10 days road trip norway

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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

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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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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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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!

No time to read now pin it for later.

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…

This post may include affiliate links . I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase through my affiliate link. Please read my full  disclosure & privacy policy  for more information.

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

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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: Itineraries + Guide from a local!

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Norway is an incredibly scenic country full of majestic gems, loaded with cultural experiences, and packed with outdoor adventures and activities for you. The country is big enough to spend an entire lifetime exploring ( it’s what I’ve been doing ). But what if you have only a week or 10 days to visit Norway? Born and raised in Norway and still exploring it bit by bit, I have crafted the perfect itinerary for 10 days in Norway to help maximise your travel experience while you visit!

This Norway travel itinerary is geared towards the fjord-explorers, the hikers, and even the city-walkers. In other words, it is focused towards all kinds of travellers. The months between May to September are considered the best time to visit Norway by most travellers. Hence, the first suggested ‘10 days in Norway’ itinerary in this post is centred on travelling during those months.

However , if you plan a visit to Norway in the winter to chase the Northern Lights, you will have to travel further north than what I have suggested in the first itinerary. Therefore, I have created a second 10-day itinerary for Norway further down in this guide, highlighting a 10-day itinerary for the Aurora-chasers visiting Norway.

As always, I recommend you head this way to browse all my Norway itineraries (ready for immediate download).

Table of Contents

10 Days in Norway: The Perfect Summer Itinerary

As mentioned, the first of the two Norway 10 day itineraries I have created covers travelling Norway in the warmer half of the year, and covers several Norwegian highlights that are likely to be on your bucket list for your trip.

Brief overview of the itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
• Day 2: Explore Oslo

Day 3: Fly to Stavanger and explore Stavanger

• Day 4: Lysefjord cruise and Pulpit rock hike

Day 5: Fly to Bergen and explore Bergen

Day 6: train to flam, day 7: drive to odda and explore hardangerfjord, day 8: hike trolltunga.

• Day 9: Drive to Oslo
• Day 10: Depart Oslo

Detailed Norway 10-day Itinerary (Summer)

Most international flights to Norway land in Oslo – one of the rapidly growing capitals in the world. Hence, the Norway 10-day itinerary begins here. The environmentally friendly city of Oslo is also called the ‘Green Capital of Europe’.

Oslo is really easy to get around using public transport. However, the best way to see Oslo is to take a self-guided walking tour around the city after you make your way to the city centre. On the other hand, it’s totally acceptable to begin with a fair amount of rest in the hotel once you arrive.

Head this way to find a list of the best hotels in Oslo, Norway .

There are plenty of unique ways to explore Oslo, whether you are on a budget or looking for a luxurious holiday. Begin your 10 days in Norway tour with a visit to the waterfront areas along the Oslofjord. Aker Brygge is an upscale harbour-front of Oslo with gorgeous views of the fjord. You could enjoy savouring some great Norwegian food in this area.

Oslo is an architect’s dream, filled with creatively designed buildings and monuments. Spend your afternoon visiting the art museums like the Astrup Fearnley Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Norwegian Folk Museum. In case you are not a museum-buff, visit the Royal Palace in Oslo and watch the Changing of Guards.

In the evening, take a walk either at the Vigeland Sculpture Park or along the Akerselva River . You could also opt to hire a local guide and get an exclusive tour around Oslo. Having lived in Oslo for 2 years, I’ve made a list of 30 fun things to do in Oslo that you can add to your itinerary for Norway if you have a few more days in this capital town.

After a comfortable night stay in Oslo, board a flight to Stavanger, a city on the southwestern tip of Norway. Stavanger is a coastal town and has a beautiful harbour. You will be swayed by its picturesque streets and the white wooden houses dating back to the Middle Ages.

Stavanger is a small city and can be explored on foot. Walk through the coloured street – Fargegata, a perfect Instagram worthy picture spot. Visit the Stavanger Cathedral and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. For lunch, you could go exploring the quaint restaurants at Vågen, Stavanger’s popular dock area.

You could even catch the hop-on hop-off bus to get a proper tour of Stavanger city. Head this way to get a complete list of things to do in Stavanger .

Day 4: Lysefjord cruise and Pulpit Rock hike

Stavanger, the fourth largest city in Norway, is conveniently located very close to the beautiful Lysefjord. Due to its proximity to the fjord, it is an extremely popular tourist destination. On this day, board a ferry for cruising the Lysefjord. From Stavanger, you have to reach the ferry stop at Lauvvik, which is approximately 1 hour by bus or car, to catch the ferry.

Pulpit Rock is a famous peak surrounding the Lysefjord that most tourists are interested in climbing during their 10 days in Norway tour. Remember, if you intend to catch a ferry to Pulpit Rock to hike it, you should not catch the Lysefjord ferry.

To reach the Pulpit Rock base point, you need to drive to Lauvvik, catch a car ferry to Oanes and then drive to Preikestolen Mountain Lodge parking area from where the hike starts. Pulpit Rock towers above the Lysefjord and offers breath-taking views of the fjord below. The hike takes about 4-5 hours both ways in total.

Head this way for my complete Pulpit Rock hiking guide .

Take a morning flight from Stavanger to Bergen today. You could even opt to drive to Bergen or hop on a ferry, but that will eat up half of your day, and you need that time to tour Bergen.

Bergen is a coastal town that is known as the ‘city between the 7 mountains’. All these 7 mountains are popular hiking destinations amongst tourists visiting Norway. Mount Ulriken is the highest of Bergen’s 7 mountains and takes about 4-5 hours of hike round trip. If you feel adventurous after a morning flight, you could hike up Mount Ulriken for the gorgeous 360-degree views, or if you do not quite feel like hiking, you could take the cable car (10 minutes) up the mountain.

After a visit to Mount Ulriken, visit the Bryggen area to view the UNESCO World Heritage site listed waterfront wooden houses and tiny alleys that date back to the 1700s. You can also choose one amongst these Bergen tours that I have either tried or are recommended by people who have tried them.

Read next: the best things to do in Bergen

This day, you will travel from Bergen to Flam on the famous Flam Railway. Catch a train to Myrdal, the mountain station from where the Flam Railway departs. From Myrdal, you will travel on the Flam rail line to Flam. Trust me, this will be one of the best days in your 10 days in Norway tour.

After you check-in a hotel in Flam, catch a ferry to Gudvangen, and experience cruising both, the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Nærøyfjord. If you book a round trip, a bus will take you back to Flam from Gudvangen. In Gudvangen, do not miss to take a walk in the Viking Merchant town.

This entire day’s itinerary also comes as a travel package named ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ offered by Fjord Tours. You can book the complete tour package with them or to save dollars, you could also book Norway in a Nutshell tour entirely on your own – Here’s my guide on how to do it!

Head this way to find my complete list of things to do in Flåm !

After breakfast, you depart for Odda. On the way, you could stop at Voss and indulge in some fun adventure activity in the town. You could even ride the Voss Gondola, the largest and most modern mountain gondola in Northern-Europe.

Once in Odda, take a fjord cruise north through the Hardangerfjord. You will witness the surrounding landscape full of historic villages and idyllic waterfalls while sailing the fjord. Moving towards Eidfjord, the sidearm of Hardangerfjord, you’ll be able to sight the majestic Vøringsfossen waterfall flowing right into the fjord.

Today is another day of your 10 days in Norway where you have an epic hiking chance to Trolltunga peak, a very popular hike amongst the tourists. Trolltunga is a cliff shaped like a troll’s tongue with the crystal blue fjord right below. The estimated hiking time is about 10 hours in total, but it is worth it once you get to see the view from the top and the thrill of standing on the edge of the cliff.

You will have to drive down to Tyssedal from where the hike to Trolltunga starts. The surrounding views that the Trolltunga hike offers gets better and better as you keep ascending. After the climb, step out onto the Trolltunga cliff for a perfect photo opportunity.

Day 9: Drive back to Oslo

Odda to Oslo is a long 5-hour drive. You can either have a lazy morning and then start for Oslo, detouring a bit to get an incredible view of the Låtefossen waterfall from the bridge at Skare. Or, you could leave Odda early in the morning and reach Oslo before the afternoon to explore the capital town a bit more.

Get up early in the morning, take a leisurely walk around your hotel, and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Enjoy the last day of your 10 days in Norway trip before you head to the Oslo International airport for your return flight back home.

10 Days in Norway for Northern Lights Chasers (Winter itinerary)

If you are visiting Norway in winter, which is the best time to see the Northern Lights , you could modify the above Norway travel itinerary from Day 3 to head northwards. Instead of flying to Stavanger on Day 3, fly to Tromsø and follow the below-mentioned Norway travel itinerary.

Read and bookmark my packing list for winter in Norway before you go to ensure you have everything you need!

• Day 3: Fly to Tromsø and explore Tromsø
• Day 4: Tromsø – Hurtigruten
• Day 5: Cruise along Vesterålen Islands and reach Svolvær
• Day 6: Explore Lofoten Islands
• Day 7: Explore Lofoten Islands
• Day 8: Drive to Bodo and fly to Oslo
• Day 9: Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo

Arrive in Oslo, immerse yourself in the beauty that Norway is. Dive into Oslo’s culture by visiting the museums, the harbour, and the fortresses. On day three, take a flight to Tromsø , where you will sled with reindeer, sleep in a Sami tent and watch the dancing Northern Lights . Visit the Arctic Cathedral, the Polar Museum, and take a gondola ride to Mount Storsteinen. At midnight, embark on a cruise with Hurtigruten, the world’s best and most beautiful sea voyage. While on a cruise on day five, explore the beautiful Vesterålen Islands and disembark at Svolvær, the capital of Lofoten Islands, in the evening.

You will spend a relaxed time in the Lofoten Islands on days six and seven. Visit Henningsvær, Borg, Moskenes region, Tind, Nusfjord, Vikten, Sakrisøya, Harstad, Reine, and Å. Cruise the Reinefjord and Vestfjord, visit the fishermen villages, chase the Auroras each night, and book a stay in Rorbu, the traditional Norwegian houses used by fishermen. I personally got to see the Northern Lights at Lofoten Islands in winter . Go, read about my experience!

On day eight, take a flight to Oslo via Bodo. On the ninth day, head on to the famous Flam Railway, ferry through UNESCO World Heritage Site listed and Norway’s narrowest fjord – Nærøyfjord, and visit the Viking village in Gudvangen before returning to Oslo.   

Here’s how to photograph the Northern Lights with a GoPro (like I did)!

Honestly, you will never be satisfied by spending 10 days in Norway, as every day spent here seems to get better from the one before it. However, this itinerary for Norway will get you familiar with the region for planning a second-time visit.

If you visit Norway anytime soon, I recommend you read my Norway Travel Guide before you get to planning. Do write back to me if you need any assistance with regards to spending 10 days in Norway.

The 5 Best Fjords in Norway: Complete Guide

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Nova on the Road

An Epic Norway 10-Day Itinerary With Everything You Need to See!

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A complete Norway 10-day Itinerary for a fantastic trip.

Get ready to embark on a thrilling 10-day journey through the heart of Norway, from the charming coastal city of Stavanger to the enchanting harbor of Bergen. This 10-day itinerary for Norway isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s a symphony of fjords, mountains, and authentic Nordic experiences that will leave you breathless.

With this Norway 10-day itinerary, you’ll see some of the greatest highlights AND hidden gems of Norway!

Make sure to read through to the end of this post, to get 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…

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 Norway road trip: 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
• 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

Now, without further ado… Here’s our 10-day itinerary for Norway!

Norway 10-day itinerary

This itinerary starts in Stavanger and ends in Bergen. Ideally, you will drive through the country of Norway yourself, for the most freedom on your trip.

Yes, in this itinerary we skip Oslo ( unlike this 14-day itinerary ), not because it’s not worth it, but because it’s an 8-hour drive from Stavanger, and away from the more important activities and places.

This is a quite busy 10-day itinerary, seeing that 10 days in Norway is not long. You’ll want to see as much as there is to see in these 10 days, without driving too much.

Day 1: Arrival – Stavanger

As I said earlier, you’ll start your trip in the coastal town of Stavanger. This city is a place you have to see when you’re in Norway! Stavanger is such a cozy town filled with colors and history.

Things you don’t want to miss in Stavanger:

• Gamle Stavanger (old town). This historic area in Stavanger you definitely can’t miss! With picturesque little houses and cobbled streets, this place will fill your heart with joy!
• Øvre Holmegate: a colorful street filled with cafes, boutiques, and galleries.
• Stavanger’s Domkirke. One of the best-kept churches in Norway and the only one that has been continuously used since 1300!
• The Wharf houses of Stavanger
• Breiavatnet: a little lake with a wonderful fountain.
• The Canning Museum.

As you see, there’s plenty to do within the city of Stavanger to fill a day or two. You should book a hostel or budget hotel in Stavanger.   

Ps. Is a 10-day road trip too long for you? Then you should check out this awesome six-day Norway itinerary !

Where to stay in Stavanger?

Best budget accommodation: Stavanger Bed & Breakfast

Why stay here: Comfortable rooms, free parking, delicious breakfast included, cheap prices, free wifi and a great location.

Best luxury accommodation: The Villa by Frogner House

Why stay here: Beautifully furnished rooms, city views, amazing breakfast, free wifi and excellent location.

Day 2: Stavanger – Trollpikken

In the morning you should enjoy a cup of coffee in the city center of Stavanger, but make sure to hit the road before lunch. Because in a little more than an hour’s drive south, you’ll reach a point you simply can’t miss.

This untouristy place is one you have to visit. It’s called the Trollpikken, which translates to the troll’s dick. As you may know, the Trolltunga (troll tongue), is a popular touristy place in Norway. A place everyone wants to see. But when we visited Norway we weren’t looking into the touristy places, but into the alternatives.

And that’s how we found out about the Trollpikken.

From the Trollpikken parking, it’s about a 45-minute hike to reach this landmark in all its glory!

Sadly, in 2017 the Trollpikken was completely broken by vandalism. Luckily, the Norwegians managed to glue it back to the original state and it’s like nothing happened to it!

This 45-minute hike isn’t hard. Visiting the Trollpikken is definitely a fun activity for everyone, families, couples, solo travelers, everyone!

In the evening you should look for a place to go wild camping. But if you’re not one for wild camping, there are probably some hotels nearby Egersund.

Related posts:

• Norway Itinerary for an Amazing 14-day Road Trip (with Lots of Hidden Gems)
• Norway Road Trip Cost: A Full Guide to Traveling Norway on a Budget
• Traveling Norway by Campervan: Everything You Need to Know!
• A Full Guide to Wild Camping in Norway + Wild Camping Tips

Day 3: Trollpikken – Lysebotn

After waking up and having some (Norwegian) breakfast, it’s time to hit the road! In a drive of less than 3 hours you’ll arrive in Lysebotn; the town at the end of the Lysefjord.

The Lyesfjord is pretty well known for popular places like Preikestolen (pulpit rock) and Kjeragbolten. But other than these places, there are many other things to do here. You can:

• Climb the Florli Trappene: 4444 steps to the top!
• Go kayaking in the fjord.
• Book a regular tour through the fjord.
• Hike the Preikestolen.
• Go stand on the Kjeragbolten.
• Explore Lysebotn.
• Take one of the many other hikes.

The Lysefjord is filled with fun activities for everyone! Make sure to do your own research on things you want to do at the Lysefjord.

Day 4: Lysebotn

Seeing there are so many activities to do here, you can spend day 4 at Lysebotn as well. But tomorrow there’ll be a 7-hour drive planned, so you could choose to stay only half a day in Lysebotn today, and already drive the biggest part to Bondhusvatnet.

If you’re wild camping, you should be able to find several sleeping spots on the road. Otherwise, you should book accommodation in advance.  

Where to stay in Lysebotn?

Best family accommodation: Bungalow in Sirdal

Why stay here: Perfect rustic bungalow for families up to 7, entire home, BBQ facilities and great views.

Best unique and budget accommodation: Environmental friendly Ecolodge

Why stay here: Unique capsule hotel room with a fireplace and beautiful surroundings.

Day 5: Lysebotn – Bondhusvatnet

Yep, here it is. The much dreaded 7-hour drive. Okay, it’s not that bad. But I recommend driving this in 2 parts, as I’ve said, yesterday the first part and today the second. This way you’ll also have more time to explore Bondhusvatnet!

Bonhusvatnet is a breathtaking blue glacial lake. It’s a 1-hour hike to the lake from the parking, and on this hike, you’ll already be blown away by all the beauty, because the hike to the lake leads past the most dreamy river I’ve ever seen. I love this river (and lake) so much, this website is filled with pictures of it.

On the way to the lake, you can pick some wild raspberries and blackberries, which are delicious. Then when you reach the lake, you’ll be out of words. There is simply no way to describe the beauty of this lake.

Bondhusvatnet is a true hidden gem, not many people know of it, so you won’t be walking there in crowds, which is a huge plus.

Day 6: Bondhusvatnet – Flam  

From Bondhusvatnet it’s time for a 3-hour drive up to 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).

Things to do in Flam:

• Book a tour to see the fjord from the water.
• Go kayaking.
• Visit the railway museum.
• Buy a winter jacket at one of the outdoor stores.
• Get your souvenirs in one of the souvenir shops.

Things to do near Flam:

• Drive the longest tunnel in the world; the Laerdalstunnelen.
• Visit Borgund stave church.
• Take a ride with the Flamsbana.
• Admire the view at Stegastein’s viewpoint.
• Visit Viking Valley.

There is plenty to do in and outside Flam, make sure to do some of these activities. Don’t worry, you won’t stay here for just one day.

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 7: Mount Prest

Nearby Flam, you’ll find one of the most tremendous hikes: Mount Prest. On this hike, you will reach a point where you can admire a stunning panorama view. In around 2,5 hours (including breaks), you’ll reach this point and it will be worth all the effort!

And this place, again, isn’t crowded! You should plan to stay here for around 6 hours. Then just go back to flam and get some rest.

If you’re not one for hiking, you should do one of the activities I told you about before, in or near Flam.

Day 8: Flam –  Vøringfossen

Enjoy your cup of coffee in Flam in the morning, and then hit the road. Today you’ll be driving and visiting a wondrous waterfall: Voringfossen!

From Flam, it’s a bit more than 2 hours to reach this waterfall.

You should see the Voringfossen from below and it’s possible to go up and get a lovely view of the huge canyon. Take your time, you’ll probably spend an hour or 2 in this place. Make sure to put on your hiking shoes.

Then you should drive to your accommodation or wild camping spot, ideally near Steindalsfossen, which is only another 2 hours away.

Driving this piece today will leave you more time to explore Bergen tomorrow!

Day 9: Steindalsfossen – Bergen

In the morning it’s time to visit the Steindalsfossen! This is a lovely waterfall right next to the road. You won’t have to walk for more than 5 minutes, and you can even get behind the waterfall!

Steindalsfossen is a great place to make some amazing Instagrammable photos. You’ll probably be here for half an hour before driving the last hour to 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 9 and maybe day 10 (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.

Golden tip: If you’re staying in town for a bit longer, you should go on one the these best day trips from Bergen!

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.

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 10: Bergen – Departure

If on day 10 you don’t know where to go in Bergen and which places to see, just walk. Walk around, explore the little streets no one knows about, find some hidden boutiques, and just enjoy!

It’s hard to explain what to see in Bergen, you should just see and explore for yourself.

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 is a self-drive itinerary through Norway.

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; before you know it, you’ve done an incredible job driving a mountain road!

Norwegians drive incredibly 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.

Wild camping

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.

Read my full guide on wild camping in Norway

Final thoughts on this Norway 10-day itinerary

This itinerary is much different from the 14-day itinerary I’ve written, because of distances, this one’s just more ideal for a shorter amount of time.

But all in all, these places are the ones you have to visit, to get the best taste of Norway!

Let me know what you think of this itinerary in the comments below!

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Norway Road Trip: 10 Days Itinerary for Norway

If you’re planning a Norway road trip, then let me suggest in this 10-day itinerary for Norway, that will get your money’s worth. 

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If you’re planning a Norway road trip, then let me first tell you that you’re about to be amazed by this beautiful country. Every corner of it is simply stunning, and even if you get lost or choose a different route than what I suggest in this 10-day itinerary for Norway, you will get your money’s worth. 

After spending more than a month in Norway , if I were to go again for the first time (impossible, but using my knowledge), this is the exact road trip itinerary for Norway I would choose!

What to know about your Norwegian road trip

What do you need to know about your road trip in Norway? Norway is not CHEAP! 

That’s probably why you’ll not find a lot of recommendations when you search for “Norway road trip on a budget” – because you simply can’t go to Norway on a budget. At least, not in 2024. 

This is an important aspect of your road trip in Norway, as this is a big country and everything you’ll want to visit is as at least a 5-hour drive away from any other point on your road trip. 

What will be your biggest costs during your road trip in Norway?

• Car rental 
• Accommodation

Needless to say, a road trip in Norway implies driving to Norway (this is what I did) or renting a car . As with everything you will lay your hand on in this beautiful country, renting will no be cheap, but it will be your only option if you’re coming from outside Europe.

And even if you want to drive to Norway, it will take you a few days to get there – which might be an issue if you have a limited holiday. 

In most cases, renting a car in Norway will still be one of the best options to see as much as possible during your stay.

Accommodation in Norway

Considering you’ve sorted out the transportation, you need now to start thinking about accommodation. There are three ways to do this – hotels, camping, and hybrid. 

Check out on Booking.com some of the best accommodations in Norway .

Camping in Norway

You might already know that Norway has embraced camping as part of its culture, and you’ll find plenty of camping places everywhere you go.

Moreover, Norwegian law allows you to wild camp as long as you are 150 meters away from any other building, away from agricultural fields, or interfering in any way with others or disturbing them. In a nutshell, you may wild camp in Norway as long as you don’t bother anyone or leave any traces behind you. 

When in Norway, you’ll notice a lot of campers and trailers everywhere, and most are from Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany – the only sane people who can afford to spend a holiday in Norway. However, if you don’t have a camper, then you can simply pitch your tent.

Nature is beautiful, and if you’ve slept in a tent before, you know what to expect. Yes, this means you need to take all your trash with you, including the used toilet paper, and throw it in a proper trash bin. Luckily, most places suited for camping (even wild camping sites) might have toilets.

But if you choose a place that has no toilet or anything like that, you will need a shovel. You understand what to do – hopefully. 

Hotels in Norway

The other option is to stay at hotels and hostels. Trust me, even hostels in Norway are expensive, but some will feel like a three-star hotel. Most of them offer great breakfast (which you should take advantage of, considering the prices of food). However, there is an issue with accommodation in Norway.

There are not that many hotels, and if you want to book your stay last minute (like I always do), then you might be surprised when the cheapest option you’ll find starts at $250.

You see, not a lot of things happen in Norway, and during those two months of summer (July and August), they try to cramp in every possible concert, festival, and tradition.

And that’s when literally everyone is on holiday. So if you want to stay in a specific place, and one of these events is going on (there’s always something happening in Bergen), then you should book your accommodation well in advance. It’s not that you’ll get a better price, but at least you get a hotel room. 

TIP: When booking a hotel, I find that the cheapest option is to use the Booking.com app on your mobile. It may offer better prices on mobile. Also, some hotels offer a last-minute discount if you’re booking for the same day. However, this is not necessarily true for Norway. 

And of course, the third option is to go hybrid and occasionally stay in campings and pitch your tent for a moderate cost (around 30 Euros) and then stay in hotels when the weather turns bad (which will happen more than you think, but more on that later). 

Norway itinerary 10 days

There are many cities and places that deserve a visit in Norway. But as you will soon find out, you’ll have to decide on an itinerary and stick to it because there’s no chance that you’ll see it all during a 10-day itinerary in Norway. 

I will give you what I believe to be an achievable itinerary suitable for anyone. 

Day 1 – Oslo

I arrived in Olso and explored the capital of Norway on foot. Oslo is not a vast place, and you can easily explore it on foot, even if you only have one day to visit it. 

What’s not to miss in Oslo?

• Oslo Cathedral
• The Opera house
• Deichman Bjørvika (public library – interesting interior)
• Munch Museum (if you’re interested in expressionism) 
• Viking Ship Museum (unfortunately closed until 2026, but still worth mentioning, in case you plan to visit after 2026)
• Fram Museum (Houses the ship Fram, which was used by Nansen and later by Amundsen for their polar expeditions. This boat has made it both to the North and South Pole.) 
• Royal Palace (only open in summer)

If you plan to stay in the centre, that’s where the most expensive accommodations are, and the parking fees are gigantic.

That’s why I recommend staying either a bit outside of the centre, in the North. I stayed at this hostel called Oslo Hostel Rønningen (which felt more like a 4-star hotel), and it was amazing, with free parking. Another option I find suitable would be to stay on the museum island, such as the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel or Hotel Filip .

Day 2 – Pulpit rock hike

Norway is all about hikes and beautiful trails. You’ve probably heard about the famous cliff hanging over a stunning fjord. Well, the good news is that there are multiple such hikes you may want to try, and some are more accessible than the Trolltunga, which takes a minimum of 8 hours and a medium level of fitness. 

I recommend the Pulpit Rock hike , which is only 4-5 hours (round trip) and is accessible to anyone. The trail will take you to a rock that is 604 m above the Lysefjord and offers stunning views. 

But there’s a catch – you need to go there early, as this is a really popular hike, and the parking space is limited at the start of the trail. If you get there too late, you’ll not be able to park, and you will have to come back later or on a different day. 

If you are super into hiking, then check out my road trip itinerary to reach the most famous hiking trails in Norway in a week .

For the Pulpit Rock hike, I recommend staying at Preikestolen BaseCamp , which is right at the start of the trail. Wake up early to start the hike without having to hassle about parking. If there is no room there, you can try to stay at the Preikestolen camping AS , but that’s only for campers and tents. 

After the hike, you’ll have time to drive to your next stop, Stavanger city. 

Day 3 – Stavanger

Stavanger is a lovely port city, and the old town will fascinate you. If you are lucky to be there on a sunny day, make sure to wander around the streets of the old town, where all the white wooden houses are. What not to miss in Stavanger:

• Old town (Gamle Stavanger)
• Fargegaten (the colourful street)
• Valberget Utsiktspunkt (the old watchtower)

I recommend staying at Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel , and you can park in the St Olav underground parking, which is right behind the hotel. 

Day 4 – Bergen

Bergan is the home of black metal, and this is where Norway will feel truly touristic. However, the city is charming, and it’s worth a stop, if only for a few hours.

Sure, everything will be more expensive (is that even possible? – yes), but a walk about the 10-century-old harbour and its charming wooden houses.

Please don’t be disappointed when you see huge crowds of people, which will leave you wondering where the lovely wooden houses are. But you might want to steer off the famous Bryggen (port area) to find narrow streets with lesser crowds. Parking is available only in parking garages, and they are not cheap. 

I recommend staying at Magic Hotel Korskirken . 

Day 5 – Naeroyfjord

Out of its thousands of fjords, Norway has only two fjords on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and this is one of them. The Naeroyfjord is the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord. 

Here, you can go on a 2-hour cruise from Flam to Gudvangen (or the other way around). You can see the schedule and book it here: https://www.norwaysbest.com/things-to-do/fjords/fjord-cruise-naeroyfjord/  

Don’t worry. Parking is free in each of these places.

However, note that after you get from one place to the other, you can either book the scheduled bus to take you back to the starting point (which I do recommend because it will be fully booked once you get there). 

If you miss the electric boat, there’s a traditional boat that will take you on the same cruise, which is cheaper and operates in between those hours (no need to book in advance).

If you don’t have a prebooked ticket to get on the shuttle bus to get back to your starting point, don’t worry. Just walk to the main road (E16), and there is a bus stop.

There are a few buses per day that stop there.

While these are long-distance buses and some people pre-booked their tickets, I paid on the bus by card, and there was plenty of room, although we were 30 people waiting for that 450 bus. 

I did the cruise from Flam to Gudvangen and took the 10-euro bus back to Flam , which dropped me off right in front of the parking lot from the harbor, where I parked the car for free. 

Where to stay in Flam?

During this cruise, I recommend staying the night before somewhere close to it, such as Aurland fjord view . This is in Aurland, the closest town to Flam. Book this in advance, as the Flam area is expensive and is one of the most touristic places in Norway. Of course, you can stay in Flam at Flåm Marina , if you have a bigger budget for this trip. 

Day 6 – Jostedalsbreen National Park

Are you ready to see with your own eyes the largest glacier in continental Europe? Here it is, and it’s completely free to go and see it – but of course, parking is not free. 

Even this valley to get there is absolutely stunning, and I am so glad a local told me about it. I would not recommend missing this, as this was one of the highlights of my Norway road trip. 

Please book your accommodation at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge in advance. There is also parking right next to it, where you can leave your car during the hike (it’s around 8 euros for the entire day). This is the start of the hike, too, for the Briksdalsbre glacier, part of the Jostedalsbreen glacier.

As you drive in this valley, you will see different parts of the glacier, and each has a different name. 

Since we didn’t book in advance, we were lucky to find a free house nearby. Check out Airbnbs , but also look out for signs on the road toward free rooms. 

There are more places to stay than you find on Google, and we found our place by simply asking at one of the hotels (the owners know each other). We stayed here (can’t find this place listed anywhere now), and followed the road where it says Free rooms. The nicest house is where the owner lives, and yes, you may pay by card. Don’t worry if you arrive late. It was already 9 pm by the time we found this place.

We got there at around 9 pm, and the host was very nice. Norwegians are friendly and welcoming. 

The next morning, wake up early and dress up for the hike to Briksdalbre glacier. It’s a 30-45 minute easy trail but bring rain protection. 

Day 7 – Geirangerfjord

This is the second fjord of Norway that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list of natural monuments. It was also one of my personal favourite fjords. 

I recommend driving to Hellesylt (on the way there, you’ll also see a 19th-century stone bridge – Hornindal Bridge ).

From Hellesylt, take the ferry to Geiranger (this takes around 1 hour, it’s a cruise ferry and it’s the most expensive ferry I took in Norway. It was around 110 euros for a car and two adults).  But it’s a must-see!! Please don’t miss it. 

There is a ferry going every 1.5 hours. 

After you reach Geiranger, you can go around the town, but don’t waste too much time and start driving up the mountain and stop at the Ørnesvingen Viewpoin t. There’s some parking, but be careful as accidents happen all the time, given the narrow road and the many busses that drive by. 

If you have more days, you can add Alesund to your itinerary. If not, continue to Molde, where you can stay for the night at Scandic Seilet to enjoy those views. 

Day 8 – Atlantic road

This is another highlight of this Norway 10-day itinerary, as you will drive on the ocean. 

