In this post we will give you all the details of our one week in Norway itinerary perfect for first-time visitors, focusing on the highlights of Southern Norway from the beautiful fjords to the colorful and historic cities.

This is a busy itinerary that hits many of Southern Norway’s top things to do and places to see. In one week you will ride the famous Flåm Railway, explore the magical town of Flåm, take a cruise through the majestic fjords, spend a few days in the historic city of Bergen, climb the iconic Pulpit Rock, and explore the capital city of Oslo.

If you would like to take this itinerary at a slower pace, that is possible too – I will talk more about how to make this one week trip into a one and a half or two week trip near the end of this post. So read on to discover the details of our one week in Norway itinerary for first time visitors!

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How we came up with this itinerary

Norway is big and expensive

Norway is known as one of the most expensive countries in Europe and it is a massive country. In fact, Norway has the greatest length of any European country.

To see all of Norway in one trip, you would have to spend long travel days in cars and trains crossing fjords and mountains or spend big money on domestic flights connecting you across the country. Either way, we are talking some expensive transportation and most of your trip spent traveling from one point to another! Therefore, it is highly recommended to focus on one area of Norway for a shorter trip such as one week.

Why Southern Norway?

For first time visitors, the Southern part of Norway is most often recommended. Why? First of all, because you will most likely be flying into Oslo, the country’s capital which sits at the south-eastern side of the country.

Secondly, most of Norway’s top things to do are in the south – such as the famous picturesque fjords and mountain hikes. It is also home to Norway’s largest cities and cultural centers.

It just makes sense to focus your one week, first trip to Norway in the southern “fjord land” and see what Norway is best known for!

One Week in Norway Itinerary

Here is an overview of the one week Norway itinerary for first time visitors. We will discuss each day in detail including transportation, where to stay, and what to do in each destination.

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Day 2: Flåm Railway, One Day in Flåm
Day 3: Fjord Cruise, Arrive in Bergen
Day 4: Full Day in Bergen
Day 5: Cruise to Stavanger
Day 6: Hike to Pulpit Rock
Day 7: Full Day in Oslo

One Week in Norway Map

Here is a free-to-use Google Map of our one week in Norway itinerary! To save the map to your Google Maps, simply click the star icon next to the map title. To use the map, click the sidebar icon in the top left corner to reveal the list of places marked on the map.

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo

Fly into Oslo

If you are planning a trip to Norway, chances are that you will be flying into Oslo Gardermoen Airport, Norway’s capital city airport. It is the gateway to Norway and where you will begin and end your one week trip to Norway.

Take the Flytoget Airport Express Train to get from the Oslo Airport to the city center (Oslo Central Station). The ride takes about 20min and departs every 10-20mins. Trains run from 5:35am to 12:35am, and a one-way ticket cost NOK 160 (check their website for most current prices).

Night in Oslo

Our flight into Oslo arrived late in the afternoon so we only had a few hours to grab dinner and explore the city a bit before turning in for the night. Depending on when your flight arrives, you might have more time to spend exploring the city of Oslo at the beginning of your one week in Norway.

Things to do in Oslo

If you need some ideas on how to spend your time in Oslo, make sure to read our Things To Do in Oslo post! Oslo is home to many incredible museums, beautiful parks, both historic and modern architecture, and not to mention delicious food.

Our night in Oslo

After the departing the train station, we walked the 3 minutes to our hotel, checked in, and dropped our bags off. Then we set off in search of dinner. We came across a hip looking bar that also served delicious hotdogs with a variety of unique topping combinations.

I wish I could remember the name of the bar, but there is something to be said about wandering a city and trying a random restaurant that catches your eye now and then instead of planning every meal. This is how we have found some of our favorite meals and experiences in new cities.

Where to Stay in Oslo

The best area to stay in Oslo if you will only be in the city for a short time is definitely Oslo’s “Sentrum”, or city center, the modern and historical downtown of Oslo. This is where many of the top things to do in Oslo are located and is recommended for any first-time visitor or short stay in Oslo.

Here are a few of the top rated hotel options located within Oslo’s Sentrum for every budget:

Hostel ($): Anker Hostel, K7 Hotel Oslo
Budget ($$): Citybox Oslo, Anker Hotel
Mid-range ($$$): Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
High-end ($$$$): Grand Hotel Oslo, Hotel Bristol

Explore more hotels in the Oslo City Center on Booking.com

Day 2: Flåm Railway, One Day in Flåm

Norway in a Nutshell

The first part of our one week in Norway was booked through the “Norway in a Nutshell” tour. It’s not really a tour, but more so a multi-leg ticket of transportation. It is convenient and reserves all of your transport in one booking from Oslo, to Flåm, and ending in Bergen by train, cruise, and bus all in one reservation.

