Location / Language of Norway
Norway is a Nordic country in Northern Europe whose territory comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula; the remote island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard are also part of the Kingdom of Norway. Norway also lays claim to a section of Antarctica known as Queen Maud Land. The country covers an area of around 3.85 lac sq kms and has a population of around 5.3 million with Oslo as its most populous and capital city.
There are a large number of languages spoken in Norway. Of these, the Norwegian language is the most widely spoken and the main official language of the country.
Visa for Norway from India
Norway visa requirements for Indian citizens / Currency (please note these procedures / exchange rates can changed from time to time…please get an update from the embassy prior to travel)
As Indiais not part of the Schengen Area, if one is an Indian passport holder you will need to apply for the appropriate type of Schengen Norway Visa for travelling to the country. To be eligible for a Schengen Visa for Norway one will mainly need their current passport, along with certain documents, to be submitted with the Visa application form.
Currency : Euro (EUR)
Conversion: Rs.1 INR = 0.013 EUR
1 EUR = Rs. 78.04 INR
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Norway
- Sognefjord - The largest of Norway's fjords, Sognefjord reaches 204 kms inland and branches off into smaller inlets and fjords along the way. At its widest, it is almost five kms across, and the cliff walls reach as high as 1,307 meters, making a breath-taking sight. The most popular way to visit the fjord is by boat, and fjord cruises and sightseeing tours are plentiful.
- Pulpit Rock - Located near Stavanger, the destination requires ferry and bus rides and then a two-hour uphill hike to reach the almost perfectly flat-topped cliff, which looks over Lysefjord, more than 600 meters above the water. Those visiting the Stavanger area will also want to stop by the Norwegian Canning Museum, an the Stavanger Cathedral.
- Jotunheimen - The largest Alpine region on the Norwegian high plateau, it the covers an area of 3,499 sq kms and includes Scandinavia's highest mountains. It's also home to many spectacular waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife, such as large reindeer populations. Two of this national park's mountains rise to heights of 2,438 meters, the highest being Galdhøpiggen and Hurrungane group which has the 1,349-meter Skagastølsbotn and the Skagastølsbre glacier.
- Vigeland Sculpture Park - One of Oslo's top tourist attractions, the park is home to 650 sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland and created out wrought iron, bronze, and granite, are arranged in five themed groups. The most famous of these are in the fountain group, which depicts the cycle of human life, culminating in a 16-meter monolith.
- Viking Ship Museum – The largest of Norway's museums dedicated to their seafaring ancestors, the Viking Ships Museum in Oslo features three 9th-century Viking vessels, each of which had been laid to rest as burial chambers for prominent Vikings. The largest of these is the 70-foot Oseberg Ship, built around AD 800, which contained a chieftan's wife and two other women along with many items that give insight into Viking life. The museum is also home to the Gokstad and Tune Ships.
- Akershus Fortress - This a medieval castle commissioned by king Håkon V in 1299, later turned into a Renaissance royal residence by king Christian IV in the early 17th century. It sits on a promontory overlooking the Oslofjord, with grounds that have spectacular views over the harbour. One can also find the Museum of the Norwegian Resistance on the castle grounds.
- Lofoten Island – Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the weather in this archipelago in North Norway is mild despite its location within the Arctic Circle. Tourists come here to enjoy the beaches, explore traditional fishing villages, kayak, hike, and see the wildlife. These islands are also one of the best places to visit for a glimpse of the northern lights.
- Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf - A vibrantly painted area, which was once the centre of trade, dominated by Hanseatic merchants. Tourists can find several historic buildings, which portray life during the Middle Ages, as well as boutiques, restaurants, and the Bryggen Museum. The Hanseatic Museum, which has been open since 1872 was owned by one of the merchants. While in Bergen, visitors will also want to visit Troldhaugen, the former home and workspace of composer Edvard Grieg, as well as the Open Air Market.
- Lillehammer – An all year-round tourist destination, in summer, it's all about attractions such as Malhaugen Park, an open-air museum consisting of more than 100 historic buildings, including 18th-century farmhouses, workshops, and a stave church apart from Peer Gynt's Cottage. But in winter, the city's list of activities is endless: skating, curling, sleigh rides, more than 480 kms of Nordic ski trails, as well as alpine ski centers.
- Geirangerfjord Region - Topping the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this region north of Ålesund offers some of the finest scenery especially from the summit of Dalsnibba. At 1,495 meters, the views of the surrounding mountains and the Geirangerfjord far below are simply breathtaking. Numerous cruises and tours are available, but if one is driving, be sure to take the winding Eagles' Road with its 11 hairpin bends.
