A 7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary to Explore Norway

  • Day 1: Oslo
    From Oslo Airport, Gardermoen: 45 minutes by car (32 km)

    Start your journey in Norway by exploring its capital city, Oslo. Visit the Viking Ship Museum to learn about the history of the Norwegian Vikings and see three preserved Viking ships. Take a stroll in Vigeland Park, the largest sculpture park made by a single artist in the world, which houses more than 200 bronze, granite, and cast iron statues. End the day by visiting Akershus Fortress, situated on a hill overlooking the Oslofjord, which offers a stunning view of the water.

  • Day 2: Bergen
    From Oslo to Bergen: 7 hours by train (471 km)

    After having breakfast in Oslo, head towards Bergen on a scenic train ride that takes you through the beautiful Norwegian countryside. Upon arrival, wander through the Bryggen wharf area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire the colorful wooden buildings. Take the Floybanen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen and enjoy the panoramic view of Bergen from above. Wrap up the day by visiting Troldhaugen, the former home of famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, offering exhibitions and his music.

  • Day 3: Flam
    From Bergen to Flam: 2.5 hours by train (170 km)

    Take a morning train ride to Flam, a picturesque village by the Aurlandsfjord. Take a cruise through the Nærøyfjord, a narrow and scenic fjord surrounded by towering mountains, in the afternoon. Visit Stegastein viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of the Aurlandsfjord that is a 30-minute drive away.

  • Day 4: Geirangerfjord
    From Flam to Geiranger: 6 hours by car and ferry (286 km)

    Leave Flam in the morning and head towards Geiranger through a beautiful route overlooking glaciers, mountains, and fjords. Arrive at Geiranger by mid-afternoon, and take a relaxing cruise through the Geirangerfjord to enjoy unreal and awe-inspiring scenery. Make a stop at Flydalsjuvet viewpoint, overlooking the Geirangerfjord for a breathtaking view that's a 10-minute drive away.

  • Day 5: Alesund
    From Geiranger to Alesund: 3 hours by car (147 km)

    Start the day early in Geiranger and head towards Alesund, a charming coastal town featuring Art Nouveau architecture. Once you get to Alesund, stroll through the Jugendstil walking tour, a cluster of buildings with a unique architectural style. Visit Atlanterhavsparken, an aquarium showcasing marine life from Norway's coastal waters. Take the Aksla viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of the town and surrounding islands that's a 10-minute drive away.

  • Day 6: Lofoten Islands
    From Alesund to Lofoten: 10 hours by car and ferry (803 km)

    Take your time and enjoy the stunning scenery on the long journey from Alesund to Lofoten. Upon arrival in Lofoten, visit the Nusfjord fishing village, considered one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fishing villages. Take a nullsund viewpoint, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and sea. End the day by visiting the Lofoten Aquarium in Kabelvåg, showcasing marine life from deep waters, including fish, seals, and even whales.

  • Day 7: Senja Island
    From Lofoten to Senja Island: 5 hours by car and ferry (261 km)

    Leave Lofoten early in the morning and head towards Senja Island, Norway's second-largest island. Take a scenic drive and visit Bergsbotn viewpoint, providing a breathtaking panorama of the fjord and surrounding mountains. Take the Skanse Fortress, built to protect the island from British invasions, in the afternoon. Finish your day by taking a walk at Semesterstranda beach, offering a magnificent view of the sunset over the turquoise sea.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Viking Ship Museum (1 hour, $15)
  • Akershus Fortress (1 hour, $7)
  • Bryggen wharf area (2 hours, free)
  • Floybanen Funicular (1 hour, $13)
  • Nærøyfjord cruise (2 hours, $60)
  • Geirangerfjord cruise (1 hour, $35)
  • Jugendstil walking tour (2 hours, free)
  • Atlanterhavsparken (1 - 2 hours, $18)
  • Lofoten Aquarium (1 - 2 hours, $20)
  • Skanse Fortress (1 - 2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs ($168)

Transportation

When traveling from Oslo to Bergen, the journey can be made on a scenic train ride. Car rental for the remainder of the trip is recommended. The Car rental costs start at $50 per day, and the gasoline cost is around $2.5 per liter. Ferries are involved in two of the travels, and the costs start at around $25 per person.

Useful Tips

If you would like to add more days to your journey, we suggest spending an extra day in Oslo for a more in-depth exploration of the city. Suppose you have fewer days to spend. In that case, you can skip a day's activities from the itinerary, and we suggest skipping Senja Island, which is quite remote compared to other locations in Norway.

Airports

Norway has 98 airports, 52 of which have paved runways, and six are international airports. Osloom Lufthavn (OSL) is the primary airport serving Norway's capital city of Oslo, situated 47 km north-east of the city. It is the main international gateway to the country.

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