norway day trip

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Norway

Day trips from norway.

• Norway to Flam
• Norway to Gudvangen
• Norway to Oslo
• Norway to Drammen
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Oslo To Sognefjord Private Full Day Roundtrip Including Flam Railway

2. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: Queen of the Fjords - tour from Bergen, 6 hours

3. Private Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Svolvær to Å

4. Private day tour - Hardangerfjord, Voss Gondol And 4 Great Waterfalls

5. Bergen to Sognefjord Private Roudtrip with Cruise and Flasmbana

6. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: World Heritage Fjord Landscape – Viking Special – from Flåm

7. The Scenic Roadtrip, Oslo to Bergen via Flam & the Fjords

8. Lofoten PRIVATE tour from Leknes - Large group (5-8 pax)

9. AMAZING HARDANGER: Private round trip with Fjord Cruise – from Bergen, 11 hours

10. A private tour of the Alesund Trollstigen and Strawberry Valley

11. Private Full-Day Round Trip from Oslo to Sognefjord via Flåm Railway

12. Experience the magnificent Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock. Join-in tour from Stavanger

13. Private guided tour to Oslo - Nærøyfjord Cruise and Flåm Railway

14. Lofoten PRIVATE tour from Svolvaer - Small Group (1-4 pax)

15. Stavanger: Pulpit Rock - Guided tour with Norwegian guide

16. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: Norway's Highlights – Viking Special, 11-12 hours – SUMMER

17. Lofoten Summer Photograpy Tour to Reine

18. GUIDED TOUR: Queen of the Fjords - mini-tour from Bergen, 6 hours

19. Full Day Guided Roundtrip From Bergen To Sognefjord With Flam Railway

20. Lofoten PRIVATE Tour from Leknes - Small group (1-4 pax)

21. Lofoten Winter Photography Tour

22. Full Day Hiking Adventure from Bergen to Trolltunga

23. SEVEN WATERFALLS TOUR: Private roundtrip to the Hardanger Fjord, 12 hours

24. Cruise Special: Private Trip To Canyons And Waterfalls With Flåm Railway

25. Self-guided day tour From Bergen to Flam All Inclusive roundtrip

26. Bergen: Private Full-Day Roundtrip to Hardangerfjord with cruise

27. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: Folgefonna Glacier roundtrip from Bergen, 8 hours

28. Alesund - Geiranger Private Day Tour

29. HARDANGER FJORD AND VOSS: Short private roundtrip, 8-9 hours

30. GUIDED GROUP TOUR: Queen of the Fjords: mini-tour from Bergen, 6 hours

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Norway's most popular tours and activities

Get ready for an amazing vacation!

Experience the very best of Norway with Fjord Tours

Norway in a nutshell® and our popular nutshell tours.

Our most popular tour shows you the very best of Norway. See the stunning UNESCO-listed fjords. Ride the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, two of the world's most scenic railway lines.

Enjoy a fjord cruise on the spectacular Sognefjord, the second longest fjord in the world. Experience two of the world’s most beautiful train rides, the Flåm Railway and Bergen Railway.

Discover the exceptional beauty of the Hardangerfjord, one of Norway's premier destinations, on this 2 day tour. Explore local life, visit fjord villages and experience famous waterfalls.

Experience the crown jewel of Norway’s fjords – The Geirangerfjord. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, cascading waterfalls, and a journey on Trollstigen, one of Norway's most scenic mountain roads.

This tour takes you to Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock, one of Norway’s most photographed natural attractions. The tour includes a fjord cruise on the scenic Lysefjord and the charming city of Stavanger.

Situated above the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten archipelago offers dramatic, imposing beauty everywhere you look. Explore the amazing Lofoten islands in a comfortable and sustainable way.

Combine your favourite tours

This round trip from Oslo combines two of our most popular tours; the Norway in a Nutshell® tour and the Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell™ tour. This combination is ideal for those looking for a complete experience of Norway's best highlights. If you're looking for an adventure starting and ending in Oslo - this is definitely the tour for you!

Combine two of our popular tours into one epic round trip from Oslo! Combining the Sognefjord in a nutshell™ and the Hardangerfjord in a nutshell™ tour provides an ideal experience of Norway's highlights. Maximize your fjord time and travel in comfort from Oslo to the best highlights of Western Norway!

Combine two of our great tours and experience Preikestolen, magnificent electric fjord cruises, UNESCO-protected scenery and the city life of Norway's three biggest cities!

Experience our amazing UNESCO protected fjords - The Nærøyfjord and the Geirangerfjord. Enjoy breathtaking views and spectacular fjord and rail journeys on this amazing combination tour.

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Experience Norway in a Nutshell®

Top destinations, most popular things to do.

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Get inspired.

Norway´s famous fjords

It’s no secret that Norway is famous for its magnificent fjords. No trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to one of the world-famous fjords! We’ve put together a list of the most famous and beautiful fjords Norway has to offer, so you can plan your next trip to our fair land.

Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ highlights  

The Ledleys experienced Flåm and the famous Norwegian fjords on their visit to Norway. This is the very best experiences on the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.

The Flåm Railway - one of the world's best train journeys

Lonely Planet named it the best train journey in the world. Norway's Flåm Railway is a truly unique experience of breathtaking nature and quaint fjord villages. "It's so powerful and dramatic," says Audrey Olson, who experienced the train journey as part of the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.

A fjord for everyone

It seems like everywhere you look in Norway, there is another amazing fjord full of dazzling sights and experiences. With over 1,100 fjords throughout the country, even most locals have not seen them all. But, when you visit Norway, going on a fjord safari is an absolute must since they are such a big part of the country’s identity.

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12 Top-Rated Day Trips from Oslo, Norway

Written by Lura Seavey Updated Mar 30, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

A day trip from Olso can be a great way to experience other parts of the country, and even neighboring Sweden, without packing up and spending the night in another city. For those with limited time, there are plenty of things to do just outside the city center, including a visit to the beautiful Bygdoy Peninsula , with its fine museums and superb architecture, or the neighborhood of Ekeberg , both of which can be easily accessed by public transportation.

Dependable train, bus, and boat options will bring visitors to a variety of great destinations within 2.5 hours or less, several of which are along Oslofjord . Here, you can find everything from Viking settlements and fortresses to amusement parks and shopping, not to mention countless fascinating museums. Plan your excursions with our list of the best day trips from Oslo.

1. Bygdoy Peninsula

2. lillehammer, 3. tusenfryd family park, vinterbro, 4. gamle fredrikstad, 5. tønsberg, 6. explore the fjords by boat, 8. kongsberg, 9. karlstad, sweden, 10. onstad art center, høvikodden, 11. ekeberg, 12. take a train to flåm, map of day trips from oslo, norway.

Located on a peninsula just four miles west of Oslo , Bygdøy – easily accessible by public transport or car – is home to many of the city's best tourist attractions, including the Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Norway located in Villa Grande , and the Royal Manor , a fully operational 200-acre organic farm.

Tourists can see historic boats and learn about the history of seafaring culture at the Norwegian Maritime Museum , with an exhibit featuring the country's oldest boat, the Stokkebåten. There is also a large collection of Viking artifacts accompanying exhibits about Viking life, as well as collections and exhibits dedicated to the golden age of sailing, pirates and all.

Several exhibits are designed with kids in mind, a favorite being the Queen of Congo – a ship where they can play with instruments and imagine life at sea.

It's also one of the area's most popular outdoor recreation destinations, rich in beautiful parks, forests, and beaches. Huk & Paradisbukta beach is the most popular of the beaches, offering a volleyball court, food vendors, a picnic area, and plenty of shade along with a sandy beach. Largely protected from future development, numerous tranquil trails make the peninsula easy to explore, whether on foot or by bike.

Lillehammer is an incredibly popular destination for both tourists and Oslo residents because of its many things to do. Just a two-hour train ride from Oslo, the city's Tourist Information Office is located right at the train station. The city's crowning jewel is Maihaugen , an open-air museum with period homes and exhibits, and it's also home to the Norwegian Olympic Museum , which commemorates the 1994 Winter Olympics held here.

Packed with cultural attractions, Lillehammer is also home to the Kittilbu Museum ; a Postal Museum ; the Road Museum ; and several historic homes, including the home of Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset, a famous female writer.

Lillehammer also has a vibrant art and crafts scene, and the pedestrian street Storgata is the best place to visit for unique mementos.

Winter sports enthusiasts will especially love Lillehammer thanks to its five ski resorts and fun activities, including sleigh rides, dog sledding, and ice fishing, not to mention former Olympic facilities like the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jump and the Hunderfossen Luge Track.

With more than 40 attractions, countless games, and plenty of live entertainment, TusenFryd Family Park is a fun diversion for the whole family. You can find everything here, from the most hair-raising thrill rides like the Speedmonster Coaster to family favorites like bumper cars and log boat rides. Some of the most popular rides are Norse Mythology-themed including Thor's Hammer , an indoor 3D adventure, and Ragnarok , an intense river-rafting ride with drops and plenty of splashing.

Newer attractions include cutting edge technology, like the steampunk-themed Virtual Reality roller coaster and a 4D haunted house. Entertainment includes vehicle stunt shows performed by a team of Italian drivers and other events throughout the season. Park admission also includes the BadeFryd water park, which is especially popular with youngsters.

Address: Høyungsletta 19, 1407 Vinterbro

Official site: www.tusenfryd.no/en

Just over an hour by train from Olso's central station, this town is loved for its 17th-century Old Town (Gamle Fredrikstad or Gamlebyen) . Guarded by a total of five forts, this area is known for being the only Norwegian fortifications that have remained as they were originally. This incredibly secure city was built on the bank of the Glomma estuary and surrounded by an impressive network of star-shaped moats.

One of the most impressive things about Gamle Fredrikstad is the fact that its inhabitants have found a way to preserve and respect the city's historic importance while continuing to use the space, keeping the town alive without spoiling its old-world charm. Tourists can enjoy the historic ambience of shopping and dining along the cobblestone streets, and then head to the Fredrikstad Museum , where there are exhibits and demonstrations on life in the fortress city.

Tourists can also visit the well-preserved 17th-century Kongsten Fort and the island-bound Akerøya Fort , which has been painstakingly restored after falling to ruins.

Norway's oldest city , Tønsberg was founded by Vikings and is the spot where the famous Oseberg Viking ship was originally found in 1904. A full replica of the Oseberg can be toured in the harbor in Tønsberg where you can also see the Oseberg Viking Inheritance Foundation working on a reconstruction of the Klåstad ship. Both of these vessels are made only using the methods and tools available to Vikings at the time that they were originally constructed.

Tønsberg is also home to the largest ruin site in Scandinavia, Mount Slottsfjell (Castle Rock) , which is home to the 13th-century Castle Rock Tower and the Slottsfjel Museum (Slottsfjellsmuseet) . The museum includes a Viking ship and artifacts found just three kilometers away, an exhibit of whale skeletons, and multiple exhibits dedicated to medieval life.

Tønsberg is the starting point for the Vestfold Viking Trail , a historic route featuring Viking-age burial sites and former settlements. The area is a popular summer vacation spot for both Norwegians and international tourists, especially Færder National Park, home of the picturesque Verdens Ende (World's End).

Located at the end of the Inner Oslofjord , Oslo offers a myriad of options for those who want to experience Norway's breathtaking fjords from the water. The city's piers and main port are located right by City Hall , making it particularly convenient for tourists unfamiliar with the area.

In addition to full-day and multi-day cruises that explore Oslofjord and the other nearby fissures in the shoreline, tourists can opt for a shorter boat tour around the Bygdøy Peninsula , including sightseeing tours and dining cruises. Visitors can also find kayak and canoe rentals to explore independently, or guided kayak tours to learn even more about the area.

Tourists who want to experience even more of the fjords can take a Self-Guided Full Day Trip From Oslo To Bergen with the Flåm Railway and Sognefjord . This combination of land and water travel allows tourists to see the landscape from different perspectives to make the most out of a visit. This trip includes passage via rail from Oslo to the quaint waterside town of Flåm , a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, a peaceful bus ride through the mountains, and finally rail passage to Bergen .

Drøbak is only a 50-minute bus ride from Oslo, but those in the know will opt for the 1.5-hour boat ride, which is not only inexpensive but the perfect way to tour the Oslofjord and get in some fantastic sightseeing on the way.

The town's biggest attractions for locals are its beaches and fresh seafood, but tourists come to see Oscarsborg , a fortress that held off German troops during WWII. Here, you can tour the grounds and the old castle, where there is a museum as well as cultural events during the summer, including artisan fairs and music festivals. Drøbak Town Square is also a great place to visit for shopping; it's home to a summer open-air market, filled with every manner of goods, and a Christmas Market each December.

Families will want to make time for the Drøbak Aquarium , located next to the Tourist Information Center . The aquarium is open year-round and features marine life native to the Drøbak Strait. It has two large tanks with a variety of sea life including sharks, octopuses, eels, and other native fish, and there is also a touch pool where kids can get up close with starfish and other small sea life.

About an hour and a quarter drive from Oslo, and also accessible by train from the capital city, Kongsberg is best known internationally for its high-tech Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace company. Tourists, however, come here for the skiing at Kongsberg Skisenter and to see the King's Mines , once the source of all the kingdom's silver. In operation from 1623 to 1958, the Kongsberg Silver Mines consist of more than 200 individual mines and burrow several kilometers into the mountain.

From May through the end of August, visitors can tour the mine aboard the rail system once used by the workers - but be prepared with a sweater, because the temperature gets as low as 6 degrees Celsius. Nearby, the Norwegian Mining Museum is home to the world's largest native silver collection, which includes exhibits on coin production and the history of the mine.

The city of Karlstad sits on the route between Oslo and Stockholm, well over the border into Sweden but just within the reach of a day trip, about 2.5 hours from the city. Karlstad prides itself in being known as the "sunniest place in Sweden," and many locals come here to enjoy Lake Vänern. Tourists will enjoy local attractions, including the Värmlands Museum , which features a variety of fine art, as well as magnificent and surprising architecture, housed in the Chinese-temple-style building named Cyrillushuset .

Karlstad is also home to the fascinating Brigade Museum , where visitors can learn about daily life in Sweden form the 1940s through the 1990s. Exhibits also include both military and civilian artifacts relating to WWII and the Cold War, as well as an interactive target practice simulator where you can feel what it was like to fire from a tank and rifle.

Founded in 1966, the Henie-Onstad Art Center in Høvikodden contains Norway's largest collection of international art, including works by Matisse, Miró, and Picasso, as well as trophies won by champion skater Sonja Henie. The center is also home to several interactive art programs for children, including Labben, an open studio where children and parents can experiment with creativity while getting tips from staff.

The Art Center also hosts various cultural events, including theatrical performances and concerts. Outside, visitors can enjoy the museum's Sculpture Park, which is nestled within a network of trails along the shores of the Oslo Peninsula.

Address: Sonja Henies vei 31, 1311 Høvikodden

Official site: www.hok.no

A visit to the neighborhood of Ekeberg doesn't have to take a whole day thanks to its location just two miles southeast of the center of Oslo, but there are so many things to do here that you will likely want to leave your itinerary open. Home to picturesque Ekeberg Park and the former Nautical College , the area offers many great views of Oslo Harbor and Oslofjord , especially from the terrace of the College.

Ekeberg Park is home to numerous excellent sculptures and outdoor art pieces, so be prepared to spend a few hours wandering its many tree-lined pathways. Also, be sure to visit the nearby Petroglyphs at Ekeberg . These remarkable 5,000-year-old rock carvings contain 13 figures, mostly of elks but with a solitary human figure.

Official site: http://ekebergparken.com/en/

Traveling by rail not only holds a certain nostalgic charm but also offers tourists the opportunity to gain a new perspective on the landscape and see virtually untouched parts of the country. The bulk of the journey is spent on the main rail system, departing from Oslo Central Station headed southwest.

At Haugastøl , passengers say goodbye to civilization as they know it and head northwest past Hallingskarvet National Park , where hikers and the occasional rest hut dot the landscape among the alpine flora and grazing deer. After passing through mountain tunnels, the tracks head into the valley and stop at Myrdal .

At Mydral, travelers board the Flåm Railway and continue through the valley north to Flåm , a peaceful town that sits at the tip of the Aurlandsfjord. In Flåm, tourists will find the Flåmsbana Museum right next to the train station, as well as the historic Frenthiem Hotel , an excellent four-star hotel with views over the water. This quaint town is tiny but as picturesque as they come, offering some local shops, a bakery, cafés, and several excellent spots to get views of the fjord.

For those who want to extend their adventure into the fjords, there are cruises that depart from here to explore Sognefjord , the longest and deepest of Norway's fjords.

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My Top 30 Norway Itineraries – Two Days to Two Weeks in Norway

April 20, 2023 by Silvia 49 Comments

I’ve made so many trips around Norway in the past six years I’ve been living here, so I thought it could be helpful for me to gather all of my itineraries in one place. I also find that I often get questions from people trying to organize their Norway trips that I’ve already answered in past itineraries, so I wanted to make it easier to find all the information in one place.

Okay, so here’s a collection of all my top Norway itineraries, organized in order of length.

I’ve started with weekend trips, where I’m just giving suggestions for single places to visit, but if you scroll farther down I’ve linked my longer one and two week+ itineraries later in the post.

And of course if you have lots of time you can mix and match these destinations and itineraries to fit your schedule! Just keep in mind that Norway is really big. Like I think people way underestimate its size because we’re only five million people here.

I can’t tell you how many people have come to me saying they have five days in Norway and will start in Oslo, then get the train over to Bergen and then drive up to Tromsø to see the Northern Lights. Um, Bergen is an overnight train journey from Oslo, and driving from Bergen to Tromsø will take you 28 hours  without stops .

And no, sadly Norway’s train line does not go all the way up to Tromsø – it ends in Bodø.

If you want more in depth advice, I’ve also gathered all my best tips for planning an incredible trip through southern Norway (from the far south up to Trondheim) in a 93-page ebook that covers my top recommendations for places to visit (both on and off the beaten path), the best times of year to visit, how long to visit for, the best accommodation choices, transportation, what to eat, what to pack, and a sample itinerary that covers my personal favorite route through the south. You can purchase The Southern Norway Travel Guide here .

