Souvenirs from Norway: Traveller’s Favorite Norwegian Souvenirs!

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I recently asked travellers who have been to Norway what their favorite souvenir from their trip was (or if they had a specific gift or product they were looking for when they went). The question ended up getting over 100 answers, and I decided I had to compile a list of the best souvenirs from Norway as a result!

In case you want to check it out yourself, you can see the question here (I posted it in my Norway Facebook group, where you can ask questions about travelling to Norway and read other people’s advice and experiences).

In this blog post, I share the most popular souvenirs and gifts you can find in Norway, from the truly unique and authentic, to the classics. Whether you are planning your trip to Norway, or you just came back – I hope you find it helpful!

If you want to make sure you have a perfect trip to Norway, I’ve created several easy-to-follow Norway itineraries ranging from 2 days to 7+ days – both self-drive ones and public transportation ones! Check them all out here.

The Best Souvenirs from Norway

From practical gifts to fun and quirky keepsakes, this list brings together local knowledge and traveler favorites to help you find the best souvenirs to bring home from Norway.

Traditional Norwegian Clothing & Accessories

Norwegian Wool Sweaters and Products

One of the most popular souvenirs from Norway, and that kept coming up in the answers, is a high-quality Norwegian wool sweater. These sweaters, often featuring traditional patterns like the famous lusekofte design, are warm, durable, and a perfect reminder of your time in Norway.

The Dale of Norway and Devold brands are great options if you want a sweater that will last for years, but I have outlined more brands and sweaters in this Scandinavian sweater guide!

If a sweater feels too bulky, Norwegian wool socks, mittens, and hats are cozy alternatives that make for easy-to-pack gifts. If you are visiting in the winter, they are also a great addition to your packing list – as they will keep you warm through your trip.

Bunad (National Costume) Accessories

For something even more unique, consider bunad accessories. The Norwegian bunad is a traditional folk costume worn on special occasions like the 17th of May (our national day), baptisms and confirmations, and its silver jewelry (sølje) and embroidered handbags are beautiful souvenirs that reflect Norway’s heritage.

Naturally, these are quite pricey, and might not have much wearability back home – but a nicely framed silver piece (or even a bunad umbrella) is definitely unique!

Side note: This book called “Bunad in America” is a really interesting for anyone who wants to learn more about the bunad culture and how it was brought across the pond by Norwegian immigrants!

Handmade & Traditional Norwegian Crafts

Hand-carved Wood Souvenirs

Norwegian craftsmanship is pretty great, and there are plenty of beautiful, locally made souvenirs to choose from. Hand-carved wooden items, such as kuksa (Sami drinking cups) or decorative kitchen utensils, make wonderful keepsakes.

Many of these are made by Sami artisans and can be found in specialty shops or markets in northern Norway. If you are visiting Tromsø, visiting the Sami Arctic Reindeer camp is a great way to learn more (and shop souvenirs)!

Pewter & Silver

Norwegian pewter and silverware often feature Viking-inspired designs and Nordic symbols, making them great gifts for history lovers (and Viking enthusiasts).

If you’re interested in Viking culture, consider bringing home a Viking rune pendant, drinking horn, or a replica of Thor’s hammer – all of which are widely available in museum gift shops and specialty stores.

Rosemaling / Rose Painting

Another uniquely Norwegian craft is rosemaling, a style of decorative folk painting featuring intricate floral patterns. While it’s harder to find authentic, hand-painted rosemaling, you can sometimes come across beautifully crafted plates, bowls, and even Christmas ornaments in local craft shops.

In preparation for your trip, a Rosemaling coloring book is a great way to get excited and familiar with the style. It truly is a beautiful part of Norway’s culture!

Edible Norwegian Souvenirs

Food is one of the best ways to bring a piece of Norway home with you, and several Norwegian treats make excellent souvenirs.

Brown Cheese

Probably the most iconic is brunost (brown cheese) – a slightly sweet, caramelized cheese that many Norwegians grew up eating. It’s widely available in all supermarkets across Norway (such as Coop, Kiwi and Meny). In Norway, brown cheese is just as common as white/yellow cheese!

Top tip: If you are visiting the Flåm and Aurlandsfjord area, make sure to buy the local brown goat’s cheese from the village of Undredal! It is award-winning, and so yummy!

The World’s Best Chocolate

Another must-try is Freia chocolate, especially Kvikk Lunsj, which is similar to a KitKat but has an even stronger connection to Norwegian outdoor culture. We can call it the “hiking chocolate” or just “outdoor chocolate”. Norwegians love hiking, and would never head outside without a Kvikk Lunsj.

Pair it with a bag of Smash!, a salty-sweet mix of corn chips covered in milk chocolate, and you have the perfect Norwegian snack selection.

Fish & Meat

For something more traditional, you can bring home dried cod (stockfish) or Norwegian cured meats. These are an acquired taste but are a great way to experience Norway’s culinary heritage. Please note that you need to check your home country’s import rules before bringing meat back home.

Aquavit

If you prefer a liquid souvenir, try Linie Aquavit, a spiced Norwegian spirit that is uniquely aged by being sent on a journey across the equator before being bottled.

Not all Aquavit has journeyed across the equator (that makes Linie unique), but other brands are also great Norwegian souvenirs! Aquavit is truly Scandinavian, and is distilled/made using potatoes!

