Norway Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Hotels, Food Places, Shopping Streets, and Everything You Need to Know

Day by Day Itineraries

In One Week

With Norway's vast distances it would be a good idea to try and push your itinerary for 10 days-2 weeks. But if you can't quite make that you can still see a good portion of what the country has to offer and make the most important landmarks. We've noted plenty of them already. Using the bus is easiest in city locations since public transport is timely and you won't have to worry about parking.

Day 1 &2: OSLO

Unless you're flying in from nearby you'll probably be dealing with a substantial time difference, not to mention the midnight sun if you're visiting in the summer. Most international flights fly into Oslo and while you adjust to the new timezone you can leisurely explore the city. Ideally choose a hotel that is right in the city center as it is closest to most sights. Use the number 30 Bus and the number 12 Tram to get to most of these: The opera House, The Viking Ship Museum, Karl Johans Gate, The National Gallery, and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. You can find a variety of traditional Norwegian gifts at Den Norske Husfliden under the GlasMagasinet Strovet across from Oslo Cathedral. If you have time get in the Akershus Fortress and the Royal Palace. Consider taking in some of the National Ballet or Opera at night as their world renowned performances are truly moving.

Day 3: SOGNEFJORD

This is Norway's most famous fjord and it is also the deepest and longest. A trip to Norway would not be complete without seeing it. Beware it is a 12 HOUR trip, but the scenery on the journey alone is worth the time which is why it is worth taking the railway to get there. Book your transportation in advance through a company lie Norway in a Nutshell for convenience. Your travel experience will be much more expedient since they will be in charge of your travel schedule. If you don't want to carry your bags Norway has several porter services that will transport them from town to town for you at a reasonable charge. You'll arrive in Bergen tonight.

Day 4: Bergen

Bergen has a beautiful historic vista and is a quiet reprieve from cosmopolitan Oslo. Spend the day walking the wharf to view the traditional wooden houses. Eat at the iconic fish market for price and convenience when you are done. There are also a variety of Norwegian gift shops close by. Dale (pronounced dolla) is a short 45minute train ride which has an outlet for one of the biggest traditional Norwegian wool companies - Dale of Norway. You can learn about the famous sweaters and see the living museum as well as getting up to 50% off at the store. The journey is quite short so if you're up early it can be done before lunch. Take the cable car at sunset to the top of one of the seven mountains so you can see the view.

Days 5: Alesund

Known as the fairytale town the sccnery here is reminiscent of many Scandinavian fairy tales. The city was destroyed by fire which means much of the architecture is from it's rebuilding period of the Art Nouveau style. It has many historical and cultural sites but it is considered the fishing capital of Norway. Fly in for less than $100 on a morning regional flight to save time. Stroll along the harbor to Kongens Gate and then visit the Art Nouveau Center where you can learn the towns history. Take the short hike up the mountaintop to see the town from the Aksala Viewpoint. Make sure you have the local fish for dinner as it is very fresh. You can also experience local sweets and their famous chocolate cake at the Martin Walderhaug Bakery where the same recipes have been used for over 110 years.

Day 6: Geiranger

The easiest way to get here is by renting a car and starting out early towards Geiranger town. There are plenty of places to take pictures along the route and it's only just over 60 miles so you can take it slow and enjoy the scenery. Geiranger is a small town, most things will close by 6 and there is only one small street with food and such but you're here for the scenery. The chocolate shop and gallery are a must to visit. This is a day to simply relax and enjoy a true Norwegian village.

Day 7: Geirangerfjord & Trollstigen

Make sure you get up early and get to the Geiranger Sightseeing Cruise before 9.30. The ticket office opens 30 minutes before and the cruise lasts an hour and a half. It's exceedingly cheap at only about $15 a person and is the only way to really see the fjord. On your way back into Oslo you're going to drive the Trollstigen or Troll's Highway, so called because it's a very windy mountain pass with a steep 10% grade and 11 sharp hairpin bends. This route is not advised traveling after October and before May and is often not open at all. Plan on driving for around 2 hours to include photographs and stops before you get to Trollstigen. When you arrive you will be able to view the valley from the 2300ft overlook. As you wind down the road the town of Andalsnes has two overlooks, including one above the Stigfossen waterfalls which is a short walk off the highway. Drop off the rental car in Andalsnes and take the train back to Oslo via Dombas. Or if you're cutting it late and flying directly out there is also a connection from there direct to Oslo airport.

The Basics

Getting Around

Due to the huge variance in population and terrain each region has it's own pitfalls when traveling, because of the remote nature of some areas public transport is unavailable and often sporadic in winter months. Planes and boats are often the only means of reaching some island regions like the Svalbard.

North:

Traveling to northern Norway is usually best by air, it is possible to drive and some parts do have rail links. Several cities offer non-stop flights including Oslo to Bardufoss, Oslo and Trondheim to Bod, Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen to Troms. Troms airport also offers some limited international flights from London, Stockholm, and Murmansk. Since the region is vast there are many domestic flights available from the dozen or so small airports and regional hubs but these are fairly expansive.

E6 is the main route into northern Norway by car however the distance is substantial. From Oslo into northern Norway is 800Km while the rest is approximately 1,600Km and from Trondheim to Troms alone is 1,1600Km. E8 connects Troms to Finland, and E105 Kirkenes to Russia. Winter tires are a necessity if you plan to drive outside of the summer months and are required by law. Some roads are often impassible in winter and may be closed with heavy snow. Traveling by car is practical but is also only suggested for those comfortable with extreme distances and weather as well as taking into account the lack of daylight in winter. E6 for example takes around 24 hours non stop to drive the entire section through northern Norway even at 60Km/h.

Due to the remoteness of much of the north train travel isn't particularly functional. Trains go as far north as Fauske and Bod as well as from Sweden into Narvik. Usually there are two trains per day though journeys can be upwards of 9 hours and are available overnight. Troms and Finnmark do not have rail links.

The Hurtigruten sails along the coast from Bergen to Kirkenes and stops at 25 ports in northern Norway. There are also express boards such as that from Troms to Harstad which takes less than three hours.