With around 800 campsites around Norway offering a range of cabins to rent as well as a pitch for your tent or caravan, there is no such thing as a typical camping holiday.
Back to nature
Experience the special atmosphere of the “Norwegian Riviera” at Roligheden Camping just outside Kristiansand, or escape the crowds on the west coast of Andøya in the Vesterålen Islands, where the ocean is your closest neighbour. Stave Camping is the perfect base to explore the area, or join a whale or a puffin safari. There are also six hot pools on the grounds, and a sauna.
Stokkøya Sjøsenter in Trøndelag boasts a campsite by a white sandy beach but has also received much praise in the international press for its individually designed “subs” (subterranean units) which blend in with the surrounding landscape.
If you are heading to the fjords, why not stay at Grande Hytteutleige, a popular, four-star campsite with a splendid view of the Geirangerfjord, or at Kjørnes Camping - located by the Sognefjord, it is an ideal starting point for excursions to the fjords and glaciers.
City camping
If you want to combine city sightseeing and shopping with a relaxing stay in the countryside, there are plenty of campsites near the main towns. City camping is also a good option if you are travelling on a budget.
In Oslo, try Bogstad Camping, a large, four-star campsite located next to a beach where you can rent small boats and equipment for windsurfing. Or stay at Ekeberg Camping, which boasts great views of Oslo. You can go horse riding and play crazy golf nearby.
Lone Camping is the largest campsite in Bergen, beautifully located by Lake Haukeland. Another option is Bratland Camping, 16 kilometres southeast of Bergen’s centre. There is a direct bus connection to and from Bergen bus station.
Storsand Camping near Trondheim enjoys picturesque surroundings by the Trondheimfjord. Easily accessible from the city centre, the family owned Flakk Camping is another good choice, only 11 kilometres from Trondheim.
Mosvangen Camping can be found only two kilometres from Stavanger centre in an outdoor recreation area. Vølstadskogen Camping, located in peaceful surroundings 15 kilometres from Stavanger, is an alternative for those who plan to combine activities in the city with excursions to the Lysefjord or Preikestolen.
Tromsø Camping is idyllically situated next to the Tromsdal River, only 10 minutes from Tromsø centre by bus.
Glamp it up
Are you tempted by a holiday in the wild, but not prepared to do without modern conveniences? Then “glamping”, glamorous or luxury camping, might be just the ticket.
At the Canvas Hotel in Telemark you sleep in one of 10 Mongolian-style yurts with wooden floors and comfortable beds. Combine action packed days on a mountain bike with a relaxing session in the sauna and a swim in the lake.
Halvorseth Camping, 100 kilometres east of Oslo, is another option. Here you will have your own flat screen TV, DVD player, sofa, kitchen with a wood stove and your own bathroom. A number of activities, including paragliding, elk safaris and bread baking, are available.
Many campsites in Norway also offer cabins for hire. These range from basic to well equipped, and can usually accommodate from four to six people, sometimes more. An ideal alternative for a rainy day, or if you require a bit more space or comfort on your holiday. More information on cabins.
Go wild
For total freedom and completely free accommodation, though, nothing beats wilderness camping. Wilderness camping is allowed in Norway as long as you follow the rules set out in the right of access "allemannsretten". In practice you can put up your tent anywhere you like, as long as you avoid private, cultivated land and show consideration to other people and the environment.
The mountains of Jotunhieimen and the Lofoten Islands are two popular areas for the most adventurous campers. For a less remote option, pitch your tent on Langøyene island in the Oslofjord.
If the prospect of being left to your own devices sounds a bit too daunting, an alternative is to stay at a wilderness camp. At Beiarn Villmarkscamp Beiarn Villmarkscamp in Nordland, you sleep in a Sami tent (lavvo), eat traditional Sami food and explore the area around the national park Saltfjellet/Svartisen. Serious Fun also arranges wilderness camps , as well as a range of other activities such as paintball, rafting and rappelling, in the village of Dagali near Geilo in Eastern Norway.
Further information
You can find more information on the best campsites in Norway and tips and rules for campsites in Norway, including information on prices, opening times, camping cards and more.
Useful links
A list of available campsites in Norway
See campsites on a map of Norway
Norwegian Camping Guide (NHO)
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