There are many stops along the way of this road, and you can plan your stops according to your schedule. But you should definitely stop at Eldhusøya and take some time to enjoy the views from the walkway. There’s even a cafe in the parking lot.

Norwegians have everything figured out, even parking lots and viewpoints. Trust me. You’ll love it.  

The most impressive part of this drive is between Vevang and Grisen , but some recommend you drive all the way to Askevågen, Viewpoint, which is a little before reaching Vevang. Considering you’ll make plenty of stops on this road, I recommend staying at Valsøya Camping (they also have private rooms). Go on the rocks at the end of the tiny harbour to admire the sunset. 

Day 10 – Trondheim

The next day, you have plenty of time to drive to Trondheim and walk around this beautiful city. This is the third largest city in Norway and one that I loved the most. 

What not to miss in Trondheim?

• Nidaros Cathedral (go up to the tower)
• Bryggen (the bridge towards the old town)
• Bakklandet street in the old town
• Kristiansten Fortress (the views are not to be missed)
• Trøndelag Folk Museum (open-air museum)
• Rockheim (a must-see for music fans and black metal fans)

I recommend staying at Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel . There’s parking in front of the hotel (paid) and street parking (also paid, but free Saturday afternoon and Sunday). 

From Trondheim, you can drive back to Oslo, which is only 500 km away and can be done in half a day, if there are no other stops on the way. 

Tips for your Norway road trip

There’s a lot to say about this beautiful country, but I’ll try to focus on some of the things I wish I had known before visiting Norway. Here are my top 10 tips for your Norway road trip:

• Bring a raincoat! Nobody tells you this, but trust me when I say that most of the time spent in Norway will be in the rain. 
• Pack smart! Even if you have huge stuff that you want to carry with you all across the country, back a smaller bag with all the essentials that you can easily take out of the car and bring into your hotel room. You’ll only want to have a shower and sleep. 
• Bring rain shoes. You can survive without them, but at least two different pairs of daily sneakers to wear in turns when one pair gets wet. 
• Driving in Norway is easy , but remember to have the ePASS24 app all set up before going to Norway. 
• You’ll take plenty of ferries in Norway , and they offer the best views, so make sure to get on the top platform and get some pics. 
• Have a credit or debit card dedicated to this trip in Norway . You’ll use it a lot, and you’ll want to make sure you have enough funds for it. For instance, before filling your tank at the gas stop, you’ll have to put in your card, and they will take around 150 euros as a guarantee before even putting a drop of gasoline in your tank. After you finish filling the gas, the right amount will be charged to your card. I recommend using Revolut .
• Norwegians are friendly and eager to help you . Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. 
• Driving an electric car is the best way to go on a road trip in Norway. Electric cars enjoy certain benefits such as free refuelling and parking and reduced.
• Most foods are imported in Norway , especially fruits and veggies. But if you like to eat fish, then you’ll be in heaven. 
• There’s a lot to see in Norway, and you can’t possibly see it all in only 10 days. Most places are natural places, such as fjords, valleys, and scenic roads. Don’t stop randomly in the middle of the street because there are plenty of small stops for viewpoints everywhere you go. 

For a more complete overview of what to know about Norway before your trip, check out my Norway travel guide.

Norway in a nutshell itinerary 

This 10-day itinerary for a Norway road trip is my personal recommendation, and it includes my best tips to make your trip go as smoothly as possible. I also want to point out that parking in cities is a hassle and oftentimes really expensive.

I would avoid cities as much as possible, or at least not spend that much time in bigger cities such as Oslo and Bergen. If you want to visit the city and explore all the streets, history and museums, I would definitely recommend going there by plane, for a weekend or so.

Then you wouldn’t need to worry about parking and can stay in a hotel in the centre (which never offers a parking space). 

Although you will probably plan your trip for the summer, be prepared for 10-15 degrees Celcius and pack a raincoat. If you need more tips about planning this Norwegian adventure, check out my complete Norway travel guide .

Shopping in Norway will not be cheap, and I do recommend bringing everything you need with you. I did my shopping in an outlet in Sweden, and I have to say that was the best thing I did preparing for this Norway road trip. 

If you’re looking for similar itineraries but on a budget side, I recommend checking out this Baltic countries road trip itinerary I did in 2019.

Iulia Vasile

Iulia is a travel expert, blogger, engineer, freelance copywriter, and a curiosity-driven personality. She sees travel as the ultimate tool for self-improvement and personal growth, and that's the main topic of her blog, Juliasomething.com.

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Norway 10 Day Itinerary: What to Do and See on an Epic Norway Road Trip

by Crazy Travelista | Jan 19, 2019 | Itinerary , Norway | 14 comments

Ahhh Norway, one of my favorite places on earth! This was my 4th visit to  Norway , and my second in 6 months. I think it’s safe to safe I am absolutely obsessed with  Norway . The natural beauty and outdoor activities on offer are hard to beat. The reason I’ve been back so many times is because everything I wanted to see and do is very spread out as Norway is a long and skinny country. So I decided to rent a car and do an epic road trip, and as a result, came up with this glorious Norway 10 day itinerary!

The one place that didn’t really make sense itinerary-wise was Trolltunga. But hell, it was at the top of my  Norway  bucket list and I was gonna do it in even if it required a ton of driving!

During my 10 day road trip, there were 2 days that required about 8-9 hours of driving. However, the scenery on the way was half the fun. Renting a car is the best way to explore this beautiful country and saves a lot of time and stress trying to use public transportation.

Driving in  Norway

Driving in Norway was so much fun because I could stop anywhere I wanted and take in the view. I didn’t notice any aggressive driving there so it was pretty stress free overall. The only thing you need to keep an eye out is the one-way tunnels . There were only a few of them on my trip and they weren’t too bad (probably because I was used to them after all the one way tunnels in Lofoten islands and Faroe islands).

I rented a car from Sixt  in Bergen and returned it to Trondheim. When booking your car, make sure you check the one-way fees because I saw some companies that charged $800 for the one way fee! Sixt charged $250 which was the cheapest I found.

I had also used Sixt before a few times and absolutely loved them. Their customer service is great and I never have to wait in any line when picking up the car. This was a godsend at LAX airport!

Also, I’ve gotten upgrades for free 3 out of the 5 times I’ve rented with them. They really are no hassle and the cars are always shiny and new. And no this is NOT sponsored and I’m not getting paid to say this! I just really like the company.

TIP : Get the smallest car possible for those single-lane roads and narrow driveways. You won’t be able to pass some places with a big car

VERY IMPORTANT TIP : A lot of the drives in Norway require a ferry crossing at some point. For this reason, you can’t plan to drive in the middle of the night because you might get stranded and never make it to your final destination until the next day. All the ferry times are different depending on the route, but when I was looking at the schedules it appeared that the last one was usually around 10pm or 10:30pm. You definitely need to keep this in mind when driving in Norway.

If you use Google Maps and put the address is, you will see if there is a ferry crossing or not on the route. Just look for the little ship symbol (below).

Extra Transport Costs

There are a bunch of automatic tolls (mostly when you go into a tunnel) that you will pass while driving in Norway. Check with your car company because I was told not to stop and pay and that they would be automatically added to my bill in the end (way easier). Otherwise, there is a pay station before or right after the tunnel.

I ended up paying $108 in tolls for my long 10 day journey (ouch). The good news is I got upgraded to a Hybrid car and the total for gas was just $105 for 10 days. And that’s with 2 days of 8+ hours of driving.

I also paid a total of $50 i n ferry crossings as well (4 ferries total).

National Scenic Routes in Norway

There are 18 national scenic routes in  Norway  offering stunning scenery with several viewpoints to stop at and have photo shoot or a picnic. You will see glaciers, fjords, coastlines, stunning architecture, waterfalls, and more. These are some of the most gorgeous drives in all of Norway, so make sure to drive at least a few of them on your Norway road trip!

I drove on a few of them throughout my 10 day Norway road trip including  Atlanterhavsvegan (the Atlantic Ocean Road), Sognefjellet  (on the way to Geiranger), and  Geiranger-Trollstigen.

The  Sognefjellet  passes through  Jotunheimen National Park , with towering mountains and some glaciers as well, it was spectacular.

Norway  10 Day Itinerary 

Day 1-2: bergen, day 3-4: odda + trolltunga hike, day 5-6:  geiranger, day 7-8: trollstigen + ålesund , day 9-10 :  atlantic ocean road + trondheim.

For all the best things to do in Bergen , I will redirect you to an article I wrote for Eurail HERE .

Where to stay in Bergen

More affordable: I stayed in an Airbnb that was a 15 minute walk to town. It was on top of a hill so the walk had beautiful views most of the way.  It was a 2 bedroom apartment on the bottom of the host’s house. It doesn’t have a kitchen or stove but it does have a fridge so you can make sandwiches and such. It was super cute and the host was super warm and welcoming. She even leaves a mug of hot coffee outside your door in the morning. It was only $48/night and for the price, it can’t be beat in Norway! It can sleep 3 people. You can check the listing HERE . 

*PS: I was supposed to be on this trip with 2 other friends but they cancelled last minute so I had 2 bedroom places the whole trip because of this…not because I’m ballin’ or anything haha.

More luxurious : on my first trip to Bergen I stayed at Hotel Oleana and LOVED it. You can read my review of the hotel HERE .

Drive from Bergen to Odda 

Driving time : about 3 hours

Ferry crossing : there is a ferry crossing from  Tørvikbygd to Jondal  to get to Odda . It costs 53 NOK ($6) and takes about 20 minutes. (The ferry leaves about every hour). You can pay by credit card. They will come to your car with a card machine while you’re in line and it’s a super easy process. FYI: I didn’t need cash at all on this entire trip!

Odda is a gorgeous little town set in a fjord and is sort of like the gateway to Trolltunga. This is where you will want to look for accommodations if you plan on doing the Trolltunga hike.

Where to Stay in Odda

Airbnb : I stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment on the top of my host’s house that had the BEST views of the whole city in my opinion! The stairs to get up there were brutal and extra steep, but that’s the small price to pay for incredible views like that. There were sweet views from the main bedroom, the living room, and the kitchen.

The host was just incredible and like your mother greeting you with a big hug like you know each other. She even came and helped me with all my bags up those evil steps. She also brings up a basket of hiking gear that you can borrow like wool sweaters, hats, gloves and gives great tips about the hike and where to park/when to go, etc.

It was also one of the most affordable place to stay in all of Norway at $78/night for an entire 2 bedroom apartment. You can check out the listing HERE .

Trolltunga Hike

Trolltunga is definitely one of the best hikes in Norway and the longest hike I have ever completed. My body was sore for days afterwards and I could barely even walk, but it was definitely worth it!

Tips for Hiking Trolltunga

• Parking costs are RIDICULOUS so the more people in your car the cheaper it will be
• Trolltunga upper parking only holds 30 cars and opens at 6am. Get there by 5:30am. I arrived at 5:33am on September 4th (end of peak season) and was number 14 in line. It cost is 600 NOK ($72 ). The cost to park at the bottom lot is 500NOK ($58) so not much difference.
• Parking at the upper lot will takes off 3 KM each way of your hike so it’s totally worth it. It turns a 28km hike into a 22km hike.
• The entire hike is on uneven rocks the whole time. There are no bathrooms or trash cans. There are also no bushes or trees to hide behind so if your bladder is weak, you’re going to have to get creative for your privacy. (I held mine for 12 hours like a champ).
• The hike will take you 8-12 hours round trip, including a break for lunch and waiting in line for pictures. (I heard some people who completed it in 6 hours total, but they must be VERY fast hikers…it took me 11 hours, but I am on the slower side as I had a partially torn ACL on the hike!).
• Start the hike as early as possible so you won’t have to wait in the LONG line for pictures on the Troll’s Tongue (Trolltunga). You also don’t want to be hiking back in the dark.
• If you get in line for the picture before noon you won’t have to wait long for your picture. I heard that in the peak summer months it can take up to 3 hours to wait for your picture (Sucky!)
• Just below Trolltunga on the left is a mini Trolltunga with a spectacular view. You won’t have to wait long for your picture there. You do have to climb down on some slippery rocks so just go slow.
• The hike is super safe and can be done solo with no problem. There are many people on the trail so you’re never alone. There is no dangerous wildlife either.

Sunrise on the start of the Trolltunga hike.

Drive from Odda to Geiranger

Drive through  Jotunheimen National Park  via Sognefjellet,  home to Norway’s highest mountains (see National Tourist Routes above) to get to Geiranger. This road was absolutely breathtaking and the time passed so quickly driving through here. Although, in reality it took me forever since I kept stopping every 2 feet for photos.

There was a small fee for driving this road but it was SO worth it. It cost 80 NOK($10) .

Just a glacier in the background, NBD

Stop at Lom Stave Church on the way to admire the beautiful traditional Norwegian architecture (and also to stretch your legs).

Geiranger is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in all of  Norway .

What to Do in Geiranger

Flydalsjuvet viewpoint and rock- to get to the rock you have to step over a 1 foot mini fence behind the men’s bathroom. Then walk straight down the path that curves to the right. It takes 1 minute from the bathroom. It’s roped off because it’s dangerous so please don’t bring your children or dogs out there. Also, make sure you’re not wearing sandals or unsturdy shoes. There are no rails or anything and the drop is several hundred feet. BE CAREFUL!

  View this post on Instagram   Norway leaving me speechless again 🇳🇴. I might like this view more than Trolltunga and it only requires a one minute hike 😋. It’s hard to find though and the tourism board doesn’t tell you where it is because apparently there have been some accidents here. So they built a little one foot fence to “block” off the area 😂. So yeah, that didn’t stop me from seeing it for myself. But in all seriousness, there are no barriers to this few hundred foot drop so please be careful and wear sturdy shoes. Your life is not worth a photo ✌🏼#flydalsjuvet #geiranger #geirangerfjord #visitnorway #adventuregirls #choosemountains #natureonly #norwaynature A post shared by 🌍World Traveler/Blogger✈️ (@crazytravelista) on Sep 10, 2018 at 9:45am PDT

Fjordsetet (the Fjord Seat) -be the queen of the fjord and admire the vast beauty of Norway from this epic seat at the top of the lookout point.

Hike -there are many hikes around Geiranger ranging from 30 minutes to multiple hours. I didn’t attempt any hiking as it was raining most the time, and also because I could barely move from Trolltunga.

There are fjord cruises on offer that will take you around the fjords for 90 minutes. The cost is 350NOK ($41) and it leaves 3 times a day.

Fjordnaer Geiranger Sjokolade -this place is heaven for chocolate lovers. This cozy little cafe does chocolate tastings with unique flavors such as blue cheese chocolate and fresh berry chocolates (It sounds weird, but it’s so good).

They also offer a famous hot chocolate with white, dark, milk, or chili chocolate flavors. Oh, and maybe my favorite, coffee chocolate! My mouth is watering just reminiscing about this place.

Ørnesvingen Eagle road -on your way out of Geiranger, take the Eagle Road up the mountain to a gorgeous viewpoint over the fjord and valley. It’s on the 63 road on the way to Trollstigen.

Where to Stay in Geiranger

I stayed in a cute little 2 bedroom cabin apartment at the top of the hill with a magnificent view of the valley below. The views form the restaurant were mind blowing (pictured below).

A lot of the hikes start right from the accommodation so it’s an excellent place to base yourself. It’s so peaceful and quiet up there and I would definitely recommend it.

Drive from Geiranger to Trollstigen 

It takes 2 hours to get from Geiranger to Trollstigen on Road 63. The drive from Geiranger to Trollstigen is a national tourist route , as mentioned above.

Ferry Crossing : there is a ferry crossing from Geirangervegen to Trollstigen at Eidsal . It takes 10 minutes and costs 98 NOK ($12) .

Trollstigen

Trollstigen is known as “ The Trolls Road ” and is probably the most famous National Tourist Route that you can drive in Norway.

Trollstigen is a famous windy road carved into the mountain that consists of 11 hairpin turns going steeply up the mountain with the gorgeous Romsdal Valley below.

The turns are so sharp at some points that I had to honk because I couldn’t see around the corner. It sounds scary, but if you drive slow, it’s more fun than anything.  You’ll also pass some beautiful cascading waterfalls on your way down as well.

NOTE : Trollstigen is usually closed from October/November to mid May due to snow so make sure you plan accordingly (the dates may vary, but you can check the status here on the official page of the Norwegian Scenic Routes.

Drive from Trollstigen to  Å lesund

It takes 2 hours to drive from Trollstigen to Ålesund.

A fire in the early 1900s basically burned Ålesund to the ground and they rebuilt it in the art nouveau style . That’s why it looks different than any other city in  Norway . It looks like the old town of a Central European city.

What to Do in Ålesund 

Hike up to Aksla viewpoint (Aka Fjellstua) , a mere 418 steps to the top. There is a cafe with an awesome view at the top where I sipped cappuccino and had a lovely GF pastry.

The Ålesund harbor is a nice place to grab a drink and people watch.

Kayak -there are kayaks available to rent to take around the harbor if it’s a nice sunny day.

Ålesund can easily be done in one day (or even a day trip from somewhere else), but it was a nice place to relax and unwind after all the driving I had been doing.

Where to Stay in Ålesund

I stayed in a 2 bedroom penthouse apartment with the most amazing views of the city throughout the whole penthouse. It was right in the center of town so it was nice to just walk outside and be around all the restaurants, attractions, and shops. It was also only a few minutes from the walk up to the viewpoint.

Where to book: My 2 bedroom Airbnb was $200/night and could fit 4 people. This was in September so it might be a little more during peak season. You can check the listing HERE .

Drive from Ålesund to Atlantic Ocean Road

It takes a little less than 3 hours to get from Ålesund to the Atlantic Ocean Road.

Ferry Crossing : You must take a ferry from  Vestnes  to Molde . It costs 152 NOK ($18) and takes about 40 minutes. (The ferry runs about every 45 minutes).

Atlantic Ocean Road

The Atlantic Ocean Road is an epic windy road connected by peninsulas in northern  Norway . The road goes over the powerful ocean and on stormy days the waves come crashing onto the road. Google pictures of it, it’s quite scary looking!

The Atlantic Ocean Toad takes less than 10 minutes to drive and has many stop-off places to park and take pictures. There is a little visitor center with a cafe and toilets. They also built a 360 degree walkway that you can walk full around and see both sides of the road.

Ferry Crossing : from the Atlantic Ocean road to Trondheim takes about 3.5-4 hours and requires a ferry crossing from Halsa to Kanestraum. It costs 106 NOK ($12.50) and takes about 20 minutes. (The ferry runs about every 20 minutes).

Trondheim was founded by the Vikings in 997 and used to be the Viking capital of  Norway  until 1217. Trondheim is a super colorful town that has lots of things to do so don’t overlook this awesome city. It really surprised me!

What to Do in Trondheim

Go to the  old town bridge for the best views of the colorful buildings against the water. The old wooden buildings used to be housing for the working class. They have been beautifully preserved and now house cute cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Walk through Bakklandet area for the cutest little neighborhood and cafes. This was my favorite area of the city and I could have gone cafe hopping all day.

Walk up to the Kristiansten Fortress for great views over the city. There were many picnic tables and people jogging and working out up there.

Go to the famous Bakklandet Skydsstation for fish soup (and GF bread). This is a traditional little restaurant with a homey feel inside.

Where to Stay in Trondheim

I stayed in a 2-bedroom apartment that was about a 15 minute walk to the main part of town. The tram was also right outside so it was very convenient to get around. It was super spacious and cost $120/night and fit 4 people. You can check the listing HERE .

Travel Insurance for Your Norway Road Trip

My go to travel insurance is World Nomads . I’ve been using them for 4.5 years now and I love them. I have had to file 3 claims so far and I got fully reimbursed for all of them with no hassle. It’s not the cheapest on the market, but they have some of the highest coverage of any travel insurance. For this reason, I will continue to use them!

How to Get World Nomads for Your Next Trip

If you want an idea of how much travel insurance is going to cost, you can get a quick quote below:

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14 Comments

So where would you suggest flying into? Sounds like the most common place to fly into is Oslo but is far from the itinerary..what would you suggest? We’re flying in from Seattle so not sure what’s Good spot…

I flew into Bergen and then out of Trondheim. I have been to Norway 4 times now and have skipped Oslo every time. It’s not close to anything else and I heard its just ok. There are way prettier places in Norway and you go there for the nature. Norway is a long and skinny country and most places are really far away from the other…so you’re most likely going to fly into one airport and out of another. Try the multi-destination option on Skyscanner. That’s how i usually find my flights at a good price!

Thank you for all the info:). It has helped a lot in my planning. Yes looking at hiking options and thinking of going to Svalbard for 2 days too.

Svalbard looks awesome! Have fun on your trip and I’m glad I could help! 🙂

Hi , This seems like an amazing itienary . I am planning to visit norway in september end for 10 to 15 days . Was one day in each town enough ? , Should i drop iceland and do norway itself for 20 days ? . Or 10 to 12 days is sufficient . Thank you , Rahul .

The 10 days I did was perfect. I suggest you follow my itinerary! One day in each place wouldn’t be enough simply because of the long driving days. It would be way too exhausting and not as enjoyable. What i did worked out great!

Thanks , I shall be following your itienary itself . I ll be landing in oslo , now neither Trondheim or bergen are clost to oslo ( both seeem to be around 7 hours away ) . Would you recommend the train to bergen from oslo and probably a flight from Trondheim back to oslo ? . And also mid september is a good time for the plan ? . Thanks again .

Yes, mid September is perfect! I went in early September and the weather was great! Some days i needed a light jacket and some days i was in a t-shirt. If you don’t want to rent a car the whole time, then I guess the train would be best to get to Bergen. But I would just fly back to Oslo from Trondheim because its very far from Trondheim!

Hi, we are doing this itienary in September, thanks for all the info. Now we are doing a 19 day trip. And we are thinking of travelling north for around 8 days. I cannot find a lot of things to do in the North in September. Can you help us here. How do we go about planning. We are thinking of flying to tromso. What are the cities and things we can do there? . We have not driven in snow, so not thinking of renting a car up north. Thank you.

Hi! I have only been to Tromso to see the northern lights so i don’t really have any more personal recommendations of what to do there other than that. You could look up some hikes maybe, but like I said, I cant be much of any help since i was only there very briefly. It might be the VERY beginning of northern lights season so you may have a chance of spotting them.

OMG!! This is one of my dream trips! Norway has been high on my list for years now – thanks to hearing about the EPIC Trolltunga hike. But also for all of the charming small towns. And to be honest, I never considered travelling Norway by car. So many good tips and ideas here. Thanks!

It was SO awesome to be able to have a car and stop anywhere I liked. The driving was my favorite part! Everything is just so pretty!

Loved this guide! Norway is such a stunning country! Bergen and Ålesund have always been on my list, but Trondheim looks so charming too! What was your favorite thing you ate there?? I love the salmon in Norway!

I actually cooked most my meals to save money haha. I hardly eat out in Norway because it’s SO expensive. I do love the salmon there! When i do eat out it’s usually gluten free pizza!! 🙂

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The Perfect 7 to 10 Days in Norway Itinerary

Last Updated on February 22, 2024

by Emily Marty

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Mapping out the ideal 7 to 10 days in Norway itinerary is a bit overwhelming when you consider just how much there is to see in this incredible country. From the hustle and bustle of Oslo to the fjords outside of Bergen to the incredible scenery in the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway, there is no way you can see it all in such a short amount of time.

However, if you’re in the process of planning your first trip to this Nordic nation and want a good mix of cities and nature, then you’re in for a treat. While you’re not going to be able to visit every corner of the country in a week to 10 days, there is a lot to see of Norway in this period of time.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Norway?

Norway may be a historic, unique, and jaw-droppingly beautiful country, but it’s also relatively compact.

Its cities are on the smaller side and are generally fairly walkable, so if you’re primarily planning on exploring Norway’s metropolitan areas during your stay there, you can easily get a great feel for the place spending no more than 7 days in Norway.

This amount of time allows you to spend a couple of days each in a few of Norway’s larger cities, including its capital, Oslo, and Bergen , which is easily one of the most distinct and charming destinations in perhaps all of Scandinavia.

Because, as mentioned above, these cities aren’t huge, a 7-day trip will give you ample time to explore them without feeling rushed. 

With that being said, if you can, staying for 10 days or even longer is advisable if you want to explore some of the country’s wilder, more remote areas, or its national parks.

It’s common for these areas to be located at least a few hours’ drive from the nearest city; the nature of the Norwegian landscape, being crisscrossed by mighty fjords, waterfalls, mountains, and bodies of water, also means it often takes far longer to reach your destination than it would to travel there as the crow flies.

Getting To & Around Norway

The easiest point of entry is generally in the capital city of Oslo.

Oslo is serviced by a number of airports, with the two most accessible being Gardermoen and Torp. Gardermoen is also the larger of the two and offers access to a larger number of international flight routes and providers, while Torp, which is closer to the coastal city of Sandefjord and about an hour away from downtown Oslo, is a popular destination for budget airlines in particular. You can also  book airport transfers here .

Alternatively, if you’re travelling to Norway from the south of Sweden , then you may want to consider taking the bus to Oslo, instead; a number of providers offer very affordable coach transfers from Gothenburg to Oslo, with a standard journey time of around 3-4 hours.

You can also arrive into Oslo via ferry from Copenhagen if you prefer to travel this way.  You can browse schedules here .

As far as travelling from Oslo to Bergen, flying is one option, taking a little over an hour – Bergen’s Flesland Airport is also a quick transfer away from the city’s downtown area via public transit or taxi.

However, if you don’t mind a longer journey, we highly recommend taking the Bergensbanen train, known as the Bergen Line in English, from Oslo to Bergen, instead. Regarded as one of the most scenic train routes in the world, the Bergen Line takes you right up into the mountains, through over 180 tunnels, and along a number of lakes, plateaus, and fjords.

Trains in Norway (and public transportation in general) are remarkably comfortable, clean, and well-maintained, and the carriages generally have ample room for luggage storage in the form of overhead racks. 

Reaching Stavanger from Bergen is fairly straightforward, too; travellers have the option of either flying or taking the NW400 Kytsbussen bus service. The direct service takes around 5 and a half hours and travels along a generous stretch of Norway’s beautiful western coast – so, you’ll more than likely find yourself glued to the window for the entire journey. 

While it’s not necessary, renting a car in Norway for part of your trip will absolutely give you more freedom in terms of travelling around and exploring the countryside, though it won’t be of much use getting from city to city.

Having a rental car can be convenient to get off the beaten path or to some more far-flung natural areas that aren’t as quick or easy to access.

A true Norway road trip itinerary should give you more time to get from point A to point B to account for the long drives between the different cities. If you’ve decided that a car rental is the right option for you, then you can browse options on Rentalcars.com

7 to 10-Day Norway Itinerary 

Below is our sample itinerary for a trip that will allow you to see some of the highlights of Norway, including Oslo, Bergen, and some of the highlights of western’s Norway’s natural landscapes. We’ve also outlined some ideas for a trip to Stavanger and Southern Norway, if you’re planning on staying in the country for 10 days, instead. 

Day 1 – Oslo

We recommend that you start your trip off in Oslo , the Norwegian capital. 

Once you’ve arrived and settled in, you might want to head out for a walk to explore Oslo Sentrum. If you want to learn more about the history of the city, you can consider  booking a walking tour  or  going on a bike tour .

Visit the Oslo Domkirke, stroll along the harbour at Bjørvika, visit the striking Opera House, and enjoy the view of the Oslofjord from the fortress of Akershus Festning.

If the weather is good, you may want to check out the sculptures at Frogner Park and Norway’s Royal Palace at Slottsparken, too.

If you can, finding accommodation to spend the night in Oslo’s downtown will help you see the most of the city. Those planning on staying in an Airbnb will likely have better luck in the neighbourhoods of Grünerløkka, Gamle Oslo, or the outskirts of the city.

Where to Stay in Oslo

Hotell Bondeheimen – This hotel located in the centre of Oslo is perfect for mid-range visitors to the city. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms to choose from along with a great location for exploring all the city has to offer.

Clarion Hotel Oslo – This luxury hotel is perfect for those who want a bit of the high life while in the Norwegian capital. They have a number of hip and modern rooms to choose from along with plenty of plush amenities for guests to use.

Frogner House Apartments – These apartments are perfect for those after a private, self-catering option while visiting Oslo. They have a number of different flats to choose from and all come equipped with everything you may need.

K7 Hotel Oslo – Budget and solo travellers will love this cool, centrally-located hotel in Oslo. Offering both dorm beds and private rooms, they have good common areas perfect for meeting other travellers.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Oslo hotels!

Day 2 – Oslo

Your first full day in Oslo is the perfect time to really explore and sink your teeth into some of the city’s museums and galleries. You can visit the National Museum and National Gallery, or, if you’re a Munch fan, pay the Munch Museum – which is dedicated to his work – a visit. 

Another option would be to head out to the island of Bygdøy for a day of museum hopping. It’s easily accessed via public transit and is home to the Norsk Folkemuseum, Fram Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, and Viking Ship Museum, which are all incredible and well worth visiting in their own right.

The Norsk Folkemuseum is also home to the Gol Stavechurch, which is a real highlight of Norwegian church architecture. 

Day 3 – Oslo

For your second full day in Oslo, we recommend exploring some of the fantastic nature spots just outside of the city.

The collective name for these areas is Oslomarka, and Oslomarka offers access to a number of lovely hikes and walks, many of which are easily reached from downtown Oslo via public transport. 

You might like to head out to the lake of Sognsvann, which also makes for a fantastic place for a picnic in the warmer months. Alternatively, you can walk up to the viewpoint at Vettakollen for a fantastic view of the city of Oslo, as well as the Oslofjord and surrounding forest.

Note that most of the walks you’ll find in the Oslomarka are fairly leisurely, featuring minimal elevation gain or rough terrain.

Day 4 – Oslo to Bergen

Today, you’ll be travelling from Oslo to Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway and a fantastic hub for exploring the country’s spectacular west coast. Flying from Oslo to Bergen is one option, taking a little over an hour – Bergen’s Flesland Airport is also a quick transfer away from the city’s downtown area.

Otherwise, you can take the Bergen Line train from Oslo Central Station, a stunning journey which usually lasts between 5-6 hours. 

If you’ve flown into Bergen, depending on what time you left Oslo, you’ll likely have at least half a day to explore the city. You might want to check out some of the art galleries in the city centre; the Kode complex is home to four separate, but equally interesting, museums with some fantastic works spanning a range of styles and periods. 

On the other hand, if you’re planning on taking the train from Oslo to Bergen, then you may want to spend the rest of the day relaxing once you’ve arrived.

One option for a low-key, relaxed thing to do on your first day in the city is taking a stroll through Bergen’s Sentrum area and along the iconic Bryggen wharves – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can do this independently or take a guided walking tour .

