Starry skies, cold nights and northern lights

You want to experience the natural spectacles of the country in the far north of Europe? The best way to do that is a camping vacation. You can swim in glassy glacial lakes, marvel at ancient forests and rocks, and maybe even see the northern lights. Camping is a big word for many people. And in any case, this vacation should be well planned. So you can plan or if you just want to get a taste of camping, you will find many great tips for equipment, super beautiful routes and places.

Roof tent recommendation: Camper rated

Want an expert opinion on the roof tent? Here you can find the video of a passionate camper who has discovered the advantages of a roof tent for himself and has many great tips for traveling with a roof tent in store. More tips for campers in Norway can be found here (external): Camping Norway.

Freedom by car: roof tent camping

You have everything planned for the perfect camping vacation, only the accommodation is missing? How about a roof tent? Roof tents are the new way to camp, because they combine all the advantages of classic tents and caravans. They are just as space-saving as classic tents and since they can be mounted on any car roof, you also have more storage space in the car.

Due to the thoughtful construction of many roof tents, they hold bombproof on the roof even in difficult terrain. So you won’t get hit by flying tarps and tent poles in the car.

Of course, good roof tents are also absolutely rainproof. In bad weather, the dismantling is also super easy. While you do not have to fold so wet and dirty tent tarpaulins, most models for the car roof can be easily folded. This keeps you clean and dry!

Of course, you’ll notice the extra weight on the roof when driving, but it’s much lighter and more terrain resistant than a camper, and you won’t have to awkwardly squeeze the tent into the trunk.

• Roof tent for the roof of the car
• Firm grip on difficult terrain
• Easy dismantling
• BUT: Weight on the car roof is noticeable
• FOR: more space in the car

Never heard of a roof tent?

• Tips for buying roof tent

Camping route: mountain, hiking & camping

Once you have familiarized yourself with your roof tent, you are ready to go! A possible route would be from Dovrefjell over the picturesque Geiranger to the breathtaking Jotunheimen.

Experiences hiking: Fishing, Starry Sky & Mountains

The perfect way to prepare for the night after a hike through the overgrown mountainsides is to pitch your tent. You are allowed to do this anywhere in Norway as long as you don’t damage the existing nature. When you have put all the pegs into the soft mossy ground, it is time for a tasty meal from the gas stove. For this it is worth trying fishing in the crystal clear rivers.

With a full stomach, you can then spend the night under the clear starry sky. In the Norwegian wilderness you have no light pollution like in big cities, so you can look at the stars through the skylight of your tent.

Continue through romantic villages of wooden huts, past rushing waterfalls, over slippery rocks, through the stream and up to the top of the mountains to see you meandering through Jotunheimen rivers. Jotunheimen has the highest mountains in Norway and therefore many famous hiking trails.

Quick overview:

• Camping: allowed everywhere in Norway, as long as nature is not damaged
• Gas stove for delicious meal & fishing in crystal clear rivers
• Night under clear starry sky without light pollution
• Continue through romantic villages & rushing waterfalls
• Over slippery stones, through stream & on top of mountains
• Jotunheimen: Highest mountains in Norway & famous hiking trails

Here you can find the route again on the map:

Road trip through Norway: tips, route & places

This vacation show you the two young men in the video and give besides the beautiful nature shots helpful tips about camping in Norway and the route. They are both experienced campers, as they have already set out several times to explore a part of Norway.

Top 10 Places: Senja, Lofoten & Co.

You don’t want to plan a fixed route at all, but rather get to know the top 10 places in Norway?

Then you can check out the list of places below:

Varangerhalvøya – Senja – Lofoten

We start high in the north with Varangerhalvøya, a region with fjord and unique glacier rocks. Also far north is Senja, an island popular for hiking vacations in the high mountains above the sea. If you’re lucky, you can spot whales in the water there. Also by the sea is the Lofoten archipelago, where you can marvel at brilliant northern lights. Or you can walk across the small bridges that connect the inhabited islands. There is also a nice place for a snack in the lovely fishing villages.

This is how picturesque the Lofoten Islands look:

Helgeland – Femundsmarka National Park

Have you ever seen black rocks? You can find them in the Helgeland region a bit further south. Because of its enchanting landscape, it used to play a role in sagas and fairy tales. Nowadays it is a popular place for cycling or kayaking. A little further south is Femundsmarka National Park, a popular destination for camping vacations by the lake. In this there are even reindeer to marvel at.

Cute reindeer:

Loenvatnet – Nærøyfjorden – Valdres

Another insider tip for swimming in crystal clear glacier water is Lake Loenvatnet. Further south, you can continue your tour with Nærøyfjorden. This is a classic fjord on sunlit mountainsides, with a ferry as its attraction. About three hours away to the east, you’ll find the Valdres area. This is worth it for a breathtaking view of a landscape of forested valleys and sparkling lakes.