And if you’re coming to Norway for the northern lights, I’ve written an in depth ebook covering all aspects of planning your northern lights trip, including the best places in Norway (and the Nordics) to see the northern lights, the best time to see the northern lights, my top northern lights accommodation choices, tour options, how to chase the northern lights (including which apps I use), how to photograph and film the northern lights, what to pack for your trip, and other exciting Arctic activities to try on your trip up North.

If you want to ensure you have the best northern lights trip possible, you can purchase the ebook here .   

Table of Contents

Norway Weekend Itineraries

If you’re coming to Norway for just a weekend I’d really recommend sticking to one place. Norway is a big country, public transport doesn’t run that often and can have delays, and moving around to a bunch of places in a short time frame can get expensive.

That said, you could also consider renting a car and exploring a bit of the area if you can, as the best part of Norway is getting out of the cities and towns and seeing some of the beautiful nature here. Norway is also an easy country to drive in, as there is so little traffic here.

Though if you get motion sickness definitely bring some tablets or Sea Bands , as the winding roads here can do a number on your stomach! I’ve written a more detailed guide to things to know when planning a road trip in Norway here .

Sometimes I feel guilty when I’m in Oslo because it’s such a fun city, but I am always telling visitors to Norway to skip it, or at least cut their time there short.

Oslo is fun for locals and the only city in Norway that actually feels like a big city, but there are a lot of other cities in Europe that do what Oslo does best even better. In other words, Oslo is a great city  for Norway , but I wouldn’t necessarily consider it one of Europe’s great cities.

And that’s totally fine, because Norway isn’t really about cities.

Okay, maybe I’m being harsh, and maybe it’s because I’ve received too many messages from people telling me how disappointed by Oslo’s “fjord.” Yes Oslo is technically on a fjord, but if you’re looking for those famous mountainous fjords you’re going to need to head west or north.

But if you do have your heart set on Oslo, it does have some great shopping,  amazing restaurants, sort of okay nightlife (lol), and lots of museums. You won’t be bored. I’ve written about things to do in Oslo here , the Oslo Christmas markets here , and a guide to finding the best Oslo accommodation for your budget here .

If you’ve found a cheap flight to Oslo for a weekend trip but now I’ve scared you off spending all your time there, consider spending a night or two in Rjukan! You can book a bus to Rjukan here , but I’d really recommend renting a car if you can, as the drive to Rjukan via Gaustatoppen is truly spectacular.

Rjukan is a quirky mountain town with an important World War II history. It’s also listed as a UNESCO Industrial Heritage Site and it’s really cool to see the old factories and worker accommodation.

But I also love that it’s at the foot of both Gaustatoppen, one of Norway’s most beautiful mountains, and Hardangervidda, Northern Europe’s largest high mountain plateau (which is also home to Norway’s largest herd of wild reindeer).

I used to live half an hour from Rjukan so I visited the town many times (and even briefly considered moving there), and I’ve written a guide to things to do and where to stay in Rjukan here .

This would be an especially great place to visit with kids, with lots of fun sites like the Krossobanen cable car, the Gaustabanen funicular, and the Vemork WWII museum.

Bergen is probably the most popular destination for a weekend trip to Norway – and for good reason. The city is gorgeous (sorry Oslo, but Bergen is way prettier), and there are loads of international flights here.

This is also an easy base from which to take a day trip out to the fjords, and as it’s a big tourist hub there are lots of activities and tours organized out of Bergen. I’ve written a complete guide to Bergen here and a guide to planning a road trip from Bergen here . 

This is also where you can take the famous Norway in a Nutshell tour, which goes up the Flåm Railway and through the gorgeous Aurlandsfjord. But! Before you book the tour, read this to find out how you can save tons of money on Norway in a Nutshell. 

If you want any easy weekend destination in Norway, Bergen is perfect. You’ll get a very Norwegian experience and everything is set up perfect for tourists, from all the lovely hotels here to the unique activities and adventure tours offered here.

Hardangerfjord

If you fly into Bergen, you could also rent a car and drive down to Hardangerfjord to spend a night or two.

Hardangerfjord is beautiful and so peaceful, especially in the spring when the orchards are in bloom. I’ve written more about driving through Hardangerfjord here .

And if you do spend the night here, I can recommend staying at Utne Hotel, which dates back to 1722 and is perfect for anyone who enjoys unique, historical accommodation.  Check current rates and availability here

Or if you want something a bit cheaper but equally lovely, stay at Ullensvang Gjesteheim, which is in the prettiest part of Hardangerfjord. Check current rates and availability here

A lot of people head here to hike Trolltunga, or the famous Troll’s Tongue that you’ve probably seen all over Instagram and Facebook. Just be aware that it’s an advanced level hike and extremely popular – these days you’ll usually find a long line of people waiting to take photos on the rock. You can read more about hiking Trolltunga here .

Whenever someone asks me where they should go in Norway if they only have a few days, I tell them to go to Ålesund or Lofoten.

Ålesund really gives the best introduction to Norway, because you get to experience a Norwegian city and then you can drive up to Trollstigen for those amazing mountain views, and then over to Geirangerfjord to see Norway’s most beautiful fjord!

Ålesund is such a beautiful city, and the surrounding nature is seriously stunning. Like, I definitely think this is one of the prettiest corners of Norway, and I’m always shocked that most tourists choose to visit Oslo and Bergen instead. I’ll never understand.

But that’s also good news for you if you like to get off the beaten path a bit!

Ideally I would recommend spending a night or two in Ålesund and then renting a car and spending a night or two in a quieter area on the fjords. I’ve written a guide to things to do and where to stay in Ålesund here , and where to stay around Geirangerfjord here .

Another great weekend destination in Norway is Trondheim – my old home!

Trondheim has a rich history and in fact at over 1,000 years old Trondheim is the oldest of Norway’s major cities. It was the religious center of Northern Europe during the Middle ages and has a beautiful old town and Norway’s most impressive cathedral, Nidaros Cathedral.

It’s a really walkable city and the airport is just a short bus or train journey away, so it’s definitely one of the easiest places to spend a weekend in Norway.

Trondheim is a big foodie city with several award-winning restaurants, so if you like to go out to eat, Trondheim is perfect.

It’s also a university city so there’s a great young vibe here and lively night life. And then of course the old town area Bakklandet is one of the prettiest corners of Norway.

I’ve written a guide for things to do in Trondheim here , and where to stay in Trondheim here .

Trondheim – Oppdal

I’d say the only thing missing with a weekend trip to Trondheim is that you don’t really get to experience Norway’s beautiful landscapes. I mean, the city is on the coast and there is a lovely park area to go hiking in above the city, but it’s not the sort of dramatic landscape that Norway is so famous for.

But if you wanted you could spend a night or two in Trondheim (I’d say one full day in Trondheim is plenty to see the main sights) and then rent a car and drive down to Oppdal. I spent a weekend here while living in Trondheim and it’s one of my favorite memories from my time there.

The drive is beautiful and the scenery there is amazing as you climb up into the mountains. This is the perfect place to experience Norwegian cabin life, just relaxing inside at night and hiking or skiing during the day, and there are lots of cabins available on Airbnb, like this big cabin and this traditional Norwegian cabin .

This is the ultimate Norwegian experience, because this is how Norwegians spend their free time in Norway – in their cabins!

Trondheim – Røros

Another great combination with Trondheim would be to take the train down to Røros. This old copper mining town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly like nowhere else in Norway. It’s especially beautiful in the winter, as it gets lots of snow and is even known as Norway’s “Christmas town,” but I visited in late spring and loved it then too.

I’ve written more about visiting Røros here , including where to stay and eat.

Like I already said, when someone says they only have time to visit one place in Norway, Lofoten is one of my top choices.

I mean, Lofoten sort of has it all. Okay, it doesn’t have any big cities, but Svolvær is quite a large town with a lot going on, and then you’ll find mountains, beaches, fjords – you’ll even find people surfing here!

It also has a historical significance as a center for fishing, which is why the islands are covered in those iconic red fisherman cabins. You’ll get a great sense of Norway’s fishing history here, as well as the Viking history here.

But mostly, the Lofoten Islands are just really, really beautiful. In fact probably most Norwegians would say Lofoten is the most beautiful place in Norway, and I wouldn’t argue.

Lofoten has also grown in popularity in the past few years, and they’ve done a good job of keeping up with the increase in tourism by establishing more unique accommodation options and tour activities. There’s seriously so much to do here, and so many cool places to stay.

You could either fly into Bodø, rent a car there and take the ferry over to Lofoten, or fly into Svolvær and rent a car from there. It is possible to explore Lofoten by public transport, but you will be limited by bus schedules and will end up missing out on a few of the more off the beaten path areas.

I’ve written a guide to planning a Lofoten road trip here , a sea eagle RIB safari and Northern Lights chasing here , and horseback riding here . And here are 11 things to know before visiting the Lofoten Islands .

Helgeland Coast

I love the Helgeland coast and while you would need more than a weekend to properly explore it, you could very easily visit just one of the islands.

The Helgeland coast has the same dramatic landscape and fisherman cabins of Lofoten, without all the tourists. This is seriously such a hidden gem in Norway. I’ve also heard people say that the friendliest people in all of Norway are on the Helgeland coast. You will be warmly welcomed here!

You can fly or take the train to Bodø, and then from Bodø get the express ferry to Støtt. I’ve written more about Støtt, how to get there, and where to stay here .

Or you could get the express ferry to Lovund, another beautiful island on the coast. I’ve written more about Lovund, Norway here . Or if you have some extra time visit both Støtt and Lovund!

This would be a really unique weekend trip to Norway, as not many foreign tourists plan trips here. So if you like to get off the beaten path and discover the local culture, and if you love beautiful landscapes, definitely consider spending a weekend on one (or a couple) of these islands.

Tromsø, Senja & Dyrøy

After Bergen Tromsø might just be the second most popular weekend destination for tourists coming to Norway – at least in the winter during the Northern Lights season!

I’ve written more about things to do in Tromsø and where to stay here . To be honest I didn’t super click with Tromsø when I visited last summer and this past December, and I’ve heard so many locals complain that now it’s getting way too full of tourists. Then again I know a lot of people who absolutely adore Tromsø, so you might love it.

Update: it’s funny that I wrote that, because I’ve actually just moved to Tromsø!

But what I really loved was flying into Tromsø and then driving down to Senja and Dyrøy. The drive is beautiful and both islands are so magical.

You’ll probably only have time to go to one unless you take a long weekend (we had four nights so we flew into Tromsø and then spent two nights on Senja and two on Dyrøy). Senja has more dramatic scenery and famous hikes, while Dyrøy is the loveliest quiet escape into nature.

I’d say Senja will give you those big bucket list experiences with its Instagram famous hikes, whereas Dyrøy would give you a really authentic, off the beaten path local experience in Norway. I’ve written about visiting Senja here and visiting Dyrøy here .

There are lots of other nice places to spend a weekend in Norway as well, but these are the main ones I’d recommend, especially if you’re new to the country and want to see a highlight. I do include other spots in my longer itineraries for when you have more time to spend in Norway.

So I’m sorry if I missed out on your favorite spot – don’t be mad at me!

Five Days to One Week in Norway Itineraries

Bodø – helgeland – lofoten – vesterålen.

If you only have a week in Norway, I really recommend sticking to the north and skipping Oslo and Bergen altogether.

Okay, you might think I’m biased because I live in the north, but actually I chose to move to the north largely because it’s the most beautiful part of Norway and is the region I’m most excited to write about and photograph. I love the open spaces here, there are fewer people (and tourists), and the landscape is much more dramatic than in the south.

If you want to cover a lot of ground, this Bodø – Helgeland – Lofoten – Vesterålen itinerary will show you the best of Northern Norway. It’s a busy schedule, but if you want to see as much as you possible can in one week, this is for you! I did this in the winter, but it would be equally amazing in other seasons as well.

You’ll spend a couple of nights on a quiet island on the Helgeland coast, a day or two experiencing city life in Norway, you’ll get to explore the famous Lofoten islands with their mountains and fjords, and then go up to quieter Vesterålen to see reindeer and whales. So you’ll really get to see all of the highlights of Norway within one week.

Tromsø – Senja – Dyrøy

If you want to head even farther north,  I also loved my Tromsø – Senja – Dyrøy  trip.

My friends and I flew into Tromsø and then drove straight to Senja, where we spent two nights, and then we headed to the island of Dyrøy for another two nights. We left Dyrøy early so that we’d have the morning in Tromsø before our flight, but if you have a full week you could spend a night or two in Tromsø as well.

I wouldn’t spend more than two days in Tromsø, as there’s not a great deal to do there. The city center is small and there are a few nice restaurants and cafés but that’s sort of it. It’s also a big tourist destination for Northern Lights tours, so downtown is full of tour offices, so if you want to get away from tourist crowds I’d recommend getting out of the city. But the surrounding nature is breathtaking!

Again, I did this trip in the winter, but Senja is a great hiking destination in the summer, plus in the summer you could stop by Sommarøy to see the amazing beaches there.

If you want a less hectic itinerary without so much driving, just spend a week on Lofoten !

The first time I visited Lofoten I stayed one week, and even after returning several times over the past few years I still feel like I have so much left to see on Lofoten. So you definitely won’t get bored.

This way you’ll be able to really explore the island, go on hikes, and get into the nature. I’d actually love to spend a full month on Lofoten one day, as there really is so much to explore there.

Narvik – Kiruna – Vesterålen – Lofoten

If you’re looking for those big Arctic bucket list experiences, this Narvik – Kiruna – Vesterålen – Lofoten itinerary  is for you. You’ll get to see reindeer, huskies, and whales, and in the summer the midnight sun and in the winter the Northern Lights, and you’ll even get to sleep in an Arctic Dome – one of the best experiences I’ve had in Norway.

When my friend who hates the cold came to visit me in Norway in January, this was the itinerary I made to win her over – and it did!

Bodø – Helgeland Coast

The Helgeland coast is so dreamy, and still relatively undiscovered, especially amongst foreign tourists. Plus the people here are so, so friendly. It’s a totally different experience than visiting the super crowded and touristy areas of southern Norway (where the locals don’t always love all the tourists).

I still have so much of the Helgeland coast left to explore, so I’ll definitely be updating this with a couple of itineraries once I make some more trips here this spring and summer.

But for now I would suggest flying or taking a train to Bodø and spending a day there, and then getting the express boat to Støtt and a few of the other small islands along the coast. If you stick to the small islands you won’t need to rent a car, as you can get around them by foot or by renting a bicycle.

Plus the small islands are so special. You’ll get an immediate sense of Norway’s culture and history here, and the locals really are so friendly.

You can get the   Travel Pass Nordland  for 990 NOK, which gives you access to all of the buses and express boats (not the ferries) in Nordland for one week, so you can island hop as much as you want.

Alternatively you could get the train or fly to Mosjøen and then rent a car there and explore the coast by car.

I’m going to try to do this trip both with and without a car and report back this summer!

Mosjøen – Helgeland Coast

Like I said, I still have a lot more of the Helgeland Coast to explore, but I did recently take a trip from my home in Mosjøen out to the islands of Dønna and Herøy , which many locals had told me were two of the prettiest islands along the coast here. And they weren’t wrong!

I drove from Mosjøen to Sandnessjøen and then caught a ferry to Dønna from there, but you could also fly directly to Sandnessjøen and then you wouldn’t even necessarily need to rent a car, because the islands are so small. Or it would be really fun to rent a bicycle in Sandnessjøen to explore the islands by bike!

Tromsø – Lyngen – Alta – Kokelv – North Cape

This Tromsø – Lyngen – Alta – Kokelv – North Cape itinerary is one of my favorite northern lights itineraries, as it includes some of Norway’s best northern lights hotels .

Kiruna – Hammerfest – Hamningberg – Kirkenes – Rovaniemi

This is one of the most recent one week trips I’ve taken, and it was one of my all time favorites! And as a bonus, this will also take you through Sweden and Finland, so you get three countries in one trip.

This Kiruna – Hammerfest – Hamningberg – Kirkenes – Rovaniemi itinerary will take you to the very top of Europe, the border of Russia, and through some of the most beautiful spots in the Arctic. I did this trip in the summer under the midnight sun, but you would have an equally amazing trip in the winter under the Northern Lights.

Okay so while I personally prefer northern Norway, I know a lot of people want to see the iconic destinations of the south like Oslo, Bergen, and the most famous Pulpit Rock and Trolltunga hikes.

And the most famous of Norway’s fjords are in southern Norway, so it’s not like the north has  all the looks.

So don’t worry, I’ve made some itineraries for southern Norway too!

Bergen – Aurland – Jotunheimen – Fjærland – Balestrand – Bergen

If you want to see the best of fjord Norway, this is the trip for you. 

Spend one night at  Hotel Aurlandsfjord in Aurland, then take both the Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Route and Sognefjellet Scenic Route and drive up to Jotunheimen National Park and spend a night at  Leirvassbu Fjellstue . Add an extra night here if you want to take a day to hike in Jotunheimen.

Then drive down to Fjærland for a night at  Fjærland Fjordstue . Then take the Gaularfjellet Scenic Route and loop back to Balestrand for a night at Kviknes Hotel . Then drive back to Bergen the next day. 

Read more details about this itinerary here . 

Oslo – Rjukan – Odda – Hardangerfjord – Bergen

If you want to do the traditional Oslo – Bergen – fjord loop but add in some special stops along the way, this Oslo – Rjukan – Odda – Hardangerfjord – Bergen itinerary is probably my favorite one week itinerary for southern Norway.  This is the first itinerary listed in the blog post. 

You’ll start in Oslo, then spend a night in the lovely town of Rjukan, drive along Hardangerfjord, and get to see Bergen. This is a busy itinerary with quite a bit of driving, but I think you will love it!

Oslo – Kristiansand – Stavanger – Bergen – Hardangervidda

If you want to do the famous hikes like Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten (the rock stuck between two cliffs), then this  Oslo – Kristiansand – Bergen – Hardangervidda itinerary  is for you!  This is the second itinerary listed in the blog post.

