From glaciers and folklore to ferries and food, 2025 was another year of discovery at Life in Norway. Here are the stories and videos readers returned to most.
The quiet days between Christmas and New Year have a name in Norway: romjul. Time slows down, shops close early, leftovers multiply, and candles burn long into the afternoon.
It’s also the perfect moment to pause and look back. 2025 was another big year for us here at ‘Life in Norway' HQ. Some stories travelled widely. Others resonated more quietly but stayed with readers long after publication.
It was also the year we leaned heavily into video. Longer, better quality videos, and a whole new channel dedicated to cruise travel were among the projects I worked on over the past 12 months.
Together, they paint a picture of what continues to fascinate people about Norway: its landscapes, its quirks, its culture, and its everyday contradictions. Here are some of the highlights from the past year.
A Glacier Trip in the Rain
One of the most-read travel stories of the year was a personal account of visiting Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car, with my dad.
It wasn’t a picture-perfect day. The rain came down steadily, visibility came and went, and the glacier itself felt smaller than many visitors expect. And yet, it was absolutely stunning. Norwegian nature at its very best.
The story resonated because it reflected a very Norwegian truth: nature doesn’t perform on demand. The waterfalls were wild, the mountains dramatic, and the experience memorable precisely because it felt real rather than curated.
Sleeping Your Way to Norway
One of the most shared videos of 2025 explored something many people overlook: the Copenhagen to Oslo overnight ferry.
For less than the cost of a city hotel, you get a private cabin, sea views, and the quiet pleasure of waking up in a new country. For many viewers, this video reframed ferry travel not as transport, but as part of the experience.
It also tapped into a growing interest in slower, more deliberate ways of travelling to Norway. Copenhagen to Oslo doesn't suit every traveller, but there are many cruise ferries out there.
If you've ever considered taking one, either as a mode of transport or for a ‘mini-cruise' trip that are heavily promoted, take a watch to get a feel for the experience.
Brown Cheese, Reconsidered
Few Norwegian foods divide opinion quite like brown cheese. This year’s article on brown cheese ice cream was a result of something I never expected: I changed my mind about brunost!
After more than a decade in Norway, brunost had firmly stayed in the “not for me” category. I’d even turned my dislike into a running joke during my cruise ship talks, usually to the amusement of passengers who had already tried it without quite knowing what they were eating.
Then came an experiment at home. Against all odds, transforming brown cheese into ice cream softened its sharpest edges and revealed something richer, warmer, and surprisingly balanced. For the first time, I actually enjoyed it.
The article struck a chord with readers because it tapped into a shared experience. Brunost isn’t just a food, it’s cultural shorthand for belonging, nostalgia, and childhood waffles at the cabin.
Seeing it reimagined, and watching a long-time sceptic finally come around, made this one of the year’s most quietly satisfying stories.
The Small Cultural Surprises That Matter
The most commented-on video of the year by far looked at what still surprises me about Norwegian culture, even after years of living here.
From the deep attachment to nature to the nation’s complicated relationship with frozen pizza, the response showed that readers and viewers are just as interested in everyday habits as they are in fjords and northern lights.
When Norwegian Folklore Turns Dark
Not all stories of Norway are cosy. An article on the sea spirit Draugen explored the darker side of Norwegian folklore, where danger, death, and the unpredictability of nature loom large.
Far removed from friendly trolls and fireside fairy tales, Draugen belongs to a tradition shaped by life at sea, sudden loss, and communities living at the mercy of the elements.
This subject is one I’ve become increasingly drawn to. Over time, that fascination with myths and legends has grown into something more substantial, eventually leading me to develop a full cruise ship talk on Norwegian myths and legends, delivered to audiences sailing along the same dramatic coastlines where many of these stories were born.
The article stood out because it reminded readers that folklore in Norway was never just entertainment. It was a way of explaining real fears and very real dangers.
It became one of those quieter successes on ‘Life in Norway': not the most clicked story of the year, but one that found a deeply engaged and appreciative audience.
Bergen Beyond the Postcard
The year featured a video celebrating Bergen, a place many travellers think they already understand before they arrive.
Yes, there’s Bryggen, with its unmistakable wooden buildings and UNESCO status, and yes, the Fløibanen still delivers one of the best city viewpoints in the country. These classics remain popular for a reason.
But the video deliberately looked beyond the obvious. It explored everyday neighbourhoods, quiet streets away from the cruise crowds, and the lived-in feel of a city shaped by weather, trade, and history.
There were a few surprises too: places that don’t feature heavily in guidebooks, but say far more about what it’s actually like to spend time in Bergen.
The response reinforced something I’ve noticed more and more in recent years. Many visitors are no longer just ticking off sights. They want to understand Norwegian cities as real places, with character, routines, and small moments that linger long after the postcard shots are taken.
New YouTube Channel
With more than 23,000 subscribers, Life in Norway's YouTube channel continues to go from strength to strength.
During 2025, I noticed the success of the handful of cruise-focused videos, which drew a different audience to the channel. To keep Life in Norway as focused as possible, I decided to launch a brand new channel focused completely on cruising.
The new channel, David Nikel Travel, will cover cruising in Norway, but also other destinations in Northern Europe, insights into specific cruise ships and cruise lines, and also general cruise tips for first time cruise travellers.
If you're a fan of Life in Norway, I'm sure you'll enjoy this video, above, all about cruising in Norway.
Norway News in 2025
Alongside travel and culture, 2025 was also a significant year for Norway itself.
The general election reshaped the political landscape and set the direction for the coming years, particularly around taxation, public services, and Norway’s role in a changing Europe.
New research showed that far fewer people from abroad are choosing to work in Norway. This news marked a major shift in a trend that has shaped the labour market for the past two decades.
Other notable developments included continued debate over tourism pressure in popular regions, growing attention on infrastructure in the north, and renewed discussion about how Norway moves forward from the oil and gas era.
Rather than dominating headlines, many of these stories unfolded slowly, but their impact will be felt well beyond 2025.