This is what awaits you in Valdres:

Hardanger – Jettegrytene i Nissedal

Also famous for its unique nature is the Hardanger region. Since a lot of fruit is grown here, springtime conjures up famous fields of flowers on the landscape. In the far south, it’s time for another insider tip: Jettegrytene i Nissedal. This one is worth seeing for the specially shaped rocks in the dried riverbed.

This is the picturesque landscape at Jettegrytene i Nissedal:

All places in the overview

Here you can see all the places again on the map:

• Senja
• Varangerhalvøya
• Femundsmarka
• Loenvatnet
• Valdres
• Hardanger
• Helgeland
• Lofoten
• Nærøyfjorden
• Jettegrytene i Nissedal

Here is a small example, for your adventure in Norway, from Mo i Rana in the Helgeland region via the municipality of Røros in Femundsmarka National Park to Lake Loenvatnet.

Norway from above: icy world by the sea

Pictures say more than 1,000 words! The most beautiful 10 spots you get here in a video. Recorded during a 3-year trip. On this trip, a photographer traveled through Norway and has therefore compiled everything important in a video. You can watch this video here.

Insider tip: Vassfaret National Park

Here’s another top favorite that didn’t appear on the list before: Vassfaret National Park. This one offers swimming lakes with mountain panorama, high pine forests and fascinating views. It is ideal for wild camping in the great outdoors. How such a vacation could look like and what you can expect between tent, warming campfire and tough fog, you can see in this video.

More camping tips for Norway?

Well, curious or is camping not for you? Here you can find more detailed articles about the perfect vacation in Norway or camping ideas for your unforgettable trip.

• Norway vacation
• Camping Norway (external)

How to get there: Car, train, ferry or plane

Norderney is located in the north of Germany and belongs to the state of Lower Saxony. You have a total of four ways to get to the island. Either by train, car, ferry or plane. So nothing stands in the way of your next holiday and you can start planning right away!

Ferry: fast crossing by ship

To get to the North Sea island of Norderney, the way across the sea is not circumventable. who wants to bring his own car or camper is forced to make the last stop by car ferry. Even those who travel by train from all over Germany have to take the ferry to Norderney to start their holiday on the island.

Car: flexible and uncomplicated

As the second largest of the North Sea islands, Norderney is not one of those where there are no cars. There is even a bus line that drives a round about the island. Who nevertheless would like to arrive with his own car or with a camper can do this of course. Thanks to the option of the car ferry, this is very uncomplicated. After leaving the motorway, one drives with the car directly to the sea in the north of the German mainland and then onto the ferry that takes one to Norderney. The whole trip takes about an hour and then allows you to drive directly to your destination.

Rail: easy and without hassle

Those who do not need a car on the island, or would rather rent one can also start the journey to Norderney by train. A comfortable and with few circumstances connected way to get to the North Sea island. But also here it will be necessary sooner or later to change trains at least once, because also here the ferry will take over the last transport.

Airplane: fastest way from everywhere

For those who do not want to take the ferry, or for whom the way from home to the far north is just too far, should think about maybe choosing the way of flying. Norderney has a small airport which can be easily reached by plane from any major airport in Germany. The way with the airplane is probably the easiest, since no change is necessary, but also the most polluting.

Climate, Weather & Average Temperature

The climate on Norderney is not particularly warm even in summer and due to the location directly on the water also relatively windy. The average temperature in summer is between 20 and 25 degrees. The annual precipitation on the island is above average compared to the rest of Germany, which is common on all North Sea islands.

Water temperature: warm temperature in summer

The water temperature reaches, as you would expect thanks to the German climate in the summer months between July and September with 20-23 degrees their maximum temperatures. So the water is quite suitable for swimming in these months. In winter, however, it is significantly cooler, but the cool water also means a particularly great climate on the island, which can be very relaxing especially for those who live in the city.

Winds: fresh breeze by the sea

The North Sea islands are known for their winds. The coastal climate is associated with strong and fresh winds that blow particularly strongly directly at the sea, i.e. on the beaches and dunes. With an average of 15 km/h the winds blow over the island and can also cause a sandstorm. The clean air is very appreciated by many tourists and is often the reason for the visits to the island, so a strong wind is of course an advantage, so that one can also take advantage of it.

Accommodation: camping or hotel?

When choosing your accommodation, you will be faced with the first decision, which you should have planned well before you arrive. You should think about whether you would prefer to cater for yourself or whether you would prefer to have a freshly cooked meal for every meal and your accommodation. The various options and differences between camping, apartment or holiday home and hotel are serious. We’ll help you compare the different options here to make your decision a little easier.

Camping with the whole family

On Norderney there are numerous campsites with a view of the sea or the Duhnen. Camping is compared to conventional accommodation usually a cheaper option and offers besides this advantage also a lot more adventure. Especially for children or teenagers camping is a very nice experience and a lot of fun. So think for yourself whether you prefer camping to a hotel on your next holiday.