You can book these legs of transport on your own, but it is much more convenient and worth the added cost (in my opinion) to book the Norway in a Nutshell tour. You can read more details in my Norway in a Nutshell blog post.

Oslo Central Station

The first leg of your journey from Oslo to Flåm begins with a train to Myrdhal, which will connect you to the famous Flåm Railway. Tickets must be picked up at Oslo Central Station at the latest 45min before departure. So make sure to get there early!

Our scheduled train from Oslo Central Station to Myrdhal left at 8:30am, so we got to the train station at 7:15am with some extra time to grab a coffee and pastry for breakfast before our train.

If the ticketing office isn’t open yet (in our case, the office didn’t open until 10am on Sunday) find one of the station attendants to help unlock the office and get your ticket for you or come the day before during open office hours if possible.

Riding the Flam Railway on our one week in Norway

Train Ride from Oslo to Myrdhal

The train ride from Oslo to Myrdhal is about 5 hours long, full of incredible, picturesque scenery. The train takes you through beautiful landscapes of forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls. The train has a bathroom on board and sells food and drink.

These 5 hours went by very quickly for us as we stared out the window and enjoyed the views. Our favorite part was when we reached a high-elevation ski town where the houses were literally buried in snow! That was probably the deepest snow I have ever seen in my life!

Snow out the window in the Norway mountains

Arrival in Myrdhal

Once you arrive in Myrdhal, the train pulls up to the platform and you must switch trains on to the Flåm Railway train which will be waiting for you at the station.

If you have longer than one week to spend in Norway, you can choose to extend your time in Myrdhal when booking your Norway in a Nutshell tickets. However, if you only have one week in Norway it is better to prioritize your time to spend a night in Flåm.

Riding the Flåm Railway

Time for one of the highlights of your one week in Norway: riding the Flåm Railway! This stretch of railway is called one of the most scenic and beautiful train rides in the world. Having now experienced it myself, I think that this is a fair statement.

It is about a 1-hour ride from Myrdhal to Flåm. The train passes through valleys surrounded by scenic mountains, with waterfalls often decorating their sides, and the occasional brightly colored houses tucked into the landscape. It was all like something out of a postcard.

As a part of the journey, the Flåm Railway train makes a short stop at Kjosfossen Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in all of Norway. This waterfall is an impressive 738 feet high!

For more details about our experience riding the Flåm Railway, read our Norway in a Nutshell post.

Arrive in Flåm

After the breathtaking ride on the Flåm Railway, you will be dropped off in the lovely, small town of Flåm.

Flåm is not only connected to one of “the most beautiful train rides in the world”, the Flåm Railway, but it is also the gateway to the incredible fjords Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord beyond its shore. Flåm feels like a village from a fairytale with its charming buildings and incredible scenery.

You will have the rest of the day to explore the beautiful town of Flåm. But first, you will want to check into your hotel and drop your bags off.

Where to Stay in Flåm

Flåm is a small town and there aren’t that many places to stay. Despite this, there are some great options available for a variety of budgets. The main hotels downtown are the Fretheim Hotel and the Flåmsbrygga Hotel.

Hotels: Fretheim Hotel, Flåmsbrygga Hotel, Heimly Pensjonat, Flåm Marina & Apartments
Hostels: Flåm Hostel, Brekke Gard Hostel

Explore more hotels in Flåm on Booking.com

Things to do in Flam

Although Flåm is quite small, there are plenty of fun things to do there. Our one day in Flåm went by very quickly and, if we were staying in Norway for longer than one week, I would happily spend another night here.

During your one day in Flåm, you can explore the town, do some souvenir shopping, hike to a waterfall with an epic panoramic view of the valley below, stop by the local brewery for a drink, watch the cruise ships come in, and much more.

For in-depth details about what we did during our one day in Flåm, make sure to read the One Day in Flåm blog post.

