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Extending 1,752km from south to north, Norway is Europe’s longest country. Its southern tip, on the 58th parallel, is at roughly the same latitude as Aberdeen, Scotland and Juneau, Alaska. At its most northern point, the Norwegian mainland hugs 70°N. That’s some 4° north of the Arctic Circle, a latitude shared with Nuuk, Greenland and Utqiagvik, Alaska.
Europe has a reputation for regional diversity; with such vastness, Norway takes this to another level entirely. From it’s small, but mighty, capital Oslo to the comparative wilderness of Finnmark, Norway has it all.
One constant which remains true wherever you are in this mystical land: you will always be surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. From the fjords and valleys Norway is revered for to cutesy coastal towns and charming cities, you’ll never be far from a view worthy of several snaps.
With our ultimate 7 days in Norway itinerary, you’ll scale this mammoth country from bottom to top. Along the way, you’ll see see cultures come and go, scenery you’ll never want to end and unravel a history almost as long as the country itself.
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Day One: Oslo
Norway’s coastal capital is the ideal place to begin a 7 days in Norway itinerary. Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) is well connected to Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East. Once you reach the city center, make a beeline for Aker Brygge.
Kick off your day with a coffee overlooking Oslofjord, before setting off to explore the Nobel Peace Center. Whilst the Nobel Prize is most commonly associated with Stockholm, Alfred Nobel’s birthplace, the Peace Prize ceremony is held in Oslo. The Peace Center showcases the history of the prize and recognizes all the 111 laureates who have received it.
Spend your afternoon is Oslo marvelling at the Royal Palace, home to the Norwegian royal family since 1849. Turning the clocks back even further, pay a visit to the Historical Museum.
Travel tip: For more exciting things to do in Oslo, don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Tiger City.
For your first taste of authentic Norwegian cuisine, try the farikal at Dovrehallen. Norway’s national dish, mutton with cabbage and potatoes, is perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
Where to Stay in Oslo
On the first night of your 7 days in Norway itinerary, you may be a little shocked by the hotel prices. Norway is no cheap country, and in nothing is that more true than accommodation. Book as far in advance as possible to take advantage of the best deals.
One of our favorite spots in Oslo, The Thief, is true to those Norwegian prices but, for what it is, offers excellent value. Located just south of Aker Brygge, with stunning marina views, the rooms come with space so often lacking in Oslo hotels. The indoor pool is worth writing home about. For somewhere a little more budget friendly, I love the Hotel Verdandi.
Day Two: Oslo to Bergen
The second day of our 7 days in Norway itinerary takes in one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. The Bergensbanen (Bergen Line) departs Oslo between four and six times daily for the 7 hour journey to west coast and Norway’s second city. Be sure to book tickets before travel; the price often increases with demand.
If you catch an early morning train, jump off at Myrdal to take a detour to Flam. The Flam Railway is another of Norway’s finest and descends 865 meters at an astonishing gradient. Flam sits on the shore of Aurlandsfjord and is the ideal lunch stop.
If the weather is on your side, grab an alfresco pizza and beer from The Garden to enjoy overlooking the Flam River. Before reboarding the train, leave time to explore the small museum at the train station which tells the tale of how this feat of engineering became a reality.
Where to Stay in Bergen
Despite being Norway’s second largest city, Bergen city center is compact and walkable. Wherever you stay, you won’t be far from the top sights and best restaurants.
Opus XVI is one of those hotels I can’t stop revisiting. Bergen’s glitziest boutique, Opus is dedicated to the life of Bergen-born composer Edvard Grieg. The rooms are warm and inviting, the piano bar is the perfect spot for a quiet night with a book and their breakfast is beyond words.
Another great, slightly more affordable option is Magic Hotel & Apartments. Book a room with a view for a sweeping panorama of Bergen harbor and historic Bryggen. If you’d prefer to stay in the heart of Bryggen, Bergen Harbour Hotel and Det Hanseatiske are excellent choices.
