Italy Travel Guide

Breathtaking, adventurous, rugged, inspiring, photogenic, extraordinary...these are all words that can be used to describe Norway. It is hard to look at photos of Norway without saying "Wow!" over and over again. Norway is the land of fjords, quaint coastal towns, the Northern Lights, Vikings, trolls, dramatic photo spots, scenic drives, and some of the best hiking in the world. Whether you are coming here for a relaxing cruise through the fjords, an epic hiking adventure, or a trip to the Arctic Circle, Norway will not disappoint. 

Norway Itineraries

Here are a few Norway itineraries to help you plan your trip. Spend 10 days in southern Norway, exploring Bergen, Stavanger, and the fjords or spend 10 days in northern Norway and the Lofoten Islands. Or, combine both areas into one epic trip.

Southern Norway

In southern Norway, you have several amazing hikes to choose from, such as Trolltunga, Kjeragbolten, Pulpit Rock, and Romdalseggen Ridge. You can also do Norway in a Nutshell, explore Bergen and Stavanger, and go on scenic drives past the fjords.

Northern Norway

Northern Norway is a beautiful road trip destination in Europe. The Lofoten Islands are one of the most popular areas to visit, but Senja and the Vesteralen Islands are also well worth your time.
Featured image for “10 Day Lofoten Islands and Northern Norway Itinerary”

10 Day Lofoten Islands and Northern Norway Itinerary

The islands of northern Norway are the perfect destination if you enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and jaw-dropping landscapes. On this…
Featured image for “14 Best Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List”

14 Best Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List

If you ask us, putting one foot in front of another on a hiking trail is the best way to…
Featured image for “Complete Guide to Climbing Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands”

Complete Guide to Climbing Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands

Svolvaergeita, also called “The Goat,” is a pinnacle of rock that is a popular rock climbing spot in the Lofoten…
Featured image for “Discover Northern Norway: Northern Norway Photos & 4K Drone Video”

Discover Northern Norway: Northern Norway Photos & 4K Drone Video

Without a doubt, northern Norway is one of the most spectacular places we have been. With rugged coastlines, small harbors…
Featured image for “Hiking Festvågtind in the Lofoten Islands, Norway”

Hiking Festvågtind in the Lofoten Islands, Norway

From the top of Festvågtind, the views over the fishing village of Henningsvaer are breathtaking. This hike is very similar…
Featured image for “Hiking to Måtind on the Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail, Vesteralen, Norway”

Hiking to Måtind on the Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail, Vesteralen, Norway

Norway never ceases to amaze me. You know how you see photos online and think to yourself, “yeah, that looks…
Featured image for “How to Hike Reinebringen (+ Helpful Tips & Photos)”

How to Hike Reinebringen (+ Helpful Tips & Photos)

Reinebringen, with its dazzling view over the fishing villages of Reine, Sakrisøy, and Hamnøy, is the most popular hike in…
Featured image for “How to Hike Ryten and Enjoy the View over Kvalvika Beach”

How to Hike Ryten and Enjoy the View over Kvalvika Beach

The hike to Ryten has all of the ingredients of a perfect Lofoten Islands hike: sweeping vistas across the mountains…
Featured image for “How to Hike Segla, One of Senja’s Most Popular Hikes”

How to Hike Segla, One of Senja’s Most Popular Hikes

The hike up to the summit of Segla is one of Senja’s most popular hikes. And this was our main…
Featured image for “How to Hike Svolvaer Fløya & Djevelporten in the Lofoten Islands”

How to Hike Svolvaer Fløya & Djevelporten in the Lofoten Islands

There are two ways to get a spectacular view over the town of Svolvaer…hike to the top of Svolvaer Fløya…
Featured image for “Lofoten Islands Itinerary: Complete Guide for First Time Visitors”

Lofoten Islands Itinerary: Complete Guide for First Time Visitors

The Lofoten Islands are one of the most stunning areas of Norway. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white…
Featured image for “Ørnfløya, A Short but Sweet Hike in Sommarøy, Norway”