You’ll take a train from Oslo to Kristiansand, which is known as Norway’s “riviera,” and then you’ll head through some amazing mountain and coastal scenery through Stavanger towards Bergen. Then from Bergen you’ll drive over Hardangervidda, Northern Europe’s largest high mountain plateau, and through Telemark back down towards Kristiansand. You’ll see a huge variety of landscapes, as well as both villages and cities, so it makes for a great introduction to Norway.

Oslo – Røros – Trondheim – Kristiansund – Alesund by public transport

Most of the itineraries I’ve mentioned require you to rent a car, partly because I always love a good road trip, and partly because a lot of areas of Norway don’t have frequent public transport. But this  Oslo – Røros – Trondheim – Kristiansund – Alesund itinerary  uses only public transport, with a combination of trains, ferries, and buses.  This is the third itinerary listed in the blog post. 

So usually when people want to see Norway by public transport they do the famous Oslo – Bergen Norway in a Nutshell route. But there’s a reason I’m not recommending that itinerary here.

I mean, if you really want to do it you can read more about how to plan Norway in a Nutshell here , but to be honest I really don’t think that route shows off the best of Norway, or the most beautiful sites. It’s a good route if you want something really easy, because you’ll basically be following the same route as everyone else on the buses, trains, and ferries, so you can just follow the crowd.

But if you’re a little more independent and want to get off the beaten path a bit and see even more impressive views, do this itinerary instead. It’s so much better, I promise!

You’ll get to see Røros, a really beautiful historic town, Trondheim and Ålesund, which are my top two favorite cities in Norway, and you’ll see some of the most stunning landscapes in southern Norway.

Ten Days to Two Weeks in Norway Itineraries

All of the one week itineraries I mentioned above could easily be stretched out longer. In fact the  Odda – Hardangerfjord – Bergen itinerary mentions an optional extension by adding Ålesund and the Atlantic Ocean Road .

But otherwise I recommend one of the itineraries below!

Bergen – Aurland – Balestrand – Fjærland – Jotunheimen – Geiranger – Trollstigen – Ålesund – Hjørundfjord – Stryn – Bergen 

Spend one night at  Hotel Aurlandsfjord  in Aurland, then take the Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Route and drive to Balestrand for a night at  Kviknes Hotel . From Balestrand take the Gaularfjellet Scenic Route and then drive to Fjærland for a night at   Fjærland Fjordstue . Then take the Sognefjellet Scenic Route and drive into Jotunheimen National Park. Spend a night or two at   Leirvassbu Fjellstue . 

Then drive to Geiranger and spend a night at Hotel Union Geiranger . Then take the Geiranger – Trollstigen Scenic Route to Åndalsnes and spend a night at   G rand Hotel . Then drive to  Ålesund and spend a night or two at   Hotel 1904 . Then drive along  Hjørundfjorden  to Sæbø and stay at  Sagafjord Hotel . Then drive to Stryn and spend a night at Hjelle Hotel . Then either drive all the way back to Bergen, or split up the drive with a night at ThonPartner Hotel Førde . 

Røros – Trondheim – Kristiansund – Atlantic Ocean Road – Molde – Romsdalsfjord – Hotel Union Øye – Hjørundfjord – Hoddevik – Stryn – Hitra – Golden Detour

This is one of my all time favorite Norway itineraries, but you’ll need at least two weeks for this – it will be even better with three weeks. This fjord and culture itinerary takes you through Norway’s most beautiful fjords as well as some Norwegian cultural heritage sites.

Oslo – Bodø – Helgeland – Narvik – Tromsø – Lyngen – Alta – Lofoten

I absolutely loved this Oslo – Bodø – Helgeland – Narvik – Tromsø – Lyngen – Alta – Lofoten itinerary . You’ll get to see a huge portion of the country on the train ride up from Oslo to Bodø, and all of the stops on the way are some of my favorite places in Norway.

And if you have any longer, I would definitely consider adding a detour to Senja and even Dyrøy to your itinerary when you’re driving from Narvik up to Tromsø. You could also stop for a day in Oslo and Trondheim on your way up north.

And then if you have even more time, drive all the way up to the North Cape from Alta. It’s an extra 3 and a half hours of driving, but since you’ve made it this far north in Norway you might as well go as north as you can get!

Narvik – Kiruna – Vesterålen – Lofoten – Bodø – Mosjøen – Trondheim

If you want to check off a bunch of arctic bucket list experiences like husky sledding, staying with reindeer, overnighting in an Arctic dome, and whale watching, take a look at this  Narvik – Kiruna – Vesterålen – Lofoten – Bodø – Mosjøen – Trondheim itinerary .

Plus you’ll get to go to Sweden as well!

This is the full trip that my friend Danielle and I did when she visited me in Norway, so if you’re wondering what I personally recommend to my friends coming to Norway for the first time, this is it!

I wanted to include Narvik for a stay in an Arctic Dome, which is Norway’s answer to the glass igloo, and then Kiruna has both the husky and reindeer Airbnbs which I love so much.

And then Vesterålen is amazing for whales, reindeer, and nature views, and Lofoten is one of the most beautiful places in Norway. The train ride from Bodø to Mosjøen is the most beautiful train ride in all of Norway, and you’ll end up in Trondheim to see big city life in Norway.

In Trondheim we went to a bunch of fancy restaurants and quirky cafés, and then Danielle flew straight out of Trondheim Airport instead of having to go back down to Oslo.

Trondheim – Mosjøen – Vega – Lovund – Lofoten

When my two travel blogger friends Sam and Sher came to visit I knew I had to put together an epic itinerary for us, and I think I succeeded with this Trondheim – Mosjøen – Vega – Lovund – Lofoten itinerary .

This trip covers the best of Norway, in my opinion, with one of Norway’s most beautiful big cities, Trondheim, gorgeous islands along the Helgeland coast, and then the iconic Lofoten islands.

Tromsø – Storslett – Kokelv – Hammerfest – Sørøya – Porsangerfjord – Vardø – Tana – Karasjok – Kautokeino – Alta – Lyngen – Tromsø (pet friendly!)

Okay this is a long one, but I actually did do it in two weeks and didn’t feel rushed. This Arctic itinerary includes stops in all of my favorite spots in the far north of Norway, including Lyngen, Hammerfest, and Vardø. It also takes you deep into Sami country in eastern Finnmark, to learn more about local Sami culture. Oh and this itinerary is totally pet friendly, as I did it with a dog!

Getting to Norway

Lots of airlines fly into Oslo, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding good flights.

And if you’re on a budget you’re in luck – Norwegian is a budget airline with some of the cheapest connections between the US and Europe.

I fly Norwegian all the time, but just remember that it is a budget airline so you’ll have to pay extra for checked luggage, meals on board, and even water during your flight. I always bring several sandwiches and lots of snacks and a big water bottle that I refill at the airport (after security of course!) to tide me over.

But the planes are really nice with big windows, lots of overhead space, and they’ve designed the lighting to help combat jet lag (not really sure how or if it really works, but I like to think that it does!). There’s also an option to fly their premium class, which I believe comes with meals and maybe checked luggage – I’ve never flown premium on Norwegian though so I can’t say if it’s worth it or not. I do know that it’s not as fancy as business class on other airlines.

Oh and be sure not to exceed the carry on luggage limit if you don’t pay for checked luggage with Norwegian, because they are super strict. My friend recently flew Norwegian to visit me in Norway and she had to pay $200 to check her bag at the airport, which was about how much her flight had cost! I mean, at least her flight had been super cheap to start with, but it was still a bit of a blow.

I do love Norwegian, but sometimes you can find even better deals with other airlines, and if you do it’s definitely nicer to fly a non-budget airline. Luggage fees add up and it’s so much nicer to fly an airline with meals and drinks included. I often fly KLM and Finnair as well.

I’ve also flown Icelandair directly out of Trondheim, though they’re also a budget airline and super strict with luggage – a flight attendant once really yelled at me for having two bags with me, even though my second bag fit under the seat in front of me and my larger bag was a backpack that was smaller than most of the suitcases other people had brought on as carry ons. I definitely hadn’t broken any rules but she was so mean about it anyway, and clearly I’m still feeling very bitter about the whole experience, haha.

So yeah, try to find a flight with a non-budget airline if you don’t want the added stress.

My go-to for finding flights are Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. Kiwi.com especially is a sneaky travel hack tool that can find great connections that other search engines don’t include – I’ve written more about Kiwi.com and how to use it here .

You’ll probably be flying into and out of Oslo Gardermoen Airport which seriously is one of the nicest airports in the world. And guys, I travel for a living so I spend a lot of time in airports.

Pro tip #1: if you want to look like a local, head straight to the Tax Free shop once you land. It’s always funny getting off flights in Oslo because every Norwegian will go straight to Tax Free to buy alcohol, and it’s only the tourists that skip it, haha. But seriously, if you do want to drink in Norway and are on a budget, you’ll save a lot of money by picking up something here.

Pro tip #2:  Don’t get the Flytoget, or Airport Express Train, into Oslo from the Airport. It’s only three minutes faster than the regional train and costs twice as much!

Again, it’s only ever tourists who get the express (“express”) train while all Norwegians get the Vy train. You’ll see the Vy (formerly NSB) ticket machines on your right once you exit customs and you can buy your tickets there. You can also check the train schedule at vy.no .

What to Pack for Norway

The most important thing about packing for Norway is to bring lots of layers. The weather here is really unpredictable so it’s important to be ready for lots of different temperatures throughout the day.

Oh and you’ll definitely want waterproof shoes here, whether that’s hiking boots in the summer or winter boots in the winter.

I’ve written a complete guide for what to pack for winter in Norway here, and a guide to what to pack for summer in Norway here.

It’s also a good idea to buy travel insurance for your trip to Norway, as storms can often cause delays and if you’ll be hiking or doing outdoor activities you want to be covered in case of an accident. Plus Norway isn’t exactly a cheap destination, so you don’t want to end up losing money due to weather delays or unforeseen events.

I always get travel insurance wherever I travel, as several incidents in the past have taught me that it’s always worth it.

I personally use World Nomads because that’s what I used as a backpacker and I’ve had to file claims twice with them now and they paid me promptly, no additional questions asked. They also helped get me to a hospital in Beijing when I was too overwhelmed/dying to find one on my own, so I am forever grateful to those guys.

You can find a quote on World Nomads here .

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Riley - Riley's Roves says

March 1, 2019 at 5:51 am

SERIOUSLY cannot wait to get to Norway one day. Thanks for posting these! It’ll help me plan when the time comes.

Silvia says

March 1, 2019 at 5:01 pm

I hope you love it as much as I do when you do come!

Alberto says

March 3, 2019 at 10:07 pm

Hi Silvia Hope this note finds you well

I have been reading your blog and I have to say that is really great, I love it, honestly speaking I am writing to you as even though your blog has plenty of information about different routes and places to visit taking into account the amount of time that a person will be spending in Norway, my case is a bit special as I am traveling:

For a whole week, from Saturday 8th to Saturday 15th of June (we are arriving in Oslo around 10am on the 8th, and we will be leaving around 12pm on the 15th) With my girlfriend and our son, who is nearly three years old He doesn’t do long car trips very well He does not do bus journeys very well either… He likes trains and planes though I would personally like combining the southwest with the north, if possible Basically our idea is to see Oslo (we’ll be there for a day), Bergen (I guess we should…), some fjords (obviously :)), and maybe go to the north (fly to Tromso…)

Bearing in mind those facts, what route – option would you recommend me? I don’t mind taking trains and flights (especially I prefer taking flights, if possible…)

Please let me know, and apologies for bothering you as I am sure you are busy with your blog and answering lots of questions from different people

Thanks very much in advance Alberto P.S.: By the way I also wrote to you an email just in case you would not read this comment… 🙂

March 5, 2019 at 2:02 am

These look great and are very helpful! I am heading to Norway solo for the second time in April. I decided to mix it up a little by spending 4 days in Bergen and then taking public transportation to Odda for three days. I didn’t want to stress my time too thin and travel too much by public transit, plus I wasn’t sure of all of the options, but it looks like you really can get around with your Oslo – Røros etc. route.

Francesco Trebbi says

March 17, 2019 at 2:38 pm

Absolutely great posting. I actually happy when i done this topic. I am excited world have a excellent author. Always i am waiting for next reading. Thanks a lot for great posting share.

Kym Channell says

March 23, 2019 at 9:19 pm

Thanks for all this info – it’s a fantastic blog! I’ve just booked for 11 days total in Norway, including flying in and out days in June and will be definitely taking into consideration some of the itineraries you have discussed. Wasn’t sure about booking to go there initially as only considered it when cheaper flights to Iceland got booked out, but after reading your blogs starting to feel super excited about it! Your efforts in doing the blog are much appreciated – thanks!

March 24, 2019 at 1:22 pm

I’m so happy to hear that – I personally prefer Norway over Iceland 🙂

May 14, 2019 at 6:41 pm

So I’m seeing mixed reviews. Is it bad to travel in mid May? I will be there from May 17-June 3 and after reviewing these itineraries I’m starting to get a bit nervous. I picked Norway because it was on the best travel destinations for May. If anyone knows anything please help me ease my mind.

May 15, 2019 at 6:17 am

I think that’s a perfect time to come! Just bring layers in case it’s still cold. It will be beautiful though, and far less crowded.

June 17, 2019 at 1:07 pm

Incredible pictures on this post! I have been to about half of these places, but totally inspired to go to the others. I wonder if you have a favorite.

Florencia Coldman says

June 20, 2019 at 12:19 am

Hello, how are you? We are a party of six, we where planning on going from Tromso to Senja and then Lofoten around Christmas. Do you think it’s too dangerous that Rout in late December taking into consideration that we would be driving a Car for six passengers? We would really appreciate your take on this matter Kind Regards Florencia

Amber Hill says

June 20, 2019 at 1:57 pm

Hi Silvia, your blog is amazing! I am sitting here at 10pm with many hours of reading ahead of me!! I am struggling to put together an itinerary for Norway so all your blog posts will be a great help. I am especially excited by all the ‘off the tourist trail’ information. This is what I am looking forward to exploring. We are a family of 4. Kids are great little travellers. We are looking at September (2020) as I want to avoid the crowds over June/July (when our winter school hol’s are). The Lonely Planet says that many places close down in September? Do you agree? Or will we be ok to find accommodation?? We are coming from Melbourne – it’s a long way!! Many thanks, Amber

Tamara D says

July 28, 2019 at 4:39 pm

Hi Silvia!!! Your blog is amazing!!!!! Thank you for taking the time to give so many details and tips! My friends and I plan to take a girls trip March 28-April 4, 2020. What towns do you recommend seeing with that time frame during that time of year?

August 3, 2019 at 9:13 am

Silvia, really great post with all details, pictures and very helpful to plan our tour to Norway. Thank you for such a wonderful article!

Anoushka Sivaraman says

January 22, 2020 at 6:34 pm

Really enjoyed reading your blog. I’m travelling in April and flying into Oslo. Can you please suggest a 5 day itinerary which would include public transport? Is it reasonable to do Oslo Bergen and Alesund in that time? Do let me know!

January 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Ålesund is quite far from Bergen so it would be hard to fit it in, unless you fly. Best 5-day public transport itinerary would probably be a diy Norway in a nutshell: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/nutshell-tour-diy-review/

Suzie S Russell says

February 4, 2020 at 11:09 pm

Hi Silvia, I am so jealous that you have gotten to travel all these places you’ve been. My daughter and I are hoping to come to Norway either this fall (early November) or next March. The things we want to see and do are 2-3 of the southwestern fjords, Sognefjord, Lysefjord, Hardangerfjord. I don’t know how far apart they are but is it possible to take a ferry to view these wonders? Is it possible to do just a day trip? Also, we want to do a husky sled ride , reindeer encounter/contact and possible sledge ride, spend one night in the arctic dome in Narvik, visit Lofoten with an overnight stay and head to Senja/Trosmo and if we have time maybe head to Kiruna, Sweden and maybe see the ice hotel. We have about 9 days and we’d like to fly in and out of Bergen. We are having a hard time coming up with a suitable itinerary because the distances are so vast and everything is super expensive. Could you help us?

February 9, 2020 at 1:17 pm

First of all I would map out how you are going to get between all of these places, as the distances are quite large – you might want to cut out a couple of places so you’re not super rushed. If I were you I might actually cut out the southwestern fjords altogether and just stick to Northern Norway/Sweden. You could fly into Svolvær in Lofoten, or Narvik, or Tromsø. Plus that way you’ll have more of a chance to see the northern lights!

Suzy Zid says

February 11, 2020 at 2:49 am

Thank you for the wonderful posts, what an amazing blog! I have a question; I saw a few times in different posts on your blog that if you’d have to choose between southwestern Norway and northern Norway, you’d prefer the northern part. However, I am curious because if I were to google the attractions in Norway, there are not much in the north compared to in the southwest – which has plenty!

I also read a lot on sites like TripAdvisor that locals would recommend a longer time in the north, but wouldn’t really go into specifics. The places that the locals actually mentioned are Lofoten, Senja, and maybe Vesteralen. Tromsø, Alta and Narvik are said to be meh, and nobody really suggested Bodø.

So the thing is, I want to believe the locals saying the northern part is better than the southwestern, because my friends and I are splitting our 17 day-roadtrip in Norway into these two parts and I want to convince my travel mates that we should spend more time in north than the other, but google searches are not really helping!

What ratio of days would you suggest we do? I was thinking 7 in southwest and 10 in north, but maybe you have a better advise. Also could you elaborate a little bit as to why you’d choose the northern part rather than southwestern part? Thank you so much if you decided to reply to my comment!