Day Three: Bergen and onto Alesund
Spend the majority of day three of our 7 days in Norway itinerary exploring Bergen before catching an evening flight. If slow travel is your style, hop aboard the Coastal Express instead. Hurtigruten’s signature service, launched in 1893, departs Bergen every evening. Working its way up the coast, pausing in Alesund, Tronheim and Tromso, there are 34 stops before the ship reaches Kirkenes, a stone’s throw from the Russian border.
To get your bearings, I always recommend starting the day with a hop on, hop off bus ride or join a 2-hour walking tour. Next, head back to Bryggen to admire the colorful wooden houses. A UNESCO world heritage site, Bryggen is Bergen’s old town, established in 1070. In 1350, Bergen became part of the Hanseatic League, cementing its position as a major player in European trade, which it remains today.
Pause for lunch, and a step back in time, at 1877. Their menu is short and simple and impeccably well executed. Dishes change with the seasons, but you can always expect plenty of seafood as well as meat and vegetarian options. Keep your eyes open for some of our favorite traditional Norwegian foods.
This afternoon, take a trip on the funicular railway up Mount Floyen. From the summit station, woodland trails lead off in every direction- head for the lake for ultimate tranquillity. If time allows, the walk back down is a pleasant one and not overly steep.
Where to Stay in Alesund
With a late arrival, head straight for Molo Brew, Alesund’s own craft brewery. The brews always go down a treat, especially when accompanied by one of their succulent burgers. When it comes to finding accommodation for the night, nowhere on this 7 days in Norway itinerary is it more important to book early than Alesund. A popular cruise port, hotels get booked up months in advance.
Hotel Noreg, a couple of streets back from the harbor, is always my top pick. To put it frankly, it’s plain ugly from the outside, but inside is a different tale entirely. The décor is uber-modern and the free breakfast will set you up for the day ahead. Another excellent choice is waterside Hotel Brosundet.
Day Four: Alesund to Trondheim
At first glance, Alesund appears a much newer city than Bergen. In one sense, that’s true. The majority of the buildings were razed to the ground by a devastating fire in 1904. The rebuild which followed resulted in some of the finest examples of art nouveau architecture Norway has to offer.
Kick off your day in Alesund with a sightseeing tour to Giske and Godoy. Rollo, the Viking Count who famously besieged Paris in 885, is said to have been born on Giske. During the tour, you’ll be offered panoramic views of the city from across the bay whilst learning about it’s Viking and more recent history.
Back in the city center, stop off at Anno Restaurant. Albeit not particularly Norwegian, their Beef Bourguignon is the highlight; their fresh Moules frites with aioli and chipotle mayo come in a close second.
Pay a visit to the Art Nouveau Centre before heading to the airport for a late-afternoon flight to Trondheim.
Where to Stay in Trondheim
Norway’s third city and historic capital has hotels to suit every need and budget. For one of the best bargains on this 7 days in Norway itinerary, book a room at P-Hotels Brattora, close to Sentralstasjon (the main train station). For a slightly more central location, Chesterfield Hotel is a great option, with breakfast included every morning. The Britannia Hotel is ideal if you’re looking for a more luxurious base.
When time comes for dinner, head to Troll Restaurant. Trolls are an important part of the Norse sagas (mythology) and Troll Restaurant is nothing if not true to form. All their set menus showcase the best in traditional Norwegian cooking. Choose between a three or five course menu with meat and seafood; vegetarian alternatives are always available.
Day Five: Trondheim to Tromso
Start the fifth day of this 7 days in Norway itinerary with a customizable private tour with a Trondheim local. I’m a big believer in these tours really helping you get under the skin of a small town like Trondheim. Dubbed the City of Kings, Viking King Olaf II Haraldsson was buried here upon his death in 1030. During the Viking era, Trondheim regularly served at the seat of the ruler and was Norway’s capital city until 1217. Its significance never dwindled and when Sweden briefly took control of the city in 1658, Norway instantly besieged it to regain their land.
