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5 Top Norway Road Trips: A Local Expert’s View

Embarking on a road trip around Norway is a great way to see what this breathtaking Scandinavian country has to offer. And making the most of your time away is all about getting your itinerary just right.

After all, you’ll want to catch sight of those incredible fjords and sweeping Arctic landscapes. But you’ll also need time to wind your way through UNESCO-listed Norwegian towns and cities such as Oslo and Bergen.

So what is the best way to do a driving tour of Norway ? Glad you asked! 

Expert-approved Norway road trip routes 

There are plenty of routes to choose from. That’s why we asked one of our Norway specialists, Sindre Matthíasson, if he could give us a breakdown of his favourite Norway driving routes. Whether you’re an intrepid road tripper, or are just starting out, let’s dive in. 

Sindre has recommended journeys ranging from 5-day express tours where you'll see some of Norway’s best attractions, to comprehensive 16-day itineraries that’ll take you across large parts of the country. Plus, there are lots of other options in between.

Top driving itineraries in Norway:

• 5-day tour around Lofoten Islands
• 7-day Norway round trip from Bergen
• 10-day tour from Oslo with fjords and waterfalls
• 10-day tour from Bergen with fjords and glaciers
• 16-day grand tour of Norway

1.  Express Lofoten – 5-day road trip in Northern Norway

A 5-day driving tour of Norway may seem ambitious, but it is wholly achievable, especially if you set your sights on the gorgeous and scenic Lofoten Islands . This itinerary is ideal for birdwatchers, hikers, and travellers wishing to see the untouched northern terrain of Norway.

Experience the rugged wilderness of the Lofoten Islands, and explore the Arctic fjords, marvel at the majestic mountains, spy seabird colonies, and step off into beautiful villages like Henningsvær.

What’s the drive like?

The driving for this itinerary is light, roughly 158-252 kilometres (98-157 miles). And, you can drive it in two major stretches, each of which takes around 2 hours. For more information, see our guide to  driving in Norway .

What itinerary is best for a 5-day Norway road trip?

Day 1 – Start in Svolvær, the hub of the Lofoten Islands, where you can spend the day investigating the delightful shops and cafes in the main town, and if you’re feeling adventurous, hike Svolværgeita, the mountain that overlooks the town.

Day 2 – On your second day in Svolvær, bring your camera and head to Trollfjord, known for its watersports, fishing villages, and incredible birdlife. Make time especially for Henningsvær, affectionately known as the “Venice of Lofoten” because of its pretty maritime looks.

Day 3 – Drive to Reine today, where you can take the national tourist road that runs through the islands. Prepare for some excellent stopovers at places like the Lofotr Viking Museum for a little Norse history, and to Gimsøya and Haukland beach for seaside views and fun.  

Day 4 – In Reine, make the most of the fjords, by enjoying watersports in Reinefjorden, and panoramic views with a hike to Reinebringen. You can also duck into the local Norwegian Fishing Village Museum to learn about the culture and heritage of these islands.

Day 5 – Hop in your car and head back to Svolvær, where you can extend your trip, or fly to Oslo and investigate the charms of Norway’s capital. 

Best Norway road trip for: A short break with incredible scenery.

• Have it organised for you: experience the Lofoten road trip tour
• Explore: Lofoten Islands tours & vacation packages
• Related: My Lofoten: charming villages & dramatic landscapes

2. The Norway Express Route – 7-day driving tour of Norway

If you’ve got a whole week to plan a Norway self-driving tour , then your best bet is to travel along the central part of the country’s coast, starting and ending in Bergen. This itinerary brings you face-to-face with some of the nation’s most glorious fjords, and gives you a chance to wind your way around some of Europe’s most exciting roadways.

The route is circular and perfect for coastal, lakeside and inland exploration, without making you feel like you’re racing from attraction to attraction. Plus, the extra days give you enough time to step away from the wheel and head out to sea on a spectacular overnight cruise.

This is a mid-level road trip, with drive times varying between 2-hour and 4-hour stints. Total driving for this trip is around 554 kilometres (344 miles).

What itinerary is best for a 7-day Norway road trip?

Day 1 – Kick off your trip in Bergen , the second-largest city in Norway, and home to the incredible UNESCO-listed Bryggen . This historic part of the city is an old wharf, filled with museums, markets, cafes, and shops. You could also pop up the funicular railway, the Fløibanen, to see Bergen from above.

Day 2 – On your second day, head to Voss and seek out the famed Tvindefossen waterfall nearby (see image). Driving on will take you past several gorgeous coastal towns, and panoramic views of Aurlandsfjord .

Stop off in Flåm , where you can ride the jaw-dropping Flåmsbana railway to Myrdal . Then take a short ferry ride to Sogndal which sits on Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord .

Day 3 – Today, make for Loen . This is a short drive, so you'll have more time to enjoy at each stop – see mainland Europe’s largest icecap, the Jostedal glacier , and pop into the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Once in Loen, take the skylift, so you can see both the town and the spectacular Nordfjord.

Day 4 – Next up, is Geiranger. To get there you'll board a ferry and sail through the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord . Here you will see celebrated waterfalls like the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters .

Day 5 – In the morning, drive up the winding slopes of  The Eagle Road , and hop on a short ferry to Linge before winding your way around the Trollstigen  – The Troll Ladder. In the afternoon, board a Havila or Hurtigruten cruise and head south towards Bergen.

Top tip : in the summer months, you could enjoy coastal views from the ship deck under the midnight sun before returning to your private cabin.

Day 6 – Today, you’ll reach the endpoint of the cruise and road trip in Bergen . Rounding off your trip here means you can either spend time hiking the seven (that’s right, seven!) mountains that surround the city, or see attractions like Håkon’s Hall in Bergenhus fortress.

Day 7 – It’s time to set your sat nav for the airport. If you still have some time, you can stroll down to the harbourside and grab breakfast or lunch at one of the delightful cafes in town, and grab some souvenirs. 

Best Norway road trip for: A whistlestop tour of the north

• Sound good? Ask us about Scenic Norway - Express
• Related: In brief: what to do in Bergen
• Related: Best Time to Go and Visit Norway

3. The Classic Norway Route – 10 day driving tour of Norway

This classic route is for any traveller who wants to tick off all the main attractions during their holiday across Norway . This scenic drive includes the cities of Oslo and Bergen, plus national tourist routes that go past stunning fjords such as Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord.

And let’s not forget world-famous waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters and the Bridal Veil.

For a bucket list driving tour of Norway, this is your ticket. Beyond the charms of the attractions, 10 days here allows for a few days away from the wheel, so you can bask in the atmosphere of the country’s rugged landscape.

This is a circular route starting in Oslo, with a total driving distance of 1,344 kilometres (836 miles). Spread across the 10 days, you’ll find that you shouldn’t have to drive more than about 4 hours at a time.

What itinerary is best for a 10-day classic Norway road trip?

Day 1 – Oslo is your starting point, and you should head into the city centre before you rent a car, to enjoy this sophisticated capital. See the Royal Palace, the Norwegian Maritime Museum, and the incredible Akershus Fortress.

Day 2 – On your first driving day, go north to lovely Lillehammer , set inland, and the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Visit the Olympic Museum and arena, but don’t forget to pop your head into the Maihaugen open-air museum, which is made up of 200 buildings, some of which date back to the 1400s!

Day 3 – On your third day, you’ll swap cultural attractions for natural ones, as you sweep into the Gudbrandsdalen valley, which is flanked by several national parks. On your way to Geiranger, stop off at the Dalsnibba skywalk where you can gaze at magnificent views of Geirangerfjord and the Blåbreen glacier.

Day 4 – Indulge in a spot of kayaking or watersports along the Geirangerfjord in the morning, then take a ferry to Loen. Once you’re on the water you’ll be able to marvel at the Seven Sisters and the Bridal Veil, vaunted waterfalls of the region. 

Day 5 – From Loen, you can drive south to the Jostedal glacier, the largest in mainland Europe. You can learn all about it in the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland. Learn how the fjords of the region are carved, before getting to Sogndal, situated in Sognefjord, the deepest and longest fjord in the country.

Day 6 – Today, take another ferry, this time from Sognefjord to the gorgeous Aurlandsfjord. Once you’re back on dry land, pull over in Flåm to ride the legendary rails. Lastly, don’t forget to make time for Voss  –  the adventure capital of Norway  –  on your way to Bergen.

Day 7 – Stay in Bergen, where you can wander the ancient streets of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen, tour the delightful museums, or enjoy the views from the top of Mount Fløyen by taking the Fløibanen Funicular.

Day 8 – On the eighth day be swept away by the scenic charms of Hardangerfjord and the impressive natural sites of the Hardangervidda National park. Whilst heading to your end-point Geilo, make time for Vøringfossen, the highest waterfall in Norway.

Day 9 – Before you make that drive to Oslo, mark your map for Gol. Here, you’ll find the renowned Gol Stave Church, a Viking village, and if you keep your eyes sharp, you may even see trolls in the Trollkirka Caves.

Day 10 – It’s never a bad idea to spend another night in Oslo. Go to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, and the Norse Folkemuseum, before relaxing with a well-deserved drink.

Best Norway road trip for: Classic attractions.

• Have it organised for you: book the Norway Road Trip - Classic
• Related: Top romantic getaways to have in Norway

4. The Complete Norway Route - 10-day driving tour of Norway

If you’re interested in seeing the epic waterways, glaciers and fjords of Norway, this is the tour for you. It's 10 days-long, and starts and ends in Bergen From here you'll wind your way through Geirangerfjord, the gorgeous Balestrand region and pretty Loen. 

This is an ideal summer itinerary, as you'll have access to the fjords. This means plenty of time to try your hand at kayaking, swimming and cruising across those glorious fjords. Nature lovers will adore this road trip!

This is an exciting route that takes you on Trollstigen on the way to Ålesund, as well as on the Eagle Road. In total, the distance you’ll cover is 1,234 kilometres (777 miles), with each driving stretch achievable in 3 to 4 hour stints.

What itinerary is best for a 10-day complete Norway road trip?

Day 1 – Begin in  Bergen , the colourful coastal city, which is home to the UNESCO-protected Bryggen, an old wharf made up of beautiful heritage buildings. Explore the city by ducking into shops and dining in the hip restaurants in town.

Day 2 – There is plenty more to see in the “capital of the fjords”. Take the Fløibanen Funicular up to Mount Fløyen to see Bergen from above. Then, you can either hike within the mountains that surround the city – there are seven! – or investigate the museums, such as the Edvard Grieg museum and the KODE art museum.

Day 3 – Kick off your fjord tour by driving towards Voss, where you can witness the might of the Tvindefossen waterfall. Then head towards Sogndal, where you will pass by Flåm and its famous railway – hop on board for stunning valley views.

Day 4 – Sogndal could be the poster child for Norway, especially as it is located on the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the nation. Swim or kayak in the fjord, or bike along the coast. Then go to Urnes to see one of the oldest stave churches in Norway , or visit the dazzling Nigarsbreen glacier.

Day 5 – A trip to the fjords of Norway wouldn’t be complete without going to magical Geiranger, filled with snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and towering waterfalls. But first, you’ll drive north along the celebrated National Tourist Route “Sognefjellsvegen”, the highest mountain pass in northern Europe which passes through the glorious Jotunheimen national park.

Day 6 – Today is made for road trip enthusiasts – wind your way up Ørnevegen, known as “The Eagle Road” to Eidsdal. Then, after a short ferry ride to Linge, you’ll be able to tackle the twisting Trollstigen, or Troll Ladder – one of the best-known roads in Norway. End in Ålesund , celebrated for its fantastic Art Nouveau architecture.

Day 7 – Hop on a ferry to Loen, where you’ll sail past beautiful fjords like Vartdalsfjorden, Østrafjorden and Voldsfjorden. Once you get to this lovely town, stretch your legs on a hike up Mount Skåla, which promises gorgeous views from the top.

Day 8 – Scenic roads and hairpin turns are on today’s agenda. The drive to arty Balestrand will take you past the lakes of Jölstravanet and Hakedalsvatnet, right up to the mesmerising Gaularfjellet route. You’ll find yourself wanting to stop often to take photos – we recommend Utsikten for a perfect snapshot of the scenery.

Day 9 – Take your time exploring the picturesque village of Balestrand, and then pick the leisurely route back to Bergen. For instance, take the ferry from Balestrand to Vangsnes and visit Vik, where you can duck into the oldest stone building in the region, Hove Church. Then cruise in the car along Vik mountain before getting back to the city.

Day 10 – On your last day, pop into the Bergenhus Fortress Museum, a fascinating window into the city’s past, and wander down to the Old Bergen Open-Air Museum, which can show you what life was like in days gone by. And lastly, stock up on Norwegian treats like multekrem and krumkake before you depart!

Best Norway road trip for: Fjords and incredible roadways.

• Have it organised for you: Norway fjord route by car - complete
• Related: Bergen, Norway: Gateway to the Fjords 

5. The Norwegian Grand Tour – 16-day driving tour of Norway

The saying might be “you can’t see it all”, but on this trip you will come pretty close. This 16-day itinerary focuses on showcasing the best of Norway, but also takes you to some lesser-known national attractions.This is a trip that also allows you to hop on trains or boats so you can see those incredible mountain passes via the railways, or marvel at the fjords from the water.

Visit stunning Oslo and beautiful Bergen, explore sweeping alpine landscapes, tour pretty fishing villages, and swim in pristine fjords all on this fabulous self-driven tour of Norway.

Whilst this is itinerary may be the longest in days, it’s not the longest when it comes to driving. This is because we’ve factored in trips on public transportation, scenic train journeys, as well as cruises. The driving distance in total comes to about 905 kilometres (562 miles), and is sectioned off in manageable 2-4 hour chunks.

What itinerary is best for a 16-day comprehensive Norway road trip?

Day 1 – Your adventure starts in  Oslo , the capital of Norway, and a great place to kick off a cultural tour. Stroll to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Oslo City Hall, and the Kon-Tiki Museum on your first day.

Day 2 – On your second, go to the stunning Akershus Fortress , and the Royal Palace, and then spend time in the Aker Brygge area, where you’ll find a seaside boardwalk, upmarket and cute boutiques, patio bars, and plenty of excellent restaurants.

Day 3 – From Oslo, take a train that weaves its tracks through the mountains of Norway, all the way to  Bergen . This city is home to the charming UNESCO-listed Bryggen, an old wharf filled with colourful clapboard heritage buildings. A must-see.

Day 4 – Today you should pick up your rental car in Norway, because you’ll be driving towards Voss to chase its Tvindefossen waterfall, and then onto the remarkable Aurlandsfjord and the lovely town of Flåm. If you fancy it, we recommend going on a return train ride from Flåm to Myrdal for sweeping views of the landscape – bring your camera! Then drive on from Flåm to Sogndal.

Day 5 – Sogndal is set on the Sognefjord , so exploring fjords is on the itinerary today. Drive the Fjærlands road to the Jostedal Glacier, and after that chilly stop, slide by Nordfjord, where cascading waterfalls, rising mountains, and sapphire lakes will greet you. End in Loen for the night.

Day 6 – Explore a little of lovely Loen, then take the ferry through the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord. This is where you’ll see the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls , perhaps Norway’s most famous falls. At the end of the ferry ride, you’ll get to stay in the town of Geiranger, the stuff fairytales are made of. Think pristine fjords and sugar-topped mountains studded with emerald trees.

Day 7 – You couldn’t get all the way to Geiranger and not spend another night there. Soak in the magical atmosphere of this alpine haven, and kayak or take a boat safari across the fjord. You can also take your rental car up to the Dalsnibba skywalk for unparalleled views.

Day 8 – Why have a car if you can’t make the most of it? Climb the winding ways of Eagle Road , then cruise across, car and all, on a ferry to Linge. Once there, you can try your hand at the extremely fun, and gorgeous Trollstigen road, known for its 11 hairpin bends, before stopping for the night at Ålesund.

Day 9 – Keep to the coast today, as you’ll be heading to the harbourside Kristiansund down the Atlantic road. First, drive and ferry your way to beautiful Bud, a historic trading village, and then onto to the Atlantic Ocean Road, which is cradled by mountains that look out to the sea, a route which road trip dreams are made of.

Day 10 – Norway may be an adventure, but this country breeds adventurers too, and nowhere is this more true than in Trondheim , the capital of the Vikings. Explore this remarkable port city in northern Norway, and duck into its Trøndelag Folk Museum, the old wharf Bakklandet, and the Nidaros Cathedral.

Day 11 – Of course, why come to the Viking capital if you aren’t going to get to taste a little sea life?  Leave your rental car behind and go on an overnight cruise, where you can sail along the Trondheim fjord out to Hitra Island.

Day 12 – You’ll dock in Bergen, giving you a chance to see everything you might have missed first time around, such as the Old Bergen Open-Air Museum, and the Hanseatic Museum in Bryggen.

Day 13 – With so much to see, it’s worth another night in this city. We recommend going to the Bergenhus Fortress, where you can see King Håkon’s Hall, and the Rosenkrantz Tower.  And since you’re by the sea, why not try pickled herring? This ancient Viking favourite is still a local staple.

Day 14 – From Bergen you will board a coach that will take you down the rugged western coast of Norway, and on a couple of spectacular ferry rides, all the way down to Stavanger , a lively city known for its historical district Gamle.

Day 15 – Using Stavanger as a base, you can easily explore this majestic region of Norway, including Lysefjord and its surrounding terrain. You’ll also be able to see the iconic natural landmark known as Pulpit Rock .

Day 16 – On your last morning in Stavanger, spend time along the harbour, and investigate the restaurants and cute museums in the Gamle area. Relax, sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, you’re done!

Best Norway road trip for: Those who want to see it all.

• Have it organised for you: look into the Scenic Norway - grand tour
• Related: Hiking the Pulpit Rock in Norway

To set up your own Norway road trip with a little expert help from a Scandinavian travel specialist, contact us with your travel wish list.

Greg Perkins is from Edinburgh, Scotland, but he adopted Iceland as his second country when Scotland (typically) managed not to qualify for football's Euro 2016 tournament. His passions include travel, English literature, and board games. Among his top travel experiences are sailing along Geirangerfjord with classically trained singers providing the soundtrack, seeing Sólheimajökull glacier up close in South Iceland, and witnessing the unspoiled beauty of New Zealand's Doubtful Sound fjord.

Find Greg on LinkedIn .

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We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

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These 5 road trips let you take in Norway’s epic scenery

Mar 19, 2024 • 9 min read

Scenic drives let you experience Norway’s epic landscapes – like Trollstigen pass – up close © Franz Aberham / Getty Images

In Norway , mountains spring straight from the sea and mossy greens sit starkly against grey, craggy, snow-capped peaks. The  best way to take it all in ? Behind the wheel of a car. 

A drive around the scenery of country is, quite simply, an otherworldly experience. From island-hopping, bridge-crossing coastal drives to hair-raising mountain passes, take your time to explore Norway at its very best with these top road-trip routes.

1. The Lofoten Road 

Best road trip for heading off the beaten track Svolvær airport to Å; 133km (83 miles)

For those looking for something adventurous, remote and, well, arctic, try the road that connects the islands of  Lofoten , a wild archipelago that clings to the coast and sits inside the Arctic Circle. Far from the beaten track of tourist sites within striking distance of Oslo , Bergen and Trondheim , the Lofoten lies in the far north of the country, which makes it the ideal place to see birdlife and the northern lights in the wintertime. This trip takes you along the E10 all the way to its end in the tiny fishing village of Å, on the far west of the archipelago.

With just one road to follow as it snakes its way across the islands, there’s very little chance of getting lost. But don’t rush: the whole drive can be done in under three hours, or you could take a few days to soak in all there is to see. As the road hugs the coast, you’ll be treated to stunning views of mountains rising steeply from the sea, turquoise waters and – depending on the time of year – plenty of snow in winter or lush greenery and blonde beaches in summer. Despite lying within the Arctic Circle, the climate is surprisingly mild thanks to the Gulf Stream. 

Along the way lie a few essential sights. First on the route from Svolvær airport is the viewpoint at Torvdalshlsen, with its modern benches providing shelter as you look over Vestvågøy. From there, keen twitchers should head over to the west side of the area to the lakes of Gårdsvatnet, Skjærpvatnet and Storeidvatnet to see the best winged wildlife the region has to offer. 

Staying within Vestvågøy, it’s on to Eggum and its amphitheater-shaped rest area that offers views down the rugged coastline on one side and towering, jagged mountains on the other. An hour further west toward the end of the road is Rambergstranda, which features an idyllic beach in Jusnesvika bay. The site is an unusual blend of peaks, sand and azure seas, with a walkway made of railway sleepers enticing you down to the water’s edge. 

From Rambergstranda, it’s a 40-minute drive to the village of Å, where the road quite literally ends. This tiny village was dependent on fishing until the 1990s, when tourism started to take over. As one of the most westerly points in the country, the village is a beautifully isolated outpost, whose red wooden fishing huts hark back to a time when tourists would seldom venture this far.

Planning tip:  Fly directly to Svolvær airport on the island closest to the mainland, which serves as the gateway for the Lofoten road. Luckily, you’ll find a rental-car company at the airport, which saves a lengthy drive through Norway to get to the starting point.

2. The Atlantic Road

Best road trip for bridges Molde to the Gjemnessundbrua suspension bridge; 111km (69 miles)

A frequent feature of Norway’s road network, bridges and tunnels keep many of the country's 50,000 islands connected. For those looking to sample some of Norway’s most beautiful bridges, look no further than the Atlantic Road. Beginning not far from the city of Molde, the route has connected the island of Averøy with the mainland since 1989.

Best known as one of the filming locations for a driving scene in the 2021 Bond film No Time to Die , the route has a total of eight bridges that stretch over 8274m (27,146ft) along the route, giving way to some spectacular views across the Atlantic.

Start by driving north from Molde on the E39 before taking the exit for Rte 64 – and get ready for coastal scenery, culture and history. From here, there’s no need to take any turns as the route guides you up to the coastline. The breeze from the Atlantic and the bridges signify the start of the drive. 

Once you’ve crossed the Storseisundbrua – the road’s longest and best-known bridge – hopping from one inlet and island to the next can be quite the experience on a blustery day. With the ocean foam peppering the road as you drive along, the initial stretch is magically moody when a northwest storm rolls in. On a still summer’s day , it’s equally impressive – not to mention easier to stop and snap some spectacular photos.  

After the main stretch of bridges, Rte 64 weaves its way across the island of Averøy before dropping down into the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel and resurfacing to join Rte 70. Once across the beautiful but sparsely populated island of Frei, the road drops down into another impossibly long tunnel that reconnects with the island of Bergsøya briefly before heading across the mighty Gjemnessundbrua suspension bridge. First opened in 1992, the bridge reconnects to the mainland, where the route continues on Rte 39 back to the city of Molde.

3. Sognefjellet

Best road trip for an inland adventure Lom to Gaupne; 108km (67 miles)

Moving away from the coastline, the Sognefjellet is a road that cuts through the heart of the Bøverdalen valley. Expect constantly changing scenery as this route climbs up to a high point of 1432m (4705ft), making it northern Europe’s highest mountain pass. Given this, part of the route – from Rustasætre/Vegaskjelet to Turtagrø – is usually open from spring until autumn, closing for the winter months. Those traveling shortly after it reopens in the spring will be treated to 3m (10ft) banks of snow lining the road on both sides, illustrating the full force of a Norwegian winter.

Once an important transport artery linking the coast and inland areas, the Sognefjellet was used to carry salt and fish eastward, while butter, pitch and leather were transported west. Now a popular tourist trail, the route has many viewing platforms and spectacular natural features that tempt you off the beaten track.

Start in Lom, a small village that has built up a reputation as a culinary capital (make sure you sample the local delicacies before heading off). Halfway along the route, a rugged stone sculpture at Mefjellet by Knut Wold is a firm favorite with photographers, as it frames the jagged mountain landscape surrounding it. 

Closer to Gaupne, the route continues along the shores of Sognefjord from Skjolden toward its end. The largest and deepest fjord in the country, Sognefjord is called “King of the Fjords,” and cuts a 205km (127-mile) course through the heart of Norway. Once around the glimmering green and blue waters of Sognefjord, the route ends up in the small village of Gaupne, where a traditional wooden church overlooks the water.

Planning tip:  Gaupne is the perfect place to stop off before doubling back to drive the route in reverse, or continue southwest along the shores of Sognefjord.

4. Scenic Route Jæren

Best road trip to discover Norway’s spectacular south coast  Ogna to Bore; 41km (25 miles) 

While the Jæren road between Ogna and Bore itself is not particularly inspiring, it offers the best way to take in the most beautiful parts of Norway’s southern coastline.

Starting out in the small village of Ogna, pick up Rte 44 as it heads northwest, hugging the coastline all the way. Less than 10km (6 miles) from Ogna lies the Kvassheim lighthouse, well worth a visit. On a coastline littered with shipwrecks, lighthouses are a frequent sight; Kvassheim is one of the best examples. First built in 1912, the lighthouse was still in operation until 1990, when a smaller, automated beacon replaced it. Today, the wooden building houses a museum and visitor center.

From Kvassheim, the route continues northwest on Rte 44 before breaking off to pick up Rte 507, which runs parallel to the white sands of Orrestranda, one of the best beaches in Norway . Here you can walk for miles along the sand, while taking in the rich flora and fauna that surround the beach and populate the sand dunes. Finishing up, it’s a short drive to the village of Bore, where the route comes to an end.

Planning tip:  Take your time on this journey: there are plenty of stunning hidden spots and detours to take in along the way.

5. Trollstigen pass 

Best road trip for thrill seekers and photographers Åndalsnes to the Trollstigen visitor center; 40km (25 miles)

The Trollstigen pass (the Troll Path) is one of the world’s most celebrated roads – with good reason. (You might recognize the drive from the final season of Succession .) Made up of 11 bracing hairpin bends that carry the road up more than 850m (2790ft) up the mountainside, the route links Åndalsnes with the Valldal valley and Geiranger. Replacing a challenging hiking trail, the pass scales a sheer face dominated by the Stigfossen waterfall – a vigorous body of water that cascades off the mountain and plunges more than 350m (1000ft) in a thundering torrent.

Starting in the small town of Åndalsnes, take Rte 64 south out of the town for a short distance before making a left turn to join route E136. Head along here until the turn for Rte 63 comes up on the right, then head off south. After roughly 20 minutes of driving, the imposing sheer face of the Trollstigen will come into view, which is where the route starts to twist its way skywards. There’s a small rest area at the bottom, which makes for an ideal, low-down shot of the pass before the climb begins. 

Once on the pass, your eyes might want to wander to the views down the valley out of the side window – but resist the temptation to look away from the tarmac, as it snakes its way up the mountainside with the rugged edge of the cliff face on one side and a hefty drop down on the other side. (Luckily, there’s a sturdy concrete barrier that lines the road for most of the way.)

As if the views weren’t enough, there's another surprise at the Trollstigen’s summit. With its modern steel-and-concrete aesthetic, the Trollstigen visitor center and cafe is an ideal stopping point to catch your breath and take it all in. 

Best of all is a zig-zagging pathway that starts from the summit and leads to viewing platforms perched high above the pass. The structure is an impressive architectural feat – and also the key to securing the final piece in the photographic puzzle for those documenting the drive. From up here, the views on a clear day are simply sublime.

Planning tip:  Harsh weather and snow make the route impassable to traffic between October and May. The road reopens after the annual spring rockfall, which legend has it results from trolls fighting on the nearby Trollveggen mountain. For those looking for that epic shot of a steep-sided Norwegian fjord, Trollstigen is the one. 

This article was first published November 2021 and updated March 2024

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Norway Road Trip – Three Unmissable Routes

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income.

Norway Road Trips Planner

Norway is a wonderful country for a road trip. Starkly beautiful, with glistening deep blue fjords, rugged mountains, and waterfalls at every turn, this is a country to meander through as you gasp at each new landscape.

With dramatic landscapes, fantastic outdoor activities, Viking history, and pretty water-side towns, Norway has something for everyone.

We’ve spent months road tripping Norway and our top Norway road trip routes, itineraries and tips will help you hit the highlights as you go, making sure to visit all the iconic sights on these three diverse trips, taking in the best that Norway has to offer.

Getting There

Fly into Oslo, Berg en, Tromsø , Kristiansand or Stavanger airports to start your Norwegian road trip. All of these locations are great start points for the road trip itineraries we have curated. We recommend booking through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Why not take your own car, motorbike, or camper to Norway from Europe by ferry? Use Ferryhopper to compare and book the best crossings to Norway from Germany , Denmark, and the Netherlands.

RELATED POST: Driving to Norway from UK – Routes & Tips

Are you planning to rent a car in Norway? As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best rental car prices, which benefits you when you’re planning your Wild Atlantic Way drive.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Norway. We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Use the Park4Night app to find overnight spots and campsites, and wild camp on the edge of a fjord or with incredible sea views. Find out all you need to know in our guide to campervanning in Norway .

Best Time for Road Trips in Norway

October – april.

Can you take a road trip in Norway during winter? Absolutely you can but it will be cold even in southern Norway, and there’s likely to be snow …possibly quite a lot of snow (although the Scandinavians are really good at managing it, so most Norwegian roads do stay open).

November, December, and January are dark months in northern Norway and the days are very short but if you’re traveling to Norway for winter sports, or to see the Northern Lights, then this is the perfect time – just make sure you and your vehicle are well prepared.

May – September

The weather starts to warm up, with July and August being the warmest months. A summer road trip is the best time for hiking, fjord swimming, and paddling, and you’ll be comfortable during the day in shorts and a t-shirt.

It can still be chilly in the evenings for Arctic circle road trippers, where the weather is also more unpredictable. Between (roughly) 14th May and 29th July, you’ll experience the midnight sun phenomenon in the far north of Norway.

Is this your first time visiting Norway? Get all the information you need in our Norway Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Drive the West Coast from Bottom to Top

• Get the Travel Guides
• Lonely Planet Norway
• The Rough Guide to Norway
• DK Eyewitness Norway
• Norway Road Trip Itinerary

Bergen – Loen – Geiranger – Trollstigen – Kristiansund – Trondheim – Jektvik – Bodo – Tromso

• Distance 2120km
• Duration 2-3 weeks
• Drive Time 30 hours

This Norway itinerary is for those that love the journey more than the destination – it’s  all  about the road.

Taking in iconic sights as you drive, this Norway west coast road trip will take you through some of the longest road tunnels in the world, over fjords, along the Atlantic Ocean Road, and up the snaking Trollstigen Mountain Road.

Start in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city which is surrounded by seven fjords and seven hills. There is a lot to do and see here, including visiting the lively Vagen harbor in Bergen’s old quarter, Bryggen, which is one of Norway’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From Bergen, take the E39 motorway north to Loen where you’ll find the amazing Loen Skylift which takes you to the top of Mount Hoven for spectacular views of the blue-white Jostedal glacier.

If you prefer to get to the top under your own steam, take the via Ferrata up and the zip-line down.

If sea-level activity is more your thing then head for the very Instagrammable, but glacial, Lake Lovatnet for swimming and kayaking in the summer months.

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Norway . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

At Hellesylt, take the ferry through the stunning Geirangerfjord to the town of Geiranger itself. Expect the town and ferry to be busy, this area is one of the top road trip destinations in Norway.

As you leave Geiranger for Eidsdal and wind your way up the steepest section of route 63, along its eleven switchbacks hanging 600m above the fjord below, you’ll understand why it’s called “the Eagle Road”.

At the highest bend is the most breathtaking view over the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, and the location of the (must watch before you go) movie, The Wave.

From here, pick up the RV63, the Trollstigen Mountain Road. Incredibly beautiful, this road was opened in 1936 and includes eleven hairpin bends and a 9% incline. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best roads in Norway.

Stop at the Ornesvingen viewing point for incredible vistas, and again at the top to admire the Stigfossen waterfall.

Once you reach Andalsnes, head west and then north on the E39 to Vevang, and the start of the Atlantic Ocean Road or Atlanterhavsvegen, which runs across eight bridges and follows the islands between them like a silver ribbon.

If you want to visit picture-perfect Alesund on the way, take a slight detour and head south on the E39 instead of north – if you have a few extra days, you won’t regret it!

Next up is Trondheim, Norway’s original capital city. Trondheim has become a real foodie destination and is known as the “home of Nordic flavors”. Spend a day wandering the cobbled streets in the Bakklandet area or rent a bike, the locals’ favorite way to get around.

Onwards to Jektvik, you can either take the E6 Arctic Highway all the way or around 80km north of Trondheim, just after Steinkjer, pick up the FV17 and take in the glorious landscape and coastal views from the magnificent Kystriksveien Coastal Route, one of Norway’s most scenic road trips and one of the official Norwegian scenic routes .

Taking this Atlantic road route will add quite a few kilometers, two days, and six fjord ferries to your journey, but the detour will be so worth it! You’ll cross into the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees, on the boat between Kilborghavn and Jektvik.

At Bodo, you can get a ferry out to the Lofoten Islands if you are making this a longer trip. Ideal for hikers and nature lovers, Lofoten has become Norway’s go-to place for adventure. You’ll also enjoy perfect lighting for moody shots of big skies and dramatic landscapes, and watching the Northern Lights from Lofoten is a real bucket list experience.

Otherwise, keep on driving to Tromso, one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful cities known for its love of a party! Tromso is another great place to catch the aurora borealis as it ripples across the northern sky. You can also go whale watching from Tromso , try your hand at reindeer and dog sledding, and explore the local mountains and fjords, which make a dramatic backdrop to the city.

From Tromso, you could take a ferry to Svalbard to see polar bears, catch the Hurtigruten ferry back to Bergen, take a longer northern Norway road trip, or catch a flight to pretty much anywhere in the world.

Or, if you have time, head north to Nordkapp where the sun doesn’t drop below the horizon from mid-May to the end of July. Hauntingly beautiful but surprisingly busy, you may prefer the true northernmost point of continental Europe at Knivskjelodden, an 18km hike away and inaccessible to vehicles.

• Driving the exciting and impressive Trollstigen Road from Geiranger to Andalasnes.
• Crossing the Arctic Circle into the land of the Northern Lights.
• Following the Kystriksveien Coastal Route to experience the real coastal Norway of fishing villages and subsistence agriculture.
• Standing at the northernmost point of Europe to watch the midnight sun.
• Having to slow down for reindeer crossing the road!

Where to Stay

Bergen >>   Det Hanseatiske Hotel  for its harbourside location, dining options, and cozy decor.

Loen >> Visnes Hotel Stryn for its waterside location, traditional Norwegian food, and fabulous reviews.

Alesund >> Hotel 1904 for its perfect position in the center of town and iconic Scandi decor.

Trondheim >> Britannia Hotel because by this point you deserve a spa!

Narvik >>   Narvik Mountain Lodge  for its truly spectacular location, traditional log cabin decor, and amazing coastal views.

Tromso >>   Scandic Ishavshotel  for its harbour location, fabulous breakfasts, and excellent customer service.

Camping in Norway

If you’re traveling Norway in a campervan, on a touring bike with a backpack, or you’re on a budget, there is a great network of campsites where you can stay in a campervan or car, or bike with a tent.

No tent? Most Norwegian campsites have huts and rooms for rent and often provide a communal kitchen area for people road tripping and backpacking around the country.

If you prefer to be in the wilds, the  allemannsrett  (all men’s rights) law means you can practice free or wild camping in Norway where the land is not owned or cultivated or where there is no signage forbidding it.  

Follow the usual free and  wild camping  good practice and don’t overstay your welcome. If you’re in a motorhome or campervan use  Park4Night  to find the best free overnight parking and wild camping spots.

However you wild camp, always follow the “leave no trace” principle, take your rubbish and waste with you and dispose of it in the proper place. 

Find Adventure in the Western Fjords

Stavanger – preikestolen – kjeragbolten – trolltunga – flam – bergen.

• Distance 687km
• Duration 7-10 days
• Drive Time 14 hours

This seven to ten day Norway itinerary is for adventure lovers and those who want to hike, swim and paddle in the Norwegian great outdoors.

If you’ve ever looked at those amazing images of people perched on tongues of rock, practicing yoga on sheer cliffs, or star-jumping off precipitously balanced boulders whilst gazing out over sparkling blue fjords, then this Norwegian fjord road trip is perfect for you.

Start in the pretty and typically Norwegian city of Stavanger. Stroll Gamle Stavanger, the oldest part of the city, and enjoy the galleries and local craft boutiques before admiring the colorful wharf houses at the harbor.

There’s also a handful of great museums, lots of cool street art, and fantastic fresh seafood on offer.

RELATED POST – Adventurous Road Trip – 26 of The World’s Most Exciting Routes

Once you’ve spent a day in Stavanger, you’ll be heading off to hike Pulpit Rock or Preikestolen. This is an easy 7.6km hike and can be done in half a day with an early start, or you can take a guided hike if you’re new to hiking and Norway.

Begin the hike at the trailhead in Preikestolenhytta, where you can park easily. There are zero facilities on the Pulpit Rock hike, so make sure to go prepared and take additional clothing as the weather in the fjords can be unpredictable.

With an elevation gain of 334 meters, you don’t need any special skills to get to the top of one of Norway’s most incredible bits of rock – and there are a few in the country!

The views of Lysefjorden are breathtaking, but in July and August it will be busy at the top and you may have to wait your turn to get out to the tip of the rock for that must-have photo.

From Preikestolen, you’ll take the Lysebotn-Forsand car ferry along the Lysefjorden to your next stop, the Kjeragbolten hike. Kjeragbolten is a giant boulder wedged in a crevasse at 1084m on Mount Kjerag, the highest peak in the Lysefjorden. You can also base jump and climb here.

The starting point is at the parking lot at Oygardstol – just getting there involves a pretty spectacular top Norway road with hairpin bends aplenty. 

The hike to Kjeragbolten is around 11km long with 800m of altitude gain, and the round trip takes about seven to ten hours depending on your fitness and experience. You need to be in good physical shape and have some hiking experience before attempting this route.

In some places, you have to pull yourself up and slide down with the help of wires, which can be demanding and daunting if you haven’t experienced it before. Make sure you’re well prepared and allow a full day with an early start.

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Everywhere you drive in Norway, you are surrounded by mountains, fjords, and waterfalls. The scenery in Norway is simply spectacular, with new thrills around each bend in the road.

Route 13 from Stavanger to Odda is known as the Ryfylke National Scenic Route, one of eighteen official national tourist routes in Norway designated for their stunning scenery and tourist-friendly infrastructure.

Pick up the RV13 just before Ardal as you head north (make sure to add Ardal to your sat nav or you’ll be routed east from Kjeragbolten).

On this road, you will drive through incredible tunnels and cross fjords on a car ferry. Allow several hours longer than Google Maps suggests – this is a full days drive and you should start early.

Your next stop is Odda, for the infamous Trolltunga in the glorious Folgefonna National Park. The most challenging of these three famous Norway hikes, the route is 20km across mostly flat terrain, but the path can be tricky underfoot and the weather changeable. 

Hiking Trolltunga  is not for the faint-hearted or unprepared but is an absolute must-do on your road trip of Norway. Read our post to find out everything you need to know, from where to stay, how to get there, and the hike itself.

RELATED POST – Trolltunga Hike – Plan it Like a Pro

Norway Travel Ideas

Atlantic Road Norway: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know!

Campervanning in Norway – Tips, Routes & Destinations 2024

Best One Day Oslo Itinerary + Map, Guide & Tips

Driving to Norway from UK – Routes & Tips

Driving in Norway – All You Need to Know

Trolltunga Hike – Plan it Like a Pro

Flåm Norway: Visitor Guide & Tips

Skirt north along the border of the Hardangervidda National Park and take a few days downtime in picturesque  Flam , a small village right at the top of the beautiful Aurlandsfjord.

Surrounded by towering mountains, waterfalls, fjords, and rushing rivers, this is a playground for hikers, water sports enthusiasts, and mountain bikers.

From Flam, you can drive to Bergen or take the spectacular Flamsbana railway there, considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Or, if you have a little longer to spend in Norway, follow the magnificent Sognefjord east to the stunning Jotunheimen National Park.

A four hour drive from Flam will take you into the “Giant’s Home”, a fitting name for this vast and soaring place where there are over 250 mountains of almost 2000m high and some of Norway’s very best scenery.

RELATED POST – How to Visit Flåm in the Summer

• Taking the incredibly scenic Flam Railway to Myrdal and cycling back on the Rallar Road.
• Standing on the edge of the Troll’s Tongue with the world at your feet.
• Discovering the imposing western Norway fjord of  Lysefjorden on a fjord cruise.
• Paddling the Aurlandsfjord for unrivaled views of the surrounding landscape.
• Watching the sun come up from the edge of Pulpit Rock.