Day 3: Fjord Cruise, Arrive in Bergen

Aurlandsfjord Fjord Cruise

After spending the night in Flåm, the following morning we packed our bags and walked over to the pier to board our fjord cruise to Gudvangen. The pier is only a 5-minute walk from the main hotels in Flåm, so no rush. But make sure to dress warmly for today – it gets really cold standing out on the deck of the cruise boat to enjoy the views!

This cruise takes you through the impressive Aurlandsfjord and on the narrow Nærøyfjord and is about 2 hours long. This fjord cruise was definitely one of the highlights of our one week trip to Norway and I would highly recommend it for first time visitors and seasoned travelers alike.

The boat had 2 floors with a deck that wrapped around all sides, allowing passengers to enjoy the views of the fjords in the open air. Inside, there was tons of comfortable seating with tables and even a cafe that sold hot beverages and snacks. The 2 hours onboard went by quickly as we stared in awe at the breath-taking views of the fjords.

Make sure to read the Fjord Cruise in Norway post for more details about our fjord cruise experience and tips such as how to dress and what to bring. I also share a fraction of the hundreds of photos I took trying to capture the beauty of these magnificent fjords.

Arrive in Gudvangen

At the end of the glorious fjord cruise, you will be dropped off at the “viking village” of Gudvangen. Stepping off of the pier, there is a large souvenir shop with a cafe and restrooms. This shop is a part of the hotel and restaurant, Gudvangen Fjordtell. Just outside of this shop you will find the bus stop for your bus ride to Voss.

With the Norway in a Nutshell booking, you can elect to stay the night in Gudvangen if you would like. If you have longer than one week to spend in Norway it would definitely be a fun experience to stay in this charming viking village for a night and enjoy the views, go for a hike, or even kayak on the fjord. However, with only one week in Norway we had to prioritize our time to get to Bergen.

On this one week in Norway itinerary you will just be passing through Gudvangen. After departing the cruise you will have a short rest period while you wait for your scheduled bus to Voss. For us, it was only about a 30 minute wait but this may vary depending on the day and how the cruise and bus schedules align for your trip. We spent our time here by grabbing a coffee and walking around the small village, taking in the views of the surrounding mountains.

Bus ride from Gudvangen to Voss

The bus ride from Gudvangen to Voss was about 1-hour long, passing through beautiful landscapes, quaint Norwegian towns, and even through some mountain tunnels. The bus made several stops for locals at moss-covered bus stops on the side of the road.

The bus ride to Voss goes by very quickly as you watch these beautiful sights pass by. I enjoyed the views while Peter napped. Before we knew it, we had arrived in the city of Voss.

Arrive in Voss

Voss is much larger than Gudvangen and would probably be a cool place to stay for a night, especially if you are into sports and outdoor activities. Voss is known as “Norway's extreme sports capital” for its rafting, skydiving, skiing, and hiking.

On this busy one week in Norway itinerary, however, you will just be passing through the city of Voss.

After departing our bus, we had 45 minutes to spare before our train to Bergen. We spent this time by visiting the train station restrooms, enjoying the view from the waterfront at museum across the street from the station, and stopping into a little souvenir shop.

Train ride from Voss to Bergen

Now it is time to board the train to Bergen – the final leg of the Norway in a Nutshell tour. This train is very modern and comfortable. The ride to Bergen is only about 1 hour long and goes by quickl.

Today is one of the busiest days of this one week in Norway itinerary, so you may want to take the opportunity to nap during this train ride. The views are far less spectacular as you move away from the fjords and mountain valleys. And if you are anything like us, the long day of carrying baggage and jumping between trains and buses had us pretty worn out at this point. But it is all worth it once you arrive in Bergen.

Arrive in Bergen

The train drops you off at the Bergen Station, which is only about a 10 minute walk from Vågen harbor and the iconic Bryygen – the area where you will most likely be staying for your time in Bergen.

On this one week in Norway itinerary, you will be staying in Bergen for 3 days / 2 nights. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is a highly recommended stop for any first time visitor in Norway. Bergen has so much to offer from culture, museums, and history, to nature, hiking, and mountain adventures. It is also (apparently) Europe's rainiest city, so make sure to come prepared with your umbrella and rain jacket!

Where to Stay in Bergen

If it is your first time visiting Bergen, it is recommended to stay within walking distance to the Bryggen or Sentrum (city center) as this is the area with most of the top things to do for visitors.