February 12, 2020 at 1:43 pm

Travel in Norway isn’t really about attractions. At least I find that the best experiences here are ones with nature, and honestly the entire country is beautiful. You can find a beautiful hike anywhere here, so the famous ones actually end up being the least appealing, because they’re filled with lots of tourists and souvenir shops. I think it depends a bit on what time of year you are visiting, but I think your plan to spend 7 days in the south and 10 in the north is perfect. I mean personally I would prefer spending all the time in the north, but the south is a bit different so it would be worth experiencing as well if you have the time. The landscape in the north is more dramatic – the mountains are more jagged and the beaches clearer – there tend to be fewer tourists, and then we also have more reindeer here. And if you come in the summer you can experience the midnight sun, and in the winter the northern lights – neither of which you can experience in southern Norway (unless you’re very lucky with the northern lights). Senja and Vesterålen are beautiful, as well as the whole Helgeland region. I also love the Lyngen Alps and Finnmark – you can find my posts from all of those places here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/life-travel-norway/ Hope that helps and have a great trip!

September 7, 2021 at 7:18 pm

Silvia, Thanks for maintaining this sight. Very informative. In 2022 summer I will be traveling Norway from USA for 2 weeks. This will be my first visit to the country and like to cover the key scenic spots along with hiking to the major picturesque rocks. Main purpose of the trip is nature photography. Mostly I like to drive (wherever possible) to explore the areas at my own pace. Can you pls suggest a feasible itinerary? Thanks

Suzanne says

July 6, 2022 at 12:06 am

Hello, I hope you trip goes great! I am traveling there for the 1st time in Oct. Did Silvia answer you? I would love to know if she did and share the info. Where are all the places you will see?

Bao Nguyen says

December 29, 2021 at 8:28 pm

Hi, I’m traveling to Norway 2022 for the End of Jan- early Feb. The Aurora Borealis is my main attraction so I’ll Be landing in Tromso, but wish to visit places like Sommaroy, Lofoten, and Bodo.

You filled this blog with so many insightful details! I was wondering if you a car was necessary for all these places or if the public transportation would suffice?

Lisa Rubin says

February 22, 2022 at 5:32 pm

Hi Silvia, I am planning a trip with my husband and two grown daughters. We would like to try and combine Fiords and Lofoten and possibly hike Kjeragbolten. This would be about a two week road trip. Do you have an itinerary you would recommend? Also, trying to decide between early July or mid August ? We want to see the best scenery, but in a less touristy way if possible. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks ! Lisa

Stamatis says

May 14, 2022 at 2:26 pm

Hello Silvia, I just bought your Southern Norway Travel Guide, which is very helpful, but now I’m torn between two itineraries, so I thought that you might be able to help. I arrive at Oslo and I will be using public transportation.

1) A version of your public transportation itinerary for 11 days.

Day 1: Oslo – Roros Day 2: Roros – Trondheim Day 3: Trondheim – Kristiansund Day 4: Kristiansund – Alesund Day 5: Alesund (Hjorundfjord Cruise) Day 6: Alesund  Day 7: Alesund – Geiranger – Andaslnes Day 8: Andaslnes (Hike Trollstigen) Day 9: Andaslnes – Oslo Day 10-11: Oslo

2) My original idea Day 1: Oslo – Andaslnes Day 2: Andaslnes (Hike Trollstigen) Day 3: Andaslnes – Geiranger – Alesund Day 4: Alesund (Hjorundfjord Cruise) Day 5: Alesund Day 6: Alesund – Stryn Day 7: Stryn (Glacier Hike) Day 8: Stryn – Lom (or Lillehammer) Day 9: Lom (or Lillehammer) – Oslo Day 10-11: Oslo

As you can see my two main goals are to visit Alesund and Trollstigen! The first itinerary allows me to visit Trondheim and Kristiansund (and the Atlantic Road) but the second is a little more relaxed and allows me to enjoy more of Norway’s nature. On day 9 I’ve added a stop to one of these two towns because I don’t want to travel for 8 hours straight and I’ve heard that they are charming. What’s your suggestion? 

P.S. I understand, having read your blog thoroughly, that Northern Norway is better but I have the impression that moving around in the north using public transportation is more difficult and that’s why I chose to visit the south. At least I took your advice and focused on your favourite fjords…

Thanks in advance and keep up the good work Stamatis

May 16, 2022 at 1:19 pm

You’ll see more with the first itinerary (I especially do love Røros) but if you would prefer a more relaxed itinerary I would definitely go with the second one! And you’re right, southern Norway has much better public transportation connections, so that’s a good choice for you.

May 16, 2022 at 7:25 pm

Thanks for the reply!

I think I’ll go for the second idea and try to be a little more relaxed, you can’t see everything in one trip after all. After my research, and reading your blog, I started planning a Helgeland road trip, I just need to persuade some friends to follow the plan, and Trondheim (and Roros) would be a great starting point for that…

May 28, 2022 at 2:47 pm

Hi Silvia! Have been reading most of your articles on Norway road trips (& I really want to thank you cause they are amazing and very informative!). You inspired me to organize a road trip at the end of June. I’m also planning to purchase your Southern Norway Travel Guide, but I’d first like to define a topline tour (cause I’m indecisive between the below and planning something around Lofoten). For now I’m planning: Day 1- visit Bergen Day 2 – drive to Hardangerfjord (& explore) Day 3 – Trolltunga Hike Day 4 – Drive until Stegastein (& sleep somewhere in the area) Day 5 – Drive to Geirangerfjord Day 6 – Explore from Geiranderfjord to Trolltunga (morning) & then drive to Ålesund (in the afternoon) Day 7 – Explore Ålesund Day 8 – not sure, potentially drive north until the Atlantic Ocean Road, or take a fjords cruise from Ålesund (though I’m not a fan of crowded cruises) Day 9 – Way back to Bergen (do you recommend taking the 7hours drive from Ålesund to Bergen? Any must-see spots that you’d suggest to stop by?)

Do you think this is a feasible plan? Any must-see spots that I have missed? Especially the last 2 days are not very clear how to best use the time.

Would love to hear your thoughts, it would help a lot! Thank you in advance, Ceci

Bhagya says

June 2, 2022 at 4:03 pm

Hi Sylvia, First off, Congratulations on this very extensive and eminently readable blog. Wish you many more journeys! I am thinking of spending twelve days in Norway, between the 30th of August and 12th of September. We are 3 of us, myself (57), my husband (62) and son (23) from India. We were wanting to do the Fjords and the natural wonders and the Great Atlantic Road in a car after visiting the Myskoxcentrum in Harjadalen. I will go through your blog for details and suggestions. There is one bit of information, I would be very grateful to have from you. I am recovering from a knee injury and so long hikes and walks to view points are not going to be possible. In this context can you tell me the places that need a lot of walking that we should or can avoid. This will help greatly in framing our itinerary. Many thanks

June 2, 2022 at 4:22 pm

You should be fine with your itinerary – the views will be beautiful from the road as well!

Nilesh says

March 22, 2024 at 5:57 pm

Can u send me ur Norway itnery for route this August I am planning for three weeks. Thanks in advance 🙏

July 4, 2022 at 8:23 am

Hey! Thanks for all this info! I’m trying to gauge the cost of a 10 day/2 week road trip in Norway. I haven’t planned any details yet, but I’d probably follow one of the itineraries posted above. Do you have any approximation for how much gas would cost? (Or around how many miles such a road trip would cover) thanks!

Nicole Wahlgren says

August 25, 2022 at 5:29 pm

Hello, I have been reading your blogs for three months now because I am going to Norway for two weeks in October. I want to see both some of the south and some of the north. Is it reasonable to cover Bergen, Alesund, Trondheim, Bodo, Lofoton, etc. all in two weeks? I am solo traveling, so my schedule is very flexible. Also, I am currently trying to find my family who lives in Norway via family contacts & ancestory. I know we had some family outside of Trondheim for awhile, but it would be cool to meet them if I get a chance. They were originally from the Namsos area. Just curious what your thoughts are because I want to see a lot of the country, but also not be overwhelmed by my schedule.

October 1, 2022 at 8:31 am

I just stumbled across your page and it is great to see you are not focused on the normal touristy things and more about seeing the “real” country. Which is the way I prefer to travel.

I have spent the last several hours trawling through your page and will no doubt spend a lot more time. But I wanted to ask: Can you recommend a place to do a horse trek or even just several days of riding.

I will be travelling in either May or June of next year, I am thinking I will stick to public transport and will more than likely be in the Southern region (as it is my first trip to Norway and treating this as a taster, because will be going back in winter at some stage to do Northern.

Ideally somewhere where I can ride to experience the beauty of Norway.

Also interested to hear what you think it would be like travelling solo in Norway.

Marlene LeGates says

November 22, 2022 at 8:22 pm

Your web site is awesome but now I’m totally bewildered as to where to go for our 3-week trip to Norway in June.We like to trave leisurely, so we don’t want to drive (rental car) more than 3 hrs per day (and hpefully many days with no driving at all) and we liike to do gentle hikes and perhaps some kayaking. Fly in and out of Bergen and stick to the south? Fly in and out of Narvik and stick to the north? It doesn’t seem reasonable to try to co a combo. (We are coming from Canada but it’s much cheaper to fly into the UK and then pick up Norwegian Air, kgives us more flexibility as well). Most itineraries are much too rushed. So, some specific questions: I guess you would rate the northern scenery as even more spectacular than int he south, right? I’ve heard that the Lofoten Islands are very poular now with long fery waits; is that true? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

November 25, 2022 at 1:43 pm

If this is your first trip to Norway I would recommend flying in and out of Bergen and sticking to the south. That way you can explore Norway’s most beautiful fjords, and you won’t have as long distances to cover as in the north. Have fun!

nwa-non says

March 20, 2023 at 9:14 pm

First of all, a wonderful blog and a fantastic resource for visitors to Norway!! Thank you!

I’m planning for an 8-day trip to Norway in August. Flying in and out of Oslo. Mainly want to visit Northern part (but realize that Tromso/Lofoton Islands will not be possible).

Here is my tentative itinerary. Will be renting a car and driving around everywhere.

Day 1 – Fly in to OSL, stay the night at Oslo Day 2 – Start for Lillehammer. Spend night at Oppdal. Day 3 – Start for Trondheim, spend night Day 4 – Start for Ålesund, spend night Day 5 – Visit Geirangerfjord. Spend night at Ålesund Day 6 – Start for Flåm, spend night Day 7 – Start for Oslo, spend night Day 8 – Fly out of OSL

Do you think this is doable without being overwhelmed? If I rent an EV, are chargers readily available? I’m used to driving long distances so that’s not a concern.

March 21, 2023 at 2:39 pm

Hm I think it would make a lot more sense to fly from Oslo to Bergen and rent a car there, but if you really I want to leave from Oslo I think the trip is doable. I would skip Trondheim and head straight to Ålesund instead. And it doesn’t really make sense to drive back to Ålesund after Geirangerfjord, so I would stay somewhere along the fjord instead (here are my suggestions: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/best-geirangerfjord-hotels/ ). Or you could stay somewhere along Hjørundfjord instead ( https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/hjorundfjord-norway-beautiful-fjord/ ). Instead of staying in Flåm I might consider the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand or Fjærland Hotel, depending on if you like a big grand hotel (Kviknes) or smaller cute hotel (Fjaerland) as they’re both a lot nicer than Flåm. I’ve written about both here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/best-sognefjord-accommodation/ and here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/aurlandsfjellet-sognefjellet-bergen-road-trip/

April 3, 2023 at 4:44 pm

Thanks for your response!! I’ll look into your recommendations.

Aljoša Gabor says

April 27, 2023 at 10:52 pm

Hi! I tried to purchase your Southern Norway tour guide, but for some reason Gumroad does not want to accept my credit card. Is there any other way to purchase the guide?

Fisher Ahsan says

May 16, 2023 at 9:44 pm

Last year i visited Lofoten . a really lovely place

Holly Taylor says

July 29, 2023 at 5:53 pm

Hello thank you for this amazing blog!! I’m curious if we have 5 nights and are going to Norway on Nov 10 this year. I’ve read a lot about staying south due to the weather and shorter daylight. Would you have recommendations for 5 days in Nov? I want to be sure we plan where we can see the most. My husband & I are traveling with our 22 year old son and we are more interested in seeing all of the beautiful scenery and fjords etc. We will be coming from 7 days in Iceland.

July 31, 2023 at 11:44 am

If you want to see the fjords I would recommend flying to Ålesund and basing yourself there: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/alesund-travel-guide/ You could rent a car and explore Hjørundfjord: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/hjorundfjord-norway-beautiful-fjord/ . Or if you want a chance to see the northern lights, you could go to Lofoten: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/lofoten-road-trip/ or Vesterålen: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/vesteralen-whales-reindeer/ or Tromsø + Lyngenfjord: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/lyngen-alps-blaisvatnet-fjord-cabins/

November 12, 2023 at 5:02 pm

Hello Silvia! I appreciate all of information you’ve provided! My friends and I are in the early stages of planning a six-day trip to Northern Norway in February. We’re specifically interested in itineraries that rely solely on public transportation. Here are a couple of options we’re considering:

Option 1: Fly to Trondheim Take the Nordland line from Trondheim to Bodø Board the express boat Nordlandsekspressen (NEX1) from Bodø towards Sandnessjøen Explore various islands along the way Eventually reach Sandnessjøen for hiking and exploration Fly back to Oslo from Sandnessjøen

Option 2: Take a bus from Bodø to Hamarøy Continue by bus from Hamarøy to Narvik Travel by bus from Narvik to Tromsø Conclude the trip by flying back from Tromsø

Option 3: Start in Bodø Take a Hurtigruten ship to Tromsø Participate in organized trips/excursions from Tromsø

Considering our status as students and budget constraints, which option would you recommend? Your insights would be immensely helpful. Thank you!

November 14, 2023 at 8:58 am

Six days is such a short time, I think I wouldn’t try to do quite as much. I would maybe fly into Bodø, take the express boat down to Træna, Støtt, etc. Then return to Bodø and fly back to Oslo. If you really wanted to see another area as well you could take the ferry to Lofoten.

December 1, 2023 at 5:00 am

Hello! I am going to be visiting Norway for the first time in late April. I want to work from North to South with the end destination being Copenhagen. How difficult would it be during this time to take public transport from Trondheim to Oslo and see all the southern fjords along the way? Oslo to Copenhagen via ferry would be the final move.

December 1, 2023 at 10:18 pm

The most direct public transport from Trondheim to Oslo would be by train, but then you’d miss all the fjords. You could instead take the express boat to Kristiansund and then take buses and/or ferries down to Bergen, and then the train from Bergen to Oslo. Buses in Norway are a bit of a pain and expensive, but certainly doable!

January 21, 2024 at 5:45 pm

Hello Silvia, Thank you for all the useful information on your blog. I would appreciate some advice on journey times to get to Tromsø. I’m visiting Norway with my family this August for 19 days, including returning to Hoek Van Holland. We are driving our campervan from the UK (via Harwich / Hoek van Holland overnight ferry), and want to head straight to Tromsø, with some time for stopping to sleep/eat on the way. We’ll spend a few days there and then head back, stopping to camp, explore the countryside and also possibly visit Bergen/Oslo/beaches. Would it be best to head up to Tromsø via Sweden, then back down through Norway with more time to explore? Can you recommend some route ideas with rough travel times/good places to stop on the way? Thank you 🙂

January 24, 2024 at 12:05 pm

Driving up through Sweden will be quicker, and much less scenic, so I think driving back down through Norway is a great idea. Spend some time on the Helgeland Coast ( https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/helgeland-coast-road-trip/ ) and then you can drive down the west coast through Ålesund ( https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/alesund-travel-guide/ ) and Bergen ( https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/top-29-things-to-do-in-bergen-norway/ ) as well. From Tromsø to Bergen, via Ålesund, is about 30 hours of driving. You can follow this road trip plan for the west coast, except in reverse (ending in Bergen instead of beginning in Bergen): https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/aurlandsfjellet-sognefjellet-bergen-road-trip/

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Northern Norway Explorer

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How to Visit Oslo, According to Someone Who Spent 6 Years in Scandinavia

Oslo, Norway, is a year-round destination — with saunas, fjord cruises, and fascinating museums.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, best neighborhoods.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

The mere idea of a summer day in a place like Oslo — home to subzero waters and black-metal music — might seem like a mirage. But the summers here are famously light and hot, with the Norwegian capital being an ideal playground for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and hiking, replacing the darker months’ skiing, ice bathing, and roaring fireplaces.

Beyond its outdoor pursuits, Oslo 's eco-conscious efforts exceed most cities. In 2016, it introduced a “climate budget” with a goal of reducing emissions by 95 percent by 2030; two years later, 1,000 trees were planted for the Future Library project ; and in 2019, the city was crowned the European Green Capital .

Oslo’s young professionals and creatives may scatter themselves among the hip, diverse neighborhoods of Grünerløkka and Tøyen, or the more upscale Frogner and St. Hanshaugen (picture Parisian-like facades and tree-lined streets with mansions), but the main thing this city’s dwellers have in common is their commitment to time spent in nature. Visitors will find eco-friendly hotels committed to eliminating waste and championing reusable materials, restaurants that support third-world communities, and spas and saunas dispersed between the city’s central harbor and the dense surrounding forest.

At a time when travelers are becoming aware of how their leisure choices impact the environment, it’s interesting to see Oslo’s dedication to learning about and introducing the bigger ideas behind eco work. September’s Oslo Innovation Week, for example, is largely digital, with the aim of solving real global challenges through entrepreneurship, innovation, and green tech — the subjects of its panels include energy, circular economy, and life-science investment. For anyone interested in such, its panels and events make it a good time to visit.

For me, having spent six years in Scandinavia, and long summers and winters in Norway , Oslo became a base for months at a time. Most favor Danish and Swedish coastal cities for their accessibility. Like any capital, the Norwegian city is fast-changing and home to global diasporas that help shape the identity of this fjord-laden delight. 

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Any trip to Oslo calls for a bracing ice dip and sauna session.
• History buffs might note the elaborate original fixtures of Sommerro, a former electricity factory
• Restaurant Alex is the newest place to see and be seen, yet it's ultra-welcoming.
• Marvel at Vigeland, a park displaying nude sculptures.
• Go cross-country skiing or hiking, or simply enjoy the view from the top, at Nordmarka.

