Any trip to Norway is bound to be a memorable one, whether you stick to the cool capital city of Oslo or if you make it out into the fjords or the northern wilderness. But after the trip is over, you’re going to want to remember your amazing time spent exploring this Nordic nation.
From the traditional to the practical, and even a few quirky items (caviar in a tube, anyone?), here are some of the best items you can pick up in Norway for souvenirs – or bring back home as a gift for your friends and family.
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Best Norwegian Souvenirs to Buy
Marius sweaters
Norway has long been famed for its knitwear, and perhaps the most famous hand-knitted item in this Nordic nation is the Marius sweater. This jumper started life back in the 1950s, so it may not be as old as the traditional patterns in nearby Iceland, but since its inception, Marius knits have become deservedly renowned.
Made from high-quality wool, these sweaters are deceptively warm. In fact, they’re so well insulated that you may even see locals walking around wearing them without a jacket – even in the depths of Norway’s freezing winter months.
Selbu mittens
Norway’s knitwear can be fairly pricey, but if you are visiting Norway on a budget and want an affordable piece of knitwear to take home, Selbu mittens are a great option. The Selbu pattern has been used in the creation of Norwegian knitwear for over 150 years. It comes from the town of the same name, which is located near Trondheim, and was the creation of a local lady named Marit Emstad.
The pattern of the woolen mittens has become symbolic of Norway, particularly the eight-point star, which is now found on all sorts of souvenirs across the nation and on knitted goods across the world.
Rosemaling
Rosemaling is a type of decorative folk art which started life back in the mid-18th century when the elite European art styles of the Regency and Baroque first made their way beyond Norway’s urban centers. A form of decorative painting, Rosemaling sees objects such as cups and vases, as well as wood-paneled walls and ceilings, adorned with flourishes of colorful patterns and floral designs.
In recent years, this technique has seen a surge in popularity, with many people returning to this old style of decorating objects. Small pieces of Rosemaling can be found in stores across the nation.
Cloudberry jam
First of all: what is cloudberry? This is a small orange berry that is found only in Swedish and Finnish Lapland, as well as in the wilds of northern Norway. Appearing somewhat like a raspberry, these vitamin C-heavy fruits have long been a staple of the indigenous Sami people’s diets through harsh Scandinavian winters.
Cloudberries are picked during the summer and are made into all sorts of delicious delicacies, which – of course – include jam. This type of memento is a perfectly sized souvenir to pack into your luggage and take home to enjoy.
Brunost
Brunost, or “brown cheese,” may not seem the most appetizing thing to eat, but for many in Norway, it’s a delicious, everyday treat, often eaten at breakfast. But you may be surprised to find out that it’s not strictly cheese. It’s actually a cocktail of dairy products – milk, whey, and cream – that’s boiled together and cooled down into blocks of brown goodness.
There’s a whole selection of brunost, but the most common variety you’ll find is also Gudbrandsdalsost. Another type is called gjetost (literally “goat’s cheese”). Whatever the type, it’s thinly sliced and put on crisp bread or even eaten on a waffle with jam.
Ostehøvel
To cut your brunost, you’re going to need an ostehøvel – or cheese cutter. And, incredibly, it’s in Norway that this innovative product was invented. The idea was dreamt up by Norwegian master carpenter Thor Bjørklund in 1925, who was inspired by the wood plane used in carpentry.
Since its inception, this now common kitchen item has been patented and spread all over the world. You’ve probably used one. However, picking up an authentic ostehøvel from its country of origin would make for an interesting souvenir – especially now that you know the history behind it. The real product is still made in the original factory in Lillehammer.
Linie aquavit
Linie bills itself as the oldest aquavit brand in the world. It began life in 1805 and has been produced using the same family recipe since 1821. It’s made using potatoes that have been distilled and blended in a pot with herbs and spices; the mixture is then placed in wooden sherry barrels to age.
But it isn’t aged in the normal sense. Back during its early days, Linie shipped its aquavit to the East Indies, hoping for sales; it was unpopular, and the cargo was shipped back to Norway. However, on sampling the product, it was found that the flavor had improved.
To this day, barrels of Linie are still sent on a four-month voyage around the world, even crossing the equator twice (as it did back in the day) to ensure the same conditions. In fact, Linie refers to the “line” – the equator.
Kuksa coffee mug
Nothing quite says rustic Nordic design like a handmade wooden drinking vessel: kuksa. Inspired by kitchen utensils used at mountain dairy farms in the country but really originating from the traditional equipment of the Sami people, the kuksa has long been synonymous with Norway. They often come with a leather strap to be attached to a belt and were used by those hiking or foraging for berries in the wilderness.
You’ll find different varieties of the carved kuksa cup on sale throughout Norway, but the traditional variety is carved out of birch burr wood. With their smooth, carved exteriors, and carefully curved handles, purchasing one of these mugs would make for a cozy addition to your own kitchen cabinet.
Freia Melkesjokolade
Those of you with a sweet tooth should make sure to check out Freia chocolate. This Norway-based company is a classic chocolate brand in the country that began life back in 1889. Founded by Olaf Larsen and Fredrik Wilhelm Hjorth Christensen, the company became famous for its milk chocolate bars, most of all Freia Melkesjokolade.
Today, Freia Melkesjokolade is still the most popular chocolate bar in Norway. It’s made from high-quality products, which include milk from Norwegian cows. If you want to learn more about the company, make sure to stop off at the Freia chocolate shop in Oslo, which sells a range of products from the confectioner. The ideal place to sample a small piece of Norway.
Also by Freia, Kvikk Lunsj is another staple chocolate bar of Norwegian kitchen cupboards. Translating to “Quick Lunch,” this chocolate bar is much like Nestle’s Kit-Kat – four chocolate-covered layers of the wafer. The packaging, and the name, however, are much more aesthetically pleasing.
Marketed as hiking chocolate, Kvikk Lunsj is often taken on skiing trips and put into the packed lunches of Norwegian children. The average Norwegian person eats nine of these chocolate bars per ear – mostly during Easter.
Caviar in a tube
Food in a tube is a thing in Norway. This is possibly because it’s so cold that it helps preserve things – not to mention tubed food is convenient and practical. It’s easy to take on a hike (which, next to skiing, is pretty much Norway’s national sport), and being in a tube, things don’t need to spread onto any bread you have with you: squeeze it out and enjoy.
One of the more eyebrow-raising items that you can find in a tube is caviar. These high-class fish eggs have been available in tube form in Norway since 1917, making them practically a national institution – and the perfect talking point to show your friends and family back home as a souvenir.
Jul ornaments
Norway is a veritable Christmas wonderland. During the winter months, the country becomes an idyllic place for Christmas, with snow, log cabins, and open fires. It’s no surprise, then, that this Nordic nation does Christmas decorations very well.
If you’re in Norway for the festive season, where the holiday is known as Jul, then you’ll be able to buy some traditional ornaments from Christmas markets to take back home. The Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo puts on an annual Christmas fair, where you can pick up a whole range of handmade Christmas ornaments.
Troll memorabilia
Trolls and the mystical stories connected to them are intrinsically linked to the culture and heritage of Norway. Troll-based folktales have long been passed down through families, children’s stories, and even films, meaning this grotesque creature has been preserved as part of Nordic folklore.
The mythological creatures can still be seen – but not in the flesh. Instead, you’ll find them as ceramic or metal statues or figurines. These are a fun, if slightly creepy, way to take the tradition back home with you and an ideal gift for friends or family who like out-there things like troll statuettes.