10-Day Itinerary for a Tour of Norway

  • Day 1: Oslo
    From Oslo Airport, Gardermoen: 47 mins (23 miles)

    Oslo is Norway's vibrant capital with intriguing cultural heritage and awe-inspiring views. Begin your day by visiting Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle that dates back to the 14th century. Take a stroll around The Royal Palace and see the changing of the guards. Finally, visit the Viking Ship Museum, which houses Viking finds that were recovered from excavations in Oslo fjord.

  • Day 2: Bergen
    From Oslo: 6.5 hours (308 miles) by train or 1 hour 15 mins of flight

    Bergen is a picturesque city surrounded by mountains and fjords. Start your day by taking the Fløibanen Funicular to the summit of Mount Fløyen to take in the breathtaking panoramic views. Walk through the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and admire the unique architecture of the old wooden buildings. Finally, take a trip to Troldhaugen, the former home of composer Edvard Grieg.

  • Day 3: Stavanger
    From Bergen: 4 hours 30 mins (164 miles) by car or 5 hours by train

    Known as the "Cradle of the Vikings," Stavanger is a historic town with cobbled streets, unique architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. Start your day exploring Old Stavanger, which consists of remarkable 18th-century wooden houses. Take a stroll at the Flor og Fjaere Islands, a floral paradise filled with gardens, exotic plants, and exotic birds, and enjoy the view of the North Sea. Finally, visit the Stavanger Cathedral, a stunning medieval cathedral.

  • Day 4: Geirangerfjord
    From Stavanger: 12 hours 30 mins (629 miles) by car, bus, and ferry or 10 hours by train and ferry

    One of the top attractions in Norway, the Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural wonder that showcases the immense natural beauty of the country. Take a cruise to marvel at the majestic snow-capped mountains, iconic waterfalls such as The Seven Sisters and unique landscapes.

  • Day 5: Lofoten Islands
    From Geirangerfjord: 15 hours 30 mins (632 miles) by car or 3 hour 30 mins by flight

    The Lofoten Islands are a stunning archipelago characterized by dramatic landscapes, traditional fishing villages, and rugged mountains. Take a boat ride to Trollfjorden, a narrow fjord with steep mountains and cascading waterfalls, and visit the Museum of Lofoten to learn about the area's history and culture. Then, enjoy a long hike on the scenic Reinebringen Trail, which takes you to the summit of Reinebringen Mountain.

  • Day 6: Tromsø
    From Lofoten Islands: 7 hours (245 miles) by car or 50 minutes by flight

    Tromsø is known all around the world as one of the best places to see the northern lights. Begin your day by visiting the Polaria Arctic Experience Center, which showcases region’s remarkable wildlife including bearded seals, whales and polar bears. Take a cable car ride to Mount Storsteinen for panoramic views of the city and its stunning surroundings. Finally, end the day with an evening northern lights tour, an opportunity to chase aurora on snowmobile or with a local guide.

  • Day 7: Trondheim
    From Tromsø: 13 hours (745 miles) by car or 1 hour 25 mins by flight

    Trondheim is Norway's cultural capital, where old meets new to create a fascinating combination of traditional and contemporary culture. Start your day at the Nidaros Cathedral, which was constructed in honour of King Olav II. Visit the Trondheim Art Museum, which houses a diverse collection of art from Norwegian artists, and take a stroll in Bakklandet, a colourful district filled with galleries and cafes.

  • Day 8: Geirangerfjord
    From Trondheim: 5 hours 30 mins (220 miles) by car or 7 hours by train and ferry

    Return to Geirangerfjord to experience more of its allure. Take a drive to Dalsnibba, which is the highest point you can reach in the area and offers views of eagles soaring above the iconic fjords. Walk up to The Flydalsjuvet where there are spectacular views of the fjord and the surrounding mountains. Finally, take a scenic helicopter ride to capture some of the most unbelievable views of the land and sea in the area.

  • Day 9: Geilo (Hallingskarvet National Park)
    From Geirangerfjord: 7 hours (231 miles) by car or train

    Geilo is a picturesque alpine village located at the foot of the Hallingskarvet Mountains. Start your day with a hike around the Ustedalsfjorden lake, one of the largest lakes in the area. Rent a mountain bike and explore the rugged mountain terrain, or go kayaking in the nearby swift waters. Finally, take a walk around the Hardangervidda National Park Visitors Center, which features exhibits on the region's stunning landscape, flora, and fauna.

  • Day 10: Oslo
    From Geilo: 3 hours (133 miles) by car or train

    Return to Oslo to finish your trip. Visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, a facility that has hosted major skiing events since 1892. Then, spend the afternoon at the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, which presents a variety of classical and modern performances.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Akershus Fortress (1 hour, Free)
  • Royal Palace (1 hour, Free)
  • Viking Ship Museum (1-2 hours, 100 NOK)
  • Fløibanen Funicular (3 hours, 95 NOK)
  • Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf (2 hours, 150 NOK)
  • Troldhaugen (2 hours, 110 NOK)
  • Old Stavanger (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Flor og Fjaere Islands (1 hour, 215 NOK)
  • Stavanger Cathedral (1 hour, Free)
  • Geirangerfjord Cruise (2-3 hours, 500 NOK)
  • Trollfjorden Tour (3 hours, 750 NOK)
  • Museum of Lofoten (1-2 hours, 100 NOK)
  • Reinebringen Trail (3-4 hours, Free)
  • Polaria Arctic Experience Center (1-2 hours, 130 NOK)
  • Mount Storsteinen Cable Car (1-2 hours, 220 NOK)
  • Nidaros Cathedral (1 hour, 110 NOK)
  • Trondheim Art Museum (2 hours, 150 NOK)
  • Bakklandet (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Dalsnibba Drive (1 hour, 120 NOK)
  • The Flydalsjuvet (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Helicopter Ride (1 hour, $350)
  • Ustedalsfjorden Hike (2 hours, Free)
  • Mountain Biking (2-3 hours, 500 NOK)
  • Kayaking (1-2 hours, 300 NOK)
  • Hardangervidda National Park Visitors Center (1 hour, 100 NOK)
  • Holmenkollen Ski Jump (1-2 hours, 140 NOK)
  • Norwegian National Opera & Ballet (1-2 hours, 250 NOK)

  • Total Estimated Costs: $1825 per person

Transportation

For convenience, we recommend traveling by train as Norway's train system offers one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Note that some journeys take significantly longer to undertake by car. Ferry rides are necessary for some locations such as Geirangerfjord.

Estimated transportation costs for the trip range from $500 to $900 per person depending on whether you take flights, trains, or rent a car. Travel time throughout the trip varies significantly and may take between 11 to 35 hours of commuting between popular attractions

Useful Tips

If you have more time, we recommend visiting the towns of Åndalsnes, Flam and Alesund. If you have only a week, we recommend cutting out Lofoten Islands and traveling directly from Geirangerfjord to Bergen. It's advisable to book accommodations and transportations in advance.

Airports

The largest airports in Norway are Oslo airport, Gardermoen (OSL) which is roughly 33km north of Oslo and Bergen-Flesland Airport (BGO) located 12km southwest of the city. Tromso Airport (TOS) often serves international tourists heading north for their trip.

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