Stavanger >>  Sola Strand Hotel  for the breathtaking beachfront location and a modern spa.

Preikestolen & Kjeragbolten >> Preikestolen BaseCamp because it’s perfect for the nights before and after your hike.

Odda >>  Vikinghaug Apartments  for their amazing fjord views and the post-Trolltunga bath!

Flam >>  Flåmsbrygga Hotel   for its superb central position, cozy traditional decor, and microbrewery.

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip or check out our favourite Europe road trips for ideas and inspiration!

Slow Down in Southern Norway

Romsviga – lindesnes – lista – egersund – bore – stavanger.

• Distance 500km
• Duration one week
• Drive Time 9 hours

If fjords and drama aren’t your thing, head for the gentler landscape of southern Norway, known as Sorlandet in Norwegian. This seven day Norway road trip itinerary is also perfect if you’re arriving in Oslo and hiring a rental car for your road trip.

The beaches along the southwest coast are simply stunning, with clear waters lapping against fine sandy shores. You’ll also find fantastic lighthouses, World War Two history, and a slower pace of life as the agricultural business of the area supersedes tourist traffic.

If you get the ferry from Denmark to Kristiansand, you might be tempted to stop in the town for a day, although for most it’s a gateway to the rest of the coast.

Turn left and head west for Romsviga, a traditional coastal settlement that dates back to the 17th century. Now a protected area which is owned by the local community, it’s an interesting place to visit and there are marked trails between here and Helleviga, either along the shore or through the forest.

Lindesnes, the southernmost tip of the country’s long coastline, is home to the oldest lighthouse in Norway ( where you can actually stay !). The small hamlet is quintessentially Norwegian and there is good coastal walking from here.

RELATED POST – One Day Oslo Itinerary – Map, Guide & Tips

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Norway.

Just under a few hours inland is one of the largest waterfalls in southern Norway, Kvasfossen, with a drop of 36m. When the Lynga river is low, numerous potholes appear which make fabulous hot tubs on a sunny day, so be sure to take your swimmers and a towel!

From here, head northwest for forty minutes to Rafossen waterfall. Take a picnic and sit on the flat granite slabs close to the drop and marvel at the thundering power of this feat of nature.

Lista is next up, with its 34m high lighthouse, Nordberg Fort, and a trio of sandy beaches backed by dunes.

Havikstrand beach is the best known and is popular with kite surfers. Kviljosanden beach is perfect for families, with a gradual shelf and shallow water and Haeustranda beach is on a small peninsula south of Farsund and makes a perfect stop for a day.

Don’t miss the fully restored Nordberg Fort and museum, a German bunker that was once part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall and represents a dark period of Norwegian history.

Follow the 444 coast road to Egersund, which is within the fascinating Magma Geopark . To the east is the weird and wonderful rock formation of Trollpikken (troll’s penis), created by glacial influences thousands of years ago.

To the east is the Eigeroy lighthouse and the glorious beach of Skadbergsanden.

As you continue along the coast road to Bore, make sure to stop at Ogna for more fabulous beaches and the beautiful Kvassheim lighthouse.

Once you arrive in Bore, you’ll soon realize that the village is sandwiched between the river Figgjoelva, the lake Orrevatnet, and the seashore, and is surrounded by water!

Your final stop on this Norway road trip route is Stavanger, where you can continue on to another road trip, catch a flight home or get a ferry to northern Norway to continue your Scandinavian adventure.

• Spending a day soaking up the sun on one of the many magnificent beaches.
• Getting away from it all and experiencing off-the-beaten-path Norway.
• Climbing onto Trollpikken for that must-have image!
• Enjoying lunch in the midst of one of Norway’s most spectacular waterfalls.
• Getting lucky and enjoying a natural hot tub!

Lindesnes >>  Lindesnes Havhotel for its waterfront location, modern decor, and hot tub!

Lista >>  Rederiet Hotel  for their amazing views and welcoming staff.

Egersund >>  Grand Hotel Egersund  for its simple Scandi decor and a great restaurant.

Norway Road Trip Essentials

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in Norway.

• Search for affordable flights to Norway with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Norway with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in Norway with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in Norway with Rentalcars.com
• Find and book ferry crossings with Ferryhopper
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic and Arctic Campers
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Are you looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out these top posts…

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• Inspiration

How to spend five days in Norway

In spite of the incredible attractions, it’s never easy to create a travel itinerary for Norway when you only have so much time available. After all, what can you afford to miss when there is so many interesting things to see and do?

On the other hand, there are certainly places, attractions and experiences that you will want to include. What’s more, you can still encounter the highlights of Norway in as little as five days and in this article, we take a look at how to get the most from your upcoming adventure.

Travel Itinerary:

Day 1 – Explore the City of Oslo

When you first arrive in Norway, take that first day to explore the city of Oslo. You will encounter the city of Bergen shortly but Oslo is a great opportunity to ease your way into the adventure.

Oslo is situated in the midst of a truly attractive mountain and fjord landscape but the city itself is also overflowing with attractions, from the Opera house and Vigeland Sculpture Park to the Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery. This artistic haven is also accompanied by luscious parks as well as cutting-edge architecture, elements that makes this such a pleasant city for a stroll.

And then there is the culinary scene, for Oslo has a vibrant coffee scene and some of the most exciting eateries in Norway, like Maemo - adorned with three Michelin stars. In fact, you will find everything from shrimp and hotdogs to tapas, sushi   and new (and old) nordic cuisine in Oslo.   As if that’s not enough, this city is also home to some of the most vibrant nightlife spots in Scandinavia.  See our Oslo hotel deals .

Day 2 – Take an Adventure into the Mountains and Fjords of Norway

You might already know about this tour, Norway in a Nutshell ® . Departing from Oslo, this tour begins with a train journey through the mountains and includes a memorable fjord cruise on the spectacular Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. For many visitors, the fjords of Norway are the highlight and this cruise enables one to gain a unique perspective of the scenery, while also feeling immersed in the surroundings. 

After the fjord cruise, you will also arrive at a beautiful little town called Gudvangen and from here, you will travel by bus through scenic landscapes until the town of Voss where you continue to Bergen by train.

Simply put, this is the best way to see as much as possible in Norway in just a short amount of time, which explains why it is called Norway in a Nutshell ® ! 

Day 3 – Take a Day to Relax and Wander Around Bergen

Bergen is surrounded by hills and one of the most historical cities in Norway. During medieval times, this was an important seaport and a base for the Hanseatic League. With this in mind, you can still see some of the Hanseatic buildings in Bryggen which date back to the 12 th century. Moreover, the museums and galleries in Bergen are especially popular, while walking is by far the best way to explore.

In this sense, Bergen is more like a large town and neighborhoods such as Ladegården and Sandviken offer a nice insight into the local way of life in Norway. In terms of your travel itinerary, this is also just a nice opportunity to relax in between adventures and take some more time to enjoy the food, amenities and architecture of Norwegian civilization. Read more about the city of Bergen  and find things to do in Bergen here . Check out the best hotel deals in Bergen .

Day 4 – Travel to Lysefjord and the famous “Pulpit Rock”

Departing from Bergen, you will take an express bus through dramatic scenery to Stavanger on the coast of Norway. From here, it’s possible to take a wonderful cruise to see the majestic “Pulpit Rock” and some of the most remarkable landscapes, features and natural attractions in Norway. In many ways, a fjord cruise is the only way to witness many of these features and natural beauty of the Norwegian fjord landscape.

However, you will also have the opportunity to climb to the top of this incredible formation for some truly spectacular views in Norway. At more than 604 meters above Lysefjord, this plateau is one of the most iconic in the world and often the subject for travel magazines and social media platforms. Following this cruise, you will return to Stavanger for the evening for some local cuisine and a relaxing stay in comfortable accommodation.

To save effort and time, there is also an option to combine a visit to the Pulpit Rock with the Norway in a Nutshell® tour . When booking the tour, a hotel stay in Stavanger can be added in the same booking.

Day 5 – Enjoy a Scenic Train Journey Back to Oslo

After an enjoyable overnight stay in Stavanger, you take a train back to Oslo in the morning. As with every other journey on this travel itinerary, the scenery is spectacular along the way. More specifically, this is just a fantastic way to finish off an enjoyable adventure in Norway.

Just so you know, for those who might need or want to get back to Oslo quickly, there is also an option to taking an overnight train back to Oslo on the previous day (day four) from Bergen.

Final Thoughts

Taking an organized tour is usually the best alternative for making the most of your limited time in Norway. Furthermore, planning ahead is a prerequisite for experiencing the fjords and natural attractions in each region to the fullest. If you have more time to spare, it’s possible to add overnight stays along the way or even venture north to see   the spectacular Trolltunga   and some of the other fjords of Norway not mentioned here. Either way, five days is just enough time to see Norway in a Nutshell and the above travel itinerary should help you make the most of your time.

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5 day road trip tour of norway: itinerary incl. the fjords.

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Thinking about road tripping Norway? Not sure where to start with your road trip tour of Norway? Well, you have come to the right place. This 5 day Norwegian Itinerary including some of Norway’s most incredible fjords will have you hooked and ready to book this ultimate road trip . 

Disclaimer: This road trip Norway itinerary is valid for driving during Norway’s summer months. Ferries close, as do roads, as do businesses, in Norway’s fjord country in the winter months…and the fall months…and sometimes well into spring. If your Norway holidays involve travelling outside of the summer months, check your maps apps then double check your maps apps before hitting the road! 

Table of Contents

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Guest Post By Agnes

Travel on the reg.

Check out the availability and prices of campervans or motorhomes in Norway to enjoy this road trip – HERE or if you prefer check out car hire – HERE !

Day 1: Arrival in Ålesund to Start your Tour of Norway

Our Norway road trip itinerary starts in Ålesund . If you’re already spending your holidays in Norway, most flights will connect to Ålesund through Oslo. From Oslo, there’s typically one flight in the morning and multiple flights throughout the afternoon and evening. If you’ve got at least eight hours to spare, trains to Åndalsnes from Oslo are scenic, despite their length, after which a bus meets you for the last leg of your journey to Ålesund .  

Upon arrival in Ålesund , pick up a car at the airport. We used Avis, as it was the cheapest at the time. Brace yourself for large fees if you’re dropping your car off at a different city than you picked it up at, which on this trip, you will be. And if you’re not comfortable with manual transmission, make sure you note that on your reservation, as manual cars are the standard in Norway. I don’t think I could even turn a stick-shift car on, let alone navigate it through fjord country. Otherwise, driving in Norway is quite straightforward.

Highlights of Ålesund

You’ll be spending your first day in Ålesund, as you’ve most likely arrived in the afternoon. Check out highlights below:

A must while in Ålesund is the viewpoint from Aksla. Stretch your legs by climbing up the 418 steps from the Town Park if you don’t want to drive up or take the city train. Reward yourself with a sweet treat from the cafe at the top; they serve scrumptious svele, or butter cakes. 

Art-Nouveau District

Walk off the sugar rush with a tour of Ålesund’s beautiful architecture, all rebuilt after a fire in 1904 decimated most of the town’s city center. 

Atlantic Sea-Park

I’m a sucker for a good aquarium, and this one delivers. Ålesund’s Atlantic Sea-Park boasts one of Scandinavia’s largest saltwater aquariums and beautiful views of the town’s maritime surroundings. Hours are 11am-4pm Mon-Sat, and 11am-6pm Sun. Tickets are around 20 USD. 

Hungry Yet?

Food options in Scandinavia are generally not the most budget-friendly, and Norway’s no exception. But Ålesund has a few options that won’t break the bank. 

Draape Kaffehus

This casual eatery for quick bites is from the same staff who ran the popular Lyspunktet cafe, which is now closed. They continue to expand their menu, but their fish soup and pastry menu are favorites. Hours are 11am-5pm Mon, 8:30am-9:30pm Tues-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, and noon-6pm Sun.

Brokiosken Jafs

Despite a large menu, the focus here is on the fish and chips and the secret family recipe they use in the batter. Hours are 11am-11pm Sun-Thurs, and 11am-3:30pm Fri-Sat.

Your overnight will be in Ålesund. You’ll have a car, so location isn’t as important here, but staying in the city center will offer more walking opportunities at mealtimes. 

Search for Hotels in Ålesund

Day 2: ålesund to geiranger of your norway itinerary.

Your tour of Norway continues on the road today. The shortest route to Geiranger from Ålesund is about two-and-a-half hours, including one ferry. But you’d miss out on some of Norway’s famous scenic driving routes that way. On this route, you’ll have about four hours of driving, so pick up a bagged lunch and snacks from Ålesund before you hit the road. You don’t want hanger to affect your fabulous fjord times.

Ålesund to Trollstigen

The drive from Ålesund to Trollstigen, your first stop on your scenic route, is two hours. The last leg will take you onto Road 63, a scenic regional route with panoramic vistas. As you approach Trollstigen, translated to “The Trolls Road,” you’ll experience some of the country’s iconic hairpin turns. It’s best to pull over to check out the views so you’re keeping your eyes on the road! 

Once at Trollstigen, stretch your legs at the viewing platform, labeled The Trolls Path Viewpoint on Google maps. Two hundred meters above the road, the platform lets you see all the way down to the mountainside.

Continue your drive to Geiranger, driving south on Road 63. You’ll need to take a ferry as you approach Linge. The Eidsdal-Linge/Fv63 ferry comes every 15-20 minutes, and the crossing time is 12 minutes. You can pay for the ferry right before boarding, and use a credit card. You don’t need to rush to make it, as the last ferry runs around 11pm. Check out the ferry timetables here . 

If you still have some daylight, stop by the Ornesvingen, or the Eagle Road. (If you lingered on the way down, you can save this for tomorrow!) You’ll experience more hairpin turns, so it’s not a bad time for a brake check, and magnificent views of Norway’s fjord country, the Seven Sisters Falls, and the alpine farm Knivsflå.

Geiranger will be where you stay for the night. A good option for lodging is the Hotel Utsikten ,  which offers its own scenic views from most of its rooms.

Search for Hotels in Geiranger

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Day 3: Geiranger, One of the Best Fjords in Norway

You’re now in Geiranger, home to Geirangerfjorden, or the Geiranger Fjord. This is the big one, at the top of the best fjords in Norway. It’s UNESCO-identified and the stuff of all of your Norway dreams. 

So what are the main Norway tourist attractions in the area? 

Storsæterfossen Waterfall

This hike begins outside the W esterås Restaurant. The highlight is on your approach to the waterfall, where you’re able to walk on a path behind the falls. This is also where backups occur with other hikers, so feel free to bypass the large groups. The trail is marked well, but can be a bit strenuous if you’re not fittest individual. Allow 2 1/2-3 hours for the journey roundtrip. 

The Lower Fjord

Beginning at the villa Westeras Gard, you can connect to Vesterasfjellet, a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the cruise ship terminal below. (Watching folks amble off cruise ships isn’t so fun, but the view of the fjord below is quite lovely.) On your way, you’ll run into herds of sheep and goats that defy cuteness. 

Flydalsjuvet

If you’re staying at the Hotel Utsikten, this impressive view if just up the road and a beautiful spot to take in less crowded views of Geirangerfjorden. There are two viewing areas, an upper and a lower. 

Geiranger Sjokolade

Ok, it can’t be all vistas, and you’ll have to go into town at some point for sustenance. You’ll smell the chocolates happening at this place well before you’re there. Chocolate-maker Bengt Dahlberg sells both traditional and more unique tastes, including cloudberry truffles. Hours are 8:30am-8:15pm daily.

While you’re in town, you can grab a bite to eat that isn’t chocolate (I guess) and pick up snacks and a bagged lunch for another day of driving tomorrow. Brasserie Posten boasts an outside terrace, but as you’re in town, your fjord views may be blocked by cruise ship tourists. The food there is still yummy and prices aren’t exorbitant for this part of the world. Hours are 10am-4pm daily in the summer months. 

You’ll be staying in Geiranger again overnight. 

Day 4: Geiranger to Fjaerland

The fastest route to Fjaerland is about three hours, but you’ll be making a stop along the way at the Geiranger Skywalk-Dalsnibba.

The skywalk is about 10 miles south of Geiranger, only accessible via a toll road. If you buy a ticket ahead of time on the skywalk’s online booking system , you’ll just need to scan it at the toll station. You’ll save some time this way, as this is a popular stop for all of the tour buses. Tickets are around 15 USD. 

Once at the skywalk, you’ll be treated to more than crowds. The guard rail at the viewing platform is glass along two sides, making for spectacular views of the fjord down below, as well as the glaciers you’ll be driving to next on this journey.

Glacier Country

Continue on to Fjaerland, Norway’s glacier country. Jostedalsbreen, or the Jostedal Glacier, is continental Europe’s largest glacier. While in Fjaerland, you’ll be within touching distance of this natural wonder. While driving down, make a pit stop at the Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter , where you’ll be able to see the glacial tongues from the parking lot at the main tourist center. (A glacial tongue, or a long sheet of ice, is just an extension of a glacier. It quite literally looks like a tongue.)

Once you’ve made it to Fjaerland proper, you’ve got some options to get your glacial exploration on.

Boyabreen is a side branch of the main Jostedal Glacier. You can see it right off the main road in Fjaerland, or, better yet, while having some lunch at the Brevasshytta restaurant. You can see it right out their windows while you’re having what’s essentially cafeteria-style food. 

Supphellebreen

This is another side branch of the main glacier. There’s a car park that allows for easy access. From there, it’s a muddy stroll up to see the ice in all of its awesomeness. No one’s policing how close you get to the glacier, so be careful. We saw a dog jumping into those cold waters when we were there, which gave me some anxiety until I could tell it looked like he’d done that before.

Norwegian Glacier Museum

If you’re escaping a drizzle, or just want to learn more about glaciers and how they’re formed, this museum is a good stop. It also makes no bones about discussing the effects of climate change on the world’s glaciers, which I appreciated. Beware of the polar bear in the bathroom! Hours are 10am-4pm in April and October, and 9am-7pm May-September. The museum is open only to groups in March and November. Tickets are around 14 USD. 

Main Street

If you’re interested in any guided hiking opportunities, or a guide to marked walking routes near town , visit the tourist office in the Bok & Bilde bookshop on Fjaerland’s Main Street. Shops close up very early, though, so stop here first if you need maps! They’ll help you choose a hike based on your time constraints – and level of fitness. A popular hike in the area is up to the Flatbreen glacier and the Flatbrehytta cabin, which takes the average person about three hours.

Fjaerland Fjord Kayak

If you really want to get personal with fjord country, renting a kayak is an excellent way to do so. You’ll want reservations ahead of time, available here . 

You’ll be staying in Fjaerland overnight. There aren’t many food options in and around town. We actually canceled a pricey, seated dinner reservation at the Fjordstove Hotel because we found pizza and beer (and pear cider) at the Boyum Camping Ground after a day of exploring.

Search for Hotels in Fjaerland

Day 5: fjaerland to bergen to finish your tour of norway.

This is your last day of driving. Your drive to Bergen, a popular stop on any Norway itinerary, from Fjaerland will take at least four hours. As we felt we had done Fjaerland justice, we hit the road in the morning, arriving in Bergen around lunchtime. We dropped our car off at the downtown Avis, and explored the rest of the day on foot. However, if you are looking for more adventure approximately 3 hour drive from Bergen is the famous Trolltunga hike . This hard hike is not to be underestimated so be sure to do your research before embarking. 

Highlights of Bergen

As our full day in Bergen the following day called for rain, we got in as many outdoor activities on our half day as we could. Highlights included:

Mount Floyen

You can either hike up to this viewpoint or ride the Floibanen funicular all the way up. The funicular will cost you around 6 USD. If you want to hike up, you’ll start at the same station as the funicular. Don’t use your Google maps to get up there, as they always try to give you the shortest route. You’ll end up on a tour of people’s homes and and steep driveways. Just follow the switchbacks all the way up from the station below. Either way, you’ll be treated to beautiful vistas of Bergen. 

Once you’re there, you’ll encounter snack/cocktail opportunities, so it’s a nice spot to take a break and take in the view. You can also visit the beautiful Skomakerdiket, or Shoemaker’s Lake, and the Troll Forest when you’re ready to head back down. No, really. It’s a Troll Forest.

Bergen’s old wharf, Bryggen, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are several museums within the wharf, or just explore beyond the facades into its alleyways. Although tchotchke shops have replaced whatever storefronts once flourished there, it’s still a scenic part of town. 

Fish Market

Bergen’s Fish Market is on the wharf, as well. This is a bit of a tourist trap, but I always like seeing the local wares wherever I’m at. I wouldn’t recommend eating there, as you’ll encounter exorbitant prices. Summer hours are 8am-11pm daily.

This is likely all you’ll have time for on this day. For a cheap meal before you turn in, Trekroneren is a hot dog stand with the kinds of proteins you’d expect to find out here, e.g. reindeer. It’s an economical choice in this pricey town! Hours are 11am-4am daily.

Options from here are an extended stay in Bergen – we were there another full day, as there’s lots more to see – or heading back to Oslo for some time there before heading home. This was only scratching the surface of a Norway trip and what Norway’s fjord country has to offer, but a trip there is well worth any time you’re able to give it!

Search for Hotels in Bergen or Oslo

About the author.

Hi! I’m Agnes, and I’m a regular person sharing my collected wisdoms and (hopefully) amusing truths about travel when it’s done in a regular way. My home base is in San Diego, which to many is a vacation in itself, but I’m also lucky enough to be able to have regular adventures around the world. If you liked reading about my journey through Norway’s fjord country, you can find me on my social media channels – Instagram and Pinterest – or on my website, Travel on the Reg .

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• Norway-itineraries

Norway in 5 days for independent travellers

Suggested itinerary: norway in 5 days for independent travellers.

Day 1: Arrival to Bergen

Arrive to the Bergen airport. In the Smart Route you will find the best way to get to your hotel and one itinerary to walk over its famous Bryggen and through the quaintest streets in the city. We will also point you out where to have dinner without ending broke in Bergen. Night in Bergen.

Day 2: The train from Flam to Myrdal

In the route, we will show you how to go from Bergen to Flam by rented car or public transport. Once in Flam, take the train that goes to Myrdal. In your way you will enjoy some unforgettable landscapes full of mountains and cascades. To come back, we recommend you to rent one mountain bike and to enjoy a 20 km descent through the woods. Night in Flam.

Day 3: From Flam to Geiranger going through the Briksdal glacier

This day we will point you out how to do the journey between Flam and Geiranger, going through some spectacular fjords and navigating in Geirangerfjord, one of the world’s most beautiful fjord and considered as Human Heritage. In your way, divert to see the Briksdal glacier, which is a part of Europe’s biggest glacier, the Jostedal. Night in Geiranger.

Day 4: From Geiranger to Alesund through the Troll Ladder

This day, you will go through some of the world’s most spectacular roads. The Eagle Road offers great views of the Geiranger fjord, and the epic Troll Ladder shows the best face of the mountains and cascades. Arrive to the Art Noveau city of Alesund, walk over its old town and take a plane to Bergen. Night in Bergen.  

Day 5: Bergen and flight back home

Take the funicular up to the Floyen Mount to enjoy the best views of the city and the bay. In the Smart Route we will show you the best places to eat in the Fish Market this day. In the afternoon, go to the airport to take your flight back home.

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Noemí went to Norway

Guide: A 5-day Road Trip From Oslo, Norway Including 2 Amazing Bike Routes

Last updated June 2023

After going on  an epic 10-day road trip in Southern Norway in 2017, we were keen to see more of our beautiful country. This time we wanted to explore Norway by both car and bike. With 4 nights and 5 days blocked off on our calendar, we eagerly started planning.

Having come across the Tour de Dovre bike route via a Google search, we quickly decided that this was something we couldn’t pass on. Cycling the entire 130 kilometers in one day was an ambitious goal, but with one electric bike and one road bike, we were hoping it would be possible.

With Tour de Dovre as the main item on our to-do list, we planned the rest of the itinerary. We wanted to see lots of beautiful Norwegian nature, and what we managed to do in these 5 days surpassed even our highest hopes!

Day 1: Driving from Oslo to Dovre Day 2: Biking Tour de Dovre Day 3: Driving from Dovre to Beitostølen Day 4: Biking along Jotunheimvegen Day 5: Driving from Beitostølen to Oslo

NOTE! Parts of the route are closed during winter. All the roads are normally open from the beginning of June to the middle of October, though this depends on the weather and driving conditions. We therefore recommend verifying that all the roads are open. If you skip the biking, it is possible to do this road trip in just two nights/three days.

Day 1: Driving from Oslo to Dovre via Venabygdsfjellet and Grimsdalen

360 kilometers – 5 hours and 30 minutes of driving

Stop points:

• Ringebu stavkirke (Ringebu Stave Church)
• Venabygd fjellkapell (Venabygd Mountain Chapel)
• Atnbrufossen Vannbruksmuseum og Fossehuset (a water-powered sawmill museum, and waterfall house)
• Sohlbergplassen (Sohlbergplassen viewpoint)
• Strømbu (Strømbu Rest Area)

Link to Google Maps

Highlights:

• Norwegian Scenic Route Rondane
• Sohlbergplassen viewpoint
• Grimsdalen valley

We headed out from Oslo on a sunny day at the beginning of August. On the way north, we passed the exit to the lush island of Helgøya , but this time we unfortunately did not stop there.

Instead, we drove straight to Ringebu, where in our opinion the road starts to become more exciting. The Norwegian Scenic Route Rondane runs between Venabygdsfjellet and Folldal, but even before we got that far, there was a lot to look at.

Venabygd Mountain Chapel, with its turf roof, and the pyramid-shaped Muen mountain, are both photogenic vistas close to the road. There is also a multitude of small lakes scattered around the beautiful mountain terrain.

We made a brief stop at Atnbrufossen Vannbruksmuseum og Fossehuset (the sawmill museum and waterfall house). The museum was closed when we arrived, but it was still fun to have a look at the waterfall and the sawmill.

A stop at Sohlbergplassen viewpoint is a must. The curvy shaped platform offered fantastic views of lake Atnsjøen and the mountains of Rondane.

The architect of Sohlbergplassen, Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk, is also the creative mind behind Strømbu Rest Area. The rest area has benches and public washrooms and is peacefully situated next to the river.

The last leg of the first day took us through Grimsdalen valley. Grimsdalen valley is arguably Norway’s most beautiful valley. After driving through this amazing scenery, we couldn’t wait to see more of it by bike the next day.

Accommodation: We had booked a room at Toftemo Turiststasjon, which we found to be highly recommendable. We were given a spotless and comfortable room, including a solid breakfast at a very reasonable price. The friendly hostess also provided excellent service.

Link to Toftemo Turiststasjon

Day 2: Biking Tour de Dovre

130 kilometers

The Tour de Dovre cycling route impressed us deeply with its breathtaking scenery. It was a long day of biking, but we managed to finish all 130 kilometers just before sunset. Click here to see pictures and read more about our day biking this spectacular route.

• Lunch at Grimsdalshytta (Grimsdalen mountain lodge)

Accommodation :  We spent one more night at Toftemo Turiststasjon.

Day 3: Driving from Dovre to Beitostølen via Brimi sæter

150 kilometers – 2 hours and 50 minutes of driving

• Brimi sæter (farm shop and mountain café)
• Kalven Seter Farm and Coffee Shop
• Ridderspranget (gorge)
• Vargebakkane (viewpoint)
• Steinplassen (rest area)
• Rjupa (viewpoint)
• Brimi sæter
• Norwegian Scenic Route Valdresflye

After breakfast at Toftemo Turiststasjon, we packed our car and headed towards Beitostølen. On the way, we took a small detour to visit Brimi sæter. Brimi sæter offers food and accommodation in idyllic surroundings. We had an absolutely delicious lunch here and bought traditional Norwegian food in the small farm shop. We also stretched our legs among the old buildings and met a few two- and four-legged creatures.

Link to Brimi sæter

Just a short drive away from Brimi sæter lies Kalven Seter Farm and Coffee Shop. Here we were served some outstanding coffee. We were quite surprised to find a state-of-the-art coffee machine located in one of the old buildings and enjoyed the steaming hot drink in the little living room decorated with wild flowers on the tables.

At Kalven, there are plenty of things to do. With activities ranging from milk tasting to spa treatments, there should be something for every taste. We regretted not having planned this day better to include a massage inside the old 19th century cheese house!

Link to Kalven Seter Farm and Coffee Shop

Ridderspranget is a gorge in the Sjoa river. The gorge is located just over a kilometer from the main road and is certainly worth the short detour. The very last bit down to the river must be walked on foot.

From Ridderspranget we followed yet another Norwegian Scenic Route. Norwegian Scenic Route Valdresflye is an extraordinary stretch of road. It almost floats through the mountainous landscape and offers fabulous views.

There are countless opportunities to stop for pictures or go hiking along the road. As with the Norwegian Scenic Route Rondane, the rest areas and viewpoints all have great locations and good facilities. Some of our favorites were the “Rock on Top of Another Rock” artwork at Steinplassen and the panorama from the Rjupa viewpoint.

Accommodation: We stayed the night at Radisson Blu Mountain Resort at Beitostølen. The hotel is a few years old, but we got a nice and newly refurbished room. Both the dinner and the breakfast buffet were tasty, and we have nothing to complain about except for the price, which we found to be on the high side. Had there been rooms available, our first choice, however, would have been to stay at Herangtunet, a small hotel located a 20-minute drive from Beitostølen. We stopped briefly at Herangtunet on our way home, and the boutique hotel looked incredibly inviting.

Link to Radisson Blu Mountain Resort

Link to Herangtunet

READ MORE: 10 Day Complete Itinerary for a Road Trip in Norway

Day 4: Biking along Jotunheimvegen

(optional length)

Link to map of Jotunheimvegen

• The scenery
• The traditional meal at Haugseter Fjellstue (Haugseter mountain lodge)
• Vinstervatn lake

Despite our sore buttocks from cycling Tour de Dovre two days earlier, we got back on our bikes. This time we had planned to bike along the Jotunheimvegen mountain road, which has very little car traffic and is therefore well-suited for cycling.

We parked our car in the parking area right after passing Bygdin, where Jotunheimvegen starts. It goes all the way to Skåbu, which makes for 90km of biking there and back, but you can adjust the length of the route as you like by turning back sooner or parking further along the route. The gravel road was excellent to ride on, and we were spoilt with lovely views of Vinstervatn lake and the surrounding mountains. Very few cars passed us, but we shared the road with a surprisingly large number of cows.

Along the way, we stopped for a lunch break at Haugseter Fjellstue and fuelled up on delicious Norwegian sandwiches and traditional baked goods.

Link to Haugseter Fjellstue

On the way back, we were met with quite a strong headwind. We therefore recommend checking the forecast and being ready for the wind conditions to change at any moment . It is also worth keeping in mind that there can be big differences in temperature and weather conditions between Jotunheimvegen and Beitostølen.

Accommodation : We spent one night at the Radisson Blu Mountain Resort.

Day 5: Driving from Beitostølen to Oslo via Røykenvika

230 kilometers – 3 hours and 40 minutes of driving

Stop point:

• Lokstallen Røykenvik
• Randsfjorden lake
• Lunch at Lokstallen Røykenvik

On our way back to Oslo, we decided to drive along Randsfjorden lake. This is not the quickest way to Oslo, but it takes you past one of our favorite restaurants, Lokstallen Røykenvik. Indulging in a delicious lunch at Lokstallen, while enjoying the views of Randsfjorden lake was the perfect ending to our road trip!

Click here to find out why we are so fond of Lokstallen Røykenvik.

Link to Lokstallen Røykenvik

*None of the places we visited during this trip were informed that we would be writing about them, and we paid all expenses ourselves.

Christina in the Clouds

Europe , Itineraries , Norway · November 6, 2023

Tromso to Senja – ULTIMATE 5-day Norway Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re looking for a fantastic Norway road trip Itinerary then look no further. In this post, I’ll discuss everything you need to know about a 5-day Tromsø to Senja road trip! 

Home to trolls, fairies, fjords , of course, the Northern Lights, Norway is a magical land that looks like something straight out of your favourite fairytale. 

One of the most majestic parts of Norway can be found 350 km above the Arctic Circle from the city of Tromsø to the island of Senja. 

If you’re in this stunning corner of the world you’ll want to do a road trip to see the best of what this part of Norway has to offer. This is where my Tromsø to Senja 5-day road trip itinerary comes in! 

A road trip from Tromsø to Senja will have you admiring mesmerising fjords and uncovering some true hidden gems and if you’re really lucky, you might even see some wild reindeer along the way . 

Whilst 5 days in this majestic land might not feel like a lot of time, it certainly is enough to discover all of the remarkable landscapes that this route from Tromsø to Senja has to offer! 

In this post, I’ll share all of the best things to do and see from Tromsø to Senja , the best times of year to visit Tromsø, what you need to budget for a Norway road trip and so much more! 

So let’s get into it!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you 🙂

Prepare for your Tromso to Senja road trip

🛏️ Accommodation:  When you’re hunting for great deals, make sure to check out different sites like  Booking.com  and  Hotels.com ! If you’re on a budget then make sure to check out  Hostelworld .

🚆 Transport:  Need to book a bus, plane or train whilst travelling? Check out your options on Trip.com , 12goasia.com , Bookaway.com and thetrainline.com .

🚗 Rental Cars : Looking to rent a car for your adventures? Check out prices on Rentalcars.com and Discovercars.com .

🐘 Activities:  Check out  Get Your Guide  and  Viator  for 100’s of activities whilst travelling.

🦋 Insurance:  Make sure you’re covered against any incidents during your trip. Get affordable and flexible insurance with  Safety Wings .

📱 Download an eSIM:  Avoid roaming fees, and have peace of mind that you have internet access when WiFi isn’t available. Download sims from either  Airalo  or  Holafly  for your time abroad.

About this Tromsø to Senja road trip itinerary

This Tromsø to Senja road trip is based on the exact 5-day itinerary that I followed on my trip to Norway.

I believe it gives you the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation as well as ensuring that you’re not spending too many hours driving in the car.

Although, you will find that the drives from Tromsø to Senja are just as stunning and picturesque as the major landmarks themselves. 

How to get to Tromsø

Flying to tromsø.

Thankfully Tromsø has its own airport and you can fly directly into Tromsø from many European cities such as London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and many more. 

Other routes will see you catching a connecting flight from Oslo.

Travelling to Tromsø by bus

Several bus services connect Tromsø to other Norwegian cities as well as Finland. 

There are direct bus connections to Tromsø from Narvik and Bodo/Fauske. More information on bus times can be found here . You can also look at booking tickets through the Tromsø Billett app . 

From Finland, you can catch buses from Rovaniemi and Kilpisjärvi however these buses only run between December – March.   More information on catching the bus from Finland can be found here .

Travelling to Tromsø by Train

Unfortunately, there is no train station in Tromsø. Travellers looking to travel by train will have to get to the towns of either Fauske or  Narvik and connect to Tromsø using the local, long-distance bus service.  Norwegian train and bus information can be found at www.vy.no .

Travelling to Tromsø by ferry

You can travel to Tromsø by ferry from other major towns and cities in Norway. The ferries are run by both Hurtigruten and Havilavoyages and run from the following places:

• Bergen: 64 hours
• Trondheim: 51 hours
• Bodø: 24 hours
• Svolvær: 17 hours
• Harstad: 7 hours
• Finnsnes: 3 hours
• Kirkenes: 35 hours
• Honningsvåg : 18 hours
• Hammerfest: 12 hours
• Skjervøy: 4 hours

Renting a car in Tromsø

Renting a car in Tromsø for your road trip is easy! 

You can pick up a rental car from either Tromsø Airport or Tromsø city centre. 

Car rental prices in Tromsø start from 1,000 NOK per day.

Can I do this Tromsø to Senja road trip via public transport?

Unfortunately renting a car is the only option when looking to embark on this specific Tromsø to Senja road trip itinerary. 

Whilst there are bus and ferry options to take you to places included on this itinerary (eg Sommarøy and Senja Islands), due to the limited schedules of public transport and journey times it would take quite some time to get from A to B and therefore would make it difficult to complete in 5 days. 

You would also miss some of the incredible hidden gems included in this Tromsø to Senja itinerary that are only accessible by car.

Day 1 Tromsø

What to do in tromsø.

There are a whole host of things to do in Tromsø, so much so that a lot of travellers will spend their whole trip here. However for this Tromsø to Senja 5-Day itinerary I recommend spending just 1 day in Tromsø and picking 1 or 2 activities that call out to you.

Admire the Arctic Cathedral

The Arctic Cathedral is quite the icon in Tromsø and its Pyramid glass structure is somewhat hard to miss when you’re in Tromsø city. 

The cathedral is both stunning inside and out. So, you don’t necessarily have to visit inside the cathedral to witness its beauty.

You can simply admire the stunning architecture from afar. 

Entrance to the cathedral is 70 NOK and free for children under 12.

Go on a Whale Watching Tour

Whale watching is one of the coolest things to do in Tromsø. Whale-watching season in Tromsø is from November – January and you will have the opportunity to see both Humpbacks and Killer Whales.

There are two types of Whale watching tours you can go on.

There is the catamaran cruise which will allow you to admire these creatures from afar and have a slightly more comfortable time out on the water. 

Or, you can book on to a rib cruise which will see you getting much closer to the whales, but it will be a much colder and bumpier ride!

Ride the Fjellheisen Cable Car

If you want to witness one of the most beautiful panoramic views in Tromsø then I highly suggest taking a ride on the Fjellheisen Cable Car. You’ll get the opportunity to see Tromsø’s stunning landscapes, city lights, and if you time it perfectly; the Northern Lights. 

The cable car operates from 10 am to Midnight and tickets start from 190 NOK.

Relax at Pust Sauna

Why not start your Tromsø to Senja road trip off with a little rest and relaxation? Pust sauna is a Finnish-style sauna that overlooks the Tromsø Harbour. As well as a spa/sauna experience they also offer yoga and meditation classes.  Tickets to Pust Sauna start from 225 NOK.

Walk around Tromsø Harbour

If you’re looking for an easy and free activity in Tromsø, then walking around the harbour is a great thing to do.

You can spend some time here admiring the local fishing boats and colourful buildings.

Where to stay in Tromsø 

Ami Hotel – This is a small hotel located in Central Tromsø and one of the cheapest you’ll find in town.

Tromsø Lodge and Camping – This is a great midrange option with an extremely picturesque backdrop which allows you to stay in cosy Nordic cabins. 

Area Glass Lodge  – A stunning glass lodge perfect for admiring the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bedroom.

Days 2-3  Sommarøy Island

Stop 2 on this Tromsø to Senja road trip will see you visiting the breathtaking Sommarøy Island.

Sommarøy is an old fishing village that can be found in the western part of Tromsø. It is home to beautiful beaches, picturesque landscapes and a wide range of hikes.

The journey from Tromsø to Sommarøy

The distance between Tromsø and Sommarøy is approximately 59 KM and it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive there.  However, if you plan on visiting some of the stops I have listed below en route from Tromsø to Sommarøy, this will take you a little bit longer.

Places to see en route from Tromsø to Sommarøy Island

Telegrafbukta beach.

Telegrafbukta is a stunning beach located just outside of Tromsø centre on route to Sommarøy. 

During spring/summer, this is a great place to take a relaxing walk and admire the surrounding landscapes.

During the colder months, it’s still worth the visit and a cool opportunity to see snow on the beach.

Ersfjordbotn

Your next stop en route from Tromsø to Sommarøy is the Island of Kvaløya and more specifically the town of Ersfjordbotn . Ersfjordbotn is a picturesque town with beautiful snow capped mountains and cute colourful cabins. Its most famous landmarks are the frozen waterfall and Klokka Ti viewpoint.

After some exploring here make sure to stop and get coffee and pastries from the Bryggejentene , a quaint cafe located in Ersfjordbotn

Nordfjordbotn

After Ersfjordbotn you’ll pass by the incredible Nordfjordbotn on the next part of your journey to Sommarøy

This was one of my favourite views from my whole Tromso to Senja road trip simply because of the sheer vastness of the view. To get the best view of the fjord you will have to pull up in a small lay-by on the side of the road (you’ll know this is coming up as you’ll see a tall slim building on the top of a hill).

You’ll be passing a whole host of fjords on the route to Sommarøy, and throughout this Tromsø to Senja road trip, so if you skip this one, don’t worry there will be plenty more!

Things to do in Sommarøy 

Hike ornfloya viewpoint.

Ørnfløya is an epic viewpoint that offers incredible panoramic views of Sommarøy. The trailhead is located 5 minutes between Sommarøy and Brensholmen (located here ). The hike to the top is roughly 30 minutes, but make sure to leave some extra time to admire the 360° views of Sommarøy once you get to the top!

This hike is probably best only attempted during the summer months. Unfortunately, we attempted and failed at this hike during our trip during the winter. The parking spot and entrance were completely covered by meters of snow so we were unable to do it.

