Vestland is Norway's fjord county, home to Bergen, the Sognefjord, the Hardangerfjord, the Nærøyfjord, Europe's largest mainland glacier and a coastline of islands and surf beaches.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Greet with a handshake and first names; Norwegians are reserved but helpful when asked.
Take your shoes off when entering a Norwegian home.
Queue quietly and take a numbered ticket where machines are provided.
Respect allemannsretten (right to roam): walk and camp on uncultivated land, but leave no trace and keep a respectful distance from homes.
Expect rain in Bergen and Hardanger; locals say there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.
Alcohol above 4.75 percent is sold only in state Vinmonopolet shops, which close early on Saturday and on Sunday.
Keep voices low on trains and the light rail.
Tap water is safe and excellent everywhere in Vestland.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Do say hei (hello) and takk (thank you) in shops.
- Do pay by card; cash is rarely needed.
- Do check weather warnings before mountain hikes and fjord boats (yr.no).
- Do wear sturdy shoes on Bryggen's wooden floors and wet cobbles.
- Do take shoes off in homes and guesthouse rooms.
- Do keep dogs on a leash in the countryside in spring and summer.
- Do follow the red T trail markers on hikes.
Don't
- Don't litter or leave fires burning in the countryside.
- Don't cut in line.
- Don't talk loudly on public transport.
- Don't tip like in the US; rounding up or 5-10 percent is plenty.
- Don't walk on glaciers without a certified guide.
- Don't light open fires in forest during the summer fire ban.
- Don't photograph people closely without asking.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Firm handshake, eye contact and first names; hugging is for friends.
- Punctuality
- Arrive on time; Norwegians treat appointments and boat departures as fixed.
- Tipping
- Service is included; round up or leave 5-10 percent in restaurants for good service.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to start; say takk for maten after a meal.
- Shoes
- Remove shoes in homes and some guesthouses.
- Public Transport
- Keep voices low and offer seats to elderly passengers.
- Dress
- Practical outdoor clothing is accepted nearly everywhere; smart casual for upscale restaurants.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Hei
Hello
hay
Takk
Thank you
tahk
Vær så snill
Please
vair saw snil
Unnskyld
Excuse me
OON-shil
Snakker du engelsk?
Do you speak English?
SNAH-ker doo ENG-elsk
Hva koster det?
How much is it?
vah KOS-ter deh
Hvor er stasjonen?
Where is the station?
vor air stah-SHOO-nen
Skål
Cheers
skawl
Ha det bra
Goodbye
hah deh brah
Jeg vil gjerne ha...
I would like...
yay vil YAIR-neh hah
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Vestland.
Main: Church of Norway (Lutheran) is the historic majority; most residents are secular and attend services mainly at Christmas, weddings and confirmations.
Sites: Bergen Cathedral (Domkirken, Domkirkeplassen), St Mary's Church (Mariakirken, Bryggen), Voss Church (Vangskyrkja, 13th-century stone church), Urnes Stave Church (Luster, UNESCO), Borgund Stave Church (Lærdal) and Kaupanger Stave Church (Sogndal).
Holy Days: Easter, Ascension, Whit Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays when shops close; 17 May (Constitution Day) is the national day with parades in bunad.
Conversations: Religion is private; avoid proselytising and dress modestly in churches.