Here are just a few of the top-rated hotel options in these areas of Bergen for every budget:

Hostel ($): City Hostel Bergen
Budget ($$): Klosterhagen Hotel, Zander K Hotel
Mid-range ($$$): Clarion Hotel, Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz
High-end ($$$$): Hotel Norge by Scandic, Opus 16

Explore more Bergen hotels on Booking.com

Norway Itinerary: One Full Day in Bergen

Day 4: Full Day in Bergen

Today is your only full day in Bergen, so be sure to make the most of it! Bergen, known as the “Fjord Capital of Norway”, is a vibrant and historical city with the ideal combination of city and nature that is sure to capture your heart.

With this one week itinerary you will have the afternoon of Day 3 and the morning of Day 5 to also enjoy in Bergen, but there are so many incredible things to do in this city that you will easily fill this time and wish that you had more time to spend in Bergen (but isn’t that always the case?).

Things to do in Bergen

The most popular thing to do in Bergen is to explore the Bryggen. The Bryggen is a historic harbor known for its line of colorful commercial buildings lining the street. During your stay in Bergen, walk down to the Bryggen to take some pictures of these beautiful buildings and do some shopping.

One of the other top things to do in Bergen is scaling mountains by cable car! There are actually seven mountains that surround Bergen, and the two most popular to visit are Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken. You can reach the top of each of them by funicular or cable car. At the top of these mountains you can hike and enjoy the panoramic views overlooking the city (as shown in the picture below).

A few of the other things to do in Bergen include: have a drink at the Magic Ice Bar and the oldest tavern in Bergen, walk around the city to admire the street art and architecture, and visit the historic Bergen Fortress.

For more details about our Bergen recommendations, read the detailed blog post about Things to do in Bergen. It covers where to stay in Bergen, what to wear to prepare for that infamous rain, and some of the many fun things to do in Bergen – from exploring the historic wharf to riding the cable cars up the mountains. Check it out to help plan your stay in Bergen.

View of Bergen from the top of Mount Fløyen

Day 5: Cruise to Stavanger

Morning in Bergen

Today you will be taking a cruise from Bergen to Stavanger, but it doesn’t depart until the afternoon so you have the entire morning to spend in Bergen.

With your remaining half day in Bergen, you can do some shopping on the Bryggen, walk around the city with your morning coffee, visit one last museum, or simply take the opportunity to relax before the next leg of your journey.

Bergen to Stavanger Cruise

Before the Cruise

The cruise from Bergen to Stavanger was 5 hr 30 min in total, departing Bergen at 1:30pm and arriving in Stavanger at 7:00pm. Note: the latest port check-in is 60 minutes prior to departure so make sure to get there early. It is only an 8-minute walk from the Bryggen to the Fjord Line cruise port.

We booked this cruise on the website Direct Ferries prior to our trip to Norway, but you can also book directly on the Fjord Line website. Direct Ferries books with the Norwegian cruise operator Fjord Line who offers this route 7 times a week at the same time. The price is about $30 USD per person for the one way ticket from Bergen to Stavanger.

Learn more: Bergen to Stavanger route on DirectFerries.com or on FjordLine.com

Cruise Experience

On board the cruise ship, there are many restaurants, shops, a bar, and live entertainment to pass the time away. There are cabins for passengers taking a longer journey, and a sundeck to enjoy the views of the cruise from outside.

Our cruise experience was relaxing and enjoyable. Sitting on a cruise boat for 5.5 hours forced us to rest and relax a bit, something that we rarely do during our travels. We spent some time enjoying the views of the passing fjords and towns from the sundeck for awhile before eventually making our way inside the ship for a drink at the bar. The time went by quickly and soon enough we were arriving in Stavanger.

Arrive in Stavanger / Risavika Port

At 7pm you will arrive in the Risavika Port near Stavanger which Fjord Line uses (Google Maps). Risavika Port is a 20-30 minute drive from Stavanger city center. Luckily, Fjord Line offers a shuttle bus service that takes passengers to downtown Stavanger cheaply and effectively.

The bus runs every 15 minutes on weekdays, and once an hour in the morning and twice an hour in the afternoon on weekends. You can pay in cash or card at the ticket office on arrival, which is what we did.

The bus will drop you off in the Stavanger city center at Jernbaneveien C (Google Maps). This is just minutes walking distance from the Stavanger Harbor and most hotels downtown.

For more information visit Fjord Lines website: Bus between Risavika and Stavanger

Where to Stay in Stavanger

If you only have a short stay in Stavanger, it is recommended to stay within walking distance of the downtown, or Stavanger Sentrum, so that you can see as much of the city as possible.

