Norway impresses its guests not only with its unique architecture and stunning scenery: majestic mountain peaks and fjords, picturesque valleys and waterfalls. The prices in this Scandinavian country are also impressive. They are one order of magnitude higher than in other European countries. Nevertheless, the quality of local goods is very high. This applies to food items, clothing, and souvenirs.
Norway is not a member of the European Union and has its own currency, the Norwegian kroon. 10 kroner are equivalent to 1 Euro. In practically any trade point, it is possible to make both cash and non-cash payment. Credit cards are not accepted unless in city buses and in spontaneous street markets.
Shops in Norway open at 9-10 am and close early, often at 4-5 pm. Once a week, the outlets in large cities are closed a little later, at 7-8 pm. On Saturdays, working hours end at 3-4 pm. Supermarkets are open from Mondays to Saturdays and close at 7-11 pm daily. Single retail chains and gas stations work on Sundays. In the latter, you can taste delicious and cheap bites of sausages, sandwiches, donuts.
A pleasant privilege for tourists is the Tax-Free Shopping system. In more than 3,000 stores with a purchase of 308 kroner, a foreign buyer receives a special check for the amount of VAT set in the cost of the goods (11-18%). This check can be cashed at the exit, before crossing the border, at the airport or at the railway station.
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