As temperatures rise across Europe, travelers are choosing destinations that—quite literally—allow them to breathe. The term “coolcation” may have started as a clever way to describe summer trips that avoid scorching heat, but it’s evolved into something deeper. It’s a new kind of luxury that values both comfort and connection, and perhaps no destination captures this shift quite as elegantly as the Land of Fjords and Light.
Norway is a summer destination that’s not only cooler in temperature but cooler in atmosphere as well. While the Arctic north has long drawn winter thrill-seekers, it’s the south that quietly stuns in the warmer months: think long golden days, architectural cabins tucked into coastal cliffs, and forest-framed coastlines.
Below, my recommendations to some of the coolest spots in Norway, where refreshing weather meets design, culture, and locally rooted experiences unlike any other.
What to See
Lars Grimsby/Up Norway
For design enthusiasts, Norway is a great place to explore. Allmannajuvet, a museum located in Sauda in the southwest of Norway, is home to the architectural works of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. The location of the museum was once home to mines that operated from 1881 to 1899, and Zumthor was tasked with showcasing the industrial history here.
Exciting new openings include the PoMo, a modern and contemporary art museum (designed by Iranian-French architect India Mahdavi) in the city of Trondheim; and Kunstsilo, a Nordic art museum in the southern city of Kristiansand, which features interactive digital art experiences.
In Oslo, the country’s capital, the National Museum recently debuted its New Nordic exhibition, which explores the intersection between people, materials, and landscape. In Stavern, a town along the Skagerrak coast, the Nerdrum Museum is a highlight; housed in a small home, it showcases the works of Norwegian figurative painter, Odd Nerdrum.
What to Do
Aron Klein/Up Norway
Let yourself be inspired by the Nordic lifestyle by taking a cold plunge, playing golf, or exploring Southern Norway’s impressive food scene.
Road tripping through the lesser-known region of southern Norway is a favorite among cultural and food-focused travelers. Villages like Stavern, Nevlunghavn, Risør, Kristiansand, and Mandal, are popular for their location on the coast, inland farms, and forested trails where local Norwegians retreat in the summertime, too.
Where to Eat
RE-NAA
In Norway, the varieties of food are endless, from farm-to-table dining and urban cafes, to bakeries and Michelin-starred stunners. Common experiences include foraged meals shared fireside with locals, or a multi-course tasting at a Michelin-starred restaurant. With 25 stars across the country—including three each at Oslo’s Maaemo and Stavanger’s waterside RE-NAA—Norway pairs hyper-local, immersive food culture with world-class artistry.
Norway’s farm- and sea-to-table scene is also exploding with Arctic cider, early-stage wine production, small-batch cheeses, and foraging experiences. These aren’t easily stumbled upon, but well-connected travel advisors can open doors to fjord-side farms and forest foraging trails.
Where to Stay
Anne Bråtveit/The Boulder
In Southern Norway, stylish accommodations like The Bolder offer ultra-modern, cliffside cabins with stunning panoramic fjord views. The historic, yet contemporary Storfjord Hotel on the west coast offers 30 rooms with balanced design, comfort, and picturesque views of the Sunnmøre Alps. Other travelers can opt for a hut-to-hut trek through Jotunheimen National Park or the Aurlandsdalen Valley, with nights spent in traditional Norwegian hiking cabins and eco-lodges like 29|2 Aurland. And for a truly off-the-grid escape, Brakøya, a northern, private island retreat in the Lofoten archipelago, offers intimate, design-forward stays for just 10 to 12 guests.
Torunn Tronsvang is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Norway trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Tronsvang by contacting her at [email protected].
