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15 day Norway itinerary help

Hi! My partner and I are traveling to Norway in August and wanted some help on our itinerary. I would appreciate any favorite hikes/activities to do/must-sees. I am debating on whether to drive or fly from Bergen to Ålesund, I want to see as much as we can but am worried about the burn out from jumping from place to place. I would love some tips on camping, we're from the US and will not be packing any camping gear, is there a rental company we can use? The following is what I have so far:

Day 1: Land in Oslo

Day 2: Oslo

Day 3: Oslo to Flåm, Sognefjord in a nutshell. Spending a night in flåm, doing the minibus to stegastein viewpoint.

Day 4: Kayaking midmorning on the Sognejord. Flåm to Bergen via express boat.

Day 5: Bergen

Day 6: Bergen

Day 7: Bergen to Ålesund. (Fly or Drive?)

Day 8: Ålesund (Daytrip to Geirangerfjord or Runde Island?)

Day 9: Ålesund

Day 10: Ålesund to Lofoton Islands Fly into Tromsø? Rent a car and drive down islands. Camp? Hike?

Day 11 - 15: Lofoton Islands

Day 16: Lofoton to Copenhagen - Fly out of Copenhagen on day 19

Appreciate any help or tips! Thanks!

Posted by
28140 posts

There's another option for the trip from Bergen to Alesund: Hurtigruten and Havila have coastal ferries that run ovenight from Bergen (departing about 8 PM, I think) to Alesund, arriving around 8 AM(?). The ship then detours into the Geirangerfjord and stops again in Alesund that evening. You'd have to check to be sure at least one of the companies makes the trip on the night you'd need; as or 2022 service was available 5 nights a week, I believe. The cost of point-to-point tickets and cabins varies. It's not particularly cheap, but it's a good use of your time.

I'd consider following the traditional Norway in a Nutshell route rather than taking the express boat to Bergen so you see the Naeroyfjord and get to take the scenic bus up to Voss.

Posted by
3020 posts

Date of day 1 would help to avoid recommending something that collides with an event.

For my taste you spend too much time in Bergen and Ålesund. These are small cities - esp. Ålesund has not so much to see.

I am a fan of car round trips because I did a few by using hotels, not by camping. Btw.: camping in Norway means to stay on camping sites over night. WIld camping (with campervan or caravan) is not welcome in Norway (read more).

That said I would arrange the travel from day 3 to 9 differently, e. g. flying into Bergen, spending one night there and driving up incl. Flåm to Ålesund. Have a look at the official scenic routes between Geiranger-Trollstigen and Hardanger - this is what you will miss if you will fly or take a ship from Bergen to Ålesund; somehow the best part of Norway. Therefore in your case I would not go for Havila / Hurtigruten.

Lofoten Islands: Consider flying into EVE and drive to Andenes or fly directly to Andøya airport first - if you want to try whale watching.

Honestly: In the back of my head I am turning your whole itinerary (with same destinations). But I like to hear you feedback first.

Posted by
6999 posts

The coastal route to Ålesund is a great option and would be my recommendation as well. Although driving can be an option if you want to make stops along the way.

Don't skip Ålesund, but I think it's a mistake to not make a stop in Trondheim after Ålesund. If you want to get to Lofoten, flying to Tromsø is quite a detour, flying to Narvik or Bodø is a better option. Or if you want the scenic route, take the train to Bodø.

Posted by
780 posts

I would spent most of the nights away from the cities you have mentioned. There is so much more to see in Norway.