Visit many of the beautiful beaches

The beaches in Sommarøy are stunning. The water is a pale icy blue and the sand a bright white. It’s kind of hard to believe that you’re in Norway when you see just how clear and blue the water is!

My favourite beach in Sommaroy has to be Krinta Beach .

Go on a kayaking adventure 

Kayaking through the fjords has to be one of the best things to do in Sommarøy. You can book a kayaking activity (and much more) with Sommarøy Adventure .

Looking for more European Inspo? Check out my other guides here .

Watch the Northern Lights, Polar Night or Midnight Sun

Depending on what time of year you complete your Tromsø to Senja road trip will dictate what natural phenomena you see.  During the months of November – February you have the greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights and experiencing a Polar Night (when the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon).

OR, If you travel to this part of Norway during the summer months of late May to late July you’ll get to experience the Midnight Sun (where the sun never sets).  

TIP: Use https://www.norway-lights.com/ or download “My Aurora Forecast” to track Northern Lights’ activity ✨

Where to stay in Sommarøy

The Sommarøy Arctic Hotel is pretty much the only place to stay on the island. This is a beautiful Nordic design hotel situated on the water and surrounded by colourful cabins.

What I loved most about this hotel was the fact you could arrange for a Northern Lights wake-up call if they were to show up during the middle of the night.

Days 3-5 – Senja

The 3rd and final stop on this Tromso to Senja road trip is Senja itself.

Travelling from Sommarøy to Senja Island

There are two options you can choose from when thinking about travelling from Sommarøy to Senja. By Ferry (cars allowed) or by driving the complete route. 

Driving the road from Sommarøy to Senja is recommended for those who prefer the scenic route.  The distance between Sommarøy to Senja Island is approximately 188 KM and takes from 3 hours and 15 minutes to drive.

If you would prefer less time in the car there is the option to take the ferry from Sommarøy to Senja. 

To catch the ferry from Sommarøy you must get to the port of Brensholmen which is just a 10-minute drive away. From here you can catch the ferry to Botnham located on Senja Island. 

The ferry is under an hour and runs daily. You can check the schedule here and refer to this website for more up-to-date travel information. 

Places to see en route from Sommaroy to Senja Island

If you do decide to drive and take the scenic route here are some more impressive fjords and villages you can see along the way.

I recommend stopping at Aursfjordbotn and Moen .

Things to do in Senja

Much like Sommarøy, Senja is also an ideal place to watch the Northern Lights, Polar Night or Midnight Sun. 

During November – February you have the greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights and experiencing a Polar Night.  During the summer months of late May to late July, you’ll get to experience the Midnight Sun.

Go on a Wildlife Cruise

Book onto a wildlife cruise with Hamn I Senja . You’ll get the opportunity to witness wildlife like seals and sea eagles, all whilst sailing through an archipelago that is known as the “Caribbean of the Arctic”

Hamn I Senja also offers other activities such as kayaking and snowshoeing if that’s something you are also interested in.

Explore Ånderdalen National Park

Ånderdalen National Park is a breathtaking area of natural beauty that offers up diverse landscapes and wildlife. You’ll see awe-inspiring lakes backdropped by snow-capped mountains and an incredible array of wildlife including wild reindeer.

Drive the Senja tourist route

The Senja tourist route is a 102 KM route that runs from north to south Senja. It runs through from Botnhamn and Gryllefjord.  The top spots to see on the Senja tourist route are:

• Mefjordvær – A historic fishing village. 
• Tungeneset – Where the sea meets the impressive Okshornan mountain range, also known as the “Devil’s Jaw”
• Ersfjordstranda – A Beautiful beach with clear emerald waters surrounded by mountains. 
• Bergsbotn – A viewing platform that looks out over an extraordinary view of water and mountains.

If you had to pick just one or two places to visit on the Senja tourist route then I would recommend Tungeneset and Bergsbotn viewing platform.

Go for a Hike

Senja is every hiking lover’s dream. With rugged peaks and lofty landscapes, hiking in Senja is not to be missed. Some of the best hikes in Senja include:

• Segla 
• Sukkertoppen

Where to stay in Senja

Norwegian Wild – Small cabins located in Vangsvik with beautiful fjord views and for those on a tighter budget.

Skagi Senja Hotel – Beautiful cabins and lodges located in Skaland region of Senja.

Aurora Borealis Observatory – This hotel offers luxury glass cabins complete with hot tubs for that perfect Northern Lights viewing experience  (staying at this hotel has always been on my bucket list but always out of my price range…maybe one day).

Travelling from Senja Island back to Tromsø

The distance between Senja and Tromsø is roughly 180 KM and takes approximately 3 hours to drive.

If you want to cut out the long drive back you can take the ferry.

Catch the ferry from Botnham located to Brensholmen. 

From there you can drive from Brensholmen to Tromso which is 54 KM and a 1 hour drive.

Catch the ferry from Finnsnes directly to Tromso. 

The ferry is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. However, this ferry does not run a daily schedule so you will need to make sure this fits around your itinerary.  You can find out more about journeys and ticket prices here . 

What is the best month to visit Tromsø for a road trip?

The best time to go on a Tromsø to Senja road trip is during the peak winter months and the peak summer months.

This way you’ll get to experience the natural phenomena that I mentioned earlier in this post such as the Northern Lights, Polar Night and Midnight Sun.

If you’re looking to experience seeing the Northern Lights, Polar Night or both, then visiting Tromsø during the months of November-February will be the best option for you!  Temperatures reach a low of -5° during the winter months so make sure to pack lots of layers with you!

Summer 

If it’s the Midnight Sun you want to see then you’ll need to visit Tromsø from late May to late July.  Temperatures reach highs of just 17° in the height of summer so you’ll probably still need to pack a few light layers, especially in the evenings.

NOTE: Visiting outside of these times of year is absolutely fine too and just as beautiful. However, if you want to have a truly spectacular experience that is unique to this part of the world then I would highly recommend planning your trip around these dates. 

How much to budget for a Tromsø to Senja road trip

I am sure you’ve probably heard that things aren’t that cheap in Norway. You’re probably wondering how expensive it is to do a Tromsø road trip. 

So, Here’s what you can expect to budget for a Tromso to Senja Road Trip.

• Rental Car (per day): 1000 NOK/ $90/£75 
• Budget 2-person Accommodation (per night): 2000 NOK/$180/£130
• Budget Food (per day): 700 NOK//£50
• Activities (per activity): 2000 NOK/$180/£130

**Please note that prices will fluctuate based on the season and costs will increase depending on the choice of accommodation and restaurants so the above is just a rough estimate. Currency conversions are accurate as of November 2023.

You might also enjoy…

• Ultimate Bruges 1-day itinerary
• Ljubljana to Lake Bled – 3-day Slovenia Itinerary

Happy Exploring

I hope you have a wonderful Tromso to Senja road trip and enjoy this 5-day Norway itinerary that I have put together. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out!

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Norway Road Trip Itinerary: An Epic Self Drive Adventure

01 apr 2024 29 mar 2024 | john.

This incredible two-week Norway road trip itinerary includes some of the world’s most scenic driving as you wind your way past mountains, fjords, glaciers, charming villages, and spectacular coastal scenery.

From the snow-capped peaks of its mountain ranges to the iconic fjords that carve through the landscape, Norway is a strong contender for one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Add to that an evocative history of Viking sagas telling stories of northmen and women raiding, trading and exploring far and wide in their dragon-headed longships and it’s little wonder Norway is such a popular country to visit.

Fast forward to today, and Norway somehow manages to blend its ancient heritage with a modern, progressive society that’s welcoming to visitors and easy to travel around.

Whether you’re into chasing the Northern Lights, hiking iconic fjords, kayaking glacier lakes, tasting inventive local cuisine, or just appreciating the sheer beauty of mountains and coastal villages, you’ll find it in Norway.

So, buckle up for a road trip of a lifetime through one of the most spectacular countries on the planet.

Norway Road Trip Itinerary – Snapshot Start & Finish: Oslo, Norway Distance: appx. 2,800km (1,740 miles) How long do I need ? Norway is a large country, and while it has great road infrastructure, the fjords and mountains that drew us here also mean that sometimes, driving can be slow-going. As such, to cover all the key stops in southern Norway, you’ll need at least two weeks for this Norway road trip itinerary. Overnight stops: 3 nights in Oslo, 3 nights in Stavanger, 1 night in Bergen, 1 night in Gudvangen, 2 nights in Sogndal, 1 night in Geiranger, 1 night in Alesund, and 2 nights in Trondheim.

What’s in this post?

What’s the Route? Norway Road Trip Itinerary Day 1 – Getting to Know Oslo Day 2 – Oslo’s Nautical and Sculptural Highlights Day 3 – Oslo to Stavanger via the North Sea Road Day 4 – Hiking Pulpit Rock and Exploring Stavanger Day 5 – Hiking Kjerag Day 6 – Stavanger to Bergen Day 7 – Bergen to Gudvangen and a Nærøyfjord Kayak Trip Day 8 – Gudvangen to Sogndal via Flåm Day 9 – Austdalsbreen Glacier Day 10 – Sogndal to Geiranger Day 11 – Geiranger to Alesund Day 12 – Alesund to Trondheim via the Atlantic Road Day 13 – Trondheim Day 14 – Trondheim to Oslo Planning a Norway Road Trip Travel to Norway Best Time to Visit Norway Accommodation in Norway Driving in Norway Is Norway Expensive?

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What’s the Route?

You could spend a lifetime exploring Norway. It’s the kind of vast, rugged, beautiful, untamed place that panorama functionality on cameras was designed for. Unless you have limitless time and funds however, it may take a lifetime to see everything you want to in this diverse and beautiful country.

If you’re contemplating a Norway roadtrip, you’re probably in the position we found ourselves in: with a certain amount of time, a finite budget, and a whole world of possibilities to consider.

After extensive research and exploration in our own car, we’ve whittled down this world of possibilities into an epic 2 week Norway itinerary. The journey starts with two days in Oslo, before heading south through Stavanger, and then up to Bergen, Gudvangen, Sogndal, Geiranger, Alesund and Trondheim, then looping back to Oslo.

On the road you’ll see some of Norway’s best mountain and fjord scenery, get better acquainted with Scandinavian history, visit quaint Nordic villages and vibrant cities, explore stunning glaciers, and hike a couple of Norway’s iconic trails to some of the best vistas on the planet.

The itinerary assumes you’ll be visiting outside of the winter months. If you are chasing the aurora, or decide to visit in winter for other reasons, you may need to check road conditions, road closures and the availability of weather dependent excursions ahead of time. Make adjustments to the itinerary where the weather necessitates.

If you have the luxury of more time, and can extend your Norway road trip to three or even four weeks, you could: Take your time driving southern Norway’s coastline between Oslo and Stavanger, exploring the beaches, cuisine, and colourful wooden architecture that’s typical of the region. Hike the 20km (return) trail to Norway’s most distinctive rock formation, Trolltunga, for incredible views from 700 metres above Ringedalsvatnet lake. Extend your Nærøyfjord kayak trip to two, or even three days, to really appreciate the wonder of this World Heritage listed fjord. Enjoy some of the many outdoor adventures on offer in Geiranger, including hiking, biking, kayaking, ziplining or cruising down Geirangerfjord. Drive the Norwegian Scenic Route between Geiranger and Trollstigen to experience one of Norway’s most iconic, and panoramic roads. Spend a couple of days getting outdoorsy around Alesund, choosing from hiking Molladalen, Mount Saksa, or Slogen, birding at Runde Island, or exploring dramatic Hjørundfjord. Get better acquainted with Trondheim by visiting the many interesting museums around the city, taking a boat trip to historic Munkholmen Island, kayaking along the Nidelva River, joining a musk ox safari, walking the beautiful Ladestien path, visiting Bymarka city forest, and eating your way around some of the city’s best restaurants. Explore some of Norway’s most pristine natural environments on a visit to the national parks of Dovrefjell, Rondane and Jotunheimen .

Norway Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – getting to know oslo.

Highlights: Royal Palace | Slottsparken | Oslo Cathedral | Oslo Opera House | Akershus Fortress | Oslo City Hall | National Museum | Aker Brygge Total driving distance: No driving today, you’ll pick up a hire car on day 3 of this itinerary. Overnight: Oslo

As we only have 2 days in Oslo, we’re going to pack a fair bit into day one of our Norway itinerary. If possible, try to get a flight that arrives as early as possible to make the most of your time here. But don’t worry if you arrive a bit later, you can always do more tomorrow with an earlier start, or later finish, especially if you are visiting in summer when the days are much longer.

Oslo is a compact, cosmopolitan city of lovely waterways, green spaces, and interesting museums that certainly warrant a couple of days’ exploration. Once you’ve arrived and hotel formalities are sorted, head out to get acquainted with Norway’s bustling capital city.

There are a wide range options to help you explore Oslo’s main attractions, including walking, e-Scooter, bicycle, and bus tours. Check out GetYourGuide and Viator for some inspiration, or to book a tour in advance.

It’s also easy enough to spend a day exploring all the main sites on your own self-guided walking tour. Be sure to include the Royal Palace, Oslo Cathedral, the iconic Opera House, the Akershus Fortress, City Hall, National Museum and Aker Brygge on your wander.

Detailed 2 Days in Oslo Itinerary For a little more detail on getting the most out of your time in Oslo check out our suggested itinerary for two days in the city, which includes more information on daily activities and where to stay.

Where to Stay in Oslo

Oslo has plenty of accommodation choice, ranging from luxurious waterfront hotels to boutique B&Bs and campsites. Prices vary, and it’s advisable to book in advance during peak periods, typically in the summer months when tourism is at its height.

You’ll find accommodation scattered across, and beyond the city. Gamle (the old town), Sentrum (central Oslo) and Aker Brygge are great options if you want to be close to all the action. Bohemian Grünerløkka is a little further out but more than makes up for it with its oh-so-cool vibe and variety of eating and drinking choices. Upmarket Frogner and Majorstuen offer a quieter, more local vibe, but are still well located for most sites around Oslo. 

We stayed just east of the centre at the Scandic Helsfyr , which had nice, comfortable rooms and puts on a pretty mean breakfast. There’s a metro less than ten minutes’ walk away that provides regular trips into the city centre. For road trippers, the big bonus is the hotel has free parking. Check out our 2 days in Oslo post for additional hotel suggestions.

Day 2 – Oslo’s Nautical and Sculptural Highlights

Highlights: Oslofjord Cruise | Bygdøy Peninsula | Kon-Tiki Museum | Vigeland Park Total driving distance: No driving today, you’ll pick up a hire car on day 3 of this itinerary. Overnight: Oslo

For our second day in Oslo we’re focusing more on Norway’s maritime heritage and taking the opportunity to get out and about on Oslo’s harbour, the fabulously photogenic Oslofjord.

Cruise Oslofjord There are a bunch of ways to explore Oslofjord, and we would recommend taking a harbour cruise , exploring independently using the Båtservice public ferries, or enjoying a dinner cruise .

Whatever you decide upon, schedule something in and then adjust the remainder of today’s Oslo itinerary to fit in around that.

Bygdøy Peninsula The Viking Ship Museum is normally the highlight of a visit to the Bygdøy peninsula, however it’s currenty closed for a major renovation, and will reopen in 2026/27 as the Viking Age Museum.

In the meantime, there are still plenty of reasons to visit the Bygdøy Peninsula. In addition to the famed Viking ships, the peninsula hosts three other excellent maritime-themed museums. The peninsula can be reached by a very scenic ride on the Båtservice.

The Kon-Tiki Museum provides a fascinating insight into Thor Heyerdahl’s daring expeditions, including the famous Kon-Tiki raft voyage across the Pacific. The Fram Museum shares harrowing tales of polar exploration and allows guests to step aboard the world’s strongest wooden ship. Or learn about Norway’s maritime heritage from ancient seafaring traditions to modern maritime innovations at the Norwegian Maritime Museum .

Whether you visit one or all three museums, or just take a stroll along the peninsula’s scenic trails or check out its lovely beaches, Bygdøy certainly warrants a few hours in today’s itinerary.

Vigeland Park The other significant stop we recommend today is a visit to Vigeland Park , probably our favourite green space in Oslo and the largest sculpture park in the world. The park can be reached on foot from the city if you don’t mind a half hour walk, or you can save your legs by getting tram 12 or the metro from central Oslo.

Home to more than 200 sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland, the park is a testament to Vigeland’s life work and determination (or obsession). This incredible collection of bronze, iron and granite sculptures really seize the imagination. The works capture a range of human emotions, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the large central Monolith, the Angry Boy and the Wheel of Life, all of which are particularly striking.

Finish the day with a dinner cruise on Oslofjord or head to Aker Brygge, Sørenga, or Grünerløkka for a bite and a few drinks. Don’t overindulge though, it’s an early start tomorrow.

Day 3 – Oslo to Stavanger via the North Sea Road

Highlights: Risør | Lillesand | Kristiansand | Lindesnes Lighthouse | Flekkefjord | North Sea Road Total driving distance: appx. 620km (385 miles) Total driving time: appx. 8.5 hours Overnight: Stavanger

Our Norway road trip hits the highway today with a very long drive. We recommend getting to the airport as early as you can so you can pick up your hire car and hit the road before traffic around Oslo gets too busy.

The fastest route to Stavanger from Oslo is around 600km via the E18 and E39 which takes between 7 and 8 hours to drive, depending on traffic.

It’s all highway, and to be completely honest, it’s not the most thrilling drive in the world. However, as we only have 2 weeks in Norway we’re keen to get stuck into the adventures that await in Stavanger and beyond, so recommend doing this leg of the journey in a single day.

If you’re visiting in summer and don’t mind arriving in Stavanger a little later, there are a handful of picturesque coastal towns along the route where you can choose to break up the journey with a walk along the beach or lunch.

Around 3 hours from Oslo you’ll pass Risør , and an hour further along, Lillesand . Both are good spots to stretch your legs with a wander through pretty old towns that have distinctive, white-painted houses and bustling waterfronts.

Our halfway point today is Kristiansand where you can grab lunch, enjoy a rest at one of the local beaches or have a walk through the colourful historic district of Posebyen. There’s a lively fish market here (Fiskebrygga) where there’s no shortage of choice if you’re feeling peckish.

If you’re into lighthouses and coastal scenery, Lindesnes Lighthouse at the southernmost point of mainland Norway might be of interest. There’s also a fancy underwater restaurant here. Further west, Flekkefjord ‘s Gamlebyen district is another old town of cobblestone streets and wooden houses that’s definitely worth exploring.

From Flekkefjord you can be in Stavanger in around 2 hours by continuing along the E39. However, if you’re going to take one diversion today, we’d recommend getting off the highway at this point to take the North Sea Road (the Rv44) between Flekkefjord and Sandnes.

While this will add a little over an hour to the journey, it’s probably the most scenic part of today’s drive, winding through wooded mountain roads, past beautiful coastal scenery, lovely beaches, cute traditional villages and fjords. It really is a lovely drive, just be prepared for lots of twists, turns and switchbacks.

After checking into your accommodation in Stavanger, finish the day with a stroll down to the waterfront in search of dinner. We were lucky enough to arrive just in time for sunset in the middle of a food festival. The harbourside was alive with people and delicious smells, the perfect way to end a very long day.

If you have more time and want to avoid a very long drive, pretty Kristiansand or one of the other coastal towns along this route make a nice overnight stop. There’s also an inland route to Stavanger over the mountains via Telemark, Røldal and Ryfylke on the E134. It’s considered to be a more scenic drive that takes in mountains, lakes, waterfalls and stave churches. You’d need an additional day for this route though as the terrain means it takes a couple of hours longer to drive. Another time-saving option would be to fly from Oslo to Stavanger and then get a rental car on a one way hire back to Oslo. Not only will this save you a very long drive, but it means you save a day so can add in one of the additional stops or activities we’ve highlighted in this post. Perhaps an extra day to kayak down the Nærøyfjord or an epic hike, like the one to Trolltunga: the options are limitless.

Where to Stay in Stavanger

As a popular university town, tourist centre, and a hub for Norway’s oil industry, it’s not surprising that Norway’s third largest city has plenty of accommodation on offer.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere in the cobbled streets of the old town, an upmarket joint along the picturesque harbour, or a quiet B&B in the residential back streets, it’s easy enough to find somewhere to stay in Stavanger within walking distance of the centre.

We stayed at Frogner House – Sirkus Renaa , located an easy 10-15 minute walk from central Stavanger, with paid parking in a large facility adjacent to the hotel (organised in advance through the hotel). We had a studio room which was nice and clean, had a comfy bed, and was generally very well appointed. There are a range of apartments to choose from, including studios, 1 and 2 bedrooms. All have a fridge and small kitchenette.

The following mid-range options don’t have parking but also get consistently good reviews:

• Frogner House – Fiskepiren – close to old town | clean and cosy | parking garage opposite
• Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel – central location | gym and sauna facilities | clean, modern rooms

Parking in Stavanger Unfortunately, most hotels we looked at in Stavanger didn’t provide parking, so the choices are to use paid parking garages, or find street parking. Just beware some residential areas are for permit holders only, so if you’re unsure where to park, check Parkopedia , ask a local for advice, or check with your hotel before you arrive.

Day 4 – Hiking Pulpit Rock and Exploring Stavanger

Highlights: Hiking Pulpit Rock | Stavanger Cathedral | Gamle Stavanger | Øvre Holmegate Total driving distance: appx. 80km (50 miles) Total driving time: appx. 1.5 hours Overnight: Stavanger

Hit the road early today with a 45-minute drive to the Prekistolen (Pulpit Rock) car park via the longest subsea road tunnel in the world, the 14.4 kilometre Ryfylke tunnel.

Pulpit Rock Parking – It’s advisable to arrive at the car park as early as you can (6am or 7am), especially in the summer months, to ensure you get a car space. We made the mistake of a later arrival on our first attempt and had to postpone our hike due to lack of parking.

An early start will also let you enjoy the trail before it gets too hot and crowded, as well as allowing enough time to get back to Stavanger for an afternoon exploration of the city. Believe me, you’ll be grateful for the early start when you’re coming down and see the crowds making their way up.

The hike is just shy of 8km and is considered moderately difficult. There are certainly some lung-busting ascents, and it definitely challenges your knees and ankles in places. We took our time, had lots of breaks, and managed the hike in around 2 hours each way.

After getting to the top and being absolutely blown away by the scenery, we climbed a little further until we found a rocky outcrop with stunning views over Pulpit Rock and across Lysefjord. This turned out to be the perfect spot to recover from the hike up and enjoy a very well-earned breakfast.

For a little more detail on our experience of this hike, check out our Hiking to Pulpit Rock post .

After returning to Stavanger and freshening up, head out to the old town, Gamle Stavanger, and choose a spot for lunch before embarking on an afternoon wander.

The central part of the city is nice and compact, and easily walkable in an afternoon. Highlights of Gamle Stavanger include its cobbled streets and 18th century traditional wooden houses, an imposing medieval cathedral, and Stavanger’s most popular street, Øvre Holmegate with its busy vibe and jumble of colourful wooden houses, many of which are now cafes, bars or shops.

Grab some dinner and get an early night as it’s another energetic day tomorrow.

Day 5 – Hiking Kjerag

Highlights: Cruising the Lysefjord | Kjerag Hike | Scenic drive along the Fv500 and Fv450 Total travel distance: appx. 230km (143 miles) Total travel time: appx. 6 hours 15 mins Included ferry crossing: Lauvvik-Lysebotn Overnight: Stavanger

Today might just be the most thrilling day of our entire Norway road trip itinerary, so strap yourself in for the iconic Kjeragbolten (Kjerag Boulder) hike.

We’re at risk of becoming morning people with yet another early start today. It’s a 40-minute drive from Stavanger to Lauvvik to get a pre-booked 6:30am car ferry to Lysebotn.

Important information regarding the Lauvvik to Lysebotn car ferry The car ferry needs to be booked in advance. It doesn’t operate every day, and when it does there is only one morning crossing. Be sure to check the ferry timetable ahead of time as part of your itinerary planning. More information, including timetable and booking links can be found on the Visit Norway website .

Once on the ferry, settle in for a truly spectacular two-and-a-half-hour cruise along the length of Lysefjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway.

From the ferry it’s a fun, if slightly white-knuckle drive up the side of the mountain along the switchbacks of Lysevegen Road to get to the Kjerag carpark, where you’ll pay a jaw-dropping NOK300 to park for the day.

I won’t sugar coat it, we found the hike pretty tough. It’s steep and slippery in places, and sometimes you need to use chains to drag yourself up the slopes. But your reward for all that hard work is the incredible view across Lysefjord and, if you can keep your nerve, and stop your legs wobbling long enough, that iconic pic standing on Kjeragbolten 984 metres above the fjord.

All up the hike (around 10km return) took us about 6 hours, including taking a breather up top, and queuing to get onto the boulder. We’ve written more about the experience in our Hiking Kjerag post .

After the hike, loop back to Stavanger via the Fv500 and Fv450, an incredibly scenic 2.5 hour (140km) drive through the very heart of fjord country.

Weather Warning: Like many hikes in Norway, Kjerag should only be tackled between June and September. Outside of hiking season the trail is too dangerous and the road to Kjerag is closed.

Day 6 – Stavanger to Bergen

Highlights: Bergen Fish Market | Bryggen Wharf | Fløyen Funicular Total travel distance: appx. 210km (130 miles) Total travel time: appx. 5 hours Included ferry crossings: Mortavika-Arsvågen | Halhjem-Sandvikvåg Overnight: Bergen

The scenic drive between Stavanger and Bergen is a little over 200km but takes more than five hours. Around 30km of the journey is by car ferry, so you’ll need to factor in extra time for the two ferry crossings as you weave your way through spectacular fjord-and-mountain landscapes.

If you’re like us, stopping for photos every five minutes will also slow your progress, in the best possible way of course.

A couple of hours into the drive you’ll pass the town of Haugesund . If you need a break, you’ll find Norway’s national monument, Haraldshaugen, here. It’s said to be located on the site Harald Fairhair is buried. There’s also a thousand-year-old stone cross nearby and, if you want to stretch your legs, the Kyststien trail runs along the coastline here.

Bergen is an attractive, walkable city with a bustling waterfront area. After checking in to your hotel, head down to Bergen’s famous Fish Market and grab a late seafood lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the city and the atmospheric Bryggen Wharf area, a colourful World Heritage-listed nod to the city’s Hanseatic past.

For panoramic views of the city and surrounding fjords, take the funicular up to Mount Fløyen .

Surrounded by mountains, rain makes a regular appearance in Bergen and we weren’t spared on our visit. Just as we emerged from the funicular at the top of Fløyen, the clouds rolled in and drenched us with rain. Even so, the views of city and harbour that we were able to glimpse through the mists were truly spectacular. Bring wet weather gear just in case.

Where to Stay in Bergen

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and has a busier feel about it. If you want to be near the main points of interest, look for accommodation around Sentrum and Bryggen. However, there are also plenty of accommodation options further out, including towards the airport located around 18km from the centre of town.

We stayed at the Quality Hotel Edvard Grieg near the airport as we managed to get a good deal on the room which included free parking (we understand they have since started charging). The hotel is comfortable and modern, has a decent car park, and is an easy 20 minute drive to the city.

If you want to be closer to the action, the following options get consistently good reviews:

• Good value: City Hostel Bergen – clean rooms | 5 minute walk to the harbour | good shared kitchen
• Mid-range: Citybox Bergen City – simple modern rooms | close to train station | 15 minute walk to the harbour
• Indulge: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel – lovely modern hotel | great location at Bryggen Wharf | parking garage (paid)

Day 7 – Bergen to Gudvangen and a Nærøyfjord Kayak Trip

Highlights: Nærøyfjord Kayak Trip Total driving distance: appx. 150km (93 miles) Total driving time: appx. 2.5 hours Overnight: Gudvangen (or nearby)

We’re now firmly in the heart of fjord country, and the outdoor adventures continue today with a journey to the fjord-side village of Gudvangen. From here we’re embarking on a memorable guided kayaking trip along the World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord.

Our paddle started at 10am, so you’ll need to be on the road early from Bergen for the two-and-a-half hour drive past lakes, waterfalls, and increasingly beautiful mountain and fjord scenery.

It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that to earn its UNESCO recognition, Nærøyfjord is a bit of a stunner, and there’s nothing quite like seeing it from a sea kayak.

Imagine gently paddling along in almost perfect silence, surrounded by immense rocky mountain slopes that enclose you the deeper into the fjord you go, past raging waterfalls, lush green valleys, and tiny villages. There’s a tranquillity to it that’s hard to describe, and it’s an experience we’ll be talking about for many years to come.

Half-day and full-day kayak trips typically include a barbecue-style lunch and return to where you started from in Gudvangen, while multi-day trips finish further into the fjords (our two-day trip ended at Undredal on Aurlandsfjord). If you have more time available we’d highly recommended a longer paddle. Check out our kayaking the Nærøyfjord post for more details about what to expect.

We booked our tour directly with Nordic Ventures , but you can also book guided one-day kayak tours from Vossevangen and three-day kayak tours from Flåm through GetYourGuide. If you’re feeling less energetic, cruises operate from Gudvangen, Flåm, Aurland or Undredal. More details are available on the Visit Norway website .

Where to Stay in Gudvangen

While it’s a key gateway to Nærøyfjord, the village of Gudvangen is quite small, so accommodation choices are limited. Broadening your search to include the wider Aurland region, including Bakka, Flåm, Aurland and Undredal will give you more options.

The following options around Aurland get consistently good reviews:

• Good value: Winjum Hostel Stegastein – clean comfy rooms | well-appointed shared kitchen | fabulous view from terrace
• Mid-Range: Svingen Guesthouse – cosy rooms | spotless shared kitchen and bathrooms | fjord views
• Indulge: Gudvangen Fjordtell – perfect fjordside location | on-site seafood restaurant | comfortable Viking themed rooms

We opted to camp at picturesque Lunde Camping . It’s a friendly place set beside a river near to the small town of Aurland where you’ll find a few shops and a supermarket. The campsite has plenty of space for tents, but there are also simple, modern chalets for non-campers, which include bunks and a kitchenette.

Day 8 – Gudvangen to Sogndal via Flåm

Highlights: Stegastein Viewpoint | Flåm | Flåmsbana Railway | Borgund Stave Church | Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Route | Kaupanger Stave Church Total travel distance: appx. 165km (103 miles) Total travel time: appx. 3 hours 15 mins Included ferry crossings: Mannheller-Fodnes Overnight: Sogndal

You’ve probably earned an extra hour in bed this morning, but when you’re ready, jump in the car and head towards the popular town of Flåm, an easy 20 minute drive from Gudvangen.

If the weather is good, bypass the town centre for now and head straight up the very steep and winding “Snow Road” to the Stegastein Viewpoint . Jutting out 30 metres from the mountainside, the platform provides a truly spectacular birds-eye viewpoint from its position 650 metres above Aurlandsfjord.

Get ready for the crowds Flåm gets inundated with visitors during peak season. Not only does it have the famous Flåmsbana railway, but it’s also a hub for day trips to Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, as well as berthing close to two hundred cruise ships a year. If you are visiting at peak time, it’s best to book any activities well ahead of time, and if you can, try to avoid being here on days when the biggest cruise ships are docked. The Flam Port website has information on cruise ship arrivals, including the number of passengers on each ship.

While we’re not fully convinced it lives up to the label of ‘best train ride in the world’, the Flåmsbana railway feels like one of those things you need to tick off the list while visiting the western fjords.

It’s a 20km, hour-long ride from Flåm to Myrdal station, 867 metres above the fjord. As you rise into the mountainside, past waterfalls and valleys, the gradient gets ever steeper and the views become more impressive. The journey includes brief stops at the raging Kjosfossen waterfall and Myrdal station before you head back down.

After the train ride, stretch your legs with a walk around Flåm while enjoying the views down the fjord. There are some lovely traditional wooden buildings, a free railway museum, a church dating back to 1670, and if you’re feeling active, bike riding or Scandinavia’s longest zipline. If you’re in need of a break and some refreshment, the brewpub and bakery are popular spots in town.

After Flåm, our journey heads past the town of Aurland before joining the Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Route and taking a 24.5 kilometre journey through the inside of the mountain via Lærdalstunnelen, the world’s longest road tunnel.

If you have time and are interested in seeing one of Norway’s best preserved medieval stave churches, it’s only a 20 minute drive from the end of the tunnel to Borgund Stave Church .

From here it’s a little over an hour to Sogndal via the Rv5 and Mannheller-Fodnes car ferry. The road passes close to Kaupanger Stave Church around ten minutes before you get to Sogndal.

What’s a stave church? Stave churches are medieval timber churches that were built using a unique style of load bearing wooden frame with four corner posts, or staves. Constructed entirely from wood, the churches are distinctively designed with intricate multi-tiered high roofs and beautiful woodwork. There were once more than a thousand of these churches in Norway, but today, only 28 remain.

Where to Stay in Sogndal

There are a handful of villages and towns in the Sogndal area offering accommodation around the Sognefjord, including Sogndal, Hermansverk, Hafslo, and Kaupanger.

While these towns aren’t overflowing with accommodation, there’s enough choice to suit most needs, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes, apartments, hostels, and camping. The following options get consistently good reviews:

• Good value: Nedre Amla Fjord Apartment – cosy apartment | fjord views | free parking
• Mid-range: Best Western Laegreid Hotell – large rooms | comfy beds | centre of Sogndal
• Indulge: Hofslund Fjord Hotel – fjord views | heated pool | comfy rooms | free parking

We stayed at Sogndal Bed & Breakfast , a summer hostel offering budget rooms close to Sogndal village. While certainly not luxurious, the B&B has large, clean, modern rooms with comfy beds, free parking, and breakfast included in the price. It’s also a really convenient base for visiting nearby Austdalsbreen Glacier.

Day 9 – Austdalsbreen Glacier

Highlights: Austdalsbreen Glacier Kayaking and Hiking Total driving distance: appx. 163km (100 miles) Total driving time: appx. 3 hours Overnight: Sogndal

Today encapsulates everything we love about road tripping, with a truly spectacular drive, followed by one of the most memorable adventures of this Norway itinerary.

The day starts with an hour-long drive to Breheimsenteret Glacier Centre to meet up with the team from IceTroll who will be taking us on a trip to Austdalsbreen glacier.

Arrive early if you can as the centre (open from May to early October) has incredible views of nearby Nigardsbreen glacier and provides an interesting introduction to the world of glaciers, and both Jostedalsbreen and Breheimen national parks.

There’s something surreal and truly awe-inspiring about paddling across the pristine waters of Styggevatnet glacier lake towards Austdalsbreen glacier. And getting to walk on the glacier itself remains one of our all-time favourite travel memories. This tour runs between July and September. You can find a more detailed write up of our experience in our post about exploring Austdalsbreen glacier .

If you’re anything like us you’ll be buzzing on the drive back to Sogndal, but remember to take in the beautiful scenery on the way, and maybe treat yourself to a beer (and perhaps dinner) overlooking the fjord at Dampskipskaien Café when you get back to town.

Day 10 – Sogndal to Geiranger

Highlights: Most Spectacular Drive in the World | Geirangerfjord | Ørnesvingen Viewpoint Total driving distance: appx. 220km (137 miles) Total driving time: appx. 4 hours Overnight: Geiranger

If yesterday’s glacier excitement wasn’t enough, you’re in for another real treat today, as you take on the most spectacular drive in the world. It’s a huge call I know, but it’s certainly among the most incredible stretches of tarmac we’ve ever driven and an absolute highlight of this 2 week Norway itinerary.

It’s another experience we’ve written about separately, so check out our Sogndal to Geiranger blog post for more details and lots of pics.

Please note some sections of this drive should be considered weather dependent. If you are thinking of attempting this route outside of the summer months, or in poor weather, check road conditions and closures before setting off.

The drive takes you out of Sogndal along the Rv5, E39, Rv15 and Rv63 all the way to Geiranger. While it’s only 220 kilometres, you should plan to make a day of it as it’s one of those drives that will have you pulling over every few minutes to marvel at the scenery.

The drive takes you past fjords, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lush valleys, quaint Norwegian villages, tranquil lakes, and more waterfalls than you could poke a stick at. Labelling it as ‘jaw-dropping’ feels like a bit of an understatement.

You’ll probably have run out of superlatives by the time you get your first glimpse of Geiranger, but try to muster one last bit of energy for the 15 minute drive alongside Geirangerfjord and up what feels like endless switchbacks of ‘Eagle Road’ to reach Ørnesvingen Viewpoint .

Taking in the views across the World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord from here is a fitting way to end the ‘most spectacular drive in the world’ before checking into your Geiranger accommodation and seeking out some well-deserved dinner.

Where to Stay in Geiranger

The fjord-side village of Geiranger gets top points for dramatic positioning, although as a popular destination for day-trippers, cruise ships and holidaymakers, it’s probably the busiest place we encountered outside of Norway’s cities.

Despite its popularity, Geiranger is very small, and there’s only a handful of accommodation options available. It’s advisable to book your stay well in advance, especially during peak periods when demand surges. The following options get consistently good reviews:

• Good value: Solhaug Fjordcamping – cosy caravan | fjord views | cabins also available
• Mid-range: Vinje Camping –  comfortable cottages |kitchenette | fjord views
• Indulge: Grande Fjord Hotel – fabulous views | comfy clean rooms | relaxing hot tubs | free parking

We pitched a tent at Grande Hytteutleige og Camping , set in a spectacular location right on the fjord a couple of kilometres from town. Shared cooking and bathroom facilities were decent, and staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Cabins with ensuite bathrooms and private cooking facilities are also available to rent.

Day 11 – Geiranger to Alesund

Highlights: Hellesylt | Alesund’s Art Nouveau Architecture Total travel distance: appx. 110km (68 miles) Total travel time: appx. 3.5 hours Included ferry crossings: Geiranger-Hellesylt | Magerholm-Ørsneset Overnight: Alesund

As one of most beautiful fjords in Norway, you won’t be surprised to learn Geiranger has plenty to keep you busy if you have time to stay a little longer. Tourist cruises loop the fjord several times each day, and for the more active, there are kayaking, biking, ziplining and hiking excursions to be enjoyed. Check out GetYourGuide’s things to do in Geiranger page for more inspiration.

As we only have 2 weeks in Norway on this itinerary, we’re combining travel and sightseeing by enjoying Geirangerfjord from the car ferry. It’s a spectacular journey, travelling the length of the fjord and then continuing on to the village of Hellesylt.

From here, it’s time to get back on the road and head north west towards the coastal town of Alesund. The road from Hellesylt skirts Geirangerfjord along the Fv60 offering up wonderful views along the way. If you want some pics keep your eyes peeled for the Geiranger Fjord Viewpoint , around 6km from Hellesylt, it’s one of the many spectacular viewpoints you’ll pass on today’s drive.

You could easily spend a couple of days enjoying Alesund and the surrounding areas so try to arrive in good time to allow at least half a day to enjoy this pretty port town.

Bypass Alesund for now though and drive straight to Godøy island . If you’re feeling energetic, there are a few hikes to enjoy here, the shortest of which would be the two-and-a-half hour (3.5km), out and back, moderately challenging trail to Storhornet. At the peak you can enjoy a well-earned rest while you appreciate the 360-degree panorama of the surrounding islands and Alesund. Seek out the 1876 Alnes lighthouse before heading back to Alesund and checking in to your hotel.

Considered by many to be Norway’s most beautiful town, Alesund’s pastel-coloured centre is the result of a near-total rebuild in the early years of the 20th century, after a great fire burnt down most of the city. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, strolling through the cobbled streets and around the waterfront to really appreciate the wonderful art nouveau architecture. If you’re interested in delving a little deeper, the Art Nouveau Centre provides a more in-depth understanding of Alesund’s architecture and history.

There are a variety of other things to do in and around Alesund depending on your interests and available time.

There’s a city sightseeing bus that takes in many of the major points of interest, a fisheries museum providing an introduction to the local fishing industry, and the Atlantic Sea Park (3km out of town), which has the largest saltwater aquarium in Northern Europe and a small penguin colony. If you have the time, and are feeling more energetic, you can also explore Alesund by sea kayak .

Whatever you decide, it’s worth ending the day by enjoying freshly caught local seafood at one of the many good restaurants around town.

Where to Stay in Alesund

There’s a decent variety of accommodation options in and around Alesund, from camping to apartments, guesthouses, homestays and hotels. The following options get consistently good reviews:

• Good value: Kirkgate 4 – comfy homestay | central location | shared bathroom | paid parking
• Mid-range: Quality Hotel Waterfront – clean and modern | central location | waterfront | on-site restaurant and bar
• Indulge: Hotel 1904 – stylish hotel | comfortable rooms | central location | great staff

We stayed at centrally located Thon Hotel , which was close to everything and has a small guest car park, as well as being near a larger public car park. Rooms were large, clean and very well appointed with all the facilities you’d expect. Rates include a decent breakfast with a good selection of hot and cold food.

