Best Itinerary for a Short Trip in Norway
The true admirers of nature and extraterrestrial panoramas should definitely make their way to Norway. This fantastic corner of the globe is permeated with a rich network of rivers and waterfalls, deep blue fjords, majestic mountain peaks and sparkling glaciers. Norway is the country where large metropolises give way to small villages with lovely wooden houses that enrich the untouched beauty of local landscapes even more. So if you plan to explore this breathtaking lands, being short in time, we offer you a crafted itinerary that includes the most “impossible-to-miss” Norway places.
The heart of the Kingdom
Oslo is an ideal starting point of your Norway trip as it is the perfect location to get acquainted with the rich historical heritage of the country. The capital of Norway is the city that is better to explore by foot. Being a modern urban hub, Oslo provides all kinds of outstanding opportunities, so neither culture lovers nor entertainment seekers won’t be disappointed. When it comes to the most remarkable attractions of Oslo, the list can be almost endless, but, considering that the trip is short, you can’t miss at least such highlights as the Royal Palace and Viking Ship Museum.
If you are into modern art, you’ll appreciate the impressive number of art objects in the urban part of Oslo as well as the stunning Munch Museum, requiring close examination. Housing the majority of sophisticated Munch masterpieces, the Museum will bring you unforgettable emotions and introduce you to the plethora of dramatic works of art of the renowned artist, apart from the famous “Scream”.
The world’s most scenic railway
Norway is simply blessed with supernatural locations and views, that’s why one of the best ways to observe exceptional Norway landmarks is setting off on a railway journey. To continue your Norway tour, you may take a breathtaking ride on Oslo to Flam train. Did you know that Flamsbana Railway is considered to be one of the most picturesque railroads on the globe? Well, not without a reason. These landscapes are not something that can be excluded from your travel to Norway! We bet you won’t be able to forget surreal mountain peaks covered with dazzling snow, turbulent waterfalls and the wild nature of dense forests. Moreover, the lovely village of Flam is set in very close proximity to the largest fjord in Norway, Sognefjord. So the trip is twice worth the ride, huh?
The calling card of Norway
It goes without saying that at the bare mention of Norwegian nature, majestic fjords immediately pop up in your head. Norway fjords stand among the main reasons why people strive to explore this country. These postcard-like natural formations have already become the symbol of Norway and mesmerize travelers with their fairytale beauty, found nowhere else on the planet.
Arriving to Flam, you will get a chance to experience marvelous landscapes of Sognefjord. Being the deepest and most famous fjord in the country, it can be explored both by taking a peaceful walk around the numerous hiking trails in the area or, a better option, setting off on a cruise around the fjord. The crystal blue of water, rugged cliffs, mountains towering tiny Scandinavian houses near the shores – this is the kind of scenery that should be seen with your own eyes at least once in a lifetime!
If you feel that you can’t get enough of Norwegian fjords, you can also visit the village of Ulvik, located on the shores of another gorgeous fjord, Hardangerfjord. In addition to great fjord panoramas, Ulvik offers nice opportunities to try traditional homemade cider, produced in family-run cider farms, which will become a nice bonus to your local experience.
The place where the trolls live
Those brave enough to experience dizzying heights can enhance their Norway travel by going on a hike to the famous Trolltunga. According to legends this scenic cliff was named after a troll who didn’t turn into stone after the sun shined at him. Trolltunga towers 1100 metres above the sea and is one of the best places in Norway to take astounding memorable pictures. To get to this mind-blowing location, you’ll need to make your way down the 11 km long hiking trail from Tyssedal. Are you adventurous enough for that?
The biggest wooden town in Europe
After extensive Norway fjords exploration, you can continue you journey by getting to Myrdal, a small mountain railway station and important junction of the Bergen line, and heading to the second largest city in Norway, Bergen.
The architectural and cultural treasures of Bergen make tourists fall in love with the city from the first sight. You may start getting to know the city by visiting a beautiful port promenade, which has remained unchanged for 6 centuries already. The next must-explore sight is the old quarter Bryggen, featuring a myriad of “gingerbread” colorful houses on the old wharf. And finally, to get a perfect angle to observe the whole city, take a ride on the Floibanen funicular. A comfortable funicular train will bring you on the top of the Mount Floyen in several minutes, from where you’ll be able to admire amazing fjord surroundings from the height of 320 meters.
After a couple of days in Bergen, you may replicate your trip, getting back to the capital on Bergen to Oslo train and enjoying the beauty of the spectacular surroundings one more time, or you can make a point in Bergen, setting home from Bergen airport.
All in all, the motherland of Vikings is the place that hides such a huge number of gems that you won’t stop wondering, no matter how many times you travel to Norway. In any case, the highlights mentioned above are the ones that just can’t be missed, even if you plan a short Norway vacation. What is more, there exists a big chance that you’ll get so inspired by these lands that you’ll anticipate your upcoming Norway tour even before this one is finished. So, come on, what are you waiting for?
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