Francisco Nogueira

Not long after Sommerro's fall 2022 opening, the hotel and spa made its way on Travel + Leisure' s list of the 100 best new hotels in the world . Its electricity factory history is felt while the mid-century interior design and moody lighting offer a polished feel. The 231 rooms of various sizes include annexes, sloped ceilings, and exquisite upholstery, plus top-tier amenities and service. Don't miss the newly opened Izakaya, which serves a Nordic-Japanese menu.

Villa Inkognito

The next-door sibling property of Sommerro, Villa Inkognito is housed in a former private residence dating back to 1870. It was transformed into offices for the city’s first electrical company, and later served as the Algerian embassy. The 11-room retreat is also available on a full buyout basis for an ultra-special trip, and each room is meant to feel like a home away from home.

Amerikalinjen

This revved-up former Norwegian America Line headquarters toots its own stylish horn. The cheery staff resurrects the bustling energy of the storied spot , which is decked out in snappy tailoring from Norwegian fashion favorite Holzweiler. Guests can also expect a chic library, original elevators, and ceiling stuccos that remain across the rooms.

The Well Spa & Hotel

The Well Spa & Hotel provides a holistic approach to health — meaning uniform bathing suits and gowns, a zero-digital policy in restaurants and communal areas, excellent menus, relaxing treatments, and a decidedly tranquil feel in the stunning sculpture garden. Located in Sofiemyr, about 20 minutes from Oslo's city center via its own shuttle, the impressively vast property makes for a divine solo sojourn or a social spa trip.

Clarion Hotel The Hub

Located close to Oslo Central Station, Clarion Hotel The Hub stands out with its magnificent lobby showcasing marble features, a sumptuous bar, and refurbished rooms.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

With rugged natural terrain skirting the entire city, it’s no wonder most extra-curricular activities here revolve around getting outdoors. A winding, 20-minute tram ride up Nordmarka takes visitors to the place where the trees for Future Library are planted. Take the lift to ski jump Holmenkollen, then stop by Holmenkollen Restaurant for tartare, a hot toddy, and mountaintop views.

Sauna and Swim

In the winter, the adrenaline rush is rewarding, and come summer, the waters are refreshing. At Badstuforening , it's $25 for a two-hour communal seat; enjoy the peaceful camaraderie (and views) of this sweet setup. Just make sure to bring a towel. Alternatively, try Salt , a sauna and art space that's set opposite the Snøhetta-designed opera house and hosts concerts, plays, and exhibitions.

Museum Hopping

Explore the intricate history of explorer life at the Fram , which contains the reconstructed remnants of the ship that raced to the South Pole, headed by Norwegian adventurer Roald Amundsen. In the center of town, check out the Nobel Peace Center for its permanent and roving collections of significant human rights accomplishments. An unsung gem is the Emanuel Vigeland Museum , complete with frescoes and gong bath concerts. Tip: Plan in advance planning due to the location's unusual opening hours.

Silent Fjord Cruise

Take a silent electric fjord tour on the Brim Explorer , with multiple options to suit your mood. There’s yoga on the deck, an elegant brunch, or a dinner cruise. Other perks of this slick and small liner include less crowds and an intimate setting for your crew.

Courtesy of Restaurant Alex

Restaurant Alex

An overnight success with everyone from students to billionaires, this restaurant calls for advance reservations. Emerging chef Alexandra Ek guides a well-priced brasserie-style menu, while the resident DJs don’t frown upon dancing on tables after hours.

Sabi Omakase

Japanese cuisine this far from East Asia has a terrific head start thanks to the abundance of cold sea. At Sabi Omakase , guests can expect a carefully composed seasonal menu that's served in a harmonious, low-lit space. Interestingly, the chef used to be a surgeon — the locale and its offerings are not remiss of precision, and, yes, you’re safe in his hands.

Solsiden Restaurant

Solsiden is a fail-safe institution for seafood on the water, dapper and light-filled with its glass structure. Put on a pretty dress or shirt and enjoy the harbor breeze at this summer-only restaurant. Order the renowned shellfish tower and the Champagne.

It’s no secret Norway can whip the wallet. This fresh and lovely Asian noodle joint is a way of preserving splurges for another day while still giving you the opportunity to eat well. Plus, every purchase feeds a child in Africa, where founder André Evju spent lots of time.

Plant-filled with kitschy white tiles and pink lighting, Njokobok offers Senegal-style community dining. Order the jollof rice, grilled dorada, or whole lamb and indulge in the location's famous onion sauce three ways. Oslo has a sizable African diaspora, so you'll find good Ethiopian, Eritrean, Moroccan, and Somali restaurants throughout the city.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

While winter is for snow and snuggles, summer in Oslo is all about swimming and seafood.

Spring (or shoulder season), meanwhile, is ideal for soaking up art, history, opera, and the boutique shops. June through September sees music festivals such as By:Larm and Øya , and winter is prime time for ski tournaments, cozying up in a cabin, and cold-weather rituals like ice bathing and relaxing in a sauna.

The main thing to consider is winter's darkness — there are nearly 20 hours under cover, compared to summer’s two-hour nights.

Flying into Gardermoen is ideal for easy access into the city — it's about 20 minutes via speed train. Arriving at another airport means a long bus ride to the city, so don't be duped by the cheaper inter-European flights to Torp Sandefjord Airport. Another way to arrive is by cruise — check out eco operators such as Hurtigruten. You might also consider the spectacular, nearly eight-hour, cross-country Bergen Line route — often dubbed one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. If you're arriving from elsewhere in the country, domestic airline Widerøe is a great option.

Andrea Pistolesi/Getty Images

This east-of-central pocket is having a resurgence, thanks to the introduction of some trendy bars and restaurants, but its leafy, suburban feel is enduring. In addition to its waterside location, there are gorgeous local bistros, Frogner Church, grand foreign embassies, and lots of indie cinemas here. Plus, you're still a stone's throw from the theaters, palace, Litteraturhuset (House of Literature), and Vigelandsparken (Vigeland sculpture park).

The peninsula of Bygdøy has not only amassed some of the capital’s best museums and relics, but it’s also home to idyllic beaches — Huk, Paradisbukta, and Bygdøy Sjøbad — for swimming and picnicking. For something a bit more cultural, browse the collections at the Fram, Norwegian Maritime Museum, Oscarshall, or Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. The Gol Stave church is also a must-see.

Day Trip to Drøbak

The wider area of Oslofjord is full of small towns, and picturesque-as-they-come Drøbak is a wonderful jaunt for the day. Just a 40-minute drive (or 90-minute scenic ferry ride) outside of Oslo, Drøbak is home to the dramatic Oscarsborg Fortress , great shellfish in cute old buildings, a summertime opera, and even a quirky year-round Christmas shop.

How to Get Around

Once you arrive in Oslo via the Flytoget airport transfer, walking is doable and preferable to most. An Oslo Pass is handy for riding the tram, train, bus, and ferry. E-scooters can be less arduous than biking if you need to dash somewhere, but locals prefer a more relaxed and measured approach to getting around.

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7 Days in Norway Itinerary for the First-Time Visitors

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Norway is vast with unlimited exploration opportunities that it’s not easy or I’d say it’s rather an overwhelming task to put together an itinerary that satisfies your travel goals. Norway has 5 regions viz. Northern Norway , Trøndelag , Western Norway , Southern Norway , and Eastern Norway , each more beautiful than the next, each has a different story to tell, and you’d find yourself dealing with the feeling of missing out while crafting 7 days in Norway itinerary.

I’m here to help you calm your anxiety levels by sharing a 7-day itinerary for Norway that’s just right for first-time visitors. It gives you a perfect introduction to the country in a limited time!

Norway Itinerary Map

7 Days in Norway Itinerary in Nutshell

Have more days in Norway? Read Our 2 Weeks in Norway Itinerary

Norway Itinerary 7 Days: Explore the Best of Norway in One Week

From storied fjords, majestic mountains, beautiful waterfalls, charming towns, and vibrant capital city to sweeping vistas – my Norway itinerary captures it all in 7 days!

Day 0: Arrive in Oslo

I started my Norway trip in Oslo, so would recommend you do the same. Norway’s fascinating capital and largest city, Oslo is where most of the international flights to Norway land.

To score the best flight deals to Oslo , I suggest you book your tickets 3 to 6 months in advance. Airlines like Norwegian Air and SAS frequently have competitive fares, especially if you’re flying from within Europe. Don’t forget to set up price alerts on Skyscanner to snag deals the moment they drop!

Olso Airport Transfer

Once you land in Oslo, hop on the Flytoget , a high-speed train that zips you from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to the city center in about 20 minutes.

The train runs every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak times. A one-way ticket costs around 230 NOK (roughly 19.92 EUR or 26 USD) per adult.

While Flytoget is a convenient and quick option, you can also take a regular NSB train , which is slightly cheaper but takes a bit more time. Taxis and airport buses are available too but expect to pay a premium for the convenience.

I you favor convenience and direct service like me, booking a private transfer is also an excellent, albeit more expensive, option.

Where to Stay in Olso

Make sure you book a hotel that’s right in the heart of the city so you stay close to where the action is. It saves you from the hassle of public transportation too.

I stayed at the Karl Johan Hotel with my family. Located on the main street in Oslo, the hotel scores points for its excellent location, welcoming staff, and value for money.

You can also check my guide to the best places to stay in Oslo .

Grab the best deals on accommodation in Oslo

What to do in Oslo on Arrival Day

You can spend the rest of the day depending on what your body says. If you feel tired after a long flight, you can rest and charge yourself up for the next day.

If you are restless like me and feel active enough to step out of the hotel, you can walk around exploring the city center. Stroll the Karl Johans Gate , Oslo’s main street, and stop by Slottsplassen to admire the Royal Palace .

You can check out the nearby buildings of Oslo City Hall , the Nobel Peace Center , and the National Theater .

If you are not having your dinner in your hotel, I’d recommend Katla , a unique dining experience right in the heart of Oslo. I loved dining here and enjoyed their food and services.

Day 1: Explore Oslo

The best way to explore Oslo is by taking a guided walking tour , guided bike tour , or self-guided walking tour around the city. I almost always choose to take a guided tour, free or paid, as I feel it gives you a headstart in a new city.

The walking tour in Olso lets you admire the landmarks in Olso like Karl Johans Gate , National Theatre , University Place , Norwegian Parliament , Nobel Peace Center , Royal Palace , City Hall , and the  National Museum .

There are so many fun things to do in Oslo . Here, you just have 2 days to discover the attractions in Oslo so I’d suggest starting your day with Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle . The fortress not only offers a historical narrative but also affords spectacular views of Oslo and the fjord. You can join a guided tour to learn more about the culture and history attached to the monument.

After the fortress, enjoy the Oslofjord Cruise that takes you to the Bygdøy Peninsula .

Spend some time checking out one or two of the best museums on the peninsula – Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, Viking Ship Museum,  and  the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History .

📣 Heads-Up : If you’ve got your sights set on the Viking Ship Museum, you’ll have to hold onto that excitement a bit longer. The museum is under renovation and won’t reopen until 2025 or 2026. Breathe easy, though— Norway’s still brimming with Viking history to explore !

Given your time limit, choose the museums that pick your interest. All of them are equally fascinating and provide unique insights into Norway’s history and culture.

If you are a museum person, you’ll love Oslo has over 50 museums for you to explore. If you ask me, you must add a visit to the Munch Museum to marvel at Edvard Munch’s iconic works.

Or you can choose to take an island hopping tour that lets you explore the ancient islands of Hovedøya , Lindøya , and Gressholmen .

Come back and sit at one of the eateries by the Aker Brygge , a beautiful harbor front in Oslo to enjoy the views of the fjord while enjoying lunch at Louise Restaurant . And don’t forget to try gelato at Paradis Gelateria .

End your day with authentic Norwegian cuisine at Maaemo , one of the world’s best restaurants !

I suggest you buy Oslo Pass to make the most of your time in the Norwegian capital. The pass saves you a lot of time, money, and hassle. It’s all the more important when you’ve limited time to explore the city.

⛵ Read More: The Ultimate 3-Week Nordic Itinerary

Day 2: Explore Oslo

Start your day 2 in Olso with a visit to Vigeland Sculpture Park aka Frogner Park . With over 200 sculptures in bronze, granite, and wrought iron, it makes for an exceptional outdoor gallery.

Spend some time exploring the Oslo Opera House . Don’t just admire it from the outside, though—the roof offers panoramic views of Oslo! It’s an architectural marvel where you can literally walk on the opera.

You might want to take a quick detour to Barcode Project , a series of ultra-modern, high-rise buildings located near the Opera House, it gives you a taste of Oslo’s forward-thinking architecture.

Stop by Mathallen Food Hall for lunch. It’s a feast for the senses with all sorts of local and international culinary delights. Alternatively, you can try Vaaghals , a restaurant that blends traditional and modern Norwegian gastronomy.

Oslo is surrounded by nature, so take a short tram ride to Ekebergparken , a sculpture and national heritage park offering stunning views of the city, or maybe take a stroll along the Akerselva River .

For dinner, you can head to Arakataka for authentic Norwegian flavors or Oslo Street Food for a global culinary adventure.

Norway is one of the top coffee-consuming nations (one of the reasons it’s close to my heart), and experiencing the local coffee culture could be an intimate way to wrap up the day.

Day 3: Oslo to Bergen via Scenic Bergen Railway | Explore Bergen

It’s time to ride one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, the Bergen Railway ( Bergensbanen )!

Grab a window seat and glue your face to the window for some of the most dramatic landscapes you’ll ever witness in your lifetime.

This beautiful train journey is a part of Norway in a Nutshell Tour where you get down at Myrdal to join the Flåm Railway ( Flåmsbana ), a short yet utterly picturesque train journey.

Tip: Make sure you book your tickets in advance. You must board the 8:25 am train so you can reach by 2:55 pm to have half a day to explore Bergen.

⛵ Read more about this enthralling train journey from Oslo to Bergen .

Check in your hotel (as always I recommend booking a hotel in the city center), freshen up, and get set to discover the capital of Fjord Norway.

Trust Me On This: Don’t forget your waterproof gear; Bergen is famous for its sudden showers.

Start your day with a visit to Mount Ulriken , the highest of the 7 mountains around Bergen. You can hike the mountain but it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike.

As you are short on time, take the Ulriken cable car up and down the mountain to enjoy the 360-degree views over the city.

Another not-to-be-missed attraction in Bergen is Mount Fløyen . It’s a beautiful hike provided you’ve time else you can take Fløibanen funicular  to the mountain.

Come back down to the city center and spend your evening exploring Bryggen , a UNESCO World Heritage site that features pretty waterfront wooden houses dating back to the 1700s.

If you want to join a guided tour, this walk through the past and present of Bergen by I Love Bergen is perfect as it covers the most popular attractions as well as secret spots in the city.

Or you can join an all-inclusive guided tour that includes city sightseeing, a fjord cruise, and Mt Fløyen Funicular.

Taste the local seafood and experience the rich trading history dating back to the 1200s at Bergen Fish Market .

I stayed at Hotel Norge by Scandic . Located right in the heart of Bergen, the hotel is rated highly for its location, services, and food. It’s also one of the top picks by families with children.

Check out the best accommodation options in Bergen

Just So You Know: If you’re looking to explore beyond Bergen’s walkable city center, consider grabbing a day pass for unlimited bus and light rail travel. These passes can be easily purchased at tourist centers or via the ‘ Skyss ‘ mobile app, offering a cost-effective way to roam far and wide.

⛵ Related Read: Best Places to Visit in Norway with Kids

🚘 Looking for reliable & affordable car hire in Norway?

I trust and recommend Discover Cars , a leader in online car rental bookings! It promises transparency, security, convenience, and incredible savings.

Day 4: Bergen to Odda via Rental Car | Hardangerfjord Cruise

Pick your rental car to drive the beautiful roads in Norway. I completely rely on and recommend Discover Cars to rent a car wherever you go.

Find the best deals for car rental here . You should book well in advance to grab the low-price deals.

Road-tripping is one of the best ways to explore Norway. It’s a delight to drive along the road with breathtaking views of fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers.

A road trip from Bergen to Odda via Fv7 (this route includes the Tørvikbygd-Jondal ferry to cross the fjord) takes around 3 hours excluding the time to make stops along the way.

Don’t forget to pack some road trip essentials and a travel playlist with maybe classic Norwegian songs to set the mood.

There are many scenic stops (because, well you’re in Norway) along the way so it’s wise to allow yourself enough time to stop and take in the epic views.

One of the prettiest stops is the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall in Norheimsund.

Once in Norheimsund , take the fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord aka the queen of the fjords with gofjords .

Cruising along the fjord, you’ll witness charming villages surrounded by steep mountains with snow-covered peaks and majestic waterfalls. You’ll also be able to see the Folgefonna glacier .

You’ll make a stop at Eidfjord to visit the Norwegian Nature Center Hardanger and the stunning and largest waterfall in Norway, Vøringsfossen .

Come back to Norheimsund to pick up your car and continue your drive to Odda. Once in Odda, make sure to check out Låtefoss waterfall in Oddadalen aka the Valley of Waterfalls .

Tip: If you love national parks , then you may want to consider visiting one of the national parks near Odda – Hardangervidda National Park and Folgefonna National Park .

I stayed at the Tyssedal Hotel , located by the Hardangerfjord at the foot of the Hardangervidda Mountains. It’s about 6 km (3.7 miles) north of central Odda.

Just about 7 km (4.3 miles) from Skjeggedal, the starting point of the Trolltunga hike, the hotel serves as a perfect base for those who want to do the Trolltunga hike.

Find the best deals on accommodation near Trolltunga

⛵ You Might Like: Beautiful Norwegian Words

Day 5: Hike Trolltunga

Today, you’ll experience one of the most scenic and popular hikes in Norway, Trolltunga.

Literally translating to troll tongue, it’s a cliff located at about 1,180 meters above sea level shaped like the tongue of a troll that extends out from the mountain.

From the main trailhead in Skjeggedal , the hike is 28 km (round-trip) and can take anywhere between 10-12 hours to complete depending upon the stops you make.

There’s another trailhead at Mågelitopp from where the round-trip hike is 20 km which can take about 8 -10 hours to complete.

