7 Days in Norway Itinerary for the First-Time Visitors (2024)

Norway is vast with unlimited exploration opportunities that it’s not easy or I’d say it’s rather an overwhelming task to put together an itinerary that satisfies your travel goals. Norway has 5 regions viz. Northern Norway, Trøndelag, Western Norway, Southern Norway, and Eastern Norway, each more beautiful than the next, each has a different story to tell, and you’d find yourself dealing with the feeling of missing out while crafting 7 days in Norway itinerary.

I’m here to help you calm your anxiety levels by sharing a 7-day itinerary for Norway that’s just right for first-time visitors. It gives you a perfect introduction to the country in a limited time!

Norway Itinerary Map

7 Days in Norway Itinerary in Nutshell

Have more days in Norway? Read Our 2 Weeks in Norway Itinerary

Norway Itinerary 7 Days: Explore the Best of Norway in One Week

From storied fjords, majestic mountains, beautiful waterfalls, charming towns, and vibrant capital city to sweeping vistas – my Norway itinerary captures it all in 7 days!

Day 0: Arrive in Oslo

I started my Norway trip in Oslo, so would recommend you do the same. Norway’s fascinating capital and largest city, Oslo is where most of the international flights to Norway land.

To score the best flight deals to Oslo, I suggest you book your tickets 3 to 6 months in advance. Airlines like Norwegian Air and SAS frequently have competitive fares, especially if you’re flying from within Europe. Don’t forget to set up price alerts on Skyscanner to snag deals the moment they drop!

Olso Airport Transfer

Once you land in Oslo, hop on the Flytoget, a high-speed train that zips you from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to the city center in about 20 minutes.

The train runs every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak times. A one-way ticket costs around 230 NOK (roughly 19.92 EUR or 26 USD) per adult.

While Flytoget is a convenient and quick option, you can also take a regular NSB train, which is slightly cheaper but takes a bit more time. Taxis and airport buses are available too but expect to pay a premium for the convenience.

I you favor convenience and direct service like me, booking a private transfer is also an excellent, albeit more expensive, option.

Where to Stay in Olso

Make sure you book a hotel that’s right in the heart of the city so you stay close to where the action is. It saves you from the hassle of public transportation too.

I stayed at the Karl Johan Hotel with my family. Located on the main street in Oslo, the hotel scores points for its excellent location, welcoming staff, and value for money.

You can also check my guide to the best places to stay in Oslo.

Grab the best deals on accommodation in Oslo

What to do in Oslo on Arrival Day

You can spend the rest of the day depending on what your body says. If you feel tired after a long flight, you can rest and charge yourself up for the next day.

If you are restless like me and feel active enough to step out of the hotel, you can walk around exploring the city center. Stroll the Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s main street, and stop by Slottsplassen to admire the Royal Palace.

You can check out the nearby buildings of Oslo City Hall, the Nobel Peace Center, and the National Theater.

If you are not having your dinner in your hotel, I’d recommend Katla, a unique dining experience right in the heart of Oslo. I loved dining here and enjoyed their food and services.

Day 1: Explore Oslo

The best way to explore Oslo is by taking a guided walking tour, guided bike tour, or self-guided walking tour around the city. I almost always choose to take a guided tour, free or paid, as I feel it gives you a headstart in a new city.

The walking tour in Olso lets you admire the landmarks in Olso like Karl Johans Gate, National Theatre, University Place, Norwegian Parliament, Nobel Peace Center, Royal Palace, City Hall,and theNational Museum.

There are so many fun things to do in Oslo. Here, you just have 2 days to discover the attractions in Oslo so I’d suggest starting your day with Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle. The fortress not only offers a historical narrative but also affords spectacular views of Oslo and the fjord. You can join a guided tour to learn more about the culture and history attached to the monument.

After the fortress, enjoy the Oslofjord Cruise that takes you to the Bygdøy Peninsula.

Spend some time checking out one or two of the best museums on the peninsula – Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, Viking Ship Museum,andthe Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.

📣 Heads-Up: If you’ve got your sights set on the Viking Ship Museum, you’ll have to hold onto that excitement a bit longer. The museum is under renovation and won’t reopen until 2025 or 2026. Breathe easy, though—Norway’s still brimming with Viking history to explore!

Given your time limit, choose the museums that pick your interest. All of them are equally fascinating and provide unique insights into Norway’s history and culture.

If you are a museum person, you’ll love Oslo has over 50 museums for you to explore. If you ask me, you must add a visit to the Munch Museum to marvel at Edvard Munch’s iconic works.