Day 12 – Alesund to Trondheim via the Atlantic Road

Highlights: Aksla Viewpoint over Alesund | Atlantic Road Total travel distance: appx. 360km (224 miles) Total travel time: appx. 7 hours Included ferry crossings: Molde-Vestnes | Halsa-Kanestraum Overnight: Trondheim

It’s a big driving day today, so we’d recommend starting early with a quick drive up the mountain behind Alesund to the Aksla Viewpoint. From here the panoramas of Alesund, the Sunnmøre Alps, and surrounding area are absolutely fantastic (keen walkers can hike to the viewpoint).

Rather than take the most direct route to Trondheim, we’re taking a slight detour that includes a stint along the famous Atlantic Ocean Road .

This is a picturesque stretch of causeways, bridges and highway linking the many islands of the region’s archipelago. It makes for a longer day, but it’s well worth it.

While the whole drive to Trondheim is beautiful in itself, the Atlantic Ocean Road, one Norway’s eighteen recognised scenic routes , is really the highlight and the focal point of the day.

Funny enough, it’s a road that might never have come into being if the 1909 plans for a railway along this route had been realised. It took another 26 years for Parliament to approve a road project instead, and then a further 48 years before the six-year road construction project actually began in 1983.

The culmination of all this is one of the world’s great drives. It’s an engineering marvel that winds through the stunningly beautiful, rugged coastline with the vast ocean as a backdrop, and the relentless North Atlantic weather as a constant reminder of the powerful natural forces that shape the land here.

There are a few spots along the way to pull off the road and take in the views, most notably at the southern end of Eldhusøya island, just after the iconic Storseisundet bridge. You’ll find plenty of parking here, along with toilets and a café.

A little further north, Kristiansund marks the halfway point of today’s trip. It’s a good spot to stretch your legs and grab some lunch, especially since it’s a town famous for ‘fishan’ (fish and chips to you and me). It’s around three-and-a-half hours to Trondheim from here.

As it’s been a long day, we’ll leave the Trondheim sightseeing until tomorrow. Just drop off your bags and head into town for dinner.

Trondheim is a vibrant university town with a reputation for being a bit of a foodie destination, so there’s no shortage of places to eat and drink, from casual to Michelin star eateries.

Where to Stay in Trondheim

As one of Norway’s largest cities, it’s unsurprising that Trondheim has a decent range of accommodation in and around the city centre, Bakklandet and Solsiden that would meet most needs. If we had one gripe, it’s that generally parking was quite expensive.

We stayed at the Scandic Solsiden , located in a nice area with a laid-back vibe and lots of waterside dining and drinking options. It’s only around a ten minute walk into the centre of town, has on-site parking (paid), and is also close to a couple of parking garages. The room, service and varied breakfast were all great, and overall we felt it was a solid choice for Trondheim.

Other options that get consistently good reviews include:

• Good value: Pilegrimsgården Hotell og Gjestegård – clean and quiet | close to the cathedral | on-site parking (paid)
• Mid-range: Scandic Bakklandet – great central location | comfy rooms | yummy breakfast
• Indulge: Britannia Hotel – central location | stylish cosy rooms | attentive staff | spa and wellness centre | Michelin star restaurant

Day 13 – Trondheim

Highlights: Solsiden | Bakklandet | Gamle Bybro (Old Town Bridge) | Kristiansten Fortress | Nidaros Cathedral | Archbishop’s Palace | Stiftsgården Total driving distance: No driving today . Overnight: Trondheim

Once the capital of Norway during the Viking Era, Trondheim is a city with a long history. It’s rich cultural heritage stretches back more than a thousand years to when the city was founded by King Olav Tryggvason in the year 997.

It’s a city defined by its royal heritage, position as a trading outpost, proximity to Sweden, and also by the many fires that have quite literally shaped and reshaped it.

Today you’ll find a modern, trendy vibrant place where around a quarter of the population are students. Aside from being a city with a deep-rooted history, it’s also a centre of art, music, technology, culture and gastronomy.

Enjoy a rare car-free day today to explore this very walkable city. We highly recommend strapping on your sneakers and spending the day pounding the pavements.

There are guided walking tours and a self-guided audio tour of Trondheim available. Both options cover the major places of interest around the city and provide an overview of Trondheim’s history.  

Our Suggested Trondheim Self-Guided Walking Tour As we were staying in the area, we started our day with coffee and a wander around Solsiden , a former shipyard that has been regenerated into a lovely modern waterside precinct. It’s also a great spot for dinner or drinks later on.

If you’re interested in Norwegian music, the Rockheim Museum is only 15 minutes’ walk from here. Otherwise continue your stroll (again just 15 minutes) to Bakklandet , Trondheim’s colourful old town. It sits photogenically aside the Nidelva River, with distinctive colourful houses and cobbled streets.

Spend a bit of time wandering the streets of Bakklandet to really appreciate the architecture and viewpoints along the canal, being sure to check out Gamle Bybro , Trondheim’s iconic Old Town Bridge.

From here, it’s a steady 15-minute or so climb up to Kristiansten Fortress . Keep an eye out for the Trampe bicycle lift on your way, it’s quite a sight to watch people try, and sometimes fail, to use it (if you’re lucky and it’s in operation). The fortress and grounds are a popular spot for picnics in better weather and it’s the best place in town for spectacular views over the city towards the cathedral.

Head back down the hill and recharge your batteries with lunch somewhere in Bakklandet before crossing Gamle Bybro and heading to Nidaros Cathedral , an absolute highlight of visiting Trondheim.

Plan to spend some time here admiring this 11th century gothic masterpiece, with its ornate carving and statues, striking rose window and atmospheric crypt. During summer, the tower can be climbed for spectacular views over the city, and guided tours are also available.

Next door, the Archbishop’s Palace , with its archaeological museum and mint workshop are also worth seeing while you are here, and if you’re an art lover, Trondheim Art Museum is just around the corner.

It’s a 5 minute walk along the wide, tree-lined Munkegatax, past the town hall ( Rådhuset ) to reach Trondheim’s market square ( Torvet ), dominated by a column dedicated to Olav Tryggvasson. It’s a focal point for life in Trondheim and you’ll often find festivals and events taking place here.

We lucked out with our visit coinciding with Trøndelag Food Festival, and we spent several happy hours here sampling delicious food stalls and partaking in a craft ale or three in the beer tent. In 2024, the festival will be held between 1-3 August.

Continue a couple hundred metres further up the road to Stiftsgården , the King’s official 18th century royal residence and one of the largest wooden buildings in northern Europe. It’s open to the public during summer with visits by guided tour only. See the Visit Trondheim website for more details.

Trondheim Microbrewery and ØX Tap Room are just around the corner from Stiftsgården, so we’d highly recommend finishing today’s walk by sampling a few local brews while deciding where to go in Norway’s gastronomic capital for dinner.

Trondheim for Foodies With Michelin starred restaurants, a focus on local produce and gastronomic innovation, and more good restaurants than you can poke a stick at, Trondheim is very much an established foodie favourite. Add to that a thriving microbrewery scene and it’s no surprise we loved visiting Trondheim as much as we did.

Day 14 – Trondheim to Oslo

Highlights: Trondheim to Oslo Scenic Drive Total driving distance: appx. 500km (311 miles) Total driving time: appx. 6.5 to 9.5 hours depending on the route chosen Overnight: Oslo (if flying the next day)

If you want to save yourself a fairly long drive you could consider finishing your car rental in Trondheim, and either fly or get the train back to Oslo for your flight out.

If you plan to drive, the two most direct routes back to Oslo are: the 500km more easterly route along the E6 and Rv3 via Aldval and Rena which takes around 6.5 hours; and the more westerly route along the E6, Rv4 and E16 via Otta and Lillehammer, which adds around 20km and 45 minutes to the journey.

While neither drive will eclipse the more memorable journeys we’ve taken during this road trip in Norway, both are still pleasant enough and offer a handful of things to see and do along the way.

More Direct Eastern Route to Oslo (6.5 to 7.5 hours driving time) Both routes follow the E6 out of Trondheim. After around 45 minutes you’ll reach Støren, where you have the option to take a detour to Røros via the Fv30 or continue on the more direct E6 and Rv3.

World Heritage-listed Røros is renowned for its well-preserved wooden buildings and mining history, so if you don’t mind adding around 45 minutes onto today’s drive, then it may well be worth a visit.

If you want to bypass Røros, continue on the E6 and then Rv3 until you get to one of the largest canyons in northern Europe, Jutulhogget Canyon , around 3 hours from Trondheim. There are plenty of hiking options around here, including treks down into the canyon itself, but you can also get views of the canyon by walking a few minutes from the car park.

From here, the road follows the Rv3 for a couple of hours as it skirts the Glomma , Norway’s longest river, before cutting south west and joining up with the E6 for the final leg into Oslo.

Points of interest along the final stretch (which apply to both the east and west route options) include the ruined medieval cathedral and museum at Domkirkeodden near Hamar, Eidsvoll Manor House and museum where the Norwegian Constitution was signed in 1814, and the atmospheric (some say haunted) Nes Church Ruins , located at the picturesque junction of the Glomma and Vorma rivers.

Western Route to Oslo (7.5 to 9.5 hours driving time) The slightly slower western route takes you out of Trondheim, but instead of taking the Rv3 it continues on the E6 through the mountain ranges of Dovrefjell and Rondane national parks .

With more time there are an abundance of hiking options in this region to explore. After around three-and-a-half hours you’ll reach the town of Otta. It’s the main town of the Rondane and around halfway to Oslo, so may provide a useful stopping point for lunch.

From Otta, you have a couple of options. Either continue on the E6 all the way to the former winter Olympic town of Lillehammer , or take a two-hour diversion along the Fv51 and Fv33 to incorporate Norway’s Valdresflye scenic route via Jotunheimen National Park .

By all accounts, the 49km Valdresflye route, which can really only be attempted during the summer months, is a truly spectacular drive with incredible mountain views. So if you don’t mind a very long day, it might just be a very fitting way to end your Norway adventure.

Depending on your flight schedule, you can either depart from Oslo tonight or spend one more night in the city to explore any remaining attractions or indulge in the vibrant nightlife before concluding your memorable Norwegian road trip.

Planning a Norway Roadtrip

Travel to norway.

Norway is well serviced by rail and ferry routes from adjoining countries, as well as flights from more than 100 destinations from across Europe, as well as the USA and Middle East. Be sure to get a window seat to enjoy views of Norway’s fjords and sprawling mountain scenery if you plan to fly.

Within Norway there are more than 50 domestic airports, offering connections to major cities like Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim, as well as far flung spots like the Lofoten Islands, North Cape, and Svalbard.

Car and passenger ferry services to Norway operate from Denmark, Germany and Sweden, so if you have the time, this might be a more leisurely way to arrive.

As we travelled to Norway with our own car, we took the ferry from Frederikshavn in Denmark to Oslo, arriving late afternoon. It’s a long and uneventful journey (which can also be made overnight), but it’s saved by good free wifi and stunning views when you sail through the Oslofjord on the final leg.

Best Time to Visit Norway

Norway offers a variety of experiences that change with the season. The best time to explore this incredible country really just depends on your interests.

The Norwegian summer, between June and August, is a time of almost perpetual daylight and warmer weather. This is prime time for hiking, cruising the fjords, and enjoying Norway’s iconic scenery and outdoor pursuits.

We visited during this period, and while tourist numbers (and prices) are definitely higher, the lively atmosphere, extended daylight hours, and warmer weather meant we were able to make the best of our time and see and do more.

For those seeking a balance between weather and crowd levels, May and September might present an ideal compromise. Spring heralds the blossoming of flora before the heat of summer, while autumn’s colourful landscapes will have you filling the memory cards of your camera. During these shoulder seasons, you can still enjoy plenty of outdoor activities with fewer crowds, and accommodation prices may sting slightly less.

Winter, between December and March, transforms Norway into a snow-draped wonderland. The Northern Lights dance in the polar night, and the snow-laden landscapes offer opportunities for skiing, dog sledding, and other winter adventures. While the days are shorter, the lure of the auroras and the snowy landscapes create a magical atmosphere that draws plenty of visitors.

Winter Considerations Winter is undoubtedly a beautiful time of year to visit Norway, especially if you’re keen on seeing the northern lights or love your snow sports. However it’s also a time of year that requires extra caution, and a lot more planning. Some excursions referred to in this Norway road trip itinerary may not run during the winter months or in adverse weather conditions. Similarly, many roads through Norway’s mountains and rugged interior are closed during winter. If you plan to visit during the winter months it’s advisable to check the availability of excursions in advance, and to regularly check road conditions and closures on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration website .

Accommodation in Norway

Norway has a diverse range of accommodation from camping to cosy guesthouses and modern hotels. As with many places costs vary greatly, however like everything in Norway, it’s expensive by most standards.

When road tripping we always try to find places offering onsite or nearby parking and this is reflected in many of the suggestions we make in this post. On our Norway road trip, we managed to get hotels with parking around a third of the time. The rest of the time we had to find street parking or a nearby parking lot or garage.

To make the most of your journey, consider pre-booking your accommodation, especially during peak seasons when Norway attracts plenty of fellow travellers. You can book accommodation in Norway through all major booking engines. For this trip, we booked most of our accommodation through Booking.com.  

Driving in Norway

Driving in Norway is a breeze. The road infrastructure, car ferries and signage are all excellent, and drivers are safe and considerate. It’s worth noting though that like most things in Norway, petrol is very expensive, speed cameras are ubiquitous, road rules are strictly enforced, and roads are extensively tolled.

Renting a Car

Unless you’re bringing your own car, you’ll need to hire a car for this Norway travel itinerary.

There are plenty of rental car options from all the major towns and cities in Norway. We’ve found Rental Cars has a great range of cars and competitive prices, but we also suggest checking Discover Cars to find the best deal you can.

Car hire operators in Norway will accept most licences that are valid for a year and use the Roman alphabet. However, it’s always worth checking the booking terms and conditions in advance of your visit, as International Driving Permits are required from some nationalities.

It’s almost impossible to drive around Norway without encountering toll roads. Many, many toll roads. While this can add to your costs, we reluctantly accepted it as the price you pay for the incredibly well-maintained roads, tunnels and bridges that make road tripping through this spectacular landscape such a breeze. 

Rental cars will come equipped with an AutoPASS tag so you don’t really have to worry about tolls. You’ll need to budget for toll costs when you return the car, or in some cases a little after, once the toll charges have been finalised.

You have a couple of options to manage tolls if you are bringing your own car from another country: getting an AutoPASS tag; or registering your vehicle for number plate recognition through EPASS24. More information on both options is available on the autopass website but I’ll quickly summarise the main points below.

To get an AutoPASS tag you’ll need to register with a toll tag provider in advance, including entering into a user agreement to receive your tag (or applicable device) in the post. Payment options will depend on the tag provider, however with AutoPASS there are a number of benefits, including a 20% discount on toll rates, and also being able to use the AutoPASS tag on most ferries with a 10% discount.

With EPASS24 you just need to create an account and register your vehicle’s number plate to be able to pay toll, and other road user charges (e.g. congestion tax) by credit card or invoice. While EPASS24 is a quicker and simpler system than AutoPASS, it doesn’t include any toll discounts and can’t be used for ferry travel.

Car Ferries

With an extensive network of fjords carving through the country’s coastline, car ferries and tunnels are a critical link in much of the road network. The car ferry system is very well run and easy to use.

Ferry routes and timetables can be found on the Skyss website , while the Bompengekalkulator website has information about pricing using a handy map.

If you have one, your AutoPASS tag will be able to process most ferry charges in Norway. If you don’t have an AutoPASS tag, your next best option is to sign up to FerryPay . Your number plate will be read as you board the ferry and the credit or debit card registered on your account will be charged for the crossing.

For the most part, regular ferries operate on a first come, first served basis and can’t be booked in advance. In summer and other peak periods it’s advisable to plan ahead, arrive as early as you can, and be prepared for queues.

When parking in Norway, pay attention to local regulations. In urban areas, you’ll often find designated parking zones with meters. These meters may accept coins or electronic payment methods. Make sure to clearly display your parking ticket to avoid any unwanted fines.

Is Norway Expensive?

Everything you’ve heard is true: Norway is incredibly expensive. This naturally has implications for self-drive trips: petrol, parking, car ferries and road tolls all add up and need to be incorporated into your budget.

The benefit of a self-drive trip is that you do have options to economise if you wish. Camping, eating take-out, using supermarkets, and cooking your own meals will all save you money. As will not drinking alcohol or buying alcohol from supermarkets instead of drinking in pubs (an expensive experience we didn’t repeat very often).

Sound like your kind of adventure? If you’ve got any questions about our Norway road trip itinerary, or driving in Norway, ask us in the comments below.

If you’re looking for more great road tripping itineraries and adventures,  check out our Road Trips page , and our  bucket list of 100 ultimate road trips around the world .

2 thoughts on “Norway Road Trip Itinerary: An Epic Self Drive Adventure”

You didnt mention speeding. I hear the Nords are ruthless for speeders and its a % of your income, vs a flat fine.

Hi CP, thanks for your feedback. Road rules are indeed strictly enforced in Norway and speeding can attract hefty fines, loss of licence, even prison time. From what we’ve come across on various Norwegian websites, speeding fines are fixed rates based on the speed zone and the speed travelled over the limit in that zone. Personally, we found the scenery so amazing on these drives, we just wanted to take as much time as possible!

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• Norway Fjord Route by Car - Express

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A taste of Norway's Fantastic Fjords

This 5-day self-drive tour allows you to see some of the best of the west coast of Norway. Get ready to explore the bustling city of Bergen, enjoy dramatic fjords like Sognefjord and Næroyfjord, and soak in the breathtaking views offered by Stegastein, Gudvangen and Flam. This tour package also has an open day in Sogndal which is perfect for hiking or relaxing by the fjord or joining optional activities like kayaking or visiting a glacier.

5 days / 4 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 1380 EUR

— why book with nordic visitor.

• Hassle-free & seamless self-drive experience
• Flexible & customisable tour options
• Quality & value for your money
• Specialists in Norway self-drive holidays
• Great customer reviews 
• Carbon offsetting included

— Cancellation Protection

• Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
• Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

• Roam the UNESCO Heritage site, Bryggen in the beautiful town of Bergen
• Sail along the Norwegian fjords on boats and ferries, and explore by car
• Visit Sognefjord , the largest and deepest fjord of Norway
• Experience Flåm and stop at the breathtaking Stegastein viewpoint
• Marvel at the spectacular waterfall of Tvindefossen
• Explore the national Norwegian Scenic Route of Aurlandsfjellet
• Enjoy a leisure day of hiking, relaxing or optional activities in Sogndal
• Embark on a road trip with your personal itinerary from a Norway travel expert

Travel style

Culture and history i , family i , fjords i , honeymoon & romance i, driving distance, 455/283 km/mi, attractions.

Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.

Aurlandsfjord

Stalheimskleiva, stegastein viewing platform, fjords in norway.

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN BERGEN

On arrival at Bergen Flesland Airport, pick up your rental car and make your way to  Bergen ’s city centre, where your hotel for the night is located. For those arriving early, we recommend spending the afternoon strolling the city and exploring the lovely sights of scenic Bergen. City highlights include the old wharf of  Bryggen – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an interesting range of museums, as well as the city’s vibrant fish and flower market. For a good overview of Bergen, we recommend taking the “ Fløibanen ” funicular up the mountainside, which reveals spectacular views.

Spend the night in Bergen.

Day 2: EXPERIENCE THE FJORDS BY CAR

Start the first leg of your self-drive trip by heading to Norway’s adventure capital,  Voss , which is home to the beautiful  Tvindefossen  waterfall. Your journey will then continue to Sogndal along the  Sognefjord – Norway’s longest and deepest fjord – taking in sights including the towns of  Stalheim , before reaching the beautiful  Aurlandsfjord  and the town of  Flåm . We recommend stopping in Flåm and riding the renowned  Flåmsbana railway , a steep train ride between Flåm and Myrdal – a treat for photographers or train enthusiasts alike!

A stop at  Stegastein viewpoint  is recommended, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Aurlandsfjord .  You will then take a short ferry ride before driving towards Sogndal, where you will send the night. 

Spend the night in Sogndal.

Driving distance: 237 km / 148 miles Estimated driving duration: 4 hours (without stops)

Day 3: ENJOY A LOVELY DAY ALONG SOGNEFJORD

Today you will spend the day at leisure in the Sogndal area, where there is so much to do and see. There are numerous hiking trails in the area to explore, or you could rent bikes to cycle around the fjord, go kayaking on the fjord or just take a dip in the ocean!

For highlights, we recommend a visit to Urnes, one of the oldest stave churches in Norway, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, visiting the Nigarsbreen glacier which is one arm of the large Jostedalsbreen glacier , or hiking Molden mountain, which has one of the finest viewpoints in the area.  

Spend another night in Sogndal.

Day 4: JOURNEY BACK TO BERGEN

Today you will head back to beautiful Bergen , driving along Sognefjord to Hella where you take a short ferry ride to Vagnes. While passing the village of Vik, see Hove Church, the oldest stone building in the Sogn region. Next, drive along Vik mountain to Myrkdalen, the centre of agriculture for the region, where there lies a beautiful sweeping landscape with mountains and forests in the backdrop. Return to Voss before reaching Bergen, where you will spend the evening.

Driving distance: 220 km / 137 miles Estimated driving duration: 4 hours (without stops)

Day 5: DEPARTURE FROM BERGEN

When it‘s time for your Norwegian adventure to come to an end, head to the airport where you’ll return your rental car. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can choose to enjoy some last-minute shopping, visit one of Bergen’s many museums or relax at a café, enjoying the last few moments of this amazing journey.

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Fjord Sightseeing Cruise

Guided food & culture walk of bergen, fjord safari by rib boat, flåmsbana railway journey, glacier hike – blue ice, rib boat safari - sognefjord, train - bergen to oslo.

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

• Accommodation (Comfort Plus/Superior) for 4 nights
• Daily Breakfast
• Rental car of your choice with unlimited mileage, CDW and VAT for 5 days (for two authorized drivers)
• Pick up/drop off rental car at Bergen Airport
• Carbon offsetting the package
• Nordic Visitor's Norway Travel Guide
• Map of Norway & detailed personal itinerary
• 24/7 helpline
• Taxes & service fees

Not included

• Flights to/from Norway
• Transfers to/from train stations, cruise terminals & hotels
• Meals, drinks & entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
• Fees for GPS, ferries, tunnels, toll roads, parking and any other driving expenses
• Personal travel insurance

Optional Extras

• Cancellation Protection

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Norway. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Norway Travel Guide .

We recommend you wait to book flights to Scandinavia, and other parts of your travels, until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availability for this package. Contact us for more details.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Norway, along with any other services specified in your itinerary, such as cruises and planned activities.

During your tour, we’re with you every step of the way. On arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map and detailed Norway Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Driving in Norway might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:

• We drive on the right-hand side of the road
• Low-beam headlights should be on at all times
• Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h)
• Speed and traffic violations have steep fines
• There are over 900 tunnels in Norway, especially in the western fjords
• Mountain passes can be narrow and winding
• Tolls are automatically registered to your AutoPass, for roads and ferries

And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!

For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Norway . You’ll also receive more guidance ahead of your arrival in the Norway Travel Guide.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will pick up your vehicle from the car rental office here. At the end of your rental period, you will return the car back to the airport.

We recommend using Google Maps or a search engine to find car parks near your accommodation. You can also ask your hotel for assistance. You might find you have a short walk between the car park and your hotel.

A GPS service is available for an additional fee. You can book this directly with the rental agent.

Alternatively, you may want to ensure you have adequate mobile roaming that you can use during your travels in Norway. This way you can use Google Maps or another navigation service on your phone.

It’s also good to note that Google Maps offers more up-to-date information as well as traffic navigation, compared to traditional GPS devices. You’re also able to pre-download maps of areas you will be visiting, so you can use them offline.

Please wait to book flights to Scandinavia until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities on services included in this package. 

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. We recommend booking your flights once your personal travel consultant gets in touch to confirm your itinerary.

If you have any questions about your flights and itinerary, please contact us for more details.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

Yes, you can do so by booking an optional service during the booking steps or by contacting your travel consultant as soon as you can. If you plan on arriving and departing from Oslo, we can book you a direct train or domestic flight.

Another option is to add a Norway in a Nutshell® tour so you can travel in style between Bergen and Oslo. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.

You can also request to add extra nights in the capital to rest on either side of your trip.

On your Norway tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 

During the booking process, you can select whether you want Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation. Comfort Plus usually consists of standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels. Superior is standard rooms in 4-star hotels combined with Superior rooms in premium 3-star hotels.

You will also be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra single bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Norway for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore and what you want to see and do in Norway.

During the summer months, June to August , you’ll have the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours of the year. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and taking full advantage of your days for sightseeing.

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September . These shoulder season months generally have more tour and attraction availability.

Our self-drive tours are only available from May until September when driving conditions are ideal. That means that if you want to travel at other times of the year, you can pick from train and cruise tours or partially guided adventures .

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter. Travel to Norway at this time of year to see snowy mountains, sail along frosty fjords and try to spot the magnificent northern lights. If you head north in December and January , you could experience the polar night.

At this time of year, the conditions are also ideal for winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and more.

Read more about the best time to visit Norway on our blog.

From Oslo in the south, Norway stretches hundreds of kilometres into the Arctic Circle. The country is so long that it spans the latitudes of 58°N to 81°N. For that reason, daylight hours vary greatly depending on where you’ll be visiting. That said, summer in Norway brings long days with plenty of daylight. 

In the south, around Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger, you’ll experience 15–20 hours of daylight. If you visit the north, including locations such as Tromsø and Kirkenes, you can expect 20–24 hours of daylight. 

In fact, within the Arctic Circle, from mid-May to late July, you’ll experience the midnight sun. This is when the sun never fully sets. 

Norway’s long summer days give you plenty of time to explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Norway .

During the summer months, you can expect fairly stable weather in Norway. That said, because the country spans such a large distance from north to south, temperatures are likely to vary depending on your location.

For example, the west coast is usually warmer thanks to the Gulf Stream, while the far north is usually cooler.

The months of June, July and August boast the warmest weather of the year. In Oslo, you can expect average temperatures around 16°C (61°F), with potential highs of 20–25°C (68–77°F). In Bergen, it is closer to 13°C (55°F) and in the north, around Tromsø, you can expect temperatures around 10°C (41-50°F) 

It’s also good to know that weather conditions are often changeable in Northern Europe, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Norway weather conditions . 

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. 

Summertime is the most stable time of year in Norway. That said, you should still be ready to experience all seasons in one day. Especially if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you’ll want to pack for a combination of weather conditions.

Bring lighter clothes for the warmer, sunny days, and extra layers for chilly nights in the mountains or for taking in the view from cruise ship decks.

Here is an essential summer packing list for your trip to Norway:

• Shorts and trousers
• Short and long sleeve tops
• At least one warm jumper or fleece
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Light gloves, hat and scarf
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen
• Eye mask to sleep despite the long daylight hours
• Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
• A backpack for easy access to daily essentials
• and don’t forget your camera!

An umbrella can also come in handy. If you are a wildlife watcher, you may wish to bring binoculars. 

For more information, check out this Norway packing list .

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodation is always included.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 1,500 NOK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages. 

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

We recommend waiting for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us . 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Norway travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Norway Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

• Which currency is used in Norway and which credit cards are widely accepted
• What kind of electric adapters or converters you’ll need
• Which languages do Norwegian speak (yes, English is one of them!)
• How to get a refund on tax-free shopping
• As well as tipping, buying snacks, and other useful information

After you have booked your tour, we will begin the booking process for your trip. We aim to complete the preparation within a few weeks. This includes reserving your accommodation and confirming all your services in Norway.

Once your trip details are finalised, we will prepare your personal itinerary and booking overview, and send all of this to you via email. When you arrive in Norway, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Norway Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Norway?

After picking up your luggage, you’ll collect your rental vehicle or head directly to your accommodation. Your personalised itinerary will be clear on your car rental details, pick up and drop off.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

These pictures may be small, but Norway’s mountains & fjords are massive.

Road in Norway

Nærøyfjord ©visitnorway

Viewing platform over Trollstigen

Sognefjord in Norway

Bergen in Norway

+6 more from this tour

Stegastein - Aurlandsfjord Norway

Voss in Norway

Stegastein Viewpoint in Norway

Tvindefossen waterfall near Voss

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Very friendly and professional

The friendliness and professionalism shown by Nordic Visitor made us feel truly valued as customers. The website is a pleasure to browse and easy to navigate. It seems that everyone involved at Nordic Visitor genuinely enjoys their job and wants to help customers have the best experience possible. Our tour - the self-drive fjord tour - gave us a wonderful taste of this impossibly beautiful country. It provided the perfect balance of guidance and self-sufficiency that we wanted for this adventure.

Beth, United States

Norway fjord route by car - express, june 2023, our travel consultant was very helpful.

We received a lot of information before our tour from Jemima. She was very helpful and responded quickly and efficiently to our questions. We also appreciated having the tour documents in our rental car when we picked it up.

Janet, United States

Accommodation.

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

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Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Home >  Destinations  >  Norway

Norway road trip: The ultimate 7-day itinerary

Planning a Norway road trip? Lucky you. There is probably no country with more natural wonders than Norway. Since most of them are located far from the bigger cities a road trip is definitely the best way to experience them. This ultimate 7 day Norway road trip itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors, as it takes you through some of the most scenic destinations in Norway – like Aurland, Bergen, Ålesund, Geiranger, Trollstigen and Lovatnet.

Table of content

Norway road trip preparation

Accommodation in norway, car rental in norway.

Best season for road trip

Norway road trip map

Road trip itinerary

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Driving in Norway is an amazing experience. The dramatic landscape filled with misty mountains, cute valleys, and deep fjords leaves anyone jaw-dropping. But in a country with more than 2 million sheep, and probably as many mountains to drive up and down from, you won’t be able to drive faster than 70 km/h. Take your time, plan accordingly, and don’t forget to make time for stops to admire the views – you will need it.

➳ Read more: Things to know before visiting Norway

When doing a Norway road trip it’s essential to have your own car, as the public transport options will only take you between the bigger cities. There are several car rentals around Norway, most of them located near the airport in Oslo.

I recommend to rent a car in Norway through Discover Cars . They compare car rental prices, offer free cancellation and 24/7 support.

There are several ways you can spend the night while on a road trip in Norway. On this road trip, we stayed at hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cabins, but we have also tried camping in the car. If you want to stay at hotels or bed and breakfasts, make sure to book far in advance. Norway is popular during summer, and many accommodations get filled up quickly.

➳ Read more: See all hotel options in Norway

Best season for a road trip in Norway

Although Norway is beautiful all year round, I wouldn’t do a road trip in this country during the winter. The roads are small and you have to drive up and down steep roads. The best season for a road trip in Norway would be June to September. We did this one in the middle of July, and it was perfect timing. Just remember that the weather can be unpredictable during the summer too – it can switch from sunny to rainy in no time.

This Norway road trip takes you through some of the most scenic destinations in Norway. Note that this road trip is a bit hectic. You will spend approximately 4-8 hours in the car per day (lunch included). Add a few days to your road trip itinerary if you want to stay longer in some places, do a hike, or take a detour.

This Google map points out all the locations included in this road trip ⤵

Norwegian Scenic Routes

In Norway, they have something called the Norwegian scenic routes , or national tourist routes. These are 18 selected roads that run through landscapes with unique natural qualities. This 7-day road trip itinerary takes you to two of them: Atlantic Ocean Road and Trollstigen to Geiranger.

7-day Norway road trip itinerary

This Norwegian road trip route includes the following destinations:

• Day 1: Oslo
• Day 2: Oslo to Bergen
• Day 3: Bergen to Ålesund
• Day 4: Atlantic Ocean Road and Åndalsnes
• Day 5: Trollstigen and Geiranger
• Day 6: Oppstrynsvatnet, Loen, Lovatnet
• Day 7: Hemsedal and back to Oslo

Day 1: Arrival in Oslo

Depending on your arrival time, spend your first day exploring Oslo and picking up your car. Maybe even go grocery shopping so that you have everything you need for tomorrow’s drive. It’s not recommended to start driving on day one – you have a lot of driving to do the next day, so take this time to enjoy Oslo. I suggest you visit the popular Oslo Opera House, take a walk along Karl Johans gate, and end your day at one of the many restaurants at Aker Brygge while looking at the trendy buildings and enjoying the stunning view over the Oslofjord.

Don’t miss Aker brygge while in Oslo. Olivia’s at Aker Brygge has amazing pasta and pizza!

Get your tours & tickets

Day 2: from oslo to bergen via flåm and aurlandsfjord.

Today’s drive: 7,5-8 hours

Start your day early and set the GPS on Aurlandsfjord . While on your way out of Oslo I recommend you to drive to Holmenkollen , the ski recreation area 588 meters above sea level just west of Oslo. From here you have a fantastic view of Oslo.

Continue north-west to the Aurlandsfjord . Just before you reach Aurlandsfjord you will drive through the Lærdal Tunnel, Norway’s longest road tunnel at 24,51 kilometers. Maybe not a natural wonder, but still a really cool experience.

The incredible Aurlandsfjord.

Aurlandsfjord is the inner part of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. The inner parts are known to be the most dramatic. Aurlandsfjord is deep and narrow, reaching a depth of about 962 meters below sea level. Most of the fjord is surrounded by up to 1800-meter tall, steep mountains. This fjord is an absolute must-see! To get the best view of the fjord, drive up to the Stegastein viewpoint . This is the first real challenge for your car – the road is steep but definitely worth it.

Don’t miss the UNESCO-protected Hansa harbor Bryggen while in Bergen.

Now it’s time to continue to Bergen , the second largest city in Norway. On your way, you will pass the cute little village Flåm , at the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord (just imagine living there – wow!) Make a quick stop to take in the view.

Spend your evening in Bergen, the charming city surrounded by seven mountains. If you’re lucky enough to miss the rain you can take the Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen to experience Bergen from above.

Another thing you shouldn’t miss while in Bergen is the UNESCO world heritage site Hansa harbor called Bryggen. This iconic harbor is well recognized for its colorful houses. On a calm day, you can see an almost identical reflection in the water.

The coastal town Ålesund is sometimes called Venice of the north.

Day 3: From Bergen to Ålesund

Today’s drive: 7–7,5 hours

Today you are going to drive along the coast of Norway, from Bergen to Ålesund . This unique road (E39) connects Stavanger with Trondheim and takes you past several fjords and islands. Some parts are connected by bridges and some by car ferries. Driving from Bergen to Ålesund takes 7-7,5 hours and is an experience in itself.

The view from Aksla mountain top in Ålesund.

Depending on when you started your drive this morning, you now have an afternoon and evening to explore Ålesund. Ålesund is a small but very beautiful town, famous for its skyline with cute houses combined with dramatic mountains and islands. The town is sometimes called Venice of the north, and I can see why.

A must-do in Ålesund is to take the short, but steep, hike up to the centrally located mountain peak Aksla. From Aksla you have an amazing view of Ålesund.

If you wish you extend your road trip, and spend some more time in Ålesund, you can explore the city’s special Art Nouveau architecture at the Art Nouveau Center or go on a Wildlife Sea Safari .

Tip: Don’t want to spend so much money on food? We rented an Airbnb in Ålesund and cooked our own dinner. Eating at restaurants can be ridiculously expensive in Norway!

Beautiful Åndalsnes and Romdalsfjorden. 

Day 4: From Ålesund to Atlantic Ocean Road and Åndalsnes

Today’s drive: 5 hours

Atlantic Ocean Road

Set your GPS to Atlantic Ocean Road , one of the most scenic roads in Norway. The road runs through an archipelago, with bridges connecting the islands. On a windy day, the waves can hit the islands with such force that the water reaches meters high into the air.

To get to Atlantic Ocean Road from Ålesund you need to take a car ferry. The drive should take around 2,5 hours, depending on whether you manage to time the ferry.

The spectacular Atlantic Ocean Road.

After reaching Atlantic Ocean Road it’s time to drive south again. Drive back on the same road as you came from until you reach Molde. In Molde, it’s time to turn east to road 64. After just over an hour, you reach Åndalsnes , your final destination of the day.

Åndalsnes , also known as the mountain capital, is a small town located next to Romdalsfjorden. The area is surrounded by high mountains and sharp peaks and offers hiking opportunities all year round.

The view from Rampestreken, a viewpoint in Åndalsnes.

A must-do in Åndalsnes, if you have the energy and ability for it, is to hike up to the Rampestreken viewpoint . The hike is steep and quite challenging, but you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the town, the fjord, and the surrounding mountains.

Do this hike in the evening or early the next morning, before driving to your next destination. If you’re into hiking I recommend you extend your road trip and stay longer in this area. 

Day 5: From Åndalsnes to Trollstigen and Geirangerfjord

Today’s drive: 3 hours

Trollstigen

Today you have an unforgettable road trip experience ahead of you! Set the GPS to Trollstigen viewpoint , and you will drive along a fjord, through a valley and eventually reach the iconic hairpin road. This steep road twists through 11 hairpin bends as it climbs up the characteristic mountain Stigrøra, 858 metres above sea level. An impressive bridge carries the road across Stigfossen waterfall. The road is carved into the mountain and supported by stone walls.

Trollstigen is one of the most spectacular roads in Norway.

Park your car at the big parking lot at the top and walk towards the viewpoint. If you are lucky enough to come here on a clear day you will have an astonishing view of the valley and surrounding mountains from the viewpoint at the top.

Geirangerfjord, the most beautiful fjord in Norway.

Geirangerfjord

From Trollstigen you have around 1,5 hours to Geirangerfjord . This fjord is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world, and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. I assure you it will take your breath away. If you drive from Trollstigen you will arrive directly to the viewpoint of Geirangerfjord called Ørnesvingen. From the viewpoint you can see the inner part of Geirangerfjord, with its dramatic peaks reaching 1700 meters and almost vertical edges. From this viewpoint, you can also see Geiranger village and the famous waterfall The Seven Sisters.

Boating on Geirangerfjord; the Seven Sisters Waterfall.

Take your time to explore this area. If you know how to drive a boat you can rent a small one at the camping located right when you get down from Ørnevegen. For 500 NOK (50€) you have the boat for 1 hour. Being in the middle of the fjord surrounded by the dramatic mountains was one of the most magical experience I’ve ever had!

Another great way to explore Geiranger is to hike to Skageflå farm. The full hike is quite challening and takes around 5 hours. If you want to make it a little easier, you can book a boat trip at Geiranger fjordservice . For 450 NOK (45€) per person you get an hour fjord sightseeing, and can get dropped off closer to Skageflå. That way the hike up only takes 45 minutes.

Get another astonishing view of Geirangerfjord from the hidden viewpoint southeast of Geiranger village.

Hidden viewpoint behind Geiranger

As you continue your road trip past Geiranger village you will soon reach another smaller viewpoint. Park your car, walk a couple of hundred meters back on the same road and you will find a cliff from where you have yet another amazing view of the Geiranger village with the fjord in the background.

➳ Get exact location on Google maps here.

Dalsnibba viewpoint on a very cloudy day.

Dalsnibba viewpoint

Continue further south and you will soon reach the hairpin road leading you up to Dalsnibba viewpoint. This viewpoint is located 1550 meters above sea level. It costs 140 NOK (14€) to drive up, but on a clear day it will definitely be worth a visit.

Note: The weather can change quickly in the Norwegian mountains. It can be sunny down in a valley, and rainstorm on a nearby mountain. Be prepared fo anything.

Stay the night at one of the hotels in Geiranger, or continue driving for antoher hour until you reach Folva. We stayed at Folven Adventure Camp in Folva, located 35 km from Dalsnibba viewpoint. A cheap but perfectly fine place to spend the night. Note that there are no restaurants nearby Folva. Eat in Geiranger or cook your own dinner.

Day 6: From Geiranger to Hemsedal via Loen

Today’s drive: 5-6 hours

Today you are going to drive past some of the most beautiful lakes in Norway. First up is Oppstrynsvatnet . Oppstrynsvatnet is located only 5 minutes from Folva. Set your GPS to Glomnes parking lot and you will arrive at a resting area with a jaw-dropping mountain view, where you can have a swim in the cold but beautifully clear blue water.

Beautiful Oppstrynsvatnet.

Continue towards Lovatnet, located 45 minutes from Oppstrynsvatnet. Lovatnet is probably the most famous lake in Norway. Set your GPS to Loen, the town closest to Lovatnet, and then follow the signs to Lovatnet.

