Norway is one of the most spectacularly beautiful countries in the world in my view. It is beyond description! The variety in landscape, unspoiled nature, wildlife, history, the people...You can spend months exploring this country and still have enough leftover for your next visit.

I start my one-year trip to Europe here, well, that was the plan. I ended up applying twice over to extend my visa which was luckily approved and so, I ended up spending close to a year in Norway alone! I felt at home right away, I also had friends based throughout Norway so it made my travels more interesting and unique as they were more like the locals and less touristic.

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Best Times To Visit

The good weather starts from May through to September. July and August is the high season and the warmest months. For people who are looking to come to see the Northern lights, have a unique winter wonderland vacation, or go skiing then December to February is the time to go. To see the breathtaking fjords and view the phenomenon called 'The Midnight Sun' the summer months are best especially June.

Getting Around

Getting around is easy with reliable public transportation or domestic flights. Trains are a great way to go explore the country. Local buses can be used to explore the inner city or town you're visiting. There are also boats and ferries to take you to even the most remote parts of the country. Of course, you can always rent a car (which is what I did in part, part by train). For those short on time, domestic flights are the best option.

Golden Tip!

Use OMIO ~ Travel that moves you; by air and land. This is a great platform that gathers all your travel options in one place, allowing you to search, compare and book cheap flights, trains and buses. Perfect for a country such as Norway as you need a variety of ways to get around the different parts.

Book Your Flight, Train, or Bus Ride Directly!

In this post, I want to share with you an awesome itinerary so you explore Norway and see the best of what it has to offer, so let’s go!

Your Mini Guide To Oslo, Including An Awesome Itinerary To Uncover The Magic Of Norway!

This map was made with Wanderlog, for itineraries

Starting Point- OSLO!

Oslo is a small city compared to other capitals around Europe, located on the water she is beautiful and has a very cozy feel. Beautiful architecture, rich Viking history, the waterfront, museums, palaces, castles, bars, and restaurants- This city will surprise you with all it has to offer!

I love Oslo because of the combination found here, it's stylish and sophisticated yet has a fun, buzzing nightlife, offering a laidback and relaxing vibe.

Top City Tips

Depending on what piques your interest, there is a nice variety of museums to select from. These are at the top of my recommendation list:

The Nobel Peace Center.
The Munch Museum celebrates Norway's probably most known painter.
The Norwegian National Gallery where you'll find the iconic painting 'The scream'.
The Viking Ship Museum on the Bygdøy Peninsula deserves a visit by the way regardless.

Take a stroll down the harbor and go up to the roof of the Oslo Opera House. The design is of an iceberg, and the panoramic views from above of the Oslofjord are amazing!
If you like food halls which seem to be the thing of the last few years then you'll find one here too! Mathallen is home to international as well as Nordic restaurants, bars and concept food stores.

Spend time in Aker Brygge: Shopping, dining, having a drink while enjoying the views...Again, not to be missed! After all, who doesn't like drinks while watching the sunset? Btw, some of the city's most delicious restaurants can be found here, don't be afraid to try the local cuisine!

Oslo's waterfront mall. — Oslo’s waterfront mall.

My favorite pastime in Oslo is taking a stroll through Vigeland Sculpture Park situated in the larger Frogner Park. You'll find 212 sculptures here that are guaranteed to get your mind working...A beautifully artistic green lung not to be missed!

Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway — Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo.

Like to ski? Snowboarding perhaps? You have a great option within easy access from Oslo's city center- Oslo Vinterpark! My first ski experience was in this resort, so fun!

Visit the Royal Palace and watch the guard change daily.

PRO TIP: Planning to visit around springtime? Make sure you stay for the 17th of May celebrations of Norway's Independence Day. Oslo is the place to be, it's a marvelous party mood and activities throughout the city.

The Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway — The Royal Palace in Oslo

Stop by Fuglen: Enjoy your morning coffee or after-dinner drinks in this elegant Scandinavian style.

Take a tour around Akershus Fortress. FACT: This fortress dates back to the 13th century and stood firm against every siege it faced, and it had quite a few of those. It's beautifully preserved.

For Discounts On Tickets To Different Attractions In Oslo

Time to get out of the city and start heading north so ROAD TRIP!

Start your journey up north in Stavanger: This is a pretty town with an old historic center set in a stunning region. It is a great place to get introduced to Norwegian nature. The old part of town is beautifully colorful and fun to walk through, there is a cathedral and even a lake in the center of town worth checking out.

Stavanger, Norway — Lysefjord. Views from Pulpit Rock.

Activities NOT to be missed: Take a cruise to Lysefjord; it will leave you speachLESS! Hike up Pulpit Rock, it isn't for the faint-hearted. NOTE: These two activities are extremely popular with visitors, I highly recommend you book your tickets & guide well in advance. The boat ride takes about three hours.

From here head to Bergen: There are a few ways to go about it: You could take a fjord cruise directly to Bergen. Another option that though might take longer will expose you undoubtedly to even more stunning nature, head to Flam and board the train to Bergen. This train rail is considered to be the steepest in the world!

The views are breathtaking on seriously high levels- Mountains, fjords, and even waterfalls! You could also take a bus though honestly I never recommend those long bus rides, you could fly, and you could drive there.

NOTE: If you're driving take into consideration you have two ferries along the way you must board to cross the fjords in your way, and tolls to pay.

Explore Bergen: Apart from it being a beautiful city with stunning views, the exciting thing about being here is having different options to explore fjords and glaciers. Depending on the time frame and budget, you’ll have enough tours to select from. For example Bøyabreen glacier, the world-famous Sognefjorden, Fjærland, and Balestrand.

Fjords and glaciers in Northen Norway — Fjords and glaciers in Norway

From Bergen head to Kristiansund: There are a few options available to you from driving the nine hours yourself to flying to taking a train. This is a beautiful town to explore! The colorful houses are the town trademark, walk down to the harbor to enjoy fresh seafood or fish, from the pier you can take boat trips to several destinations in the area.

From here head out to Trondheim: Museums, scenic views, an old town, having a beer on the waterfront, and taking advantage of opportunities to be active outdoors- Fishing, hiking, or cycling. All this awaits you!

From here head to Narvik: Located on the shores of the Ofotfjorden here you can have an authentic Arctic experience. Surrounded by mountains this town is a good place to observe the Northern Lights if you don’t plan on going further north to Tromso.

Things to enjoy here: Fishing in the Ofotfjord, skiing or hiking in the mountains, visiting a museum, and of course, whatever you do, do not miss the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun, depending on the season in which you’re visiting.

PRO TIP! We went camping and crossed over to Sweden for the day as it’s just two hours from the border.

Our last stop will be Tromsø which is above the Arctic Circle! Mountains and unspoiled wilderness surround you. This small town is a very popular viewing point for the Northern Lights. The centuries-old wooden houses are beautiful, there is an Arctic Cathedral which is very unusual, the views from the Tromsø Bridge are definitely something to write home about, the town’s icon is, of course, the cable car going up Mountain Floya, and you can take a fishing or fjord cruise from here.

Northern Lights beautifully captured by James Seddon

This is going to be a trip to remember forever!

Accommodations

Where to stay makes for an exciting search when it’s Norway we’re talking about. There are so many accommodation options ranging from mountain cabins to glamping to unique nordic boutique hotels to luxury hotels. Start your search HERE!

Looking To Explore More Of Scandinavia? These Travel Guides Are For You!

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Yours,

Diti

Your Mini Guide To Oslo And Norway, Including An Awesome Itinerary!