Staying in Bergen Sentrum is also advised if possible, though the city is fairly small and the downtown can easily be reached from other neighbourhoods via public transport. 

Where to Stay in Bergen

Hotel Park Bergen – This cosy, 3-star hotel is perfect for those visiting Norway on a mid-range budget, Located in the centre of Bergen, they have a number of bright rooms to choose from along with a great breakfast on offer in the mornings.

Opus 16 – This hotel is perfect for those with a bit more cash to play around with or who are looking for luxury in Bergen. Located conveniently for exploring the city, they have a range of great rooms long with an on-site restaurant and other amenities.

Fosswinckel Apartments – These apartments are perfect for those who’d like to have their own flat while visiting Bergen. They have a range of fully-furnished flats to choose from and a fantastic location for exploring all this lovely little city has to offer.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Bergen hotels!

Day 5 – Bergen

The fifth day of your Norway itinerary will be your first full day in Bergen . You can use day 5 to get your feet wet and explore the city’s historic Bryggen district if you haven’t already, as well as the medieval fortress of Bergenshus Festning. 

If you’re interested, you can also take the tram out to the neighbourhood of Fana, where you’ll find Fantoft Stavkirke. This is a replica of an ancient stave church, that was tragically burnt down by an arsonist in the 1990s; unfortunately, the culprit was never found. 

Alternatively, you can head out to the Grieg Museum, which is also a short trip away from downtown Bergen on public transport.

There, you can explore the renowned Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s former home, as well as its beautiful grounds. There is also a museum dedicated to his life and work onsite. 

Day 6 – Hardangervidda National Park or Flåm

On day 6, you have a couple of options for day trips from the city. Hiking enthusiasts will likely want to use this day to visit the legendary Hardangervidda National Park, which is Norway’s largest. 

We recommend taking the train from Bergen to Finse – the journey is about 2 hours and 30 minutes one way, and the township of Finse is actually located on the Northern edge of the Hardangervidda plateau. South of Finse is the glacier Hardangerjøkulen, and to the northwest is the boundary of another national park called Hallingskarvet. 

If you’ve decided to rent a car for this part of your journey, then the drive from Bergen to Hardangervidda will, naturally, give you far more freedom in terms of what you can see on this day of the itinerary. The park is a fantastic place for hiking, cycling, climbing, fishing, and more, so go nuts!

On the other hand, if you’d prefer to explore more of western Norway’s system of fjords, then you can use this day to make a day trip out to the village of Flåm, which lies on the banks of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord.

This incredibly picturesque village takes just under 3 hours to reach via train from Bergen and is home to a charming railway museum, as well as some fantastic hiking and walking trails in its vicinity. You can take an organised day trip .

Day 7 – Bergen

For day 7, we highly recommend exploring some of the nature spots within Bergen itself – namely, its two most famous mountains, Ulriken and Fløyen. If you have time, one thing that’s especially worth doing is the Vidden hike, which will take you from Fløyen’s viewpoint and across a number of plateaus before arriving at Ulriken. 

If you won’t be spending more than a week in Norway, however, then you’ll be transferring back to Oslo today before flying out of the country. in this case, we recommend that you stick to hiking on and around Fløyen, rather than venturing further afield to Ulriken. 

Accessing Fløyen from downtown Bergen is actually very straightforward; you can simply take the funicular from its station in Bergen Sentrum to the viewpoint near the mountain’s summit, which generally takes somewhere between 5-8 minutes.

While there is a cable car that can take you to and from the top of Ulriken, it’s not quite as accessible and, therefore, probably not the best choice if you’re going to be strapped for time. 

Frankly, ticking at least one of these mountains off your list is a must if you’ll be seeing Norway in 7 days and is one of the best things to do in Norway. So, just heading up to the viewpoint on Fløyen is worth it to take in the vista it offers of Bergen, as well as the surrounding landscape.

If this isn’t the end of your journey, though, then we’ll see you in Stavanger! 

Day 8 – Bergen to Stavanger

Are you planning on staying longer than a week in Norway? If so, then we recommend travelling from Bergen to Stavanger on this day of your Norway trip. Adding another city to your itinerary will allow you to see much more of Norway in 10 days.

As mentioned previously, the NW400 Kystbussen service will take you from one city to another, departing from Bergen’s bus terminal and arriving in Stavanger roughly 5 to 6 hours later. 

Once you’ve arrived in Stavanger, you’ll likely be a little tired from your journey. We recommend taking a relaxed stroll along the waterfront or through downtown Stavanger to get yourself acquainted with the city.

Staying somewhere central in Stavanger is ideal, if possible, but the city is fairly compact and easily traversed using public transport. 

Where to Stay in Stavanger

Hotel Victoria – If you’re looking for a cosy, central and comfortable place to rest your head in Stavanger, then this hotel is a great choice. They have a number of lovely rooms available along with an on-site restaurant/bar and breakfast available in the mornings.

Sea Story by Frogner House – These apartments are an excellent option for those looking for a self-catering place to stay in Stavanger. Centrally located and equipped with everything you may need, they have one, two and three-bedroom flats to choose from.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Stavanger hotels!

Day 9 – Stavanger

For your first full day in Stavanger , we recommend checking out some of the city’s museums. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum and Norwegian Canning Museum might sound a bit, well, boring, but both actually feature pretty fascinating displays and collections of artefacts, in addition to offering visitors into two key areas of Norwegian industry. 

Make sure to visit Gamle Stavanger, too, the city’s old town – with charming, cobbled streets and architecture typical of this part of Norway, it pretty much feels like a window straight into another era entirely. 

Day 10 – Stavanger

For the last of your 10 days in Norway, we suggest that you head out to Sverd i fjell – easily Stavanger’s most famous landmark, the monument consists of three freestanding bronze swords, which commemorate the historic Battle of Hafrsfjord of 872. 

Also highly recommended is one of the fjord cruises that depart from downtown Stavanger. These cruises such as this 2-hour boat ride will allow you to take in the mighty Lysefjord, as guides will typically be onboard to explain some of the local folklore, history, and culture along the way. 

Have More Time?

If you’re looking to spend more time in Norway, then there’s plenty more to do and see! Why not head further north and explore the cities of Trondheim or Tromsø ?

The Lofoten islands , in the country’s extreme north, are also very much worth visiting for their starkly beautiful arctic scenery — especially during the winter if you want to see the Northern Lights.

And, if you’ve rented or otherwise have access to a car, you can check out the famous hikes to Preikestolen — or Pulpit Rock — (which is near Stavanger) and Trolltunga (near Odda in the Vestland region), which are easily two of the country’s most striking, unique landmarks. 

Planning a trip to Norway can be challenging; after all, the country has so much to offer visitors, that many people find it difficult to know where to go and what to see when we only have a finite amount of time to spend there.

Nevertheless, we hope that this sample itinerary is helpful for your travel planning and that you have an amazing trip to Norway!

Are you planning to visit Norway? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Bergen Itinerary

The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Stavanger Itinerary

A Guide to Visiting the Lofoten Islands in Winter

About Emily Marty

Emily is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, she is currently based in the UK. She enjoys exploring Northern & Western Europe and Southeast Asia and has a bit of a thing for islands in particular.

we are traveling to Norway in late September. we are flying into Bergen – want to spend a day in Bergen – then take a day trip to Flam stopping at Sognefjory . Do the Flam Railway to Myrdal and see the Kjostosseum waterfalls and then back to Bergen on the third day we wanted to head north to Alesund (don’t want to spend the whole day driving so wanted to see what options we had) we were looking at taking the overnight ferry but it doesn’t run the day that we wanted to take it. We wanted to spend time in Alesund and then head north to Kristiansund to drive the Atlantic Coast or skip going north and from Alesund take the car ferry from Geiranger to Heillesylt – spend the day there and then fly out of either Molde or Orsta to Oslo and spend one day in Oslo – is this too much to do? how do we navigate from Bergen up to Alesund to make sense?

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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 .

Getting there

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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A Stunning South Norway Road Trip in 10 Days

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Let’s get this out of the way… Norway is one of the most naturally gorgeous places I’ve ever been to, and a South Norway road trip is the way to see it.

This is literally the home of insane fjords cutting through giant mountains, Vikings, salmon that you can eat sashimi style out of the ocean, and the Northern Lights. I was a bit nervous when I made my first trip here a couple of years back because Norway seems wild and huge – and it is. There are very few tourist things to lean on , and while I’m glad for this, it’s daunting to plan a culture & hiking trip, one where nothing is catered for you.

Here are my South Norway road trip priorities , and you’ll see my route below:

• See Fantastic Fjord & Mountain Views : I wanted to do the iconic hikes like Prekeistolen (Pulpit Rock) and Romsdalseggen (locally recommended), and see the prettiest fjords like Lyse Fjord, Geiranger, Loen, and Sognefjorden.
• Eat Local Norwegian Food: I wanted to eat super local and super well. Like fish right out of the fjords caught that morning, maybe some of the weirder Nordic stuff too!
• Stay in Cute Lodging with Star-Gazing : I like Norwegian architecture because it’s a nice blend of modern meets cozy, and so I opted for spots with amazing views, places with indoor saunas (because that’s a thing to do here), and really cozy spots that don’t break the bank.

This post is meant to be the plan behind my road trip around southern Norway, “a la Mariana,” because there is nothing like doing it yourself to spark that little fire. So here is all the due diligence you need to get going!

Table of Contents

South Norway Road Trip 10-Day Itinerary

Here is my South Norway road trip route, with several restaurant recommendations and little gems of where to stay along the way!

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo

Pick up your rental car and drive the 1 hour from the airport to the city center in Oslo. On my first day in the city, I loved winding down at the port, walking around, and listening to live music at night.

If you’re not renting a car for the first couple of days in Oslo, do NOT take a Taxi/Uber from the airport to the city center. It’s super expensive (~€300), and there’s a better way. The fastest way to get from the airport to Oslo is to take the train. Look for Vy or Flytoget trains . Trains get you to the city center in 20 minutes for pretty cheap.

My Favorite Restaurants in Oslo: 👉 Arakataka – Nordic food & a budget fine dining gem 👉 Happolati – Norwegian meets Asian fusion, quite nice inside too! 👉 Vippa local street food vendors in a giant warehouse with breweries on the pier 👉 SALT – Live music spot with beer and street food!

Where to Stay in Oslo

You’ll be staying in Oslo for 2 nights, and I recommend staying in the city center, so everything is walkable. Additionally, you’ll want to find a place that has a place to park your car.

📍 Luxury: Grand Hotel Oslo – if you’ve never stayed in a Grand Hotel, this is an excellent example of high-class European charm and is renowned in Oslo. 📍 Mid-Range: Hotel Bristol – super cozy, fantastic breakfast, the decor is my favorite part, and right in the city center.

Day 2: Be a Tourist in Oslo

Be a tourist and walk or scoot around the city! As luck would have it, I have a good friend in Oslo who was my guide around this amazing city. Here are the places we visited if you want to find your own way.

• Opera House Oslo – Don’t miss out on scooting across the opera house rooftop – you’ll know what I mean when you look at its architectural design. Oh, and trust me, everyone will be doing it! 🙂
• Munch Museum – I love a good art immersion, and if you’re into that as well, this is where you can see the famous The Scream painting!
• Var Frelsers Graveyard – It’s a graveyard, but hear me out… while I don’t usually put cemeteries on my “must-see” list, Norwegians build their graveyards to have a feeling of peace and quiet, and this one is serene and gorgeous. Take your time to walk among the people of the past, imagining their life rather than mourning their graves.
• The Royal Palace – I do recommend taking a tour if you have the time and inclination towards history like me!
• Oslo Cathedral – I found myself on the beautiful cathedral lawn with a cup of hot tea – another wonderful spot to take a nap in the sun.
• Vikingskipshuset – This is the Viking Ship Museum and a bit of a trek on the west side of Oslo. But holy smokes, you can see a real-life Viking ship. Enough said on this one.

➡️ I recommend this Customized Private Tour so you can really dive into the culture, history, and local hot spots. ⬅️

Day 3: Drive from Oslo to Stavanger

This is a big driving day, traversing most of southern Norway. Grab some snacks and enjoy the drive and views of the cutest wooden houses along the way. This will take you about 7-8 hours, and I took the most direct route.

PRO TIP: If your drive takes you along the southernmost tip of Norway, don’t miss taking a lunch break at the Lindesnes Lighthouse . This is Norway’s oldest lighthouse, dating back to 1656. Cute museum, a few quickie hiking trails around to stretch your legs. Not a must, but definitely a notable mention.

If I were to do it differently, I would opt to be carless in Oslo for a couple of days and fly from Oslo to Stavanger where I would start my road trip and rent a car. I reason that the drive from Oslo to Stavanger in the next few days is a huge 8-hour trek, and while it’s pretty depending on what route you take, it’s hellishly long.

Where to Stay in Stavanger

You’ll also stay in Stavanger for 2 nights, and I recommend lodging near the town center.

📍 Luxury: Hotel Victoria – Right on the water, with a fantastic view of the pier, cozy and elegant decor, and a cute lounge & bar area. 📍 Mid Range: Sea Story by Frogner House – a more modern option; I love this spot for the stunning bathroom and the floor-to-ceiling windows for morning coffee peeking over Stavanger. A classic Nordic apartment.

Day 4: Preikestolen Hike & Lyse Fjord Cruise

Your morning will be dedicated to the Preikestolen Hike, one of the more iconic hiking trails on this southern Norway road trip itinerary for 10 days. Go early in the morning to avoid the rush of people, and make sure to pack a lunch, water, and your camera. I’m a moderately fit American, and I would say this hike was easy – it took me about 3 hours roundtrip and the views were breathtaking!

Hike : Preikestolen Hike (Pulpit Rock) Distance : 5 miles, out & back Time Needed : 3-4 hrs Difficulty : Moderate Pro Tip: Be on the trail by 9 am. Perks : fantastic fjord views at the end, and iconic pictures from what looks like a drop cliff into the fjord.

Your afternoon is all about the Lyse Fjord. Around 3 pm, there’s a cruise that departs from Stavanger Harbor. Get on that cruise to see the Lyse Fjord and Preikestolen from the water. It’s so cute and is only a couple of hours. Get your tickets ahead of time at Rodne Fjord Cruise .

My Favorite Restaurants in Stavanger 👉 Fisketorget Stavanger – a fish market with a little restaurant inside, I recommend the fish soup for lunch 👉 Renaa Michelin Restaurant – first Michelin in Stavanger, excellent Norwegian classics. It’s a bit pricey (about $150 per person without the wine pairing), but OMG! Reservation is required, so book a few days ahead!

Day 5: Drive from Stavanger to Bergen

Another drive day along the coast of Norway with stunning views. This one will take about 6 hours.

When you arrive in Bergen, grab a snack/beer to go and take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen here . You can enjoy a beautiful sunset and equally gorgeous views of Bergen with your adult beverage in hand.

Instead of taking the funicular down, walk the path to the bottom – it will only take you 30 min and the forest reminds me of something out of a Grimm’s fairytale. Norwegians love trolls, so you’ll see these naughty little imps everywhere, as they are part of the local culture.

Where to Stay in Bergen

You’ll be in Bergen for 2 nights as well.

📍 Luxury: Det Hanseatiske Hotel – Historic hotel giving rustic luxury, right in the heart of Bergen. Fantastic breakfast. 📍 Mid-Range: Hotel Oleana – Another classic building refurbished with the Nordic modern design right in the city center. Fantastic bar area.

Day 6: Be a tourist in Bergen

I started the morning with breakfast and a cruise through the Bergen Fjords . My best recommendation here is to bundle up, because you’ll want to be on the outside deck admiring the little towns you pass by, and the nature that will be sure to impress.

In the afternoon, I joined a Walking Tour in Bergen: Past and Present – and it was the perfect blend of history, sights, and storytelling to have you falling in love with the town.

From there, it’s a “choose your own adventure” for the day. Rent a bike or find a hiking trail nearby, get day-wasted at the port, or just Netflix & chill.

My Favorite Restaurants in Bergen: 👉 Bryggeloftet & Steune Restaurant : Locally recommended & oldest traditional Norwegian restaurant in Bergen. Great for dinner, the steak is fantastic! 👉 Pergola Italian & Wine Bar : Another gem, located down a narrow alleyway. 👉 Bjerk : for lunch or dinner, really nice views of the pier. 👉 Olivia Italian  – Italian comfort food for when you’re tired of Norwegian (which is a real thing)

➡️ My Best Thing To Do in Bergen is to take the Mostraumen Bergen Fjord Cruise ! ⬅️

Day 7: Drive from Bergen to Loen

This drive is quite long as well, about 6 hours, but you’ll be graced by the gorgeous coast of Norway again. I recommend an early start so you can get to Loen by 3 pm. I loved packing a lunch in Bergen to take with me – this way I could stop anywhere along the road where it was gorgeous (and there are plenty of spots) to enjoy my meal.

In Loen, take the sky lift up , and enjoy the views. There are a few short hiking trails around the top, and I highly encourage a couple of hours walking around, especially as you’ve just spent the better part of the day in a car… stretch those legs!

Where to Stay in Loen

This is only a one-night stay because it’s been a long ass drive and you’re in a pretty place to stop.

📍 Luxury: Hotel Alexandra Loen – A bit of a splurge, but for one night, the sauna and dinner with a view are worth it. 📍 Mid Range: Hotel Loenfjord – Right on the fjord, I loved the nice porch you can drink wine from.

Day 8: Geiranger Fjord & Skagefla Hike

The drive from Loen to Geiranger is 2.5 hours. You’ll be staying in this little town for 2 nights, so we’ll take it easy today.

Lunch Recommendation: Get a good early lunch (including their award-winning sour beer) at Brasserie Posten before your fjord boat tour.

The early afternoon boat tour of the Geiranger Fjord will be relaxing and pretty, so take it easy. On the way back to port, the boat will stop at a random-looking place along the edge – this is Skagehola.

If you’re up for it – this is where you get off for the Skagefla Hike . It’s about a 45-minute hike up some seriously steep stone steps, but worth the views of the “Seven Sisters” Waterfall from the top – hello, UNESCO World Heritage Site! From here, you go back down the steps and get back on the boat – the pick-up service is included as part of your ticket.

Once you’re off the boat, there is an amazing serpentine scenic drive, maybe about 30 minutes total, that takes you to this viewpoint – highly recommend it!

Where to Stay in Geiranger

This little Norwegian town is your home base for 2 nights before you head back down to Olso on the last day.

📍 Luxury: Hotel Union Geiranger – Get the Fjord view room, one of the prettiest hotels in town, I recommend enjoying the spa on the property, especially after the hikes. 📍 Mid Range: Hotel Utsikten – higher ground in town, a great option as well, fantastic porch with great views of the fjord.

Day 9: Åndalsnes, Trollstigen & Romsdalseggen Hike

This will be a big day, so make sure you have a hearty breakfast and pack some lunch snacks. Geiranger to Andalsnes takes 2.5 hours, and Romsdalseggen is a full-day hike, end to end. That said, this was the most beautiful hike of my life, and I will never forget it.

The Romsdalseggen Hike starts in the town of Andalsnes, at the main bus stop. Try to catch the 9 am or 10:30 am bus to the trailhead. It is a 20-minute bus ride, but try to buy bus tickets ahead of time as buses get packed for this trail.

Hike : Venjesdalen to Åndalsnes via Romsdalseggen Distance : 6.6 miles, end to end Time Needed : 5-7 hrs Difficulty : Hard Pro Tip: When you get to the end and you’re at the hut having a beer, take the gondola down, it is NOT worth hiking the final 1 hour steep downhill. Perks : The most beautiful hike of my life, except maybe the Dolomites .

You’ll start with a steady uphill for 2 hours, but trust me, the views get better and better, especially after you scramble up the very top of the mountain and across its ridge. On the descent, when you get to the ski lift, have yourself a beer and enjoy the view – you earned it!

From the top at the hut, there are 2 options:

• Ride the ski lift down. If this is your choice, have a second beer and smile… you’ve done well!
• Walk 40 min on a steep downhill trail to the bottom. This is what I did, and it destroyed me. If you choose this one, may the odds be in your favor… you will not feel your legs for the next 3 days!

TREAT YOURSELF: Dinner recommendation in Andalsnes at Sodahlhuset . You’ve earned it!

On the drive back to your home, you’ll go up through one of the most scenic roads on this Norway road trip itinerary… Trollstigen .

I know you’re tired, but stop at the lookout point at the top and take in the view. Make sure to take the walkway (5 min walk) to the very end where you can see the valley in all its majestic grandness. Today was a good day.

Day 10: Drive from Geiranger to Oslo

While the drive is not nearly as gorgeous as what you’ve done and seen on this southern Norway road trip, it’s still scenic and cute! It should take you all day to get to Oslo, about an 8-hour drive.

From here, it’s just about catching a flight back home.

South Norway Road Trip Map

This was my route, but if I were to do it again , I might fly directly from Oslo into Bergen or Stavanger and start my Norway road trip itinerary for 10 days there – simply to remove a chunk of driving and make more room for hiking days.

If you love mountains but want to be a bit more cost-conscious than Norway can offer, consider staying on the European mainland and check out my Switzerland to Italy Road Trip . Insane hikes and we only spent $3.5K total for 2 people in 14 days! 🥳

Renting a Car in Norway

Norway is geographically long, and there are many ways to get around – rent a car, take the train, fly from one city to another, etc. No wrong way to do it, really – just depends on the time you have, your budget, and your transportation preference.

I opted to rent a car for 10 days and enjoyed the hell out of the gorgeous scenery along the coast of southern Norway. Honestly, it was a treat driving in Norway! Here’s what I used to find a good option, it’s my go-to for pricing comparison.

Check and Compare Cars in Norway with: ➡️ DISCOVER CARS ⬅️

The wildest thing I encountered on the way were these sheep. If you can, go diesel when you rent a car, it’s cheaper in Norway.

Is Driving in Norway Easy?

Yes! Especially in the July or August months. The roads are in excellent condition. There should be paid public parking lots everywhere.

While driving, tolls or ferry rides are automatically logged by the auto pass on your car, you’ll get the tab when you return the rental. Super seamless, you honestly don’t have to do anything except keep driving!

A few things to keep in mind: Driving as an American in Europe: Documentation & Rules of the Road .

How long does it take to drive from one end of Norway to the other?

So this depends on the weather, random sheep blocking a highway, and the pace you set. Check out the map above to see my route, but here are the drive times for the key points on my Norway road trip, keeping in mind I drove this in August when the skies were sunny with a touch of rain here and there.

• Oslo to Stavanger (for Pulpit Rock & Lyse Fjord): 7 hours
• Stavanger to Bergen : 5 hours
• Bergen to Loen : 5 hours
• Loen to Geiranger (for UNESCO Skagefla Hike): 1 hour
• Geiranger to Andalsnes (for Romsdalseggen Hike): 2.5 hours
• Geiranger to Oslo : 8 hours

The longer drives are a bit brutal, but here are 7 Unique Ways to Pass the Time , including games and deep-dive discussion questions.

South Norway Road Trip Tips

I had a lot of questions when I first started planning this trip, especially as I was traveling solo. Here are a few frequently asked questions and resources.

Is Norway good for a road trip?

Yes, and a fantastic option if you want to push yourself outside of your comfort zone when it comes to hiking – and be rewarded with some of the most fantastic views of fjords, idyllic wooden houses, and mountains in the world.

I’ve put together a few Pros and Cons of Roadtrips & Why I Love Them that ring true for this route through Southern Norway.

Do I need Travel Insurance for Norway?

While Norway is safe, this road trip involves a lot of driving, hiking, and overall hard-core adventuring. There are a few options out there, so take a couple of minutes to review the 5 Best Medical Insurance Policies for Europe . I use SafetyWing because it’s affordable and flexible (I can get it for a week or a month, etc.) See what fits for you, here is the link.

This is what I use ➡️ SAFETYWING: Travel Medical Insurance ⬅️

When is the best time to go on a road trip in Norway?

The best times to get the most sun and really see the beauty of southern Norway is in July & August.

Is Norway expensive?

The short answer is yes… but it doesn’t have to be. Here is the cost breakdown for my solo 10-day trip:

• Car Rental : $600
• Lodging : $1,500
• Food   & Drink : $1,000

If you’re hitting up restaurants every day, you can expect a meal without alcohol to range from $30-50. The best bet is to go grocery shopping (Billa, DM Supermarket) and cook at home or buy snacks for the road.

Alcohol is expensive. Beer is sold everywhere, and the local brews are delicious. However, wine and liquor are controlled by the government and ONLY sold in special Wine Monopoly stores (I’m serious!), which are open only at specific times. No wine/liquor is found in any supermarkets.

Lodging can average around $150 a night for hotels or AirB&B, but private rooms in hostels (which are super clean) or homes can be a more budget-friendly option.

Norway is also a country that lets you put a tent just about anywhere as long as you are not an inconvenience, which is what makes tent life a fun, cheap way to go if you’re into it!

What to Pack for a Norway Road Trip

While July and August are mostly sunny and bright, the weather in Norway can be unpredictable. I’ve put together some great tips on how to pack Cute and Comfy Road Trip Outfits in another article, but here’s the gist of what you need.

• Rain Jacket – lightweight and waterproof, and ideally packs really small so you can carry it with you everywhere.
• Layers – from warm leggings, jeans, to a few t-shirts and sweaters. But also pack a pair of shorts and a sundress for just that one perfect sunny day!
• Hiking Boots & Socks
• Hiking Backpack or Daypack – where else are you going to put that rain jacket and snacks?!
• A Bathing Suit – for those opportune sauna moments or if you’re crazy enough to jump into one of the many lakes on this road trip.
• Reusable Water Bottle – a must.

Wrap-Up: 11 Iconic Things You’ll See in Southern Norway

In a nutshell, this is one of my favorite road trips because of all the hikes and scenic views packed into a short 10-day road trip.

✔️ Oslo – The capital city, and if you do it right, you can see the famous Munch Museum (including the famous painting The Scream ), the Oslo Opera House, and even a Viking ship!

✔️ Lindesnes Lighthouse – Oldest lighthouse in Norway, think 1600’s. Located in the definition of Southern Norway on your route from Oslo to Stavanger.

✔️ Preikestolen – Aka “Pulpit Rock” and one of the more iconic hiking trails and photo opp along the trip. ✔️ Lysen Fjord – Gorgeous Fjord along with a spectacular view of “Pulpit Rock” from the water.

✔️ Bergen – Iconic colorful houses along the port and the cutest town ever.

✔️ Loen Skylift – One of the steepest cable cars in the world, with spectacular views of Loen in the heart of fjord country.

✔️ Romsdalseggen Hike – Best views on this trip and one of the more challenging/rewarding hiking trails I’ve done so far.

✔️ Trollstigen Road – The famous serpentine mountain road in southern Norway.

✔️ Geiranger Fjord – With beautiful views of the “Seven Sisters” Waterfall and Skagefla Mountain.

✔️ Skagefla Hike – A UNESCO World Heritage site and where a lot of those pictures on Instagram come from. An absolute gem of a hiking trail on this southern Norway road trip!

✔️ Atlantic Ocean Road – The rollercoaster road through an archipelago (ie, water and land) that will make you applaud the civil engineering in this country!

PRO TIP: If you only have 7 days, think about skipping Oslo and Stavanger in order to do justice to a Road Trip from Bergen to Alesund .

Mariana Barbuceanu is the owner and author of the Road Trip EuroGuide, a blog that inspires fellow travelers to explore Europe more authentically through slower travel and digging deeper into the culture of a place. When she isn't writing about her adventures, she is planning trips for her community and coaching people on how to take that next step towards a much-needed sabbatical.

10-Day Complete Itinerary for a Spectacular Road Trip in Southern Norway

Last updated April 2024

In the midst of a busy work schedule, we found ourselves with 10 days available to do what we love: explore more of our beautiful home country, Norway. As 10 days is too short to see the whole country, we decided to focus on the southern part. After hours of planning and an intense treasure hunt on the internet, we had our treasure map (read: itinerary) ready. On the trip, we wanted to see spectacular nature and wildlife, eat good food, stay in comfortable hotels, and try out new activities. These were high expectations, but the trip certainly did not disappoint.

Our budget was mid-range by Norwegian standards. For many foreign visitors, Norway will an expensive country to visit. Expect to pay approximately 110-180 USD per night for a hotel room. Camping can be a great cost-saving alternative. Eating out is pricey, so another piece of budget advice is to get your lunch and/or dinner from a grocery store.

Activities and excursions vary greatly in price. The activities we did on this trip were either free or moderately priced. For car rental, you should budget for somewhere between 65-130 USD per day. Consider renting a moderately sized car to limit fuel consumption, as fuel prices are also high.

Below is our complete itinerary broken down by day. We started and ended the road trip in our hometown of Oslo. Some days had a slow pace, while others were more activity-packed.

It is possible to make the itinerary shorter or longer. For a shorter road trip, we recommend that you drive back to Oslo after visiting Dalen. For a longer journey, we suggest that you follow our route and simply spend more time at each destination. Having the freedom to travel slowly and improvise is one of the great advantages of a road trip. We promise you that Norway has a lot to offer.

Our 10-day road trip itinerary is suitable for almost everyone, including families with children. A couple of the hikes require a moderate degree of physical fitness, but they are feasible for most people.

Happy travels — we hope you enjoy Norway as much as we do!

Drive from Oslo to Kristiansand – Have lunch at Portør Pensjonat – Stay at Comfort Hotel Kristiansand

Drive from Kristiansand to Lindesnes – Visit Lindesnes Fyr – Have lunch at Jentan på Båly – Go stand up paddling or kayaking at Spangereidkanalen – Visit Lindesnes Fyr one more time at sunset – Stay at Lindesnes Havhotell

Drive from Lindesnes to Sola – Visit Kvåsfossen – Sørnorsk Laksesenter – Have lunch at Folvik Kafe – Explore Sogndalsstrand – Stop at Kvassheim Fyr. Visit Orrestranda – Enjoy the sunset at Solastranden – Stay at Clarion Hotel Air

Explore Stavanger city center – Have a cup of coffee and a cupcake at Hanekam Cafe – Stay at Clarion Hotel Air

Alternative day plan: Visit Flor & Fjære

Drive from Sola to Kvinesdal – Go rail biking at Flekkefjordbanen – Have lunch or dinner at Tollboden Bakeri – Stay at The Bølgen og Moi Hotel Utsikten

Alternative activity: Visit the potholes at Brufjellet

Drive from Kvinesdal to Hauggrend – Hike Kaldåsknipa – Feed the elks at Elgtun – Have dinner at Sølvgarden Hotell og Feriesenter – Go on a beaversafari at Bufjordstigen – Stay at Telemark Camping & Inn

Drive from Hauggrend to Haukelifjell – Hike to the Rui farm – Have Afternoon Tea at Dalen Hotel – Visit Ravnejuv – Stop at Mjonøy – Have dinner at Haukeliseter Fjellstue – Stay at Haukelifjell Gjestehus

Drive from Haukelifjell to Bergen – Have lunch at Steinstø Frukt- og Kakebu – Stop at Steindalsfossen -Check-in at Hurtigruten in Bergen – Have dinner at Hurtigruten – Stay at Hurtigruten for the night

Cruise Geirangerfjorden – Have lunch at Hurtigruten – Drive from Ålesund to Valldal – Have dinner at Valldal Fjordhotell – Stay at Valldal Fjordhotell

Drive from Valldal to Oslo – Stop at Gudbrandsjuvet – Stop at Trollstigplatået – Stop at Avdemsbue – Arrive in Oslo

Link to driving directions on Google Maps

The first stop on our trip was at the charming and rustic Portør Pensjonat, where we had lunch on our way to Kristiansand.

