Before going to Norway, I had a few preconceived notions about the country: One, that it was expensive. Two, that everyone was tall and Viking-like. And three, that it was full of incredible landscapes.
These things were all proven to be (at least partially) true. But I learned so much more about the country while I was there. I learned about its government, healthcare, and social system. I learned that its Viking-like people are incredibly friendly and fluent in English. I learned that it has some awesome cities outside of Oslo. And it learned that it's actually even prettier in person.
In May 2015, I spent 10 days traveling around Norway, riding trains, eating seafood, navigating twisting roads, meeting lovely people, seeing incredible vistas, and falling in love with the concept of heated bathroom floors.
Even though I was there during the coldest, wettest spring most Norwegians can remember in recent years, I LOVED Norway. Yes, it was expensive — but this is one splurge that I think is absolutely worth it.
If you're planning your own trip to Norway soon, here's a look at my 10 days there to help inspire your own travel itinerary:
Day 1-2: Oslo
I started out in Oslo, where I spent two days trying to see as much as I could while battling jet lag. Highlights included a walking tour of the main city sights (like the City Hall, the Opera House, Karl Johans gate, and the fortress), Vigeland Park with its many sculptures, and going to the Viking Ship and folk museums. There's SO much to do and see in Oslo, so I know it's somewhere I'll need to go back to sometime!
Where I stayed in Oslo: The Scandic Vulkan, which is a really cool hotel close to the city's main hipster neighborhood. My room had floor-to-ceiling windows and a ridiculously comfy bed. (Read reviews | Book here)
Read more: Oslo is Totally Cool
Day 3-4: Trondheim
After Oslo, it was off to Trondheim by train. It rained a good portion of the time I was there, but thankfully the saying “Don't like the weather? Wait 5 minutes” applied here and I DID get some brief moments of sun. I enjoyed Trondheim much more than I expected to, from the wooden wharf houses in the Bakklandet to the massive Nidaros Cathedral in the middle of town. Trondheim gets overlooked by many people because it isn't known for its landscapes – but I still found it to be a very cool city worth a visit.
Where I stayed in Trondheim: The Clarion Hotel & Congress, which is right on the water with a cozy lounge and cool rooftop bar. (Read reviews | Book here)
Read more: Why You Should Add Trondheim to Your Norway Itinerary
Day 5: Kristiansund
I arrived in Kristiansund by ferry from Trondheim, greeted by more rain and cool weather. I then had a near-panic attack over a mix-up with the rental car I was supposed to pick up there, keeping me from doing much exploring. But then the skies began to clear and a rainbow and beautiful sunset reminded me that everything works out in the end (and it did!).
Where I stayed in Kristiansund: The Thon Hotel Kristiansund, which is on a little island across the water from the city center. It's great for getting photos of the city. (Read reviews | Book here)
Day 6: Grip Island
Before leaving Kristiansund the next day, I hopped on a boat tour out to Grip Island. This former fishing village was abandoned decades ago, but locals still use the houses and cabins for summer homes. The weather out at sea was much better than the weather on the mainland, meaning that I once again had a brief meeting with sunshine while exploring the small island.
Check out Gripruta to plan your own visit to this very cool island.
Read more: Going Back in Time in Grip
Day 6: The Atlantic Highway
Once back in Kristiansund, I hopped in my rental car and began the drive to Ålesund. But I didn't take the normal highway there — I took the long way 'round, which included driving along the 8-kilometer-long Atlanterhavsveien, or Atlantic Ocean Road. This has to be the most scenic stretch of 8 kilometers I've even driven, with the highlight being the Storseisundet Bridge.
Read more: The Shortest Yet Most Epic Road Trip Ever
Day 7: Ålesund
I spent the night of Day 6 as well as the next day in Ålesund, Norway's art nouveau city on the coast. I explored a bit on foot, saw the city from above (it looks fake from up high!), visited the aquarium, and even did a short road trip out to a nearby island to see the Alnes lighthouse. Since Ålesund is built atop a handful of islands, driving between them is interesting — it requires using several undersea tunnels!
Where I stayed in Ålesund: The First Hotel Atlantica, which is located in the heart of the city very close to all the cool art nouveau architecture. (Read reviews | Book here)
Read more: All You Need to Know About Ålesund
Day 8: Geirangerfjord
It was difficult to imagine anything topping what I'd already seen, but Norway's Geirangerfjord managed to do it. I took a car ferry through part of the famous fjord, then used a tiny electric car to explore Geiranger for the afternoon. The viewpoints above the small port town are STUNNING, and even cloudy weather couldn't dampen my mood. I then drove up the twisting Eagle's Road to an adorable guesthouse in Norddal where I ate goat for the very first time.
