A dream trip for those who want to visit Norway in the summer is to tour the fjord region. It is a large region so to enjoy it calmly, we suggest 5 to 7 days. This was also the itinerary we did.

Day 01 – To start your trip by the fjords, you can arrive directly in Bergen, where there are direct flights from several places in Europe. It is a charming city, with a good infrastructure, a good information center, and from here you can start your trip driving north. From the airport to the center you can take the Light Rail, a train that costs around 5 dollars. The big companies that exist all over the world are also here. Our car was rented at Avis.

If you want to take a day to stay in Bergen and adjust to the time zone. We walked around the city but picked up the car and already we were on our way north. We drove along the beautiful scenic Vikafjellet road to Vik. Take the guided cultural tour in Vik on the shores of the Sognefjord and take the ferry across to Vangsnes – Hella – Dragsvik (Balestrand). A good option for spending the night is the Kviknes Hotel. Dinner is a unique experience as well as the wonderful view from the hotel.

Day 02 – Before heading out, still in the small town of Balestrand, visit the small Cider Huset and do some cider tasting and learn more about the process. For those driving there are several non-alcoholic options. Drive from Balestrand to Førde on the scenic Gaularfjellet road and stop in Utsikten and the Likholefossen waterfall. Drive to the open-air Sunnfjord Museum, a charming museum showing how Norwegians used to live. Have dinner and spend the night in Jølster, at the Thon Hotel.

Day 03 – Today the day is promising, your destination will be the Briksdalsbreen Glacier, which is part of the Jostedalsbreen National Park. You can either hike the trail to the glacier or take one of the trolleys that takes you closer to the glacier. Enjoy the immensity of the glacier. On the way back an option is to have lunch at the restaurant there, Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, it is a buffet, simple, but with very good food.

The next stop is Loen and the Loen Skylift. The cable car opened in May 2017 and the view is amazing, there is also a restaurant at the top, so you can have dessert with a beautiful view. Continue to Geiranger and stop at Dalsnibba, record amazing views at Flydalsjuvet. Spend the night at the Union Hotel in Geiranger and enjoy the heated pool overlooking the fjords. If you are tired, enjoy a massage in the spa or the famous saunas that Norwegians love.

Day 04 – Depending on your mood, it is possible to visit the chocolate factory in Geiranger or even do some activities such as kayaking before continuing your journey. We had a delicious breakfast at the Hotel Union and then went on the famous fjords cruise from Geiranger to Hellesylt. The fjords are a world heritage site and on the cruise you will see several waterfalls and they will tell you several stories about abandoned farms and a little more about the local culture.

From Hellesylt you can drive to Stranda. Stranda is the sports capital of the Fjord region. Although it is famous for its ski resorts, in the summer it is possible to do some very nice hikes. We took the Stranda Fjord Gondola to the top of the mountain and had lunch at Panoramic, with a beautiful view. In the afternoon we made a one hour trek to the top of the mountain, starting from the restaurant. We slept in the Stranda hotel and had dinner there. For the beer lovers, the hotel restaurant has a beer list with more than 70 beers.

Day 05 – Take the ferry from Geiranger to Liabygda and drive to Valldal. From there take the time to drive the Trollstigen Road, one of the most beautiful roads in all of Norway. Stop at Trollstigen Kafe where there is a wonderful lookout. Continue on to Åndalsnes and venture out on the Via Ferrata, a rock climbing tour overlooking the fjords. Spend the night at the Grand Hotel Bellevue.

Day 06 – Take the train to Oslo from Åndalsnes. The train station is five minutes from the Grand Hotel Bellevue. The train ride is beautiful, with incredible scenery passing by the window. Take advantage of the afternoon to already walk around Oslo following the Oslo itinerary above.

15-Day Tour Itinerary – Oslo, Fjords and Tromsø

If your plan is to vacation in Norway and experience all the best that the country has to offer, this is the perfect itinerary.

You can start in Bergen and follow our itinerary above the fjords to experience what is the most beautiful region in the country and one of the most scenic in the world.