The salad with beets and goat cheese was fresh and very tasty. The waitress told us that the vegetables were locally grown just a few kilometers away from the restaurant. Thumbs up!

We spent the rest of the day visiting our relatives that live near Kristiansand. If we had had more time, we would have wandered around in Kristiansand’s cozy streets and visited one of the many scenic areas that are close to the city. Odderøya and Baneheia are particularly beautiful ones.

We stayed at the Comfort Hotel Kristiansand for the night. The hotel was good in all respects and conveniently located in the center of Kristiansand. The parking facilities were also good, with a garage right next to the hotel.

Link to Portør Pensjonat

Link to Comfort Hotel Kristiansand

On day two we headed further south towards Lindesnes Fyr (Lindesnes Lighthouse). The lighthouse is located on the southernmost point of mainland Norway and is a spectacular sight. We highly recommend visiting the area both during the day and at sunset. The advantage of visiting Lindesnes Fyr during the opening hours is that you can visit the museum and also go inside the lighthouse. It is, however, at dusk that a visit here becomes truly unforgettable. We therefore visited Lindesnes Fyr twice on the same day and were very happy that we did.

Our lunch spot for the day was Jentan på Båly (The Girls at Båly), located on the dock in Båly harbor. We took the food to go and ate it on the benches outside.

Jentan på Båly is a stone’s throw away from Lindesnes Havhotell, which was our hotel for the night. The hotel had plenty of sports equipment available such as bicycles, fishing rods and kayaks. We decided to test our balance and rented stand-up paddle boards. We initially had some problems finding a place to try them out. Luckily, after some exploration, we came across a perfect little sandy beach (see the Google Maps driving directions link for the exact location of the beach – the address is Bålymoen 21). From here on, everything went smoothly, and we enjoyed paddling on Spangereidkanalen (Spagereid Canal).

After visiting Lindesnes Fyr for the second time, it was time to go to bed. Lindesnes Havhotell was another fine place to spend the night. The hotel had great staff and nice rooms, although the wellness area with whirlpools and saunas could use an upgrade. A nice perk is that hotel guests receive free tickets to Lindesnes Fyr.

Tip: We bought the best cherries we had all summer at Spangereid Bensin & Handel (Spangereid Gas Station)!

Link to Lindesnes Fyr

Link to Jentan på Båly

Link to Lindesnes Havhotell

Link to Spangereid Bensin & Handel

Link to driving directions on Google Maps  

Day three started great with a visit to Kvåsfossen – Sørnorsk Laksesenter (Kvåsfossen – Southern Norway Salmon Centre).

After the amazing experience at Kvåsfossen, Sogndalsstrand was our next destination. Here we had a late lunch at Folvik Kafe in Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell. The cafe served delicious food in a historic setting, and we highly recommend eating here.

With our bellies full, we were eager to see more of Sogndalsstrand, an old harbor village dating back to the 17th century. The village reached its peak in the late 19th century based on the then-thriving shipping and fishing industries. During the 20th century, Sogndalstrand lost its role as a trading town, and gradually declined in population size. In 1994 the last shop closed its doors in the small town. However, since early this century, the area has been rejuvenated and many of the old buildings have undergone restoration.

Today, Sogndalstrand is a popular tourist attraction with an increasing number of visitors. The town now boasts hotels, restaurants, galleries and museums. We had a pleasant time strolling around among charming wooden houses and gorgeous gardens.

We had quite a long itinerary this day and no time to waste. We therefore got back in the car and headed for the 41-kilometer-long National Tourist Route between Ogna and Bore. The National Tourist Route turned out to be amazingly picturesque, and we would have loved to have a lot more time to enjoy the scenic drive. The surroundings were beautiful, with the sea and rolling farmlands right next to the road. The old cultural landscape also has plenty of beaches, with both pebbles and sand. Along the route, we also stopped briefly at Kvassheim Fyr (Kvassheim Lighthouse). The cafe and museum were closed for the day, but it was still nice to have a look at the lighthouse from the outside.

A half-hour drive further took us to Friluftshuset Orre (The Recreation Centre at Orre), where we parked our car. From there we walked for approximately five minutes to Orrestranda (Orre beach). Many hold this beach to be the most beautiful beach on the whole of Jærens coastline. Orre beach is five kilometers long and is the longest sandy beach in Norway. We could have easily spent hours just lounging there.

The visit to Orre beach made us crave more sand between our toes, and after checking in at Clarion Hotel Air , we went off to watch the sunset on Solastranden (Sola beach). Sola beach is located right next to Sola Airport, and the beach is very popular with both locals and tourists. We had a beautiful, although somewhat chilly, evening on Solastranden.

*If you have time, we really recommend staying one night in Sogndalsstrand Kulturhotell, as we would have loved to have more time to spend at each place we visited this day. If you don’t have one more night to spare, make sure to be at Kvåsfossen – Sørnorsk Laksesenter at opening time to make the most of the day!

Link to Kvåsfossen – Sørnorsk Laksesenter

Link to Folvik Kafe at Sogndalsstrand Kulturhotell

Link to Kvassheim Fyr

Link to Friluftshuset Orre

Link to Norwegian Scenic Routes

Link to Visit Norway – Sola beach

Link to Clarion Hotel Air

On day four of our road trip, we woke up to rain and gray weather over Sola and Stavanger city. We therefore discarded our original plan to visit the island of Flor & Fjære. This was a pity because the pictures we had seen of it were incredibly beautiful. Flor & Fjære markets itself as a cross between a park and a restaurant, a unique concept that we look forward to seeing one day in the future.

Instead, we spent the day wandering around Stavanger city center. One of our favorite streets here was Øvre Holmegate, which despite the bad weather brightened our day with its lively colors. We were especially charmed by the Hanekam retro cafe and their delicious carrot cupcakes. The cafe even had a full-sized drum kit(!) in the restroom.

Another part of Stavanger that we also liked was the old town, with its narrow cobbled streets and white wooden houses. We took the well-kept gardens as a sign of residents taking pride in making their surroundings as pretty as possible.

With a packed schedule the day before, it was lovely to spend the evening at the very comfortable Clarion Hotel Air. The hotel was the perfect place to recharge our mental batteries before continuing our journey.

Link to Hanekam Cafe

Link to Flor & Fjære

The next day, it was still raining, so once again we had to make some changes to our plans.

Our initial plan was to visit the potholes at Brufjellet. This was unfortunately not possible as the climb in the last part of the trek is dangerous during rainy weather. Instead, we went with plan B and headed to Flekkefjord, and more specifically Flekkefjordbanen (the Flekkefjord railway). There, we rented rail bikes and biked along the old railway line.

The distance between Flekkefjord and Sira (the end point) is 17 km. If you go all the way to Sira and back, it will take about three hours. We turned around halfway as we were quite cold due to the rainy and brisk weather. The many tunnels along the route were extra chilly, so we recommend putting on warm clothes before you head out. Additionally, you may want to bring your own headlamp as the lanterns we borrowed were not strong enough to brighten the track properly inside the tunnels.

After the rail biking, we searched for a place to warm up and have a cup of coffee. Luckily, we found Tollboden Bakeri at the port in Flekkefjord, and treated ourselves to some enjoyable pastries. The stone-baked pizza also looked very tempting, but as we had other dinner plans we had to pass on that.

We had booked a room at The Bølgen og Moi Hotel Utsikten (now called Utsikten Hotel Kvinesdal) for the night. The hotel has a good location in Kvinesdal and magnificent views. The rooms were perfectly fine, although the food we had in the restaurant was unfortunately rather disappointing. We therefore recommend that you have the pizza at Tollboden Bakeri instead.

Link to Flekkefjordbanen – Rail bike rental

Link to Tollboden Bakeri

Link to Utsikten Hotel Kvinesdal

Link to Visit Norway – The potholes at Brufjellet

Kaldåsknipa is the highest point in Lyngdal at 504 meters above sea level. We still had some energy to burn off, despite the rail biking we did the day before, and therefore decided to go hiking. From the parking lot at Kaldåsknipa, the hike to the top is about two kilometers, and the difference in altitude is about 200 meters. The trail is a gravel road that is easy to follow. This was helpful as the weather was gray and foggy, and visibility was poor at times. Because of the weather, we did not get the best views at the top, but when the fog lifted, we got a glimpse of the impressive panorama.

The next activity was something we had been looking forward to for a long time, and we were therefore very excited when we arrived at Elgtun in Bygland after two hours of driving. Elgtun really managed to exceed all our expectations! ( Update from April 2024: Elgtun has closed, but you can visit the elks at Viltgården in Iveland. See Viltgården’s webpage for further information. )

The visit at Elgtun had worked up our appetite, and we were really hungry when we sat down at the table at Sølvgarden Hotell Feriesenter. Sølvgarden is conveniently located along the road, but far from an average truck stop. We were pleasantly surprised by the stylish interior and the tempting menu with its focus on Norwegian food. The lamb with onion sauce and root vegetables tasted delicious, and we could not have been more pleased with our meal.

After arriving at Dalen in the evening, we headed out on a new adventure – a beaver safari. Dalen has a rich beaver population, and we were excited to see if we would meet the cute builders. The chance of seeing the beavers is best at dusk, and we therefore set out when the sky began to darken.

Bufjordstigen is a marked hiking trail in Dalen, with good chances of spotting beavers. After following this trail for less than five minutes, we got lucky. One beaver crossed the trail in front of us, while another was bathing and swimming. We observed the swimmer for quite a while before he dived down and disappeared. This was the perfect way to end an already wonderful day!

For the night we headed to Telemark Camping Inn in Hauggrend. It would have been more convenient to stay in Dalen, but unfortunately, there were no rooms available there when we booked our vacation. Telemark Camping Inn was, nonetheless, a cozy place with very kind owners.

Link to UT.no – Kaldåsknipa

Link to Viltgården

Link to Sølvgården Hotell & Feriesenter

Link to Visit Telemark – Bufjordstigen

Link to Telemark Camping & Inn

We started day seven of our road trip with  a memorable visit to the historic Rui farm.

The steep climb to get to the farm made us thirsty, and it was perfect to have Afternoon Tea at Dalen Hotel after the hike. Dalen Hotel is well-known in Norway with a history dating back to 1894. It was very interesting to wander around inside and soak up the special ambience.

Dalen Hotel was originally built as a luxury hotel to accommodate prominent guests. Back in the days, many of the guests went on an excursion to Ravnejuv, a gorge with a steep drop of 350 meters. As it is only 20 minutes by car from Dalen, we included it in our plan for the day. It was a five-minute walk to get to the gorge from the parking lot. What is special about the gorge is that is has an airflow going upwards. Of course, we had to test the natural forces and threw a piece of paper off the edge. Despite many attempts to throw the paper downwards, we never got rid of it: the paper came floating back up every single time!

As we headed further on our way to Haukelifjell Gjestehus (Haukelifjell Guesthouse), we came across a particularly idyllic place along the road. This turned out to be the Mjonøy campsite with food service, accommodation, and an absolutely fantastic bakery. We enjoyed the delicious pastries on the benches by the river. Don’t miss out on the bakery at Mjonøy!

For dinner, we drove to Haukeliseter Fjellstue (Haukeliseter Mountain Lodge), located a 15-minute drive from Haukelifjell Gjestehus. The food at the mountain lodge was really tasty and the surroundings were incredibly scenic.

Haukelifjell Gjestehus, our home for the night, very pleasantly surprised us. Our room had a comfortable bed, TV, Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom. The included breakfast was also very appetizing and a great start to the next day. We would love to go back to Haukelifjell Gjestehus and see more of the fantastic surroundings at Haukelifjell!

Update from April 2024: Haukelifjell Gjestehus is no longer open. The link to driving directions on day 7 therefore finishes at Haukeliseter Fjellstue. Driving directions for day 8 (below) consequently starts at Haukeliseter Fjellstue.

Link to Dalen Hotel

Link to Visit Norway – Ravnejuv

Link to Mjonøy

Link to Haukeliseter Fjellstue

On day eight we set course for Bergen with a couple of stops planned along the way, the first one being Steinstø Fruktgård (Steinstø Fruit Farm and Cafe). To get there, we took a ferry from Utne to Kvanndal and drove for about another half an hour. Steinstø Frukt- og Kakebu is beautifully situated overlooking the Hardanger Fjord. We sat down by the windows facing the fjord and apple garden and enjoyed the great views along with our lunch. The locally made apple juice was a perfect accompaniment to the tasty meal, and we enjoyed it so much that we bought several bottles to take with us. The cafe also sold fruit grown on the farm, as well as traditional Norwegian food.

On our journey to Bergen, the next stop was at Steindalsfossen (Steindalsfossen Waterfall), which has a fall of 50 meters. What makes Steindalsfossen special is the walkway behind the waterfall. We made a brief stop here, and it was cool to see the waterfall up close from this angle.

The highlight of the day was sailing with Hurtigruten from Bergen. Hurtigruten is a Norwegian company established in 1893 to improve communications along the long Norwegian coast. Today Hurtigruten offers a variety of cruises in Norway, as well as other places around the world. It should be noted that the ships are quite different from normal cruise ships, as they are smaller and still being used to ship mail and other cargo.

We traveled with Hurtigruten from Bergen to Ålesund, and the majestic Geirangerfjord was the main attraction on our cruise. Check-in on the ship was a breeze, and both we and the car got on board safely. The ship we traveled on was named MS Polarlys, and we had a wonderful outward facing cabin. We left Bergen in glorious sunshine and enjoyed the picturesque views of Bergen as we left the city.

Our dinner at Hurtigruten was a buffet based on local produce. The food was very tasty, and included traditional Norwegian dishes — adventurous diners can sample the famous “Smalahove,” a dish made from a sheep’s head.

Onboard the ship were various cafes and restaurants, a bar, a fitness room and outdoor jacuzzis. We loved the jacuzzi and had a wonderful evening out on the deck.

Link to Utne-Kvanndal ferry schedule

Link to Steinstø Frukt- og Kakebu ( Steinstø Frukt- og Kakebu is closed for the 2024 season )

Link to Visit Norway – Steindalsfossen

Link to Hurtigruten

Geirangerfjorden is arguably one of the most beautiful fjords on the planet. We enjoyed the breathtaking scenery from the deck on Hurtigruten, and had a superb day sailing. If you have the time, we strongly recommend doing a longer cruise.

After twenty-something hours on Hurtigruten, we were sad to say goodbye to MS Polarlys in Ålesund. We had a great cruise and are already planning a longer journey with Hurtigruten in the future.

We spent the rest of the evening and night in Valldal, at gorgeous Valldal Fjordhotell .

Link to Valldal Fjordhotell

Day ten was sadly the last day of our road trip. With the car full of locally grown strawberries from Valldal, we drove to Gudbrandsjuvet gorge. The facilities at Gudbrandsjuvet are well suited for everyone to observe the roaring masses of water in the ravine of the Valldøla river. Among the facilities are parking spaces, walkways and viewpoints, restrooms, and a restaurant. The latter was unfortunately not open when we visited in 2017, but it will be opening again in 2018. Gudbrandsjuvet gorge is a dramatic spectacle not to be missed.

The road from Valldal to Isterdalen in Romsdalen is also impressive. The highest point on the mountain road is 852 meters above sea level, and the road boasts views of tall, snow-capped mountains and rivers with turquoise water. Furthermore, you get to drive down the famous Trollstigen (The Trolls Road) with its eleven hairpin turns. Before starting the descent, you should stop at the lookout on the top of Trollstigen. You will most definitely want to take some pictures here.

Our last stop on the way back home to Oslo was at the cozy Avdemsbue at Lesja. The small shop at Avdemsbue sells cheese from its own cheese factory, as well as other traditional foods. We were so tempted by the goods that we left with a bag full of delicious treats.

After ten days on the move, our adventure was over. Despite the fact that we have traveled around Norway extensively, our homeland never ceases to amaze us. We are very proud of what Norway has to offer and are looking forward to exploring even more!

*The drive from Valldal to Oslo is quite long. If you have time, consider staying one night in Lillehammer to avoid a long day of driving back to Oslo.

Link to National Tourist Route – Gudbrandsjuvet

Link to Avdemsbue

Best time to go on a road trip in Southern Norway:

In the wintertime, Norway often gets snowy weather and icy roads. Our advice is therefore that you plan for a road trip during spring, summer or autumn. Traveling between May and October will usually be a good choice. June, July and August will normally have the warmest weather, but they are also peak tourist season. If you decide to visit during these months, it is recommended that you book your accommodation well in advance.

Weather in Norway can be quite unpredictable. This means that you should be prepared for both warm and cold days no matter when you go. The climate in Norway also differs between regions and between the eastern and western parts of the country.

*Trollstigen Road is closed during wintertime. The road opens in May or June and closes in October or November, depending on the weather. If Trollstigen is not open during your visit, there are alternative ways to get from Valldal to Oslo.

*Some activities may not be available outside peak tourist season. Follow the respective links above for more information on opening times.

Link to Holiday Weather – Weather averages for Oslo

Link to Holiday Weather – Weather averages for Stavanger

What to pack for a road trip in Norway:

As previously mentioned, the weather in Norway can be unpredictable. When packing for a visit, you should gear up for all types of weather conditions. The weather can change quickly, and dressing in layers is always a good idea. For chilly days, bring thin wool base layer and a rain- and windproof outer layer. On warmer summer days, shorts and t-shirts will be sufficient.

No matter when you visit, you will most likely need a rainproof jacket and an umbrella. You may also want to pack thin gloves and a light hat. Sensible footwear means either trainers for light walks, or proper hiking boots for longer walks. Trainers are sufficient if you follow our itinerary. Do bring swimwear and a towel if you visit during the summer.

• A GPS Navigator or a navigation app on your phone (download offline maps as phone coverage may vary!)
• A small or medium-sized daypack with rain cover
• A drysack for phone and other electronics
• We also like to bring a small cooler and beach chairs when going on a road trip

Driving in Norway:

Driving is done on the right-hand side of the road. Road conditions are normally quite good, although some roads are narrow and winding. There are many gas stations and resting areas along the road. People are generally helpful should you run into any kind of problems or need help finding directions.

Link to Visit Norway – More information about driving in Norway

There are a number of reputable car renting companies in Norway. You should always make sure to get appropriate insurance. Many rental cars have a manual transmission, but cars with automatic transmission can also be found. These are often more expensive, but they can be well worth the money if you are not used to the clutch pedal.

Useful webpages for planning a road trip in Norway:

Link to Visit Norway

Link to Hanen

Link to Nordsjøvegen

Link to Google Maps

Do you have any questions or comments?

Feel free to email us at [email protected] !

*We went on our 10-day road trip in July and August 2017. None of the hotels, restaurants or activities knew that we would be writing about them, and we did not receive any special discounts.

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How to Plan an Epic Road Trip in Norway

May 22, 2023 by Silvia 126 Comments

I love places where you can easily get around using solely public transportation, but unfortunately Norway isn’t really one of those places. I mean, if you stick to the cities then public transport will be fine, but if you want to venture into the countryside? You’ll need to rent a car for that in Norway.

Luckily driving in Norway is an amazing experience – in fact I tell everyone who visits that they have to consider a road trip when planning a trip to Norway! I have lived in Norway for eight years, and all of my best trips here have been road trips. 

Plus, public transport can also be really expensive in Norway, so if you’re traveling with other people and want to see as much of Norway as possible, you’re definitely best off renting a car here.

Renting a car in Norway is actually a really good option for budget travelers not only because public transport is expensive here, but also because the cheapest accommodation options are usually outside of the main tourist areas where buses might only pass through once or twice a day. So by renting a car in Norway you can potentially save on transportation AND accommodation.

Plus road trips are so much fun!

If you’re looking for the perfect Norway road trip itinerary, I have put together over thirty Norway itineraries here , most of which are best done by car. 

While I’ve now been living in Norway for eight years, I’ve also spent most all of my summers in Norway since I was a kid (visiting family here), so I’ve definitely learned a thing or two about the whole process of renting a car and planning a road trip in Norway.

I mean, with Norway’s nonstop breathtaking nature it’s kind of impossible to have a bad road trip here, but here my best tips for making yours truly epic.

Norway Travel Guides!  I’ve gathered all my best advice for planning an incredible trip through Southern and Northern Norway in two 95-page ebooks covering my top recommendations for places to visit (both on and off the beaten path), the best times of year to visit, how long to visit for, the best accommodation choices, transportation, what to eat, what to pack, and how to plan the perfect itinerary.

You can  purchase the Norway Travel Guides here .

Car rental in Norway – things to know about renting a car in Norway

The good news is, if you’re traveling with multiple people, renting a car in Norway is going to be a lot cheaper than relying on public transport here. Plus driving in Norway is really easy, as the roads are all well-maintained and there’s very little traffic. Of course the bad news is, it’s still going to be expensive.

At least, a car rental in Norway is going to cost more than rentals in southern Europe where you can get a car for like $50 per week. But! If you book well in advance you can actually get some really good deals on car rentals in Norway too.

I always recommend Auto Europe for car rentals in Norway because they compare prices to give you the best deal. Norwegian laws are quite strict with car rental companies, so you can rest assured that any car rental agency in Norway will be reliable. 

And as fuel in Norway is expensive, definitely go for the smallest, most fuel efficient car you can find.

You’ll also likely be covering huge distances, as Norway is a really big country, so I always opt of unlimited mileage. Or at least make sure you get a minimum of 200 – 300 km a day, depending on what you have planned.

And don’t worry, all cars in Norway have to have winter tires in the winter by law. This isn’t the case in other places in Europe, though. My family has rented cars during the winter in Germany before and then driven up to Norway with them. And it’s always incredibly difficult to drive in Norway on year-round tires!

Driving in Norway

I’ve written a more detailed guide to everything you need to know about driving in Norway here . But here’s a brief overview: 

Toll Roads in Norway

In Norway toll roads are managed by AutoPASS with toll booths that take photos of your license plate automatically and send a bill at the end of the month. This happens automatically, so you don’t even need to slow down as you pass under the toll cameras. You will receive a bill from your Norwegian car rental company after your trip. You can contact the car rental company if you have more questions about when you will receive the bill for the toll roads.

However if you’re driving a foreign vehicle not registered in Norway, paying Norwegian tolls is a bit more complicated. AutoPASS will send an invoice to the registered address of the vehicle. But you can actually speed up the process by registereing with  Euro Parking Collection  (EPC), which will give you access to all your invoices online. I definitely recommend doing this if you’ll be driving a foreign car in Norway! But also don’t freak out if you forget – you’ll just get your invoice in the mail instead.

Car ferries in Norway

Probably one of the most common questions I get about driving in Norway is how to use the car ferries.

No, you don’t need to book short ferries in advance (in fact you usually can’t). You will want to try to arrive fifteen minutes before the ferry leaves to ensure you get a place on the ferry, but to be honest I sometimes arrive right before it’s leaving and I’m almost always able to get on (I think the only exception would be in July when Norway is more crowded).

As you drive on the ferry, a person will take a photo of your license plate and then wave you forward onto the ferry. Then your rental company will send you the bill (often a month or so later). However, if you have a foreign license plate, the person taking the photos will stop you and you can pay by card. I think you can only pay by card – at least I’ve never seen someone paying for ferries in Norway by cash.

Someone will wave you onto the ferry and tell you exactly where to park. On most car ferries everyone gets out of their car and goes to a communal area. If you’re unsure of whether or not to wait in your car, just watch what everyone else does and do the same. On longer (30 minutes +) ferries there will be a cafeteria selling sandwiches, hotdogs, waffles, and coffee.

Plan for winding roads

If you’ll be driving with anyone prone to getting carsick, you might want to come prepared as Norwegian roads are very curvy. In fact I pretty much always get a bit carsick when riding in a car or bus as a passenger. Though one thing that has really helped me has been sea-bands. It doesn’t seem like they should work, but I promise they do! You can buy them in most pharmacies in Norway, or you can be on the safe side and order them in advance on Amazon here .

Driving in the dark during polar night in winter

Another big concern people have about driving in Norway is driving during polar night.

In the winter northern Norway experiences polar night, which means that it will be dark for most of the day. However even when the sun doesn’t rise, mainland Norway still gets a few hours of daylight each day, so you will still be able to see the beautiful landscape here. In fact I find the colors during polar night incredibly beautiful and well worth the trip.

Roads here are dark with very few streetlights, but the edges are always marked by reflective sticks, so you can easily see where the road is. We actually have to have our headlights on at all times in Norway – even on sunny days – but then of course you can use your high beams when it’s really dark (just remember to turn them off if you pass another car!).

Driving in snow in Norway

Okay this is a big one. Should you plan a winter road trip in Norway if you’ve never driven in snow before?

This is of course something you need to decide for yourself, but I can give you a bit of an overview of what driving in snow in Norway is like.

As I mentioned before, you’ll definitely want to rent a car from Norway (or the Nordics) as we all have winter tires here, which is very important! In fact in northern Norway most cars will have studded tires, which is the best for driving on icy roads (you can ask your rental company for a car with studded tires).

Speaking of icy roads, yes, expect a lot of snow and ice! We don’t really salt the roads here, so in the winter there is almost always a thick layer of snow and ice on the roads. Trucks will of course still plow and grit the roads, but if you’re driving in a snow storm there’s a good chance you could be driving on thick snow.

This isn’t actually as scary as it sounds though. I know a lot of people who have driven in snow for the first time during their Norway road trip. Most important is not to drive too quickly and use the brakes as minimally as possible, as braking is when you risk skidding. Either pump the brakes or slow down by gearing down instead. You should be fine as long as you take it really slowly (don’t worry about the cars behind you – it’s better to be slow than to get in an accident).

The same applies for starting a car in the snow. You’ll want to be very gentle when pressing the gas so that the wheels don’t dig into the snow. Ease out of your parking spot as slowly as possible and then you should be ok. And if you do get stuck in the snow somewhere, just wait for someone to drive by to help you. Most Norwegians with larger cars will have equipment to pull other cars out of the snow here, as it happens so often. So be patient as help will arrive!

Parking in Norway

A lot of towns have free parking, but if you do have to pay there will be a meter, or you can pay on the EasyPark app or Parklink app . These are the two most popular parking apps used all over Norway. 

I’d definitely recommend downloading the apps and setting them up (adding your payment method and car license number) beforehand, as it’s always much easier to simply use the app to pay for parking. Plus with the apps you can adjust your parking time as necessary, instead of running back to the meter or overpaying in advance.

Choose your starting point wisely

Norway is enormous, and with all those mountains and fjords even what look like short distances on a map can take a really long time to cover. Luckily Norway is full of airports, many of which have international flights, so I’d highly recommend deciding what you want to see in Norway before choosing your flights. And if you can’t find a direct flight into the region you’d like to explore then check out the domestic flight options.

The main international airports in Norway are in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Tromsø, Trondheim, Ålesund, and Haugesund.

As a (very) general guide:

• If you’re interested in Norway’s cities and mountains fly into Oslo.
• If you’re interested in the fjords but still want to see a city fly into Bergen.
• If you want to do Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten, and Trolltunga – probably the three most famous hikes in Norway – fly into Stavanger. (Though if you only want to do Trolltunga then Bergen is closer.)
• If you’re interested in fjords and mountains, including Geirangerfjord, Trollstigen, and the Atlantic Road, fly into Ålesund.
• If you want to see the Northern Lights, the Arctic, and Lofoten fly into Tromsø or Bodø.

If you’re still unsure of where to go, click on the different regions of the map below for a summary of the region’s main attractions and links to my blog posts about each area.

Use the National Scenic Routes in Norway as a guide

Norway has a lot of absurdly scenic roads, but it also has its fair share of boring highways. And you definitely don’t want to spend the bulk of your epic Norwegian road trip driving through tunnels, which Norway has a  lot of.

An easy way to find Norway’s most scenic roads is by using the National Tourist Routes map . Just to warn you, their website is super glitchy and I still haven’t managed to get the map to load on my phone, but it’s 100% worth pulling out your laptop to check out this site, because every single road listed on it is guaranteed to be amazing.

I always check the map before setting out on a road trip and I try to take detours through as many of the tourist routes as I can. I’ve now driven 15 of the 18 routes and have never been disappointed. In fact driving in Norway is kind of my favorite thing ever, thanks to all the amazing views!

VARANGER : The far north of Norway truly does feel like the edge of the world. This is actually one of my favorite areas to drive in, especially in the summer when it’s one of the few places in Norway that isn’t crowded with tourists. Plus in the summer you’ll find lots of reindeer roaming the roads! Just be careful not to hit any. 

HAVØYSUND : This is another stunning northern route, and can be combined with the Varanger scenic route above. You can find my full road trip itinerary including both Varanger and Havøysund here .

SENJA : Senja has been growing in popularity but is still way less crowded than places like Lofoten and the fjords in southern Norway. The mountain peaks here are stunning, and personally it’s one of my top picks for northern lights viewing in the winter. You can read about my winter trip to Senja (including the best accommodation) here .

ANDØYA : The Vesterålen islands are a great quieter alternative or addition to a trip to Lofoten. Again I can particularly recommend this route in the winter, where you can see whales, the northern lights, and the most beautiful pink skies during the polar night. You can find my guide to the Andøya route in Vesterålen here .

LOFOTEN : This is widely considered amongst Norwegians to be the most beautiful drive in Norway. Here you’ll find jagged mountains rising out of the water with lots of cute red fishing cabins, as Lofoten is a center for cod fishing in Norway. Lofoten is incredibly touristy these days, but still worth the crowds for those beautiful mountain views and picturesque red cabins. I have a bunch of Lofoten guides on my site, but you can start with this guide to planning a Lofoten trip .