Where I stayed: At the Petrines Guesthouse in nearby Norddal. This guesthouse is super cute and cozy, and Norddal is much less touristy than Geirangerfjord. (Read reviews | Book here)
Read more: The Most Famous Fjord in Norway
Day 9: Trollstigen
My next driving adventure was down another very short but very cool stretch of road: Trollstigen, or the Trolls' Road. I drove through snowy mountain passes to get there, and climbed through snow drifts to get photos at the top. Totally worth it, though.
Day 9-10: Åndalsnes
My adventure more or less ended in Åndalsnes, a small town that's both on the fjords AND surrounded by mountains. A thriving adventure sport scene has formed here (everything from mountain climbing to base jumping), and I got to try stand-up paddleboarding on a river for the first time. I also stayed in my favorite hotel of the trip, a family-run one called Hotel Aak.
Where I stayed in Åndalsnes: At Hotel Aak, which was such an awesome hotel run by a very friendly family.
Then next day, I dropped off my car and took the famous Rauma Railway from Åndalsnes to Dombås, and then continued on to Oslo and my final night in Norway.
I didn't do the typical “first time in Norway” route that usually includes Bergen — but I'm actually glad for that. I got to see some really awesome parts of the country (some I'd never even heard of before), and feel like I have a much better feel for Norway, its people, and what it has to offer now.
Plus, Bergen will always be there next time.
READ NEXT: A Weeklong Northern Norway Road Trip Itinerary
Which of these destinations would you add to your own Norway itinerary?
Thanks to Innovation Norway, Visit Oslo, Visit Trondheim, Fjord Norway, and NSB for making this trip fantastic! As always, all opinions are my own, regardless of who is footing the bill.
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
As a local, I just wanna give you credit for doing your homework before travelling!!! Not so many choose Ålesund, Geiranger & Åndalsnes as their first experience. A pity you didn’t find the time for Bergen & the Hardanger area inside of it, but that can wait till later 😉
I used to grow up in the Geiranger/Ålesund area (Stranda) & it is in my blood. A pity the weather wasn’t on your side, really. As I now live close to Bergen, I can only say that it is a bigger version of Ålesund (though the mountains for sure ain’t bigger).
A nice read, and nice pictures as well. Keep blogging. I for sure will keep reading. 🙂
And welcome back to the Nor way 🙂
I can’t really take much credit for the itinerary – Innovation Norway / Visit Norway USA planned most of it. But I more or less told them that I of course wanted to see some of the highlights, but also wanted to visit some cool places that other bloggers haven’t written much about yet (so, basically, no Bergen!). I’m so happy with the result, and I’m looking forward to introducing people to these places in my coming posts!
So glad you enjoyed Norway, and I’m excited to read more about your trip! I’m moving to Trondheim in a couple of weeks (eek!) so I was relieved to see you didn’t hate it, ha.
I LOVED Trondheim! Partly thanks to Lisbeth, who was my tourism contact there. She has such a passion for the city that it rubbed off on me! It’s both the cycling AND foodie “capital” of Norway, so it’s definitely got some cool stuff going on.
The entire trip sounds and looks amazing! I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more about everything, but Geirangerfjord is just too cool with the mix of green and snow capped peaks. Very exciting and a place I can’t wait to visit myself. 🙂
I thought Geiranger might be a bit too touristy for me to really enjoy (especially after visiting some of the empty fjords in New Zealand), but I was wrong. It was amazing! I’m looking forward to sharing more photos from there!
Awesome! I think even the touristy places can be worthwhile when they looks like that! 🙂
Norway can get really less expensive if you can manage to replace your meals with Norwegian kinda food in any convenience store, and can replace the train journeys with the express buses etc. For the fact, the express double deck buses are not difficult to travel in ! They have the moderate offerings such as coffee, tea and wi-fi, at free of cost.
Good tips, Ana! I’ll definitely be sharing a few of the ways I found to save money in some of my upcoming posts!
That’s true! Norway is not so expensive, except alcoholic drinks. I am a Norwegian, living on the coast between Kristiansund and Trondheim and have also travelled around in other European countries. And always remember, pure and good water is for free in Norway, at restaurants as well as in the nature. You can safely fill your bottles with fresh water from streams all over the country. And don’t forget a trip with with the coastal line ( Hutigruten). Welcome to Norway☺
Ever since you first announced that you were going to travel to Norway I’ve been excited to read about your adventures there! 🙂 I used to live in Bergen for ten months which left me absolutely convinced that it’s one of the most naturally beautiful countries on earth and even though I’ve travelled around in Norway a fair bit already seeing this post has made me want to head there immediately again! Can’t wait to read more! 🙂
Aww yay! I get very excited when other people are excited about what I’m doing. Lucky you that you got to live there for a while!