Lovatnet has incredible turquoise ice-cold water. If you want to take a swim you can either ask the staff at the camping at the beginning of the lake or continue your drive until you reach a nice spot to jump in. The experience of swimming in the blue mountain water is really refreshing.

Tip: If you want to see Loen and Lovatnet from above you can take Loen Skylift up to the top of Mt. Hoven. This cable car opened up in 2017 and takes you to an impressive height of 1011 meters above sea level in 5–7 minutes. A round-trip ticket will cost you 555 NOK (55€).

Lovatnet offers turquoise ice-cold water.

Now it’s time to drive to Hemsedal , your last destination of the day. The drive to Hemsedal will take around 4,5 hours. You will be driving through the midlands of Norway, with plenty of misty mountains and cute valleys to lay your eyes on.

Accommodation in Hemsedal: We stayed at an Airbnb, and got a whole cottage for a fair price.

Before you drive back to Oslo, take a morning walk in the mountains of Hemsedal. Hemsedal is a popular ski resort but is just as beautiful in the summer.

Day 7: Drive back to Oslo

Drive back to Oslo at your own speed – and try to process all the amazing landscapes you have seen over the past 7 days.

The drive from Hemsedal to Oslo takes around 3 hours. Spend the rest of the day wandering around the streets of Oslo, until it’s time to head back home.

More Norway travel tips

Can’t get enough of Norway? Norway offers loads of scenic road trips. If you have more time on your vacation, here are a few stops to add to your Norway itinerary.

• Hike Pulpit Rock: Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen in Norwegian) is one of Norway’s most famous mountain hikes. This is an eight-kilometer moderately demanding hike that ends up at a mountain plateau 604 meters above sea level.
• Lofoten: Experience Norway above the arctic circle at one of the country’s most epic road trip routes. Lofoten is a series of islands in northern Norway that offer some of Norway’s most beautiful landscapes. I’d say summer is the best time to visit Lofoten, but if you want to see the northern lights then winter is your go-to season. Read my Complete Lofoten Islands Travel Guide to plan your trip.
• Hardangervidda National Park : Hike in the largest national park in Norway. Hardangervidda is located on a mountain plateau and offers a rugged Mars-like landscape.
• Jotunheimen National Park : Jotunheimen , meaning “The Giants home”, is home to many of Norway’s most impressive mountain peaks, including Galdhøpiggen – the highest mountain peak in Scandinavia. The most famous hike to do in Jotunheimen is Besseggen.

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Things to know before visiting Norway

Home > Destinations > NorwayThings to know before visiting Norway (road trip edition!)A road trip through Norway is an amazing experience. The dramatic landscape with majestic mountains, cute valleys and deep fjords leaves anyone jaw-dropping. The conditions...

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Europe , Itineraries , Norway · August 12, 2022

Norway Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Days through Norway

We never could have imagined how much we would fall in love with Norway. Is it expensive, yes, but it is also totally worth it! The best way to explore Norway is hands-down road tripping the country. This will give you the flexibility to see all the little hidden gems in Norway. In this post I will show you the perfect Norway road trip itinerary in 10 days.

I’m going to show you the perfect 10-day road trip route in Norway!

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The Best Time to Visit Norway

How many days are enough to visit norway, airports in norway, tips for driving in norway, norway road trip itinerary in 10 days overview, day 1 – fly into oslo, day 2- oslo > mydral > flåm, day 3 – flåm > gudvangen> voss > bergen, day 4 – fly to lofoten islands, day 5 – 7 enjoy the lofoten islands, day 8 – drive from leknes to odda, day 9 – trolltunga hike, day 10 – drive to oslo and explore oslo.

• If You Have More Time in Norway…

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The best time to visit Norway depends on what you want to do in Norway. The activities you do in the summer in Norway are going to look drastically different than what you do in the winter.

We visited in early August and knowing we weren’t going to see the Northern lights, I think it was the perfect time to visit Norway for your first time! While the Northern Lights are still on my bucket list, I am glad we go to see all the nature and beauty this country has to offer.

The Best Time to Visit Norway to see the Northern Lights

The best time to see the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) in Norway is from October through March when there are more hours of darkness in the polar night.

If you want to experience Norway in its finest frozen goodness, visit during winter months for the best chances to see the northern lights and near darkness all day.

The Best Time to Visit Norway to see the Midnight Sun

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs near the Antarctic and Arctic Circles (close to Northern Norway) where it feels like the sun never sets. This is do the the tilt of the earth’s axis in relation to the sun.

If you want to experience the peak of the Midnight Sun, you will want to visit during June or July when you are guaranteed almost 24 hours of sunlight in the northern cities.

On the Northern Norway island of Svalbard , the sun doesn’t even set between 20 April and 22 August.

The Best Time to Visit Norway to see Avoid the Crowds

If you want less tourists AND good weather, try the shoulder seasons of April – May or August – September. In April and May you will still have some opportunities to see the Northern Lights. In August and September, you will still be able to get a feel for the midnight sun effect, but with way less crowds!

My honest opinion is that you need at least 10 days to 2 weeks in Norway.

From Oslo, to Bergen, to the North, to the islands, there is truly so much to see. You will also want to allow yourself enough time to travel in between these cities and have enough time to explore while you are there. Norway is just not the best weekend trip destination.

It is immensely easier to tack on the Lofoten Islands, or the Trolltunga Hike, when you are already visiting Oslo or Bergen, rather than trying to come back and doing them again.

10 days was just enough time for us, including a side trip to the Lofoten Islands. If you want to take your trip at a slower pace, I highly recommend a full 2 weeks in Norway.

Alright, I know this is a road trip blog through Norway, but if you want to also include the Lofoten Islands in your itinerary, I highly recommend getting there via a plane. Otherwise it will take you way longer, and you don’t want to waste your precious time in Norway.

Oslo Airport (OSL) is probably the airport that you will fly in and out of for your time in Norway.

If you want to get to the North of Norway or the Lofoten Islands, you can catch a flight from the Bergen Airport (BGO) to either Bodø Airport (BDO) or Tromsø Airport (TOS). Many people make Tromsø a destination in of its own in the winter to see the Northern lights. From either Tromsø or Bodø you can catch a connecting seaplane to the Leknes Airport.

The flight into and out of the Leknes airport is a once in a lifetime experience. Trust me when I say you will want a window-seat for this flight!

The flight is very short, but you will be rewarded with the most magical views over the fjords.

The Leknes Airport (LKN) is the only airport located on the Lofoten Islands. From here you will need to rent a car in order to explore the Islands, as the public transportation system is not extensive.

Driving in Norway is not difficult at all, but there are a few rules and precautions that you should be aware of ahead of time.

Here are my top 6 tips on driving in the Norway:

• You will drive on the right side of the road, easy enough right?
• Don’t drink and drive, the tolerance in Norway is 0.
• You must always carry a safety vest and warning triangle in your car – it’s compulsory. Just check that these are in your rental car before driving off.
• If you are driving during the winter, you must have winter tires on. Again your rental car should come equipped with these, but double check.
•  On roads without the “Yellow Diamond” sign, all traffic from your right hand side has the right of way. This is a strange concept to Americans (and even some Europeans), so be aware.
• Be on the lookout for animals, we saw sheep many times using the roadways!
• Day 1:  Oslo
• Day 2 : Flam
• Day 3:  Bergen
• Day 4:  Fly to Lofoten Islands
• Day 5:  Lofoten Islands
• Day 6:  Lofoten Islands
• Day 7:  Lofoten Islands
• Day 8:  Fly to Bergen, drive to Odda
• Day 9:  Trolltunga Hike
• Day 10:  Oslo

Now let’s get into the details of the perfect road trip in Norway itinerary. Below I laid out a suggested route for spending 10 days in Norway. However if you have more time and your schedule allows, I have also included below where I would have spent more time.

Getting from the Oslo Airport to Downtown Oslo

The easiest, and most cost efficient airport to fly into for your 10-day itinerary is the capital city of Oslo.

When you arrive, the fastest way to downtown Oslo is by Flytoget, the airport shuttle train. The Flytoget takes you to the city center in 20 minutes and trains run from 5.35 am to 12.35 am every 10 minutes.

A one-way ticket costs NOK 160 or ($20 USD), but you can typically get a discount if you purchase a round trip ticket.

What to Do with One Day in Oslo

We flew into Oslo late on Friday night, and had an early morning train booked the next day. We planned to spend one-day exploring Oslo at the end of our trip before flying home.

However, if you prefer, you can easily spend time exploring Oslo on the front end of your trip. Here is what I would do with one-day in Oslo, Norway.

Brunch in Oslo

Start off your day exploring Oslo with brunch downtown at either Leibling or Bonita Café & Flowers . You will need a lot of energy and good fuel for your day exploring Oslo largely by foot.

The brunch spots and cafes in Oslo are all so hygge (the Danish and Norwegian word for a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being) that you can’t go wrong with your pick for brunch.

Visit the Oslo Opera House

Located right on the harbor, you cannot miss the Oslo Opera House. Home to the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, the Oslo Opera house is an architectural masterpiece.

My favorite part of the Opera house is that the architecture intentionally resembles an iceberg.

For a free activity in Oslo, you can access the rooftop of the Oslo Opera House for phenomenal views over the Oslofjord.

You can also book a guided tour to go backstage and see the set workshop or reserve a table at the cafe/restaurant for lunch or dinner.

Join a Walking Tour of Oslo

I always recommend joining a walking tour when you get to a new city on the first day to get your bearings of the city. Here are multiple companies offering free walking tours of Oslo, here are some of the best:

• Free Tour Oslo
• Strawberry Tours

The concept of a free walking tour is that there is no set price for the tour. At the end it is highly encouraged that you tip the guide based on your experience.

There are also a handful of paid walking tours that you can do that are more specific:

• Street Food Culture Walking Tour
• Private Oslo 2 hour City Tour

If you want to get off your feet, you can also try an Oslo Bike Tour which will allow you to cover more ground.

The concept of SALT is a cultural gathering spot combining art, music, shopping, food trucks, architecture, and saunas. You will also know you have reached SALT when you see the tree construction inspired by traditional Norwegian fish racks called “fiskehjeller” (see right photo above).

SALT is located right by Oslo’s famous Opera House On the edge of the jetty facing the Opera, you can both swim in the fjord and use the saunas at SALT.

There are six different saunas at SALT with the capacity of up to 80 people. You can rent your own private sauna, or participate in Sauna Sessions in the larger saunas Árdna or Skroget.

To cool down, you have your choice between cold water pools, outdoor showers, or a dip in the Oslo Fjord. You can book the saunas in advance here .

Grab some Lunch and Drinks at Vippa

About a 10 minute walk from SALT, you will find Vippa, a hip food court located at the edge of the Oslo Fjord.

The purpose of Vippa has always been to create an ethical and multicultural environment for both the locals operating the food stands and visitors. On a sunny day, enjoy the patio seating outside and make sure to take a long lunch!

Visit Akershus Fortress

Right by the harbor you’ll find Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city of Oslo.

Today the fortress houses museums, restaurants, and concerts. The Akershus Fortress is completely free to enter and is open all year round from 6am until 9pm.

Guided tours of the fortress are available to the public in summer, and start at the Fortress Visitor Centre.

Mingle like a Local at Aker Brygge

Keep walking along the water from the Akerhus Fortress and you will dead end into the Aker Brygge neighborhood. The area was built upon the former ship yard of Akers Mekaniske Verksted, which ceased operations in 1982.

Today Aker Brygge is best known as a melting pot where people meet up in Oslo. Here you can find a strip of restaurants along the boardwalk with outdoor tables for al fresco dining. A popular summer boat bar is docked nearby, and ferries depart year-round for the scenic Oslo Fjord.

Take a Boat Trip down Oslofjord for some Oslo Sightseeing & Dinner

Take to the water to explore Oslo and the Oslofjord from a different perspective. The dramatic waterways are a photographer’s dream and give the city its lifeblood.

Here are a couple highly rated boat tours that I recommend:

I know traveling can be unpredictable – so all experiences recommended can be cancelled 24-hours beforehand for a full refund.

If you Have More Time in Oslo You Might Consider…

If you have more than one days in Oslo, I would suggest getting out of the city center and exploring the neighborhoods around Oslo. Here are my top suggestions!

Island hop around Oslofjord

Starting at Aker Brygge, you can catch a ferry to the different islands around Oslofjord with a regular public transport ticket or an Oslo Pass .

The islands worth visiting are: Nakholmen, Bleikøya, Hovedøya, Lindøya, Gressholmen or Langøyene. Activities on the islands will include shopping, eating at local restaurants, and taking a dip in the water.

Bygdøy Peninsula & the Museums

On the west side of Oslo, you’ll find the Bygdøy Peninsula. Bygdøy is the most fashionable residential areas in Norway, where the most expensive properties in the entire country are found.

By isgdøy a 20-minute journey from Oslo’s central station via bus 30. You can also reach he Bygdøy Peninsula via the boat from Pier 3 by the City Hall.

Here you will find the Bygdøy Royal Estate which was the official summer residence of the King of Norway. A visit to Bygdøy Royal Manor can be combined with a hike in  Kongeskogen the “royal forest”. Bygdøy Royal Manor also offers guided tours for all kinds of groups upon request.

In addition to enjoying the parks, nature, and beaches, the peninsula has five national museums:

• The Viking Ship Museum (currently closed until 2025 for renovations)
• the Fram Museum
• the Norwegian Folk Museum
• the Kon-Tiki Museum
• the Norwegian Maritime Museum

Grünerløkka

Grünerløkka is the exact opposite vibe from Bygdøy, and is known as Oslo’s hipster neighborhood. Here you will find small independent boutiques, vintage shopping, cafés, bars, graffiti, art, and music.

Damstredet & Telthusbakken

One of the most charming and picturesque parts of Oslo are the neighborhoods of Damstredet & Telthusbakken due to the well-preserved and wooden houses dating back to the late 1700s and the 1800s.

Damstredet  is a cobbled street with wooden houses from the first half of the 19th century. The street runs between Akersveien and Fredensborgveien.

Telthusbakken  is located between Maridalsveien and Akersveien, just below the medieval church Gamle Aker kirke. Along the gardens you can walk the romantic  Kjærlighetsstien  (“The Love Trail”).

Another neighborhood in Oslo worth checking out is Grønland. Make sure to explore here when you are hungry, because Grønland is home to the best Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants in all of Oslo.

Where to Stay in Oslo

For location right next to the Oslo central train station, book a room at Thon Hotel Opera . For a room with a view in the trendy Grünerløkka neighborhood, check out this apartment style room . If you are looking for a room on a budget, we can recommend the Comfort Karl Johan Hotel .

When planning our road trip through Norway we utilized Norway in a Nutshell to customize and coordinate different modes of transportation to get from Oslo to Bergen.

Norway in a Nutshell centralized the purchase of all the tickets for our trains, buses, and boats over the next 2 days. It does all the leg work of coordinating time tables between different modes of transportation and allows you to customize your road trip by electing to spend more time in certain cities.

You can definitely do it on your own and save some money, but it will take more time and research.

Morning Train from Oslo Central Station to Myrdal

In the morning we caught a 4.5-hour train from the Oslo Central Station to Myrdal. This train ride was absolutely stunning!

Try to get seats on the left side of the train for the best views of the picturesque towns along the way!

Catch the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) in Myrdal

Once we arrived in Myrdal, we got off the train and had about an hour to explore Myrdal before our next train. From Myrdal you take the famous Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) to Flåm.

The Flåm Railway has been described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. In my honest opinion, it was a bit touristy and just OK views.

So is the Flåm Railway worth it?

Yes, I would recommend the Flåm Railway train ride to others as a good way to get to Flåm, but cannot claim it is the most beautiful train journey in the world. I did not have a bad time, the views were good, and it’s a great way to get to the town of Flåm.

This train ride last about 1 hour and passes by waterfalls and endless green pastures.

The Flåm Railway train will make one stop at the Kjosfossen Falls and allow you to get off the train to view the falls from the platform. We stayed on the train and used it as an opportunity to grab a photo from inside the train with the falls (see below).

Spend the Day in Flåm – What To do with One Day in Flåm

We arrived in Flåm around 1pm and opted to spend the night here so we had more time to explore. I would highly recommend spending at least one night in Flåm in order to explore properly. If we had more time I would also consider staying 2 nights in Flåm.

Grab Lunch Along the Harbor

First things first, we got some lunch at the NIF Flåm Market set up along the water. There were multiple different vendors selling local seafood, beers, and other options for lunch.

We purchased some food and then sat along picnic tables outside. It was honestly just what we needed after a long morning of train travel.

There are not many options for food in Flåm, so for dinner you can check out the Ægir microbrewery for small bites, Flåmstova Restaurant right on top of the brewery, or stop by the only grocery store, Coop Marked Flåm, and pick up some ingredients to make dinner (if you have a kitchen of course).

Visit Stegastein for Fjord Views

From the Flåm tourism center we booked tickets for a shuttle to the Stegastein viewpoint which offers the most stunning view over the Aurlansfjord. The drive up took about 30 minutes, and once we were at the viewpoint we had about 30 minutes to explore.

You can enjoy the viewpoint, and there are also some walking trails in the area where I caught this family of sheep enjoying a nice walk! On the way back to town, our driver pulled over along the side of the road for the below views over Flåm and the Fjords. I would definitely recommend booking a trip to Stegastein .

If you have a car with you at this point in your road trip, you can also self-drive to Stegastein both from Flåm and Aurland in the summer months.

Walk around Flåm

Enjoy some time exploring by foot around town. My favorite was getting to see this cute baby calf near our hotel.

End with Sunset at Flåm Beach

Not a traditional beach, the Flåm Beach area is more of a park with green grass and a pebble beach leading into the fjord.

We enjoyed relaxing here near sunset and enjoying the views of the Aurlansfjord.

Where to Stay in Flåm

There are not many places to stay in Flam, so make sure you book your room early. If you can, try to get a room at the highly rated Flåm Ferdaminne . Other great options right in the center of Flam are Fretheim Hotel or Flåmsbrygga Hotel . If you are traveling with a group and need more space, this three bedroom private apartment in the valley would be perfect.

Day three on your road trip through Norway itinerary is a BIG travel day. You will take three different modes of transportation: a ferry, a bus, and a train before the end of the day! Don’t only focus on the destination today, because the views along your trip are going to be part of this spectacular journey!

Get Breakfast at Flåm Bakerei

Our morning after arriving in Flåm, we were scheduled to take a boat ride from Flam to Gudvangen.

When we arrived at the Flåm harbor we were hungry for some breakfast and found, what my husband still says is the best bakery on the planet, Flåm Bakerei.

We ordered the cinnamon pudding pastry, and the fruit pudding pastry, both of which were amazing! We cannot recommend this little bakery enough. For being one of the only places to get breakfast in Flåm, we were extremely impressed.

Ferry Through the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen

We then boarded our ferry which took us on the most magical ride through the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. The ferry boat was huge, offering multiple outdoor viewing platforms, as well as tons of inside seating.

There were also some food options aboard the ferry. During the ferry ride we passed by the most quaint towns of Undredal (left photo below) and Dyrdal (right photo below).

As we approached the town of Gudvangen, we saw a few more little towns as well as this picturesque white church along the water. I would definitely recommend a ferry through the Nærøyfjord to anyone visiting Norway!

Gudvangen > Voss > Bergen

In Gudvangen, you can visit the Viking Village Njardarheimr and meet with real Vikings and experience how they live. The Viking Village is actually a permanent village where Vikings from all over can come and live together and share their lifestyle with visitors. You should plan at least an hour to explore the Viking Village and Gudvangen.

Next we boarded a bus to Voss where we boarded a train continuing on to Bergen. Again, all this transportation was booked and coordinated through Norway in a Nutshell , which saved us lots of stress and scheduling.

Spend the Evening in Bergen – What to do in Bergen

We arrived in Bergen in the late afternoon and had about half a day to explore. If we had more time, I would have spent an extra day in Bergen. There isn’t a ton to do here, however with how packed the rest of the itinerary is, some time to relax at a slower pace is nice. And Bergen is the perfect slow-pace city in Norway!

Bergen Harbor (Bergen Havn)

Once in Bergen, head straight to the Bergen Harbor or “Bergen Havn”. This is where you will feel Bergen come alive!

We loved this area for the picturesque colorful houses along the Harbor which provided plenty of cute photo opportunities.

Bergen Fish Market

Right near the Bergen Harbor you will find the fish market! An absolute treat to walk around the market and see the local Norwegian fish and other products.

During the summer the Bergen Fish Market, which consists of a long string of fish and other produce stalls is open 7 days a week from 9AM-9PM. The fish market is closed in the winter except for some select Saturdays.

Grab Dinner along the Bergen Harbor

Seafood always tastes better when you are looking at the water, am I right? We enjoyed a delicious meal at one of the restaurants along the harbor. We just walked around looking at the menus in front of each of the restaurants to pick where we wanted to eat, so I don’t remember the specific restaurant we ate at.

We sat out on the patio and enjoyed some people watching at the harbor as well. This is definitely the place to be in Bergen for a lively atmosphere!

Day 4 was largely a travel day as we made our way to the Lofoten Islands by dusk. From Bergen, we flew into the Leknes airport with a layover in Tromsø.

The Lofoten Islands was one of the stops on our Norway road trip that we were the most excited for!

The flight costs to northern Norway were extremely expensive by Europe standards. But believe me when I tell you, visiting the Lofoten Islands was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. I have never looked back and regretted paying for those tickets.

Once you arrive at the Leknes airport, you will want to rent a car from the airport for your time exploring Lofoten. There is a public bus system on the island, but you could spend hours waiting at bus stops if you plan to see multiple villages.

On our way to our Airbnb in Sørvågen on day 4, we drove by small fishing cabins with rack upon racks of drying cod, through valleys of large mountains of snow-capped peaks, and through small beach towns with unforgettable views of the setting sun. It was one of the most picturesque drives of my life. We had to stop and pull over multiple times to admire the view!

If you want to see more, check out my 24 Epic Photography locations in the Lofoten Islands post.

We spent the next 3 days in the Lofoten islands , exploring every nook and cranny of the small fishing towns in the Lofoten Islands. You can drive along E10 from the northern most town of Svolvær to the end of the Lofoten Islands at the fishing village of Å (not a typo, it is a single letter town).

Our favorite activity in those few days was by far the Reinebringen hike to the top of a mountain/hill overlooking the city of Reine. This hike is about 510 meters ascent (1680 feet), and takes probably 2-3 hours round trip conservatively. The hike was a bit difficult as it’s basically a large staircase the entire way up, but the views are unrivaled.

A few other of our favorite spots was exploring the town of Henningsvær , as well as having a picnic on the beach in Ramberg.

There are not a ton of dining options, though there are enough, but a few places we enjoyed were Anita’s Seafood on Sakrisoy, as well as Maren Anna in Sørvågen.

Day 8 was largely a travel day again. Getting to and from the Lofoten Islands needs about a day on either end for travel. However, I have never regretted spending those magical 3 days in Lofoten!

We flew back to Bergen from Leknes, again with a layover in Tromsø. We then rented a car from the Bergen airport using Discover Cars as we always do and drove to the city of Odda. The next day we planned to hike the famous Trolltunga Hike near Odda, Norway!

Another fun mode of transportation we got to try for the first time was a car ferry . There will be an option to take a car ferry from the towns of Tørvikbygd to Jondal which cuts out a considerable amount of driving time, and was well worth it so we could get to our next stop faster.

The drive took us in total 2.5-3 hours which largely depends on how long you have to wait to catch the next car ferry. The next day we have a big hike ahead of us, so once we arrived to our Airbnb, we grabbed a pizza and headed to bed early.

Today is a big hiking day! We woke up around 5AM to get started on our drive from Odda to the parking area for the Trolltunga hike (only about 30 minutes).

The entire Trolltunga hike is about 28km round trip and can take 8-12 hours to hike there and back so make sure you start early enough to make it down by dark.

If you want to see Trolltunga at sunrise, you might consider one of these guided hiking tours:

It’s about a 5 hour drive from Odda to Oslo. An alternative to going back to Oslo would be to head to Bergen.

We chose to book our return flight from Oslo as it provided better options for outgoing flights and we didn’t get much time to explore Oslo when we arrived on Day 1.

On our last day in Norway we explored Oslo as detailed in the beginning of the post.

If You Have More Time in Norway …

If you have more than 10 days to explore Norway I would suggest looking into Alesund, Stavanger, Tromsø, the Kjeragbolten Hike, and the Pulpit Rock Hike.

Final Thoughts!

I hope that you now have all the tools you need to plan the most epic road trip in Norway. If you are currently planning a trip to Norway and have any questions, drop them in the comments below. For more travel inspiration and tips, follow me on Instagram for current updates.

Looking for more Norway inspiration? You may also enjoy these Norway related posts:

• Unforgettable 4-Day Lofoten Islands Norway Itinerary
• 24 Epic Photography Spots in Lofoten in Summer
• Hiking Trolltunga: Norway’s Most Epic Hike

Liked this Post? Pin it for Later!

What camera gear do i use.

• Camera Body: Canon EOS 6D Mark ii
• Wide Angle Lens: Canon 16-35mm f/2.8
• Zoom Lens: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8
• Super Zoom Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/2.8
• Portrait Lens: Tamron 35mm f/1.4
• Drone: DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro with RC Controller
• Camera Bag: Vegan Leather Backpack
• Tripod: Manfrotto Element Traveller
• SD Card: SanDisk Extreme Pro 256 GB
• External Travel SSD: SanDisk Extreme Pro 4 TB

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About Rebecca

Rebecca is a photographer, travel blogger, and founder of That One Point of View -- a resource for the modern traveler dreamed up after a cross-cultural move abroad to Germany. She's now traveled to over 50+ countries with her husband (and sometimes golden retriever) and creates thoughtful itineraries for you to plan similar trips with ease. She's on a mission to take the intimidation out of traveling to new places and inspire you to finally book that dream trip!

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May 9, 2022 at 5:19 pm

Greetings, Beautiful Norway and splendid itinerary. Is there a way to do this itinerary without a car for 10-12days? I you could suggest better itinerary, I gladly appreciate it.

August 1, 2022 at 3:22 pm

If you are planning to explore Norway without a car, I would look into Norway in a Nutshell that I linked in the blog. This helps you to connect different modes of transportation on your desired route through Norway using buses, trains, ferrys, ect.

July 14, 2023 at 9:47 am

A lot places you visited! Did you reserved tickets transportation in Norway before trip and what about your luggage with big luggage is not probably easy? Thank you

July 14, 2023 at 10:12 am

Thanks for your question! We reserved our car (for Lofoten Island and Norway mainland) and booked flights a couple months ahead of time. All the train/ferry transportation noted in the blog we booked through Norway in the Nutshell months in advance as well. We traveled with a smaller carry-on size suitcase during this trip, so I would suggest something that would be manageable for you to lift up onto trains, but the ferries and cars are easier to manage larger suitcases. Hope this helps!

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10 days in Norway: A Complete Norway Road Trip Itinerary

last Updated: April 16, 2024 alesund bergen flam geiranger Norway oslo road trip scandinavia stavanger

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Planning a Norway road trip and looking for the best possible way to spend 10 days in Norway?! You’re in the right place! I’ve got loads of information for you in this personally handcrafted Norway itinerary – which I just experienced for myself a few months ago!

Norway is absolutely spectacular. With it’s turquoise fjords, misty mountains, midnight sun, and stunning Scandinavian architecture, Norway is arguably one of the most beautiful countries on earth! And I’ve definitely seen my fair share – at ~45 countries to date !

I’ve detailed our exact Norway itinerary below (which took tons of planning), but no matter where you end up going in the country, you’ll have the best time if you love nature and cool, chic cities! It definitely didn’t hurt that we were blessed with almost perfect weather on our Norway road trip, as the country is known to be super finicky when it comes to precipitation year round (more on that below).

Our 10 days in Norway and the fjords in general have got to be the most difficult trip I’ve planned to date. And I’m no stranger to complex itineraries (I’m looking at you Japan and Thailand ). When you’ve only got so much time (only 10 days or so to see alllll the beauty in Norway), you’ve got to make each and every day count. Hence, the difficulty of planning.

A few questions that crossed my mind 1000x each during the initial planning stages:

• Should we fly/train/bus/drive from place to place?
• Do a complex variation of the aforementioned transportation options?
• Should we take an organized multi-day fjord tour and which one do we pick?
• How do the ferries work in Norway?
• Isn’t everything crazzzy expensive?
• Is 10 days in Norway actually ENOUGH for all we want to do?!

Yea, planning this Norway itinerary was quite the doozy. Sure, there are some decent Norwegian fjord itineraries out there, but after researching quite a bit, none had all the major stops I wanted to make (and I wanted to see what I wanted to see, damn it!).

We ultimately decided to craft our own itinerary (ok, let’s face it, I did 98% of the planning), renting a car for most of the way, and getting in all my highlights.

Enjoy this Norway road trip itinerary, and let me know if you’re planning your own trip to the Norwegian fjords any time soon! It really is such a spectacular place and the country now holds a firm spot in my top 10 (alongside Japan , Iceland , Canada (yup!), Colombia , Italy , Croatia , and Thailand ).  🙂 

Norway Road Trip Itinerary Overview + Map

• Day 0: Arrive into Oslo!
• Day 1: Oslo
• Day 2 : Oslo
• Day 3: Fly to Stavanger, Explore
• Day 4: Pulpit Rock Hike
• Day 5: Drive to Bergen
• Day 6: Bergen
• Day 7: Flam
• Day 8: Drive to Hjelle
• Day 9: Geiranger and Trollstigen

Day 10: Alesund

* Note that you can opt to conquer Oslo at the beginning or tail end of your trip. We like to get the busy stuff and big cities outta the way because we tend to lose momentum as the trip goes on, but it’s totally up to you!

Lots more info below, but first, a pre-travel guide to Norway to learn a bit about the country and what to expect when you’re there.

Pre-Travel Guide to Norway

Getting around norway.

This was one of the most difficult parts when planning our Norway itinerary, as there are an abundance of public transportation options located all around the country, including trains, buses, flights, ferries, and more.

We opted to fly to Stavanger from Oslo, rent a car in Stavanger and drive it all the way to Ålesund, then fly back to Oslo from Alesund.

There are tons of other ways of getting around, but I found this to be the most time-efficient while letting us do our own thing at the same time. Note that if you’re following this Norway road trip, you can take a train/bus to Bergen if you’d rather have one less day of driving (but I reallllly loved those stops and wouldn’t recommend cutting that driving day out of your itinerary).  🙂 

IN A NUTSHELL: fly to Oslo → fly to Stavanger → drive around country, end in Alesund → fly to Oslo

Renting a Car

As noted previously, we rented our car (a compact VW Polo) from the Stavanger Airport and drove it all the way to Ålesund over the course of this Norway road trip.

Many cars in Norway are manual transmission, so if you’re not comfortable driving stick shift, you’ll need to make sure to reserve an automatic car (a few extra dollars a day, but worth it for your safety). 

Psst: I commonly use this booking site when searching for low-cost car rental options, and like Skyscanner  (which I use to find low-cost flights), I frequently find great deals on there!

As with other most places in the world, you’ll need to pay a one-way car rental fee if you in fact choose to copy this Norway road trip itinerary from start to finish. We booked a few months in advance and paid $813 for 8 days, excluding the optional GPS we decided to get. Pricey, but well-worth it!

One way fees are inevitable unless you want to drive all the way back to Stavanger or Oslo (not recommend if you only have 10 days in Norway like we did).

I like to search  via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price.

Get ready because you’ll be using the ferries quite often on this Norway itinerary! I was kinda nervous because I couldn’t find much information about them beforehand, but thankfully it all worked out!

Since there are tons (and tons) of bodies of water in the country, ferries are absolutely essential for getting around in Norway, and thankfully, the Norwegians have built a highly efficient ferry system. The ferries are super easy to use as well – you can get right on most ferries (walk or drive if you have a car) and buy your ticket directly before or once on board.

A reservation/buying a ticket in advance is not necessary for most ferry journeys, and if you follow this exact Norway itinerary, you won’t need to reserve any beforehand.

However, if you’re switching things around a bit and planning to do the Hellesylt – Geiranger tourist ferry (which we did not), plan to purchase a ticket beforehand. This specific ferry gets quite crowded and you don’t want to have to wait until space is available, which could potentially be hours in tourist season (therefore wasting your precious Norway time).

Ferries are comfortable with cafes, bathrooms, and cushioned seats. Be sure to get out of your car and head to the top deck as many have spectacular views!

There are numerous companies that operate the ferries so if you’d like to take a look at the schedules, just type in the starting and ending spots in Google and you’ll find it no problem!

*Note that not all ferries accommodate cars, so if you’re doing your own thing and veering off from the course of this pre-planned trip I organized, you’ll want to make sure the ferries you need will actually take your car as well.

Driving tips in Norway:

• First things first, you’ll be driving on the right hand side of the road in Norway (like in the USA, other parts of Europe, etc). It’s always a good idea to know this beforehand in case you’re coming from a left-handed driving part of the world!
• Traffic is safe, speed is modest (relatively slow compared to what I’m used to on California highways) and most roads have little traffic. Always allow yourself plenty of time for driving, since you’ll want to make sightseeing stops quite frequently (it’s all soooo gorgeous)!

• Gas is expensive. There’s really no way around it. Fun and semi-depressing fact – Norway has the highest gas prices in the world (yuuup). If I remember correctly, we found stations from 14.50- 16.50 NOK/liter (roughly equivalent to $6.60USD per gallon), with roughly 500 NOK (~60) filling up our tank. For this Norway road trip we filled up around 2.5 times, for an equivalent of ~1300 NOK (~$160). All in all, I expected the cost of gas to be higher and was pleasantly surprised to keep our gas costs under $200 (unless I somehow did the math wrong…).
• We opted to rent a GPS in order to get around easily as we weren’t sure how well our phone carrier with international coverage (T-Mobile) would pick up service in the more remote spots on our road trip. Cost was NOK 125 per day (~$15USD). We were very happy we chose to invest in the GPS as it worked almost perfectly and got us from place to place with ease even when our phones couldn’t find a signal.

• You’ll encounter a bunch of toll roads throughout your Norway road trip. If you rented a car, the car will be equipped with an AutoPass Device which will automatically track all the tolls you rack up while driving (a green plus sign will show on the road to indicate usage of device). You’ll then pay the total when you finally return the car (or be billed in a few weeks – sometimes it takes a bit to register them all). We spent about 500NOK during our 10 days in Norway, which really wasn’t as terrible as I expected. Note that a few tolls will be credit card only, including Dalsnibba and Sognefjellet, and you won’t be able to use the included AutoPass device for these.
• Sheep seem to roam freely around the streets of Norway, so always be extra alert and extra extra cautious for them (and other cars) while going around bends and curves. Plus, they’re just so cute!

Other random tips for your Norway Road Trip:

• We came across lots of free public bathrooms on our drive, so don’t worry about having to hold it in for too long! Drink all the fresh Norwegian water you want!
• Hotel and restaurant staff were very friendly and eager to help out; other workers (at tolls, airport, etc) were a bit direct and emotionless, but did their job well. Just something to take note of so you don’t take their candidness to heart.
• The days are long and the nights are short . If you’re planning your 10 days in Norway during June, July, or August, expect the sun to set around 10pm or later, and rise shortly after 4am. The last daylight will be around midnight and the first will be around 2am, meaning there’s only complete darkness for around 2 hours! This is fantastic for getting in lots of activities/driving in one day! It’s wise to bring among an eye mask on your trip should your hotel not have blackout shades (all of ours did thankfully).
• We took a bit of food (when we could) from hotel breakfasts to eat later in the day. Dinners cost us roughly $50-$60 for 2 entrees (no drinks, no appetizers, no salads, no anything extra).
• Tipping is not customary so whatever price is on the bill will be what you pay, which definitely helps by not adding an extra percentage!

• The water is delicious and super safe to drink in Norway, so bring along a reusable water bottle to fill up during the day!
• There are 18 Scenic Routes in Norway (previously called National Tourist Routes), which are known to be the countries most astonishing drives. You won’t be able to cover all 1,336 miles of them during these 10 days in Norway, but you’ll definitely be driving a whole bunch! Whatever you do, don’t miss Gamle Strynefjellsvegen towards the end of day 8; it was the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever seen IN MY LIFE (yup, more impressive than Iceland ).

So where exactly is Norway you ask? The country is located in North Western Europe, in the region deemed Scandinavia (along with Denmark and Sweden), or more broadly, the Nordic countries (which also include Finland and Iceland). Norway shares a long eastern border with Sweden, and has over 25,000 km of coastline.

What to bring:

You’ll want to bring all the essentials for your trip, but a few specific things to take along include:

• Snacks for road trip
• Rain jacket
• Water bottle
• Sweater/cardigan and scarf
• Car charger
• Waterproof shoes / rain boots
• Hiking boots (depending on hikes and time of year)

Money and Exchange Rates

Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK), typically called the Kroner (not the Euro like elsewhere in Europe). At the time of this writing (2024), 1 Norwegian Krone (NOK) = ~ $.09USD or 1 USD = ~10.99NOK. I found it easier to think in hundreds and kept these numbers in my head when figuring out the bill/shopping: 100NOK = ~$10USD. It’s not 100% precise, but a pretty good estimation.

Basically every place we went to took credit card (make sure to have Visa/MasterCard as not all accept American Express), but it’s wise to take along a bit of cash on your Norway road trip as well. We had to use cold hard cash when getting gas since the station was having a difficult time reading our credit card.

I always suggest you take out cash at ATMS and never ever through an exchange desk. ATMs provide the best exchange rate.

When to Visit Norway

Norway experiences seriously different weather year round, and deciding which season to travel to Norway will greatly affect your experience there. Many say there’s no bad time to visit the country, but if you’re a big baby like me and get all pouty and upset when it’s raining and/or cold, visit during the summer. 🙂

My top pick: If you’re looking for the greatest chance of sunshine and decent weather, head over to the country in June, July, or August.

The temperatures will be between 20°C – 26°C+ (68°F – 80°F), and the midnight sun will be out and about (giving you extra long days for driving around and exploring all the chic seaside cities). Note that these warmer temps make this the most attractive time to visit Norway, so expect the most crowds during this time of year (it’s sooo worth the few extra people, I promise).

Looking to avoid the high tourist season? Opt to visit in shoulder season, May or September. Temperatures will be mild and hotel rates will be a bit less. And less crowds.

Visiting during the colder months: Norway can get coooold y’all, so if you’re not looking to whip out your cold-weather gear (think boots, scarves, wool hats, down jackets, etc), don’t book your Norway road trip before May or after September. Besides viewing the northern lights, activities will be greatly limited, and unless you’re a snow bird and enjoy freezing cold temps, you may not find much to do.

However, if you’re looking for the cheapest possible time to visit Norway, these are the months to do it, as flight prices and hotel rates will be significantly less (because not many want to visit then). It’s also important to note that you won’t find many daylight hours if you visit in December-February.

Health and Safety

Norway is known to be one of the safest countries in the world, with extremely minimal petty crime. As always, it’s best to be aware of your surroundings, but know that you’re in a super-safe area. The country is so safe that police don’t even carry guns! Robberies are extremely rare, but note that pickpockets in crowded places (like public transport in major cities) can and do occur at times. Just use common sense, stay alert, and you’ll be fine.

The water in Norway is top-notch, so drinking the tap is perfectly safe and encouraged! No need to buy bottled water over here! Food and water standards are similar to those in the USA, so you don’t need to worry about contamination nor food sickness. Note that only routine vaccinations are required to visit the country, and you probably had those all when you were younger (check with your doctor).

Visas and Passports

No visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Norway as long as a valid tourist passport is in possession (and valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay). Since Norway is part of the Schengen Agreement, U.S. citizens may visit for up to 90 days for either tourist or business purposes. 

How to Get to Norway

Most international flights arrive in Oslo, which is precisely why this Norway itinerary starts in the capital! I like using Skyscanner and Google Flights to check for prices, and almost alllways find the cheapest flights on one of those sites.

We chose to fly economy and paid around $750 per person round trip to/from Oslo from the West Coast USA during one of Norway’s busiest times of year- mid-summer (July).

If you have extra time and are able to check airfare into nearby cities (Copenhagen, for example), you may be able to find even cheaper flights on low-cost airlines. For reference, my friend flew to Copenhagen around the same time we flew to Oslo for only $500 round trip!