HELGELANDSKYSTEN : The Helgeland coast is my favorite are in all of Norway! In fact I love Helgeland so much that I ended up moving here . The Helgeland coast is spotted with countless islands, with similar jagged mountains to Lofoten but far fewer tourists. If you want to get off the beaten path a bit, I definitely recommend Lofoten. You can read my Helgelandskysten guide here . It’s best in the summer, but Helgeland is also beautiful in the winter.

ATLANTIC OCEAN ROAD : The Atlantic Road is probably one of Norway’s most famous roads. This road includes lots of bridges connecting islands, and it was incredibly expensive to build, so Norway put a lot of marketing behind it to draw in visitors. I’d say it’s certainly one of Norway’s most impressive roads, but I wouldn’t put it at the very top of the list – maybe around #10. It’s similar to the Helgeland coast and Lofoten, but the landscape isn’t anywhere near as dramatic. You can read my experience driving the Atlantic Ocean Road here .

GEIRANGER – TROLLSTIGEN : I always say if you only have time to visit one place in Norway, one of my recommendations would be the Geiranger – Trollstigen area (you can find my other recommendation here ). Trollstigen is famous for its many hairpin turns, but actually I find the mountain views at the top the most impressive. And Geirangerfjord is widely considered one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords. You can read my guide to the Geiranger – Trollstigen scenic route here .

GAMLE STRYNEFJELLSVEGEN : This is probably my favorite drive in southern Norway. It’s only open in the summer as the road winds high up into the mountains, but definitely try to make it here if you get the chance. You can read about my experience driving Gamle Strynefjellsvegen here .

RONDANE : This is apparently the most dry area of Norway, and the landscape here really is unique for the country. I’ve written about my trip to Rondane National Park here as well as here .

SOGNEFJELLET : This route isn’t too far from Bergen, and takes you from beautiful fjord views up into a barren mountain landscape.

AURLANDSFJELLET : The Sognefjellet scenic route leads into Aurlandsfjellet as you head south, which will take you down into the beautiful fjord area outside of Bergen. You can read about my experience driving on both Sognefjellet and Aurlandsfjellet as well as wild camping here .

VALDRESFLYE : Farther inland than the Sognefjellet and Aurlandsfjellet routes, the Valdresflye scenic route is a great option if you are heading north (or south) and don’t have the time to take lots of ferries along the coast. I used to drive this route when driving from southern Norway up to Trondheim and back, and it never disappointed. You can read more about my experience driving the Valdresflye scenic route here .

GAULARFJELLET : If you want to spend more time along the fjords, take this route along the fjord and up into Gaular Mountain. This is also a great place to spend the night (or several nights!). You can find my guide to the best accommodation along Sognefjord here .

HARDANGER : This coastal drive is especially beautiful in the spring, when the fruit trees along Hardangerfjord are in bloom, but you can take this route any time of year. You can read about my experience driving the Hardanger scenic route here .

HARDANGERVIDDA : I used to live at the foot of Hardangervidda National Park, but while I’m a  huge fan of the park, this is one of my least favorite of the 18 Norwegian scenic routes. Yes, you’ll get to go up on Hardangervidda, the largest plateau of its kind in Europe, however the road itself is just a busy highway. If you do choose to take this route I would try to stop along the way to hike into the park a bit. Or you could take the ferry into Hardangervidda instead.

RYFYLKE : 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. You can find my itinerary including this drive in my Norway itinerary guide .

JÆREN : Last and, unfortunately least. This drive is surprisingly boring and I can’t quite understand why it’s one of Norway’s scenic routes. This is just a busy road along the coast, and not a particularly scenic piece of coastline at that. I would skip this, unless you’ll already be heading this way, for example if you’re driving from Kristiansand to Stavanger.

Connect with people on Couchsurfing and Facebook

Of course not every scenic road in Norway has made it onto the list of National Tourist Routes, so to find more beautiful drives you’re best off asking locals! Norwegians love to gush about the beautiful nature here, and I feel like at least once a week someone is telling me about a drive that I just have to do here.

I personally love to use Couchsurfing to connect with locals from an area (even if I’m not planning to use it for accommodation) but of course you can also find people on Facebook or other social media channels.

I never would have visited Åna-Sira if a local hadn’t told me about it!

Keep an eye out for the northern lights

If you’ll be traveling to Northern Norway in the winter, one of the best things about traveling by car is getting to chase the northern lights!

You’ll want to keep track of both the weather and aurora forecasts and try to get to clear skies, especially with views north. It’s definitely worth marking out the spots on your route with good views north (you can often tell simply by looking at a map), and then stopping in those areas to check the skies.

Northern Lights Guide!

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

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

Check if the roads are open when planning a trip to Norway

A lot of the high mountain roads close during the winter, and it’s easy to forget that winter in Norway can mean September to June.

You can check the current status of roads at on this map , though unfortunately it’s only in Norwegian. If a road is closed for the season Google will tell you – something which is important to keep in mind if you are mapping out your route in the winter, as Google will avoid any roads that are closed unless you change the dates to the summer.

Schedule at least one free day to make up for bad weather

Even if you’re traveling on a tight schedule, it can still be worth leaving one day free. I’d especially recommend doing this if you’ll be visiting a particular place that you’ve always dreamed of seeing, because the weather here can be really unpredictable so you might end up needing an extra day to (hopefully!) let the skies clear.

I wish I could have stayed an extra day to see Trollstigen without the fog!

Pack rain gear and warm clothing

Even if you’re visiting Norway in the summer, you’ll need some warm clothing – especially if you’ be driving up into the mountains. And if you have a good waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (I love these ones !) then you won’t need to let bad weather stop you from enjoying Norway’s nature.

Even in the summer I would recommend bringing warm thermals to wear under your clothes while in the mountains, a good quality wool sweater , and of course a raincoat and rain pants.

If you’re camping, bring a really warm sleeping bag and pitch away from the main road

Even in the summer the nights in the mountains get really cold, so make sure your sleeping bag can withstand freezing temperatures.

And while wild camping is totally legal here, I do try to camp out of sight of the road. Last summer there was a lot of press in Norway about European tourists loading their cars with food and camping their way through Norway, spending almost no money while here, so a lot of locals don’t look too kindly on tents.

It’s really silly, but the one time I did camp by the side of a road I was honked at all night, and when I asked other travelers about it many had experienced the same thing. Besides, it’s much nicer camping away from the noise of traffic anyway!

Alternate between grocery store meals and restaurants

Having the extra space of a car makes it a lot easier to buy and store food for meals, which can save a ton of money while traveling in Norway. I generally eat one restaurant meal a day on my travels and balance out the expense with cheap grocery store meals the rest of the day.

If you are traveling on a tight budget then read my post about eating on a budget in Norway.

Anyone have any tips to add? Share them in the comments!

P.S. I’ve written up loads of guides for the best accommodation in Norway for different budgets, including lots of hidden gems in the more popular areas. You can see all my accommodation guides here .

Want to see more of my travel photos? Follow me on Instagram here ♥

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Kelsey says

October 24, 2016 at 8:15 pm

I love all your posts and your writing always keeps me entertained. I can’t wait to actually get my ass over to Norway and take advantage of your amazing tips!

Silvia says

October 28, 2016 at 10:32 am

Aaah thanks, Kelsey! I hope you make it over here soon 🙂

February 18, 2018 at 9:43 am

So, coming over at the end of April. The train I wanted is already booked, sadly. I’m on a tight schedule. Would driving from Oslo to Flam, where I hope to do a boat tour, be safe at that time of year generally speaking.

February 18, 2018 at 2:48 pm

Of course, that drive is very easy and should be fine in April.

November 26, 2018 at 5:57 pm

I am flying into olso march 9th and was hoping to drive to Flam as well and explore the fjords. Ive been having trouble finding information on how realistically possible that is given weather/road conditions. Thoughts or advice? I would rather not train as I prefer to be mobile during my whole stay

November 28, 2018 at 1:22 pm

I think you should be fine in March.

October 24, 2016 at 8:49 pm

A road trip through Norway is definitely very high on my bucket list BUT I’m mostly commenting to say that I LOVE your new header and “about me” photo!! *heart eyes emoji*

October 28, 2016 at 10:33 am

Aaaah that makes me so happy! I tried to hire someone to make a new logo but couldn’t get my aesthetic across, so I ended up putting this together on my own, ha. And I SO needed a new about photo!

October 24, 2016 at 10:27 pm

I am so going to use this advice to plan a roadtrip for next year! Thanks 🙂

PS I love your new ‘about me’ pic!

October 28, 2016 at 10:34 am

Thanks, it was definitely time for a new photo! And I hope you have an amazing road trip when you do come 🙂

Joella says

October 25, 2016 at 1:53 am

I just noticed your new header/logo and design. So cute!

Thanks, Joella!

Marina says

October 25, 2016 at 2:33 pm

Beautiful country! <3

October 28, 2016 at 10:27 am

It really is!

Kate Newman says

October 25, 2016 at 10:22 pm

Norway looks like such a magical place. You’ve given some amazing pointers, I’ll definitely have to look back at this post when I plan my Norway trip X

October 28, 2016 at 10:28 am

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

October 27, 2016 at 2:42 pm

I was just reminded that I do have a tip for roadtrippers: if you don’t plan on camping, but do want to go in summer, book really early! Accommodation anywhere near any of the big fjord tourist draws fills up incredibly early, so you may have to book half a year in advance if you want to sleep in one of the prettiest villages on the Geiranger fjord, for instance.

November 4, 2016 at 6:55 pm

Oh that is a good tip – I didn’t realize that since I’ve never traveled in Norway in the high season! Trying to avoid it, haha.

Brittany from Boston says

October 28, 2016 at 2:52 am

Definitely looks like a beautiful place to go road tripping! And it’s great to have these words of wisdom from a seasoned road tripper!

November 4, 2016 at 7:02 pm

Haha I am the biggest fan of road trips ever.

Natalie says

November 3, 2016 at 12:17 am

Norway looks so beautiful and green! Complete opposite to London where I currently live!

Thanks for sharing and your photos look amazing.

December 1, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Hey I was wondering if anyone could answer a quick question. When do you think is best to carry out a trip like this? I’d love to see the Northern Lights but I’d hate to freeze to death wild camping. I’ve wanted to see the NL for so long I am prepared to hold it off a little longer if it means my road trip will be a lot more enjoyable. What do you think?

December 14, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Yeah, I don’t think you can camp during a northern lights trip, since you’ll want to be really far up north, and you’ll need to go sometime between October and March when it’s still dark. You might want to split up the trips – or you could go somewhere cheaper like northern Sweden to see the lights, and do a separate road trip through Norway when it’s warmer.

Aurélie says

June 20, 2017 at 8:36 pm

first off, your website is really great! so much usefull information…

Planning on going on a road trip with a friend next month to Norway. (Been keen onto for so long 🙂 – so yay!) She has a sort of camper van, with a roof that opens up. So can sleep in this, but also bring a tent.

My question is, can you wild camp with the van? Or if we use the tent, where do you park the car? As you suggested in your post to stay away from the roads, to avoid getting honked at :). but what do you do with your car?

PS: is there’s a website or something ro have an overview of the ferry crossings within Norway, and maybe their costs?

thanks in advance! warm regards, Aurélie

Tracy Cooper says

June 30, 2017 at 4:40 pm

my companion and I have hired a campervan for the last week of August and the first week of September 2017. We have worked out a rough route starting in Oslo/Jesshiem, heading straight up the RV3 and E6 to Mo i rana. From there we will head south to Trondheim, Alesund, Bergen, Stavanger and finally back to Oslo. We hope to have enough time to go via the Atlantic Highway, Trollstigen, Gerainger, Dalsnibba and Nigardsbreen. Do you have any suggestions for places that we should make a point of stopping at along our route, other than those I’ve mentioned. I would hate to miss a “must see” because I was unaware of it.

I should point out that the route is not “set in stone”, it will depend on how much time we spend in various places along the way. If we find somewhere we particularly like, we may spend more time there and perhaps miss out one or two of other planned stops. Any other tips you have would be greatly appreciated.

kind regards Tracy (and Glenda)

Grayson says

July 23, 2017 at 2:07 am

I’ve been reading your Norway travel posts eagerly because I snagged an insanely cheap ticket to Oslo in March. I’m from Texas so I’m not intimidated by the size of Norway so much as how wintry it’s going to be! I lived in Colorado and have some snow-driving experience but I’m still trying to get my head around how to plan the trip. So thanks for all of your informative posts!

July 27, 2017 at 9:08 am

Oh that’s very exciting! The roads will mostly be fine in March except in the mountains, where it will still be quite snowy. It’s a beautiful time of year to visit!

August 23, 2017 at 9:41 pm

I’m heading there in January. Is it crazy to plan any kind of road tripping at that time?! We’re flying in to Oslo then taking the train to Bergen, I think. From there, I was planning to rent a car and take us up to the fjords and mountains (not sure where yet).

August 31, 2017 at 11:15 am

A lot of the mountain roads will be closed in January, but otherwise it should be a beautiful time for a road trip!

August 20, 2017 at 4:44 pm

My husband and I will be in Norway in about 2 weeks for about a week. By far, your website has given us the most helpful information. We are both VERY excited and very overwhelmed at the same time! We don’t like to plan our trips much in advance and are realizing that with as much as we want to do in Norway, we will need to do some planning!! First off, thank you for taking time to post all of this detailed information!! Would you be willing to exchange a few emails with us as we attempt to plan our honeymoon?

October 21, 2017 at 10:26 am

Hi Silvia, My husband I are planning to go July next year for 7 days from 12th July to 19th July and without any research we booked our flights to Tromso and coming back from Oslo. What could be reasonable roadtrip look like without missing the fjords, the pretty villages and the main sights. Please not we are not big fans of big cities so we can skip those if needs be!

Thank you in advance!

October 29, 2017 at 7:05 pm

If you’re up for a long time in the car, I’d try to stick to the coast and then drive from Bergen across to Oslo at the end. That would be a lot of driving though, so you could also take the highway inland straight down to Oslo. Also check out the national tourist routes and see if you can hit some of those!

Alexandra says

November 7, 2017 at 3:35 pm

Love your blog, and your love of Norway! We are visiting from the UK for the first time in December…and will be making a road trip!!! I’m a little nervous, my hubby more relaxed I just wondered whether you think it is necessary to book all Hotels in advance or it’s ok to make W wait as we may think we want to drive a little further on certain days etc, if that makes sense? Would appreciate your advice! Thank you Warm regards Alexandra

November 17, 2017 at 6:33 pm

Hmm it depends where you’ll be heading and if there’s much accommodation in the area, but when I travel around Norway I often just book things as I go (sometimes I end up in some pretty random places because of it though!). If you’re traveling around the holidays though I would definitely book in advance, but earlier in December you should be okay to book as you go.

November 25, 2017 at 3:24 pm

do you recommend to drop off the car rental at the different place. for example.. take the car at oslo and return at bodo and rent different car at moskenes lofoten.. return it at narvik

November 27, 2017 at 1:22 pm

That will often make the car rental much more expensive, but if that isn’t an issue for you then it could be more practical!

December 28, 2017 at 4:20 pm

Hello, Silvia. We are planning a trip to Sweden and Norway. We lived in Stockholm for two years many years ago and visited the Norwegian fjords via a cruise. This time, we are traveling with our daughter and would like to gain a different perspective of Norway and the fjords. In May, we will fly into Bergen from Stockholm on the 14th; we have a return flight to the USA reserved for the 19th from Oslo. Because of jetlag, I have had trouble staying awake when driving in Europe for long distances, so I am wondering whether you could suggest an itinerary for the length of our trip that will not include long driving distances – maybe a combination of driving around the Sognefjord and public transportation for the longer legs of the trip, such as our final leg to Oslo. We will be grateful if you share your firsthand insight. Thank you!

December 31, 2017 at 1:21 pm

It’s hard for me to suggest something without better knowing your interests, but if you’d like to get some local advice I’d encourage you to join my Facebook group dedicated to Scandinavia travel – I’m sure we can help you over there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScandinaviaTravel/

Puneet says

January 3, 2018 at 9:28 am

Very interesting article you created!

I alongwith my cousin am planning to do a road trip for 9 days. If I fly to oslo, then you think I can cover by car to tromso and back to Oslo in 9 days? Or its a challenging trip to plan.

I really need someone to assist since there is so much on the web to read and due to work pressure, im not able to give too much time to create an awesome plan.

My objective is to hire a car, go through the mountains and check out northern lights. Can you please advice what route we should take. Thank you so much!

January 3, 2018 at 6:16 pm

Oslo to Tromso is over 20 hours of driving, but I guess it would be doable in 9 days. Though if you’re just interested in the Northern Lights you could just drive up to Bodø, which is closer to Oslo but still above the Arctic Circle. If you want to drive through the mountains you should try to stay driving in Norway, even though maps might want you to go through Sweden as they have bigger roads (but the scenery isn’t as nice).

Have a lovely trip!

January 4, 2018 at 2:42 am

Thank you Silvia for your prompt reply! You are a star!

Few more questions –

1. Is round trip from Oslo to Tromso and back to Oslo possible in 9 days in March?

2. If above is no, then please give few name of the places where i can see mountains and nature sceneries (in Norway). This is help me to make my route plan and book the bed and breakfast accordingly.

3. Whether my starting point to start roadtrip should be Tromso to Oslo or Oslo to Tromso? Which way its got better sceneries and nature sightseeings.

Thank you once again for your help!

Paul Bernthal says

January 23, 2018 at 7:31 pm

This is very helpful. Thanks! I’m driving from Bergen to Oslo and would like to stay overnight in towns along the way. I’ve stayed in Flam before, which was nice. Any recommendations for small towns to stay in along the drive? Maybe one closer to Bergen and one closer to Oslo? It could be two nights in one town or two separate locations. I’m just trying to break up the drive and want to stay in beautiful locations with lots of views and nature, the towns themselves are less important.

Pieter Cautreels says

January 24, 2018 at 12:17 pm

Great tips&tricks! Do you have a,y experience with small campervans (2pers.) to disover Norway? 🙂

Najeeba says

February 11, 2018 at 10:19 am

Hi, Love your blog. It will help us a lot planning our trip. My Husband and I are planning to have a mid April 2018 Scandinavian road trip starting in Copenhagen and ending in Oslo. Our main concern is the roads, and if we will be able to enjoy the scenery. According to our current plan, we will reach Norway in beg May. How are the roads conditions at this time? And you think a road trip in mid April to mid May is a good idea? or its best to postpone to Summer?

Excuse my poor English.

Regards, Najeeba

Deanna says

February 17, 2018 at 8:21 am

Hi, I am loving your articles, so easy to read and lots of great tips and to especially get off the beaten track. We are looking forward to coming to Norway in August, we know it will be busy, but we are coming from Sydney and this is part of our european summer escape, and probably the only time we will get to visit. We are very lucky to be staying with friends in Trondheim and Alesund, but we are undecided about what to do when we first arrive in Norway. We fly into Amsterdam and then are debating whether to fly from Amsterdam to Oslo, spend one day, then pick up a hire car for three days, drive to Bergen via Telemark and then spend two days coming back to Oslo to drop off car, then fly to Alesund. Or do the train trip from Oslo to Bergen and pick up a hire car there for three days (maybe even follow your Norway in a Nutshell hack love it). Alternatively, we fly direct to Bergen from Amsterdam, have a hire car for four days from Bergen to explore area, but won’t visit Oslo or possibly Telemark…. Basically shall we miss Oslo to have more time with the hire car from Bergen? We will visit the Geiranger fjord from Alesund so I don’t think we need to do any ferry trips from Bergen. Any tips you can provide would be wonderful.

Perscilla Bartley says

February 21, 2018 at 12:21 am

Loved this article! Super helpful as it will be my first time in Norway. In relation to the “wild camping” is it also acceptable to sleep in cars? as long as we have lots of blankets and layers with us to stay warm? Also couch surfing as a young women is safe in Norway? I would love any advise 🙂

March 3, 2018 at 10:15 pm

I stumbled on your blog and it is so helpful. My husband and I are planning our first trip to Norway in early June for 10 days. We have never travelled internationally before and I’m soaking up all your advice. We are flying in to Oslo and want to spend 3 days or so in central Norway visiting the fjords before going to Bergen. Any tips on an itinerary are must sees/dos? Places to stay? After reading your blog, I’m leaning towards driving for budget reasons. Thanks for any advice!

mila holt says

March 13, 2018 at 11:26 pm

Hi, I’m feeling really overwhelmed trying to plan 13 days in Norway. There are too many choices and so many different opinions online! We are flying into Oslo in mid-May. We want to see beautiful sites at a fairly relaxed pace. And no, we don’t want to wait in line to hike up Troll’s Tongue. Is there a good itinerary you would recommend? What would be best for first-timers visiting during the second half of May for 13 days? THANK YOU for your help!

March 19, 2018 at 10:29 am

Your road trip guide is a big gem to me! A few quick questions after reading the guide…

Is Norway really cashless? Is it ok if I come with just a credit card? Do you think it’s a good idea to rent a car at one place and return it elsewhere (e.g. Stavanger and Oslo)?

March 19, 2018 at 4:00 pm

I can’t remember the last time I used cash in Norway, haha. Picking up and dropping off a rental in different places can be super expensive, but sometimes you’ll find a good deal, so I would just check out your options/budget and go by that.

March 22, 2018 at 1:30 am

Very busy planning my road : ) and come up with another question. Can I pay by credit card for taking ferries to cross the fjords? I’m wondering exactly how I do that when driving my car onto the ferry. Do I have to get off my car and pay at a counter? Thx a lot.

March 20, 2018 at 1:04 am

Thx to your road trip guide I managed to come up with 2 adventurous north and south road trips bridged with domestic flight. Your pics are gorgeous and I look forward to seeing all the beautiful scenery myself in 3 months’ time : ).

Marloes says

March 25, 2018 at 1:27 pm

Hi! Thanks for the great advice! We are planning to make a roadtrip to Norway this summer and to try out wildcamping, but we were still wondering about one thing. You say it’s nicer to camp awy from the side of the road, but where do you leave your car then? Just by the side of the road or is it allowed to drive a little off-raod so you have your car close to your tent? Thanks!!

March 26, 2018 at 5:26 pm

Yeah I always leave my car on the side of the road (I’ll pull off in a pull off space of course – I don’t just leave it in the road). But definitely don’t drive off the road closer to the tent, as you’ll damage the nature!

Ryan VanCampenhout says

April 9, 2018 at 3:05 am

In July my wife and I will be traveling to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. For the Norway portion of the trip we plan on renting a car in Stavanager then driving it to Alesund. I just wanted to get a sanity check to see if the driving portion of my trip will be too crazy combined with the activities we were thinking:

Saturday, June 30th – Arrive in Oslo at 12:10 PM, explore city and then sleep in Oslo Sunday, July 1st – Explore Oslo, 9:00 PM flight to Stavanager, Arrive at 9:50 PM, sleep – Stavanager Monday, July 2nd – Hike Pulpit Rock then drive to Odda. Sleep in Odda Tuesday, July 3rd – Hike TrollTunga, then drive to Bergen. Sleep in Bergen Wednesday, July 4th – Free Day in Bergen. Sleep in Bergen Thursday, July 5th – Drive from Bergen to Skei (Scenic Highway E16). Sleep in Skei Friday, July 6th – Drive from Skei to Geiranger. Do Kayak Tour of Geirangerfjord. Drive to Alesund. Saturday, July 7th – Free Day in Alesund Sunday, July 8th – Half Day in Alesund and then Fly to Stockholm. Sleep in Stockholm Monday, July 9th – Free Day Stockholm Tuesday, July 10th – Free Day Stockholm Wednesday, July 11th – Morning Train to Copenhagen. Half day in Copenhagen Thursday, July 12th – Free Day Copenhagen Friday, July 13th – Free Day Copenhagen Saturday – Afternoon flights back home

If we need to add an extra 0.5 or 1.0 days in Norway we would likely take it from Stockholm

April 11, 2018 at 3:34 pm

I think it’s doable, but your days will be packed – especially with two big back-to-back hikes! But if you’re up for it then it really does sound like an amazing trip! Just be aware that the Trolltunga hike is very difficult, so you will likely be exhausted after it.

April 30, 2018 at 11:08 pm

Hello! Traveling with my 75yr-old mom end of May (starting Huritugren cruise Tromso to Trondheim – then driving Trondheim to Bergen over 4-5 days to drive the scenic routes). Just wondering if you have suggestions besides our current plan of driving the scenic routes and stopping at pretty places – any must-see or must-do that does not require hiking for my mom that we should definitely see outside of the main towns like Bergen and Alesund? Thanks!!!

Hugh Burley says

May 13, 2018 at 9:31 am

Thanks very much for taking the time to make this blog!

Meanwhile I’m coming to Norway from Sydney for a short visit from May 28-June 2. I know it’s not long, but I’m in Europe for my friend’s wedding and I don’t have much leave from Work :]. I’d really love to pack in as much outdoors stuff as possible, and I’m thinking it would be best to just pick an area and focus on that.

My plan is ::

Fly into Bergen in the arvo. Two nights here, one day exploring the fjords – maybe a boat tour is the best way in a day?

Next day, rent a car and drive to Trolltunga, via a scenic route if possible. Two nights in Trolltunga, then one day doing the walk.

Then I need to decide whether I drive back to Bergen and see something else on the way back via a different route (i.e. flying back to Oslo), or drive all the way to Oslo. I prob don’t have the time to go to Oslo so it’s probably better to stay closer to Bergen and see more of that region.

It would be great to also visit a national park with forest, I understand Trolltunga is more of a geological wonder than an forested area? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Also if you’d like any travel tips for Australia just let me know – I’ve been all over the place down here :]

Tara vickery says

May 21, 2018 at 9:24 pm

Hi Really great reading. I am converting a van into a camper at the moment, with a view to traveling Europe alone., (I’m a 48 year old lady) is it safe for me to do this alone I norway? Many thanks

Hayley says

June 25, 2018 at 11:15 pm

Thanks for a great article. I’m wondering if you could help with a question I can’t seem to find an answer to anywhere! My husband and I are going to Norway for 2 weeks with our little girl early September. We’ve booked a campervan for 12 days to do a round trip from oslo back to Oslo (where we then fly up to Tromsø for the last 2 days) We’re a little stuck on how much we should bring with us for spending money for this time. Bearing in mind we will need money for fuel, food shopping from a grocery store for meals and snacks and other spends while we’re there (we have paid for excursions already). I don’t suppose you would know a rough figure that we’d be needing that would comfortably cover this? We’d hate to run short so we’d rather bring more than necessary!

Thank you so much for any help! Hayley

Kushal says

July 4, 2018 at 8:56 pm

Hi Silvia, thanks to your blog I have got a different perspective to Norway than what others usually talk about. I am keen on arriving Norway in August and planned to rent a car. Is it true that the driving license should be held since more than a year, in order to rent a car in Norway? I received my license 4 months ago so do I hold a chance to rent a car in Norway? Kushal (aged 30)

July 9, 2018 at 11:15 am

You should email the car rental company and ask.

Ram Raja says

July 23, 2018 at 7:07 pm

Finally we are doing our Scandinavian trip this August. We will be renting a car in Copenhagen then traveling to Stockholm prior to arrive in Oslo. The following is plan for our Norway trip and do you think it is doable.

8/11/2018 Travel to Oslo, Norway 8/12/2018 Discover Oslo 8/13/2018 Discover Oslo 8/14/2018 Eidsbygda 8/15/2018 Atlanterhavsveien 8/16/2018 Trollstigen/Geiranger/Tafjord 8/17/2018 Travel to Oslo 8/18/2018 Cruise to Copenhagen

I do understand travel to Eidsbygda is the longest trip and we are traveling with kids.

July 27, 2018 at 5:55 pm

Looks great! It will be a lot of driving, but all of the drives should be beautiful so you won’t get bored.

August 1, 2018 at 8:14 pm

Hope you are doing great 🙂

First I would like to say thank you so much for the valuable information and your time. All of your images just an awesome. Some how I visited ur blog and Norway became as my dream. I don’t have any idea about Norway but I like to be there any cost. I have done some research and I made one plan. Please have a look and advise me. Here my concern is about Cost and time. Please let me know how much cost and time required to visit below locations. Shall I skip few of them or is it possible to cover all of them?

I am from India (Hyderabad) and I like to fly to Stavanger. So my journey will start from Stavanger. I like to go by Car and we are two members.

Please advice me with Cost and days so that accordingly we will plan.

1. Preikestolen 2. Ana – sira 3. Kjerag 4. Langfossen falls 5. Trolltunga 6. Bergen 7. Geirangerfjord 8. Trollstigen 9. Atlantic Ocean Rd 10. Alesund 11. Lofoten (Bodo)

August 7, 2018 at 6:14 pm

Hope you are enjoying lot in Scotland 🙂

Once you done ur trip please have a look my message and let me know your view 🙂

Regards Anji

April 18, 2020 at 10:20 am

Hey! Jæren is actually really beautiful. Lots og pretty beaches and beautiful scenery. I would def. go there! I should try and highlight what’s beautiful about Jæren instead. Then you probably haven’t seen alot of it! 🙂

Lisa Kutschera says

August 8, 2018 at 12:54 pm

Hello, My husband and I are planning an 8 day trip the last week in August. We are flying into Bergen. My husband then wants to drive North up the coast. I was thinking we could drive to Alesund (making some stops along the way? Geiranger?) then go onto Molde and then over to Trollstigen. Then we want to make our way down to Sognefjorden (seeing Flam?). Then move on to Hardagerford and finally over to Odda to hike Trolltunga. Then we would make our way back to Bergen. Is this to ambitious? We are renting a car. Any and all information/recommendations would be most helpful! Also what road map to you recommend we buy? I wanted to try and purchase one before we leave. Thank you SO much for taking the time to read and respond to this! Lisa 🙂

karthick says

August 22, 2018 at 3:09 am

you are such a wonderful writer. Could you please tell me whether I can get a blabla car or something for a road trip? I need to travel in a car through Atlantic Road?

August 22, 2018 at 7:09 pm

You’ll need to rent a car from a rental agency – sixt.com and hertz.com usually have pretty good rates.

jacopo says

September 4, 2018 at 10:37 am

Good morning, is it feasible in 8-9 days to do the whole E39 route from Stavanger along the atlantic coast until Kristiansand? Then catch the flight in Oslo. Do you have an idea of the total cost for tolls and ferries or any other cost along this route?

Thank you very much!

September 11, 2018 at 6:57 am

Me and my partner are very keen hikers and having spent almost two years in Canada, we love the outdoors and what nature has to offer. And the sleeping spectacular mountains and lakes of course!