Ørnfløya, A Short but Sweet Hike in Sommarøy, Norway

The view from Ørnfløya over Sommarøy is gorgeous! The hike up Ørnfløya is short and easy, perfect if you like…
Featured image for “Top Ten Things To Do in the Lofoten Islands”

Top Ten Things To Do in the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are a wonderland of jagged mountains, beautiful fjords, and white sandy beaches. This is a spectacular part…
Featured image for “Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands, Norway”

Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands, Norway

If you are making a decision about where to stay in the Lofoten Islands, you have a lot of options.…

Svalbard

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago that is located in the Arctic Ocean. This is a land of glaciers, the northern lights, the midnight sun, and frozen tundra. Svalbard is a very cool destination to add onto your Norway itinerary (pun intended). Here are some articles to help you plan your visit.

Europe Travel Inspiration & Practical Info

Do you dream of visiting world-class cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Venice? Or would you rather hike the Alps, go on a scenic train ride, explore the beautiful beaches and coastal towns in southern Europe, visit fairytale towns and castles, island hop in Greece, or go on an unforgettable road trip in northern Europe?

In this article we list 25 ways to spend one week in Europe. 

Top Experiences in Norway

Hike to Trolltunga.  Nowadays, almost everyone has seen the photos of people posing on a narrow outcropping of rock, with the dramatic scenery of Norway in the background. You can hike, bike, and climb to Trolltunga, this being one of the epic hikes possible to do in Norway.

Kjeragbolten. Quickly becoming another Norwegian icon, Kjeragbolten is a large boulder wedged between two cliffs. Do you dare step out onto this rock? Even if you don't, the hike to get there is packed with breathtaking scenery.

The Northern Lights.  Northern Norway is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights. The best chances to see the Northern Lights are during the winter months from the Lofoten Islands and Tromso.

Geirangerfjord. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Geirangerfjord is labeled is one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. View it from land, cruise ship, ferry, or kayak.

Trollstigen.  Also called the Troll's Footpath, this dramatic road is one of Norway's most visited sites. This winding road provides more dramatic views and a chance to drive on one of Europe's "most dangerous roads," although we found it to be quite safe.

Svalbard.  The Svalbard Islands are located between Norway and the North Pole. Visit polar bears, historic mining towns, and the town Longyearbyen.

Bergen.  Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Eat fish caught fresh from the ocean, visit Bryggen, the Hanseatic houses that dominate the harbor, and get a bird's eye view of the city from the funicular.

Pulpit Rock.  This is the most popular hike in Norway. Easily accessible from Stavanger, expect large crowds of people during the summer months.

Lofoten Islands.  Located in the Arctic Circle, these islands are one of Norway's most beautiful and off the beaten track destinations. Known for its quaint fishing villages, the Lofoten Islands are also spot to go surfing. Who knew?

Ålesund.  This coastal town is one of the prettiest in Norway. It's quick to visit and don't miss the short uphill climb to a viewpoint over the city.

Tromso.  Tromso is considered to be the northernmost city in the world and one of the best places to witness the Northern Lights.

Oslo.  Oslo is Norway's capital. Things to do include seeing the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian National Opera, and Akershus Castle.

How Many Days Do You Need in Norway?

For the best experience, plan on spending 10 days in Norway. This gives you enough time to explore a portion of southern Norway, go on a road trip through northern Norway and the Lofoten Islands, or combine both regions into one trip.

Best Time to Visit Norway

The best time visit Norway is between June and September. During this time, the weather is warm and the roads and trails are clear of snow.

If you plan to go hiking in Norway, you should be aware that the hiking season in southern Norway runs from June 1 through September 30. Outside of this time, you should only go hiking with an experienced guide.

Even if you don't plan to go hiking, some roads in Norway can be closed from November through May.