Books, Art & Prints

For book lovers, Norway has plenty of fantastic options. Just don’t make my mistake and bring a picture book from the fjords as a gift to your American friend’s blind dad.. (My friend had never told me her dad couldn’t see)!

A beautifully illustrated book of Norwegian folktales featuring trolls and mythical creatures makes for a magical souvenir, while Norse mythology and Viking history books are always popular among travelers. If you visit the Viking Village in Gudvangen (Western Norway), they have a huge selection of fiction and non-fiction Viking-related books in English!

If you’re looking for something more visual, art prints and photography books showcasing Norway’s breathtaking landscapes make fantastic coffee-table pieces. You can also find minimalist maps of Norway and the fjords, perfect for framing as a memory of your trip.

Books with photos of the Northern Lights are also a great idea! One person said “A beautiful aurora coffee table book that sits right beside a framed picture of my husband and I staring up at an aurora that is equally as beautiful as the cover on my book. It reminds me of our trip and how stunning Norway is.“

Below are some great finds from Amazon, for those that prefer to just order it home instead of lugging books in your suitcase.

• Nordic Tales: Deluxe Illustrated Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark
• Norse Mythology: Epic Saga of the Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Creatures in Ancient Northern Legends
• Norse Mythology Unleashed: Discover the origin of Viking traditions, Gods and Goddesses, and Mythical Creatures on a Journey through Norse Paganism
• Amazing Norway: Hardcover Coffee Table Book featuring Oslo, Bergen, the Fjords, and Beyond
• Photo tour through Norway: Discover the most beautiful photo spots
• The Northern Lights: Celestial Performances of the Aurora Borealis

Outdoor & Adventure Gear/Clothes

Outdoor Clothing

Norwegians are known for their love of the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that many of the world’s best outdoor brands come from Norway. Bergans, Norrøna, and Helly Hansen all make excellent jackets, backpacks, and hiking gear that will last for years.

If you fell in love with Norway’s stunning landscapes, bringing home a Norwegian backpack might just inspire your next adventure. Here’s my complete guide to backpacks from Scandinavia!

Animal Hides

For those looking for something cozy for their home, sheepskin, goatskin and reindeer hides are widely available in Norway and make for incredibly soft and warm additions to any living space (and stylish).

Traditional Norwegian Souvenirs

Some Norwegian souvenirs are considered classics, like the ones listed below.

Trolls

Troll figurines have been popular in Norway for years, and while they might not be for everyone, they’re a quirky reminder of Norway’s deep-rooted folklore. They aren’t necessarily made in Norway, but you’ll find them anywhere there are tourists. And some of them really are cute!

One members of my group said about their troll: “I bought a small troll and it sits on my kitchen window sill. I see it every day and it evokes fond memories of our trip there in September.“, and I absolutely love that!

Fridge Magnets

Loads of people collect fridge magnets from wherever they travel, and Norway is no exception! From moose danger signs to maps of Norway, there are plenty of cute fridge magnets to find here that you can bring home as a memory.

Christmas Decorations

Another great option is Norwegian Christmas decorations, such as hand-carved wooden ornaments or small Julenisse (Norwegian Christmas gnome) figurines, which add a little Scandinavian charm to any holiday setup.

Read more about Norwegian Christmas traditions here to get some more ideas!

Unique Souvenirs

Refleks/Refleftors

One of my personal favorite souvenirs – and a true local secret – is a reflector. In Norway, everyone (kids and adults alike) attaches small reflective tags to their jackets and backpacks during the dark winter months to stay visible.

They’re cheap, lightweight, and a great way to bring home something that’s both uniquely Norwegian and practical.

Thrifting

Visiting a thrift shop (most major cities have them) is a great way to find a truly unique gift from your trip to Norway. From silverware and kitchen utensil to Norwegian clothing, you never know what treasure you’ll manage to find!

Cheese Slicer

Not a lot of people know that the cheese slicer (ostehøvel) is a Norwegian staple – and was even invented in Norway! They are common across Scandinavia as the #1 way to cut cheese, and is both a functional and unique souvenir to bring home from Norway!

Where to Buy Norwegian Souvenirs

The best place to find authentic Norwegian souvenirs depends on what you’re looking for.

In Oslo, stores like Norway Designs, Husfliden, and the Norwegian Folk Museum gift shop are great for high-quality souvenirs.

In Bergen, the historic Bryggen area is home to several artisan shops selling traditional crafts and artists’ galleries selling their art.

If you’re traveling to Tromsø or Trondheim, Sami craft markets are the best places to find handmade items from Norway’s Indigenous people.

If you don’t have space in your luggage or want to buy Norwegian souvenirs after your trip, you can also find many of these items online. Norwegian brands like Dale of Norway, Freia, and Norrøna all ship internationally, making it easy to bring a piece of Norway home with you – no matter where you are in the world.

The Best Gifts from Norway

Choosing the right souvenir is about more than just bringing home a keepsake – it’s about capturing the feeling of Norway and its rich traditions. Whether you go for a warm wool sweater, a block of brown cheese, or a beautifully crafted Viking pendant, the best souvenirs are the ones that remind you of your incredible time in Norway.

If you want more ideas, make sure to join my Facebook group to read the thread of travellers sharing their favorite souvenirs!