We are planning a trip to Norway next July and will be renting a vehicle and most probably paying a one way fee in the process. We would like your advice on which one of the two routes to take during our trip, which will be approx. 10-14 days. We have briefly looked into Stavanger to Bergen (RV13) or Stavanger to Oslo. Based on the fact we love to hike, really enjoy being outdoors and look in awe at amazing landscapes, which of the two would you recommend please. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and really enjoyed looking through the site and the tips and advice you provide.

September 11, 2018 at 12:22 pm

Definitely Stavanger to Bergen. Have fun!

September 26, 2018 at 2:22 pm

Hey Silvia, Great article, really inspirational! I’m planning a roadtrip in Norway for next month! We’re thinking about renting a car in Karlstad, Sweden (we’re exchange students) and driving up to Bergen and back. We want to experience as much of the rough-fjord-nature. How is your experience with hostels on the road? Is it possible to make 200km a day and find some hostels?

Thank you for your answer!

October 1, 2018 at 4:28 pm

It should be possible, though it might be smart to try to book some places in advance. Have fun!

January 7, 2019 at 11:45 am

Iam planning Norway trip of 8 days with my family (2 adults and 3 kids) on March 22 flying to Oslo. 2 days in Oslo and then will take a train to Bergen. From there I would like to rent a car for the rest of my trip. Is it possible to do road trips and what places to visit. Iam clueless as I read the roads are closed and there will be snow (I dont have snow driving experience). Your suggestions will be greatly helpful.

Lara Aurora says

January 7, 2019 at 12:37 pm

Norway is one of the dream place to visit. Lots of places to explore may 1 month is not enough to explore. Thanks For sharing your views upon hiring a car to explore the Norway. May its a great experience. We are visiting to Norway. First to Oslo. So we thinking to explore with campervan rental. We thinking to book a campervan in oslo. Starting trip from Oslo. Own bed, and kitchen. Is it good idea to hire a camper van in Oslo and explore Norway by road. Is this cheapest or we will hire a car, What you suggest?

January 7, 2019 at 9:02 pm

Actually from my experience I wouldn’t recommend hiring a camper van. Petrol here is very expensive and with the cost of staying at campsites you won’t really save money. I would recommend hiring a smaller rental car and staying in self catering cottages and apartments instead. Have a great trip!

Campervan Oslo says

January 19, 2019 at 11:42 am

Thanks for your reply and for recomodations

Nenu Singh says

January 10, 2019 at 6:27 am

Hello Silvia, your Norway blogs are extremely helpful. I was super confused about our upcoming trip to Norway in late June. I was convinced to buy NIN and add days to that cruise. But now, I think we will drive down. We will be in Oslo after touring Sweden and Copenhagen. We plan to spend 6.5 days in Norway. I was debating if we should go to North(Lofoten) or around Bergen/ Ålesund. We have two kids 11/12 yrs. What do you suggest they will enjoy more? Although, I am leaning more towards Bergen/ Ålesund 🙂 Also, can we drive from Oslo to Bergen/ Ålesund and get back to Oslo in 5 days? Thanks Much and I look forward to reading more about your adventures.

Harshad Datar says

January 12, 2019 at 5:45 am

We are in the midst of planning a trip to Europe. Norway was actually not on my horizon. All that has changed after I chanced upon your blog and realised what I was missing. Now my focus has shifted to bringing in Norway into my tour. We would be making that trip around May – Jun 19 and at the moment it looks like we may visit Norway, Sweden, Finland and three of the Baltic States.

I also like your idea of connecting with couchsurfers. I have been on Couchsurfing but have never used any of their options.

Thanks for writing such a lovely blog and giving me motivation to think Norway for our visit pla.

February 1, 2019 at 1:44 pm

Yes! Driving in Norway is one of the best adventurous experience. There are lots of best scenic road trips in Norway. you can choose different locations Routes. In last Year were 3 friends visited Norway and hired a campervan from Oslo for 30 days. An Amazing experience riding on Norway roads. Amazing stay. Our mobile kitchen and bed with us every time. But Your guide really described very well. This summer we also think to tour of Norway to explore rest of places. Your guide help us more. Thanks

Stacey says

February 18, 2019 at 4:38 pm

Hi, Planning a trip April 17-26 ( have already purchased my ticket) I’m wondering how driving will be, from what i’ve read today, most of the scenic routes may still be closed. What are are my realistic options, should I switch to train travel? I was looking forward to driving but not sure it’s the right option now. Also, I am flying into Oslo was planning on going north/west with my main focus being Stave church’s, Fjords, small interesting towns. I will be traveling by myself, although I grew up in snow, driving just want a realistic expectation. Thank you!

Alexia says

February 20, 2019 at 10:38 am

Such helpful information. This will be my 2nd time to Norway. But I am planning on end of September for northern Norway. I know most of the will not be running at this time from what I’ve researched. But for closed roads, would it make a difference for the beginning of Sept vs the end of Sept into October?

Thanks so much in advance!

February 20, 2019 at 5:07 pm

Some roads do start to close at the end of September, so early September would be a safer bet!

James Jayalath says

May 3, 2019 at 2:58 am

We are planning to travel to Norway in July 2019. We are planning to stay there for 6 days. Then I am thinking to hire a car from the Airport and return to the Airport. Can you please let me know the best route from Oslo to cover train and ferry journey and return back to the Airport. My main concern is, can you find parking when you travel by train or ferry’s in certain areas and whether you have to pay for parking.

Please advise.

May 3, 2019 at 2:59 am

We are planning to travel to Norway in July 2019. We are planning to stay there for 6 days. Then I am thinking to hire a car from the Airport and return to the Airport. Can you please let me know the best route from Oslo to cover train and ferry journey and return back to the Airport. My main concern is, can you find parking when you travel by train or ferry’s in certain areas and whether you have to pay for parking?

Abbie Mawhinney says

May 5, 2019 at 12:38 am

Thx so much for answering everyone’s questions!! I plan to be in Oslo early Sept w a sml car and really want to explore Norway including some slow time and hikes. Do you think 2 weeks is a good amount of time and wld that allow me to make it to Loften & Senja? I’ll be looping back down to Oslo again.

Ripley says

August 28, 2019 at 10:43 am

I took a rental car with Autopass included from Oslo airport, used Avis/Budget badged subcontractor located there who assured me the Autopass etag was working, nothing more for me to do or pay, before I drove away – contrary to what the Avis rental contract states! The Autopass etag proved to be a dud; suspected when passing through road toll points, then proved when ferry onboarders tried their handheld scanners to no avail. When I was eventually overcharged I put the message through to Avis/Budget customer service, they went silent, then I went to Norway Innovation (Govt agent) they pointed me at the Ministry… no response. Cannot use Norwegian Consumer Council because you need to be a Norwegian resident with a national ID to do that. The Norwegian Govt behaves as though it cannot manage Norwegian businesses that behave fraudulently, so sad, too bad, won’t be back. Certainly would never recommend Avis/Budget at Oslo Airport as a rental car source.

September 2, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Yeah I’ve heard bad things about Budget in Norway as well. Personally I always rent through sixt.com, as they have a great reputation in Norway.

December 12, 2019 at 1:53 am

Love this guide, perfect for anyone planning a Norway road trip! As a Norway native I agree with everything, except the part about “the roads are all well-maintained”.. I wish it was true! hahaha. Thank you so much for sharing your tips!

Naomi Hagen says

January 14, 2020 at 9:50 pm

Thank you SO much for your travel tips. I’m working diligently on my plan for our upcoming July trip to Norway and am finding your blog to be so helpful! Can’t wait to visit this stunning country!

KatieM says

January 24, 2020 at 12:04 am

Hello Silvia, I love your blog! We are planning a road trip to Norway and all of your blog posts have been so helpful! We are flying in and out of Bergen. Our first night we haven’t decided where to stay, we land in Bergen around 3pm and then We’re driving to Flam the next day, any tips on where to stay either on the way or a bit out of the way as we’re game for adventure and driving 🙂 Thank you! Katie

January 25, 2020 at 3:06 pm

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite hotels in the region here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/best-sognefjord-accommodation/ Aurland is especially idyllic!

Kathryn says

January 30, 2020 at 11:20 pm

I love your blog 🙂 It’s been very helpful during the planning process for my upcoming trip to Norway (April 30 – May 9). I’ve been running into some trouble with my itinerary since there seem to be some road closures and was wondering if you had recommendations. Right now I have:

April 30: Arrive to Oslo May 1: Oslo May 2: Norway in a Nutshell train to Bergen May 3: Bergen May 4: Bergen

For May 5 – May 9 I was hoping to include Alesund, Geirangerfjord and back to Oslo (possibly stop somewhere else if there is time). Do you have any suggestions for how to do that during that time of year? The only thing booked right now is our Oslo flights, so if this isn’t possible, we are also considering Oslo to Lofoten instead. Thanks so much for any help you can offer!!

January 31, 2020 at 12:51 pm

Most roads should be open in May if the road closures you’re seeing now are due to weather, though Trollstigen doesn’t open until late May or early June. You’ll definitely be able to drive from Bergen to Alesund though.

January 31, 2020 at 4:11 pm

Thank you for your quick reply, Silvia! You rock 🙂 Do you know if it is possible to get from Alesund to Geirangerfjord easily since Trollstigen is closed?

February 1, 2020 at 1:08 pm

Of course! Trollstigen isn’t actually part of that route anyway, and the main road will definitely be open. Or you could take a boat trip from Alesund – I have more suggestions in my Alesund guide: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/alesund-travel-guide/

February 1, 2020 at 7:49 pm

Thank you so much!

Malerie says

February 10, 2020 at 10:13 pm

Hi, Silvia! Your blog is wonderful! I’m planning my first trip to Norway this summer. I’m spending four nights in Lofoten (already have a wonderful Air BnB booked), and then plan to spend four nights in the Mor Og Romsdal region. I want to explore Alesund, do the Atlantic Road, visit Geirangerfjord, and Trollstigen. Ahh! Where should I base myself? Do you recommend homesteading in Alesund and just planning to drive a lot, or doing two and two somewhere? Thank you!

Autumn says

February 12, 2020 at 7:27 pm

Hello Silvia 🙂 Thank you for your wonderful website and always being so prompt at responding to all of your social media. You helped me out late last year and I was able to change my plans to arrive after Easter. So thank you again for that. I’m hoping you might be able to help me out with some other information I’m really having problems finding answers to online. I will be flying into Oslo on the 24th of April and flying out on the 7th of May. My trip is going up through Norway and down through Sweden. I’m having trouble figuring out whether to look at Winter or Summer hours/fees? Most websites I’ve looked at completely leave out April and May when they show the dates that each is for. I also am planning on renting a car and driving but I am having trouble figuring out if I can cross boarders and whether there are fees for it? The rental websites are so unclear about it. Thanks for any help

Bruce Alpert says

March 5, 2020 at 8:46 pm

Thoughts on a roundtrip drive from Bergen to Geiranger in 4 nights, five days in June. Towns to overnight?

Sheila says

April 26, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Like what I read event hough I would not be driving. Keep the good info going.

April 26, 2020 at 6:42 pm

Am schedule to visitScandinavia in July 2020. I hope to reach Geiranger by ferry from Bergen and return to Oslo in 30 hours. I already paid for accommodation which maybe a problem.

May 24, 2020 at 7:27 pm

Norway is the country my heart fell in love with. First I had to come back year by year and now it´s time to move there and show this beautiful country to other adventurers. Lofoten is the most beautiful part that I love, but now it´s time to explore south as well.

Katie McDonald says

June 9, 2020 at 2:21 pm

Amazing blog to read! I am landing in Oslo and doing a full coastal road trip curving round and finishing just North of The Atlantic Road. Heading back South to Oslo for our returning flight, I was wondering if there is a mountainous route which is worth stopping for 1 or 2 nights before reaching Oslo. Thank you so much!

July 19, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Silvia, Thank you for the tip on Auto Europe. It turned out to be the cheapest rate for us. Looking for 9 days and manual transmission plus unlimited miles! Made a difference.

August 2, 2020 at 4:10 pm

Hei! I came across your website while looking for information about planning a road trip in September from Trondheim to Tromsø. Great and very useful article, thanks! I checked out the rain pants you recommended, but they are no longer available at the link you provided 🙁 since I’m looking for a good pair of rain pants, I wanted to ask you if those you recommended are made to wear over something (like if I’m already wearing jeans and I can have them over) or they are more to wear by themselves or maybe with woollen underpants if cold. I’m not even sure which would be more versatile, but I just want to understand more and make the right purchase! And if you update your link, just reply with it 😉 thanks in advance!

Joseph Jones says

November 4, 2020 at 5:28 pm

Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in depth information you offer. Awesome places to explore. I would like to suggest it to my friends so that we can plan a trip and take a time for ourselves in this busy schedule. Keep posting such wonderful places. Thanks!

Stefan Robert says

November 22, 2020 at 10:50 am

Here, one thing is very important. Like when you will go for visiting Norway in summer. You should need to bring a warm cloth to keep protect your cold environment. Your clothes should be waterproof.

April 20, 2021 at 4:10 am

Loved the information and I was planning to travel again after this pandemic. You know you’re in good shape when you become uninterested in thinking back. Keep it up!

April 26, 2021 at 4:45 pm

Thanks for all your blogs that I’ve read so far! My trip planning is still very early days, but I’m hoping (covid pending) to visit Norway next May-June. I’ll be doing a trip up to Svalbard and then would like to road-trip south through Norway, potentially starting at Alta, heading east and then back over to the west coast, unsure yet where I’d finish but let’s say Oslo.

Is it possible to do this in 2 weeks or would you recommend allowing longer or starting elsewhere?

May 26, 2021 at 10:30 pm

Hei Silvia – what a wonderful, absolute gem of blog for Norway travellers! Kudos to you! I moved to Norway last year (all the way from the warm Pacific) to start my new job here. Your blog is sooooo helpful, it’s such a blessing for new travellers. Really appreciate all this effort you’ve put into sharing your experiences!

September 28, 2021 at 11:40 am

Tracy Shannon says

February 13, 2022 at 8:34 am

Hi Silvia! Your website and information is awesome! I’m from the USA and I’m leaving for various Countries in the EU March 1st ( VERY soon!) for my latest female Solo travel adventure. I’m starting in Denmark (visiting friends)then headed to Norway 3/22 or 3/23 for 10 days before I head to Switzerland and then Italy. I wish I could stay longer but the rules are strict that I must only stay in the Schengen area for 90 days. I have been reading a lot of blogs on the Internet but they were all from Travelers so when I saw yours I was thrilled because you’re a local! I’ll be leaving Copenhagen and was thinking about heading north first in the hopes of still catching the northern lights. I would really love your opinion of the best trip I could hope for in my short 10 day stay. I will be renting a car and I am completely unaware of where I’ll be staying since I don’t even have my itinerary mapped out. I’m feeling a little stressed because it will be time to leave so soon now! Any help or suggestions that you can give me would be so very very much appreciated. If it turns out that you’re available while I’m in your beautiful country I would be happy to meet you for coffee and a pastry perhaps 😎 I love to hike and road tripping like you!

February 14, 2022 at 2:29 pm

If you want to see the northern lights I would fly up to Tromsø and rent a car from there. You’ll be right at the end of the northern lights season, but should still have a chance at the end of March. The distances here are really great so I don’t recommend trying to see too many places at once. I think my top pick would be Tromsø and Senja. You could also drive around Kvaløya, the island next to Tromsø, and Sommarøy during the day, and then Kvaløya is also a great place to watch northern lights at night. These posts should help: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/tromso-northern-lights-tour/ https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/things-to-do-in-tromso/ and https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/things-to-do-in-senja-norway/

2 Cups Of Travel says

March 6, 2022 at 5:23 am

Awesome shots! This looks stunning. We didn’t have Norway on the list for our 2022 trip but maybe need to add it in!

Steve Wheller says

March 10, 2022 at 10:05 pm

Just came across your fab and informative blog. I am looking at planning a trip to Norway with my son before he heads off to University. We are looking at coming for a week in the last week of august, first week of September.

I am a photographer so looking to capture the amazing landscapes. We are going to fly from Cardiff and then hire a car. What would be the best road trip for a week to capture the best of the norwegian landscapes.

March 17, 2022 at 3:05 am

Hello, Your info on Panama was a great help when I did that trip and now I found your info on Norway! Just one question. If we rent a car and plan to camp in the evening, is it legal and is there room to just pull off on the side of the road somewhere?

March 26, 2022 at 7:32 pm

Yes, totally legal as long as you’re 150 m away from buildings, houses, or cabins and not on farmland. You can usually find plenty of places to pull off.

carl woodward says

August 20, 2022 at 6:05 pm

this would be my dream

October 16, 2022 at 9:23 am

Thank you so much for all the tips, tricks and ideas on your Blog concerning Norway. Though it does makes planing a trip way more difficult, as there is so much to see 😉

One thing in was wondering in relation to cars is, if you have any experience with electric cars in Norway. From what I could find, Norways is well equipped with a Network for charging an all, but I was wondering, if you have by chance any experience in using an electric car for a road-trip with medium-long drivedays. I’m planing a trip for May 2023 an would like to do it as sutainable as possible. I’m already planing on traveling by train up from Switzerland where I live all the way to Bodø (with stops in between to explore obvisously) but I was thinking of probably renting a car in Bodø for ~1 Week to do the Lofoten, Tromsø and Lyngen Alps Area.

Would love to hear, if you have any experience with this.

greetings from Switzerland, Tina

October 17, 2022 at 5:48 pm

I’m afraid I don’t have any experience with this myself. But yes, there are lots of charging stations all over, so finding a place to charge shouldn’t be a problem.

Tina Baumgartner says

October 19, 2022 at 6:42 pm

Thank you !

November 5, 2022 at 2:51 pm

Silvia, well done on such a wonderful set of articles!

next June a friend and I will be riding motorcycles down the coast of Norway from Nordkapp to Bergen. You know motorcyclists sometimes it’s more the road and what it holds than stopping and walking long distances into the hills. A question if I may, what would you consider a reasonable daily distance, [some have suggested 300 km tops] bearing in mind our sort of “getting on with it” mindset?

November 15, 2023 at 10:51 am

Me and my friends rented a campervan in Norway and we couldn’t do better! Not only it was the best budget option for us, but the freedom we got in return was priceless. Travelling Norway by campervan should be mandatory haha! I can’t imagine seeing and exploring all the beautiful places in any other way. I recommend travelling in June – it’s still quite quiet on the roads, yet the weather is more than perfect and nature is in full of life. Oh, I loved it all. Want to come back asap…

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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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• Norway Road Trip Itineraries

10-day Norway Road Trip Itinerary For Adventure Seekers (Starting And Ending in Ålesund)

• February 29, 2024

Are you dreaming of waking up every day in a beautiful destination, surrounded by epic views of the fjords and mountains? Do you love adventure and are you not scared of putting some effort to experience the best sights?

If you answered yes to the above, then this Norway road trip starting and ending in Ålesund will be perfect for you.

Norway road trip the logistics

Before you book your flights to Norway, there are a few things you should plan beforehand. Mainly how will you get around here, what route will you follow and what time of the year is best for the road trip to happen.

How to get to Ålesund?

Ålesund is the largest town in the Møre og Romsdal county known as the home of the Sunmøre Alps. They are in my opinion the most beautiful mountain range in Norway.

Ålesund is a fantastic place to start and end your Norway road trip because it is very close to many of the top attractions in the country. I also find Ålesund way more interesting and beautiful than Bergen or Oslo.

The town has a small airport and car rental places. You can get here by catching an internal flight between Oslo and Ålesund. Norwegian Air and SAS, both local airlines operate along this route.

Best time of the year to do this road trip?

Since a lot of activities, which I have included in this plan, are outdoor activities, it means that the best time to follow this Norway road trip itinerary is between July and September . Why? Because this is the time when most of the trails are clear of snow and safe to follow.

Anytime before or after this timeframe and you might still run into lots of snow when hiking at higher elevations. It’s possible to go earlier, but just bear in mind, that you might not be able to complete all the activities I’ve enlisted in this itinerary.

Road trip outline and map

Above you can view the map of the road trip, where I marked the driving directions, viewpoints, hikes, and campsites.

How to use the map?

Click on the button in the top left corner to open the layers. To make the map easier to read you can switch the layers on and off by clicking on the red check box. Click on different hikes and you will be shown links to my other blog posts with detailed descriptions of each trail.

The best way to travel around Norway

Since this is a road trip you will need to have a vehicle to follow it. I brought my own campervan into Norway and spend a few months traveling around the country. If you are coming from abroad for a limited time then the best option is to rent one.

Rent a Campervan with Motorhome Republic

If you want to be independent with your time and the locations that you visit I recommend that you rent a campervan.

Campsites in Norway are very easy to come by. Norwegians love to camp and I have never seen so many campervans before. The whole infrastructure for motorhome travel in Norway is amazing, from campsites, and water filling-up stations to grey and black water dump stations, which are set up everywhere.

For the best price comparison and campervan reservations visit the Motorhome Republic.

Rent a Compact Car with Discover Cars

Are you not into the whole van life thing? I get it, it’s certainly not for everyone. Personally, I can only do it for a few weeks at a time, before I start craving a normal bed and a daily shower.

Another great reason to go for a compact car is its fuel efficiency. Whilst motorhomes are great, they are definitely not fuel-economical.

I highly recommend looking for your car rental with Discover Cars .

Suggested 10-day Ålesund to Ålesund itinerary: day-by-day breakdown

This is an action-packed itinerary. I realize you might not be able to tick off everything I propose, mainly due to the rainy weather in Norway, but if you are an absolute adventure freak, you will! During the next 10 days, you will visit the following destinations:

• Day 1 & 2: Sunmøre Alps and Hjørundfjord
• Day 3-6: Jostedalsbreen & Jotunheimen National Parks
• Day 7: Geiranger UNESCO Fjord
• Day 8-10: Trollstigen and Åndalsnes

Let’s hit the road!

Day 1: Ålesund to Urke in the heart of the Sunmøre Alps

• Distance from Ålesund to Urke: 64 km / 40 mi
• Travel time: 2 h 15 min (including ferry)

We are kicking this road trip with a bang by visiting one of my favorite fjords in Norway – Hjørundfjord.

If you are staying in one of the hotels that I recommend below then you should type in either Sæbo or Øye into your GPS, when leaving Ålesund. If you are traveling in a campervan then go directly to Urke and stay at a campsite there.

Sæbo, Urke & Øye are all only a few kilometres apart, but the first two lie on opposite sides of the Hjørundfjord. Don’t fret though. Ferries travel between the two towns every 30 minutes. You will quickly learn how important the ferries are for the transportation system in Norway. On this road trip, you will be taking quite a few of them.

Spend the rest of the day checking out the area. If you are staying in Urke or Øye then I recommend driving to the local beach (marked on the map) and taking a swim. You can even jump from the jetty into the refreshing fjord. If you are staying in Sæbo you can take an evening walk along the fjord.

Best accommodation options around Urke: night 1

Hotel Union Øye (not on booking.com)

A historic hotel located at the entry of the Norangsdal Valley and circa 1 kilometer from the shore of the Hjørundfjord and a 6-minute drive from Urke.

Top Location

Sagafjord Hotel (Sæbo)

A beautiful waterfront hotel with a fantastic view over Hjørundfjord and the Sunnmore Alps. Mount Saksa is visible from the deck.

Day 2 (morning): Hike in the Sunmøre Alps

This is an adventure road trip, so get ready to undertake some hikes, via ferratas, kayaking & biking on this holiday in Norway.

Option 1: Summit of Mount Saksa

The summit of Mount Saksa was the very first hike I did in Norway. 40 different trails later and Saksa still remains one of my favorites.

I very quickly learned that trails in Norway tend to be steep and instead of using zigzags they often go straight up. This is the case with the hike to Saksa . You start at sea level and gain 1300 meters (over 4000 feet) of elevation in just over 3 kilometers (less than 2 miles). Whilst it’s not too bad when going up, going back down is a real knee-buster.

At least you will be rewarded with extraordinary views from the top. Your effort will not go in vain.

Option 2: The Urkeegga Circuit

If you want an easier trail for your first hike on your Norway road trip go for the Urkeegga Circuit instead. Whilst the way up is still relatively steep, going back down will be a lot easier on your knees.

Don’t worry, you won’t be missing out in the views department, you will just see them from a slightly different angle. The Urkeegga Circuit follows a ridgeline with 3 separate peaks and each of them has awesome vistas over the Hjørundfjord.

TIP! Check out from your accommodation before doing either of the hikes. You will be driving to your next destination after completing the hike.

Day 2 (afternoon): drive the scenic route to Loen

• Distance from Urke to Loen: 80 km / 50 mi
• Driving time: 75 min

After the hike, go for a quick and refreshing dip in the fjord and continue with your journey to your next destination Loen.

It’s only 80 kilometers (50 miles) to Loen but be prepared to collect your jaw off the floor for the first 30 minutes of the journey. You will be following the road no. 655 along the Norangdal Valley. It’s a very narrow green valley surrounded by sheer cliffs.

TIP! Obey the signs in Norangdal. It is prohibited to stop in some places due to rock fall danger. There are plenty of designated stops, where you can park and leave your car to take a photo.

Once you make it to the end of road no. 655 turn right onto road no. 60 towards Grodås. It’s a little town built on the shoreline of Lake Hornindalsvatnet, where you can stop for a quickl photo. It’s not only the deepest lake in Norway but also in the whole of Europe and the World’s 12th deepest! Source: Wikipedia

TIP! If you have an extra day in Norway consider staying at the Horndøla camping en route to Loen. Hike to Lake Blåvatnet or the summit of Hornindalsrokken the next day. It’s a very beautiful and off-the-beaten-path hike, where you will only meet locals.

Once you make it to Loen check into your accommodation and relax. Another adventure-filled day is waiting for you tomorrow.

Day 3: Hike in Jostedalsbreen National Park

Today I’ve got two exciting hikes for you to choose from. The decision certainly won’t be an easy one. Both trails deliver spectacular views.

Option 1: Klovane

The west side of Norway’s famous Jostedalsbreen National Park, where you will be spending the next couple of days is home to some amazing lakes. The three most notable are Oldenvatnet, Lovatnet, and Oppstrynvatnet.

All three are glacier-fed which means the tiny particles called the rock flour, created by the movement of the glacier grinding down against the rock, travel down the rivers and empty into the lakes. The particles then reflect in the sun giving the lakes intense colors. Depending on how sunny or cloudy it is, the colors of the lake change between blue, turquoise, and emerald.

One of the best places to observe this phenomenon is the summit of Klovane high above Lake Oldenvatnet. This is one of the hikes I propose you do on day 3.

Option 2: Kattanakken

Jostedalsbreen National Park is the home of Norway’s largest glacier field and the park takes its name from it. Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier on mainland Europe and has many arms which reach down to the valleys. One of them is the Briksdalsbreen Glacier Arm.

Briksdalsbreen is no secret. It’s one of the most visited places in Norway, but there is an easy way to escape the crowds and get an even better view of it. I am talking about the hike to Kattanakken.

This challenging hike veers off the official path which leads to the Briksdalsbreen glacier viewpoint. Once on it, you start climbing up. The higher you go the better the views get.

TIP! If you are too tired to hike again, then consider renting a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard and see the area from a different perspective.

Day 4 (morning): Lovatnet

After an intensive day 3 of your Norway road trip, it’s time to take it a bit easy on day 4. At least in the first half of the day.

You can spend the morning driving around the west side of the Jostedalsbreen National Park and check out some roadside viewpoints which I marked on the map.

I particularly recommend driving along Lake Lovatnet all the way to its end, where you can park your car and go for a stroll to see the Kjenndal glacier tongue. It’s not as spectacular as Briksdalbreen, but it’s still a lovely sight.

TIP! A great way to explore Lake Lovatnet and Lodalen (the valley where the lake is located) is by bike. There are bike rental places in Loen.

Day 4 (afternoon): Tackle Via Ferrata Loen (or take a rest)

It’s time for a serious adventure. If you want to walk across a 120-meter-long suspension bridge perched 800 meters above the fjord then you need to tackle Norway’s famous  Via Ferrata Loen .

The route leads to the summit of Mount Hoven, which is connected with the town of Loen by the Loen Skylift cable car. The afternoon is the only time you can do Via Ferrata Loen if you plan on doing it unguided.

TIP: If you prefer to tackle Via Ferrata Loen with a guide, then book your tour for the morning and then spend the rest of the day either resting or exploring the Jostedalsbreen National Park.

Best accommodation options in Loen: nights 2, 3 & 4

Best location.

Hotel Alexandra

Located right in the center of the town the hotel offers great access to the nearby attraction. Soak in the indoor or outdoor pool to relax your muscles after hiking in the mountains the whole day.

Oldevatn Camping Cabins

Take advantage of the free kayaks and go paddling on the turquoise lake Oldenvatnet or take a hike to see the beautiful panoramic views of the lake from above.

Day 5 (morning): Scenic drive to Sogndalsfjøra

• Distance from Loen to Sogndalsfjøra: 127 km (79 mi)
• Driving time: 2 hours

Even though Sogndalsfjøra, your next destination for the night is only a 2-hour drive away from Loen, prepare to spend at least half a day along this stunning route. Today you will be driving around the Jostedalsbreen National Park, from its west side to the east side.

There are plenty of beautiful viewpoints along the way. My favorites are the Stardalselva Valley, Jølstravatnet Lake, Bøyabreen Glacier, and the Fjærland village. All of them are roadside viewpoints and won’t require much effort to get to (for once).

I still recommend leaving Loen as early as possible to make it to Sogndalsfjøra around lunchtime. After checking into your hotel or campsite you can head out into the mountains again.

Day 5 (afternoon): Hike to Molden

• Distance from Sogndalsfjøra to the trailhead of Molden: 20 km / 12.5 mi
• Driving time: 20 min

If the weather is good you can take advantage of the long Scandinavian summer days and hike to the summit of Molden . The trailhead is only located a 20-minute drive from Sogndalsfjøra.

The hike takes 3-4 hours to complete and has expansive views of the turquoise Lustrafjord and the surrounding mountains.

Best accommodation options in Sogndalsfjøra: night 5

Hofslund Fjord Hotel

What guests loved about it:

• Cozy rooms with balconies and fjord views
• Lovely hotel grounds and pool

Top Rated & Unique Stay

Sogndal Fjordpanorama – The Atmosphere

• Fjord views from the outdoor hot tub
• Very functionally designed cabins

Day 6 (morning): Explore the glaciers of Jostedalsbreen National Park

Option 1: hike to austerdalsbreen.

• Distance from Sogndalsfjøra to the trailhead of Austerdalsbreen: 55 km / 34 mi
• Driving time: 1h 15 min

Austerdalsbreen is hands down the most beautiful arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier field. The hike to is viewpoint is pleasantly easy and most of it leads through a flat wide valley before a gentle climb up.