Or you can choose to take an island hopping tour that lets you explore the ancient islands of Hovedøya, Lindøya, and Gressholmen.

Come back and sit at one of the eateries by the Aker Brygge, a beautiful harbor front in Oslo to enjoy the views of the fjord while enjoying lunch at Louise Restaurant. And don’t forget to try gelato at Paradis Gelateria.

End your day with authentic Norwegian cuisine at Maaemo, one of the world’s best restaurants!

I suggest you buy Oslo Pass to make the most of your time in the Norwegian capital. The pass saves you a lot of time, money, and hassle. It’s all the more important when you’ve limited time to explore the city.

⛵ Read More: The Ultimate 3-Week Nordic Itinerary

Day 2: Explore Oslo

Start your day 2 in Olso with a visit to Vigeland Sculpture Park aka Frogner Park. With over 200 sculptures in bronze, granite, and wrought iron, it makes for an exceptional outdoor gallery.

Spend some time exploring the Oslo Opera House. Don’t just admire it from the outside, though—the roof offers panoramic views of Oslo! It’s an architectural marvel where you can literally walk on the opera.

You might want to take a quick detour to Barcode Project, a series of ultra-modern, high-rise buildings located near the Opera House, it gives you a taste of Oslo’s forward-thinking architecture.

Stop by Mathallen Food Hall for lunch. It’s a feast for the senses with all sorts of local and international culinary delights. Alternatively, you can try Vaaghals, a restaurant that blends traditional and modern Norwegian gastronomy.

Oslo is surrounded by nature, so take a short tram ride to Ekebergparken, a sculpture and national heritage park offering stunning views of the city, or maybe take a stroll along the Akerselva River.

For dinner, you can head to Arakataka for authentic Norwegian flavors or Oslo Street Food for a global culinary adventure.

Norway is one of the top coffee-consuming nations (one of the reasons it’s close to my heart), and experiencing the local coffee culture could be an intimate way to wrap up the day.

Day 3: Oslo to Bergen via Scenic Bergen Railway | Explore Bergen

It’s time to ride one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, the Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen)!

Grab a window seat and glue your face to the window for some of the most dramatic landscapes you’ll ever witness in your lifetime.

This beautiful train journey is a part of Norway in a Nutshell Tour where you get down at Myrdal to join the FlåmRailway (Flåmsbana), a short yet utterly picturesque train journey.

Tip: Make sure you book your tickets in advance. You must board the 8:25 am train so you can reach by 2:55 pm to have half a day to explore Bergen.

⛵ Read more about this enthralling train journey from Oslo to Bergen.

Check in your hotel (as always I recommend booking a hotel in the city center), freshen up, and get set to discover the capital of Fjord Norway.

Trust Me On This: Don’t forget your waterproof gear; Bergen is famous for its sudden showers.

Start your day with a visit to Mount Ulriken, the highest of the 7 mountains around Bergen. You can hike the mountain but it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike.

As you are short on time, take the Ulriken cable car up and down the mountain to enjoy the 360-degree views over the city.

Another not-to-be-missed attraction in Bergen is Mount Fløyen. It’s a beautiful hike provided you’ve time else you can take Fløibanen funicularto the mountain.

Come back down to the city center and spend your evening exploring Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site that features pretty waterfront wooden houses dating back to the 1700s.

If you want to join a guided tour, this walk through the past and present of Bergen by I Love Bergen is perfect as it covers the most popular attractions as well as secret spots in the city.

Or you can join an all-inclusive guided tour that includes city sightseeing, a fjord cruise, and Mt Fløyen Funicular.

Taste the local seafood and experience the rich trading history dating back to the 1200s at Bergen Fish Market.

I stayed at Hotel Norge by Scandic. Located right in the heart of Bergen, the hotel is rated highly for its location, services, and food. It’s also one of the top picks by families with children.

Check out the best accommodation options in Bergen

Just So You Know: If you’re looking to explore beyond Bergen’s walkable city center, consider grabbing a day pass for unlimited bus and light rail travel. These passes can be easily purchased at tourist centers or via the ‘Skyss‘ mobile app, offering a cost-effective way to roam far and wide.

⛵ Related Read: Best Places to Visit in Norway with Kids

Day 4: Bergen to Odda via Rental Car | Hardangerfjord Cruise

Pick your rental car to drive the beautiful roads in Norway. I completely rely on and recommend Discover Cars to rent a car wherever you go.

Find the best deals for car rental here. You should book well in advance to grab the low-price deals.