Where to Stay in Norway

more info on each one throughout Norway itinerary below

• Oslo (2 nights): Saga Poshtel Oslo Central // Comfort Hotel Runway (airport hotel)
• Stavanger (2 nights): Clarion Hotel Stavanger
• Bergen (2 nights): Bergen Harbor Hotel
• Flam (1 night): Fretheim Hotel / Flåmsbrygga Hotel
• Hjelle/Geiranger (1 night): Hjelle Hotel or Hotel Utsikten
• Alesund (2 nights): Thon Hotel Ålesund

And now what you’ve been waiting for:

The Ultimate 10 Day Norway Road Trip Itinerary

This Norway itinerary will have you chasing trolls in Stavanger, trying reindeer meat in Bergen, hiking to glamorous fjord views, taking the most scenic train ride in the world, driving some spectacular Norwegian tourist routes, staring up at glacier, and oh so much more! Get ready for the ride, because this Norway road trip will have you begging to come back asap!

This itinerary starts in Oslo (which is where most international travelers arrive in the country), heads west to Stavanger, then makes its way up north to Alesund via Bergen, Flam, and Geiranger.

As noted earlier, we chose to fly from Oslo to Stavanger to save some driving time, drove all the way to Alesund, then flew back to Oslo. Since the country is quite large, you need to understand you won’t be able to see eeeeverything, but if you follow this Norway road trip itinerary I can promise you that you’ll see a good chunk of all things spectacular.  

Day 0: Fly into Oslo!

You’ll find most international flights to Norway will fly to Oslo, which is perfect as it’s the first stop on our 10 day Norway itinerary! The flight can be relatively long depending on where you’re coming from (~12 hours from West Coast USA, 7 hours from New York), but once you get there, I promise you that a trip to Norway is welllll worth it!

It’ll cost about 101NOK in order to get into the city center (~12USD) on the local trains (NSB). Note that there is an airport express shuttle which takes slightly shorter but is almost double the price.

Where to Stay: Comfort Hotel Runway or Saga Poshtel Oslo Central

If you’re just coming off a super long flight (say from the states), it’s totally acceptable to stay in an airport hotel really close to the Oslo airport your first night. Make sure to make your way into central Oslo early the next morning to get your exploring on!

Days 1-2: Explore Oslo

Welcome to Norway, home of the stunning turquoise fjords, towering mountains, and $8 hot dogs. Yes, it’s pricey and your wallet may never adjust, but trust me, the expense is worth it. Norway is one of the most remarkable countries I’ve been to.

Oslo is absolutely gorgeous – and you’ll find old colorful houses lining to streets with new, innovative buildings sprinkled throughout. And those fjord water views make any sunny day just that much better.

The city is rather large, but thankfully, getting around is super easy, as there are a myriad of buses and trams all throughout. Two days in Oslo is probably not enough, but you’ll be able to get in these city highlights with only 48 hours or so:

• Karl Johans Gate : Did someone say shopping? This main shopping street in Oslo is where you’ll find all the action happening. From hip cafes and chic hotels to funky discos and nightclubs, you’ll find it all on Karl Johans Gate. It’s usually pretty crowded, so go for a stroll early in the morning or later in the evening. You’ll probably be back a few times though.
• Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (with an impressive stave church)
• Fram Museum (so interesting to learn about the polar expeditions!)
• Kon-Tiki Museet (with loads of info about the voyage to Easter Island)
• Norwegian Folk Museum (one of the largest open-air museums in Europe),
• Viking Ship Museum (those boats are huuuuge)
• Norwegian Maritime Museum (learn more about the massive ship building industry)
• Astrup Fearnley Museet
• Munch Museum

• Opera House: By far the most impressive building in Oslo, modeled after flat iceberg shapes with inclines. I suggest you pass by during the day, but spend the majority of your time checking out the Opera House around dusk. It’s absolutely beautiful once the city gets a tad darker, and everyone hangs out on the roof (which you can walk up to). I spent both my nights sitting up here listening to music and meeting cool people!

• SALT : Located a few minutes from the Opera House, this cool harbor front spot boasts a nomadic art lounge with bars and coffee shops.
• Oslo Fjord Sightseeing Cruise by Sailing Ship : Get out onto the water! There’s unique islands and colorful houses right on the Oslo Fjord, and of course stunning views. Definitely a highlight of Oslo, especially at sunset!
• Sorenga outdoor beach deck (Sørenga Sjøbad): Found yourself a sunny day in Oslo? Head over to Sørenga Sjøbad and just chill out and relax in the warmth for a bit! Take along your bathing suit if you want to jump in for a swim!
• Frogner Park : Super interesting park, with a collection of over 200 bizarre sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. Definitely a unique attraction in Oslo!

• Aker Brygge : Upscale harbor front of Oslo with gorgeous views of Oslofjord. A great place to get your first famous Norwegian Pølse (hot dog)!

• Akershus Fortress : Head up here for fantastic views of Oslo and watch massive cruise liners dock at the harbor front. A bit of a trek uphill, but worth it for the views and impressive old-school buildings
• Oslo Radhus : Oslo’s city counsel building, with super impressive murals on the walls. Note that you’ll need to join a free tour in order to view the inside of the building.

• The Thief Rooftop : Super swanky rooftop lounge  and a great place to catch a cocktail in one of the most prestigious hotels of Norway

Where to Stay in Oslo : Saga Poshtel Central Oslo

Day 3: Fly to Stavanger and Explore

Stavanger is the 4th largest city of Norway, although you probably wouldn’t have guessed that after arriving to this coastal town! It’s small town charm and beautiful harbor will have you absolutely swooning from the very beginning of your visit. It’s a fascinating mix of old and new, with some of the best-preserved (and beautiful) wooden buildings anywhere in Norway, dating back to the Middle Ages.

If you book an early morning flight to Stavanger (9 or 10am), you’ll arrive with enough time to explore this charming little city. Stavanger is quite compact and can be explored via foot, so there’s no need to pick up a rental car just yet (don’t – parking is annoying and costly, and there’s honestly no reason for your own wheels until a bit later in the trip).

Once you arrive in Stavanger, take the bus to the city center and check into your hotel.  Book in advance with Flybussen ( website ) in order to save a few pennies, but you can pay on the bus if need be.

Note that one person will need to head back to the airport to pick up the car rental, so it’s wise for one person to book a round trip ticket (it’s significantly cheaper than two one way tickets). Only one person needs to go back technically to pick up the car, so keep this in mind when buying tickets.

NOTE: If you’re taking my hotel suggestion and staying at Clarion Hotel Stavanger , you’ll need to book the shuttle to the Radisson Blu (a 2 minute walk away from the Clarion).

Don’t miss these top things to do in Stavanger:

• Gamle Stavanger , also known as Old Stavanger: This area is so super cute, with it’s historic beautiful wooden white houses with beautiful planters and bright colored doors. The cobblestone streets just added to the quaintness, and I couldn’t stop taking photos of the manicured grounds! It won’t talk long to walk through the narrow streets and admire the architecture, so be sure to take a walk around here!

• Ovre Holmegate : My absolute favorite street in all of Stavanger, mostly due to it’s vivid colors and wild street art. Here you’ll find lively cafes and bars, a bunch of popular pubs, and is definitely one of Stavangers more visited and photographed spots!

• Stavanger Cathedral : Also known as Domkirken, it’s the oldest Cathedral in Norway and not to be missed!
• Norwegian Petroleum Museum (Norsk Oljemuseum): Interesting in learning how oil and gas is created, discovered and produced in the North Sea? Head on over to the Petroleum Museum! I admit that we decided to skip touring the inside, but saw the building from the outside and the architecture was pretty cool !
• Take pictures with trolls and the street art around town!
• Have lunch at the harbor front and admire the sea : There are numerous restaurants all along this stretch, and you’ll easily find something to snack and sip on! The harbor really comes alive in the summertime, especially after working hours, as locals frequent this area to catch up with friends and grab a drink. A wonderful place to watch the sunset as well (if you’re still awake at 11pm!)

• Marvel at the street art : If you’re visiting in August/September, you’re in for a real treat. The city holds a 2-week festival with an international team of street artists working on new art all around the city. Be sure to sign up for the tour!

Where to Stay in Stavanger : Clarion Hotel Stavanger

We absolutely loved this hotel, with it’s spacious rooms, large breakfast spread with basically everything imaginable (including my favorites strawberry smoothies, Nutella and raspberry pancakes, brie and crackers, prosciutto and melon), super convenient location, and friendly and helpful staff! Highly recommended!

Day 4: Pulpit Rock/Preikestolen Hike (from Stavanger)

Ready for a full day of awesome, sweaty hiking? Yes, I promise the views are worth it and then some! I mean, Tom Cruise actually visited Preikestolen while filming his new movie, “Mission Impossible” in October 2017. And besides the lovely Tom, the hike draws over 300,000 visitors each year – and for good reason! Just look at those views!

Pulpit Rock takes about 4-5 hours to hike round trip, so start your journey early. If I remember correctly, it took us about 2 hours to get to the starting point, and then another 5 hours of hiking (plus time spent getting back to Stavanger once we were all finished). Two and a half hours up, an hour+ or so at the top, and roughly an hour and a half down.

Although the hike is only about 8k long, there are numerous difficult patches of terrain, many with impressively tough elevations, so mentally prepare yourself beforehand!

We had originally planned to squeeze in a fjord cruise on the Lysefjord , but are so glad we didn’t because of the amount of time the hike took us. We also decided to spend a bit of time at the top admiring the views since we had no views on our way up because of the lousy early-morning weather. If you’re a faster hiker than us (we’re not experienced hikers by any means), you can easily fit in the cruise.

Psst – If you prefer an action-packed trip through the fjords, book yourself on a RIB tour instead (way more adrenaline-inducing, haha).

Read More: Conquering Norway’s Pulpit Rock Hike: Everything You Need to Know

Be prepared for any and all types of weather during your hike. At the beginning of our hike we encountered lots of mist and light rain, which turned to heavy fog, which finally (and thankfully) burned off a bit after we reached the top.

You never know what you’ll get weather-wise in Norway, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring a backpack full of water, snacks, lunch, a rain jacket, and an extra sweater. Crossing my fingers that the weather gods are on your side for your hike – if not, all you might see are clouds and fog (which wouldn’t make the hike worth it in my opinion).

How to get to Pulpit Rock/Preikestolen from Stavanger:

• Take the ferry from Stavanger to Tau (60 NOK / ~6 EUR per adult one way, buy it directly on the ferry)
• Bus from Tau ferry station to Preikestolen Fjellstue (230 NOK / ~30 round trip per adult, buy it on the bus)

It’s all very easy to figure out and an incredibly smooth journey. It can sound a bit complicated, but I promise you getting to the start of the hike is rather quite simple and reliable. You can also rent a car and drive to the trailhead, which is roughly a 90 minute drive from Stavanger, but I don’t recommend this per say. The public transportation is all very reliable and there’ll be a bus waiting for you after the ferry arrives in Tau. More information on getting to Pulpit Rock here.

A few companies are now offering guided hikes up to Preikestolen , which are perfect if you’re not comfortable hiking without a guide or don’t wanna worry about transportation to/from Stavanger. Since we’re not big hikers, I think we would’ve felt more comfortable going with someone who knows the area.

Be careful when taking pictures on the edge, as the platform rises about 2,000 feet (600 meters) above the fjord, with no guards or rails protecting you or your loved ones. At first I was extremely skeptical and needed my husbands hand when getting even the slightest bit towards the edge, but I quickly warmed up and was confident in my footing and abilities after a few minutes.

Note that there are no facilities (read: bathrooms) on the duration of the hike, so although you should keep yourself hydrated, limit your water levels if you don’t want to head off into the wilderness to pee. 🙂

Where to Stay: Clarion Hotel Stavanger (No need to switch rooms, as it’s highly recommended to hike Pulpit Rock as a day trip from Stavanger!)

Day 5: Road Trip Time + LOTS of Waterfalls!

Driving Hours: 8

Let’s get this Norway road trip under way! It’s finally time to pick up your rental car at Stavanger Airport (do this ASAP- we picked it up around 9am in order to start the long drive relatively early), and drive to Bergen!

Note that this will be a long day of driving (7+ hours), but I managed to find plenty of beautiful spots along the way to cure any boredom that was bound to arise!

If you’re tight on time you can also drive directly to Bergen in about 4 hours, but what’s the fun in that?! The Norwegian countryside is too beautiful to bypass. You’ll want to pull over every few minutes – you’ll see. A few of these stops were pre-planned for, while others we found while on the road!

You’ll be passing through the beautiful Norwegian countryside, over lots of bridges and through more tunnels you ever imagined. This is all part of the fun! Note that you’ll also be making your way onto two car ferries today – just follow your GPS and the road will basically turn into the car ferry. 🙂 Easy peasy. Those Norwegians know what they’re doing.

*NOTE: If you have your heart set on hiking Trolltunga/Trolls Tongue (that epic photo you’ve seen plastered all over instagram and pinterest), you’ll want to end your day near Odda (close to Folgefanna National Park). Get up nice and early the next morning to start the 22 km hike. Pulpit Rock was enough for us so we didn’t stop in Odda to attempt Trolltunga.

In addition, if you have an extra day and a super strenuous 22 km / 10-12 hour hike isn’t your idea of fun on vacation, consider going on a glacier walk. We didn’t have enough time to do so, but it looks insanely fun!

Recommended route and stops along the way:

1. Take the Mortavika-Arsvågen/E39 car ferry: You just drive right on and pay (240NOK for 2 adults and car). The ferry took approximately 25 minutes or so, and shaved off some  driving time obviously!

2. Langfossen: A pleasant surprise as we had not originally planned to stop here. Epically beautiful, and right on the side of the road so difficult to miss. 😉 The water falls down a towering mountain, before pouring out into the Åkrafjorden (another fjord!) There’s a small coffee shop in the parking lot if you need your caffeine fix!

3. Fjaera: Super quick photo stop, only a few minutes from Langfossen.

4. Glacier viewing on the side of the road: Be careful when pulling over and heading to the other side of the road for photos. Since we didn’t have time to actually see any glaciers up close, this was the best we were gonna get so wanted to take full advantage! I’m honestly not sure exaaaactly what glacier this was, but enjoy!

5. Latefossen waterfall: Be sure not to miss this twin waterfall, as it’s an internationally famous attraction (but really all the waterfalls in Norway are kinda spectacular). We chose to eat our homemade sandwiches here.

6. Folgefonna Bondhusvatnet: Time to stretch your legs on a short hike to an absolutely stunning lake located within Folgefonna National Park! The hike took us about ½ hour each way (gravel trail with very slight elevation gain), and was filled with beautiful scenery, tons and tons of wildflowers, and so many sheep with cow (sheep?) bells!

We spent 20-30 minutes at the lake exploring and taking photos of the ridiculously clear water and just taking a few moments to revel in Norway’s beauty..

Note that there’s a parking lot at the beginning of the trailhead, and no fee to enter to park (from this entrance at least). If you’re feeling a bit thirsty, you can fill up your water bottle with glacial water at the beginning or end of the walk from the nearby streams – do it, the water is delicious!

***If you have ample extra time (completing the drive on your second day after doing Trolltunga perhaps), you can keep going on the trail after the lake in order to see the glacier. We didn’t have enough time for this, so walked to the lake and back.

7. Second Car ferry of the day: Jondal to torvikbygd (120 NOK for car/driver and an additional person). You know the drill – get in line, wait your turn, pay, and get on!

8. Steinsdalsfossen: Last waterfall stop of the day! Even if you’re semi-waterfall-ed out by now, do me a favor and don’t miss this one! You can actually walk behind it!

Finish the drive to Bergen, which will take about an hour and a half.

Where to Stay: Bergen Harbor Hotel

Although the rooms were somewhat tiny (common in Bergen), the bed was super comfy, location was extremely convenient, small balcony (depending on room type I’m presuming), and the hot breakfast with some typical Norwegian specialties among your typical breakfast options more than made up for the tightness.

Despite the inconvenient parking situation (which was easily figured out after doing some research – more on that below), we thoroughly enjoyed our time at this hotel and recommend it.

Where to Park : We originally had a difficult time figuring out where to park our rental car, and after talking to a few hotel receptionists (at our hotel and others), we ultimately decided that the ByGaragen (the biggest indoor garage in Bergen) was the best choice.

The price varies from 12 NOK per hour on Sundays to 24 NOK per hour daytime during weekdays, with a maximum price of 150NOK for 24 hours. Including these costs so you can add them to your budget. 🙂 If I remember correctly, I think we paid roughly $30USD for parking in Bergen.

Day 6: Bergen!

Driving Hours: 0

No driving today, yes! Since Bergen is such a walkable city, you can leave your rental car in the garage and set out on foot! The city is absolutely beautiful, and the fact that it’s surrounded by mountains and fjords makes it even more appealing to visitors!

Although Bergen is Norway’s second largest city (yes, really!), one day is enough to see all it’s colorful highlights. It actually looks like a small coastal town, you’ll see! And PS – Bergen is said to be one of the rainiest cities in all of Norway, so bring along your umbrella and/or rain jacket if the skies look a bit dark. 😉

Be sure to not miss:

Bryggen and the Wharf : You know those colorful wooden houses I’m sure you’ve seen all over? They’re over here at Bryggen! A little interesting fact: since these houses are constructed entirely from wood, this means two things – 1) It’s quick and easy to build, but 2) it’s also quick and easy to burn down!

Bryggen has been burning down for centuries upon centuries (with a history of fires since the 14th century when it came into being), with its most recent fire in 1955. Make sure to wander the streets behind Bryggen as well (through the small alleyways between the buildings on the harbor) to see what the area would have been like during the Middle Ages.

This medieval wharf part of Bergen is actually a UNESCO Heritage Site! You can also check out the The Hanseatic Museum if you’re interested in doing so.

The Fish Market: Not in the mood for fish? Don’t fret – there’s way more than fish at the fish market! Whale sausage, anyone?! Those Norwegians sure do love their sausages! What about some seafood paella?! It actually looked really good! You’ll be able to sample lots of Norwegian delicacies before buying, don’t you worry! Psst – the whale and reindeer sausages were really good!

Funicular (or hike!) to Mt. Floyen: Nature fiend like I am? You’ll absolutely love taking the Fløibanen Funicular up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views of the whole town and the old harbor. If you’re feeling a bit extra and want to work off that bacon-wrapped hot dog, you can hike up the mountain (but note that some parts are quite steep).

Try some reindeer meat: You can’t visit Bergen and not indulge in (or at least try!) some reindeer meat – it’s a specialty here (that and whale meat)! Go for lunch or an early dinner at Pingvinen, a cozy gastro bar cafe right near the center of Bergen with authentic Norwegian cuisine.  Be sure to order a Norwegian beer as well!

Hot Dogs and Reindeer Dogs at Trekroneren: Another top spot for the foodies, as dogs at Trekroneren just can’t be missed over here. And plus, hot dogs are the best cheap Norwegian food (at about ~$8), which we greatly appreciated after getting tired of paying $30 a meal per person.

While the options at Trekroneren are endless, we both opted for the reindeer dog with lingonberry sauce, crispy fried onions (sprøstekt løk), and mustard, and both agreed the odd flavor combinations were absolutely sensational. Note that there’s no seating, so head here when you want a quick bite during your wanders! Also, the stand is open quite late so if you find yourself especially hungry late at night, you know where to go.

To be honest, it was kinda nice that there wasn’t a whooole whole lot to do here in Bergen. There were enough activities to fill a leisurely day with extra random wanderings and relaxing at a cafe. We even headed back to the hotel for a midday snooze (which we never do!).

It doesn’t hurt that the sun sets super late here in the summer (11pm-ish), so we didn’t feel like we had to cram everything in ! Greatest feeling ever, especially for an overachiever like myself (I have FOMOOOO at its worst)!

Day 7: Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise and Flam Railway

Most definitely the most touristy day of the trip, but the views were pretty spectacular, so oh well!  Wake up early from Bergen, and make the 2 hour drive to Gudvangen. Note that you can start the Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise in either Gudvangen or Flam, it just depends on the availability when you book.

On the way to Gudvangen/Flam, be on the lookout for Tvindefossen, another waterfall located right on the side of highway. We saw sooooo many waterfalls already we didn’t feel the need to stop, but still worth looking out for on your drive to the Flåm area.

The next two stops/activities are probably the most touristy on this entire 10 day Norway itinerary (as noted above), but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Note that this day on the Norway itinerary is basically a DIY Norway in a Nutshell (and if you’ve been researching things to do in Norway you’ve definitely come across this). You can either book the following as part of a tour package , or book the tickets yourself (which is what we did).

You save a decent amount of money booking everything yourself, and you get the same exact experience as those on the “tour”. FYI, the “tour” isn’t really a “tour” at all- all the Norway in a Nutshell company does is book your tickets, which is all public transportation anyways. Do yourself a favor, book everything yourself and save a few NOK (try some local beer or a reindeer burger instead).

Book the Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise here.

Book the Flam Railway here (called the Flamsbana)

 You’re welcome.  😀 

I suggest booking way in advance (a few months), especially if you’re visiting during Norway’s summer, June-August. We waited a bit and had limited availability, but thankfully I was able to figure it all out with tour timings and such.

Still don’t feel like figuring out all the logistics yourself? I totally get it – it was honestly kinda a pain to put together myself, especially since I waited a bit too long to book everything and times got filled up.

Thankfully there’s now companies offering complete self-guided packages , like this one which includes all the tickets you need for the day (albeit more expensive since they’re doing all the work for you). But worth it if you don’t wanna miss anything (it can get pretty tricky with all the different bookings).

Here was our itinerary for the day, and I suggest you book similar times for the fjord cruise and train ride (feel free to do the train ride first if that’s all that’s available). Just remember that you’ll need to drive approximately 2-2 ½ hours from Bergen to the area, so don’t book anything too early unless you want to wake up at the crack of dawn. 😉

Fjord Cruise: 10am-12pm

The fjord cruise was super windy at times, so be sure to take a jacket! Thankfully, there’s inside seating if you wish to warm up for a bit (which we did throughout the ride).

Shuttle from Gudvangen to Flam one way (or reverse): Since you’ll be parking your car in Gudvangen (or Flam, depending on availability), you’ll need to take the shuttle back to Gudvangen (Flam to Gudvangen) to pick up the car. Note that the drive back to Flam is about 20 minutes.

Tickets for roundtrip (fjord cruise + shuttle) are available, but we booked too late and had to buy seperate tickets (which was completely fine, just was a tad more confusing to us at first when figuring out the website).

Flam Railway: 1:30pm-3:30pm roundtrip

Next up, the Flam Railway, which has been named one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world! Because of this, it’s rightfully so one of the leading tourist attractions in Norway, hence it can get crowded (aka get there a bit early!)

You’ll want to sit on the right side of the car departing from Flam for better views. Feeling a bit extra? The windows open at the first and last seat of every car –  which makes it much better for photos. Sit here! 🙂

From the train, you’ll see tons of waterfalls and mountain views all the way to Myrdal Station (the ending and where you’ll get back on to return to Flam). I enjoyed it, but didn’t think the scenery was any better than our own views we got while driving throughout other parts of the country. Just my honest opinion.

I’m glad we did it, but the round trip wasn’t necessary (we both fell asleep on the way back to Flåm). PS- you actually DO need a round trip ticket in order to get back to Flåm to pick up your car, just saying seeing the same monotonous scenery twice wasn’t necessary. 🙂

The train ride felt a tad overrated considering all the breathtaking scenery we had seen thus far on our Norway road trip, but I admit it was nice to just sit back, relax, and take in the views (and I’m sure the husband appreciated someone else doing the driving). The train cost $140 for both of us roundtrip, Flam → Myrdal → Flam, and took ~2 hours roundtrip.

Stalheimskleiva

Something else to squeeze in during the day – Stalheimskleiva, one of Northern Europe’s steepest roads (which of course offers beautiful views). It’s only a few minutes drive from either Flam or Gudvangen, and we chose to do this between the fjord cruise and train ride. Our time was a bit rushed so I’d say it’s possibly better to do this before the cruise (depending on the time of your ticket) or after both activities.

Stop at Stalheim Hotel viewing platform in order to see the spectacular views. Note that you don’t need to stay here to admire the scenery below; just walk right through the lobby to the back viewing platform.

However, be careful when using a GPS to get here – the twisty road is one way (driving down only), and our GPS didn’t pick this up! To say we got a nasty glare from a bus driver on his way down is an understatement. Our bad! You’ll see why it’s one way as you’re driving down the 13 sharp hairpin bends – be careful!

Where to Stay: Since we booked last minute, we opted to rent an AirBnB for the night. And to say our accommodation was a surprise was an understatement. Although the house was located in a beautiful spot overlooking Aurlandsfjord, we had to make our own beds and sleep in separate twin beds (not huge deals but not what we were expecting).

I’d say look for something a bit less “unique”, like Fretheim Hotel or Flåmsbrygga Hotel  if you want to cuddle up.  I recommend finding accommodation in Flam or one of the surrounding small villages (Aurland, Undredal, or Dyrdal).

Day 8: Drive the National Tourist Routes

Hours of Driving: 9

A verrrrry long driving day today, but well worth it! You’ll be rewarded with more spectacular mountainous scenery than you ever thought possible, with a whole slew of glacial lakes towards the end (OMFG I can’t contain my excitement).

Everyday on this Norway itinerary is undoubtedly scenic, with the views just getting better and better as the days go on. Today’s long drive encompasses 3 National Tourist Routes: Aurlandsfjellet, Sognefjellet, and Gamle Strynefjellsvegen (my absolute favorite). Here’s the itinerary we followed for the day:

1) Stegastein Lookout

Start the day off at Stegastein Lookout, only 15-20 minutes drive from the Aurland area (where our wacky AirBnB was located). Stegastein is a popular sightseeing spot from Flam, being 650 metres above Aurlandsfjord and all! I’d recommend going early in the morning as the road and viewpoint can get especially crowded. We ate breakfast at the viewpoint and only saw one other couple during our time there.

Time to get away from the fjords for the day (we’ll be back, don’tchu worry!) and head into the mountains!

2) Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route (Road 243)

Up next, Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route, which runs from Aurlandsvangen (near Stegastein) to Lærdalsøyri, covering a distance of 47km and taking roughly an hour and a half to drive without stops.

Be sure to NOT drive through the Lærdal Tunnel, the world’s longest road tunnel with a length of 24.5 km, as you won’t see any of the stops along the way on the actual scenic route itself. The tunnel can be used to bypass the National Tourist Route or if you’ll be traveling roundtrip, which we won’t be. Promise me you’ll take scenic road 243 instead of the tunnel!

• Stop at Flotane (viewing spot and bathrooms)
• Stop at Vedahaugane (infinity bench with great views)
• Pit stop to see Borgund Stave Church (25 minutes from Laerdalsoyri) – really cool and you must see at least one Stave Church on your Norway road trip!!

3) Take the Mannheller-Fodnes/Rv5 ferry (28 minutes)

4) Sognefjellet National Tourist Route (Road 55)

Sognefjellet Scenic Road runs from Gaupne to Lom, covering a total distance of 108 km. It will take you about 30 minutes to get to the start of the route, and then another 2 hours+ to drive the entire thing.

Sognefjellet is the highest and most impressive mountain pass in Northern Europe, so it’s easy to see why this road made it as one of Norway’s 18 National Tourist Routes (scenic roads).

• Feigefossen waterfall: look for it across the water from 55 (close to Guapne)
• Turtagrø hotel: red-painted modernistic building, quick photo stop
• Nedre Oscarshaug: provides one of the best vantage points along the road across the Sognefjellet mountains. A glass telescope with the names of the peaks gives an overview of the surrounding Hurrungane massif.
• Mefjellet (rest area with cool stone structure/platform)
• Sognefjellshytta (attractive training centre for national ski teams from all over the world) – cool wooden architecture
• Vegaskjelet (viewing platform)
• Lom Stave Church

To be completely honest, after about ½ – ¾ of the drive through Sognefjellet we had had enough of the mountains. Sure, they were beautiful and all that, but it seemed like many of the stops had views of the same thing. I think next time we’d only stop at 2-3 and get on with the show.

Plus, it was cold and windy that day so that’s proooobably why this drive seemed a bit monotonous and somewhat sad –  we didn’t have the energy to hang out in the cold for too cold!

5) Gamle Strynefjellsvegen National Tourist Route (Road 258)

You’re allllllmost to your final destination of the day (Hjelle), I promise! But whatever you do, DO NOT SKIP THIS NEXT ROAD. Be sure to take Road 258 instead of 15. The drive is short, being only 27km, but it’s an absolute stunner.

Boy oh boy, this short stretch was one of my absolute favorite hours or so of our entire trip, for the views alone. It’s hard to put into words what seeing glistening glacial lakes, towering mountains, and remnants of snow from colder months will do to you. I’m not sure anything will beat those views I saw that day.

Where to Stay : Hjelle Hotel

Hjelle Hotel was a perfect place to rest our heads after the long day of driving – and I’d highly recommend it! Our “romantic room” was simple yet charming, with a clean, and spacious feeling with a four-poster king bed and chandelier.

Make sure to order the dinner (fixed-price 3 course) – it was absolutely delicious (and have the creme brûlée if you’re lucky enough to see it on the menu which changes nightly).

Hjelle Hotel is situated right on another beauty of a lake (Oppstrynsvatnet) with great views of the mountains, which we loved for a nightly walk after dinner! In addition, the hotel staff was extra accommodating and the breakfast spread was more than decent! Stay here, they’re doing something right having been run by the same family since 1896!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This wouldn’t be a very thorough Norway travel blog if I didn’t mention Hotel Utsikten .

Why? For one, it’s one of the most popular hotels in the Geiranger area, and for good reason. The hotel sits right on the base of Geirangerfjord – meaning, if you ask for a room that faces the road, you’ll have a panoramic view of the fjord right from your view!

Secondly, if you want to stay here (instead of Hjelle Hotel ), book Hotel Utsikten as soon as you know your dates. It was unfortunately completely booked once I finally got around to making hotel reservations, so we opted for Hotel Hjelle (which ended up being a pleasant, positive surprise).

Note that if you decide to stay at Hotel Utsikten you’ll need to back track about a half hour or so for Dalsnibba (more below) if you couldn’t squeeze it in the previous day.

Day 9: Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen

Get ready for your last day of driving in Norway! You’ll be going from Geirangerfjord → Trollstigen → Andalsnes → Alesund, which will prove to be yet another stunningly spectacular day full of epic scenery, fjords galore, and and curvy, bendy roads. Today’s a tiring day but one for the books, and you’ll be driving on another National Tourist Route!

If you’d rather someone else do the driving (or you’re basing yourself out of Geiranger and not actually doing a road trip in Norway), this tour to Dalsnibba and its surroundings hits almost the same spots! You’ll just need to make the drive to Alesund afterwards, which is actually less than 2 1/2 hours direct (including a car ferry).

*Note that the Norwegians pronounce it “Gai-raan-Gyer” (I was butchering the entire language our whole trip and it was awful).

1. Dalsnibba

In one hour from the Hjelle Hotel, you’ll reach Dalsnibba, which is a very popular mountain top viewing platform in Norway. It’s brand spankin’ new, opened just a few years ago in 2016, and it’s actually Europe’s highest fjord view by road at 1,500 meters! Whoa!

Be sure to go on the “skywalk” which has a steel and see-through floor which rails made of glass. It’s definitely a bit nerve-racking to look down at your feet and beyond and see just how high you are with only a piece of glass between you and 1500 meters!

In order to get to the Dalsnibba viewing platform, you’ll need to pay a toll. Prices are payable by vehicle and if you’re coming by car or motorbike you’ll have to pay 130 NOK via credit card (pretty sure the AutoPass Device didn’t work here).

2. Flydalsjuvet Lookout Point

Another lookout point worthy of your time, this one 45 minutes from Dalsnibba (and completely on the way to where we’re going, promise!)  Flydalsjuvet is located higher above the town of Geiranger, providing phenomenal views of the Geirangerfjord, town below, and all the surrounding mountains. These impressive views sure make an excellent photo stop – be sure to have your cameras handy.

The area is well organized with informational signs, toilets, upper and lower viewing platforms, and railings and fences to protect everyone. Fingers crossed you get a clear day, as the fjord can be hidden by fog/mist.  t’s right off of the main road so can get quite busy, with tour buses as well, but wait for them to clear and you’ll get absolutely perfect photos.

3. Geiranger

Time for yet another fjord cruise! You just saw the fjord from up above, now it’s time to see it from another angle – right on it! It’ll only take 10 minutes to reach the town of Geiranger from Flydalsjuvet, so go for a little wander and have a quick lunch.

We honestly couldn’t find too much food besides a bakery and some ice cream, but maybe we didn’t look hard enough. And plus, ice cream is a healthy, obvious meal in Geiranger when the weather is absurdly hot! ;p

We decided to take a 60 minute fjord cruise around noon, but note that 90 minute boat tours are available as well if you feel so inclined or that’s all that’s available. You’ll pass the famous “Seven Sisters” waterfall on either one. I highly recommend booking in advance as the boat was very crowded and it was completely sold out (in high season). Book here.

I feel like a broken record saying this, but yes, the fjord views were absolutely stunning right on the water!

4. Ørnesvingen and The Eagle Road

After gawking at all the views on the fjord cruise, drive the 10 minutes to yet another famous viewpoint, Ørnesvingen, the highest of the hairpin bends in Ørnevegen (also known as The Eagle Road). From here you’ll enjoy more magnificent panoramas of the town and fjord, although be aware that weather plays a key role in how visible your views will actually be (like at Flydalsjuvet).

Hope for a clear day! Look out for the cruise ships passing through the fjord below, as they can only add to the uniqueness of your photos! To uncomplicate things, Ørnesvingen is the name of the viewpoint, while Ørnevegen is name of the actual road. 🙂 Things can get tricky around here, haha.

5. FERRY time: Eidsdal-Linge/Fv63 ferry

This one’s a short one, only taking about 10 minutes and costing 79 NOK (~10) for a small sedan and 2 passengers. As all the other ferries on this Norway itinerary, don’t worry about booking in advance because you can just show up on the port and fall in line with the other cars. I’m pretty sure the ferries leave every 30 minutes or so, but I think it depends on the season and how busy they are.

6. Trollstigen, The Trolls Road

After the ferry and a short drive, you’ll arrive at Trollstigen (The Trolls Road), part of one of the most famous National Tourist Routes in all of Norway (Geiranger – Trollstigen)! And don’t worry, if you’ve followed this itinerary, you’ve already driven on the other part of the scenic road. 😉  

Be sure to stop at The Trolls Path Viewpoint at the Visitor Centre, which will give you unparalleled views of the road snaking below amongst the skyrocketing mountains. Breathe in the the fresh mountain air!

Make sure you venture to both the near and far viewing platforms, as the closer one will provide you with a close-up look at the waterfall, while the latter the actual twists and bends of Trollstigen. Once you make your way to the farther one, you’ll be able to see all the way down the mountainside, being 200 meters above the snaking Trollstigen road.

Once you’re done gawking at the views (don’t be shy – I think I took over 50 photos here), drive down the 11 hairpin bends of Trollstigen. It’s important to note that each bend actually has its own name (usually named after the person who supervised the construction work on that particular section), but just follow it down and you’ll eventually reach the bottom.

The rest of the day will have you driving to your final destination, Alesund, which is about 2 hours from Trollstigen. You’ll first drive north to Åndalsnes, then cut west for Alesund!

Where to Stay in Alesund: Thon Hotel Ålesund

The hotel was in a great location, right on the water, which made looking out the window of our room super fun! We booked a “superior room” with large open windows with views of the water- I watched a huge cruise ship come into port around midnight one night (so cool and completely unexpected) and a pilot doing tricks in his private plane (also quite surprising but fun to watch).

Plus, the sound of the water is just oh so relaxing (keep your windows open). The breakfast was included and had all the breakfast staples and then some.

Where to Park in Alesund: mobile home parking (free from 4pm-8am, 20NOK per hour from 8am-4pm // 160NOK for full day). Ask the hotel and they’ll give you easy directions. It’s only about a 10 minute from the hotel and will save you boat loads of money. Street parking is pretty much non-existent over here. Note that you need to pre-pay for the number of hours you want.

Last full day on our Norway itinerary – Alesund! I admit that we were pretty tired at this point in our trip, and while we explored the small city a bit, we used this day to mostly relax and recoup from the crazy busy previous days.

Alesund is a port town, meaning it’s right on the water, so expect some great views and lots of seafood! The city center has a very unique Art Nouveau style, which you’ll soon notice once you get your bearings – so keep your camera handy! Keep your car parked in the lot, as Ålesund is an incredibly walkable small city with the the downtown being rather compact.

A few things to do below, which can all be easily done in less than a day:

• You’ll find the stairs up to the viewpoint from the town park, Byparken, with no entrance fee. Note that you can also drive up or take the City Train to Fjellstua (small fee) to reach the peak. There’s a small cafe at the top for water and ice creams.

• Walk through downtown Ålesund’s Art Nouveau district : Admire the colorful art-deco buildings, as this is what this part of Norway is famous for! After a fire destroyed the entire city in 1904, it was rebuilt in vibrant Art Nouveau fashion.

• Stop in the Ålesund Church : Even if you’re not religious, the Ålesund Church is worth a quick peek inside. Stare at the beautiful stained glass windows and just appreciate that it only costs about 3NOK to visit. 🙂
• Walk around the harbour and eat some fish! Have lunch at Jafs, and sit outside with some fresh fish and chips while enjoying the beautiful views out over the harbor. Crispy batter on thick fleshy cod fish, decently priced, and harbor views?! What could possibly be better on a warm, summer day?!

• Sunnmore Museum: The Sunnmore museum is an open-air museum with a collection of 55 old picturesque houses and indoor exhibitions, giving you an insight into the cultural and architectural history of the area. A great spot for an afternoon stroll! *Take note of the opening and closing hours before heading over, as we completely missed the time slot.
• Full disclosure: We decided to take a rest at the hotel instead of heading to the lighthouse because 1) we were pooped and 2) we didn’t feel like having to fight over a spot in the parking lot afterwards. Go if you’re up for a small adventure (at the lighthouse and parking lot). 😉

In retrospect, we should have gone last thing the night before, before heading to our hotel in Alesund. Also, note that the lighthouse is halfway between the main town of Alesund and the airport, so depending on your flight time, you can always go the next day before your flight.

Have a few more days in Norway? Consider heading to the Atlantic Road, another famous Scenic Route, which is about 2 and a half hours from Alesund. If we had more time I would have included this in the Norway itinerary.

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Feel free to share this 10 day Norway itinerary with a friend, and get started planning your trip !

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July 20, 2020 at 11:07 pm

Excellent overview of the route. Thank you!

August 5, 2020 at 6:59 am

Dear Jessica, thank you so much for this itinerary! My husband and I just came back from our fantastic road trip in Norway. Oh my God I just fell in love with Norway. We live in the south of Sweden, so both our region and Norway were ok regarding corona, this is why we decided to do this trip. We adjusted the itinerary: coming from the south of Sweden, we drove in i Norway and stayed one night in Fredrikstad, then drove through all the south coast to Stavanger (beautiful scenery!) and from Stavanger we mainly followed your itinerary, excluding Preikestolen which we didn't do because neither my husband or I wanted to hike in our holidays, so we saw Preikestolen from Lysefjord, we took the boat trip. It was a good idea since it was raining and cloudy and I don't think Preikestolen was worth it with such weather.

We followed everything else and at the end we didn't drive to Ålesunds, we were too tired and decided to drive back to Oslo, where we spent 1 night (we've been in Oslo before) and then drove back to Sweden.

Because of corona, 95% of tourists we saw were Norwegians, some Germans and some French. Not crowdy at all in the Lookouts, this was such a blessing! 🙂 we even did an extra Lookout that wasn't included in the itinerary.

The weather was cloudy sometimes but the sun came out often so our photos have gorgeous sky in the background! I loved this!

An update is that everything (including all possible ferries) is paid with AutoPass now. We felt home since the Norwegian language is veeery similar to the Swedish so it was easy to communicate.

Finally, since I know you really loved Norway, I would like to suggest you take a road trip in summer time in Switzerland. We spent 10 days road trip in Switzerland and drove only in the country side, no highways at all. Oh my God, Switzerland is the most beautiful country I've ever seen, and now Norway in absolute 2nd place now 🙂 and we've travelled quite a lot too, though not as much as you 🙂 We got our itinerary in Switzerland from the website: thegrandtourofswitzerland…Amazing! But of course, it is maybe 4 times more expensive than Norway and the rest of Europe (something to be considered when planning).

Thanks a lot again! Your itinerary gave us some wonderful days in Norway! Keep travelling and posting!

August 6, 2020 at 10:23 am

Sounds like you had such an amazing trip! And thanks for the updates on the ferries! I can't wait to get back to Europe once it is safe again! I was actually hoping to spend some time in Switzerland this summer but the universe had other plans!

