The Best Holiday Apartments in Norway

Love the sea? One of these eight apartments – with huge windows to let the sunlight in – might be for you. The Gammelskola Apartments – with water views, self-check-in and stylish kitchens – are on Engøya Island, in the northwest. Henningsvær fishing village is nearby, as are plenty of opportunities to fish, kayak, hike and ski. Adventurous travellers and smaller families can relax here in bright apartments of varying sizes. Check out the stirring natural world around you or head into Henningsvær for a bit of Nordic culture, perhaps viewing some Norwegian paintings at the Gallery Lofoten.

Fredrikstad, Norway’s southern oasis, is a staging point for the nearby Hvaler islands, perfect for sea-related activities (including kayaking, swimming and sailing). The Wex Apartments – next to the lovely brick building-lined Nygaard Square, with lots of boutiques and bistros in the vicinity – offers cheery, modern-day mini-apartments for solo travellers, along with two- and three-bedrooms apartments for larger groups. Holiday rentals come with fully-equipped kitchens, a French press for coffee addicts, and quick access to Fredrikstad’s hassle-free urban environment.

“Cosy” is an overused word in travel writing. But if you love dogs, snow and mushing, it’s the best word to describe the Jotunheimen Husky Lodge. The lodge, next to Jotunheimen National Park, is a welcome sight at the end of a wintery day. From November to May, head out on a husky-sledding trip – beginners can try just half a day, while hardy adventurers will enjoy the two- or three-day expeditions. Back at the lodge, you can explore the mountain hiking trails on your doorstep before warming up in the sauna.

The picturesque fishing village of Henningsvær is renowned for its seaside allure. Book a contemporary apartment (two-, four- or seven-bed options) at Tobiasbrygga to enjoy the rugged charms this northern island has to offer. All of the rooms come with dishwashers, and some even come with verandas with views of the pier. Depending on the season, sign up for fishing trips to catch cod, haddock, halibut and more.

Visiting the Lofoten archipelago for an aurora borealis light show? Perhaps some hiking and fishing come summer? These refurbished fishing cabins and old houses, featuring toe-warming heated wood floors (to keep all of your “piggies” warm), can accommodate six to eight guests. Several cabins also have open-air decks. The Sund units, on the water, come with boat use as well, ideal for scooting around inlets and small bays.

If you want to experience wintry Norwegian delights (like the Northern Lights), then the ultra-modern Lyngen Experience Apartments in Tromsø, inside the Arctic Circle, are the hub for your stay. With one-, two- and three-bed options, along with outstanding fjord and mountain views, these units come with a shared ground-floor equipment drying room, plus a steamy wood sauna that will heat up your bones after a frosty outdoor adventure.

Dive into Norwegian fjord life in Trondheim (not literally, of course). The flats inside Trondheim Leilighetshotell make great use of the region’s scarce natural light. The apartments, next to Lilleby Train Station, come in different sizes (up to three bedrooms), with furnishings that emit a classic Nordic vibe. If you stay here, you’re only minutes away from the fjord and within walking distance of Nidaros Cathedral and the Old Town. Bikes, onsite, are available for loan and will let you zip around town while you explore.

Bergen, considered to be Norway’s western capital, is the gateway to the coast, islands and heaps of majestic fjords. Hotel Park Bergen’s studio apartments, conveniently located in the city centre, are the epitome of artsy Nordic elegance. The modernised building, built in the late 18th century, houses smaller flats on the lower floor. Larger units upstairs have bright skylights, while the rooftop terrace, accessible to all guests, offers sweeping vistas across downtown Bergen.

After a day of exploring Tromsø, these city apartments – designed with an iconic, modern Scandinavian silhouette – put you right in the centre. One of the contemporary touches you’ll likely appreciate most at Tromsø City Apartments, run by a German/Norwegian household (headed by André and Kristin), are the toasty stone tiles. Never underestimate the value of heated floors in summer or winter when trudging around regions north of the Arctic Circle.

If you favour the urban side of the Land of the Midnight Sun, the Bjørvika Apartments in Oslo make for an outstanding base camp. These centrally located units, which range from one to three bedrooms, are smartly equipped and furnished and boast a tasteful modern décor. Whether you plan on hanging out for a week or a year, the washing machine (one in each unit), along with the weekly linen and cleaning service, will make your stay that much more pleasant. They also have buildings in Bergen and Trondheim.