Two-Week Best of Norway Itinerary
Norway is a large country, and enjoying many of its attractions is dependent on the weather or time of year. It is practically impossible to cross off all bucket-list destinations and top experiences in one trip. This two-week itinerary is best experienced in April-September, when the weather in southern Norway is most beautiful, hiking conditions are favorable, and opening hours are longer. However, at this time of year, it’s usually too bright at night to see the northern lights.
In order to explore the north and the south in the same trip, you’ll need to fly between the regions and rent a car at different points.
Southern Norway
If you only have 7 days in Norway, I recommend following the first 7 days of this itinerary without the add-on days, and flying home from Bergen on Day 7. This entire leg of the trip does not require a car.
If you have a little more time (around 10 days), you can either continue along the itinerary to Stavanger, Pulpit Rock, and the Lysefjord, or follow this itinerary until Day 5, then opt for the add-on days to go north toward Geiranger before heading to Bergen. You’ll need a car for parts of this longer trip.
Days 1-2: The Best of Oslo
Where to Stay: Near Oslo Central Station
On the first day, start your morning with a self-guided walking tour of the main sights in Oslo’s city center: the Oslo Cathedral, the Norwegian Parliament Stortinget, the Royal Palace, and city hall. Once you have passed city hall, head to the Nobel Peace Center before having lunch along the docks at Aker Brygge. Afterwards, head to Akershus Fortress to explore some of the city’s military and medieval history.
The next morning, take the subway (T-banen) to the Majorstua stop, and walk 5-10 minutes to Vigelandsparken, Vigeland Sculpture Park, the largest sculpture park in the world made by just one artist. If you have time afterwards, visit the Vigeland Museum to learn more about sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
Days 3-5: Scenic Train Rides, Fjords, and Views for Days
Where to Stay: Flåm
After breakfast, it’s time to head out of the big city in the most scenic way. Get on the Oslo-Bergen line (Bergensbana) for an epic train ride to Myrdal. The journey from Oslo to Myrdal takes 5 hours. There, change trains for the Flåm Railway to Flåm (1 hour), and enjoy the stunning landscape of the Flåm Valley along the way.
The next morning, head out on a fjord cruise through the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord. The landscape of the latter is what put the Norwegian fjords on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After 1.5 hours of sailing, the cruise ends in Gudvangen, home to Njardarheimr Viking Village. Spend some time in the village, meeting Vikings and joining one of their guided tours. When you get hungry, have lunch in Gudvangen. After your day with the Vikings, get on the shuttle bus back to Flåm (20 minutes), and have dinner at the Viking-inspired brewpub Ægir.
Start your third day in the region by heading to the Stegastein Viewpoint in Aurland, for a bird’s-eye view of the fjord landscape you sailed through yesterday. A round-trip tour leaves Flåm several times a day. Afterwards, put your hiking shoes on and head to Brekkefossen waterfall (2 hours round-trip). After your hike, make sure you have booked 1.5-2 hours in the Fjord Sauna, a floating sauna at the end of the Aurlandsfjord. It is the perfect way to soothe your muscles after a hike and gives you the chance to swim in the (cold) fjord, only to warm up inside the sauna seconds after.
Plan your trip
Extend Your Trip: 3 Days North to Geirangerfjord
Optional Day 1
Where to Stay: Geiranger (Days 1-2) and Flåm (Day 3)
Driving Distance and Time: 281 km (175 mi), 6.5 hours
Rent a car in Flåm and drive north to the Geirangerfjord region. On the way, stop in Loen to ride the Loen Skylift, which offers views of Nordfjord. Have lunch at the restaurant at the top before continuing on to the village of Geiranger.
Optional Day 2
Driving Distance and Time: 0 km (0 mi)
On the first full day visiting the Geirangerfjord, drive or hike up to Westerås farm. The trailhead for the hike up there (mainly Sherpa steps, 45 minutes) starts from just behind the Hotel Union. At the farm, refill your water bottle (there is a stream with a tap in the corner of the parking lot) and hike up to Storseterfossen waterfall (strenuous, about 1 hour each way), where you can walk behind the waterfall. Head back into Geiranger town to have lunch and explore the shops around the village.
