Route Overview
Bergen → Alesund → Trollstigen → Geirangerfjord → Stryn → Loen → Olden → Briskdal Glacier → Alesund → Oslo
Trip Map: Norway Highlights
Day 1 – Bergen Arrival
Stay: Bergen (Moxy Hotel)
Fly: Arrive in Bergen (BGO)
Activities:
Take the Fløibanen Funicular for panoramic city views, hike down if weather allows.
Walk along Bryggen and the harbor for classic postcard photos.
Dinner at Unicorn Fish Restaurant, a delicious, traditional seafood spot (book ahead!).
Optional: explore the Fish Market
Day 2 – Bergen
Stay: Bergen (Moxy Hotel)
Activities:
Morning coffee near the university, or join a Free Walking Tour of Bergen.
Explore the Fish Market, but skip eating there — food is overpriced and mediocre.
Take a Viking Ship Tour of the harbor for a scenic experience.
Evening cocktails at No Stress Bar and sushi dinner at Nama.
Day 3 – Travel to Ålesund
Stay: Alesund Airbnb in Ålesund
Fly: Bergen → Ålesund (45 min)
Drive: Ålesund Airport → City Center (20 min)
Total Travel Time: ≈ 3 hrs (including airport check-in and drive to town)
Activities:
Check into your Airbnb and stroll through Ålesund’s art nouveau streets.
Dinner at Anno — great mussels, pizza, and people-watching.
If visiting in June, see the world’s largest bonfire at Slinningsbålet for an unforgettable local experience.
Day 4 – Geirangerfjord & Trollstigen
Stay: Geirangerfjord (Grande Fjord Hotel)
Drive: Ålesund → Trollstigen Viewpoint (~2 hrs) → Geirangerfjord (~2 hrs)
Total Drive: ≈ 4 hrs
Activities:
Drive the Trollstigen Road. Remember to check and see if the road is open before you start the drive.
Visit the windy mountaintop viewpoint (bundle up — it’s chilly and breezy!).
Stop for strawberry cake at Jordbærstova Café — one of the best desserts we’ve ever had.
- Experience the fjord from the water — take a thrilling RIB boat ride or a scenic fjord cruise to see the Seven Sisters Waterfall and the towering cliffs up close.
Enjoy fjord views from your hotel balcony and grab a drink at The Distillery Bar.
Day 5 – Stryn / Olden / Loen
Stay: Olden (Olden Fjordhotel)
Drive: Geiranger → Stryn Ski Center (~1 hr 15 min) → Olden → Loen (~30 min)
Total Drive: ≈ 2 hrs
Activities:
Short hike to Vesterås Gard or the Waterfall Walk.
Take the Loen Skylift for fjord views and do a hike once you are up there.
Dinner at Hoven Restaurant (pricey, but amazing food and views if weather allows).
Day 6 – Briksdal Glacier & Return to Ålesund
Stay: Airbnb or hotel in Ålesund
Drive: Olden → Briksdal Glacier (~45 min) → Ålesund (~3.5 hrs)
Total Drive: ≈ 4 hrs 15 min
Activities:
Hike the glacier trail (about 3 miles round trip). Paved but steeper than expected.
Visit Aksla Viewpoint for views of Alesund and the fjord.
Walk around town and grab drinks at Dirty Nelly Irish Pub and dinner at Nonna Lina Ristorante Pizzeria.
Day 7 – Oslo
Stay: Oslo
Fly: Ålesund → Oslo
Activities:
Take the Vy Regional Train (23 min / 114 NOK) into the city.
Visit the Oslo Opera House, Akershus Fortress, and stroll by Oslo City Hall.
Go to the Fram Museum and The National Museum
Check out the Vigeland Sculpture Park, a fascinating (and free) open-air art garden with over 200 sculptures.
Download My One-Week Norway Itinerary (PDF)