Things You Must Do in Norway
- Take the Train to Explore Norway - Norway has some great rail routes which are comprehensive and there are over 2,000 miles of tracks here and the scenic journeys. Some of the highlights include the Bergen Railway which whisks you past the Hardangervidda plateau as well as the Dovre Railway that runs from Oslo to Trondheim.
- Go Skiing on the Lyngen Alps - Located in the Arctic Circle, this mountain range stretches for 90 kilometers to the border with Sweden. The area is covered in fjords, glaciers, and rivers and you will find soaring peaks as well as scenic gorges. Popular pastimes in the Alps include dog sledding or signing up for a snow safari, skiing and rock climbing. The highest peak named Jiekkevarre sits at 1,833 meters.
- Marvel at the Polar Museum - Located in Tromso and sitting inside a former warehouse that dates from 1837 is the Polar Museum. The building is dedicated to telling the story of arctic expeditions from Norway as well as looking at the sealing industry in the country. There are permanent galleries here that tell the story of the Sami people in the days of old and you can learn how they would have hunted for animals such as polar bears, whales, walruses, and seals.
- Tour the Royal Palace - The Royal Palace of Oslo was constructed at the beginning of the 19th century, is the home of King Harald V and Queen Sonja and some rooms are open to public in the summer. Some of these include the Bird Room which has over 40 species of birds on display as well as the impressive Mirror Hall and the Great Hall which is resplendent with crystal chandeliers. There is a Changing of the Guard ceremony held every day here at 1.30 pm that features the King’s Guards atop ceremonial horses.
- Explore the Artctic - Alpine Botanical Garden - Known in Norwegian as Botaniske Hage, the botanical garden sits some 350 kilometers inside the Arctic Circle and spans almost 2 hectares. Here one will find thousands of species of plants from all over the world although most of these are of the alpine or arctic variety and are hardy in the freezing weather found here. Some of the highlights are Arctic poppies as well as Siberian lilies and a range of mosses and herbs that grow between the rocks in the garden. As well as flora and fauna you can also find ponds, waterfalls, and meandering pathways.
Food on the Plate
Norwegian cuisine in its traditional form is based largely on the raw materials readily available in Norway and its mountains, wilderness, and coast. It differs in many respects from its continental counterparts with a stronger focus on game and fish. Many of the traditional dishes are results of using conserved materials, with respect to the long winters.
One must sample the following Norwegian dishes :
- Røkt Laks - Salmon is a staple food when it comes to the Norwegian diet, with the country’s long coastline and many fjords producing ample amounts of fish. This dish is served mostly in a smoked form.
- Kjøttboller – A more loosely bound patty of meat, flavored with ginger and nutmeg before frying. These robust meatballs are usually served with either mashed or boiled potatoes before being drizzled with a cream sauce or a hearty gravy.
- Farikal - this robust mutton stew, made using mutton and cabbage, with peppercorns and salt for seasoning which are then layered together in a large pot and then served with potatoes.
- Krumkake – This popular sweet consists of paper-thin rolls of a waffle-like pancake, which are then filled with whipped cream or any other desired filling.
- Akevitt - The name derives its roots from the Latin words aqua and vitae which translate as ‘water of life’. This alcoholic beverage is made from potato and is flavored with caraway, dill and other herbs and spices is the national drink of Norway.
Overseas Travel Medical Insurance Norway
Since Norway is a country which is part of the Schengen countries in Europe, It is compulsory for Indian tourist applying for Schengen visa for Norway to buy adequate travel medical insurance in India satisfying the Schengen visa requirements.
Indian Travel medical insurance for Norway is relatively cheaper when compared to destinations in Americas, and most insurance companies offer a specific
Schengen Insurance Plan. One must ensure that the minimum Accident & Sickness (A&S) sum insured for a Schengen plan must be €30,000 (around $50,000), and a visa to visit any Schengen country will not be provided without this minimum coverage.
The insured must purchase an “Excluding Americas” Plan, if they are travelling to other destinations that don’t include only Schengen countries.
Illustration for 15 days travel health insurance for Indians to Norway.
Sum Insured($USD or €Euro) / Premium in Rs. INR |
Insured Age 35 |
Insured Age 65 |
Schengen - €30,000 |
Rs.733 |
Rs.1,561 |
Schengen - €50,000 |
Rs.830 |
Rs.1,694 |
Excluding - $50,000 |
Rs.1,028 |
Rs.1,714 |
These premiums are across different plans and different benefits.. please log in to
www.eindiainsurance.com to compare and buy the best Schengen visa travel medical insurance for Indian tourist to Norway.