Hotel & apartment: for families, by the sea & with pool

If a camping holiday is not for you, you can of course also rent a room in a hotel or a permanent accommodation. On Norderney there are many hotels directly by the sea, with pool or designed for families. You can also rent holiday homes, apartments, Airbnb’s or apartments. So there is something for every taste and in every price range!

The most beautiful places: white dune, planetary path & lighthouse

Norderney has many beautiful corners. Of course, there is not only the simple beach and the many dunes with their great plants to see, because the nature Norderney has much more to offer. Besides reserves for seals and the very special and protected dunes, where you can spend a wonderful day in the beach chairs, there are also extraordinary natural spectacles that tourists like to visit every year. Some of the special highlights of the island include the historic lighthouse and the windmill, which always attract many people.

White dune: white beach & the best restaurants

The white dune is not only a beach on Norderney, but also a very famous restaurant. The white dune or also called Ostbad stretches over the narrow eastern beach of the island and convinces especially with its beautiful view. The dune has very special white sand and unbelievably many plant species that one is used to from the North Sea. The associated restaurant is also very well known and popular all over the island. There are North Sea typical dishes, such as fish and crab rolls as a snack, or of course main courses for a wonderful lunch or dinner.

Planetary path: walk in the solar system

The planet path is a beach path and worth a walk on the beach in any case. It gets its name because of the many information boards, which should represent our solar system in the scale of 1.1 million. Thus, the hiking path starts with the sun and then leads once through the whole solar system. In total, you hike a little over an hour.

Lighthouse: special piece of the North Sea

The Norderney lighthouse has some special features and is therefore a very special piece of the North Sea, which you should not miss. A great excursion to do some sports and yet see something particularly beautiful. The top of the lighthouse is reached after a little more than 250 steps and lends a unique view over the island. It is the only lighthouse in the world under whose walls you can stand and also the only one of all North Sea lighthouses whose light turns to the left. Isn’t that something?

Here you can find the lighthouse. Explore the surroundings virtually!

Activities: Mudflat hiking, quad biking & horse riding

Especially for those who like to do a lot of sports, Norderney is a great island. There are many bike paths and great opportunities for extensive and beautiful beach walks. A mudflat hike is of course also a great way to keep moving a bit during your holiday or you can take part in the triathlon that takes place every year in the summer. Especially interesting for the younger holidaymakers are the adventurous quads that you can rent everywhere to get around and as a tour on the island. A guaranteed highlight of the holiday.

Horse riding: for all animal lovers

For the adventurous and sporty among you, horseback riding by the sea is certainly a unique and priceless experience. Whether you have ridden many times in your life or not, horseback riding tours on the island are an offer that is definitely worthwhile.

Quad biking: Action on the beach

There are a few different providers that offer guided Segway and Quad tours across the island. You drive about 1.5 hours with a leader over the island and can look at the exciting places. The Quads and Segways are of course driven alone and there is a detailed safety briefing before it starts, so that anyone who has never driven the whole thing from the beginning safely mastered and above all is ensured that no one can hurt himself or others.

Mudflat walk: ideal family holiday

Everyone knows them. Whether from the family holiday from childhood, or from a movie; The mudflat hike. Thanks to the strong ebb tide in the North Sea, it is possible to make a hike through the part of the island that is otherwise covered by the North Sea in a certain hourly cycle, which especially the inhabitants of the island know very well. Together with a cotton wool expert, one walks through the wet sand and learns a lot about the things that happen under the sea. Animals, plants and their behaviour are shown and explained in detail. Oh, to find amber is not rare during mudflat walks. But you should not go alone on the trip, because the tide is very dangerous and for non-experts often a surprise.

Beaches: bathing or dog beach?

What is the focus of a holiday on an island? Of course, the sea and the associated beaches. What would be a holiday at the North Sea, without the many great beach days that you want to experience. of course, you also want to have the perfect place on the beach. Be it in a rented beach chair, on a towel in the sun or under the beach shell you brought with you. But to find the perfect beach is not as easy as one often imagines, because some things have to be considered. For example, if you want to take your dog with you, you need to think in advance whether you are allowed to take him with you.

Sandy beach: white sand & beach chairs

There is definitely enough sandy beach on the North Sea island of Norderney. Beautiful white sand lies on all the beaches of the island. Especially the popular beach chairs make a trip to the beach so attractive. Although Norderney is the second largest island in Germany, it is still not too big. So there are not many activities that do not revolve around the great beach, which can be reached from anywhere in just a few minutes walk.

Come and see the beautiful beaches for yourself and explore the surrounding area!

Dog beach: perfect for four-legged friends

Dogs are very welcome on Norderney. This is also very important and there are many accommodations that allow overnight stays with dogs. Of course, excursions with dogs are also allowed on the beaches. However, leashing is compulsory on these beaches as well. However, walks with dogs are also permitted (also with a leash requirement) on all other beaches. The so-called “Schietbüdeln” are actually available everywhere on the island, so that nothing gets dirty. Because of course also here applies: The dirt of your dog you have to remove immediately, so that the island also remains nice and clean.