The drive from Sogndalsjøra to the Austerdalsbreen trailhead is an experience in itself as the route follows the shoreline of the Vaitastrondavatnet. Another glacier-fed and beautifully colored lake.

Another highlight of this hike is the possibility of having lunch at the Tungestølen hut, but before I reveal too much head over to my guide to the Austerdalsbreen hike.

Option 2: Hike to (or on) the Nigardsbreen Glacier

• Distance from Sogndalsfjøra to the trailhead of Nigardsbreen: 66 km / 41 mi
• Driving time: 1 h 15 min

Nigardsbreen is the most famous arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier field. Guided glacier hikes are a popular activity in this area. You can spend half a day walking on the ice exploring its crevasses and listening to the history of the glacier accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can hike to the glacier viewpoint yourself. I cover all the details in my guide to hiking to Nigardsbreen Glacier .

Day 6 (afternoon): Sognefjellet Scenic Route & Geiranger Scenic Route

• Distance from Austerdal to Geiranger : 260 km / 22 mi
• Driving time: 5 hours
• Distance from Nigardsbreen to Geiranger: 250 km / 150 mi
• Driving time: 4 h 30 min

No matter what activity you choose to do on the morning of day 6 of your Norway road trip, you have a bit of a drive to do in the afternoon to get to your next destination. But what an exciting drive it will be.

Once getting out of the valleys you will enter the Sognefjellet Scenic route which stretches for 108 kilometers (67 miles) between the towns of Gaupne and Lom.

You will first drive along the shoreline of Luster Fjord before climbing up along a serpentine road toward the high mountain plateau. The route is the gateway to Jotunheimen National Park and it leads through the highest mountain pass of Northern Europe. There are plenty of beautiful roadside stops along this route.

Sognefjellet Scenic Route opens in late spring (usually at the start of May) and remains open for the summer and early autumn before it closes again once the snow falls and makes it impassable.

Once you make it to Lom, the end of the Sognefjellet route, turn left onto road No. 15. After another 1 hour of driving you will enter the Geiranger Scenic Road. Once again you will be driving through stunning mountain scenery all the way to Norway’s most famous Fjord – Geiranger.

Similarly to Sognefjellet, the Geiranger Scenic Route opens usually at the start of May and closes by November.

TIP! If you have an extra day then break up the journey and stay an extra night on the Sognefjellet Scenic Route. The next day you can join a guided hike to Norway’s highest summit – Mount Galdhøpiggen before you continue to Geiranger.

Day 7: Explore the UNESCO Geiranger Fjord

Option 1: hike to skageflå.

Day 7 of your Norway road trip is another day filled with beautiful views. Today I recommend the most popular hike in the Geiranger Fjord area – Skageflå.

Skageflå used to be a small farm built on top of a cliff high above the Fjord. It operated until the start of the last century before turning into a tourist attraction. From the farm, you get to see beautiful panoramic views of the seven sisters waterfall, which the Geiranger Fjord is known for.

This is a one-way hike. You will need to pre-book a boat transfer to get back to the village after completing it. I cover all the details in my guide to the Skågefla hike.

Option 2: Activity in Geiranger Fjord

If you want to take a break from hiking, there are plenty of fantastic outdoor activities in Geiranger that don’t require walking. Below are a few that I recommend.

Guided Kayaking Tour

Embark on an unforgettable kayak expedition in the majestic Geiranger Fjord Accompanied by an experienced instructor, gracefully paddle through crystal-clear blue waters, leading you to the iconic Seven Sisters Waterfall.

Self-Guided Bike Tour

Embrace the breathtaking beauty of Geiranger Fjord during a self-guided downhill biking adventure. Meander along winding mountain roads, catching glimpses of cascading waterfalls and enchanting lakes as you ride at your own pace.

Best accommodation options in Geiranger: nights 6 & 7

Grande Hytteutleige

Lovely cottage-type accommodation in a beautiful and quiet setting with great new facilities

Grande Fjord Hotel

Soak in the hot tub while looking directly at the Geiranger Fjord or enjoy dinner with a view in the restaurant located on the 6th floor.

Day 8 (morning): Geiranger Scenic Drive via Trollstigen

• Distance from Geiranger to Åndalsnes: 87 km / 54 mi
• Driving time: 2 h 10 min

The morning of day 8 of my proposed Norway road trip is a continuation of the National Scenic Drive which you started on day 6.

The Geiranger-Trollstigen Scenic Route stretches across 104 kilometers (67 miles). There is also a ferry crossing involved. Today’s must-see roadside stops are:

• The Ørnesvingen viewpoint above the Geiranger Fjord
• Eidvatnet lake
• The village of Valldal
• Gudbrandsjuvet
• Trollstigen viewpoint

TIP : Stay an extra night in Valldal and book a rafting adventure or fit in another hike to Mefjellet. The Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal was a place where the sci-fi movie “Ex Machina” by Alex Garland was shot.

Day 8 (afternoon): Hike to Litlefjellet

Once you make it to Åndalsnes, have lunch, check into your accommodation and head out on a little hike to the aptly named Litlefjellet.

Litlefjellet is a 1-hour round-trip hike that offers jaw-dropping views of the infamous Troll Wall, known as the birthplace of base jumping. My favorite view however (pictured above) is the triangle-shaped Romsdalshornet reflecting in the ponds located on the saddle.

Day 9: Adventure around Åndalsnes

Today is your last full day following this epic Norway road trip. It is only fitting that you finish it with an exciting activity. Åndalsnes is a Mekka for adventure lovers and here are a couple of options to make your day memorable.

Option 1: Via Ferrata Romsdalsstigen

You won’t forget Norway quickly after testing your nerves on the Via Ferrata Romsdalsstigen Vestveggen . This is a really challenging route for absolute adventure freaks.

You can either join a guided tour or, provided you have a previous via ferrata experience, just rent the gear and do it yourself. Whatever you decide you are guaranteed an exhilarating experience with some dramatic views.

Option 2: Romsdalseggen hike

If dangling off a cliff a few hundred meters above a fjord might indeed be a bit too much then consider finishing your Norway road trip with one last hike and cross the Romsdalseggen ridgeline.

Romsdalseggen connects Åndalsnes with Venjedalen Valley. En route, you can expect some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Norway. The hike takes ca. 6 hours to complete and requires pre-booking a shuttle bus. You can learn all the details in my  guide to the Romsdalseggen hike. This will be an epic ending to your Norway road trip.

Best accommodation options in Åndalsnes: nights 8 & 9

Trollstigen Resort

Cabin-type accommodation in a beautiful setting with surrounding mountain views.

Grand Bellevue Hotel

Directly in the town center with great access to the gondola terminal. Very relaxed atmosphere.

Day 10: Return to Ålesund

• Distance from Åndalsnes to Ålesund airport: 122 km / 76 mi
• Driving time: 1 h 40 min

After I poured countless hours into designing this itinerary I truly hope you will have a holiday of a lifetime. The last thing on the schedule is the return drive to Ålesund where you started this Norway road trip.

If you leave Åndalsnes early and your return flight isn’t until late evening you can still spend the day exploring Ålesund. There are a few hop-on hop-off tour bus options that will take you to all the highlight spots in Ålesund.

Best accommodation options in Ålesund (optional)

If you have an early flight to catch you can leave Åndalsnes on the afternoon of day 9 and stay in Ålesund for the night instead. This choice will put you in close proximity to the airport.

Quality Hotel Ålesund

Centrally situated in the popular Skansekaia Harbour area. The Airport bus stop is right outside of the hotel.

A boutique hotel in the center of Ålesund with great access to the trails of Aksla mountain where you can see the famous view of the town.

How to shorten this Norway road trip to 7 or 8 days?

In the article, I gave you a few ideas on how to extend this Norway road trip. However, what if you don’t have 10 full days but would still like to follow the itinerary I proposed? Here are a few options that will allow you to shorten this plan to 7 or 8 days.

• Option 1: Skip the east side of Jostedalsbreen National Park and Sognefjellet Scenic Route. On day 5, after leaving Loen, go straight to Geiranger Fjord, driving past Oppstrynvatnet. This will save you 2 days.
• Option 2: Skip Åndalsnes. Go back to Ålesund after visiting Geiranger Fjord. You can still drive to Ålesund via Åndalsnes, without staying overnight. That way you won’t miss out on seeing Trollstigen.
• Urke or Sæbo: 1 night
• Loen: 2 nights,
• Sogndalsfjøra: 1 night,
• Geiranger: 1 night,
• Åndalsnes: 1 or 2 nights.

That will amount to a total of 6 or 7 nights and 7 or 8 days on the road.

Other road trip itineraries around Norway

• Bergen to Bergen in 7-10 days for hiking enthusiasts
• 14-day Oslo to Oslo Road Trip for Photographers
• Stavanger to Bergen through the tourist hotspots of Norway
• Lofoten Islands 5-day hiking road trip

Support my website!

Hi Reader! If you found any of my articles about Norway useful please consider using the affiliate links in the article or below (at no extra cost to you) when booking your holiday. Thank you.

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Hi! I am the photographer and creator of www.inafarawayland.com. I come from Poland, but I've been living, travelling and working around the globe since I turned 18. A few years ago, during one of my trips to Scotland, I bought my first DSLR and my adventure with photography began. When I am not stuck to my computer editing photos, you can find me hiking somewhere in the mountains.

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Hello Marta,

We would like to visit Norway and Lofoten Islands. However, I am not about to make any plans until your Lofoten guide is published! Seriously, the amount of information you share, guidance you provide, hotels, road trip ideas, etc. is priceless!!! A world of thank you for all that you do to provide this information to us.

Do you have an estimated time on when your Lofoten guide would be published, please? No rush, just enquiring so that we can plan accordingly.

Best, Debbie

Hey Debbie. Thanks so much for your fantastic feedback. I am so glad you find my Norway guides very useful. Please do consider using the affiliate links when you book something. As for the Lofoten Guide, it will definitely be out by the end of the year which should give you enough time to book everything. In the meantime do let me know if you have any more questions!

Thank you very much for the estimated release timeframe for the Lofoten guide. It is much appreciated. And yes, your guide will be out with sufficient time for us to plan our trip since we are planning to visit in 2025 and will look to use the affiliated links, where I can.

Thank you Debbie. Keep your eyes peeled by the end of the year 🙂

Hello Marta

My girlfriend (Kristi) and me are from the U.S. (Tampa, FL). We recently completed the Tour du Mont Blanc 10-day trekking adventure this past July. After discussing, we have decided to make Norway our next destination adventure experience. We plan on visiting sometime in August or early September 2024. I’ve been reading and researching Norway a lot these past several weeks. I have found several travel template itineraries. After much research, we are highly leaning towards your Alesund to Alesund travel plan. We are planning about 8 to 9 days. We are going to modify the itinerary a little as we wish to do an activity day in Valldah and spend a few days in Alesund. However, we love the hikes you mentioned and plan to spend a night in Urke, Loen and Geiranger (two nights here). We are still refining the details of our trip. I just wanted to say your webpage has been EXTREMELY helpful. THANK YOU!!

Hi Alex. Wow thanks so much for your great feedback. The Alesund to Alesund itinerary I designed is my favorite because I am a big hiking enthusiasts. I hope you have lots of fun in Norway and the weather plays along as well (it can be very rainy). If you could support my site by using the links that would be amazing! Happy travels.

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THE CHAOS DIARIES

10-Day Norway Itinerary: A Wild Camping Road Trip Adventure

Planning a 10-day road trip through Western Norway felt a bit like diving into one of those stunning desktop wallpapers, except this time, it was real. The dramatic fjords, towering mountains, and adorable villages you’ve seen in photos? They’re even better in person. But let’s be honest: Norway has a rep for being pretty pricey, and we wanted to make this trip without blowing our budget. So, we got creative.

We mixed things up with wild camping, bunking in cosy hostels, and pitching our tent at campsites with the best views. This way, we could spend our days soaking up the breathtaking landscapes without worrying about our bank accounts taking a hit. It turns out, with a little planning and a lot of enthusiasm for the great outdoors, Western Norway isn’t just accessible—it’s absolutely unforgettable.

This guide is packed with all the insider tips and tricks we learned along the way. From finding the perfect spot to camp under the stars to uncovering the cosiest hostels and the friendliest campsites, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to show you how to see the best of Western Norway without spending a fortune or missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.

So, if you’re up for exploring like a local, discovering hidden gems, and making memories that’ll last a lifetime (all while keeping an eye on your budget), you’re in the right place. Let’s hit the road together and uncover the beauty of Western Norway in this itinerary, one breathtaking view at a time.

Camping in Norway: Things to know

Before we begin, it’s worth delving into the ins and outs of wild camping. Throughout our trip we were met with some adverse weather conditions which meant in the end we did a mixture of wild camping, staying in campsites and staying in hostels.

Wild camping in Norway is a fantastic way to experience the country’s stunning natural beauty and rugged wilderness. However, it’s important to note that there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed to protect the environment and ensure everyone’s safety.

In Norway, the “allemannsretten” or the “right to roam,” allows for:

• Camping on uncultivated land for up to two nights in the same place
• You need to be at least 150 meters away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin
• Don’t damage the environment or disturb other people.
• Campfires are only allowed in designated areas or with the landowner’s permission
• Take all your rubbish with you and leave no trace

Following these guidelines will help ensure that the natural environment remains pristine for future generations to enjoy.

Useful Links

Here’s a handy summary of useful links to all the places we stayed, gear we used and any recommended tours or activities for the trip!

Accommodation:

• Flåm Camping & Hostel
• Andalsnes Hostel
• Trollveggan Camping

Recommended gear:

• Airalo eSim
• Compact camping mats
• Sleeping mask
• Nordace travel backpack

Tours, activities & guided hikes (if you don’t fancy going it alone!):

• Pulpit Rock Guided Hike
• Kayaking in Geirganger
• Flåm Railway & Fjord Cruise Combo Ticket
• Kayaking in Alesund

Day One: Stavanger and Pulpit Rock

We began our adventure by exploring the charming coastal city of Stavanger, where we’ll spend half a day before heading up to Pulpit rock in the afternoon (I’ll explain why later!).

Some of the things I’d recommend exploring while in Stavanger include:

• Explore the charming old town, Gamle Stavanger, with its colourful wooden houses and cobblestone streets.
• Visit Stavanger Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Norway, with its Gothic architecture and stunning stained-glass windows.
• Walk along the harbour promenade, which offers beautiful views of the water and boats.
• Enjoy a coffee or pastry at one of the city’s cosy cafes, like Kaffehuset Friele or Bøker og Børst.

Pulpit Rock, also known as Preikestolen in Norwegian, is a massive cliff plateau that towers over the Lysefjord in southwestern Norway. The plateau sits 604 meters (1,982 feet) above sea level and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the fjord and surrounding landscape.

The rock is probably one of the most popular destinations for hikers, which is why we highly recommend starting the hike to Pulpit Rock later in the afternoon. By starting later, you can avoid the large crowds and have a more peaceful experience on the trail. Additionally, you’ll almost have the whole place to yourselves, making it an ideal spot for a quiet and undisturbed night of camping under the stars. As the sun sets and the stars come out, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable view of the fjord and surrounding landscape. It’s a truly unique experience that we highly recommend to anyone looking for a more authentic and immersive adventure in Norway.

The hike to Pulpit Rock is well-marked and takes about 2-4 hours round trip, depending on your level of fitness.

Day Two: Driving to Odda

The morning after our wild camping adventure at Pulpit Rock, we woke up early to pack up our tent and gear. As the sun began to rise, we took one last look at the stunning view from our campsite before beginning the descent back down to the trailhead. We were able to catch one of the first buses back into town, which gave us plenty of time to collect our rental car and hit the road to our next stop.

Now here’s where the aforementioned adverse weather conditions come into play. We had originally planned to hike the famous Trolltunga over a period of an afternoon and a morning with a wild camp in-between. Unfortunately, this just wouldn’t have been safe so we had to skip the hike entirely and improvise (oh well, we’ll just need to go back!).

Fortunately, the road from Stavanger towards Odda (our new planned place to sleep for the night, about halfway to Flam) had us driving along the scenic tourist route Norwegian National Road 13, along the Gronsdalslona river. We spent the day stopping off at a variety of waterfalls before exploring Odda and checking into a very budget hotel we found for the night to get some rest.

Day Three: Heading towards Flåm & Flåm Railway

Following our night in Odda, we continued our journey towards the picturesque town of Flam where we’ll stay for the next two nights at Flam Camping & Hostel .

The site is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, including towering mountains and sparkling fjords, making it the perfect base from which to explore the local area. The site itself is spacious, with plenty of room for tents and campers, and a range of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. These include modern bathroom facilities, laundry facilities, and even a small shop where you can stock up on essentials.

Once we’d set up our tent we walked just a few minutes to Flåm Railway Station to take what is described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world!

The railway runs to the mountain station of Myrdal, winding its way through breathtaking mountain scenery, past cascading waterfalls and deep gorges. The journey takes around an hour, with the train travelling at a leisurely pace, allowing passengers to take in the stunning views. Along the way, the train passes through a series of tunnels and across dozens of bridges, including the famous Kjosfossen waterfall bridge, where passengers can stop and watch a mesmerising waterfall show based on the mythical forest creature ‘Huldra’.

Now you’ve got a couple of options here when it comes to tickets, you can either do a roundtrip for around 500NOK or you can opt to travel one way and hike back down into Flåm. We chose the latter option which led to a 4 hour gentle sloping walk all the way back into the town, passing lots of waterfalls, charming houses and forests on the way.

Day Four: Fjord Cruise to Gudvangen

On day two we decided to take a fjord cruise to Gudvangen, a small village nestled at the end of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.

The fjord cruise costs 550NOK and takes passengers through some of the most stunning scenery in the region, with towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and crystal clear waters. The journey takes around two hours, with plenty of opportunities to take photos and soak up the beautiful surroundings.

Once in Gudvangen I’ll admit there’s not loads to do! We decided to explore the Viking Village , an open-air museum that offers a glimpse into life in Viking times. Here you can see traditional Viking houses, watch demonstrations of Viking crafts such as weaving and blacksmithing, and even try your hand at archery or axe-throwing (which to be honest I was terrible at). Entry tickets cost around 200NOK and can be bought at the entrance.

Once we were finished in Gudvangen we took the bus back to our campsite in Flåm , if you really wanted to splash the cash you could of course take the boat back the way you came!

Day Five: Start the drive towards Geiranger

Now this day is a bit of a mash-up of activities, with our next main port of call being Geiranger which is a 6 hour drive away.

As the route also included a ferry crossing over a fjord (with mildly inconvenient timings) we decided to split the drive into two parts with a wild camp in between as close to the ferry terminal in Hellesylt as we could manage.

We settled on a camping location by Hornindal Bridge as it was nice and flat with lovely views and not too much else around.

I’d made note of a few stop off’s I wanted to do on the way which I’ll detail below:

Stegastein Lookout

The Stegastein Lookout is a stunning viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the surrounding fjords and mountains. Located just a short drive from the town of Flam, the lookout is perched high above the Aurlandsfjord, offering breathtaking views of the landscape below. The lookout itself is a modern, architectural marvel, with a sleek design that blends seamlessly into the surrounding natural environment. Visitors can walk out onto a glass platform that extends over the edge of the cliff, providing a thrilling and unforgettable experience.

Borgund Stave Church

Also nearby to Flåm is the Borgund Stave Church, one of Norway’s most well-preserved stave churches. The church was built around 1180 AD, and is made entirely of wood, with intricate carvings and ornate decorations adorning its exterior. Inside, visitors can see original features such as the altar, pulpit, and baptismal font, as well as a collection of medieval artifacts and artworks. While you can visit the surroundings of the church for free, there is a small entry fee of 110NOK if you’d like to get up close or visit inside – we did this and to be honest I’m not sure it’s worth it but it’s obviously up to you!

Bøyabreen Glacier

The glacier is part of the Jostedalsbreen National Park, and is known for its towering walls of ice and brilliant blue colour. While you can pay and do guided hikes along the glacier (which I’m sure is very cool) we just wanted to have a bit of a nosey before continuing our drive. We learned that a small plane that crashed on the Boyabreen Glacier in 1996, as the glacier is constantly shifting and changing there’s a chance that one day it’ll become visible!

Day Six: Geirangerfjord

The ferry ride from Hellesylt to Geiranger is considered one of the most scenic in Norway, offering breathtaking views of the towering mountains and stunning fjords that make the country famous.

The ferry winds its way through the fjord before arriving at Geiranger in about one hour, and allows you to experience the beauty of Norway’s natural landscape from a unique perspective. Passing popular sights such as the ‘Seven Sisters’ named after the seven separate streams of water that cascade down the mountain.

Once in Geiranger there are a few different small hikes to various viewpoints you can do, as well as visit the town itself. We did the following two hikes:

Starting at Westerås Farm you can park your rental car for a small fee that’ll cover you for the day before making your way along a high edge of the fjord (through the llamas and sheep!). The trail climbs steadily until it reaches Løsta at approximately 500 meters above sea level which offers a stunning vantage point over the fjord. More information can be found here !

Storseterfossen Waterfall

From the same starting point, you can also head in the other direction to Storseterfossen Waterfall. The enjoyable trek combined with the experience of walking behind the waterfall makes for a memorable trip. The hike is fairly short, about an hour each way, but has a steady climb. More information can be found here !

Upon leaving Geiranger to make our way to our next campsite we had great plans to wild camp somewhere near the famous Trollstigen road.

Now as I’m sure you’ve learned, great plans don’t often lead to great realities on this trip! As we made our way to the spot I’d found on maps we noticed snow start piling up all around us and the temperature plummet. Obviously with the gear we had on us we couldn’t camp in the snow and so last minute booked a hostel in Åndalsnes , which was cheap and cheerful but came with a free sauna to use!

Day Seven: Rømsdalseggen

Today is reserved the most beautiful hike in Norway (and most definitely the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done), Rømsdalseggen.

The Rømsdalseggen hike is a challenging but incredibly rewarding trek that offers stunning views of the Romsdal Alps in western Norway. The trail begins in the town of Andalsnes and winds its way up steep switchbacks, across rocky terrain, and along narrow ridges with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Along the way, you’ll pass by several peaks, including Vengetind, Store Trolltind, and the iconic Romsdalshornet.

The trail is approximately 11 kilometers long and takes 6-8 hours to complete, depending on how much you want to stop and take pics (which trust me will be a lot!).

During the summer season (from June to September) there’s a bus service that will shuttle you from the finishing point of the hike back to the start. However we were just a bit too early and so took a taxi instead – it still worked out great and the conditions on the hike itself were lovely.

Following completing the hike we went back to the hostel to pick up our car and make our way to Trollveggan Camping , where we’d be spending the next two nights.

Day Eight: Trollstigen Road

The Trollstigen road is a world-renowned scenic drive that winds its way up the rugged mountainside of western Norway.

The road features 11 hairpin bends, each offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including waterfalls, steep cliffs, and lush valleys.

The road’s name, which means “Troll’s Path,” comes from the belief that trolls once lived in the area, and the winding road was created to confuse and deter them. Today, the Trollstigen road is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can stop at several viewpoints along the way to take in the breathtaking scenery. One of the road’s highlights is the Stigfossen waterfall, which cascades down the mountainside and can be viewed from a specially built viewing platform. The Trollstigen road is open from May to October, and during the winter months, the road is closed due to heavy snowfall.

While it’s famous as a road for driving, there’s a lesser-known hike up Trollstigen road is a hidden gem for those looking to explore the area on foot. The hike follows a path that winds up the mountainside and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the winding road and the Stigfossen waterfall.

We decided to hike which took approximately 2-3 hours, with several viewpoints along the way that offer stunning photo opportunities. For those seeking a unique way to experience the beauty of the Trollstigen road, this lesser-known hike is definitely worth adding to the itinerary.

Day 9: Heading Towards Alesund

After spending a few days exploring the stunning landscape of Trollveggan campsite and the surrounding area, it was time to hit the road and head to the coastal city of Alesund.

The drive from Trollveggan to Alesund is approximately 2 hours and offers spectacular views of the Norwegian countryside.

We’d booked to stay at the Scandic Parken hotel which felt like absolute LUXURY after our 10 days of camping and hostels.

For our first day in Alesund we had a small wander around the city and picked up some food from a food truck called ‘The Greedy Box’ which just so happened to be one of the best burgers we’ve ever had. We got chatting to the owner who told us our visit actually coincided with Slinningsbålet – what’s that you might ask? Well…

Slinningsbålet, also known as the “Alesund bonfire,” is a traditional event that takes place annually. This massive bonfire is built on a small island just off the coast of Alesund and is set ablaze on the night of June 23rd, marking the beginning of the Midsummer celebrations. The bonfire is a symbol of the city’s rebirth after the devastating fire of 1904 that destroyed much of the town’s wooden buildings. The tradition of Slinningsbålet dates back over 150 years, and it’s a beloved event that draws crowds from all over Norway and beyond.

The rest of the day (and some of the next) was reserved for exploring, here’s just a few things to do in Alesund :

• Visit the Alesund Aquarium: This aquarium is home to a variety of marine life, including seals, otters, and fish species that are native to the Norwegian coast.
• Climb to the top of Aksla Mountain: Aksla offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the surrounding fjords. You can either hike up the 418 steps to the top or take the scenic road that winds its way up the mountain.
• Stroll around the Art Nouveau district: Alesund is known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture, and a leisurely walk around the district will allow you to admire the intricate details of the buildings.
• Visit the Jugendstilsenteret Museum: This museum showcases the history and evolution of Art Nouveau architecture in Alesund.
• Explore the islands of Giske and Godøy: These islands are a short ferry ride away from Alesund and offer picturesque landscapes and hiking trails.
• Take a boat tour of the fjords: Alesund is surrounded by stunning fjords, and taking a boat tour is a great way to appreciate their natural beauty.
• Visit the Alnes Lighthouse: This picturesque lighthouse is located on the island of Godøy and offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and fjords.

Day 10: Explore Alesund

On our final day in Norway we felt that we had one hike left in us, and so decided to head to nearby Sukkertoppen.

Sukkertoppen, also known as Sugar Top, is a mountain located on the island of Hessa, just a short distance from the city and easily reachable by bus. The hike to the summit of Sukkertoppen offers stunning views of the surrounding fjords, islands, and mountains. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy, taking approximately 1-2 hours, depending on your pace, and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Alesund and its surroundings.

As the aquarium is nearby, we added that in to this day – definitely well worth it in my opinion!

And finally… Head home!

Safe to say that our 10-day adventure in Norway was truly a trip of a lifetime. We explored some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders, discovered hidden gems, and experienced the rugged beauty of this incredible country.

Norway is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, offering endless opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors.

From the towering mountains and glaciers to the tranquil fjords and valleys, Norway is a destination that will leave you breathless and inspired.

I hope our journey through this stunning country has given you a taste of what’s possible and inspired you to plan your own adventure!

Travel Blogger

Hi! My name's Alicia and I'm a travel blogger and photographer from the UK. I love nothing more than travelling the world (so much so that I now do it full time!) to collect recommendations, itineraries and magical places to share with you.

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10-day tours in Norway

With so much to see and do, it’s good to spend at least 10 days in Norway. Whether you travel on your own or with a guide, you can experience the famous fjords, mountains and cities by train, car or cruise ship. An adventure awaits you with a 10-day Norway itinerary planned by the Norwegian travel experts at Nordic Visitor.

Experience the best of Norway in 10 days

Norway is a must-see destination, and with a 10-day itinerary you can experience much of the postcard-perfect scenery Norway is known for.

One of the best ways to explore Norway is by car. On a 10-day road trip in Norway you can drive from Oslo to the dramatic coastline of western Norway, crossing through stunning mountain ranges and forested valleys to the famous Norwegian fjords. Nordic Visitor's 10-day self-drive tours give you the flexibility to visit the attractions you want to see at your own pace, along with pre-arranged accommodations in charming, historic cities like Bergen and Ålesund.

Likewise, 10-day train and cruise holidays are great options for taking in Norway’s majestic scenery without driving. Many of Nordic Visitor’s tailor-made itineraries combine travel on the mountainous Norway in a Nutshell® rail journey with overnights on a Havila or Hurtigruten coastal cruise.

Want to make new friends on your trip? Get the most out of your 10 days in Norway on a Nordic Visitor guided small group tour. Experience many of Norway’s top highlights, including Norwegian cultural sites, while enjoying the company of like-minded travellers and a professional local tour leader.

Want to include the neighbouring Scandinavian countries in your itinerary? We recommend spending about 2 weeks or longer to add Sweden, Denmark, Finland or other Nordic destinations to your tour of Norway.

Nordic Visitor offers a wide range of tours in Norway that can be customised to your liking, such as with extra nights and optional activities added to your itinerary.

— WHY US?

Why book with nordic visitor.

• Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
• Flexible & customisable tour options
• Value for your money
• Professional service from local experts

Explore Norway in 10 days

For an incredible travel experience in Norway suited to your length of stay, we recommend these customisable tours below.

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise

Tromsø, flåm & the fjords, highlights of norway, hurtigruten cruise, norwegian fjords & expert tour guide.

Highlights of Scandinavia

Sweden, denmark & norway, classic norway, fjord cruise & scenic train journey, scenic norway - classic, road trip & hurtigruten cruise, norway in a nutshell® & best of northern norway classic, fjord cruise, snowhotel & northern lights, best of scandinavia classic, train & cruise, scandinavian road trip, best of scandinavia classic - winter.

Countries Visited Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark

Capitals of Scandinavia & Finland Cruise - Winter

Capitals of scandinavia & finland cruise, norway fjord route by car - complete, norway road trip - classic, classic norway & pulpit rock, best of the norwegian fjords, geiranger & fjord cruise, wonders of the norwegian fjords & oslo.

Lofoten & the Fjords

Coastal cruise & flåm railway, stay a little longer in norway.

Why not take more time to explore? If you have more than 10 days to spend in Norway, here are our top picks.

Complete Norway

Coastal cruise & scenic train journey, norway road trip - complete, capitals of scandinavia & norwegian fjords.

Countries Visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark

Best of Scandinavia & Iceland

Train, cruise & minibus, expand your nordic adventure.

Why not visit more than one Nordic country in one trip? Check out these popular combination tours below.

Complete Road Trip of Norway, Sweden & Denmark

Countries Visited Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise

Finland, estonia, sweden, denmark & norway, norway travel experts.

As a travel agency founded in the Nordic region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Norway. We offer a variety of tours – both independent and guided – that include must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights that are hand-picked by our own Norway travel experts. To ensure a stress-free trip, we handle all the local details for you – accommodation, activities, rental car, train tickets, cruise reservations and other specialist services.