October 27, 2020 at 12:38 pm

Thank you for sharing those wonderful things to do in Norway. I would love to try the Norwegian food one day. Your information in driving and other tips will be really helpful for me when I plan my trip later:)

November 11, 2020 at 1:22 am

thank you! very clear and helpful

March 24, 2022 at 10:01 am

Hello! Love your detailed itinerary. Thank you for sharing it. We will be going there this June and plan to drive from Bergen to Gudvangen for the 2 hours Naeroyjford Fjord cruise. I was wondering if there is an alternative to driving all the way from here to get to Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. We want to try and skip the driving of the Aurlandsfjellet route and the Sognefjellet route as we will be with kids. But would love to do the scenic route of Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. Would you know How do we get on that route the fastest possible way? Thanks so much.

March 24, 2022 at 7:08 pm

Ack I really don’t know! Do you think it’d be too much driving with the kids? I always like to play around with Google Maps and see what I can come up with.

Have a great time — Norway is absolutely spectacular!

May 9, 2022 at 3:23 pm

Greetings, Beautiful Norway and splendid itinerary. Could we do this itinerary without a car in 10-12days? Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Argie

May 10, 2022 at 11:42 am

I’m not entirely sure but I don’t think you’d be able to get to the more off the beaten path spots. I’d recommend checking out the trains and other public transport! Have a great trip!

July 18, 2022 at 11:14 am

Hi jessica, Imy family and I will be travelling to norway for an 11 day summer family holiday this coming August. Thank you for your itinerary..it is such a blessing especially the routes and stops . Can we go on a car ferry to see geirangerfjord instead of taking the boat? If not, where can we park our car if there is no car ferry for geirangerfjord cruise? Many thanks again.

July 20, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Hi Mo, I think there are car ferries that operate on the fjord. Check out “geirangerfjord car ferry” on google search and you’ll get loads of info! Have a great trip!

September 10, 2022 at 6:06 am

Amazing itinerary and details! Thank you!

We are going for 6 nights 7 days and want to see the fjords! What are the towns and must sees! ?

Thank you again!

September 14, 2022 at 2:31 pm

Hi Jennifer,

If your main priorities are the fjords, I’d honestly skip out on Oslo in the beginning. The fjords are much more difficult to get to and take a bit more planning, while you can tack on Oslo to another European trip if you really wanna explore the city. The views from Pulpit Rock hike, Flam, and the national tourist routes of Aurlandsfjellet, Sognefjellet, and Gamle Strynefjellsvegen were my favorite. Plus Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen. Have a great trip! Norway is amazing!

October 2, 2022 at 11:27 am

Hello! My friend and I just got back from a 10 day Norway trip and we followed much of your itinerary/advice. Thank you so much for all the information it was very helpful!

October 2, 2022 at 4:33 pm

AMAZING – hope you had the best time! So glad the post was helpful! I can’t wait to head back to Norway — it’s such a gorgeous country!

March 26, 2023 at 8:42 pm

Thanks for your itinerary and wonderful info. We are visiting Norway in June and besides a short stay in Oslo — we only have enough time to visit either Bergen with a drive to Flam and a Fjord tour there — or visit Aselund and a drive to Gereinger (with Fjord tour) and Hjelle. Any recommendations on which you think would be better?

April 2, 2023 at 1:17 am

Hey, there! Your article on a 10-day road trip itinerary in Norway is simply amazing! As an AI language model, I can’t physically travel, but reading through your blog post made me feel like I was right there on the journey with you. I particularly enjoyed how you managed to capture the essence of Norway’s breathtaking natural beauty and cultural heritage in your writing.

The details of your itinerary were spot-on, and your tips for travelers, such as visiting iconic landmarks like the Geiranger Fjord and the Jotunheimen National Park, were truly insightful. I also appreciated how you included information on budgeting and finding affordable accommodation options, which is a crucial aspect of travel planning for many people. Overall, your blog post is an excellent resource for anyone looking to embark on a road trip adventure in Norway.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights with us. I look forward to reading more of your travel stories and gaining more inspiration for my virtual travels. Keep up the good work!

April 13, 2023 at 6:26 am

Thank you for a wonderful blog. I am planning to tour Norway in August 2023. The tour plan is still being finalized basis research that I am doing. Tentatively it looks like this. Day 1: Fly in to Stavagner and do local site seeing on foot. (August 15 or thereabout) Day 2: Hike up the Pulpit Rock Day 3: Lysefjord Day 4: Hike Kjerag using public transport Day 5: Pick up rental car and drive to Tyssedal Day 6: Hike Trolltunga Day 7: Drive to Jotunheimen National Park Day 8: Hike Bessegen Ridge Day 9: Drive to Geirangerfjord Day 10 and 11: Local site seeing Day 12: Drive to Alesund, surrender car Day 13: Alesund local site seeing Day 14: Fly Alesund to Bergen. Local site seeing in Bergen Day 15, 16 and 17: Fjords, Flam railway, and train ride to reach Oslo Day 18: Oslo site seeing Day 19: Fly back home I could add a couple of days more to any leg of the tour if required. Can you please suggest if this route is optimal or any changes that you think I should make? Also, given the choice I could use public transport rather than self-drive, but I could not find convenient public transport options that would cover Trolltunga, Jotuneimen N P and Geiranger.

July 20, 2023 at 10:14 am

Dear Jessica Thanks a ton for this blog. My husband and I just returned from Norway and we took a part of your itinerary Bergen to Alesund and followed it. You made our trip planning very easy with your wonderful tips. Cheers Bharathi

August 11, 2023 at 2:48 am

Hi! I just got back from my trip to Norway with my family. I would like to thank you for the incredible trip you planned and shared with all of us! We tried to follow almost everything with some variations, but your suggestions and tips were very useful. Please keep doing that!

August 13, 2023 at 11:49 am

Hello. We are planning a trip for next summer. Did you find it best to book your airfare round trip to and from Oslo, then add the one way to Stavange?

Also, did you book each hotel seperate or was it all part of a package? I was jusing Skyscanner and it looks like it used Priceline, not sure if it always does that.

Thank you so much. Great itinerary!

August 13, 2023 at 12:10 pm

Hi Catherine,

We typically always book to the closest major international city, so in this case, it was Oslo! We then flew to Stavanger like you noted.

In terms of hotels, we booked everything ourselves separately. Have a great time in Norway — it’s an amazing country!

September 10, 2023 at 10:59 pm

Thank you so much for this. And for all of the granular travel tips. As someone who spent months planning a detailed itinerary for 2 weeks in Iceland, this is so incredibly akin to how I plan for travel. Currently booking Norway for summer 2024, and I can’t thank you enough for the most amazing Norway travel template for inspiration. Thank you again for sharing your experience.

September 12, 2023 at 5:07 pm

Norway is absolutely spectacular and you will LOVE the country! So glad the itinerary helped! 🙂

December 28, 2023 at 9:25 pm

Jessica, thank you so much for your blog. I admire your devotion to every detail and tons of useful advice. Good luck in you future trips.

December 28, 2023 at 9:24 pm

Scotty, Can you share your iterinary please? I am planing next summer trip too. Obviously Jessika’s blg is a masterpiece and so much appreciated as well. Thank you so much

January 20, 2024 at 9:50 pm

This itinerary looks great. We are going to Norway in end September/early October. A friend has offered her place at Skeikampen. Do you have any idea how long it would take to drive from Alesund to Oslo. We could then deviate to Skeikampen for a couple of nights. Thank you

January 20, 2024 at 10:55 pm

Hi Stuart! Sounds like a great trip! I quickly took a look at Google Maps and it says the drive takes about 7-8 hours depending on the route you take. I always use Google Maps for driving distances, highly recommend it!

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3- 5 Day Norway Road Trip Itinerary! Bergen to Alesund & Atlantic Ocean Road.

Categories Europe , Itinerary , Norway

I have just got back from doing a Norway Road trip, this was my first time in Norway, and wow, what a country it is! We did a 3 day road trip in Norway starting in Bergen , ending in Ålesund , and visiting the Jotunheimen National Park , Molde , and the Atlantic Ocean Road in between!

Trying to decide on a Norway road trip itinerary and where to go on a road trip in Norway was hard because there are so many places to visit in Norway! We really struggled on where to visit on a road trip in Norway, especially since we had just 3 days in Norway and 4 nights.

We found good flights from the UK to Bergen which is Norway’s second-largest city, therefore, Bergen seemed like a good place to start our Norway roadtrip and we decided on Bergen to Alesund.

We hired a car through Rental Cars at Bergan Airport and dropped it off at Alesund Airport which was a great idea to save us time instead of driving back to Bergen.

We had an amazing trip driving up part of the West Coast of Norway seeing Norwegian cities, towns, a National Park, attempting to hike Norway’s highest peak, and even making it to the impressive Atlantic Ocean Road, 1 of the 18 scenic routes in Norway!

In this Norway travel blog, I’ve detailed the 3 day Norway Road Trip I did from Bergen to Alesund and Alesund to the Atlantic Ocean Road including places to stop in Norway that I visited and loved,

We were in a rush so I have amended my Norway road trip itinerary to spend more time in a few places so you can easily turn it into a 4 or 5 day Norway Road Trip depending on how much time you have and how slow or fast you like to travel, and drive.

Norway Road Trip Itinerary

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

Norway Road Trip Map

This Norway road trip map covers all of the places I have mentioned below in my Norway road trip itinerary.

It includes the cities like Alesund and Bergen that we stopped in but also incredible waterfalls along the side of the road that you don’t want to miss, observation decks and some cool spots to visit in Norway like the unique Norwegian Stave Churches .

Car Hire in Norway

Before we go into the road trip itinerary from Bergen to Alesund, you will need a car to do this trip!

We hired a car from Hertz via Rental Cars at Bergen Airport. We opted for an automatic which was handy for the long drives we did and a bigger engine which was definitely handy when going up the mountain roads.

Rental Cars searches through all the top rental companies to get you the best price like Hertz, Sixt and Europcar.

Search Rental Cars here to get an idea of prices for your hire car in Norway!

Bergen to Alesund

Day 1 in norway – bergen to voss.

Bergen is a great place to start a trip in Norway because there are good flights there from other European Countries, we flew with KLM into Bergen.

Fantoft Stave Church

I suggest picking up your hire car at Bergen Airport and before you head into the city stop off at Fantoft Stave Church. This is one of the iconic Stave Churches in Norway and it’s perfect to visit as it’s on the way from Bergen Airport to Bergen City .

There is a car park nearby and then it’s a short walk down a gravel path to the Church.

Bergen City Centre

Head into Bergen City Centre afterwards. We got an afternoon flight so we didn’t have much time in Bergen but it is a pretty city and the second-largest city in Norway.

Luckily, it’s not too big so you can pop in quickly and get a good feel for the city, especially down by the harbour which I loved, or you can spending longer doing things to do in Bergen like this.

Bergen to Voss

On our Norway road trip route we then drove 1.5 hours to Voss as this was a good place to start day 2 of our itinerary from because we had a lot of ground to cover the next day.

We didn’t get into Voss until really late (we stayed at Scandic Voss Hotel which I really recommend) and left really early but the drive there is beautiful (although, all drives are in Norway), and it’s in a lovely location on a lake and tourist attractions like Voss Gondol and Voss Folk Museum if you have more time to spend there on your Norway road trip itinerary.

Recommended Accommodation: Scandic Voss Hotel – A cool, well-designed hotel right on the lake.

Day 2 in Norway – Voss to Leon

We planned a hike in the Jotunheimen National Park for day 2 of our Norwegian roadtrip from Bergen to Alesund so we got up early and left Voss.

This was my favourite day of driving because we drove past Fjords, Lakes, and right up into the mountains. We also passed so many waterfalls!

Tvinnefossen

Tvinnefossen waterfall is definitely worth a stop, or at least look out for it as you leave Voss. It’s one of the bigger waterfalls we saw and drops over 150m.

We didn’t stop in Flam as we didn’t have time because of the hike, but when researching this Norway trip and the best places to visit in Norway, Flam came up high as it is one of the most popular Fjord destinations in Norway.

The Scenic Flam Railway looks great if you have time, or doing a scenic boat trip. Here are more things to do in Flam .

Stegastein Viewpoint

Located 20-30 minutes off the main road leading into the national park up a windy road is Stegastein Viewpoint offering panoramic views of the fjord and definitely worth the stop and detour if you have time.

Related Post: How to do the easy hike to Stegastein Viewpoint in 3-4 Hours!

Laerdalstunnelen

One thing I didn’t realise about Norway until I started researching is the number of tunnels it has! In 3 days we drove through over 90 tunnels!

Laerdalstunnelen or Lærdal Tunnel is the largest road tunnel in the world at 24.5km ! It starts just after Flam around Aurlandsvangen and finishes near Tonjum.

When planning your Norway road trip, it’s definitely worth keeping in mind the number of tunnels you’ll be in, and keep a note of where this one is as it’s impressive to go through!

It’s also great that there are places to park on the side of the tunnel so you can get out and take photos.

Sognefjorden

After the longest tunnel and our first ferry, we drove all the way along Sognefjorden along a road called 55. Sognefjorden is apparently known as the king of the fjords in Norway because it’s the longest fjord in Norway!

This was a spectacular drive and was one of the highlights for me of our road trip through Norway, we had to stop multiple times to take photos.

If you have time, there is a town called Skjolden which is officially at the end of Sognefjorden and there is a small statue to indicate it’s the end.

As you approach Jotunheimen National Park from here, it’s worth noting that this is the last biggest town you’ll go through with bigger supermarkets so it’s worth getting some lunch and snacks from here (which is something we didn’t realise!)

Note – If you do want to amend this 3 day Norway road trip and go straight from Bergen to Sognefjord then you can do this too as it’s just 3 hours 30 minutes from Bergen.

Jotunheimen National Park

After Sognefjorden ended we started to climb really high into the mountains via road F55 .

We did this road trip in Norway in September so Autumn was on its way and as we got higher the trees suddenly turned golden, and we started to see snow!

There are quite a few dedicated scenic spots along F55 and viewpoints. One of the ones we loved was Nedre Oscarshaug Viewpoint which had a glass structure with all of the peaks around us on.

Our main aim from visiting Norway was to climb the highest mountain in Norway which is Galdhøpiggen .

This is a serious hike requiring equipment and a guide. Unfortunately, the weather turned for us that afternoon, it was no longer safe to hike and therefore we didn’t reach the summit but it was good to try!

However, there are so many hikes in Jotunheimen National Park to do for different abilities and times. This post about Jotunheimen gives a few different hikes to do.

If you aren’t into hiking or the weather isn’t on your side, it is still truly beautiful to drive through the National Park and will definitely enhance your Norway road trip route from Bergen to Alesund, after all, the scenery we pass on a road trip is what the trip is all about!

I suggest spending the night in Loen, which is a really beautiful village and a good place to stop on the way further North.

One of the most popular things to do in Leon is the Loen Skylift which says it gets you from the fjord to the sky in 5 minutes via a Cable Car taking you 1011m high.

They have a restaurant at the top and offer activities such as a Via Ferrata . You will need more time to do this and if you follow this Norway road trip itinerary you’ll have to do these things on day 3 as you probably won’t arrive in Loen until later in the evening

Recommended Accommodation: Hotel Alexandra Loen – A beautiful family-run hotel with personal touches and modern facilities.

Day 3 in Norway – Loen to Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road

We actually stayed in Stryn on our Bergen to Alesund road trip, not Loen, but in hindsight we wish we had stayed in Loen as we didn’t really like Stryn and we met a local later that day who said Loen is really stunning.

Stryn River

We stayed in Stryn though because we wanted to see the winding river in Stryn. This is only worth visiting if you have a drone and like getting cool shots like this because from the ground it doesn’t look overly special.

Geiranger & Geirangerfjord

Next, we headed to the town of Geiranger which is home to the impressive Geirangerfjord , this is one of Norway’s most popular natural attractions.

As you reach Geiranger, before you come down the windy road into the town, look out for Flydalsjuvet view point .

Geiranger is a popular stop for tourists on cruises and fjord tours so it is catered for tourists with activities and things to do in Geiranger like kayaking and biking.

The season had just finished when we arrived in late September so everything was closed or closing but summer in Geiranger definitely offers a lot and it’s buzzing with activity I heard.

Ørnevegen

As we left Geiranger up some very tight hairpin bends we reached Ørnevegen which is a viewpoint overlooking Geiranger & Geirangerfjord.

I love that the viewpoints in Norway like this are all right on the road and free to enter so you just stop, have a look and carry on with the road trip.

After more driving through incredible scenery and taking our longest ferry of the trip from Vestnes to Molde , we arrived in Molde.

We didn’t see much of Molde and there doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of things to do in Molde , although the town is pretty and Molde Panorama where you can sight the top of 222 mountain peaks sounds really impressive.

We stayed at the Scandic Seilet Hotel which was an amazing place to stay right on the water with great service, a delicious breakfast and best of all, all bedrooms have a view of the water.

The sunrise view was sooo amazing and staying here made our stay in Molde so memorable!

Atlantic Ocean Road

Our final stop of day 3 in Norway was the Atlantic Ocean Road! We had seen images and videos of this road on Instagram and it was one of the main reasons for deciding where to do a road trip in Norway and why we ended up doing Bergen to Alesund, but via the Atlantic Ocean Road!

Just after our visit, the new Bond film came out ‘No Time To Die’ and it turns out the Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway is one of the filming locations in the new Bond movie , which is pretty cool!

I read and saw some videos with different opinions on this road and whether it’s worth visiting, especially if you don’t have a drone.

I wrote this post on is the Atlantic Ocean Road worth visiting , but I’ll tell you here that we really loved it , especially at sunset and I was surprised by how many places there are to walk around the area so you don’t need a drone to appreciate it.

And it is 1 of the 18 Norwegian scenic routes !

Recommended Accommodation: Scandic Seilet Hotel – You don’t get a better location on the water in Molde!

Day 4 in Norway – Molde to Ålesund

The drive from Molde to Alesund is really easy. You take the ferry back to Vestnes and go West from there. It wasn’t the most scenic drive we had in Norway but it was still stunning.

Alesund is an incredibly pretty city. In fact, the reason it’s so pretty is because in 1904 there was a fire that destroyed most of the city and it was rebuilt in an Art Nouveau style .

This is not the usual style of buildings in Norway and even though most European Cities have some Art Nouveau buildings in them, often it’s a small area, so it’s really unique to see a complete Norwegian city in this design.

Here are the best things to do in Alesund for your day in Alesund if you have time and have 4 days in Norway.

We didn’t have much time to see the city but our first stop was the Alesund Viewpoint which is definitely worth the visit!

Recommended Accommodation: Hotel Brosundet – The most iconic yellow building in Alesund is this hotel right in the centre and on the water!

Day 5 in Norway – Ålesund To Bergen

We ended our trip in Alesund withour staying overnight in Alesend and we got an internal flight back to Bergen before flying out the next morning.

We got a flight because we were short on time and therefore did not have time to return the hire car back to Bergen.

When hiring a car, dropping it at a different location makes the rental cost a lot more money which was definitely the case for us, but we were time short so we had to do this.

Search for the best car hire prices in Norway on Rental Cars here!

If you have time and have 5 days in Norway or more, driving back to Bergen to drop the hire car off and to get your return flight from Bergen is a great idea.

The quickest route from Alesund to Bergen is 420 kilometers long and takes approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, but as Visit Bergen says, you will drive through more of Norway’s most beautiful fjord landscape.

Recommended Accommodation: Scandic Flesland Bergen Airport – High-quality facilities and a 5-minute walk from Bergen airport.

Norway Road Trip FAQ

Is norway good for a road trip.

Yes! The best way to see and experience Norway is by driving around the country and it is a good place for a road trip because the roads are good and the scenery is incredible.

Can tourists drive in Norway?

Yes, tourists can hire a car in Norway and tourists can drive in Norway.

Is driving in Norway difficult?

The roads in Norway are extremely good, well surfaced and empty. There are many roads in Norway with tight hairpin bends which require you to drive very safely around. In winter when the roads in Norway are full of snow driving will become more difficult but in Summer, late spring and early autumn without snow it is not difficult.

How many days are enough to visit Norway?

At least 3 days in Norway is enough for a road trip and to cover a lot of ground. Many people spend 5 days, 7 days or even 2 weeks in Norway doing a road trip.

I hope this post has helped you with your Norway Road Trip itinerary!

• More of my posts you might like:
• 20 BEST Things To Do in Stavanger & Near Stavanger! Hikes, Cruises, Museums!
• How to do the Pulpit Rock Hike from Stavanger! By Cruise, Car & Bus, Plus Tips!
• Is the Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway Worth the Visit?
• Easy Hike to Stegastein Viewpoint in 3-4 Hours! Most Scenic Platform in Norway!

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Tuesday 7th of March 2023

Hi! Great blog! X How long did it take you to drive from Voss to Stryn through road 55? Without hiking. Monika

Friday 16th of September 2022

Hi there, sounds like a great trip! Just wondering, how much was the cost of fuel for your road trip?

TheWanderingQuinn

Monday 19th of September 2022

Hello, I can't quite remember but it was a couple off hundred pounds in the end.

Monday 8th of August 2022

Hello! I really enjoyed your write up on your Norway road trip. I will be going in September. Did you pre book hotels? For road trips I prefer to drive until we're tired, but wasn't sure if that would work for Norway. Thank you!

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

Hello, I'm glad you liked the post and it's great you are going soon. We did pre-book our hotels in advance but I think you would be ok not doing that. Even if you arrive in a town and instead of searching places for a room you could always check online when you get there.

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Nova on the Road

The Best Norway Itinerary for an Unbelievable 14-day Road Trip (with Many Hidden Gems)

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Must-see places to visit in + itinerary for 14 days in Norway.

Buckle up for an epic 14-day adventure through the wild and wonderful landscapes of Norway. This practical Norway itinerary for 14 days isn’t just like any other; it’s about real experiences in one of the most stunning countries on the planet!

From the iconic Geirangerfjord, to the spectacular city of Bergen, to the charming town of Flam, we’ve got it all covered.

And as if the beauty’s not enough, Norway has the best food! From delicious hot dogs, to the best waffles in the world, and pancakes… Man, those pancakes… they earned a special place in my heart.

So you’re planning to visit Norway, but have no idea where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place! Do make sure to read this post through to the end, for all the essential information you need!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. We only promote products and services we 100% believe in. Thank you so much for supporting us! Read more about it in our  disclosure policy .

Table of Contents

About Norway

The Kingdom of Norway is a Nordic country in Europe. It’s actually the northernmost country. The spoken language in Norway is Norwegian, and most people speak English very well… Seriously… It’s almost creepy how good their English is…

There’s actually quite interesting history behind the Norwegian language. Read about it here .

The used currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone, NOK.

    $1 USD = 10,58 NOK (approx.)

    €1 Euro = 10,44 NOK (approx.)

Fun facts about Norway:

• Norway has a population of just over 5 million and nearly half of the Norwegian lives in the far south, around Oslo.
• Norway counts about 50000 tiny islands , carved by deep glacial fjords.
• Norway has repeatedly been ranked as the best country to live in.
• The longest tunnel in the world is located in Norway.
• Norway introduced salmon sushi to the Japanese in the eighties.
• Norway knighted a king penguin in 2008. His name’s Nils Olav.

Planning your 14-day Norway itinerary: Things to keep in mind

When planning a road trip through Norway, I made a big mistake. I stuffed it. I put too many activities in the planning and didn’t consider driving times and other things.  

So some things to keep in mind are:

• Driving times and distances are longer than you expect
• The weather’s not always good
• Take time for grocery shopping and cooking
• There are gonna be some bumps in your trip. Make sure you’re prepared to deal with them

Read through to the end of this post for more essential information about traveling through Norway!

Are 14 days too long for you? Then check out this epic 7-day itinerary for Norway !

Here’s a map with the places from this itinerary and some lovely wild camping places we found. I hope it can help you!

Norway itinerary for 14 days

Now it’s finally time for the 14-day Norway road trip itinerary!

This 14-day itinerary begins in Oslo and ends in Bergen . Both cities have an airport and I’m sure there are renting companies where you can pick up a car or motorhome in one city and return it in the other. If this is not possible, it’s not that hard to drive back to Oslo to return the vehicle and get a flight home.

Day 1: Arrival – Oslo  

This itinerary starts in the wonderful capital of Norway, Oslo! When in Norway you just can’t miss this diverse city.

Bonus tip: Maybe an Oslo pass is something for you. Read about the top things to do in Oslo with an Oslo pass !

Oslo has a lot of typical Norwegian places to visit, like:

• Bygdøy Peninsula, where you’ll find 5 Norwegian museums
• The Norwegian Folk Museum
• Akershus Fortress
• The Freia Store: home of Norwegian chocolates
• The Oslo fjord

And other than that, Oslo’s an amazing city to walk through.

My friends and I arrived in Oslo around lunchtime. In my opinion, we’ve seen enough of this city in one day, to move on the next day. But of course, you need to decide how long you want to stay in Oslo. I do recommend sleeping in the city, to be well-rested for the next day.

Psst: Check out this beginner’s guide to Oslo !

Where to stay in Oslo?

Best budget hotel in Oslo: Citybox Oslo

Why stay here: Close to Oslo central station, comfortable rooms, cheap prices and free wifi.

Best luxury hotel in Oslo: Hotel Bristol

Why stay here: Exceptional breakfast, private parking, 2 cozy restaurants, free wifi and luxurious rooms.

Day 2: Oslo – Flam

From Oslo, you will take a long drive to the beautiful town of Flam! It’s about a 5-hour drive through many diverse landscapes. In the last hour, you’ll even be driving the world’s longest tunnel ! At the end of this Laerdalstunnel, you’ll be blown away by the beauty of the Naeroyfjorden!

You’ll get the best view of this fjord from the town of Flam. In this town, there are many activities to do. There are many souvenir shops and options to go out on the water.

Although Flam could be crowded, it kinda gave me a cozy feeling. It almost felt like I was at a German Christmas market (even though it was in August).

So when you’re in Flam, make sure to drink some hot chocolate and eat a delicious Norwegian hot dog.

One day is enough to take a good look at Flam. At the end of the afternoon, you can already drive a bit to the next location, or just stay in Flam.

Where to stay in Flam?

Best accommodation for families: Two-bedroom apartment in beautiful Flåm Valley

Why stay here : Entire apartment with private parking, free wifi and beautifully furnished rooms. Perfect for a family of 4.

Best budget accommodation: Winjum Apartments Aurland Stegastein

Why stay here : Entire apartment with free wifi, private parking and stunning views of the Aurlandsfjord.

Best luxury hotel: Fretheim Hotel

Why stay here: Amazing breakfast, free parking, a restaurant and bar, free wifi and comfortable rooms.

Day 3: Time to relax

Seeing that the driving distances are exhausting, let’s squeeze in a day to relax. Of course, you don’t have to do nothing, you could always stay in Flam and book a tour or find another activity nearby. You could already drive to the next destination, which gives you more time for sightseeing there.

There are loads of options, but if you’re tired, just relax. You’ll see more of Norway in the next few days.

Check out this super cool drone shot that represents Norway’s mysterious landscape quite well.

Day 4: Geirangerfjord

On day 4, it’s time to drive to Geiranger. This world UNESCO site heritage may be one of the most beautiful fjords I’ve seen in Norway. It’s kinda like Flam, but even better. Plus, there’s a chocolate shop.

See, I’m a bit of a sucker for chocolates, especially ones with fruit filling. And the chocolates of Geiranger Sjokolade were the most amazing choccies I’ve ever had!

In Geiranger, you can book a boat tour , rent a kayak, or take a hike up the fjord.

There are many places near Geiranger where you can park your vehicle to go wild camping. Most places we wild camped at, you can find on the map at the beginning of this itinerary.

Where to stay in Geiranger?

The best accommodation in Geiranger is Hotel Union Geiranger Bad & Spa . With super comfortable rooms, a rooftop garden, and pools in and outside, this hotel is a great option! You’ll be able to completely relax in the spa & wellness centre, the 3 pools and 3 restaurants.

I highly recommend staying at the Hotel Union Geiranger !

Related posts:

• A Full Guide to Wild Camping in Norway + Wild Camping Tips
• Norway 10-Day Itinerary: Everything You Have to See in Norway!
• Norway Road Trip Cost: A Full Guide to Traveling Norway on a Budget
• Traveling Norway by Campervan: Everything You Need to Know!

Day 5: Trollstigen – Mardalsfossen – Sunndalsora

On day 5, it’s time to finally drive the famous troll’s ladder, aka Trollstigen! This road is such a wonderful road to drive, with a gorgeous waterfall. It’s only 2 hours from Geiranger . Make sure to make some photos of this wonderful road.

After driving the Trollstigen, it’s time for a little hike to the most epic waterfall in Norway. And this place isn’t touristy at all, which is so great!

From the Trollstigen, it’s about 2 hours to the waterfall .

This fall is called Mardalsfossen. With a free fall of 297 meters and a total of 655 meters , this is Northern Europe’s highest waterfall .

This hike is only around 45 minutes (single way). However, these 45 minutes are only to a certain point that’s easy to reach. After that, you can take a slippery rocky road to get closer to the waterfall.

I took this road and got so close to the waterfall, it felt unreal. You just need to be careful. But seriously, if you can, try to get as close to the waterfall as possible. It’s a place where you’ll feel so alive, plus you’ll get a proper shower.

From Mardalsfossen it’s only an hour and a half to get to the sleeping spot at Sunndalsora. On the map, you’ll find the exact spot.

Day 6: Time to relax

You must be tired after these full days. Good news, today you’ll be doing nothing at all! The spot where you’ve stayed is also a wonderful place for relaxing, taking a swim, and maybe having a little BBQ.

Day 7: Trollkyrkja – Atlantic Ocean Road

Now that you’re well rested and all, it’s time to get up early for a gorgeous, but a bit challenging hike! Trollkyrkja (troll’s church), is another epic place we visited in Norway. It’s called the troll’s church because, at the end of the hike, there’s a cave with a stunning waterfall inside !

This hike will take you around 4 hours to complete (up and back). Don’t forget to bring a flashlight or headlight, you’re gonna need it for the cave.

After hiking Trollkyrkja, it’s time to drive another cool road.

Have you ever heard of the Atlantic Ocean Road?

If not, it’s a road located on the coast of Norway. This road is 8,27 kilometers long and has 8 bridges . This road is quite cool to drive and from the rest stops it looks amazing!

Some people will say this road is only worth visiting if you have a drone to make awesome shots, but in my opinion, the Atlantic Ocean Road is something you just need to see (and drive) at least once in your life.

Day 8: Alesund

After these few days in nature, you’re probably up for visiting a charming old town. Alesund is the place to be. This coastal town is one of the coziest towns we visited in Norway. With its colorful houses, old streets, and surrounding hills, this place is a must-see town.

Alesund is only a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from the Atlantic ocean road . So I’d say, find a sleeping spot somewhere between the ocean road and Alesund.

Also, don’t be scared of taking ferries. For me it felt kinda weird, going on a ferry, but it wasn’t weird at all. Just hop on there, eat some typical ferry food (they sell delish hotdogs and sveler: Norwegian pancakes), have a bathroom break, and get on the road again!

When arriving in Alesund, it’s easy finding a parking spot, even for large vans. Then it’s time to just wander through this town, take in its beauty, visit some shops, and have a bite. Make sure to take some photos.

One day is enough to visit Alesund.

Where to stay in Alesund?

Best Budget accommodation in Alesund: City View Studio Apartment

Why stay here: Entire apartment with private parking, free wifi, a patio, and beautiful sea and city views.

Best luxury accommodation: Hotel 1904

Why stay here : Delicious breakfast, free wifi, comfortable rooms, and an amazing restaurant.

Day 9 & 10 : Olden – Loen

On days 9 and 10 you’ll visit what probably the most beautiful place is in all of Norway. The towns of Olden and Loen are kinda like glacial towns (if that’s a thing). At the foot of Jostedalsbreen national park are these towns. Surrounded by blue and ice-cold lakes, these towns have a certain charm.

Jostedalsbreen national park is Europe’s biggest glacier. There are tours you can book, to hike these glaciers. But don’t do it on your own, you need special equipment.

But seeing that Olden and Loen are at the foot of this glacier, makes the lakes outstandingly beautiful. Glacier water is so blue, it feels like you’ve stepped inside a fairytale! With green grass and mysterious mountains, it may just be the most breathtaking place I’ve ever visited.

If you choose not to hike the glacier (I didn’t because it’s expensive), there are lots of other activities in this area. You can hike among some mighty rivers, visit waterfalls, kayak the mirror-like lakes, or even take a swim (at around 4°C/32°F).

Where to stay in Olden/Loen?

Best budget accommodation: Nesset Fjordcamping

Why stay here: Beautiful balcony overlooking the fjord, free wifi, family rooms, free parking and great location.

Best luxury accommodation: Hotel Alexandra Loen

Why stay here: Comfortable rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wellness centre, 4 restaurants and great breakfast.

Best unique stay: Olden Glamping

Why stay here: Luxurious dome-like tent, fjord and mountain views, private beach area, free wifi and free parking.

There are endless ways to enjoy yourself in Olden and Loen, and you won’t be disappointed by the views you’ll get. Just take it slow and stay here for a day or two.

Day 11: Bondhusvatnet

On your way to the last destination, you’ll be visiting some more magic places. I recommend getting up early because you’re up for a long drive of 6 hours . I’d say hit the road around 9 am so you have some time for hiking the Bondhusvatnet trail.

This is the last long driving time, so make sure you enjoy it.

Bondhusvatnet is one of the hidden gems near Bergen. This hike is only about 2 hours in total and you’ll see some cool rivers and another glacial lake.

How’s this one different from the ones you’ve already seen, you may ask? Well, I can’t answer that. It’s just different and even more beautiful. Both the trail and the lake will take your breath away.

After this hike, you should probably just find a sleeping place nearby.

Day 12 : Fjellhaugvatn – Steindalsfossen – Bergen

If you aren’t tired of blue glacial lakes yet, you can visit another one: Fjellhaugvatn. This lake is said to be another hidden gem, and it’s close to the one you visited yesterday. I personally skipped this one, but if you can visit it, you probably should.

Then it’s time to drive an hour and a half in the direction of Bergen. On the road to Bergen, there’s a cool waterfall you should see. Steindalsfossen is a waterfall located near the road. No hike is required.

You can stand behind the waterfall and get a cool view from a bit higher point. This waterfall is also great for some Instagrammable photos, as you can get really close.

After spending a little time at this waterfall it’s time to go to your last destination in this itinerary; Bergen!

Make sure to book accommodation in this city, for the last 2 nights before leaving. And look into some parking opportunities, but it was quite hard, to find a parking spot for a 2,5-meter high van. There are no parking garages for this height and there’s a difficult system for parking at the side of the street. Make sure to do your research.

Where to stay in bergen?

Best budget hotel: Citybox Bergen City

Why stay here: Comfortable rooms, free wifi, cheap prices and great location.

Best overall hotel: Det Hanseatiske Hotel

Why stay here: Rustic-style rooms, very good breakfast, 2 restaurants, free wifi, affordable prices and located in the 16th century UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen District.

Day 13 & 14 : Bergen

This second-largest city in Norway is one of those places where you simply don’t want to have only a couple of hours. That’s why you need at least day 13 and maybe day 14 (depending on the time of your flight), to see all there is to see in Bergen , like:

• Floibanen and Floyen
• Bergen’s fish market
• Fantoft stave church
• Ulriken viewpoint

And simply the rest of the city is just fun to see. There are also shopping opportunities.

All in all, Bergen is a city you just can’t skip. It may even be more important to visit than Oslo (I’m sorry to those who disagree). There’s just too much to do and see, for everyone.

Travel through Norway

There are a few ways of traveling through Norway. You could travel Norway by train, cruise, car, or motorhome. Traveling through Norway by train or cruise, are some great options to choose from. However, they limit your options of things to see and do, as they only go so far.

Norway is one of the most popular countries for motorhome travel . As wild camping is allowed, you can easily park somewhere and just go to sleep. So when you’re visiting Norway, be prepared for all the campers you’ll come across.

And as the Norwegian roads sometimes go (literally) up the mountains, you can visit so many more places than when you’re taking a train. So traveling by car or motorhome is my favorite way of traveling through Norway .

And because of that, this 14-day itinerary is for traveling with a car or campervan.

Driving through Norway

One thing you really need to keep in mind is that driving in Norway is a whole new world. At least for me, it was, but that’s because I’m from flat country; the Netherlands.

Driving through Norway will not be hard, but you need to know some of the basics:

When driving the mountainous roads of Norway it’s important to make way for other people. There are a lot of opportunities to make some room for oncoming traffic, and you need to make use of them. They will do the same for you.

And not only oncoming traffic will need this, but if you’re a bit of a slow driver, you may also need to make way for people to pass you.

Put your lights on

In Norway, it is the law to drive with your lights on. So don’t forget to put them on every time you’re going out on the road!

But only when driving a van or motorhome. Some curves may be unclear, so if you’re driving on a narrow road, and a bend is coming, honk. Then people will know something big’s coming and it may give you peace of mind.

The roads aren’t as scary as they seem

You’ve probably heard of the Trollstigen, which means trolls ladder. This is a Norwegian road that’s famous for all its twists and turns. Although this is the most famous one, it’s not the only one… There are many roads like this, you probably won’t be able to avoid these.

But no worries! These roads are less scary than they seem.

Everyone who’s driving these roads is alert. If you are alert and calm as well, there’s nothing to worry about. Just drive slowly and before you know it, you’ve done an incredible job of driving a mountain road!

Norwegians drive really well

Yup. Norwegians may be the best drivers of Europe. I don’t know what else to say. Almost every Norwegian is just a good driver, I thought that may be nice to know.

Is Norway expensive?

There’s no easy way to say this…

Norway’s expensive.

Can’t go around that. But as we’re budget travelers, we have found a way for you to enjoy Norway on a low budget. Traveling Norway on a budget is possible.

And as in every other country, it really depends on how you spend your money and what you spend it on. Some things or products are really cheap and others are expensive. You just need to figure out what the local products are and live off of those. Because they will be cheapest.

Our post about budget travel in Norway also listed which products are the cheapest. So check out this post about Norway road trip cost !

Wild camping on your 14-day Norway itinerary

At least one thing you could save a ton on is accommodation. In Norway, it is allowed to go wild camping , under certain rules . But this means that you don’t have to pay for your accommodation, which makes your trip soooo much cheaper.

You can go wild camping in your car, or motorhome, or just take some tents with you. Please do consider this option, it’ll save you tons.

Final thoughts on the Norway itinerary for 14 days

And now we’ve come to the end of this 14-day itinerary through Norway. I hope you’re now informed enough on what to keep in mind, places to visit and what the country’s like.

Let me know why you want to visit Norway in the comments below!

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Norway itinerary for a 14-day road trip (with lots of hidden gems).

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How To Spend One Week In Norway: My 3 Top Norway Itineraries

August 7, 2022 by Silvia 65 Comments

These itineraries are all for one week in southern Norway, but you can find a comprehensive list of all 23 of my Norway itineraries for both the south and north here .

It seems like just about every day I get the same email from visitors to Norway, telling me that they only have one week in Norway and asking what the perfect Norway itinerary for that amount of time would be.

Usually, I say something annoyingly vague about how it really depends on how they want to spend their time, as the country is enormous and there are so many different things you could see in Norway in a week. And it’s true! I can think of so many different ways to spend a week in Norway that would make for the best vacation ever.

But I also get that all the options can be sort of overwhelming, and sometimes you just want someone in the know to tell you what to do. So that’s what I’m going to do.

I’ve been living in Norway for over six years, plus I’m a Norwegian citizen and spent every summer and Christmas in Norway while I was growing up. Why am I telling you this? Because I’ve seen so many Norway guides written by people who only ever visited for a week. And while that’s really great, this a an enormous country with loads of hidden gems that only locals know about.

And lucky for you I’m spilling my Norway secrets!

So I’ve come up with three different Norway itineraries for seeing as much as possible in one week. All of them can be adjusted, so you could probably make a five-day itinerary or 10-day itinerary from these as well – or you could combine them for a two-week itinerary. Lots of options here!

And if you need even more inspiration for your Norway trip, I’ve also compiled a huge list of over fifty things to do in Norway here (which I continue to add to with local recommendations).

I also have a two guidebooks covering everything you need to know to plan an epic Norway trip, which you can purchase 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. You  you can purchase the ebook here .   

The first itinerary really does require a car, the second is best as a road trip but can also (sort of) be done by public transport with some modifications, and the third solely uses public transport (though you could totally do it by car as well and see a lot more). When it comes to renting a car in Norway, I always recommend using Sixt .

Now, these itineraries are packed and include a lot of driving – they’re designed for people who want to see as much as they possibly can in their short time in Norway. So depending on how much time you want on the road you might need to cut out a day or two and do less each day instead. But I will say that driving in Norway is an experience in itself – you won’t be on any boring highways here, and I’ve made sure to take you along the most scenic routes.