Optional Day 3
Driving Distance and Time: 260 km (161 mi), 4.5 hours
Enjoy your last breakfast overlooking Geiranger before driving the 3-4 minutes down to the fjord and boarding the morning ferry from Geiranger to Hellesylt (with your car). Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord, seeing the famous Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls along the way. From Hellesylt, drive back to Flåm. On the way, stop in Fjærland, on the north side of the Sognefjord, to walk the 5-minute trail from the road and see the Bøyabreen Glacier. Return your rental car when you get back to Flåm.
Day 6: Bergen
Where to Stay: Bergen City Center
Get on an early morning bus to Bergen (about 3.5 hours), Norway’s second-largest city. Spend the afternoon strolling around Bergen’s famous Bryggen area, before heading up Mount Fløyen for some epic views of the city. Get there by hiking (approximately 40 minutes uphill) or by taking the funicular.
Day 7: Bergen to Stavanger
Where to Stay: Stavanger City Center
Driving Distance and Time: 207 km (129 mi), 5 hours
Spend your morning in Bergen, exploring the KODE Museums, or if you are traveling with children, the Bergen Aquarium. Head to Troldhaugen to learn more about composer Edvard Grieg in his home. On selected days the site hosts lunch concerts, and it is worth staying for lunch if you visit on one of those days. Afterward, rent a car and spend the late afternoon and evening driving to Stavanger.
Day 8: Stavanger
Where to Stay: Preikestolen Basecamp
Driving Distance and Time: 39 km (25 mi), 45 minutes
After breakfast, explore the beautiful Stavanger Old Town before heading over to Fargegaten for lunch. In the afternoon, visit one of Stavanger’s museums, or the Viking House AR (augmented reality) experience. In the evening, drive to Preikestolen Basecamp to spend the night, so you’ll be ready for an early start the next day.
Day 9: Hiking Pulpit Rock
Where to Stay: Stavanger
Driving Distance and Time: 39 km (25 mi), 45 minutes
Wake up early and pack a lunch from the breakfast at Preikestolen Basecamp. Start your hike up to Pulpit Rock as early as you can to avoid the crowds. The hike will take you around 2 hours each way. Spend some time and enjoy your lunch at the top of this impressive mountain plateau overlooking the dramatic Lysefjord below. After you have made it back down to your car, drive back into Stavanger to stay the night before catching a flight home or up north the next day. Consider staying at an airport hotel if you have an early flight.
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Northern Norway
A spring or summer trip to northern Norway centers on a road trip through the Lofoten isles. You will need a car for this leg of the trip.
Day 10: Lofoten
Where to Stay: Svolvær
Fly to Svolvær airport or Harstad-Narvik airport (stopovers are needed from Stavanger) and pick up a rental car for your Lofoten road trip. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Svolvær and the city’s galleries.
Day 11: Svolvær to Vestvågøy
Where to Stay: Ballstad
Driving Distance and Time: 78 km (49 mi), 1 hour and 15 minutes
On this day, make the drive from Svolvær to the island of Vestvågøy. On the way, make a stop in Henningsvær to get a feel of a real Norwegian fishing village, and visit some of the local galleries there. Make sure to visit the Lofotr Viking Museum in Vestvågøy, before heading to Ballstad for the night.
Day 12: The End of the Road
Where to Stay: Reine
Driving Distance and Time: 69 km (43 mi), 1 hour and 25 minutes
Drive from Ballstad to Moskenesøy island and the literal end of the road in Å. Explore the fisheries museum there and be sure to try the Lofoten specialty torrfisk (stockfish, dried and salted cod) at some point. Head back to Reine to spend the night in the traditional Norwegian fishermen’s cabins there. On the way, stop to view the beaches at Flakstadøy and consider a detour to the beautiful village of Nusfjord.
Day 13: North to Tromsø
Where to Stay: Tromsø City Center
Driving Distance and Time: 284 km (176 mi), 4.5 hours
Drive all the way back across the Lofoten isles to the Harstad-Narvik Airport to drop off your rental car and catch an afternoon flight to Tromsø (one stopover needed).
Day 14: Tromsø
After a lush hotel breakfast, head out to explore the city. Make sure to visit the Perspective Museum and to stroll along the Tromsø island to the Tromsø University Museum. After lunch, consider a trip to Polaria before catching an evening flight back to Oslo. It is recommended to have one night in Oslo before flying out of Norway, to prevent any delays affecting your flight home.
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