A Simple and Fun Norway 7-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

I’ve visited Norway over 10 times since my first trip in 2018, and I know just how challenging planning an itinerary can be—especially as a first-time visitor. Figuring out the logistics, deciding where to go, and the sheer number of options can quickly turn your dream trip into an administrative nightmare. 

With just seven days to explore the country, narrowing your focus is vital. I’ve seen first-hand how not planning appropriately can ruin any adventure in Norway, and others have also asked me where to focus their efforts. To ensure that you can focus more on having fun and less energy on being frustrated, I’ve put together this easy-to-follow and in-depth itinerary for you. 

This itinerary is specifically designed with the needs of first-time visitors in mind. I have braved the elements and spent thousands of my own dollars to determine what’s worth your time, how to get around with too much hassle, and—most importantly—see Norway’s beautiful mountains and fjords. If you follow my advice in this guide, you’ll have a well-rounded adventure and memories to last a lifetime. 

The Ultimate One-Week Norway Beginner’s Itinerary: From Oslo to Bergen

Let’s start with some useful information before we jump into the itinerary. You can skip this section via the table of contents if you want, but it does include some helpful tips. 

I have traveled extensively across Norway, from Stavanger in the country’s south right up to Tromsø in the Arctic. Having seen more of the country than most and experienced every season in Norway, I’ve concluded that traveling between Oslo and Bergen is the best route for first-timers in Norway. As a result, my itinerary follows that precise route.

You can start this itinerary in Oslo or Bergen—it doesn’t really matter. I’ve done this route myself three times, and I usually start in Oslo. But if you find flights to Bergen, you can begin there instead. You will probably appreciate Oslo more if you start your trip there, though, since Bergen and its nearby nature are otherworldly. 

Since Gardermoen (which serves Oslo) is Norway’s biggest airport, you’ll probably start in the capital anyway. It has more global flights, whereas Bergen is well-connected to the rest of Europe. 

If you end the trip in Bergen and are flying back to North America, take a connecting flight through Iceland, Oslo, or another European hub like London or Amsterdam. For other parts of the world, I recommend connecting to your final destination via Oslo, London, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam. Browse all flights here. 

Transport (and Yes, You Can Use This Itinerary Year-Round) 

For the most part, you can follow this one-week Norway itinerary year-round. You will have more daylight hours in the spring and summer, but the trip is still doable in autumn and winter. I’ve added disclaimers where seasonal variations exist. 

Following this itinerary in the off-season has pros and cons. For example, crowds will be much smaller. You’ll have more space to yourself on fjord cruises and when exploring Bergen, but on the flip side, you can’t do as much hiking as you would in the summer.

Also good to know: You do not need a car for this trip. You’ll use public transport to travel from Oslo to Bergen, and to see the fjords, you can join day cruises and tours. This is precisely what I do each time I do this itinerary myself. I have never felt like I’m missing out without a car, and since renting one is super expensive in Norway, you’ll save a decent chunk of money. 

Before you visit Norway, I’ve also added a couple of useful apps and services in the info box below. 

Why Oslo – Bergen, Specifically?

Besides this route being easily accessible without a car, Norway is huge. You will not see the entire country in seven days, and trust me, I’ve tried my hardest. 

This route gives you a good mixture of everything in Norway, too. Many of the country’s main fjords are close to Bergen, and Bergen itself is a beautiful city well worth exploring.

I have included Oslo both for practical reasons and because I think the capital offers something different from the rest of Norway. Yes, you will probably fly into Oslo, but the city also has some excellent museums, great restaurants, and lots of nice nature close by.

Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Oslo

Gardermoen Airport is less than 30 minutes from Oslo Central Station, and getting into town after clearing border control is easy. Since the Norwegian capital is compact, exploring is very easy once you get here. Leave your luggage at the hotel before heading out to see Oslo (if you’re staying in an Airbnb, you can pay for luggage storage at Oslo Central Station). If you’re not yet sure what kind of accommodation to book, check out my guide on where to stay in Oslo.