Also, I’ve included the most scenic routes here, which often are mountain roads that unfortunately can be closed in the winter. If Google Maps doesn’t want to route you through one of these roads it usually means that the road is closed (but if you’re planning your trip in the winter and want to see the road, just change your departure time to a summer date and it should pop up).

Table of Contents

Norway itinerary #1: Cultural Heritage

I’m calling this one the cultural heritage itinerary because it takes you through several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic cities, and there’s even a stop at an old stave church! I feel like this would also be the best itinerary if you’re traveling with a family, as all the places and activities are super family friendly.

Day 1: Oslo – Notodden – Rjukan

The drive from Oslo to Notodden takes about an hour and 45 minutes, and ideally, you’ll want to leave in the morning so you can fit in more time in Rjukan later in the day.

Notodden is an Industrial Heritage Site, where you can see some of the industrial buildings from the early 20th century, including where the workers used to live. Notodden is also home to the Notodden Blues Festival , the largest blues festival in Scandinavia – hence the enormous microphone statue in the center of the city.

Though to be honest, there’s not a whole lot to see in Notodden. Like, it’s really interesting to see the town, but you don’t need to spend much time here – once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it.

The main reason you’re here is to see the Heddal Stave Church right outside of town. Built at the start of the 13th century, the Heddal Stave Church is Norway’s largest stave church, and it’s definitely worth a stop for some photos.

And then you’re going to turn off onto Fv651 for one of my favorite drives in all of Norway.  If the road is closed take Fv361 to Fv37 instead – also a beautiful route!

Gaustatoppen is probably my favorite mountain in Norway, and if it’s not too foggy you should be in for some gorgeous views. The drive up here does include some sharp hairpins, but I promise it’s not scary. And it’s one of my favorite drives in all of Norway – the views are  so gorgeous.

And Rjukan is also an Industrial Heritage Site, as well as simply a really interesting town in a very dramatic landscape.

Rjukan has an important WWII history, and while the town is in such a deep valley that it doesn’t get direct sunlight for six months of the year, recently they set up mirrors to reflect sunlight down into the town square – you should definitely check it out!

There are also lots of fun activities and sites to visit in Rjukan. I’ve written a complete guide to  things to do in Rjukan here .

ACCOMMODATION

If it fits in your budget, I would definitely recommend staying at Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell. You can read more about it in my post about Rjukan, but basically it’s beautifully decorated, has amazing views of Gaustatoppen, and is very Norwegian. Wins all around. Check current rates and availability here

Mid-range/budget

Kvitåvatn Fjellstue also has great views over Gaustatoppen and it’s much easier on your budget! Check current rates and availability here

Apartments/cabins

There are also quite a few holiday home options in Rjukan , such as this idyllic cabin , this charming apartment , and this beautiful chalet .

Day 2: Rjukan – Haukeli – Odda

The drive today is SO beautiful – like, I’m feeling a little jealous just writing about it because I want to do this drive again and again.

Driving from Rjukan to Odda takes just a little over three hours, so if you didn’t have time yesterday you could take a couple of hours in the morning to explore Rjukan a bit more.

Then you’re going to start the hair pinned climb up towards Rauland, passing the Vemork Heavy Water Museum on your left as you’re driving out of town.

You’ll then drive through Rauland (where I lived for three years!), and over Haukeli pass before descending towards Odda. Haukeli pass is stunning – if you’re new to Norway you’re really going to be blown away as this sort of landscape is so unique to Norway. You can read more about this drive in this post about driving from Rauland to Hardangerfjord .

When you get to Odda I’d recommend driving farther down Hardangerfjord, as it really is so beautiful.

ACCOMMODATION NEAR ODDA

To be honest, Odda doesn’t have great accommodation options (plus hotels in town book up really quickly because Trolltunga is such a popular hike), so I’d recommend staying somewhere along Hardangerfjord instead. Hardangerfjord looks like something straight out of a fairytale – in fact you could happily spend a week just on Hardangerfjord if you wanted to extend your stay here and have a more relaxing vacation.

Utne Hotel dates back to 1722 and is perfect for anyone who enjoys unique, historical accommodation. Check current rates and availability here

Ullensvang is my favorite spot along Hardangerfjord, and Ullensvang Gjesteheim is a lovely little farm offering simple, budget-friendly accommodation. Check current rates and availability here

Hardanger Rom & Harmonium is in a lovely quiet town and run by the nicest owners. It’s not super budget, but it is an incredible value for how nice it is. Check current rates and availability here

If you’re on a tighter budget, Odda Camping is your best bet, with basic rooms and little cabins. Check current rates and availability here

Day 3: Odda – Bergen

The drive to Bergen is long but beautiful. You will have to take a ferry but don’t worry, they run often and you can pay for your ticket as you drive onto the boat – super easy (and yes, they accept card). I’ve done this journey a lot by bus, and it’s always so exciting when you start getting closer to Bergen!

ACCOMMODATION IN BERGEN

You can find a list of the best accommodation in Bergen for different budgets here , and the best hostels in Bergen here .

Day 4: Bergen

No driving today! Instead, take the day to explore Bergen. And you are going to  love Bergen. It’s easily Norway’s most beautiful city and it’s so loved for a reason. 

I’ve visited many times in the past few years, and my family loved making trips here when I was growing up as well. I have so many amazing memories from my trips to Bergen and I’m sure you’ll make some too. I’ve written a complete guide to things to do in Bergen here . 

If you’d like, you can also do some tours around Bergen, like this 2-hour Segway tour , this 3-hour self-guided tour , or this private tour with a local . Or if you want a truly unique experience,  check these adventure activity options  (like zip-lining and helicopter tours!).

Day 5: Bergen – Flåm – Gaupne – Lom

Okay, this drive is crazy long and you don’t have to do it all in one day as Day 6 is a much shorter day. However, I’d recommend trying to get as far as possible today because then you’ll have more time to explore the fjords tomorrow. Plus, this will be one of the most spectacular drives of the trip, I promise.

In fact, you’ll be driving along two of Norway’s National Tourist Routes, first over Aurlandsfjellet and then over Sognefjellet from Gaupne to Lom. You can read about this drive here: The Prettiest Road Trip from Bergen .

You could also break up this day by overnighting somewhere along Sognefjord. See accommodation options near Sognefjord here.

ACCOMMODATION   NEAR LOM

Fossheim Hotel is a historic hotel from 1897 in Lom, with a restaurant featuring gourmet dishes with local produce. Check availability and current rates here

The Elveseter Hotel is a family-run mountain lodge in Boverdalen full of traditional Norwegian art, wood carvings, and cozy fireplaces in the lobby area.  Check here for availability and prices

Døsen Gård is an excellent option if you can’t make it all the way to Lom by the end of the day – plus you’ll get views of the fjord! Check availability and current rates here

And if you’re up for driving farther, Sjåk Turistheim is the perfect option just past Lom. You can either book a room here or if you’re traveling with several people the cabins are excellent value. Check availability and current rates here

If you drive just past Lom you’ll find Furuly Camping, where you can get a cozy little cabin for surprisingly cheap – it’s an especially great deal if there are several of you traveling together! The cabins are basic and you do have to pay to use the shower, but your wallet will thank you. Check availability and current rates here

Day 6: Lom – Geirangerfjord (optional: Trollstigen)

Today you have a much shorter drive to Geirangerfjord, and then you can choose yourself where you want to explore.

But on your way, there be sure to take a small detour down Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, another National Tourist Route. I haven’t been able to mark it on the map because the road is still closed for the winter, but you just need to take a left onto route 258 for Strynefjellet. You can read why this road is so amazing here: The One Norwegian Road Trip You HAVE To Take .

Then you might want to head to Trollstigen, which is famous for its many hairpin turns and incredible views (you can read about the drive to Trollstigen here ), or you can head straight to your accommodation for the night to relax on the fjord.

You can take a look through this list of Geirangerfjord accommodation and find something that suits your interest and budget.

Optional extra detour: Ålesund & The Atlantic Road

At this point you’ll need to head back to Oslo if you only have time for a seven-day road trip, but if you have extra time you could go on to Ålesund, and then even up to Norway’s famous Atlantic Road (the one where the road goes over the water in beautiful bends). Read my guide to the Atlantic Ocean Road here

Ålesund is stunning and many Norwegians consider it the most beautiful city in Norway. It’s definitely worth a visit – in fact often when people ask me where to go in Norway if they can only visit one place, I tell them to visit Ålesund. You can read about things to do in Ålesund and the surrounding area here. 

Day 7: Hjelle – Oslo

This is a long last drive and the end bit is quite boring, but it would be a lot more expensive to drop off your rental car in a different location than you got it, so if you don’t want to pay the extra fee you’ll need to get back to Oslo! Otherwise, you can try to drop off your car in Ålesund and fly back to Oslo.

If you’re driving in the summer try to take the route through Beitostølen, as it’s the most scenic. Beitostølen is a famous ski destination and while the town itself is just a ski town, the surround nature and drive are stunning. It’s not showing up on the map now because the road is still closed for the winter, but it’s 431 kilometers and takes about 6 hours and 40 minutes.

ACCOMMODATION IN OSLO

You can see more of my recommendations for the best hotels and hostels in Oslo here .

Norway Itinerary #2: Southwestern Coast

While incredibly popular amongst Norwegians, foreign tourists often aren’t too interested in Norway’s southern coast. In fact, I remember being so excited to take my English boyfriend and his friend to Grimstad and Arendal, but they were totally unimpressed.

I think the reason is that the south has really nice weather to Norwegians, but for most foreigners, it’s still fairly cold and they’d much rather see Norway’s famous mountains and fjords than cottages and sailing boats.

But there was one area of southern Norway that impressed my English friends – in fact, I’d say it’s one of the nicest parts of all of Norway. And that’s where you’ll be heading this week! If you’re into hiking and amazing landscapes, this itinerary is for you.

Day 1: Kristiansand – Mandal – Flekkefjord – Brufjell

Mandal is one of my favorite towns in Norway – again, especially in the summer. It’s just so picturesque! Here you’ll find a town center with cobblestone streets, cafés where you can eat outdoors, and colorful wooden houses perched at the edge of the water. It’s so lovely.

And then the driving from Flekkefjord to Brufjell in Åna-Sira is  amazing . You can read more about Åna-Sira and climbing Brufjell here .

ACCOMMODATION NEAR BRUFJELL

If you want to be in Åna-Sira, stay at Logbua. Check current rates and availability here

If you want to be in a cute, quiet town, stay at the lovely Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell.  Check current rates and availability here

If you’d rather be in a bigger town, stay at the very elegant Grand Hotel Flekkefjord. Check current rates and availability here

The Maritime Fjordhotel is right by the Grand Hotel and a bit cheaper (but still very nice!).  Check current rates and availability here

Egenes Camping is right on the beach and especially good value if you’re traveling with several people. Check current rates and availability

You could also stay at this holiday cottage with four beds and a half bath. Check current rates and availability

Day 2: Brufjell – Stavanger

The start of this drive has possibly the most epic scenery I’ve seen in all of Norway. Seriously, the mountains here are so unique and simply incredible.

Then the road from Ogna to Bore is a National Tourist Road , and it’s worth stopping at the Kvassheim lighthouse and the beautiful Orrestranda beach.

I find the last bit into Stavanger sort of depressing as it’s basically the oil suburbs, but then Stavanger itself is a really lovely city worth wandering around – especially in the old town.

You could even spend an extra day exploring the old town in Stavanger, and even go sea kayaking around the archipelago .

ACCOMMODATION IN STAVANGER

If you like modern design hotels, you’ll love the newly renovated Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, right by the central station. Check current rates and availability here

Thon Hotel Stavanger is another beautiful modern choice, again right by the central station. Check current rates and availability here

Myhregaarden Hotel is on the higher end of mid-range, but I think this lovely boutique hotel is worth a bit of a splurge. Check current rates and availability here

Hotel Centrum Box offers basic rooms for amazing value considering how close it is to the city center. Check current rates and availability here

Stavanger St Svithun Vandrerhjem is a bit outside of the city center and not quite as good value as Hotel Centrum Box, but here you can have a private bathroom. It’s in a hospital, which makes for an interesting experience as well. Check current rates and availability here

There are also quite a few Vrbo options in Stavanger , like this dreamy seaside apartment , this modern studio downtown , and this beautifully renovated home .

Day 3: Stavanger – Ryfylke – Odda

This is one of the most famous drives in all of Norway, and for good reason. You’ll be passing by two of Norway’s most popular hikes, Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and Kjeragbolten, and then ending up near Norway’s third most famous hike, Trolltunga, which happens to be near one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, Hardangerfjord.

See below if you want to add an extra day to hike Preikestolen or Kjeragbolten.

Odda doesn’t have great accommodation options (plus hotels in town book up really quickly because Trolltunga is such a popular hike), so I’d recommend staying somewhere along Hardangerfjord instead.

Hardanger Rom & Harmonium is in a lovely quiet town and run by the nicest owners. It’s not super budget, but it is incredible value for how nice it is. Check current rates and availability here

There are a few Vrbo options around Odda , like this ground floor apartment with stunning views , this apartment near Trolltunga , or this apartment near Trolltunga

Optional extra day: hiking Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten, etc.

Instead of heading straight to Odda on Day 3, you could instead stay somewhere along the Ryfylke route and do some hiking.

The two most famous hikes in the area (and in all of Norway) are Preikestolen , or Pulpit Rock, and Kjeragbolten – the giant boulder wedged between two mountains.  Check here for all hiking options to Preikestolen  (you can even go on a guided snowshoe hike in the winter!) and check here for all hiking options to Kjeragbolten .

ACCOMMODATION NEAR LYSEFJORD

If you want to stay near the hikes, I’d choose Wathne Camping for budget accommodation, Verkshotellet Jørpeland for mid-range accommodation, or Preikestolen fjellstue , right by Pulpit Rock, for luxury accommodation.

Day 4: Odda – Bergen

Day 5: bergen.

Leave the car in the car park and take the day to explore Bergen! You can find some things to do in Bergen in here .

And there are so many tours and activities offered in Bergen – in fact when you see how much you can do here you might just decide to add an extra day to your Norway trip. Check here for tours and activities in Bergen, and check here for adventure activity options  (like zip-lining and helicopter tours!).

Day 6: Bergen – Hardangervidda – Rjukan

Okay, so the fastest way back to Kristiansand would be to get the highway back down the coast, overnighting in Haugesund or Stavanger. But if you really want to cram as much as you possibly can into your week in Norway, consider taking this longer, but oh so stunning route back to Kristiansand.

Today you’ll drive from Bergen over Hardangervidda, the largest plateau of its kind in Europe, which also happens to be home to one of the largest wild reindeer herds in the world. Part of this route is also a National Tourist Route in Norway.  If you want to split this day into two, you could camp up on Hardangervidda.

And then you’ll finish the day in Rjukan, one of my favorite towns in Norway. You can read about Rjukan here .

Day 7: Rjukan – Kristiansand

This is another beautiful drive.

You’re going to start the hair pinned climb up towards Rauland, passing the Vemork Heavy Water Museum on your left as you’re driving out of town. And then you’ll then drive through Rauland (where I live!) and up the dramatic valley of Dalen down towards Kristiansand.

Norway Itinerary #3: Public Transport Route

And with this itinerary, you can explore Norway solely by public transport! Of course, if you want more flexibility you could do this route by car instead, with some modifications.

The most popular public transport itinerary for people spending a week in Norway is by far getting the train from Oslo to Bergen, then doing Norway in a Nutshell , and returning to Oslo again by train. Norway in a Nutshell is a fine route, but personally I don’t think it shows off Norway’s best sights, but instead just its most convenient ones.

This route covers more ground, and personally, I think it would give you a much better introduction to Norway.

Day 1: Oslo – Røros

Today you’ll get the train from Oslo to Røros.

Founded in 1644, Røros is one of the oldest towns of wooden buildings in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This old mining town is definitely on the tourist path, but it’s far enough inland that it still doesn’t get as many visitors as the stops along the fjord cruise route.

Røros also happens to be my mother’s favorite place in Norway! If you’re into history and cute towns, you’ll love it. I’ve written more about things to do in Røros here .

In Røros I’d recommend staying at  Ålbyggården , which is housed in a beautifully renovated old barn and is conveniently just a 5-minute walk from the train station. This is actually one of my favorite places I’ve stayed in Norway, and is the perfect miss of culture and luxury.  Check current rates and availability here

If you want a cheaper option,  Solheim Pensjonat  is also right downtown, looks really lovely inside, and has excellent reviews.  Check current rates and availability here

Day 2: Røros – Trondheim

Get the train in the morning so you can have pretty much a full day to explore Trondheim – the first place I lived in Norway! To get started, try booking a  customized tour  with a local guide. You can  check prices and availability here .

For more, you can check out  my favorite things to do in Trondheim here .

I’ve written a list of the best hotels and hostels in Trondheim here .

Day 3: Trondheim – Kristiansund

Today you’ll either get the coastal express ferry from Trondheim to Kristiansund, which takes about 3.5 hours, or the Hurtigruten, which takes 6.5 hours. Coastal express tickets cost 680 NOK for adults and the Hurtigruten costs 700. And you don’t need to book the tickets in advance – you can just buy them on board with either cash or card.

Personally, I’d prefer to save time and take the express ferry, especially as while the Hurtigruten will be full of tourists, the coastal express is primarily used as a commuter service, so you’re unlikely to see any other tourists on board. But the schedule is a bit strange depending on what day you’re leaving, so you might have to get the Hurtigruten instead. You can find the coastal express schedule here  and the Hurtigruten here (you’ll need to translate it with Google).

Then take the afternoon/evening to explore Kristiansund! I’ve written more about things to do in Kristiansund here .

My personal favorite stay in Kristiansund is the Thon Hotel Kristiansund . I stayed in their standard double room and it was right on the water with views of the ocean out all of the windows. It felt like being in a boat! And the breakfast was superb (even post corona).

Day 4: Kristiansund – Ålesund

Today you’ll get Bus 100 from Kristiansund to Ålesund ( Kristiansund trafikkterminal platform 2 to Rådhuset i Ålesund ). The journey takes just under four hours and goes through some beautiful landscapes.

ACCOMMODATION IN ÅLESUND

Luxury 

Hotel Brosundet   is in a beautifully restored Art Nouveau warehouse, with views out over the water. This would be my #1 recommendation for a luxury hotel in Ålesund!  Check here for current room rates and more details

Scandic Ålesund   is also directly on the waterfront and has huge, spacious, modern rooms, many with sea views.   Check here for more details and current rates

Heart of Ålesund   is a 3-bedroom luxury apartment right in – you guessed it – the heart of Ålesund. I personally love staying at apartments and pretending to be a local, but this place also offers all the luxury aspects of a hotel. It even has a jacuzzi!  Check here for more details and current rates

First Hotel Atlantica is a four-star hotel in right on the canal in downtown Ålesund, but it offers surprisingly affordable mid-range hotel rates.  Check current rates here

Scandic Scandinavie is located in an old Art Nouveau building from 1905, but its rooms are spacious and modern.  Check current rates here

Budget 

Ålesund Hostel offers dorm accommodation downtown. Click here to see current rates and availability

Day 5: Ålesund (Geirangerfjord)

Take the day to explore Ålesund and the surrounding area. You can find a guide to things to do in Ålesund here .

You could also take a fjord cruise/bus into Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, or even go kayaking through the fjord !

Day 6: Ålesund – Åndalsnes

Today you’ll take bus 681 to Åndalsnes – you can simply buy tickets on board the bus.

And then from Åndalsnes you can get the bus to Trollstigen or, if possible, I would actually recommend renting a car for the day to drive to Trollstigen and the surrounding area, as there are some great places to explore here. You could also book a tour, check rates and availability here .

The Grand Hotel Bellevue is right in the town center with beautiful mountain views. Check current rates and availability here

Åndalsnes Hostel is about a 30 minute walk from the station (where the bus drops you off) but it’s the closest budget friendly accommodation. Check current rates and availability here

Day 7: Åndalsnes – Oslo

Today you can just relax on the train back to Oslo. Be sure to book your train tickets as far in advance as possible (up to 3 months), as the tickets will be much cheaper, starting at just 249 kroner.

You can see my recommendations for the best hotels and hostels in Oslo here .

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 them all the time, 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.

Just 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. Not so budget!

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.

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 (formerly NSB) train. You’ll see the Vy 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.

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.

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Jemy Massie says

May 19, 2018 at 6:23 am

Thank you, Silvia! This is the most helpful itinerary I’ve read so far.

Silvia says

May 19, 2018 at 1:31 pm

Happy you found it helpful!

Zoie @ Whisked Away By Words says

May 20, 2018 at 8:48 pm

I’ve discovered your blog about a week ago, when I was looking up tidbits about the Norwegian culture (since I’ve just started learning Norwegian 😊)… and I am absolute IN LOVE with your blog. It’s amazing that you’ve been to over 80 countries, but even more amazing that you’ve documented so many of your travels around the world. I lost myself in your posts about backpacking in Asia and Central Asia, which is what I want to do in my future — perhaps during my gap year after high school?

Anyways, it’s so inspiring to read about your travels and experiences wandering through this globe! I love the mix of storytelling and practical advice you have on this blog, and I can’t wait to read more about your adventures!

May 21, 2018 at 4:46 pm

Ah that makes me so happy! And a gap year in Asia sounds like an amazing idea – I’m actually always saying that I wish I had taken a little time off between high school and university.

The Stylish Traveler says

May 21, 2018 at 4:30 pm

Norway looks like such an incredible place to travel! Thanks so much for sharing your routes! I feel so inspired to plan a trip!

May 21, 2018 at 4:44 pm

It really is a dream – I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

May 22, 2018 at 12:17 pm

Love your blog! Thanks! We are doing the exact same route by rented car of Itenary 1, day 3 early Sept, but in the opposite direction: Bergen to Odda. Google maps is giving me 135km and 2hr47min for that stretch on the exact route ( Bergen, Asane, Trengereid, Norbygda, Tysse, Eikedalen, Northeimsund, Torvikbygd, Jondal, gjetingsdalen, eitrheim, Odda). This is freaking me out now, as according to your google map it is 269km and takes 5hr39mins. I still need to travel up to Voss on the same day for our booked hotel accommodation. Can you please shed some light on what could be the difference in time and distance😱. I’m travelling with a two year old so I really need to plan well. Appreciate any help!

May 22, 2018 at 12:25 pm

That’s SO weird – I’ve reloaded the map and now it’s displaying correctly – 135 km is correct, and it shouldn’t take longer than 3 hours tops. Have fun!

May 23, 2018 at 1:24 pm

Fantastic!😅Soooo looking forward to our Norway trip early Sept travelling all the way from very sunny South Africa! I am basically following all your advice on the most scenic routes to take! Congrats with such an amazing blog! And thank you!

May 23, 2018 at 11:16 pm

Oh wow that is exciting! And I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the blog, it’s always great to hear.

Deepak says

May 28, 2018 at 7:41 pm

Your blog is awesome … It’s so much of information and no one can miss anything .. thanks for the details intenerary .

I am planning to visit Norway in September last week . But I have 5 days . Can you please suggest me the best I can cover in 5 days if I start and end my trip in Oslo?

Previously I had plans to go via tourist operator for Norway in nutshell.. now after reading your blog I have made up my mind that I will be renting a car and driving on my own.

I will expect a reply from you or details in my mail so that I can plan accordingly .

Thanks in advance.

Regards, Deepak

May 30, 2018 at 5:53 pm

I would do the first itinerary and either return to Oslo on Day 5, or skip Day 4 in Bergen and return to Oslo on Day 6.

Patti D. says

May 31, 2018 at 3:56 pm

Does the buses and trains allow luggage? I am wanting to book my own Norway in a Nutshell and stay over in bergen, but wasn’t sure what if we can bring suitcases.

June 5, 2018 at 11:09 pm

Yes! I’m not sure if the public bus has a separate luggage compartment, but at least the trains have loads of room for luggage. A lot of people do the route with their suitcases, so you should be fine.

June 10, 2018 at 5:27 pm

hello there! thank you for all your insights! i’m planning to follow the first itinerary and wonders if there are any downsides to do this in the reverse direction? reason being ill depart from Oslo airport straight away and passing through Oslo on the first day doesn’t seem necessary. and do you think camping along this route is possible? could you write about camping in norway please? thank you again!

June 11, 2018 at 9:42 pm

I don’t see why you couldn’t do this in reverse. Camping along the route should be possible – you’ll just need to stay a bit outside of towns, or pay to stay at campsites. I’ve written a bit about camping here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/plan-road-trip-norway/ and here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/blog/cheap-accommodation-norway-budget/

June 30, 2018 at 6:11 am

Hi Silvia.. Will be planning my trip next year to see Aurora borealis.. Any idea the best Month and location that can see this beautiful things. And road trip is more affordable than public transportation?? Is the food really so expensive?? Can Share more insight on yr trip and cost??

July 2, 2018 at 1:14 pm

You can find more information about seeing the aurora here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/tips-northern-lights-norway/ and here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/blog/best-northern-lights-europe-abisko/ and information about transport here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/budget-travel-transportation/ and food here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/budget-eating-food/

July 4, 2018 at 3:53 am

Hi Silvia, Thanks for putting together amazing itineraries . I really like the itinerary #3. Can this be done completely by car and if so what modifications do you recommend?

July 4, 2018 at 10:59 am

Definitely! Then you can drive from Trondheim to Kristiansund instead of taking the ferry.

Andrew says

August 1, 2018 at 6:44 pm

Hi Silvia, first of all thanks for such a great blog. So much helpful information, especially on this page 🙂 we’re coming to Norway during the last week of August and basically will be roughly following your itinerary 1. However we have some doubts on day 5 & 6…as it seems that from Bergen you go to Lom, followed by Lom to Hjelle the next day. Is it possible to go from Bergen straight to Hjelle (via another route?) and then from Hjelle to Lom? We have to go back to Oslo on day 7 in any case, so it seems like this could save us some driving time. Any thoughts? Thanks again!

August 8, 2018 at 6:14 pm

This is just amazing Silvia , Great blog ! I really hope I have enough time to book and plan the trip accordoing To your itinerary at least for public transport route. Currently I have already booked the usual tour and visiting the tourist crowded hike and towns in this August . Hopefully I could revisit The beautiful Norway another time !

Jennifer Krier says

October 4, 2018 at 8:16 pm

We are a family of five (two parents and three young adult “kids”) and interested in visiting Norway, especially since my paternal grandfather, Richard Grimsrud, was Norwegian. Here’s the thing; we really prefer to stay in one place if possible, and to minimize our car time. We prefer to stay in a very small town or village where we can walk and swim (assuming it gets warm enough to swim in Norway!) and shop and eat at cute cafes and restaurants and get places mostly on foot. Is there any picturesque place that comes to mind that might be good for us? We hope to come from Boston in the summer. We also are really interested in culture and history. So appreciate hearing your thoughts!

October 6, 2018 at 12:30 pm

Check out this post: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/where-to-go-in-norway/

October 13, 2018 at 2:20 am

Thank you for the really good tips and details. We are planning to visit Oslo in 2nd week of November for 3 nights.Initially we wanted to plan the train trip to Bergen and go for cruise explore nature but given its going to be winters maybe its better to decide once there. Can you suggest if its okay at least for the city break in November if not nature trip? And do you have any suggestions to make the best out of our visit in such weather? Appreciate all your help on this.

Elaine Mayer says

December 26, 2018 at 3:51 am

This is very helpful. We plan to take summer trip next year and believe we use one of the route. Thank you so much for put together these useful information.

January 31, 2019 at 8:40 am

Thanks for the great post. My family of four will have a one week stopover this June in Norway en route from Doha to Seattle. My ancestors come from around Bergen and it’s always been a dream to visit the Stolen family. My kids will be 3 and 5 at the time. They do not do too great on long road trips, but we definitely want to see the country and get to Bergen. We love the outdoors and are an adventurous family (traveled Albania, 30 days on camino del norte, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey…). What would you recommend for a 6 day journey, getting to Bergen and getting outdoors? Are there perhaps two good spots where we can spend 3 nights in each? Thanks! Joe

February 2, 2019 at 3:20 pm

I don’t really know anything about traveling with kids, but maybe you can fly straight into Bergen and then rent a car and spend a few days somewhere along the fjord, like one of these places: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/best-sognefjord-accommodation/

March 20, 2019 at 12:46 am

My family and I have about a week to travel from Oslo to Bergen. This will be in mid April. Our goal is to take our time and stay in a couple small towns and see natural beauty (and Norwegian culture!).

My research (and your blog) indicates that this whole area is great and it’s hard to go wrong. What would be your suggestion on the best route this time of year? Thanks so much!

March 27, 2019 at 12:15 am

I really want to take you up on your suggestions and skip most the cities. Most your itineraries include Oslo. Any recommendations on a 7 day trip flying into Bergen or Aselund. My wife and I, always happy skipping some of the more crowded hikes and dense tourist areas. We could only do a late May trip. You wrote a great post on Hardangerfjord, but it made us worried we should postpone Norway until a September trip was better for us.

Thank you! Rick

Hannah Thompson says

April 10, 2019 at 6:42 pm

Great page! We have a really short trip flying into Oslo on the 15th of May and flying back out from Oslo on the 20th. We have rented a car and want to get to Bergen and then back to Oslo on the evening of the 19th. Read many different suggestions but want to cram in as much as possible in only a 4 day car trip there and back. What do you suggest on the trip from Oslo to Bergen and then the route back from Bergen to Oslo? Want to see the nature, waterfalls, small towns, fjords, borgund church and then have enough time to explore Bergen. Thanks so much

Shyla Myrick says

May 10, 2019 at 7:30 pm

My husband and I are flying into Bergen in June and have about 5-7 days before heading to Stockholm. We like to have a home base and day trip out. We do like to avoid crowds when possible. From other travel sites I was considering Balestrand, but wanted to see if you had any other thoughts or better suggestions.

Thanks for your time!

May 17, 2019 at 8:27 am

Thanks for your amazing blogs. Just a quick question on travelling by public transport in Norway. Is it necessary to pre book train/cruises/ buses in the fjords or could it be done on the day of travel at the ticket counters?

May 17, 2019 at 6:41 pm

Yes, you should prebook everything (except some buses).

Padmapriya Sridharan says

June 21, 2019 at 1:32 pm

Hi Silvia, I’m traveling from India and I have a young 2 year old child. Is there a longer itinerary that I can perhaps refer to which can be done using public transport alone?

July 9, 2019 at 11:08 pm

Curious, do you have recommendations for what to do in Flam, and have you been to Hammerfest? Or Kristiansund? Those three are on my itinerary so welcome any feedback/ideas for things to check out!

August 25, 2019 at 9:36 pm

Thank you for all the info! I’m looking at itinerary #1 on here and was just trying to look up rental cars – how are the roads in Norway? Can I get a smaller, cheaper car or do you think I’ll need a 4×4? Thanks!

September 2, 2019 at 4:10 pm

A smaller, cheaper car will be fine.

Leelee says

September 23, 2019 at 3:41 am

Hi Silvia! Would you recommend adding Lofoten Islands to your 1st itinerary if we had 10 days? Instead of driving back towards Oslo, fly from Alesund into Harstad-Narvik airport (if that’s even a possibility)? We want to try and get as much in but I’m thinking we may not have enough time on this trip (1st part of September). Thanks for the advice!

September 23, 2019 at 11:43 am

You will have to pay a high fee for a one-way car rental, but if you don’t mind the added cost then I think you could manage to fit Lofoten in!

November 18, 2019 at 1:39 pm

Hi Silvia, thank you for the detailed article, it is very useful. Which option do you recommend doing in December (around Christmas time), we are thinking of renting a car.

December 9, 2019 at 10:47 pm

Hi Silvia, I have been looking up Norway itineraries for a while now and yours just seem perfect… And there is 3 to choose from now so thank you so much for writing about these. Just a quick question – Would we be about to do most of itinerary #1 in the first week of April? Or will roads be closed?

December 10, 2019 at 3:14 pm

They should all be open by April, unless there’s a crazy storm or something.

December 12, 2019 at 11:31 pm

Thanks so much Silvia.

February 6, 2020 at 9:38 pm

I’m planning a surprise trip with my fiance and trying to figure out the best and reasonably priced way to see Norway in 6 nights. It looks like a rental car would be crazy expensive. Based on your posts, it looks like Bergen, Geiranger, and Alesund would be stops we could probably make. Is it possible to have a good trip with this plan? Would I be able to take the rail system from Bergen to Geiranger, Geiranger to Alesund? I’m thinking we’d fly from Alesund back to Bergen. I’m trying to make the most of the 6 nights on this trip so if you have any suggestions or edits, that would be great and appreciated! I’m also open to traveling from Oslo as opposed to Bergen, but let me know what would be easier.

Thanks! Jerry

February 9, 2020 at 1:13 pm

Were you looking to pick up and drop off the car in different places? It’s much cheaper if you pick up and drop off in the same place. The train line doesn’t go between Bergen and Geiranger (you can check the train map here: https://www.vy.no/globalassets/vy.no/filer-no/linjekart/nye-linjekart/linjekart-vy-norge.pdf ) so you would need to take a bus instead. I don’t like the village of Geiranger that much, but the area around that fjord is beautiful. I have some recommended places to stay here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/best-geirangerfjord-hotels/ Have a great trip!

Suzy Zid says

February 11, 2020 at 2:24 am

Loving this post and your blog generally! I am planning to do a week of road trip in Southwestern Norway this September.

I would like to ask regarding the 1st itinerary for the route back from Hjelle to Oslo, you said to take route through Beitostølen. I tried doing that on Google Map, setting to depart in September so the road should be open. Apparently, the road is one-way, that is, from Beitostølen to Hindsæter only and not possible for the other way around. Could you please advise on this or any other scenic route for from Hjelle to Oslo? Thank you so much!

Sarute L. says

February 17, 2020 at 7:14 am

Thank you for taking the time to put all these tips down in writing.

A quick question on cruises through Geirangerfjord (or any other fjords, if you have been on them). 1. Are they worth taking, or are views throughout the drive equally as spectacular? 2. Do you recommend taking the cruise through Geirangerfjord from Alesund or Geiranger? (I know you’re not a big fan of the Geiranger town).

Much appreciated once again.

February 17, 2020 at 10:59 am

Personally I prefer the views from the road, but I also get seasick very easily, haha. I would do whichever works better in your schedule as you’ll get similar experiences, but if I had to choose I would take the cruise from Alesund.

Santosh says

June 21, 2020 at 4:01 pm

First of all, great piece of information. Already feels like I know so much about the place. What places would you suggest if one has 10 days to explore Norway, flying in & out of Oslo, will be using public transport & have to have Lofoten in itinerary.

Also, do you have any ideas about renting motorcycles in/around Lofoten islands.

Bigg thanks for the advice in advance.

June 23, 2020 at 5:05 pm

If you only have 10 days I would head from Oslo up to Lofoten – you can get the train to Bodø and rent a vehicle there and get the ferry across to Lofoten. On the train up you could stop in Røros and Trondheim and maybe Mosjøen – I have guides to all of them on my blog, so check them out and see what looks interesting!

Chelsea Kalyn says

September 28, 2021 at 3:56 am

WOW I have spent at least 3 hours clicking through a TON of these Norway posts. Any recommendation for a 2 week itinerary. Ideally start and end in Oslo. I’m thinking renting a car will be the best bet. I for sure want to hit all of the “typical” tourist sports such as trolltunga hike but want off the beaten path places to visit as well (a good mix of both). I won’t have camping equipment so will need cities to stay in overnight.

Any must see hikes in your opinion?

I’m thinking June for a time frame would there be a good place to spend midsummer’s festival and when is it in Norway?

Laetitia says

April 26, 2022 at 5:52 pm

Thanks for this excellent blog.Huge information very interesting.

We plan our Norway road trip for 20 days (19 nights) in July. Below our program. My question is about time to drive to all these destinations and if we should skip some of them to stay more time in the main “must-see sites”.

Any thoughts?

Really appreciate all your help on this and thanks for your time

1 Hirtshals Larvik (Ferry) – Oslo 2 oslo oslo 3 oslo Lillehammer – otta 4 otta Trondheim 5 Trondheim kristiansund 6 kristiansund Alesund 7 Alesund Geiranger 8 Geiranger Geiranger 9 Geiranger hellesylt – loen 10 loen sogndal 11 sogndal flam 12 flam bergen 13 bergen bergen 14 bergen odda 15 odda odda (Trolltunga hike) 16 odda stavanger 17 stavanger stavanger 18 ??? ??? (to program, no decided yet) 19 stavanger Kristiansand 20 Kristiansand Hirtshals (Ferry)

June 21, 2022 at 9:25 am

Just got back from a week in Norway and followed your itinerary from Oslo to Bergen and back. Great recommendations with some hidden gems that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The highlight was our stay in Aurland/Flam and the fjord cruise. Thanks for the info and inspiring a memorable family vacation.

July 27, 2022 at 6:21 am

Hi! I found you from tiktok and thought this blog was very helpful! Is there a route you’d recommend for our trip? We are flying into Oslo and flying out of Bergen for a 7 day trip next month. We are a young active couple looking forward to hiking 🙂

July 28, 2022 at 9:09 am

I would do the first itinerary!

August 9, 2022 at 1:55 pm

I’m planning a roadtrip in Norway based on your itinerarys #1 and #2, but I don’t have more than 4-5 days. Living in Stockholm I’m thinking I could fly to Bergen, rent a car, follow your day 1 for itinerary #1 to Sogndal, but instead of continuing to Lom go straight north to Loen (or thereabouts). After that Geirangerfjord (via Gamle Strynefjellsvegen) – Åndalsnes (Trollstigen) – Ålesund. Return the car in Ålesund (if possible) and fly home to Stockholm. Does it sound like a feasible/sensible (first time) trip to Norway in max 5 days?

August 9, 2022 at 2:33 pm

Yeah that sounds like a great plan, however returning the car in Ålesund is going to be really expensive. If you need to cut it shorter, I would skip Ålesund and just do Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord from Bergen and then return to Bergen.

August 9, 2022 at 4:04 pm

Thanks for the reply! I checked Sixt and you’re right, it’s seems to be really expensive. I guess I’ll have to rethink and decide whether I want to use Bergen or Ålesund as my starting point.

Bekah Knudson says

September 13, 2022 at 11:36 pm

My husband and I (from Texas) just returned from Norway and I pretty much used your blog as my Bible while planning. We used your recommended itinerary (the first one) and we had AN AMAZING TIME. I wanted to come on here and thank you, because I think the only reason we were able to get so much from our trip was by following your suggestions.

We flew in to Oslo and ended in Ålesund. We are obsessed with how beautiful Norway is, and how each day had something totally different to offer. We were super prepared for rain, but we lucked out and it was sunny skies the whole time we were there and beautiful temperature. The only time we strayed from your itinerary was in Lom. We took route 55 and it was closed due to an avalanche! So we ended up staying in Bøverdalen since there’s not an easy way around that. We just got to enjoy the mountains an extra way as we drove back down and around.

We met so many wonderful people. The culture in Norway is so different from America – very kind, friendly and selfless. My husband’s great grandparents were Norwegian and immigrated to North Dakota from Stavanger (which we didn’t make it to) but it was fun getting to see his heritage and a lot of people noticed our last name was Norwegian. That was probably the first time since I’ve been married that I’ve heard anyone pronounce it correctly! 🙂

All of the hotels we stayed in were INCREDIBLE. We mostly booked your suggestions, unless they didn’t have availability. The whole time we were there I was constantly saying “Ohhh, I remember Silvia saying this or that..” haha

So, THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping us have the experience of a lifetime. It was my first time leaving the USA, so your blog helped everything go incredibly smooth and helped us prepare greatly.

September 14, 2022 at 12:01 pm

Oh wow, I’m so happy that you had such an incredible trip! And that you found my suggestions useful. Thanks so much for telling me!

Laura S. - Western MA says

January 17, 2023 at 6:36 pm

Hi Silvia, These itineraries are terrific, thank you for sharing. We’re interested in spending 3-4 days taking day hikes from a home base small city or small town. So we can hike during the day and come back to someplace for meals, with maybe coffee shops, bakery, etc. Do you have a suggestion for a great home base?

January 17, 2023 at 8:47 pm

Ålesund/Sæbø or Sakrisøy in Lofoten! https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/alesund-travel-guide/ https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/hjorundfjord-norway-beautiful-fjord/ https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/lofoten-road-trip/

Alisha says

April 9, 2024 at 11:19 am

Do you think instead of doing Bergen – Flåm – Gaupne – Lom I can do Bergen – Flåm – Hjelledalen? I am short on time!

April 9, 2024 at 11:24 am

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Once a full-time nomad, I'm now trying to find a balance between continuing to explore off the beaten path places around the world while also building a home in Norway. Want to know more? Head to my About page !

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