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!
This sounds like a fantastic trip! Selfishly, I’d love to hear more about Alesund because AirBaltic has a direct flight there from Riga. Do you think it’s worth going for a weekend?
YES! Alesund is awesome. The city center is so pretty! And if you have a car you can drive out to some of the nearby islands, too. (Don’t worry, I’ll be writing about Alesund, too!)
[…] you’ve ever considered a trip to Norway (or maybe if you’re reading this post because you’re currently planning a trip there), […]
Nice article. I have lived in Norway for the last 19 years and I love it. I live in Bodø at the moment, Northern Lights in the winter and the Midnight Sun in the summer 🙂 In 2016 Bodø will be celebrating its 200 year anniversary, so there will be lots to see and do and may well be worth a visit.
Nice! On my next trip, I definitely want to go to the far north of Norway!
My grandma and grandpa were from Norway and I hope to visit there in 2016! Loved your pictures and information. I’ll be waiting to see more. I’m debating whether to travel with a tour or not. Did you have a travel agency plan your individual tour?
Sounds like it would be a really cool trip for you! The tourism board(s) I worked with planned the trip for me, but it would have been easy to do on my own, too. If there are certain places you really want to see, I would recommend planning it on your own rather than going on a tour! Norway is really easy to get around, and everyone speaks great English.
[…] then I went there last month on my 10-day trip around Norway. And guess what? Oslo is totally […]
Amanda!
This was such a fabulous article. Norway, especially in the fjords, looks so much like New Zealand!! Did it have that feel? You know how much my boyfriend and I enjoyed your recommendations for South Island New Zealand next year!!
Allie Dreadfulwater
It did remind me a lot of New Zealand! Though Norway is definitely Norway. 😉
I have lived here for 60 years, so it warms my heart to read articles likes this 🙂 I’m a keen amateur photographer (www.bjonefoto.no), so I really appreciated all your lovely photos!
I’m traveling around in Norway with my RV in the summer and have visited many places, but you have found some pearls that is not “crossed out” on my map yet. They are now on my “to-see-list”, which will never be full, even if I live to be a hundred years old.
I like to travel both the main touist roads, but also those less known. I make videoes/timelapses from the RV’s dashboard, combined with photos. You can see them here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8IYDT0_JPASDuNIyJT2NpFfze3xT-Lgl
For those that will do a lot of traveling by car, you will find many tips at the website National Tourist Routes In Norway:
http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/routes
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) is responsible for developing National Tourist Routes as an attraction, and they have spent a LOT of money on this project, and still are.
And, of course, there “Visit Norway”:
http://www.visitnorway.com/uk/?gclid=CjwKEAjwnpSsBRDH3pT2-7q55R4SJABRiNyTEUfU_7FEGPIxcRgBeIxXqjpFo3SOgk-sVClsoV6ryhoCpKXw_wcB
Thanks for the very helpful tips! Traveling around Norway via RV sounds like such a great way to see it!
Love that rainbow shot! I saw a similar one in Kashmir recently. Norway is on my bucket list. Let’s see when I am able to make it there. I’m interested in reading about whole of Norway! Bring it on!
Oh it shall be brought soon, Renuka! 😉
Great trip! I am planning almost same kind of trip where I spend 10-14 days traveling all across Norway. What was your budget for your days? Can you please give me a rough breakdown of how much money was spend and on what? That’s my biggest hurdle, trying to figure out how much money I need to have saved up for car rental, gas, hostels, etc. Thank you so much!
Hey Denis! Since I worked with various tourism boards on this trip, I’m afraid I don’t have a detailed breakdown of costs. BUT, I would suggest to budget more than you think you need! Hotel rooms seem to be around $100-$200 per night, plan on at least $20 per meal (or more), and a rental car (and fuel) will set you back a bit, too – picking up and dropping off in different cities made my car rental REALLY expensive!
Grip Island in particular looks interesting. Were there locals out there you speak with? A teahouse or anything to rub shoulders and get a better idea of what’s going on out there?
There were very few people on Grip – a couple families getting their holiday homes ready for the summer, but that’s it. No cafes or pubs or anything. It was cool to wander around, though! (And I’ll be writing about it more in the future – stay tuned!)
Beautiful pictures! We just got back from visiting southern Norway in May – it was the thrill of a lifetime! Can’t wait to go back and explore farther north… your pictures added to my sense of longing…
It’s definitely a place that you want to see more of after that first taste!
I was an exchange student in Oslo many years ago. Went back for a reunion and went to visit my host sister. She lives near Trondheim. We took almost the same trip you did on our way back to Oslo. Such a beautiful country. You must go back to Tromso. Northern Norway with the midnight sun and northern lights is something not to miss. Just found your blog and can’t wait for more adventures.
Yes, I would love to go back and see the far north of Norway! Even though I know it would be cold, I’d love to go in the winter, in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights there!
Missing Bergen… Oh… and the wood baked cinnamon rolls (skillingsbolle) in “old Bergen”. Fishmarket & Fløyen funicular…
I didn’t have enough time for Bergen on this trip. And, quite honestly, I was excited to visit some places that others I know haven’t been to!
so Nice That you liked our country. Im from Kristiansund. And you made my town sounds so Nice. Thank you.
Your town (and country) IS so nice, Mari! 🙂
Wow, you’ve fit a lot in your trip. Norway looks positively paradise-like. Sigh, here’s another one for the bucketlist — it will never stop growing!
That’s the funny thing about bucket lists – I feel like you always add more than you cross off! I crossed off a few things on this Norway trip, but think I added even more Norway stuff than I crossed off! Haha.