An unmissable highlight of any visit to Trondheim has to be the stunning Gothic Nidaros Cathedral. Built on top of the burial site of King Olav II, having been completed in 1300, it’s the most northerly Gothic cathedral in Europe.
Spend your afternoon in Trondheim exploring the cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace before heading to Rockheim. Without doubt the most niche museum on our 7 days in Norway itinerary, Rockheim pays tribute to Norwegian pop music.
Where to Stay in Tromso
Norway’s gateway to the Arctic, Tromso has an impressive selection of hotels. We usually recommend independent boutique hotels, but every now and again there’s a chain property that’s simply too iconic to miss. Scandic’s Ishavshotel in Tromso falls into that category. Almost every room comes with magnificent views of the harbor and the Tromso strait, and if you’re not traveling on the Coastal Express, stepping outside the hotel to watch it berth is a sight to behold.
Another worthy contender is Enter Amalie Hotel. The rooms are small but well furnished and the location, steps from the cathedral, is unbeatable. A comfortable option a short walk from the center, Ami Hotel is ideal if you’re seeking a little peace and quiet.
As one of northern Norway’s most visited cities, Tromso has an electric nightlife scene; one of the best on this 7 days in Norway itinerary. Start off your evening at Rorbua Pub, next to the Radisson Blu. The décor is nothing if not over-the-top, but even on a cold night, their heated terrace is the ideal spot for a pint of Arctic or two. Finish up at Tromso Railstation. There’s never been a railway this far north, but that’s no reason to stand in the way of a fun night out.
Travel tip: Tromso is a great place to go searching for the Northern Lights. At 69°N, you can experience the aurora between late August and early April, providing the conditions are right. Unless you’re really lucky, you’ll need to go looking for them. I love this Northern Lights tour which helps you to hunt them with the help of local experts.
Day Six: Tromso to Hammerfest
Start your day in Tromso with a visit to the Troll Museum. The only one in Norway, you’ll get an in-depth look at Norse folklore. Next up, get out of the city to explore the wilderness which lies beyond. Join a tour to a reindeer ranch to learn about the culture of the local Sami people. There are no red noses here, but you will get to come face to face with these magnificent creatures, before a traditional lunch.
Back in Tromso, spend a while ambling the streets, passing the cathedral on your way to the Northern Norwegian Art Museum. Aim to take a late afternoon flight to Hammerfest. If you’re in no great rush, instead of a direct flight, book a seat on Wideroe’s milk-run. Akin to a flying bus, it stops off in half a dozen remote communities on its way along the coast.
Where to Stay in Hammerfest
Another reason we recommend chain hotels is that there isn’t always another option. That’s true in Hammerfest’s case. The Thon Hotel is Hammerfest’s most comfortable hotel, whilst the Scandic is another good choice. Both are in the center, a short walk from the main square and waterfront.
Day Seven: Hammerfest to Oslo
There could be no more appropriate place for the final stop on our 7 days in Norway itinerary. Despite much grumbling from nearby Honningsvag, Hammerfest lays claim to the title of the northernmost city in the world. The dispute between Hammerfest and Honningsvag is based on a technicality as to what can be classed a town or city (in Norway, there’s no legal distinction between the two). Whichever side of the debate you fall on, there can be no denying, Hammerfest is a long way north.
Start your day in Hammerfest with a visit to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society. It’s neither royal nor ancient, but it does have an excellent display on life at 70°N, with plenty of polar bears thrown in for good measure. Next, make a stop at the Reconstruction Museum which houses a fascinating exhibit on the reconstruction of northern Norway in the aftermath of World War II.
For lunch, head to Qa Spiseri to try the local delicacy. Finnbiff, stewed reindeer with potatoes, is a Norwegian staple and simply delicious. Round off your time in Hammerfest with a wander along the waterfront in search of Hvaldimir the white whale, before taking an evening flight back to Oslo.
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