Road-tripping is one of the best ways to explore Norway. It’s a delight to drive along the road with breathtaking views of fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers.

A road trip from Bergen to Odda via Fv7 (this route includes the Tørvikbygd-Jondal ferry to cross the fjord) takes around 3 hours excluding the time to make stops along the way.

Don’t forget to pack some road trip essentials and a travel playlist with maybe classic Norwegian songs to set the mood.

There are many scenic stops (because, well you’re in Norway) along the way so it’s wise to allow yourself enough time to stop and take in the epic views.

One of the prettiest stops is the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall in Norheimsund.

Once in Norheimsund, take the fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord aka the queen of the fjords with gofjords.

Cruising along the fjord, you’ll witness charming villages surrounded by steep mountains with snow-covered peaks and majestic waterfalls. You’ll also be able to see the Folgefonna glacier.

You’ll make a stop at Eidfjord to visit the Norwegian Nature Center Hardanger and the stunning and largest waterfall in Norway, Vøringsfossen.

Come back to Norheimsund to pick up your car and continue your drive to Odda. Once in Odda, make sure to check out Låtefoss waterfall in Oddadalen aka the Valley of Waterfalls.

Tip: If you love national parks, then you may want to consider visiting one of the national parks near Odda – Hardangervidda National Park and Folgefonna National Park.

I stayed at the Tyssedal Hotel, located by the Hardangerfjord at the foot of the Hardangervidda Mountains. It’s about 6 km (3.7 miles) north of central Odda.

Just about 7 km (4.3 miles) from Skjeggedal, the starting point of the Trolltunga hike, the hotel serves as a perfect base for those who want to do the Trolltunga hike.

Find the best deals on accommodation near Trolltunga

⛵ You Might Like: Beautiful Norwegian Words

Day 5: Hike Trolltunga

Today, you’ll experience one of the most scenic and popular hikes in Norway, Trolltunga.

Literally translating to troll tongue, it’s a cliff located at about 1,180 meters above sea level shaped like the tongue of a troll that extends out from the mountain.

From the main trailhead in Skjeggedal, the hike is 28km (round-trip) and can take anywhere between 10-12 hours to complete depending upon the stops you make.

There’s another trailhead at Mågelitopp from where the round-trip hike is 20 km which can take about 8 -10 hours to complete.

The hike is long and arduous but worth it. The views from the top are magnificent! Nothing matches the joy and thrill of standing on the edge of the cliff and looking down at the crystal blue fjord right below.

Some Tips:

• You must be well-equipped and well-prepared for the hike. Wear sturdy hiking boots and a wind and waterproof jacket. Pack some warm clothes because it gets cold as you gain elevation. Carry food and plenty of water. Once you’re on the trail, you’re on your own in terms of food and water, so pack wisely!
• There’s a small kiosk near the Skjeggedal trailhead where you can grab some basic snacks or a hot beverage before you begin the ascent. It’s a great spot for those last-minute munchies or for filling up your thermos with some hot cocoa or coffee.
• It’s best to take on this hike during the summer months of June, July, and August.
• Start early so you can get back before it gets dark. Plus, there is a limited number of parking spots at Skjeggedal and Mågelitopp so reaching early guarantees you a spot.
• If you want to leave your car at the hotel, there are shuttle services from Odda to Tyssedal and Skjeggedal and a shuttle bus from Skjeggedal to Mågelitopp.
• There are cliffs and fencing is missing so exercise caution.
• Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before embarking on a hike. Be aware that weather conditions can change quickly so be ready to handle the weather changes.
• I recommend you join a guided hike especially if you are not an experienced hiker as the local guides know the business in and out.

Traveler’s Tip: If you aren’t a hardcore hiker and find Trolltunga tough, the Buer Glacier is a good alternative. It’s a shorter trek, about 5 km round-trip, with fewer elevations but stunning glacial views. And if you want to skip hiking altogether, Odda Valley Museum, Agatunet, and Odda Church are some of the cultural gems in and around Odda.

Day 6: Odda to Flåm via Rental Car | Flåm Railway | Nærøyfjord Cruise

It’s not just another day in your 7-day Norway itinerary. It’s extra special. Today, you are going to meet the king of the fjords, Sognefjord, the largest and deepest fjord in Norway.

From cruising the wildest and most beautiful arm of Sognefjord, the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to visiting a charming village of Flåm located on the other arm of Sognefjord, Aurlandsfjord to riding the scenic Flåm Railway to visiting a Viking village of Gudvangen located at the end of the Nærøyfjordto driving one of the steepest roads in Northern Europe, Stalheimskleiva that offers the scenic stops like Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls – today’s going to rock!