The hike is long and arduous but worth it. The views from the top are magnificent! Nothing matches the joy and thrill of standing on the edge of the cliff and looking down at the crystal blue fjord right below.

• You must be well-equipped and well-prepared for the hike. Wear sturdy hiking boots and a wind and waterproof jacket. Pack some warm clothes because it gets cold as you gain elevation. Carry food and plenty of water. Once you’re on the trail, you’re on your own in terms of food and water, so pack wisely!
• There’s a small kiosk near the Skjeggedal trailhead where you can grab some basic snacks or a hot beverage before you begin the ascent. It’s a great spot for those last-minute munchies or for filling up your thermos with some hot cocoa or coffee.
• It’s best to take on this hike during the summer months of June, July, and August.
• Start early so you can get back before it gets dark. Plus, there is a limited number of parking spots at Skjeggedal and Mågelitopp so reaching early guarantees you a spot.
• If you want to leave your car at the hotel, there are shuttle services from Odda to Tyssedal and Skjeggedal and a shuttle bus from Skjeggedal to Mågelitopp.
• There are cliffs and fencing is missing so exercise caution.
• Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before embarking on a hike. Be aware that weather conditions can change quickly so be ready to handle the weather changes.
• I recommend you join a guided hike especially if you are not an experienced hiker as the local guides know the business in and out.

Traveler’s Tip: If you aren’t a hardcore hiker and find Trolltunga tough, the Buer Glacier is a good alternative. It’s a shorter trek, about 5 km round-trip, with fewer elevations but stunning glacial views. And if you want to skip hiking altogether, Odda Valley Museum , Agatunet , and Odda Church are some of the cultural gems in and around Odda.

Day 6: Odda to Flåm via Rental Car | Flåm Railway | Nærøyfjord Cruise

It’s not just another day in your 7-day Norway itinerary. It’s extra special. Today, you are going to meet the king of the fjords , Sognefjord , the largest and deepest fjord in Norway.

From cruising the wildest and most beautiful arm of Sognefjord, the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to visiting a charming village of Flåm located on the other arm of Sognefjord, Aurlandsfjord to riding the scenic Flåm Railway to visiting a Viking village of Gudvangen located at the end of the Nærøyfjord to driving one of the steepest roads in Northern Europe, Stalheimskleiva that offers the scenic stops like Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls – today’s going to rock!

And you’ll make a brief stop at a fairytale village of Undredal during your Nærøyfjord cruise with Heritage Taste Fjord Safari .

Stalheimskleiva is a little detour when driving from Odda to Flåm. Make a stop at Gudvangen and visit the Viking Valley .

Once in Flåm, board the Flåmsbana (Flåm Line) between Flåm and Myrdal. This 20 km long railway line lets you experience nature at its best coupled with historical cultural landscapes and the greatest engineering skills.

Flåm Railway Museum is a nice stopover before or after your Flåm Railway journey.

Known for its Viking-inspired ambiance, Aegir Brewery is the perfect place to enjoy some local brews and unwind after a long, adventurous day.

After a much-needed break, take a fjord cruise or fjord safari through Nærøyfjord. The 3-hour tour passes through tiny and charming fjord villages, endless waterfalls, majestic mountains, and mountainside farms. For me, this cruise was the best part of my trip to Norway.

The stories laced with Norwegian history and culture narrated by your guide keep you informed and entertained as you take in the beauty all around.

I booked Flåm Ferdaminne , a beautiful apartment with views of mountains and the ocean. The accommodation options in Flåm are limited so make sure you book well in advance.

Find the best deals for accommodations in Flåm

Day 7: Flåm to Oslo via Rental Car | Fly Back Home

There couldn’t be a better ending to your last day in Norway than this gorgeous road trip.

The road trip takes you through fascinating tunnels, medieval churches, charming towns, mountain passes, national parks, and dramatic fjords – In short, it’s another chance to witness Norway in its insanely beautiful glory before you leave (of course, to come back again)!

As you start from Flåm, take a slight detour from E16 to visit Stegastein viewpoint . You can also check Otternes Bygdetun , a cluster of old farmhouses for a different perspective on Norwegian culture on the way.

The viewpoint is a part of the National Tourist Road , Aurlandsfjellet (the snow road) which runs from Arland to Lærdal and gives stunning panoramic views of Aurlandsfjord.

There are many amazing stops like the Lærdal tunnel , Borgund Stave Church , Gol Stave Church , many beautiful waterfalls, and lovely sights like the one in the picture above depending upon the route you take.

⛵ Read my article about a road trip from Bergen to Oslo to know more about the routes you can take.

The drive is long (can take more than 6 hours with pitstops) so I’d suggest starting super early. I started at about 7 in the morning, reached Oslo at 3 pm, and still had time to explore around as my return flight was scheduled at 9 pm.

Alternative Tip: You can book your flight back home the next day so you can take this road trip at a leisurely pace rather than rushing through it.

To be honest, 7 days in Norway is too short a time to grasp the beauty it holds. Be that as it may, wherever you go in Norway and for however long you spend in Norway, you’ll cherish the experience forever.

Norway Travel FAQs

What is norway famous for.

Norway is known for its pure wilderness. From otherworldly fjords, lush woodlands, Viking heritage, arctic nature, endless outdoor adventures, and happiness index ranking to breathtaking northern lights, unreal midnight sun, stunning islands, charming villages, scenic rail journeys, beautiful road journeys, and delicious cuisine – Norway is famous for all things bright, beautiful, and delightful.

Is 7 Days Enough in Norway?

7 days in Norway are good enough to experience the highlights of the country. My 7-day Norway itinerary lets you explore the best of Norway in one week. It includes fjords, cities, small towns, and villages, rail journeys, road trips, culinary experiences, and everything Norwegian.

Is Norway Expensive to Visit?

Yes, it’s one of the most expensive countries in the world but worth every penny you spend. Yes, it’s that beautiful! Having said that, there are ways to cut costs and save money like booking a vacation home rental, cooking your own meals, buying discount passes for attractions and transport, exploring on foot, and looking for free things to do in the country (there are so many.)

What is the Best Time to Visit Norway?

Norway is stunning no matter the season. Still, the best time to visit Norway largely depends on your reason for visiting Norway. If outdoor adventure is what you are seeking – With extra long days and pleasant weather, June to August is the best time to go. If you wish to catch the elusive Northern Lights, September to March will be your best option. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall bring limitless natural beauty all around and perfect weather and is a great time to visit if you want to experience the country crowd-free.

How to Get Around Norway?

With an efficient transportation network, it’s easy peasy to navigate Norway. Super reliable rail, road, and sea network makes it easy even to venture into the remote parts of the country. Every city, town, and village is armored with an excellent system of buses, trams, undergrounds, and trains.

NORWAY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS Here are the essential resources that I use and recommend while planning a trip to Norway. For travel insurance: Heymondo . It’s the most affordable travel insurance with maximum coverage. For Connectivity: Airalo . It’s the first-ever eSIM global website where you can buy an eSIM at affordable prices and stay connected while traveling. For booking flights: Skyscanner and WayAway . They are the best search/comparison flight booking sites that help you find the best and cheapest flight deals. And with the WayAway membership plan, you’ll get cashback for every booking. Plus, with the special promo code “MELODIES” a 10% discount is activated. For finding accommodations: Booking.com and Agoda . They are the pioneers among hotel booking websites that give you a lot of choices with their huge selection of properties reviewed by travelers. For rental car: Discover Cars . It’s the best international car rental platform for all your car rental needs. For ground transport: 12Go . It’s one of the most popular sites for booking bus and train tickets across various destinations around the world. For tours & day trips: Viator ,  Get Your Guide , and Klook . They offer the best city tours and day excursions in Norway. For guidance on the go: A Lonely Planet Guidebook for Norway comes in handy here.

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Anjali Chawla

31 thoughts on “7 Days in Norway Itinerary for the First-Time Visitors”

Norway is definitely somewhere I’d like to visit and this one-week itinerary looks amazing with stunning scenery, hiking a scenic train journey and Oslo. What’s not to like…though maybe a bit more time would be good! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Linda. Absolutely Norway is a destination everyone must visit. The scenic train journey was a highlight of our trip. There is so much to see in Norway, you can definitely add more days to the itinerary. Hope you can take your trip sometime soon.

An amazing way to spend 7 days in Norway!

Thanks for reading and appreciating.

So many things you mention in this itinerary are on my list of things I want to see when I get to Norway. This itinerary will come in very handy.

We are so glad that you found the itinerary helpful. It keeps us motivated to write more. Thanks

Norway is so so beautiful. Sometimes, I wonder if a place like that exists in reality. Keep up the awesome work.

Yes indeed Norway has stunning natural beauty that’s mesmerizing. Ha ha, you must visit to check for that. Thanks for spending time and liking.

I visited Oslo when my children were little. They were delighted to run in the outdoor sculpture garden. We even saw naked Norwegian children swimming in the fountains. Great post!

Looks like you need to go back and explore Norway again with kids now. They will hav so much more to do. Ha ha, you reminded me of kids swimming in fountain in Philly, US. Thanks a lot for appreciating.

I’ve been meaning to visit Norway for a while. Thanks for making my life easier with such a great itinerary. Loved the suggestions and pictures!

Made our day by saying this. Glad to hear that you found the itininary helpful. Do let us know if you need any more suggestions, would lov to help. Do shares after you visit Norway

Ahh, Norway is such a dream destination of mine! I loved this first-timer’s guide. It’s exactly what I need to get my feet wet. I love the variety of regions you shared. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thanks Elena for stopping. Glad you found it helpful and inspiring for you to travel. Do let us know if you need any help in planning your trip.

I think it would be awesome to be in Norway to view the Northern Lights. Have you seen them? Great post and ideas for future travel opportunities.

That’s next thing on our bucket list. After witnessing the midnight sun, now we are planning for Northrern lights in Norway. Fingers crossed. Will share our experience regarding that.

My goodness, I hope I never have to ‘do’ Norway in a week! A week in each region would be more doable. But I guess, if you are limited by time, this sounds like a good place to to start.

Thanks for sharing this itinerary, it is really helpful and motivator to travel Norway and the celtic countries, beautiful description with pictures and emotions. I am planning to visit these countries. Thanks for all your advices and tips.

Hey, so nice to come across this. We as a family of 3 who love travelling. Visiting Norway for the first time, I am doing all my research. I’ve bookmark this page 🙂

Few question if you don’t mind answering: 1. How does parking a car and paying for it works? Being in UK we have many restrictions and car parks do get busy quite quickly. 2. If we can only do 1 fjord cruise, which one you recommend from your experience? 3. Not sure we can Hike Trolltunga, any other options that you like to suggest.

Thanks again for writing this wonderful blog. I am looking forward to read more.

Thanks for getting in touch 🙂 You’d love Norway. It’s a stunningly gorgeous country. And we are glad that you found our blog helpful. Okay, now let’s answer your questions:

1. Norway is strict when it comes to parking rules. It’s definitely a challenge to find parking in the main Norwegian cities and if you do, it’s quite expensive. You can find metered parking along city streets, parking lots, and parking garages. Once you find the right parking space, make sure to display a parking ticket (you can get it from the nearest automated parking meter or P-automat) on your car’s dashboard. You must carry Kroner coins to use P-automat. 2. I’d recommend Pulpit Rock Hike as it’s the easiest yet the most beautiful hike ( I feel so) in Norway. 3. If you don’t want to hike Trolltunga, you can extend another day in Bergen and hike from Fløyen to Ulriken (Vidden).

Hope this helps.

Happy Travels!

I am glad I come across this blog, visiting Norway soon this will be handy. May I ask you how was driving in Norway specially parking at places? Is there a 1-2 hour hike you have tried that you recommend ?

Great post and I am looking forward to read more…

Hello! I know this is an old post but wondering what you’d add to this trip if you had 10 days? Also, we’re a bit too lazy for Trolltunga so we’d exclude that. Thanks!

With 10 days on hand, I’d add Stavanger, Geiranger, and Trollstigen to this itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo | Explore Oslo Day 2: Explore Oslo Day 3: Fly To Stavanger | Explore Stavanger Day 4: Stavanger to Bergen via flight | Explore Bergen (Or you can spend another day in Stavanger and enjoy Lysefjord Cruise) Day 5: Explore Bergen Day 6: Drive from Bergen to Flåm via Gudvangen Day 7: Flåm Railway | Nærøyfjord Cruise Day 8: Flåm to Geiranger | Geirangerfjord Cruise Day 9: Explore Geiranger | Trollstigen Day 10: Geiranger to Oslo | Fly Back Home

You can get ideas from our 2 weeks in Norway itinerary . If you don’t want to hike Trolltunga, you can spend some more time in Bergen as the city’s charming and has so much to explore. Hope this helps.

Happy Travels 🙂

We have an opportunity to visit Norway in March. Our main goal is seeing the Northern Lights . Is this feasible ?

March, in general, gives a good chance to see the northern lights. The spring equinox brings peaks in aurora activity making it the best time to witness this celestial wonder.

I was searching on google for 7 days itinerary and woila your blog was so easy to plan . I am planning for Norway in Sept and you blog will be of utmost help. thank you Anjali.

Thanks for the encouraging words, Ankur 🙂 I’m glad I could help. Norway is a gorgeous country. You are sure to fall in love with it. Happy travels!

Wonderful post.

Any suggestions on easier hikes in Norway? Fairly flat, up to 5km roundtrip.

How easy is it to get one-way car rentals?

Vøringsfossen – Måbødalen, Kyllingdalen, Sognsvann Loop, Briksdalsbreen, and Ustedalsfjorden Loop are a few easy and flat hikes or walks in Norway that I know about. You can easily get a one-way car rental, however, it usually doubles the rental charges as they add a one-way drop-off fee.

Great effort. Drooling here about the prospect. I note in your 2-week Norway you created a google map. Can you/Have you done the same for the 1 week? Thanks. Warren

Thanks Warren! I’ve just added a google map in my 1 week Norway itinerary. Hope it helps.

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7-Day Oslo Itinerary for First Timers: Experience Norway's Captivating Capital

Here are some answers to your questions when creating your oslo norway itinerary., when is the best time of year to visit oslo.

The best time to visit Oslo is from May to August where you’ll experience lots of sunshine and moderate temperatures, and you can experience long daylight hours. This period offers an ideal climate for exploring the city and participating in outdoor activities.

However, if you can brave the cold, going for the holiday season would also be a wonderful time to visit!

Do I need cash in Norway?

As I mentioned in my travel tip guide to Oslo , everyone uses electronic payment methods, and it’s very common to go cashless. I didn’t use cash at all when I was there.

How does public transportation work in Oslo?

Oslo has an extensive and efficient public transportation system that includes buses, trams, ferries, and a metro system known as the T-bane.

You can use a single ticket for all modes of public transport within the city limits. I recommend purchasing your ticket via the Ruter mobile app, which also provides route planning tools!

What are some recommended areas or neighborhoods to stay in?

Grünerløkka has a fun, eclectic vibe to it with lots of cafes, bars, and street art, and Frogner or Majorstuen provides a more upscale experience with easy access to the city’s parks and museums!

What are some traditional Norwegian dishes I should try?

Traditional Norwegian dishes you should try include “rakfisk” (fermented fish), “kjøttkaker” (Norwegian meatballs), and “lutefisk” (dried fish rehydrated through a lye solution). Also, don’t miss out on tasting “brunost” (brown cheese) and “lefse” (Norwegian flatbread).

Can you recommend any must-visit cafes or restaurants in Oslo?

Yes! You can visit my Oslo Restaurant Guide here .

Is Oslo safe for tourists?

Super safe. It’s very safe for solo female travelers, families, couples, etc. Nothing to fear, and walking around at night is very peaceful. However, always stay aware of your surroundings and use your common sense.

How expensive is Oslo compared to other European cities?

Oslo is often ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Expect costs for accommodation, dining out, and entertainment to be higher than in many other European cities. Planning your budget accordingly is recommended.

Fortunately for you, I wrote a travel budget guide for you !

Do most people speak English, or should I learn some basic Norwegian phrases?

Most Norwegians speak fluent English, so you will have no problem communicating in Oslo! Although I always recommend learning how to say hi, bye, and thank you!

Is Oslo worth visiting?

Oh, absolutely! Oslo is truly a stunning place and has the best views, the best people, and the best food. There’s so much history to learn about, lots of gorgeous Scandinavian architecture, and museums to peruse around. If it were up to me, I would pack my things up and live in Oslo!

Discover the Heart of Norway: Your Ultimate 7-Day Oslo Itinerary

If you’re currently in the middle of curating your Norway itinerary, whether it’s for 2 days, 4 days, a week, or maybe even more, allow this to be your guide in curating your perfect itinerary. There’s no need to strictly follow this itinerary, feel free to use it as a blueprint for your perfect trip!

Find the best flight deals to Oslo + receive cashback!

Before I get started, I wanted to share the best platform to get the best flight deals. 

WayAway.io is an innovative travel platform designed to help you find the best deals on flights to destinations like Oslo. When you use WayAway.io to book your flight, you not only gain access to potentially cheaper fares but also have the opportunity to earn cashback on your travel expenses!

Feel free to give it a try here!

Monday, Day 1 | Get Acquainted with Oslo

Morning:  Start off your morning right by going to the outdoor saunas at Oslo Badstuforening Langkaia ! This is a great way to feel alive again after a long flight to Oslo.

Afterwards, go on a walk to the Oslo Opera House, where you can walk on the roof for a panoramic view of the city and fjord.

Afternoon: Walk on over to the Aker Brygge area for lunch and some people-watching. I recommend grabbing a coffee at the Porsche Studio , then grabbing a light lunch in that area!

Evening:  Grab dinner at Den Glade Iris for the yummiest Norwegian pork dishes.

Tuesday, Day 2

Morning:  Visit the Museum of the Viking Age to see well-preserved Viking ships and learn about Norway’s history!

Afternoon:  Head to the Norwegian Folk Museum nearby to experience Norway's cultural history. End your day at the Kon-Tiki Museum to learn about Thor Heyerdahl's adventures.