Since your trip ends in Oslo, you can fly to Tromsø and if your goal is to try to see the aurora borealis, set aside at least 5 days for this region. Maybe you will see the northern lights on the first day maybe on the last.

But during the day there are other things to do in Tromsø. There are two important fjords in the region: Ullsfjorden and Lyngen. Take road E8 towards Fagernets. Then take road 91 towards Breivikeidet. Once there, get in line for the ferry across the Ullsfjorden to the village Svensby. At Svensby turn off the road and head north towards Lyngstuva. Stop at various viewing points, especially at Jægervatnet, a lake with stunning scenery.

In Lyngseidet take the road to Koppangen, where you will find a beautiful bay with crystal clear water. Back in Lyngseidet, take road 868 towards Nordkjosbotn. From there take road E8 and return to Tromsø for dinner.

To experience the Aurora Borealis, get ready for adventure. Take the E8 road again towards Norkjosbotn and then the E6 towards Helligskogen. On this route you will find many cars and vans stopped. On the map from Visit Tromsø, there is a purple symbol with a white arrow that indicates a good spot to watch the auroras.

We also did a post with some tips on when we photographed the aurora borealis in Iceland and Alaska, click HERE to check it out.

Remember that the days you go chasing the aurora borealis, are days that you can stay up all night long, so don’t book any tours for the next morning.

After five days, return to Oslo to finish your trip, stretch the Oslo itinerary to do it in two days, because you will be exhausted after this intensive Norway.

A day in Oslo, capital of Norway

If you are on a stopover in Norway or on a cruise ship that only stops for one day in the Norwegian capital, these are the places you can’t miss to get a taste of the local atmosphere.

Oslo is a small city with a condensed downtown. Start the day at Oslo’s main street: Karl Johans Gate. Only pedestrians are allowed on it, and you will find many stores and restaurants. But the really nice thing about this street is to see the local people.

Head for Oslo Domkirke – Oslo Cathedral – and enjoy one of the most important churches in the country. Straight ahead you will find another square, Stortorvet.

Then it is time to visit the city’s most emblematic building: the Operahuset Oslo or Oslo Opera House. A few meters away is the Forsvarsmuseet, the Armed Forces Museum, which tells the military history of the country since Viking times.

Behind the museum is Akershus Festning, a medieval castle that during the summer it is possible to see its interior through guided tours.

Continue to Rådhuset, the City Hall, and across the street is Nobels Fredssenter known as the Nobel Peace Center. Behind is Aker Brygge, an area filled with restaurants and stores, where you can stop for lunch.

From there you can take one of the boats to Bygdøy Island, where five other museums are located: Maritime, Fram, Viking Ship, Kon-Tiki, and Cultural History.

For the evening you can visit the Royal Palace, which has no railings and has a delightful park around it, the Slottsparken.

End your day in the bohemian neighborhood of Grünerløkka, close to the locals.

The post Travel Itineraries for Norway appeared first on Norway to Nowhere.

According to the World Happiness Report, Norway is the second happiest country in the world, behind only Finland. Criteria such as freedom, honesty, well-being, health and generosity were analyzed. But in addition, the beautiful landscapes also make Norwegians happier.

In Norway, outdoor activities are part of the routine throughout the year. Even in the harsh winter there are worthwhile attractions, such as the aurora borealis. Whoever decides to visit the country does not regret it, since there are programs for different tastes and ages.

To inspire you to visit the country, we have listed below twelve unmissable places in Norway!

Oslo

Oslo is Norway’s capital and largest city. With just over 630,000 inhabitants, the city is charming. The best way to get around there is by public transportation, which works with excellence.

A curious fact is that nature is so important in Oslo that it is estimated that of the 400 km² of the city, only 40% is built-up area. For this reason, the city won the title of Green Capital of Europe for 2019. The award is given to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants that demonstrate an effort in adopting policies and strategies to improve environmental standards and that promote sustainable development for the future.