Start by visiting the Oslo Opera House. It’s right next to the main train station and arguably Norway’s most iconic modern building. Since opening in 2008, it has become a key landmark in Oslo; you can walk to the top for a free view of the city and the Oslofjord. 

I then recommend going to Oslo’s vibrant Grünerløkka district. It’s the very definition of “hip”, with cool bars, lots of restaurants, independent stores, and various cafés. For your first taste of Norwegian cuisine, go to Haralds Vaffel and get some waffles with brown cheese, jam, and cream. 

When you’re ready for a full meal, go to Mathallen—Oslo’s main food hall. This is one of my favorite places to eat in the Norwegian capital, with food from around the world. If you want someone to show you around the city’s food scene, you can always join a guided food tasting and walking tour instead. 

Later in the day, I suggest heading to Oslo’s rejuvenated waterfront areas. Aker Brygge is worth walking around, at the very least, and dinner at Lofoten Fiskerestaurant (book a table in advance) is a good idea. Nearby, you also should spend some time seeing Akershus Festning—the city’s main fortress. You can walk around its exterior for free and get views of Aker Brygge, along with Oslo’s peculiar City Hall.

Day 2: Island-Hopping in Oslo

Your second day in Norway will be a gentle introduction to the country’s nature. Even without stepping too far from Oslo, you can find yourself in what feels like wilderness. Each time I visit Oslo with friends or family, I do my best to take them island-hopping. 

Five islands are easily accessible from Oslo by public transport, and more ferries are scheduled during the summer compared to the winter. If you don’t want to handle the planning, you can join a guided island-hopping tour instead—which will take you to the majority of them.

Prioritize Hovedøya, which is 10 minutes from Aker Brygge by ferry. It’s the easiest to reach and get away from; Lindøya and Gressholmen-Rambergøya are also nice. I loved Nakkholmen, and if you don’t plan to take a tour, I recommend coming here, too. 

Hopping around Oslo’s islands will consume the bulk of your day. If you’re visiting in the winter, when there are less than six hours of daylight at some points, I’d make Hovedøya your priority or join the previously-mentioned tour. In the summer, you’ll naturally have more time. 

Get a day pass for the ferry in the Ruter app (iOS and Android). A one-zone public transport pass is all you need for the main islands. 

Good to Know: You can also join cruises to see the Oslofjord. These don’t involve stopping and wandering around the islands, but you will see them from the water.

Day 3: The Slow but Scenic Route: Oslo to Bergen

Having seen some of Oslo and its nearby nature, it’s time to really step into what Norway is all about. The third day of this one-week itinerary will involve one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys: The fabled Oslo – Bergen railway (known as Bergensbanen in Norwegian). 

The journey takes between six-and-a-half and seven hours, so it’ll eat up a large chunk of your day. If you’re visiting in the winter especially, I recommend getting an early-morning train so you can see everything while it’s light outside. 

Personally, I don’t think I will ever get bored of taking the train from Oslo to Bergen. You certainly won’t, either. You’ll travel through an unimaginable variety of landscapes, from isolated mountain routes to fjords with wooden houses lining their sides. 

Your time on the train will go pretty quickly, and you’ll see a taster of the adventures awaiting in and around Bergen. Booking your ticket in advance is a very good idea; you can do so via the Vy website. Tickets are released around three months in advance, and they’re surprisingly affordable if you buy yours early enough. I’ve never paid more than 400 NOK (c. $40 / £30) when using the service. 

Afternoon: Wander Around Bergen

We’ll explore Bergen in more detail over the next few days of this itinerary, but for now, I recommend having a gentle stroll when you arrive. Norway’s second city feels very different from Oslo, and it’s very difficult not to fall in love almost instantly. 

Spend your afternoon and evening wandering around Bergen’s city center, including the iconic Bryggen houses. I actually recommend staying near here at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, which will make it easy to get around during your stay. 

For dinner, consider going to Cartel’s—a really good Latin American restaurant and bar in Downtown Bergen. Booking a table in advance is wise, and you can do so on the website.

