How To See The Best Of Norway In 7 Days

February 8, 2019

Itineraries, Norway

A simple itinerary to see the sights, experience the Scandinavian culture, and make the most of your one week stay in Norway!

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If you have 7 days, you can see some of the best of what Norway has to offer!

When asked about Norway, so many things come to mind. I see mountain ranges rising from the clear blue water of the fjords. I envision the hardworking farmers and fishermen who worked day and night to provide for their families in an often inhospitable environment. I picture vikings with their eyes set on conquering new lands.

Norway has so much interesting history and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. With each visit I have found the Norwegian people to be kind and welcoming. Most importantly, they are a people who live with a mindset of fairness and equality. After spending some time here, it is not hard to understand why Norway has often been seen as one of the best places to live in the world.

If Norway has been on your list of places to visit, you probably want to know how to make the most of your time there. That is exactly why I am sharing my itinerary for 7 perfect days in Norway with you.

In just seven days you will see the best sights and learn about much of the wonderful history of this beautiful country!

Best Time Of Year To Visit Norway

If you’re planning 7 days in Norway you want to make the most of it! The weather in Norway is always a bit colder, due to it’s location. That said, there are benefits to traveling at many different times of year. The summer months are going to have the most daylight hours and potential for warmer temperatures. That said, the warmest it gets in Oslo is usually in the 60’s.

If you are accepting of slightly cooler temperatures, consider going in either May or September. The crowds will be less and you may even be able to get some deals on hotels!

Getting To Norway

If you’re considering a trip to Norway, the first thing on your mind is probably the cost of the flight/s to get there. I know it is for me!

If you’re anything like me, you also probably want to find the very best deal for your flight. For me that means doing my research.

I highly recommend starting your search with Skyscanner. It is what I personally use and it is an excellent tool for finding great deals on flights.

I start by searching for flights by inputting my destination location, in this case: Oslo, Norway. The next thing I click is “flexible dates” so I can see the cheapest days within my preferred month or months.

If I am not ready to buy right then, I click “Get Price Alerts” and will receive notifications when prices change. It really does help me compare dates and prices seamlessly.

You can try it for yourself here:

Travel Between Norwegian Cities

There are tons of different ways you could travel around Norway. In this particular itinerary, my decision for how to travel between cities was based on how to maximize seeing the most of this lovely country!

Travel between Oslo and Flam:

If you’re staying at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Oslo, the train station is located right next door!

You will hop on the train, headed to Myrdal. In Myrdal you will get off and change trains to the Flam Railway. Then get ready because the next journey is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world!

The Flam Railway takes you from Myrdal, at about 2800 feet above sea level, and goes down to the Sognefjord in Flam. It makes a stop for a small show at a waterfall and gives you some of the most picturesque views imaginable. This trip is an absolute must when visiting Norway!

To purchase tickets for the train from Oslo to Myrdal, you can purchase them ahead online at places like Eurail or you can get them from the train station in advance. For the trip from Myrdal to Flam, you can purchase tickets online for the Flam Railway.

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Travel Between Flam and Balestrand, and Balestrand and Bergen:

Once in Flam on Sognefjord, it is the perfect opportunity to start your travel by ferry. You will take the express ferry from Flam to Balestrand to spend an evening there at the historic Kviknes Hotel. The next day you will hop of the express ferry to Bergen to finish out your trip.

Choosing the ferry as your mode of transportation to Bergen is a great way to see the scenery from a new point of view. Traveling down the Fjords you will see waterfalls, glaciers, and other jaw dropping views! It is a very special and unique way to travel and experience your surroundings.

Oslo: Days 1-3

Where To Stay: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo

The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is really the ideal place to stay in Oslo! The location is next to the train station which makes it convenient when coming from the airport or heading out to other cities. It is clean and modern with a seriously spectacular breakfast included.

What To Do:

DAY 1: Arrive in Oslo, check into the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo. Then make your way over to check out Akershus, and learn about Norway’s involvement in World War II at Norway’s Resistance Museum

DAY 2: Enjoy a morning at Vigeland Sculpture Park before heading over to check out Oslo City Hall and finally take an Oslo Fjord Tour

DAY 3: Hop on a ferry to go over to the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and the Fram Polar Ship Museum

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Balestrand: Day 4

Where to Stay: Kviknes Hotel

The historic Kviknes Hotel is truly a magical place. The location is one of the most spectacular in the world! There are two different parts to the hotel, the original hotel rooms and the more modern addition of rooms off the back. Both are great and have great views of the mountains and the fjords. Staying in Balestrand was one of the highlights of the trip to Norway. I guarantee you have never stayed anywhere like it.

What to do:

DAY 4: Leave Oslo – Enjoy the scenic Flam railway and catch the ferry to Balestrand. Stay at the famous and historic Kviknes Hotel

DAY 5: Wake up early to take in the spectacular views of the fjord and see St. Olav’s Church before hopping back on the ferry to Bergen. When you arrive in Bergen, check in to the Grand Hotel Terminus and get settled.

Bergen: Days 5-7

Where To Stay: Grand Hotel Terminus

Grand Hotel Terminus is a beautiful hotel in Bergen. It is historic with some of the most beautifully appointed rooms I have seen. In addition, walking to see the sights is easy as can be! Being that it is the last stop, I also appreciated that it is located near the train and bus stations. That helps to make it very convenient when you’re heading to the airport.

What to do:

DAY 6: Stretch your legs on a walk through the Bergen Fish Market on your way to take the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen for a jaw dropping view of the city.

DAY 7: Take your time exploring the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf and visit the many shops and museums along the water.

DAY 8: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to catch your flight back home!

One Last Tip:

Norway is full of some seriously beautiful nature. I remember wanting to take pictures of EVERYTHING! I eventually realized, no photo could fully capture just how pretty it was. From then on, I sat back and just decided to soak it in.

I want to encourage you to do the same. If you do make a decision to spend 7 days (or more) in Norway – and I hope you do! Make a decision to take memorable pictures but also try to stay in the moment. Even if it is hard, try to really just enjoy the view.