Oslo is still top on my list when it comes to visiting Norway, but again, i don’t think i would leave that country before visiting Trondheim and Alesund, the coastal area. Am obsessed with coastal areas!
If you love the coast, then definitely don’t skip Alesund or Trondheim (which is also on the coast)! Both very cool cities.
I swear, every time your blog posts, social media updates or Instagram pics appear in my timeline your photography is better and better, and this post – WOW!
It’s such a colourful city and that architecture… ahhh, I need to book myself a flight now!!!
Can’t wait to hear more about your Norwegian adventures, Amanda!
Aww shucks thanks lady! Norway is such a photogenic place, though. Even in crappy weather it was stunning!
Number one on my wish list of countries I haven’t yet visited in Europe. My favourite countries are Iceland, New Zealand and Canada so I know I’m going to love it!
Yup, you will love it! I found it really similar to New Zealand in a lot of ways (though, NZ is still my favorite!).
Your pictures look amazing!! Norway is on my list and I’d love visit someday in the near future!
I hope you get to, Priya!
These photos are absolutely incredible!
Norway is soooo on my hit list! And I know what you mean about it being expensive! I went to Iceland and spent way too much money but it was so worth it! Definitely an experience I’ll never forget 🙂
Yeah, just like Iceland, the expense is totally worth it!
When u talk abt being expensive r u referring to hotels, transportation, eating, shopping.. we found insanely cheap airfare & r thinking abt going but hearing multiple comments abt how expensive it is now is giving me reservation
Airfare can be cheap, yes, but the rest can be pricey. Food especially is expensive, as well as rental cars. Hotels aren’t *too* bad, but it depends on your budget – if you’re hoping to spend $50 a night, you won’t find many options in that budget in Norway.
Norway was on my list for this year, but I couldn’t quite get it together to make it a reality in 2015. These pictures make me really want to rearrange my list to make sure Norway makes it to the top in 2016. Thanks for sharing!!
You definitely should fit it into your travel plans for 2016!!
Oh sweet baby Jesus be still my heart. These photos are amazing Amanda! Norway is one of my favourite countries and it brought back great memories to read this. Can’t wait to go again!
Thank you! Norway definitely lived up to expectations – I’m already dreaming of my next trip there, too!
I can’t get over that insane bridge! I am so looking forward to all of your Norway posts, Amanda! Did you feel like 10 days was a good amount of time for your first visit?
Happy travels 🙂
For the places I visited, yes, I think 10 days was a good amount of time. I would probably suggest two weeks, though, to anyone else doing this same itinerary. I could have used extra days in a couple of places!
I love Norway. One of the most beautiful countries I’ve been to, with really lovely people. Your photos are great!
I’d heard that the people were nice, but I was blown away by just *how* nice!
Sounds like you had a great trip! I traveled to Norway for the first time this January, but didn’t get to explore as many places as you. I really enjoyed Oslo, Bergen and the Norway in a Nutshell fjord tour, but would love to see Troll’s Tongue and some of the cities you made it to!
It was an amazing trip! Next time I’d love to go really far up north, to Tromso and the Lofotens!
Love Norway. I have been going to Oslo twice a year since 2012. I have not explored it as much as you did though. My favorite thing in Oslo is to go to the Opera House. I did go to Tromso in January to see the Northern light. Stayed for 7 days. I LOVED IT. The people up north are eve more friendlier.
I hope to get to northern Norway one day – I’ve heard it’s amazing!
Amanda, loved your trip to Norway in 10 days. My friends & I, mostly seniors, but hikers, will be in Norway frim 3-12 Oct. We had signed up fir a van for 9 pax. Is it ok to drive around in this hugh van on Norway roads? & we won’t stay in hotels, too expensive. What do you recomnend?
Thanks
25May, 2019
I don’t see why driving a van around would be a problem. You may run into some very narrow and winding roads, so just be prepared for that. But the weather should still be okay in October (i.e. no snow to worry about yet). As for finding places to stay that aren’t hotels… you could look into Airbnb or other vacation rentals, but I’m not sure how much cheaper that would be. You can actually find fairly affordable hotels in Norway – it’s everything else that is really expensive!