Here are a few of the top-rated hotels in Stavanger that are centrally located in the downtown:

Budget ($): Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, the only budget hotel with good reviews in the city center.
Mid-Range ($$): Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, Thon Hotel Maritim, Hotel Victoria
High-end ($$$): Eilert Smith Hotel, a high-end boutique hotel located off of the Stavanger harbor.

Explore more Stavanger hotels on Booking.com

Day 6: Pulpit Rock, Day in Stavanger

Sunrise Hike to Pulpit Rock

About the Pulpit Rock hike

Stavanger has been called the “gateway to Pulpit Rock” as many tourists come to stay in the city with the sole purpose of hiking Pulpit Rock (also known as Preikestolen). The hike to Pulpit Rock is one of Norway’s most famous and popular mountain hikes. Pulpit Rock is an iconic, unique rock formation and at its summit you will find breathtaking views of the Lysefjord over 600 meters below.

If you can, I would definitely recommend incorporating the hike to Pulpit Rock into your one week in Norway itinerary. It was without a doubt our favorite thing we did in Norway during our one week trip.

The hike to Pulpit Rock is moderately difficult with a distance of 7.6 km / 4.7 miles and an elevation gain of 350 meters / 1150 feet. On average, it takes about 4–5 hours to complete this hike.

You don’t need a guide to hike to Pulpit Rock depending on the time of year, but they are recommended for the sunrise hike. We did the sunrise hike tour with Outdoorlife Norway.

Sunrise Hike

One increasingly popular way to experience the hike to Pulpit Rock is by doing a sunrise hike tour. Besides seeing the beautiful sun rise over the fjord, two benefits of doing the sunrise hike to Pulpit Rock are that the trail will be less crowded and you will have almost an entire day remaining in Stavanger to explore the city afterwards (you will just be a little tired). This is what Peter and I chose to do to make the most of our limited time in Stavanger.

There is a dedicated blog post for the Sunrise Hike to Pulpit Rock. In it we share how to do this Pulpit Rock hike including the hike details, what to wear, when to go, if you need a guide, and our experience doing the sunrise hike to Pulpit Rock.

Things to do in Stavanger

Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway and, like Bergen, offers a balance of culture, history, and nature. There are interesting museums, shopping, restaurants offering delicious farm-to-table food, and brightly painted buildings along the wharf to enjoy, just to name a few. It is very easy to spend a day here – the trouble will be narrowing down what you want to do with your one day in Stavanger.

After returning from our sunrise hike to Pulpit Rock, we spent our day in Stavanger exploring the city as much as we could. Here are a few of our top recommendations for your time in Stavanger.

Exploring the Stavanger Harbor is a must during your one day in Stavanger. The Stavanger Harbor port area, also called Vågen by the locals, is lined with colorful historic buildings and usually bustling with activity. Here, you can shop, grab a bite to eat, or sit on a bench and watch the boats come in.

If you can fit it into your itinerary, visiting Swords in Rock monument is well worth the 30-minute bus ride from the Stavanger city center. Visiting the Swords in Rock monument was the highlight from our day in Stavanger. The Sverd i fjell (translating to “Swords in Rock” in English) is a monument consisting of three bronze swords fixed in the ground. The three swords commemorate the battle in Hafrsfjord and symbolize peace, unity and freedom and was completed in 1983.

If you are interested in visiting some museums, you can stop by The Norwegian Canning Museum and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. We did not visit these museums but they look fascinating!

For more details about the top things to do in Stavanger and to learn more about our experience in Stavanger, read the blog post.

Overnight Train to Oslo

To maximize our time spent exploring Stavanger and Oslo, and to save a bit of money on a hotel room for a night, we decided to book an overnight train to take us from Stavanger back to Oslo. I think that this is the smartest way to make the most of your limited time in Norway and I would recommend it for your one week in Norway itinerary.

The train leaves Stavanger station at 10:35pm and arrives at Oslo Central Station at 7:26am. In total, it is about an 8hr 53min train ride. But you get all day in Stavanger and a full day (depending on your flight departure time) in Oslo at the end of your one week in Norway. And did I mention that it saves money on a hotel room? An important consideration in one of the most expensive countries in the world!

How to Book

We booked the overnight train from Stavanger to Oslo directly on the VY website (the largest land travel group in the Nordic countries, owned by the Norwegian government). On the VY homepage, just plug in “Stavanger Station” to “Oslo Central Station” and search through the results for the overnight train.