And you’ll make a brief stop at a fairytale village of Undredal during your Nærøyfjord cruise with Heritage Taste Fjord Safari.

Stalheimskleiva is a little detour when driving from Odda to Flåm. Make a stop at Gudvangen and visit the Viking Valley.

Once in Flåm, board the Flåmsbana (Flåm Line) between Flåm and Myrdal. This 20 km long railway line lets you experience nature at its best coupled with historical cultural landscapes and the greatest engineering skills.

Flåm Railway Museum is a nice stopover before or after your Flåm Railway journey.

Known for its Viking-inspired ambiance, Aegir Brewery is the perfect place to enjoy some local brews and unwind after a long, adventurous day.

After a much-needed break, take a fjord cruise or fjord safarithrough Nærøyfjord. The 3-hour tour passes through tiny and charming fjord villages, endless waterfalls, majestic mountains, and mountainside farms. For me, this cruise was the best part of my trip to Norway.

The stories laced with Norwegian history and culture narrated by your guide keep you informed and entertained as you take in the beauty all around.

I booked Flåm Ferdaminne, a beautiful apartment with views of mountains and the ocean. The accommodation options in Flåm are limited so make sure you book well in advance.

Find the best deals for accommodations in Flåm

Day 7: Flåm to Oslo via Rental Car | Fly Back Home

There couldn’t be a better ending to your last day in Norway than this gorgeous road trip.

The road trip takes you through fascinating tunnels, medieval churches, charming towns, mountain passes, national parks, and dramatic fjords – In short, it’s another chance to witness Norway in its insanely beautiful glory before you leave (of course, to come back again)!

As you start from Flåm, take a slight detour from E16 to visit Stegastein viewpoint. You can also check Otternes Bygdetun, a cluster of old farmhouses for a different perspective on Norwegian culture on the way.

The viewpoint is a part of the National Tourist Road, Aurlandsfjellet (the snow road) which runs from Arland to Lærdal and gives stunning panoramic views of Aurlandsfjord.

There are many amazing stops like the Lærdal tunnel, Borgund Stave Church, Gol Stave Church, many beautiful waterfalls, and lovely sights like the one in the picture above depending upon the route you take.

⛵ Read my article about a road trip from Bergen to Oslo to know more about the routes you can take.

The drive is long (can take more than 6 hours with pitstops) so I’d suggest starting super early. I started at about 7 in the morning, reached Oslo at 3 pm, and still had time to explore around as my return flight was scheduled at 9 pm.

Alternative Tip: You can book your flight back home the next day so you can take this road trip at a leisurely pace rather than rushing through it.

To be honest, 7 days in Norway is too short a time to grasp the beauty it holds. Be that as it may, wherever you go in Norway and for however long you spend in Norway, you’ll cherish the experience forever.

Norway Travel FAQs

What is Norway Famous For

Norway is known forits pure wilderness. From otherworldly fjords, lush woodlands, Viking heritage, arctic nature, endless outdoor adventures, and happiness index ranking to breathtaking northern lights, unreal midnight sun, stunning islands, charming villages, scenic rail journeys, beautiful road journeys, and delicious cuisine – Norway is famous for all things bright, beautiful, and delightful.

Is 7 Days Enough in Norway?

7 days in Norway are good enough to experience the highlights of the country. My 7-day Norway itinerary lets you explore the best of Norway in one week. It includes fjords, cities, small towns, and villages, rail journeys, road trips, culinary experiences, and everything Norwegian.

Is Norway Expensive to Visit?

Yes, it’s one of the most expensive countries in the world but worth every penny you spend. Yes, it’s that beautiful! Having said that, there are ways to cut costs and save money like booking a vacation home rental, cooking your own meals, buying discount passes for attractions and transport, exploring on foot, and looking for free things to do in the country (there are so many.)

What is the Best Time to Visit Norway?

Norway is stunning no matter the season. Still, the best time to visit Norway largely depends on your reason for visiting Norway. If outdoor adventure is what you are seeking – With extra long days and pleasant weather, June to August is the best time to go. If you wish to catch the elusive Northern Lights, September to March will be your best option. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall bring limitless natural beauty all around and perfect weather and is a great time to visit if you want to experience the country crowd-free.

How to Get Around Norway?

With an efficient transportation network, it’s easy peasy to navigate Norway. Super reliable rail, road, and sea network makes it easy even to venture into the remote parts of the country. Every city, town, and village is armored with an excellent system of buses, trams, undergrounds, and trains.

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