Discover exciting new experiences in 2023

Treetop road Hamaren Aktivitetspark in Fyresdal .
Photo: Visit Telemark / Effekt AS

1. The Treetop Walk

Go for a walk in the forest … 15 metres above the ground!

Follow the 1 km-long Tretoppveien wooden boardwalk in Hamaren Activity Park in Fyresdal, all the way to the summit of Klokkarhamaren, where the path ends in a viewing circle 45 metres in diameter.

Treetop road Hamaren Aktivitetspark in Fyresdal .
Photo: Visit Telemark / Effekt AS

The Treetop Walk should be on everyone's bucket list, even if you're in a wheelchair!

Hamaren Activity Park won the IAUD's Grand Award for universal design in 2021. The new route forms part of a 2.4-km-long universally accessible hiking trail that takes you between two beautiful lakes in Telemark.

Opens spring 2023.

Tree top road in Hamaren activity park in Fyresdal .
Photo: Visit Telemark / Effekt AS

2. New cruises on Hurtigruten

In 2023, The Norwegian Coastal Express Route is celebrating its 130th anniversary. Hurtigruten is announcing two brand new cruises along the Norwegian coast:

The North Cape Express and The Svalbard Express.

Cruise with Hurtigruten .
Photo: Hurtigruten

The Svalbard Express is an iconic journey that takes you between Bergen, the North Cape and Svalbard.

Experience all the contrasts of summer across Norway, and enjoy 24 hours of daylight under the midnight sun.

Cruises are available between June and September; 15 or 10 day journeys.

Hurtigruten under midnight sun .
Photo: Hurtigruten

For the first time in the 130 year history of Hurtigruten, The North Cape Express will sail from Oslo and Bergen to the North Cape and back, stopping for exclusive excursions at 16 carefully chosen destinations.

Northern Lights Promise: If you do not experience the Aurora Borealis during your voyage, you can get a new cruise for free!

Departures between October and March; 15 or 7 day cruises available.

Northern lights at Hurtigruten .
Photo: Agurtxane Concellon / Hurtigruten

3. World Cheese Awards 2023

This year the World Cheese Awards are being held in Norway! For the first time ever, Trondheim, part of the European region of Gastronomy 2022, has the honour of hosting the prestigious event.

World Cheese Awards, Bergen .
Photo: Odd Mehus / HANEN

Several Norwegian cheeses have received silver and gold medals in this competition in recent years. This year, more than 4,000 cheeses will be competing October 26–28. As many as 250 judges have been tasked with determining which are the best!

Foodies should also check out the Norway Seafood Festival that will be held in Trondheim for the first time March 2–4.

World Cheese Awards, Bergen .
Photo: Fredrik Bye / HANEN

4. Stunning new hotels

Do you love extreme sports and nature experiences, spectacular places to stay, and great food?

Book a night at the new Elva Hotel (The River hotel) by Voss Active, the small designer hotel with 14 rooms all named after rivers in the outdoor activity hub of Voss.

The hotel opens its doors in July.

Voss Active Lodge .
Photo: Voss Active

Voss Active Elva hotel .
Photo: Voss Active

The Bolder Skylodge has three new luxury cabins in Lysefjorden designed by Snøhetta!

Opens 1st of February.

See more exciting new hotels below, and check out other places to stay in Norway.

The Bolder Starlodge .
Photo: The Bolder Starlodge

5. The Arctic Train

Chase the famous Aurora Borealis while travelling on Norway's northernmost railway!

Welcome aboard The Arctic Train on the Ofoten line in Narvik.

Listen to stories about the northern lights while enjoying a comfortable train ride up in the Nordic mountains, far from the bright lights of the city. If the sky is clear, there is a good chance of spotting the auroras!

The journey takes 4 hours and 30 minutes in total. The first stop is Bjørnfjell, after which the train continues on to Katterat station. Bring warm clothes and a camera and join the hunt on these historic rails.

In 2023, you can also take advantage of the new summer schedule on The Arctic Route by Best Arctic, a bus network that takes you safely and comfortably between Narvik, Lofoten, Vesterålen, Senja, and Tromsø.

Artic Express hunting northern lights in Narvik .
Photo: Artic Express / Michael Ulriksen

6. Monster roller coaster

Get a serious adrenalin rush on the new, NOK 100 million roller coaster at TusenFryd theme park, the first of its kind in Europe.

It's called “Storm – The Dragon Legend”, and is an Inverted Triple Launch Coaster, which means that it accelerates three times during the ride.

Feel the thrill of being suspended below the track at speeds of almost 100 km per hour, with a height difference of 33 metres!

Opens in late April.

New roller coaster in Tusenfryd .
Photo: TusenFryd / GERSTLAUER, Amusement Rides GmbH

Mobilvideo Tusenfryd.mp4 .
Photo: TusenFryd / GERSTLAUER, Amusement Rides GmbH

7. Winter cruise from Ålesund to Geiranger

Quiet. Mighty. Magnificent.

Experience the UNESCO fjords in the winter on a new winter cruise from the art nouveau city of Ålesund to Geiranger.

Wintercruise Geiranger .
Photo: Visit Geiranger

Winter cruise mobile video .
Photo: Visit Geiranger

8. Quiet Oslofjord sightseeing

Check out the brand new vessel MS Brisen by Brim Explorer!

It's the first 100% electric ship that is purpose built for sightseeing in Oslo!

Join events such as Brunch and Bubbles and dinner cruises, and enjoy private charters, morning yoga, wine tasting, lectures, live music, and more.

Silent fjord tours by Brim Explorer .
Photo: Albert Bjørnerem

9. A storm watching cabin

This is a warm and safe place to watch the powerful forces of the North Sea!

Check out the cool new storm watching cabin and fancy restroom facilities at the Madland harbour view point. Located on the Norwegian Scenic Route in Jæren close to Stavanger, the striking restroom building resembles a lighted lantern and was designed by Haugen/Zohar architects.

Opens in June.

Stormhytta i Madland havn .
Photo: Illustration: Haugen/Zohar architects

Road trippers can also take shelter in the wonderful new Gjende visitors centre, beside the emerald green Gjende lake right by the Norwegian Scenic Route Valdresflye.

This is also the starting point for lake cruises and the iconic Besseggen hike.

Opens in October.

Cafe by the Gjende lake .
Photo: Illustration: Knut Hjeltnes architects

10. Jøssingfjord Science Museum

In June, there will be a soft opening of the new Jøssingfjord Vitenmuseum, a science museum in Dalane in the Stavanger region that showcases the area's unique geology, and mining and Second World War history.

Jøssingfjorden Vitenmuseum .
Photo: Jan-Ove Grastveit

More exciting news:

# The ski resorts of Beitostølen, SkiMore Kongsberg and Voss Resort will get new chair lifts.

# Experience food and hospitality at its finest at the new Beckerwyc House at Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri. Its 20 exclusive rooms will be ready for bookings in June. In November, you can also enjoy an unforgettable meal in the new Restaurant Mirabelle, all managed by the renowned Bocuse d'Or winning chef and owner Ørjan Johannessen.

# Look out for the new Hotel Haven in Bergen, a green oasis with plenty of plants and flowers and a strong focus on sustainability. It will also house a spa, bar, and restaurant.

# The former American embassy in Oslo is being transformed into a social and cultural meeting place, Ambassaden, featuring a wine bar, restaurant, rooftop terrace, and conference centre.

Selbu mittens from Selbu in Norway .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com