For a standard seat, the price is from NOK 869 per adult. For an extra NOK 1080 you can book your own sleeping compartment with a bunk bed which sleeps up to 2 adults and 2 children. Peter and I opted for a sleeping compartment so that we could sleep during the overnight train ride to Oslo.

Book your ticket on the VY website

Day 7: Full Day in Oslo

Spending some time in Oslo, the capital of Norway, is recommended for any first time visit to Norway. Not only is Oslo Norway’s largest city, but it is the cultural hub of the country known for its museums, art, and architecture. In true Norwegian fashion, the city incorporates many green spaces and feels modern and welcoming (no dirty big city vibes here).

With this jam-packed one week in Norway itinerary we are left with only one day to experience Oslo at the end of the trip. While it would take days if not weeks to explore Oslo to the fullest, with only one day to spend in the city it is still possible to see many of Oslo’s top things to do and attractions.

We we stayed in Oslo: Thon Hotel Astoria on Booking.com
Explore more hotels in the Oslo City Center on Booking.com

Things to do in Oslo

Peter and I had one full day to spend in Oslo at the end of our one week in Norway. We tried to do as many fun things in the city as possible, including visiting many museums, sight-seeing, and eating pølse of course! Here are a few of our top recommendations of things to do in Oslo.

No visit to Oslo is complete without seeing the symbol of the city: the Oslo Opera House. The Oslo Opera House is perhaps the most iconic building in Oslo and is a must-see for anyone’s first visit to the city. Walk around the building (and on its roof!), take some pictures, and admire the architecture.

While you’re on the waterfront, walk down the harbor boardwalk and enjoy the views of the city. From there you will find impressive architecture, art and sculptures, cafes and restaurants, and so much more.

Sometime during your day (maybe when looking for a restaurant for dinner), you should walk along the main street of Oslo’s downtown city center, Karl Johans Gate (pictured above). The street is pedestrian only and always bustling with people, locals and tourists alike. Admire the historic architecture, do some souvenir shopping, and grab something to eat at one of the many enticing restaurants.

During your time in Oslo, I would highly recommend visiting the Norsk Folkemuseum. This was probably our favorite part of our day in Oslo. The Norsk Folkemuseum is an open air museum of 160 historic buildings across its grounds. The most iconic building of the Norsk Folkemuseum is the Gol Stave Church (shown above) – its intricate design and history make it a main attraction.

Along with the Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo has many incredible museums to enjoy. Visit the Fram Museum and learn about the Polar Expedition. Stroll through the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the world’s largest sculpture park by a single artist. When it reopens by 2025/2026, make sure to check out the Museum of the Viking Age to see three wooden 9th century Viking ships.

If you would like more suggestions of how to spend your day in Oslo, and more in-depth information about the things to do mentioned above, read our One Day in Oslo blog post. We share costs, hours, Google Map links, websites, and facts about the top things to do in Oslo.

How to extend this itinerary

Do you have more than a week to spend in Norway, or simply would like to take this itinerary at a slower pace? That is totally doable!

By strategically adding an extra night’s stay at various points through this itinerary, you can extend this one week in Norway itinerary to whatever length you have available for your trip and will be able to experience these locations more fully. Additionally, this will allow you to catch your breath during this otherwise fast-paced itinerary.

One and a Half Weeks (10 Days) in Norway Itinerary

With one and a half weeks (10 days) to spend in Norway, you have 3 more full days to add to this one week in Norway itinerary. That is just enough to add a little more rest and time to explore cities that we rushed through, and to do another big ticket, bucketlist Norway hike that we missed.

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Day 2: Flåm Railway, One Day in Flåm
Day 3: Full Day in Flåm
Day 4: Fjord Cruise, Arrive in Bergen
Day 5: Full Day in Bergen
Day 6: Cruise to Stavanger
Day 7: Full Day in Stavanger / Hike to Kjeragbolten
Day 8: Hike to Pulpit Rock
Day 9: Full Day in Oslo
Day 10: Full Day in Oslo, Departure

This is what I would recommend to do with your extra 3 days. I would spend another night in Flåm to enjoy this charming town to the fullest, soaking in those extraordinary fjord views. You could do another hike in the area, book a tour, or kayak on the fjord. How cool would that be?