Day 4: Fløyen & Exploring Bergen’s Architecture

As you’ll quickly learn, people from Bergen are very proud of their city. And it’s not hard to see why, because it really is one of the most beautiful in Northern Europe—let alone Norway. After a good night of sleep, we’ll spend the next part of this seven-day itinerary getting to know Bergen better. 

Visiting Fløyen

Start by going to the viewpoint at Fløyen. You can hike to Fløyen in around 45 minutes, and it’s possible to do so year-round. However, it can be a bit slippery in the winter and when it has been raining. It’s by no means the most difficult hike in Norway, though. 

If you don’t want to hike, you can take the funicular instead. I suggest buying your tickets in advance; single-journey and round-trip tickets are available, and you can also get a family discount. Regardless of how you get up, the views of Bergen and its surroundings from Fløyen are stunning. 

Nordnes & Trekroneren

You can either walk or take the funicular down from Fløyen, and once you’re closer to street level, you may well be hungry. Go to Trekroneren for a quick lunch; these are some of Bergen’s most famous hot dogs, and I have been here at least once on each of my past trips. 

If you aren’t sure what to get (and that’s very possible, because there are *quite* a few options), the reindeer hot dog is my top suggestion. While you’ll often find a queue here, it generally moves quite fast. 

After having your food, explore the Nordnes district. Here, you’ll see plenty of those stunning wooden houses that Norway is so famous for. I recommend spending at least a few hours walking around; if you’re into photography, you’re guaranteed to get some great pictures. 

Food at Løvetann Café & Bistro

In the evening, I recommend having some dinner at Løvetann Café & Bistro. It’s quite a small place, so you might want to book a table in advance. You can do so on the website. 

Løvetann has a menu with flavors from throughout the world, and the atmosphere is also pleasant. It’s open until 9 pm, too, so you’ve got plenty of time to have some food. 

After eating, you can then decide to wander around a bit more or head to your accommodation. Løvetann is within walking distance of pretty much everywhere in Bergen’s city center. 

Day 5: A Fjord Cruise From Bergen to Mostraumen

After enjoying a bit of Bergen, we’re out to see Norway’s fjords up close! Your fifth day in Bergen will be one of my favorite fjord tours in Norway, and we’ll sail along the Osterfjord to Mostraumen.

The fjord cruise leaves from close to the fish market and is pretty easy to find. I strongly suggest getting here early, especially in the summer; it can be crowded, and if you show up just before it leaves, you might not get a good spot to see the fjords and mountains. 

As you sail further into the fjord, the scenery gets more dramatic. You’ll pass countless mountains and learn more about the places you pass via the audio guide. 

While the first part of the cruise can be quite cramped outside, many people usually go inside for the second half of the trip. So, you should have more space to admire your surroundings and get the photos you want. 

The tour takes around three-and-a-half hours, and you’ll arrive back in Bergen around mid-afternoon. When you do, I recommend going to the fish market for some food; the fish and chips are really good. The seagulls like them a lot, too, as you’ll quickly find out if you let your guard down 🙂. 

Take it easy in the afternoon and go wherever your mind takes your fancy. Kode is ideal if you fancy some art, especially if it’s raining outside. And since this is Bergen, it probably will do so at some point. FJÅK, the café there, is also very nice. 

For dinner and drinks, Pingvinen is the place to be. You’ll find a good selection of beers here, along with some hearty pub-style food. It’s a friendly place to spend a few hours or so. 

Alternative: Take a Full-Day Excursion Instead

If you want to see even more of Norway’s nature, you can take a full-day excursion instead. For example, you can see the impressive Nærøyfjord—along with experiencing the iconic Flåm Railway. Both are popular activities for first-timers in Norway, and you can enjoy both of these in a combined day tour. 

Another option is to do a self-guided day excursion. This is ideal for seeing multiple fjords in a single day, along with the village of Flåm. This is a simple way to see Norway’s stunning nature within touching distance of Bergen and to have everything packaged for you. 

