The Explored Club

Norway, a country famous for its rich Viking history, stunning natural landscapes, dramatic fjords, glaciers and mountains, it’s easy to see why millions of tourists flock to the country each year. Whether you are in pursuit of outdoor activities like hiking or skiing, a foodie looking to try a range of unique delicacies, or want to see traditional stave churches dating back to the Middle Ages, Norway has something for everyone.

If you are planning your first trip to Norway, there are many different options you have with exploring this incredible country. The winter season provides the possibility of seeing the incredible aurora borealis (northern lights) and is the perfect time of year for activities like skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and exploring Sami Culture. While the summer season provides the opportunity to experience the “midnight sun” phenomenon, where the sun does set in Northern Norway – a truly unique experience for most of us.

However, don’t overlook the Spring as a time of year to visit. While there is less chance to see the famous Northern Lights, you will see the landscape change from snow-covered to green with blooming flowers and the return of longer daylight hours.

If limited by factors like annual leave but wanting to experience both Oslo and the Fjords, I’d recommend combining a trip to the capital city, Oslo with the “Gateway to the Fjords” – Bergen. The good news is that this is all possible to do in just 5 days and if visiting over Easter, you will see traditional celebrations like Påskekrim.

5 Day Oslo & Bergen Itinerary.

Day 1 – Arrive in Bergen

Bergen is famously known as one of the rainest cities in Europe due to its position amongst 7 mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. While the rain is frequent, it usually includes sunshine breaks so be sure to pack appropriate clothing; as the locals will say “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”.

Once you land in Bergen, take this first day to check-in to your hotel or apartment and get ready to explore this colourful city! Visit Bryggen, an important part of the city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, or one of the many impressive art galleries home to unique Norwegian art in Bergen.

If you’re looking to try some Norwegian cuisine on your first evening, consider Pingvinen – a gastropub which has for 15 years upheld Norwegian traditions, food and beer. Or Bryggeloftet – the oldest restaurant in Bergen, operated by the Bryggeloftet family. There are also many non-traditional options across the city to suit all tastes.

Day 2 – Fjord Cruise & Mt. Fløyen

In the morning I’d recommend a half-day Fjord cruise. While a full day would give you the opportunity to see even more of the Fjords, a half day gets you back to Bergen by lunch time and time to spend in this interesting city. You can book a Fjord cruise on sites like GetYourGuide or on Visit Bergen.

Once back in Bergen head over to the fish market to sample some Norwegian cuisine. Along this area, there are plenty of sea food restaurants and for the none fish eaters, moose burgers or reindeer hotdogs to try.

When you have refuelled after lunch, take a short walk over to the Fløyen Funicular Railway. This short (5 – 8 minute) railway line takes you to the top station on Mt. Fløyen. For tickets, opening times and more information please see the official Fløyen website.

Once at the top, you’ll have incredible views of Bergen and the 7 mountains that wrap around the city. There are also playgrounds for kids, hiking trails and the beautiful bar and restaurant that has majestically sat on top of the mountain for over 100 years: Fløirestauranten.

Day 3 – Sauna & Swim, travel to Oslo

Sauna and cold water swimming is a deep part of Norwegian culture and is believed to offer both mental and physical health benefits. While in Norway, take the opportunity to connect with nature as the locals do and book a Sauna and Swim experience in the morning before travelling over to Oslo.

If you’re looking for a swim and sauna spot while in Bergen, there are a number of spots in the city centre or across the Bergen region for you to choose from. You can explore a full list here with options for all variety of price ranges, group sizes and locations. However, if your flight or train to Oslo is in the morning, you can save this experience for while in Oslo as they have a range of city centre options for you to book.

When traveling from Bergen to Oslo you can catch a very short 50 minute direct flight or a 7-hour train. While the train is much longer, it is known as one of the most picturesque train journeys in all of Europe. Taking you through beautiful tiny villages, along rivers and Fjords. See here for train prices, schedule and more information.

Upon arrival in Oslo, check in to your hotel or apartment; we stayed at the Radisson Blu due to its convenient location to the City Centre and green spaces. For our first dinner, we went to a nearby restaurant – Den Glade Gris – a traditional Norwegian restaurant which believes in eating the whole animal, nose to tail to limit waste! They specialise in Pork dishes and do offer some vegetarian options.

Day 4 – Oslo

Norway’s capital city Oslo has so many attractions and a vibrant food scene for you to experience across the whole day.

The city is very walkable if you like getting your steps in but they also have trams, metro, buses and ferries making it very easy and accessible. Taxi services and ride-sharing services like Bolt are also available.

Edvard Munch is a famous Norwegian painter and his 1893 work “The Scream” has become one of Western art’s most acclaimed images. The MUNCH museum in Oslo is home to Edvard’s pieces and offers 13 floors of art for all ages. In the same area sits Oslo’s Opera house. Due to the buildings design, you can easily walk along the side and on to the roof and take in views at the top. From here, you can also see the ‘She Lies’ sculpture by Monica Bonvicini which has been a permanent installation since 2010. Other attractions in Oslo include the Nobel Peace Centre where you can learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize and the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park which has over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.

Food in Oslo is extremely fresh! With fish options straight from the harbour, or restaurants that are all about locally grown ingredients, there are many options for all budgets and groups. With a growing food truck culture and social eating spaces, one of the food markets we enjoyed was Vippa – a vibrant food court with flavours from across the world. Oslo also has its own urban cheese factory, Winther Aker Brygge, which is also a proper local food mecca.

If you’re looking for fine dining options, you are truly spoiled for choice in Oslo. Explore the Michelin Guide to find the top spots to eat at. Most notable is Maaemo which has 3 Michelin stars and only uses Norwegian ingredients.

Day 5 – Head home

Head out for breakfast and one last explore of Oslo before checking out of your hotel and catching your flight home from Oslo’s international airport.

I hope this itinerary and information is helpful when traveling to Norway. As always, this is all a suggestion based on my own experience in Bergen and Oslo, all aspects are changeable. Have a safe and fun trip!