Next, I would add another night in Stavanger. Stavanger was a city we rushed through and it has a lot more to offer. We were also very tired after the Pulpit Rock hike and it would allow more time to recover. OR, if you are an adrenaline junkie like us, what I think we would do during this extra day is hike to Kjeragbolten. This is another one of the most popular hikes in Norway and a bucketlist hike, so we would get a good night’s rest and sacrifice extra time in the city to do this hike.

Finally, with the last extra day I would add another night in Oslo at the end of the trip. One full day in Oslo allowed us to see many of Oslo’s top attractions, but with two full days in Oslo you could take it a little slower and enjoy the city itself more (rather than spending all of your time at museums and attractions). Or if you would like more time in nature, you could book a tour to see the Oslo Fjord, which looks incredible.

Two Weeks (14 Days) in Norway Itinerary

If you have two weeks (14 days) available for your trip to Norway, that would give you an entire additional week to add to the original one week in Norway itinerary. That is enough time that you have two options:

Option 1. You could take the original itinerary at a much slower pace and really enjoy each of the locations to the fullest, with time to rest and recover between major activities (which would be nice, not gonna lie our fast-paced travel style can get tiring by the end of a week).

Option 2. You have enough time to add in a new destination and hit another “top thing to do” in Southern Norway… Hiking Trolltunga! To be honest, I really wanted to do the hike to Trolltunga during our trip but we just didn’t have enough time for it. If I had two weeks in Norway, personally, I would definitely make it happen!

Option 1: Take it slow

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Day 2: Flåm Railway, One Day in Flåm
Day 3: Full Day in Flåm
Day 4: Fjord Cruise, Arrive in Gudvangen
Day 5: Day in Gudvangen, Arrive in Bergen
Day 6: Full Day in Bergen
Day 7: Full Day in Bergen
Day 8: Cruise to Stavanger
Day 9: Hike to Kjeragbolten
Day 10: Full Day in Stavanger
Day 11: Hike to Pulpit Rock
Day 12: Full Day in Oslo
Day 13: Full Day in Oslo
Day 14: Full Day in Oslo, Departure

The same itinerary, but slower. Add an overnight stay in Gudvangen where you can enjoy the viking village and the magnificent surroundings within the fjord. And add an additional night’s stay in Bergen, Stavanger, and Oslo so you can spend more time in these incredible cities and dive deeper into their culture.

In Bergen, maybe go to some museums or climb more of the seven surrounding mountains. In Stavanger you can now do both of the epic hikes and have a full day to spend in Stavanger exploring the city. In Oslo you could branch away from the city center and discover some of the unique neighborhoods.

Option 2: Add Trolltunga

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Day 2: Flåm Railway, One Day in Flåm
Day 3: Full Day in Flåm
Day 4: Fjord Cruise, Arrive in Gudvangen
Day 5: Day in Gudvangen, Arrive in Bergen
Day 6: Full Day in Bergen
Day 7: Train to Odda
Day 8: Hike to Trolltunga
Day 9: Bus + Ferry to Stavanger
Day 10: Hike to Kjeragbolten
Day 11: Full Day in Stavanger
Day 12: Hike to Pulpit Rock
Day 13: Full Day in Oslo
Day 14: Full Day in Oslo, Departure

This option is for the adventurous types who want to hit all three of the most epic hikes in Southern Norway! It also adds the night in Gudvangen so you can enjoy the viking village, maybe do some mountain hiking, and kayak the fjord.

The main addition, of course, is the detour to Odda. From Bergen, you can take a bus to get to Odda. Book your bus ride on the Skyss website. You will have a day in Odda to hike to Trolltunga (!!!). Learn more about Trolltunga and plan your trip at Trolltunga’s official website. The next day, you will take a bus to get to Stavanger. You can book your bus trip to Stavanger on the Nor-Way website.

You will have the additional day in Stavanger to do both the Kjeragbolten and Pulpit Rock hikes and have a day in between to rest and explore the city. Honestly, this two week itinerary would have been my ideal itinerary for my first time visit to Norway!

Are you planning your first trip to Norway?

If you’re currently planning a trip to Southern Norway, what are you most excited for from your itinerary? Tell us in the comments below! I hope that this one week in Norway for first time visitors itinerary has been helpful for your trip planning. If you have any questions about this itinerary or about anything from our one week trip to Norway focusing on Southern Norway, feel free to ask them below and we would be happy to help.

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