Oh, and we can customise your itinerary! If you decide you want to add extra nights at a certain location, for example, your personal Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be happy to make suggestions and modify your itinerary.

Different ways you can experience Norway

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Norway below.

Fjord Cruise & Train

Self-drive tours, guided small group, northern lights, lofoten islands, hurtigruten cruises, what do our customers say.

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Christin, United States

Best of northern norway classic - 71° north cape, december 2023.

The tour was perfect and went smoothly the entire time. Communication from Nordic Visitor was timely and detailed. Would book with this tour company again.

Ian, United Kingdom

Norway road trip - complete, july 2023, memories we'll cherish forever.

We found Norway to be a fabulous country and enjoyed every minute of our trip. The scenery was fantastic, the places visited were brilliant and the people were incredibly friendly and helpful. The information pack provided by Nordic Visitor was invaluable, the route chosen for us was superb and the places we stayed in were great. Likewise, the excursions offered, especially the Rib Safari were fantastic and gave us memories we'll cherish forever. Lastly, but by no means least, Irja, our travel consultant, couldn't have been more helpful and I would like to extend a huge thank you to her for all that she did.

Anne-Mari, Finland

Best of northern norway classic - 71° north cape, february 2023, unforgettable in so many ways.

It was unforgettable in so many ways, highlights after highlights. We knew to expect a lot after our trip to Iceland a couple of years ago, also organised by Nordic Visitor. Our expectations were exceeded and more. We saw northern lights three times, the food everywhere was excellent, experienced dog sledding in the moonlight and sleeping in the SnowHotel, and we saw a white reindeer! How lucky we are to have experienced all that. We have now returned home, happy and full of awe.

James, Australia

Northern lights by train and cruise, october 2023, a great experience.

Very well-organised tour and a great experience. Nordic Visitor were very professional and their experience was evident in choosing the well-located and comfortable accommodation they selected for us. Best of all we got to see the northern lights!

Jonathan, United States

Norway fjord route by car - classic, june 2023, incredibly happy.

Our travel agent, Małgorzata, was amazing to work with! She was able to add a few extra days in Oslo and arranged transportation via train to Bergen. Overall, I thought booking this vacation online and making payments was seamless. All the hotels we stayed in were nice, clean and safe! We loved the breakfast buffets, they were top notch! Also, collecting our rental car and navigating in a foreign country was seamless. We are incredibly happy that our tour package that we received at our first hotel included a physical map that had our tour highlighted.

Costel, Romania

Northern lights norway classic, february 2023, i'll be recommending nordic visitor to my friends.

The trip was really amazing. We had an absolutely superb time in Tromsø; hotel and excursions were spot on. The guide and whole the staff was really professional. Professional photos taken by the guide were really fantastic. They gave us excellent care, more than what we have experienced on any trip. Our favourite experience was the snowmobile, but catamaran trip was great too. Certainly I will be recommending it to my friends. I was very pleased that those who delivered the services showed a lot of professionalism.

Violetta, United States

Best of the norwegian fjords – express, august 2023, very satisfied customer.

This was my second experience using Nordic Visitor. I am a very satisfied customer. A few years ago we did a self-drive tour of Iceland that was just amazing. This time we did a train/cruise combo tour of Norway. Once again, I can only say you will have a fantastic experience and you will appreciate the labuor of organising and planning being handled by experts who know what they are doing. The cruises through the fjords were beautiful as were the train trips. We loved the combination of train and boat travel as each offered distinct beauty from a different perspective. The country is truly lovely and we look forward to booking future travel with Nordic Visitor!

Dian, United States

Classic norway, may 2023, extraordinary.

Extraordinary! Everything went off as planned without a hitch. Our travel guide, Juliana, was exceptional, very responsive in answering our questions and providing updates.

Oi, Singapore

Norway in a nutshell® - classic, september 2022, very satisfied with nordic visitor.

We were very satisfied with the tour and overall experience with Nordic Visitor. The hotels were strategically chosen and the quality of hotels was satisfactory. The optional tours were also highly recommended. Timings of the schedules throughout the tour were ideal and not rushed.

Julie, United States

Wonders of the norwegian fjords, august 2023, best vacation we ever had.

Our family of 5 (3 adult children) loved our Norway fjord tour. We saw the most beautiful scenery and loved each hotel. The food was delicious. Something for everyone. Our guide Al and driver Chris kept things running smoothly. We will have memories to last a lifetime. Thank you Nordic Visitor. Best vacation we ever had!

Alan, United Kingdom

Norway in a nutshell® express - winter, march 2023, an excellent decision to book with nordic visitor.

Following research, we decided to book with Nordic Visitor. This was an excellent decision. The booking process was easy and informative and Hanna was always available for guidance. The accommodation provided was top class and, importantly, convenient to the train stations from which we travelled. Our tour was amazing throughout with stunning scenery and sights.

Gailmarie, United States

Highlights of norway, july 2022, the tour gives you a fabulous overview of norway.

The tour gives you a fabulous overview of Norway. We did a lot of travel in between sights but this enabled us to have a real breadth of experience, from fjords to mountain passes, railway adventures and small boats. Our tour guide was excellent and the sights and experiences outlined for us were top-notch. The materials provided about our tour were excellent and well thought out.

Travel Guide

Be prepared for just about anything on your Norway adventure.

The first sight that greets most visitors to Norway is Oslo, Norway’s capital city and home to...

Pulpit Rock

Rising an impressive 604 metres (1982 ft) above the Lysefjord, Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock, is...

Geirangerfjord

Considered among the most beautiful fjord in the world, the Geirangerfjord will take your...

What to bring

Layers, layers, layers! Come prepared for all type..

What’s the weather like in Norway? You just might ..

Norwegian Language

You will get by fine with English, but here are a ..

Time & Daylight

When to expect sunrises, sunsets, northern lights ..

Our Services

Whether you travel by train, cruise ship or car in your Nordic Visitor package, all customers receive personalised service with a designated travel consultant , tailor-made quality travel documents, and our self-drive clients receive a hand-marked map that outlines their route, overnight stays and highlights along the way. Furthermore, Nordic Visitor has long-standing professional relationships with local tour operators , which are carefully selected by our staff and are recognized for consistent, quality service.

Book With Confidence

• Protect your money & plans with our  flexible booking terms    .
• 97% of customers say they’d recommend us to friends.
• We work closely with trusted, high-quality suppliers.
• Enjoy personal service from Norway travel experts.
• Get peace of mind with a 24/7 helpline during your stay.
• We’re here for you in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Do you have a question about our Norway tours? Or maybe you want to customise a travel package. Whatever you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our Scandinavian phone number is +46 8 666 23 30

How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?

Blog posts you might like

7 best cruise journeys in norway, 10 things to do in norway in winter, in focus: 10 must-sees in norway, first hurtigruten cruise tips for your maiden voyage.

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

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

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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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12 days in Norway: A Perfect Norway Road Trip Itinerary

05/22/2023 By Traveling Canucks 6 Comments Categories: Adventures Europe Norway Sightseeing Top Lists Travel Stories Trip Ideas World Attractions World Heritage Site

Norway road trip itinerary

Planning a Norway road trip can be overwhelming. There are endless possibilities and so many incredible things to see in Norway . Where does one even begin?

Of course, you want to visit as many places as you can. However, you also need to balance the amount of time spent in the car. You don’t want to move so fast that you feel like you’ve spent the entire trip sitting in the car. That’s not fun. Or the point of the road trip adventure.

On this Norway road trip, we traveled with our two boys, aged 10 and 8 years old at the time. Because of this, purchasing flights and/or train tickets starts to add up. Unfortunately, this eliminates the northern regions, like the Lofoten Islands , from this particular Norway travel itinerary.  

Although we had 12 days for this road trip around Norway, you can easily skip a few of these places to reduce it a 7 day Norway road trip. That’s the thing we love most about road trips – you can make adjustments as you go! 

Things to consider when planning a Norway road trip

Before we dive into each destination on this Norway road trip itinerary, we feel it’s important to share a few of the factors that influence our decisions. 

• Short drive days . We do not want to drive more than 3 hours per day. Our boys are great travelers, but they don’t like long car rides. Windy roads and multiple stops can easily turn a 3 hour drive into 6 hours. 
• Oslo departure and arrival . It’s cheaper to pick-up and return your vehicle at the same location. We depart Norway from Oslo and take an overnight ferry to Copenhagen. This means backtracking to Oslo, which adds extra drive time. You can avoid this by finishing your road trip in a different city, like Bergen, Stavanger, Alesund or Trondheim.
• Family travel . We are travelling with our two boys. If we did not have kids with us, we would choose a slightly different route. For example, we would do the popular Pulpit Rock hike , which would mean visiting Stavanger. And, we might have taken a flight from Alesund back to Oslo. 
• Visit the popular Norway attractions . For this road trip, we want to include stops in Bergen, Jostedalsbreen National Park , Aurlandsfjord, Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and Lillehammer. We also want to see a few of Norway’s iconic stave churches.
• Accommodations . Visiting Norway in the summer is expensive. Hotels fill up quickly. There are limited “family rooms” that fit a family of four. This lack of viable accommodations impacts the route and places we stay. In Oslo. we stayed in a two bedroom with breakfast included at the Clarion Collection Hotel Bastion . 

Looking to rent a vehicle in Europe?

Check out Auto Europe to search for rates and availability from the top car rental companies in Europe. Another option that has great rates is Discover Car Hire . 

We got a hybrid Ford SUV from Hertz and did the pick-up/drop-off in Oslo city center. 

Above is the 12 day Norway road trip map 

The route goes as follows: Oslo > Hemsedal > Borgund > Aurland > Flam > Gudvangen > Bergen > Forde > Jostedalsbreen National Park > Geiranger > Lom > Hafjell > Lillehammer > Oslo. 

If you’ve been researching ideas for the best Norway road trip itinerary, you might be surprised by the above route. It’s missing a few popular tourist destinations, like Stavanger and Alesund. We had to make some tough decisions. We will explain why in each section below. 

To see the countryside of Norway, it’s best to rent a car . Public transportation is expensive and limited.

There are options for organized tours and day trips. However, we find organized tours to be challenging with kids. We find them to be too restrictive and cater to wider audience, which is not our preference. 

In this post, we break down each location with drive times, attractions and where to stay. 

No matter what Norway road trip route you decide, you will be impressed by Norway’s stunning landscapes and majestic fjords. You will also look back at the places you could have visited with slight FOMO. As I write this post, I’ve had a few “Doh, we should have gone there!” moments.

Unfortunately, this is unavoidable. Unless you dedicate a month (or more) to travel Norway.

Day 1 & 2 – Oslo 

We spent 2 nights in Oslo before starting our Norway road trip. We spent 1 more night in Oslo (total of 3 nights) after dropping off the car rental at the end of the road trip. Obviously, if you have more time, you can add (or subtract) days at the beginning or end of this Norway road trip from Oslo. 

There are so many things to do Oslo.

Visit the Oslo Opera House and Rådhuset (City Hall), walk along Karl Johans Gate to The Royal Palace, wander the modern Aker Brygge promenade, visit the Nobel Peace Center and/or The National Museum, explore the historic Akershus Fortress, visit the Munch museum and/or Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. That should keep you busy for a few days!

Note – The Viking Ship Museum is closed until 2026. 

For a unique experience, visit a floating sauna in the Oslo fjord. You will find these located beside the Oslo Opera House (see photo below), near the Munch museum (see the second photo below – we think this is the best location), and there are a few floating saunas at Aker Brygge promenade.

Where to stay in Oslo 

There are plenty of hotels in downtown Oslo. We stayed at Clarion Collection Hotel Bastion .

We chose this hotel because it has two separate rooms, breakfast AND dinner included , and it’s located within walking distance to Oslo Central Station.

The breakfasts in Norway are very good. Eating at restaurants is very expensive in Norway, so having breakfast included with your hotel will save you money. 

We researched Oslo apartment rentals on VRBO but did not find anything suitable for our family in our price range. When you factor in breakfasts, coffee and light dinners, it’s actually more economical to stay at hotels. This, of course, depends on how many people you are traveling with.

Related post – Things to do in Stockholm this summer

Day 3 – Oslo to Hemsedal

We picked up our rental car at 9:30 AM. Before we left Oslo, we visited Norsk Folkemuseum at Bygdøy. This is an interesting outdoor museum and good introduction into Norway’s history. The Gol Stave Church ( Gol stavkirke ) is remarkable. Watch a short video of the church here .

We spent 2 hours at the Norsk Folkemuseum . It was 1:30 by the time we left Oslo. 

We chose Hemsedal for a few reasons:

• Affordable and available accommodations with a family room.
• It’s a 3 hour drive from Oslo (we arrived at 4:30 PM).
• We want to visit the black Borgund Stave Church .
• It’s a ski resort in the the Scandinavian Alps. We plan to hike in the morning.
• It’s an easy 2 hour drive from Hemsedal to Aurland (our next stop)

We stayed at  Skogstad Hotell . It’s located on the main road (Highway 52), making it an easy and convenient road trip stop.

The family room has an upstairs loft . We like the privacy and extra space with the loft, which is needed after spending the day in the car together.

Day 4 – Hemsedal to Aurland (via Borgund)

The drive from Hemsedal to Borgund is about an hour. The original plan for a morning hike in Hemsedal was spoiled by rain. After a quick visit to the ski hill, we made our way to Borgund to visit the impressive Borgund stave church , built around 1180.

We spent an hour at the church and visitor center. It’s one of the most distinctive stave churches in all of Norway. We think it’s worth visiting.

The road trip continues with a drive through Lærdalstunnelen , the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5 km. It’s a remarkable engineering accomplishment. It has multiple caverns that are illuminated with bright blue lights so that drivers can pull over if they need a break. 

We chose Aurland for a few reasons:

• We could not find accommodations in Flam, which is where we originally wanted to stay. It’s only 15 minutes drive from Aurland to Flam.
• There are only a few hotels in this area. Because of this, hotel rooms are very expensive ($500+ per night) and availability is limited in peak travel season. 
• It was challenging to find a hotel room that accommodates a family of four. 
• Aurland to Bergen is only 3 hours drive.

We stayed at Winjum Cabin Aurland Stegastein .

The property has several basic cottages with bunk beds. We thought it would be fun to mix things up and stay in one of these rustic wooden cottages. Upon arrival, the owner informed us that he had overbooked the cottages. To compensate, he offered us a large 2-bedroom cottage with a full kitchen, bathroom with laundry. It was a nice upgrade!

Stegastein viewing platform

One of the main attractions in Aurland is the Stegastein viewpoint . It offers panoramic views of Aurlandsfjord at 650 metres above sea level. 

Unfortunately, our excitement to visit this attraction was spoiled by the rain. We were told by many people that this particular summer in Norway was exceptionally rainy and cold.

We decided to visit the Stegastein viewing platform the following morning, before leaving Aurland. The good news is that the rain stopped. The bad news is that thick fog rolled into the fjord, making it difficult to see anything from the viewing platform. Watch this video to see what happened. 

It was disappointing, but we did get a few open views half-way down the mountain. 

Walking on the Stegastein viewpoint overlooking Aurlandsfjord. Or, in this case, a view of the thick morning fog that engulfed the fjord. 

Aurlandsfjord is a 17 km arm of Sognefjord, the world’s second longest fjord. Together, along with the Nærøyfjord, the Aurlandsfjord is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world. These West Norwegian Fjords are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . 

In the above photo, if you look in the distance, you can see a white cruise ship. That’s the town of Flam. It’s a popular port of call on Norway fjord cruises. 

Day 4 – Aurland to Bergen (via Flam and Gudvangen)

We left the Stegastein viewpoint and drove to Flam. We spent about an hour in Flam.

The famous Flam Railway, or Flamsbana , is ranked as one of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys. It’s a key feature in the hugely popular Norway in a Nutshell tour . 

We considered riding the Flam Railway to Myrdal.

It’s an hour each way, so it takes a few hours to complete. It was a tough decision. However, we decided to skip the Flam train. The weather was not cooperating that day. It was rainy and foggy, with limited visibility in the mountains. We felt like the views would be disappointing, like our earlier visit to Stegastein lookout. 

We are disappointed that we did not get to experience the Flam train, but it didn’t feel like the right move at the time. I’m not sure if we made the right decision. It’s such an iconic Norway tourist attraction.

We left Flam and drove through the Gudvanga Tunnel . It is Norway’s third longest road tunnel at 11.4 km. 

We stopped at the village of  Gudvangen , a popular tourist destination located at the end of the Nærøyfjord . It’s a key stop on the hugely popular Norway in a Nutshell tour. 

This fjord village is surrounded by waterfalls and lush mountains in every direction. There’s a fun Viking tourist attraction here, along with a cafe, restaurant and hotel. Many kayak and paddleboard excursions start from Gudvangen. 

The Flam Railway train station is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls.

Tvindefossen

One of the best parts of a road trip is the surprising things you’ll discover on the journey. Tvindefossen is located just off the E16 highway, making it easily accessible. It’s worth pulling over and spending a few minutes admiring it’s cascading waterfalls .

Voss Gondola

We continued driving to the city of Voss. It has a gondola that takes guests up to the ski area. The Voss Gondola is said to be the largest and most modern mountain gondola in Northern-Europe.

Unfortunately, we did not know about this gondola. We probably would have planned our day differently had we known. It looks like a fun place to spend a few hours. 

Day 5 – Full day in Bergen

We arrived in Bergen at 4:00 PM on Day 4. Given that we decided to skip the Flam Railway, this was earlier than originally expected.

After checking into  our Bergen hotel room , we made our way to the Fløibanen funicular , one of Bergen’s most visited tourist attractions. Rain was expected the following day, so we decided to do this activity at the end of day 4, instead of on Day 5. It was the right call. The weather was somewhat cooperative that evening. 

The next day is a full day in Bergen. After changing hotels three nights in a row, it’s nice to have multiple nights in the same place. It’s important to balance our desire to see everything with moving too fast. 

Unfortunately, the rain was still hanging around. Because of this, we decided to visit Bergen Aquarium, Akvariet , said to be Norway’s largest aquarium. Visiting the aquarium was a nice change of pace. Our boys enjoyed the visit. You only need a couple hours, at most, to see the exhibits. 

Where to stay in Bergen

There are plenty of hotels in central Bergen. We stayed in the Bryggen area, which is more expensive but centrally located within walking distance to most attractions. Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, is arguably Bergen’s most popular tourist attractions and is listed as a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site .

We stayed at  Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret . It’s located close to Bryggen on the waterfront.

We enjoyed this property and would recommend it. Similar to the Clarion in Oslo, it offers an afternoon tea and light dinner buffet, along with the breakfast buffet, included in the hotel price. This is a nice feature that made our stay more enjoyable and cost effective. 

View from the lookout tower at our hotel. The Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret offers stunning views of Bryggen’s wooden rooftops and Bergen’s Old Town.

Day 6 – Bergen to Forde

The Norway road trip continues north, from Bergen to Førde. 

We hit the road after a late breakfast and made our way to Ytre Oppedal. This is where the highway turns into a ferry crossing. We arrive just as the ferry departs from Ytre Oppedal to Lavik, so we wait about 20 minutes for the next ferry to arrive.

We were a little confused about how the ferry crossing works. There is not place to purchase tickets. You drive your vehicle into a lane and wait to board the ferry. Vehicles are automatically charged the ferry toll. Most rental vehicles will have the autopass set-up, so you don’t need to do anything.

Why did we choose to stay in Forde?

We struggled to find accommodations in the area. Initially, we considered staying in Skei, at the Thon Partner Hotel Jolster . However, there were no family rooms available at the time. We found this to be a common theme when booking hotels at peak summer travel season.

Instead, we chose to stay in the town Forde because it’s a 3 hour drive from Bergen. Remember, that’s one of our goals for this Norway road trip.

We stayed at Forde Gjestehus og Camping . This campground has several options, from private cottages to RV campsites to apartments.

We chose the two bedroom apartment. It’s a spacious apartment with full kitchen and laundry, which is just what we needed. There’s a grocery store close to the campground, so that evening was spent shopping, cooking and doing laundry. The less glamourous side of road tripping. 

We enjoyed our stay at this property and would recommend it.

However, if we could do it over again, we would skip Forde and drive straight to Olden or Leon.

This will add 2 hours to the drive, making it a long 5 hour drive from Bergen. BUT, after visiting Briksdalsbreen in Jostedalsbreen National Park , we’d recommend the longer drive to spend more time in this area. It’s stunning here.

There are several campgrounds with small cottages along the road from Olden to Briksdalsbreen. The rooms are basic, so don’t expect a fancy breakfast buffet. But if you’re open to a rustic cabin experience, we’d recommend this area instead of Forde.

The vibrant colour of Oldevatnet Lake is spectacular. Seriously, watch this video to see for yourself. You want to spend time at this lake if you can.

Day 7 –  Jostedalsbreen National Park

Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in continental Europe. Jostedal Glacier has a total area of 487 square kilometres (188 square miles). As you can imagine, there are several places to view the glacier, so you’ll need to make a decision on what route is best for you.

If you want to do a Jostedalsbreen glacier walk, you might want to enter on the south side of the glacier. Here’s more info about Jostedal Glacier hiking. If you choose this route, you’d want to drive from Bergen to Guapne or Sogndalsfjøra. Keep in mind, this will add a few extra hours of drive time. 

We chose to view the glacier from Briksdalsbreen , an arm of the Jostedalsbreen.

It’s a 5 km hike round trip (2.4 km each way), from the parking lot to the Briksdalsbreen (Briksdal Glacier in English) viewing location. It’s a moderate hike with stairs and approx. 200 metre elevation.

If you’re not up for the hike, you can jump on the glacier shuttle that takes you most of the way to the glacial lake. You catch the troll car beside the souvenir shop in Briksdal. The Troll car takes about 1.5 hours roundtrip.

Read more: Hike to Briksdalsbreen in Jostedalsbreen National Park

Drive from Forde to Briksdalsbreen to Geiranger

We left Forde at 10:00 AM. The drive from Forde to Briksdalsbreen takes about 2 hours. It’s a beautiful drive, especially the road from Olden to Oldevatnet Lake. 

We arrived at the Briksdalsbreen parking lot around 12:00 PM. We spent 3 hours inside the park. 

After visiting Briksdalsbreen, we drove to Olden and stopped for a late lunch. Then we pushed on to Geiranger, our final destination for the day.  

It was a long day of driving. About 5 hours in total. As mentioned above, we’d rather have done the extra 2 hours the day before, instead of staying in Forde. That way, we’d only have about 2.5 hours drive from Briksdalbreen to Geiranger. 

You have two options to get from Stryn to Geiranger.

There is a car ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger (more info and pricing here ). Or you drive to up the mountain pass to  Djupvatnet Lake (picture below) and down the famous switchbacks of  Geirangervegen .

It was raining heavily as we drove down this windy road, which adds to the excitement.

Read next: Hike to Briksdalsbreen in Jostedalsbreen National Park

Day 8 –  Geirangerfjord

We spent two nights in the village of Geiranger. This gives one full day to explore, without any driving. After days of driving, it’s nice to have a day off.

Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s greatest treasures. Surrounded by steep cliffs and towering mountains, Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that must be included on your Norway road trip itinerary. 

The village is touristy and some might say you only need a few hours here. We spent a full day in Geiranger so that we could join a fjord safari on a RIB Boat . It’s a fun way to experience the majestic Geirangerfjord from a different viewpoint.

Here’s a short video of the Seven Sisters Waterfall .

We enjoyed our two nights in Geiranger . The powerful waterfall that splits through the city is a sight to behold. And we did the Geiranger zipline and nature park . It’s a small but fun course.  

We stayed at Havila Hotel Geiranger , pictured above. It’s perfectly located on the waterfront with easy access to the village restaurants and tourist shops. The rooms are small but clean and comfortable. It’s a good property to spend a night or two.

Day 9 – Lom and Hafjell

The Norway road tip continues. We left Geiranger at 10:00 AM and backtracked up the dizzying  Geirangervegen . There are multiple lookout points along this impressive highway, including the Geiranger Skysslag (Skywalk) .

Unfortunately, the rain and fog followed us to Geiranger and, like Stegastein a few days earlier, the impressive views were nothing more than thick fog. 

As we approached the town of Lom, we decided to take a break. And we’re glad we did! Lom is famous for Lom Stave Church , one of the few remaining  stave churches in Norway, and Lom National Park Village . 

Our boys were feeling restless that day, so we made a visit to Lom Aktivitetspark . We spent about 1.5 hours at this adventure park before driving to Hafjell, where we would spend the next two nights. 

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Geiranger to Alesund / 10 day Norway road trip

Another option is to drive from Geiranger to Alesund, which is about 2.5 hours drive with a ferry crossing. You would finish the road trip here and catch a flight from Alesund to Oslo or Bergen. This would give you a perfect 10 day Norway road trip itinerary.  

We considered this option. And, we’re disappointed that we missed Alesund on this road trip. It looks like a really cool city.

However, the cost of four flights plus the additional expense for not returning the rental car to the original location, was too expensive for us.

Therefore, we chose to drive back to Oslo and spend a couple nights in Lillehammer on the way. 

Day 10 – Hafjell and Hunderfossen Familiepark

We chose to stay in Hafjell because we wanted to take our boys to Hunderfossen Familiepark , also known as Hunderfossen Fairytale Park.

There’s only so many stave churches and fjords that our boys can handle. We feel it’s important to breakup the sightseeing and long drives with some kid friendly activities, too.

It was the right decision. We had a blast spending the day at Hunderfossen. It’s a smaller amusement park, when compared to some of the parks in North America. It’s the perfect size park for the age of our boys. A nice mix of easy roller coasters, mini-golf, river rafting, go karts and, naturally, lots of Norwegian trolls!

We will write a separate blog post about Hunderfossen soon. 

Fun fact – Hafjell hosted the alpine skiing technical events (giant slalom and slalom) at the  1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

Where to stay in Hafjell

We rented a private alpine apartment near the Hafjell gondola – Hafjell Resort Alpin Apartments Solsiden . Pictured above.

We stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment with full kitchen and private sauna. It’s a nice property and location, especially if you visit during the ski season. Having separate rooms is a nice change of pace. We picked up groceries from the nearby grocery store and used the kitchen instead of eating at restaurants. 

Hafjell Gondola

Before leaving Hafjell , we planned to ride the gondola to the top of the mountain. The gondola is open in the summer for mountain biking and hiking. It’s only 9 minutes to the top and the gondola is located right beside our apartment rental , so we thought it would be a fun activity before our final drive back to Oslo.

Unfortunately, it was closed that day. Apparently that Monday was the start of the shoulder season (it was mid-August), so the gondola was closed during the week. Summer hours of operation ended the day before, when we were at Hunderfossen Familiepark. 

Can you see the running man holding a torch in the above photo? It’s easier to see in the winter when the mountain is covered with snow. 

It’s called Fakkelmannen (or The Torchbearer in English). This mountainside mural was created for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway. It’s an iconic symbol of those winter games. 

Day 11 – Lillehammer to Oslo

The Norway road trip continues. We left Hafjell around 10:00 AM and drove 15 minutes south to Lillehammer, host city of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway. 

We spent a couple hours in Lillehammer. It’s a nice city. We visited the iconic Lysgårdsbakkene Hoppanlegg, home of the Lillehammer Olympic ski jumping events. We are a skiing and snowboarding family, so it’s fun to see the Lillehammer Olympiapark . 

After lunch, we completed the final leg of the road trip. It’s about 2 hours from Lillehammer to Oslo. 

Day 12 – Depart Oslo

We arrived in Oslo late afternoon. After spending close to an hour trying to find a gas station in rush hour traffic, we dropped off the rental car. 

We booked a hotel that’s within walking distance to the car rental location. That way, we avoided finding transportation to get to our hotel. 

For our final night in Norway, we stayed at the Clarion Collection Hotel Savoy . If you’ve been paying attention, this was our third stay at a Clarion Collection hotel. We like this hotel chain and would recommend it.

The following day, we boarded the DFDS Ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen. And just like that, our great Norway adventure was over. 

Congratulations. You made it this far! Well done.

When I started writing this post, my goal was to keep it less than 2,000 words. I failed miserably. 

Hopefully you found this 12 day Norway road trip itinerary helpful. You can shrink this itinerary to become a shorter road trip, but I would recommend spending at least 7 days for a proper Norway road trip. 

Are you planning a Norway road trip? 

If you have questions, leave us a comment below. We’ll do our best to answer in a timely manner. 

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02/08/2023 at 7:55 am

Thank you for this detailed but succinct description of your family Norway road trip, balancing experiences with road time – it’s precisely what I was looking for. Planning this trip for our twin 9 yo’s is proving very challenging for me. We recently decided to remove Stockholm from our 16-day Scandinavia itinerary, just to slow it down. I want the flexibility of a rental car, but that adds constraints too, and we’d like to take some trains. It’d be great to be able to make a one-way car rental from the Flam area (I see there is a Hertz at the airport in Sogndal but then you have to take a bus there). As it is, it seems renting from Oslo or Bergen is your best option, but that adds significant windshield time. Sounds like you got unlucky with the weather too – nothing you can do about that. Anyway, thanks again.

02/08/2023 at 10:37 am

Thank you for the kind words – I’m glad you found this post helpful. We had originally planned to take the train from Stockholm to Oslo but the train cancelled the trip a few weeks prior to our arrival, which was unexpected and annoying. We ended up taking a fairly inexpensive flight on Norwegian Air (I think around $400 total for 4 people?). That is another option that would allow for shorter travel days – depending on how far you want to travel.

03/01/2023 at 12:36 pm

Hi! Your blog has been so helpful! What month were you in Norway? I saw that it was a very rainy season. I am planning a similar road trip this July and was just curious about the weather. What were the average high and low temps?

03/01/2023 at 5:32 pm

Hi Alex, we were in Norway in August but we did hear from locals that July is more popular and the weather tends to be better.

We didn’t have great weather. On average it was 10 degrees Celsius. We needed sweaters, coats and long pants. Locals told us though that it was unusually cold.

05/23/2023 at 12:21 am

Great blog. Very useful for planning our own trip for next year.

Just to confirm though, it sounds like you didn’t drive the Trollstigen road? Trollstigen is just south of Andalsnes. The road that descends into Geiranger from the east is called Geirangervegen

05/23/2023 at 8:18 am

We appear to have conflicting information. I did another search, to confirm, and I can see results for both, so I’m not entirely sure.

The section we visited is the ascent/descent into Geiranger. It’s a steep windy road with lots of switchbacks and waterfalls. (so Geirangervegen might be the correct name)

I’ll make some edits in the post. Both passes look identical, so if you’re looking for insane switchbacks surrounded by green mountains and waterfalls, you’ll be good visiting either one.

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