Evening:  Have dinner at Mathallen ! This is an Oslo food market that has a plethora of restaurants for you to choose from.

Wednesday, Day 3

Morning: Explore the Vigeland Park , the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist.

Afternoon:  Visit the National Museum of Oslo . This is by far the best museum I’ve ever been to. One afternoon isn’t enough!

Evening:  Head to Grünerløkka and go to a wine bar and have dinner.

Thursday, Day 4

Morning: Visit the popular Anne på landet to try brown cheese, also known as brunost, which is a quintessential Norwegian delicacy with a distinctive caramel-like taste. The brunost is served on top of waffles with a berry jam!

Afternoon: Take a boat tour from Aker Brygge to see more of Oslo. Have lunch at a fish market afterwards!

Evening:  Have dinner at Trattoria Popolare , one of Oslo’s best Italian restaurants. Make sure to get the ravioli!

Friday, Day 5

Morning: Go shopping at Grünerløkka. This neighborhood has the best vintage shops, clothing shops, and more!

Afternoon & Evening: Have a spa day at The Thief , and indulge in a 3 course dinner!

Saturday, Day 6

Morning:  Check out the iconic Royal Palace and wander through the palace gardens.

Afternoon:  Walk down Karl Johans gate, Oslo's main street, and grab lunch at one of the local cafes.

Evening:  Head to Konoji for great vibes, great playlists, delicious Japanese food, and killer cocktails. This place does NOT disappoint.

Sunday, Day 7

Morning:  Pack up your things!

Afternoon:  Check out the Sunday market at Ingensgate . Please note that most establishments are closed on Sundays! This market has the best vintage finds, art, and home decor. I loved walking through here and meeting locals and tourists alike.

Evening: Head home!

There you have it, your 7-Day Oslo itinerary!

I hope this 7-day Oslo itinerary helped you out, and have all the fun on your trip to Oslo!

I also wanted to add that I curate travel itineraries for my readers! Feel free to book a call with me and get your dream trip perfected by yours truly!

The post 7-Day Oslo Itinerary for First Timers: Experience Norway’s Captivating Capital appeared first on By Nica Lina .

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Arctic Odyssey - from Norway to Svalbard

Embark on an exceptional journey from Norway's Arctic capital of Tromsø, and leave Europe behind as you sail to Svalbard, the realm of the polar bear!

Embark on a thrilling journey into the wilds of northern Europe, sailing from mainland Norway to the high Arctic islands of Svalbard.

This exciting voyage begins in the Captial of the Arctic, the Norwegian city of Tromsø. Bathed in the midnight sun throughout the brief Arctic summer, Tromsø is a vibrant metropolis in miniature, and has been the gateway to the Scandinavian Arctic for generations of explorers. Marvel at the city's stunning natural setting nestled deep in the calm fjords of Troms County, explore the city's bustling high street, lined with boutique shops, cozy cafes and historical gems, and explore the city's many monuments and landmarks such as the Arctic Cathedral and the Polar Museum. 

From Tromsø, we will sail to Norway's northernmost point, where we will spend time searching for wildife at the islands of Gjesværstappan, and stand at the end of the European mainland at legendary Nordkapp. Leaving civilisation behind, we will venture even further north to Bjørnøya (Bear Island), a lonely isle between Svalbard and mainland Norway, home to some of the most spectacular bird colonies on Earth. 

Our next stop will be the majestic islands of Svalbard, the kingdom of the polar bear. Experience jaw-dropping natural beauty, keep watch for charismatic Arctic wildlife, and discover the fascinating history of this incredible archipelago. Exploring on land, we will aim to experience the Arctic up close and personal, while our fleet of Zodiacs also allow us to explore on the water. 

During the short summer, wildlife such as reindeer and polar foxes are busy amassing energy for the icy polar winter. The cliffs shimmer with life as every surface is populated with countless birds, and in a few months, a new generation of Arctic sea birds are ready to leave their nests. Arctic guillemots, black guillemots and razorbills can be observed fishing in our ship's wake. On the sandy shores, huge walruses enjoy the short Arctic summer, and many whales and seals forage along the edge of the pack ice and the coasts. 

Join a true Arctic expedition: experience with us! 

Please note that exact landing sites in Svalbard will be determined by wind, sea and ice conditions. 

Facts about Arctic Odyssey - from Norway to Svalbard

• Inclusions / Exclusions
• Practical info

Tromsø, Norway - Embarkation

Arrive in Tromsø, the majestic 'Capital of the Arctic'. Situated deep in the maze of fjords for which Norway is famous, Tromsø sits on an island surrounded by steep mountains and plunging seas. 

Known worldwide as Norway's Arctic capital, Tromsø is the largest city in the European Arctic with around 80,000 residents, and is the hub for transport, industry and tourism throughout the region. Visitors from all ober the world come to experience this vibrant city, as well as explore the stunning nature which surrounds it, or to simply bask in the midnight summer sun. 

Ocean Albatros awaits in the calm waters of the city harbour, ready to take our guests on a spectacular journey, leaving Europe behind and heading into the wild north beyond. After the mandatory safety drill, relax on the outer decks sipping a carefully crafted cocktail as Ocean Albatros sets sail through the fjords of northern Norway. 

Gjesværstappan, Skarsvåg and the North Cape

In the early morning of the first full day of our expedition, we will arrive at Gjesværstappan, a maze of rugged islands and skerries off the coast of the small village of Gjesvær. These islands were designated a nature reserve in 1983, and exploring on the nearby waters cleary shows why! These islands hold an incredible amount of life, with vast colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, puffins and gannets all nesting in the area - one of Norway's greatest natural wonders! 

Ocean Albatros will reposition over lunchtime to the tiny village of Skarsvåg. Skarsvåg holds the distinction of being the most northerly fishing village in the world, and many residents work harvesting the rich chilly waters at the top of Scandinavia. From Skarsvåg, we will join an excursion to Nordkapp, the monument which marks the northernmost tip of mainland Norway and the European continent. This famed landmark beckons us to the next part of our journey, as we leave civilisation behind in the evening, and strike out towards the wild Arctic islands of Svalbard. 

Bjørnøya/Bear Island

Situated in the middle of the Barents Sea between northern Norway and southern Svalbard lies Bjønøya, known in English as Bear Island. This rugged island marks the start of the High Arctic, as the peaks of the island loom on the horizon. 

Small, isolated and rarely visited, Bear Island was once heavily exploited by whalers and sealers, who flocked to the island from across Europe to harvest oil-bearing marine mammals. Thankfully, the island and surrounding waters are now protected as a nature reserve, and the island is returning to natural abundance. Despite the name, polar bears are almost unknown here, but whales and seals are common in these rich waters, and the steep cliffs of the isalnd are home to literally millions of seabirds. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins and gannets all crowd for space on tiny rock ledges, while hungry gulls and skuas cruise overhead in a never-ending search for prey. 

If conditions permit, we will aim to offer a Zodiac cruise with our expert expedition team to experience the incredible wildife of this remote island - a true bucket-list experience! 

Southwest Svalbard

The southwest coast of Svalbard is washed by warmer water coming up through the Atlantic, so winter ice generally retreats first from this reagion. This allows us to enter the southern fjords of the area, even at the start of the summer - easily some of the most spectacular regions of this stunning archipelago. Throughout this maze of fjords and islands, birds cluster together on high cliffs and reindeer graze on the fertile slopes below, while icebergs drift by from the various large glaciers in the area. Tiny calico snow buntings flit between crags, while perfectly camouflaged purple sandpipers scamper along the shore. Look higher up on the vegetated slopes, and there - greyish white 'boulders' move and resolve themselves into sheep-sized reindeer: the unique subspecies native to Svalbard. A flash of bluish-black, and the screeches of nearby birds herald the arrival of the Arctic fox, the only native land predator on Svalbard (the polar bear being classified as a marine mammal). 

The mountaintops are most often covered by dense clouds and the East-Spitsbergen current often leads pack ice into the mouths of the fjords. With a huge variety of landing sites to explore, this region is without doubt one of the most exciting and diverse regions of Svallbard! Options to explore in the area include the huge bird cliffs of Alkhjornet and Vårsolbukta, and the historical sites of Calypsobyen and Bambsebu, where prospectors, trappers and a range of other adventurers attempted to make their fortunes. 

Northwest Svalbard

One of the largest protected wilderness areas in Europe, North West Svalbard was declared a national park in 1973. The area is famed for its history, which documents some of the earliest human arrivals on Svalbard. While Norse explorers may have sighted these icy shores during the Viking Age, the first definite arrival was the expedition of William Barents, the legendary Dutch explorer for whom the Barents Sea is named. While now protected from human distruption, when Barents arrived in 1596, he noted the vast numbers of whales and seals which were soon prey to English and Dutch whalers, who arrived within a decade of Barents to pillage the area's wildlife. The area occupies the triple point between land, sea and ice, and as such was the perfect location from which to harvest the gentle giants of the oceans. Sites used to dismember whale carcasses and render them for their precious oil include the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where the remains of 16th Century blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen. Other sites such as nearby Ytre Norskøya record the darker side of this industrialised slaughter, where hundreds of young men who hoped to make their fortunes are buried thousands of miles from home. 

Today, all that remains from this period of history are bones and the scant remnants of human habitation. Slowly reclaimed by creeping Arctic nature, the region is now a nature lovers paradise. Tiny Arctic poppies and purple saxifrage defy the brutal conditions to flower in the brief summer, while geese, eider ducks and other seabirds return to the island to raise their young. Walrus can be found hauled out on beaches, and we must always be on careful lookout for wandering polar bears in this now again wild region. 

A haven of wildlife, fascinating history and jaw-dropping scenery, northwest Svalbard is surely one of the most spectacular areas of the Arctic, if not the world! 

Longyearbyen, Svalbard - Disembarkation

On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard - the world's northernmost... everything! This remarkable little city is not only the northernmost town in the world (if one excludes the tiny research community of Ny-Ålesund, slightly further north on Svalbard), but also hosts the world's northernmost civilian airport, schools, bank and supermarket.

The town's rugged frontier edge belies a core of warm Nordic hospitality and coziness, with comfy cafes, excellent restaurants and boutique shops all within walking distance. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic! 

After enjoying exploring Longyearbyen and a fond farewell to the crew and fellow guests of Ocean Albatros, guest will be transported to Svalbard Airport to flyy back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime. 

• 8-day/7-night cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room with a private bathroom in the category chosen
• Local transport in Longyearbyen on day 8
• English-speaking expedition staff
• Guided walks with the expedition team
• Nature hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
• Information briefings and lectures by the expedition team
• Special photo workshop
• Full board on the ship
• Dinner drink package
• Free coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
• Welcome and farewell cocktails
• Taxes, tariffs, and landing fees
• Digital visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery, species list, and more
• Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
• Single room supplement and cabin upgrades
• Meals not on board the ship
• Beverages (other than coffee and tea and dinner-drink package)
• Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 16 per person per day)
• Personal expenses
• Travel, cancellation, and senior insurance
• Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’

Leaving Tromsø, your expedition vessel will proceed north, reaching Gjesværstappan early in the morning. During lunchtime, the Ocean Albatros will reposition to the small village of Skarsvåg. From there, our vessel will continue onward into Svalbard to explore the unknown. The goal for the days spent exploring in Svalbard is to offer activities which will allow everyone to explore off the ship as much as possible (weather permitting). Weather dependent, we will try to offer two activities per day, usually either a landing or a Zodiac cruise.

Typically, there will be a morning activity after breakfast and an afternoon activity after lunch. We always try our hardest to meet this expectation, but because weather in the Arctic can be extremely unpredictable, we ask everyone to be mindful of our remote location and thank everyone in advance for their flexibility. Activities we offer include landings, Zodiac cruises and ship cruises. Regulations in Svalbard limit the number of people ashore at any time, so we will usually aim to offer a Zodiac cruise while our first group of guests are ashore, and reverse this for the second group ashore to maximise exploration time. No matter the day’s planned activities, the onboard Expedition Team and Expedition Leader will work as hard as possible in conjunction with the Captain and Crew to maximize exploration opportunities.

A “typical” expedition day may look like this (subject to weather and sea conditions and sailing schedule):

06:45: Wake-up call

07:00-08:00: Breakfast

08:30-11:30: Morning activity - Landing and Zodiac Cruise

12:30-13:30: Lunch

14:30-17:30: Afternoon Activity - Landing and Zodiac Cruise

18:30-19:30: Evening Recap with Expedition Team

19:30: Dinner

Landings are a great opportunity to stretch your legs and set foot on shore to visit the wildlife colonies, historical sites, and dramatic landscapes of Svalbard. Our experienced Expedition Team will be on shore to help you spot any wildlife, historical remains and geological and biological features, as well as keep our guests safe on shore from any potential hazards. 

Remember that Svalbard holds a significant population of polar bears; while encounters are rare, these large wild animals can be dangerous. For that reason, when ashore in Svalbard our specially trained staff always prioritise the safety of our guests, and freedom to roam and hike in the area may be limited. We remind all visitors that this is for their own safety, and the safety of polar bears on Svalbard. 

Some sites do not offer landing opportunities, but are locations where exploring on the water offers the best opportunities for sightseeing, wildlife and photography. These Zodiac cruise sites are often known for their concentration of ice, wildlife and even historical landmarks such as whaling stations, where our fleet of Zodiacs offer the best vantage point. This would be the only scenario you may have to wait on the ship (other than in adverse weather conditions), but we will always aim to offer an onboard program during this time, such as seminars given by our knowledgeable and experienced Lecturer team. Zodiac cruises are great for observing icebergs, glaciers, whales, and other marine wildlife. Your skilled driver will navigate around the area looking for wildlife and beautiful landscapes. By the end of the voyage, Zodiac cruises tend to become a firm favourite among our guests because of the vast diversity of scenery and marine life it is possible to experience. 

In the event we encounter bad weather, are in a particularly spectacular location, or are viewing marine wildlife, often our purpose-built expedition vessels are the best viewing platform. The Captain and Expedition Leader will search for locations best accessed with the vessel to seek out the best wildlife and scenery. We encourage everyone to bundle up and either head onto the outer decks with the Expedition Team or relax in superlative comfort in our specially-designed lounges to experience the majesty of the Arctic from the best vantage point. During this time, our Expedition Team specialists will offer expert commentary related to the wildlife, history and conservation of the region, and more! 

Other activities onboard include our ship Gym, where you can burn some calories on our fitness bicycles or treadmills; most of our ships even have other cardio machines and strength/lifting options. Most voyages throughout the season also offer kayaking (booked and paid onboard – weather permitting), and we will often aim to offer hiking excursions onshore when possible. Our new purpose-built ships have a Spa, in which guests can enjoy massages, facials, and other relaxing treatments (additional cost applies). Our Library is a great place to rest between outings, with expansive views and a wide selection of Arctic-related reading material. During your voyage you will also be able to enjoy our tea time in the late afternoon, or indulge in some retail therapy in our onboard shop, which sells personal necessities as well as specially-selected Arctic souvenirs.

In between our landings and activities we offer three hearty daily main meals. Albatros Expeditions always have allergy flexible options, healthy selections as well as a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

Our hardworking galley crew deliver multiple Breakfast options, served in a buffet style along with a cooking station where eggs are made to order.  At Lunch we are also met with a smorgasbord of mouthwatering choices. Safe to say you will have the energy for your next outing!

When it is Dinner time, you can choose to eat at the main restaurant or book a table at the Specialty Restaurant. Your evening meal is served a la carte, with fresh new options daily and always a selection of fixed items. There is always a vegetarian and pescetarian option available. Albatros Expeditions are known for our delicious menus and a variety of exquisite wine pairings.

Onboard you will also have the option to join Afternoon Tea with sweets, cakes or snacks served each afternoon. Albatros Expeditions have tea and coffee freely available all day throughout the vessel, while specialty coffee, alcoholic beverages and hand-crafted cocktails are available at the ship’s bars.

During May, migratory wildlife begins to return to Svalbard. Geese, wading birds, and seabirds arrive for their breeding season, constructing nests and defending their tiny but all-important territories. While Svalbard experiences the midnight sun from early April, during May, many of the fjords are still frozen, and snow reaches down to the sea. This can be an exciting time to spot migratory wildlife, although colder weather and more unpredictable weather can hamper exploration at times.

By June, most of the fjords of Svalbard are navigable, and the snow has retreated to the hills – although the pack ice to the North can still block off access to the colder northeastern part of the archipelago. The tundra begins to come to life, as saxifrages, Arctic willows and heathers start to photosynthesise, greening the otherwise stark Arctic landscape. Expect to hear cacophonous bird calls during June, as the archipelago’s bird life rigorously defend their nests from predators. Arctic foxes (one of the Svalbard’s major predators) have now lost their snowy winter coat and molted into their sleek smoky summer. By June, the female walrus of Svalbard have mostly given birth to their calves, which they nurture at sea - although they can sometimes be spotted on shore at some of the larger walrus colonies. Polar bears may be found throughout the islands, roaming the wilderness in their never-ending search for prey. On the hillsides, the stumpy Svalbard reindeer begin to give birth to their calves – a process which continues through July. While inclement conditions can occur in June, the rising temperatures and permanent sunshine offer excellent exploration opportunities as the weather becomes more stable.

In July, the brief Polar summer reaches its peak. The hillsides burst into colour as plants begin to flower – tiny jewels of purple and yellow adorning the tundra. July is the peak of animal activity on Svalbard, as the wildlife attempts to complete their breeding cycles and pack on enough fat to survive the brutal Arctic winter. Arctic fox cubs are emerging from their dens and beginning to explore the world, while their parents ruthlessly stalk prey to feed their young. On the sea cliffs, guillemot, fulmar and little auk chicks are emerging from their eggs, while goose, tern and eider chicks are hatching in their nests on the ground. The parent birds valiantly defend their nests from marauding foxes and even polar bears. This is a lean time of year for the King of the Arctic; polar bears stranded on Svalbard by the retreating ice live primarily off their fat reserves through the summer; the lucky ones survive by scavenging beached whale carcasses, while others will frequent bird colonies, hoping for unguarded eggs or chicks fallen from their nests, and some even resort to eating grass and berries.