Tromsø

Anyone who goes to Norway looking to see the aurora borealis should go to Tromsø. From September to March, the city in the north of the country becomes the ideal place to admire the lights that color the sky at night. From May 20 to July 20, the midnight sun is present, making the days clear for 24 hours.

Surrounded by nature, Tromsø is a good destination for those who want to do outdoor activities, such as riding in a dog sled or hiking in the mountains, fishing, kayaking and whale watching safaris.

Hammerfest

Hammerfest is a port city located in the far north of Norway. Surrounded by mountains, sandy beaches, and stunning coastal scenery, the city attracts tourists looking for an exotic place to visit.

Around here you can find some of the best places in Norway to fish. While cod, halibut, crab, and wolf fish are the most common species for anglers in this area, the nearby lakes and rivers are abundant with trout of superior quality and flavor.

Flam

Flam is the gateway to the Sognefjord fjord. But to get there you have to sail for five hours through crystal clear waters, which are surrounded by mountains. Just the way to the small village is worth the trip.

Once there, be sure to take the Flåmsbana ride, considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Another suggestion is to go to the Aegir craft micro brewery, with a cozy atmosphere to spend the evening.

Bergen

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Located between the sea and the mountains, the city impresses with its beauty. There, the visitor can get a close look at the history of the place while exploring the wild and enchanting beauty of the nearby fjords.

By Norwegian standards, Bergen is a large commercial center, although it preserves all the charm and atmosphere typical of small towns. The inhabitants, on the other hand, are friendly and always willing to help, making it a great destination for those who want to get to know more of Norway.

Trolltunga

Trolltunga is a rock also known as “Troll Tongue”, which stands 1100 meters high, located in the city of Odda. The rock formation is so distinctive that it has become one of the most visited symbols of the country.

To get to the point where thousands of tourists take pictures, you have to walk for 10 to 12 hours and climb to a height of more than 1000 meters. For this, do not forget to wear the correct clothing and use appropriate shoes. In the end, all the effort is worth it.

Bleik

In Bleik you can venture out on safari to observe puffins or whales in their natural habitat. So much so that the town is known as the largest colony of puffins in Norway.

The Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world. Located in the Arctic Circle, they are surrounded by blue waters and abundant marine life. In summer, this region does not get dark, which makes it easier for visitors to explore the islands without the interruption of night.

Geiranger

Located in the Commune of Stranda, in a village of just over 200 inhabitants, Geiranger attracts people from all over the world because of the beautiful fjords in the area. In 2005 Unesco declared the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord and its surrounding areas World Heritage Sites. Since then the fame of the small village has grown.

Today, Geiranger lives primarily from tourism. More than a million people pass through the village annually, mainly during the high season, from May to September. In the warmer months of the year the village is more crowded and the atmosphere of the place comes alive.

Fredrikstad

Gamle Fredrikstad is an old fortified city. With an unparalleled charm, the city still preserves its essence in old buildings. A good suggestion for a stroll is to admire the Fredrikstad Bridge, which cuts across the Glomma River and connects the east and west of the city. This bridge is 824 meters long and 196 meters long.

Stavanger

Located on the west coast of Norway, Stavanger is a very charming small town. With many charming restaurants and cafes, the town is an ideal base for those who wish to hike the Preikestolen. One suggestion there is to photograph Stavanger Cathedral, built in the 10th century. In the center of town there are houses that were made of wood and are dated from the 18th century, the place is also worth a visit.

Undredal

Undredal is a small village, located at the end of a huge fjord. Until a few years ago it was only accessible by boat, but nowadays the village can also be reached by road. However, what draws attention there is the small wooden church, the Undredal Church, which has a guided tour. Another suggestion is to try the famous goat cheese prepared by the local inhabitants.

Selecting twelve places to visit in Norway is very little, considering that the country presents beautiful natural scenery that is enough to leave anyone breathless.

Whoever travels there does not regret it. But do you know Norway? What do you think of the country? Tell us about it in the comments.

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