Day 6: Sail Along the Hardangerfjord or See More Mountains

You’ll have seen quite a lot of Norway and Bergen at this point, and on your sixth day, you have two options. The first is to take another fjord cruise; it’s one that I have previously been on and like a lot. Alternatively, you can explore some of the mountains near Bergen.

Option 1: Take a Fjord Cruise to Rosendal

If you want to get out onto the fjords again, I recommend sailing along the Hardangerfjord to Rosendal. The Hardangerfjord is one of Norway’s most stunning fjords, and it’s the second-longest in the country behind the Sognefjord (which is also near Bergen). 

On this fjord cruise, you will sail along the Hardangerfjord to pretty Rosendal. When you arrive, you have over three hours to explore the village and its surroundings. My mom and I did this tour together, and we spent that time aimlessly wandering around and enjoying the beautiful views. 

Either side of being in Rosendal, you’ll pass countless mountains and enjoy more of what you came to Norway for. Compared to the previous tour we took to Mostraumen, this tour will take a much larger chunk of your day. For that reason, I’ve included it as your only big activity for this day.

Option 2: Ulriken Funicular or Hiking Damsgårdsfjellet

If you’d rather spend some time in the mountains instead, you can stay near Bergen and go to Ulriken or Damsgårdsfjellet. 

Ulriken

Ulriken is the tallest of the seven peaks surrounding Bergen, at 643 meters above sea level. You can take a funicular to the top, and on a clear day, you’ll get a complete view over Bergen and its surroundings. Hiking to the top is also possible, but I personally found it challenging—and I would not do it as a beginner in the winter. The funicular is available year-round, though. 

When you’re at the top of Ulriken, you’ll find a café, places to fill your water bottle, restrooms, and a restaurant. You can also start multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty; maps and boards are available to help you choose one. 

One thing worth noting is that if it’s foggy, you won’t be able to see anything from the top of Ulriken. So, I recommend going on a clear day. I’ve written a full guide to visiting Ulriken, which also includes information on getting to the mountain. 

Damsgårdsfjellet

If you’re into hiking, Damsgårdsfjellet—another of the mountains surrounding Bergen—is worth some of your attention. In my opinion, it’s Bergen’s most underrated hike. While I wouldn’t suggest doing it in the winter, it’s a great option at other points in the year.

Hiking Damsgårdsfjellet takes 45-60 minutes each way, and you’ll get a different view of Bergen than you would from Fløyen or Ulriken. The initial part is strenuous, but you shouldn’t have too many issues if you have basic hiking experience. 

You can take the bus from Bergen’s city center to the starting point for this hike, which takes roughly 20 minutes. You will have some more time in your day afterward, so you can spend some more time in Bergen later in the day. 

Day 7: More of Bergen & Head Home

Depending on the time of your flight, you may have some more time to explore Bergen on your final day. Since you will have been very active for the majority of this trip, you might want to take things easy and spend some time in the city’s many great cafés. 

Otherwise, you can take a leisurely stroll to the waterfront—taking in as much of that fresh Norwegian air as you can before heading home. 

When you’re ready to leave, Flesland Airport—the main airport serving Bergen—is a direct 45-minute tram ride from Festplassen. You just have to stay on the tram until the end of the trip, so it’s pretty simple. You can buy tickets in the Skyss Billett app (iOS and Android).

Final Thoughts: An Easy-to-Follow Norway Itinerary

Traveling between Oslo and Bergen is the perfect way to spend seven days in Norway as a first-time visitor. Bergen is where you’ll find many of Norway’s most popular fjords, and as a result, it’s perfect for seeing the country’s outstanding natural beauty for yourself. 

On this trip, you’ll get a good mix of urban and nature. If you want even more nature, you can always substitute a few days in Oslo or Bergen for more time in their surroundings. For example, Oslo has lots of cool hikes nearby (such as the beginner-friendly Grefsenkollen hike).

You can do most of this itinerary year-round, too, meaning that you can follow most of it without needing to do anything extra. For accommodation, I suggest basing yourself in Oslo and Bergen, as the departure points for many excursions mentioned in this guide are from these cities.

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