Arctic weather is famously unpredictable. Svalbard experiences midnight sun from April to late August, bringing with it warmer and calmer weather. Summer temperatures tend to range between 4-10°C (39-50°F); due to the constant sunlight, temperatures in summer rarely drop below freezing, although frost and snow showers can occur at any time.

Extended periods of sunshine can warm up sheltered areas significantly, and these can feel warm (even hot) on calm windless days. However, the weather in Svalbard is heavily influenced by the last gasp of warm water currents from the Gulf Stream, which can bring rapidly changing conditions. Fog, wind and rain can occur at any time, even on the warmest sunniest days, leading to rapid drops in temperature. We therefore remind our guests to be prepared for all weather conditions! We highly recommend to our guests to dress in layers (ideally in woollen or synthetic fibers) and wear a backpack so that layers can be adjusted as the weather dictates. Warm/waterproof layers, hats, waterproof gloves and scarves are recommended for all excursions off the vessel, even on the sunniest days – the weather can deteriorate rapidly at any time. Sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm) is also essential – the low angle of the Arctic sun combined with cool ambient temperatures can cause sunburn to easily go unnoticed until it is too late! 

Unlike many areas of the Arctic, Svalbard does not host mosquitos or other biting insects. Bear in mind however that mainland Norway does! Head nets, long sleeved clothing and repellant are essential if you plan on extending your visit!

Albatros Expeditions strives to employ the very best Expedition Team in the whole industry. We travel in some of the planet’s most remote regions, where planning and on-location experience is key. Our routes and itineraries are subject to the prevailing sea, ice and wind conditions, which are closely monitored by the Bridge Team and Expedition Leader. Drawing on their vast experience, they find the best alternatives in the rare instances where our planned itinerary needs to be changed. Each cruise is a completely unique combination of locations, where the highlights can often be the totally unexpected. Most of our cruises provide the opportunity to spot a variety of unique wildlife, although this is subject to the whims of Mother Nature and can of course not be guaranteed. As you will no doubt experience, the joy from our Expedition Team when spotting different species on land or at sea is as genuine as your own.

This means that you as our guest are part of an adventure, a true expedition, where plans change, wildlife is encountered on their terms and your team consists of the very best experts within their fields. We strive to maintain a mix of specialists within relevant polar subjects including marine biology, ornithology, earth science, history and others. Albatros Expeditions boast a large number of Expedition Staff onboard, allowing us to maintain a high ratio of staff-to-guests at 1:8, amongst the highest ratios in expedition cruising. Some of our staff have decades of experience on ships or research stations, whilst others may be performing their first season. One thing they all have in common is the wish to make each and every journey a special and memorable experience for our guests. Knowledge, skill, and passion are the trademarks of all Albatros Expedition Staff.

To ensure the safety and quality of experience of our guests, please keep in mind that the itinerary and outdoor activities during each voyage are solely dependent on weather and sea conditions. Your safety is our highest priority. The route and shore landings will be determined by the Captain and Expedition Leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings. Albatros Expeditions reserves the right to modify the landings and locations visited during a voyage based on local weather conditions and climate to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests. Our voyages are expeditionary in nature, and thus changes to timings are commonplace due to the environment we operate in, as well as wildlife opportunities and locations.

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Europe , norway , Road Trips · May 25, 2024

Norway Road Trip – The Ultimate 2 Week Travel Itinerary

This post is also available in: Nederlands

Are you currently trying to plan the perfect Norway road trip itinerary? No need to look any further! Cause if you love spending time outdoors then this is the perfect Norway road trip for you!

From discovering the Norwegian fjords, exploring the most beautiful National Parks, searching for wildlife and getting soaked next to waterfalls. This Norway road trip itinerary is for those who love to explore the more of the beaten path places.

In my opinion, t’s the perfect combination of the more popular touristic places and some true hidden gems that took a lot of planning and searching to find.

Get ready to discover some of the most beautiful places in Norway and the most beautiful hiking trails in Norway .

Transportation for this Norway itinerary

We made our road trip through Norway with a camper and I would do it again. We chose a camper from  WeCamp  and really loved it! It was very spacious and comfortable and it really felt like our home away from home for these 2 weeks.

A self-drive trip through Norway is   the best way to see all the beautiful places this Scandinavian country has to offer   . And no, public transport is really not an option for this itinerary. Then you really have to limit yourself to visiting the cities in Norway.

Do you want to explore Norwegian nature? Then you should rent a car or camper!

Fortunately, driving in Norway is   a great experience  ! And it is also the most budget-friendly way to discover the country. Not only because public transport in Norway is expensive, but also because you can reach the more remote places where you can normally find cheaper accommodation.

By renting a car or camper,   you actually save on transportation AND accommodation   .

Another big plus? You can literally look for good weather! Halfway through our trip we turned our route a bit upside down as there would be 4 days of sunshine so it would be perfect for walking! This is something you cannot do if you book all your hotels in advance. During these types of trips I don’t think accommodation is that important. If there is a hot shower, I am happy.

💡  TIP  – In Norway there are toll roads or you sometimes have to take a ferry. Your  WeCamp  camper is equipped with a barcode and these additional costs will be settled after returning your camper at the end of the trip.

The start and end point of your trip through Norway

Norway is a really big country and it is practically impossible to explore both the south and the north in 2 weeks.

For our first tour through this beautiful country, we chose to focus mainly on the West Fjords and the most beautiful places in the lower half of the country.

So we started in Oslo, where after a smooth direct flight from Brussels we immediately traveled to  WeCamp  to pick up our camper.

If you want to dive into the city first, you can do so very easily because from Oslo Airport you can reach Oslo city center    in 20 minutes with the Flytoget Airport Express train  .

Our tour through Norway is a big loop that also ends in Oslo.

How many days do you need for this Norway itinerary?

Do you want to follow this itinerary completely? Then you should allow at least 14 days for this and a few extra days certainly can’t hurt. Do you have less time to explore this region of Norway? No problem! Then you will simply have to skip some places such as the Sunmøre Alps and Dovrefjell National Park.

Below you can find our exact itinerary with a lot of explanation about each region we visited, the most beautiful places you can visit and the average travel time from region to region. Oh and to top it all off, I have also added some tips for beautiful places you can encounter along the way!

LYSEFJORD (2 DAYS)

Depending on what time you arrive in Oslo, you can already pick up your camper at  WeCamp  , do some shopping and start your drive towards the Lysefjord. This is suddenly also the longest travel time of this route with no less than 603km on the counter! We therefore decided to just drive as far as our fatigue would allow us on the first evening. After about 6 hours of driving we decided to use one of the parking lots next to the highway. You won’t find a shower here, but you will find a public toilet!

The next day we first visited the beautiful  Månafossen  waterfall , before driving to the beautiful Lysefjord. The hike to  Preikestolen  is one of the most popular hikes in all of Norway. The walk is about 7.8 km in total and takes you to the 600 meter high cliff where a breathtaking view over the Lysefjord awaits you. You can camp at  Preikestolen camping AS  .

💡  TIP  – If you want to spend the night here, it is best to try to get your place as early in the day as possible. Checkout is from 11 am and from then on it is always possible to reserve your place.

Travel time  – 8.5 hours including a short stop at the waterfall.

HARDANGERVIDDA (2 DAYS)

The region around the Hardangervidda National Park is one of the most beautiful in southern Norway. Best known of course for the spectacular walk to the Trolltunga  . You walk above the   Hardangerfjord  and the total walking time is 20km or 28km, depending on your starting point.

But there are also some beautiful stops nearby that you should definitely not miss! How about the  Låtefossen  and  Furebergfossen  , two waterfalls that you can admire in all their glory just next to the road. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful  Bondhusdalen  Lake . For the latter you should allow approximately 2 hours for your visit, unless the weather is beautiful and you can also swim. So be sure to wear your swimsuit under your clothes on a sunny day!

The evening before you walk to Trolltunga it is best to stay at the  Trolltunga Camping    , which is just a 10-minute drive from P1 Tyssedal. Another option is the  Ringøy Gard Camping  , a 45-minute drive from the P1 Tyssedal, but here you camp next to the water with a view of the Hardangerfjord.

Travel time  – It is about a 7.5 hour drive from the Lysefjord to the Hardangervidda National Park

JOTUNHEIMEN (3 DAYS)

Jotunheimen National Park was one of the biggest surprises of our trip! This beautiful region in the south of Norway is absolutely unique and the road there is absolutely fantastic. Along the way you will pass the impressive  Vøringfossen  , one of the highest waterfalls in Norway with a free fall of about 182 meters. The water literally crashes into the deep and you can safely admire this spectacle from the steel stairs and viewpoints. Along the way you will also pass Rjukandefoss, an idyllic waterfall that you can easily admire via a short forest path.

In Jotunheimen there is the  Besseggen Ridge Hike  . This 14.5km walk starts in Memurubu and ends in Gjendesheim. But to reach Memurubu you first have to take a ferry from Gjendesheim. This walk is described by the Norwegians themselves as one of the must-do hikes in Norway.

If you do not have 14 days to explore Norway, it is best to continue towards Åndalsnes, but otherwise you have an extra day here to also  explore the  Knutshøe  . This 13.2km walk takes you over the ridge of the Knutshøe and I thought it was certainly just as spectacular as the Besseggen.

You can stay at the    Besseggen Fjellpark AS  , which is located near the start of both walks.

Travel time  – 7 hours including all stops until you arrive at Jotunheimen National Park.

DOVREFJELL NATIONAL PARK (1 DAY)

Dovrefjell national park  was one of the absolute highlights of our tour through Norway and actually a last minute decision. The weather gods had predicted rain again, so we decided to postpone our slightly more difficult walks for a day and look for the mystical musk ox! This is the only place in Norway, and one of the few places in the world, where you can see the majestic musk ox. The musk ox is one of the oldest mammals on our planet. Dating back to 187,000 to 129,000 years ago, musk oxen are known as    the rugged survivors of the Ice Age  .

💡  TIP  – When photographing wild animals, be careful to keep a safe distance and not to disturb them in their wild habitat. So it is best to use a camera with a good zoom lens for this.

After your visit to Dovrefjell you drive towards Åndalsnes, but before you arrive here you drive past the beautiful valley of  Innerdalen  . Also praised as one of the most beautiful valleys in Norway and very easy to reach, don’t miss a short but steep walk of 7km in total.

Travel time  – 2.5 hours to get from Jotunheimen to Dovrefjell  and then another 1 hour drive to Innerdalen.  We chose to drive to Åndalsnes that same evening so that we could start our walk early the next day. Doing this will add another 2.5 hours of driving.

ANDALSNES (3 DAYS)

The   Romsdalseggen Ridge Hike  in Åndalsnes is one of the most impressive hiking trails in all of Norway! For this walk you will definitely need a whole day and you will have to take the  Romsdalseggen bus  that takes you to Vengedalen. Then you climb up and walk over the Romsdalseggen ridge back to Åndalsnes.

The   Trollstigenweg  is one of the most famous mountain roads in Norway and takes you to the beautiful  Trollstigen  viewpoint. The walk to  Stabbeskaret  also starts here, where you can literally sit on top of the troll wall.

💡  TIP  – One of the most spectacular scenes from Mission Impossible with Tom Cruise was also filmed here. Yes, that scene where he rides his motorcycle off a cliff.

End the day with a walk of less than a kilometer to  Litlefjellet  , one of the best places to admire the sunset over the Romsdal valley.

The area around Åndalsnes is filled with beautiful campsites and we had the pleasure of staying at two of them! We stayed at the    Åndalsnes Camping & Motell    and the    Trollveggen Camping   . Of these two, Trollveggen Camping is definitely the most beautiful! Here you camp right next to the impressive Troll Wall. And yes, we saw our campsite all the way down in the valley when we reached the Stabbeskaret viewpoint!

Another camping option is    Trollstigen Camping en Gjestegård   , which is just a 15-minute drive from the bus station in Åndalsnes and has been voted one of the best and most beautiful campsites in all of Norway. Unfortunately, I only found out about it after our visit to the area.

Travel time  – 2 hours to visit all the different places in Åndalsnes during these days .

SUNMØRE ALPS (1 DAY)

The Sunmøre Alps are still relatively unknown to the general public and one of the most beautiful views of this region is from the top of Saksa Mountain . This 6km walk is short but very challenging because it climbs very steeply. I literally huffed and puffed my way to the top, but the 360° view you get in return is completely worth it! Be sure to visit the  Christian Gaard  restaurant on this day . After all that camping, going out for a nice meal is even more fun and you will also find one of the most idyllic swings in Norway here.

You can camp at the  Urke Camping  , near the start of the walk to Saksa.

Travel time  – 4 hours to get from Åndalsnes to Urke

GEIRANGER (1 DAY)

Geiranger  is undoubtedly one of the most visited fjords in Norway. However, we were a little less impressed, mainly because it felt very touristy. Where in other places you can easily venture into the wide nature, this is not the case here and you are practically obliged to book a cruise. We therefore decided not to stay here very long and drove on to  Loen  . Loen is a beautiful town in the municipality of Stryn with crystal clear water as far as the eye can see. When the weather is nice you can go kayaking on Lake Lovatnet or take the cable car up in Loen for a fantastic view.

Travel time  – 2.5 hours drive to get from Urke first to Geiranger and then to Loen. From Loen it is about a 6-hour drive to Oslo. Depending on your timing, you can choose to drive back a bit today so that you can take it easy on the last day.

Unique accommodation during your road trip through Norway

Are you not a fan of camping and would you rather just rent a car and follow this itinerary? That is perfectly possible! I have selected some great hotels below to make your trip even more memorable.

• Lilland Brewery Hotel    – A cute and small-scale hotel where you also have a glamping option.
• Sjøberg Ferie og Hotell   – For a truly unique stay on the island of Rennesøy with views over the fjords.

HARDANGER VIDDA

• Vikinghaug   – Wake up to a view of a lake, a waterfall, a glacier and a fjord!
• Trolltunga Hotel   – Stay overnight as close as possible to the start of the Trolltunga walk.

JOTUNHEIMEN

• Bessheim Fjellstue   – Stay in beautiful cottages with lake views and just 5.5 km from the Gjendesheim ferry!
• Radisson Blu Resort   – Your best choice if you’re looking for a luxurious stay after all that walking.

DOVREFJELL NATIONAL PARK

• Oppdal Turisthotell   – One of the best hotels to stay in when visiting Dovrefjell National Park
• Quality Hotel Skifer   – Wake up with a view over the beautiful Dovrefjell mountains!
• Grand Hotel – by Classic Norwegian Hotels   – A beautiful hotel in the heart of Romsdalseggen and with panoramic views over the Romsdalfjord.
• Garasjeleilighet   – A beautiful apartment with private sauna.

SUNMØRE ALPS

• If camping isn’t your thing, check out  these hotels in Øye   . All are a short drive from the Mount Saksa hike.

Charlotte Lint is the founder, main photographer and writer of Charlies Wanderings . She has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice. She is an expert on writing insightful hiking guides and creating unique and efficient travel itineraries . Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.

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Princess Anne Reunites With Her Godson, Crown Prince Haakon, in Norway

The Princess Royal wraps up her three-day visit to the Scandinavian country today.

At the Resistance Museum, Prince Haakon and Princess Anne jointly unveiled a plaque that was given as a gift to the museum by the Anglo-British Resistance Commemoration Project. War veteran Trond Ivar Johansen, 100 years old, looked on:

Princess Anne is one of six godparents of Prince Haakon. Haakon's other godparents are all royals: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden , Queen Margrethe of Denmark , Princess Astrid of Norway, Prince Carl Bernadotte, and his grandfather, the late King Olav V.

Prince Haakon, the only son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, is first in the Norwegian line of succession. His sister, Princess Märtha Louise , is two years older than him, but at the time of their births, the Norwegian constitution held that only male heirs could inherit the throne. That law was changed in 1990, so Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit's eldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is second in the line of succession. Due to King Harald's health issues of late, Prince Haakon has been stepping in as regent for his father.

The Norwegian royal family are preparing for a wedding this summer: Princess Märtha Louise is set to wed her American fiancé, Durek Verrett , in August at Geirangerfjord. In 2022, Märtha Louise gave up her royal duties , so it's as yet unclear if any British royals will be in attendance.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Published: 28/05/2024

The Prince of Wales is travelling to France to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

• Prince William will be joined by European royals from Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands and Belgium
• King Charles will also travel to Normandy with the Queen for a commemorative event
• The monarch will be joined by 23 British veterans of the landings

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Prince William is set to jet off on an imminent overseas trip where he will reunite with European royals.

The Prince of Wales will travel to France next month to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

During his trip, the prince will attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mur, alongside 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world.

William will be joined at the service by King Frederik of Denmark, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

Prince William will meet with European royals during his trip to France

Before the service, the prince will also attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at Juno Beach hosted by the Canadian government.

The Princess of Wales is not expected to travel to France as she continues to focus on her health amid receiving treatment for cancer.

The King and Queen will also travel to Normandy, France for events marking D-Day in what will be the monarch’s first overseas visit since his cancer diagnosis.

The couple will join the British Legion’s commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer on June 6.

Before travelling to France, the King, Queen and Prince of Wales will attend a ceremony in Portsmouth on June 5.

The British Royal Family regularly meet with European royals for official engagements, weddings and funerals.

William and Kate share a particularly warm relationship with King Frederik and Queen Mary having been pictured together on multiple occasions.

Princess Kate and Queen Mary met in February 2022 to visit Danner Crisis Centre, a place to help women and children affected by domestic violence.

​Princess Kate chatting with King Frederik and Queen Mary at a pre-coronation reception

LATEST ROYAL NEWS:

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The British and Danish royals also reunited at a Buckingham Palace reception the night before King Charles’s coronation.

Princess Anne also shares a special relationship with Crown Prince Haakon as the Danish prince’s godmother.

Last week Anne reunited with her godson for a joint engagement during a three-day royal tour of Norway.

During the visit, the pair unveiled a plaque commemorating the intelligence cooperation between the two nations during World War II.

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