand has a fast ferry link to Denmark.

Visit Norway

Norway is an excellent destination for a relaxing vacation. Although the cruise was convenient and turn-key, I could see revisiting this country by car or by leveraging the country’s public transport system (water and land), which, although pricey, scores high for efficiency and safety. Or, take another cruise that stops in other ports further north.