10 days in Norway…the choices are countless for one of the best ways to discover this beautiful nation.
We have now been to Norway twice and after every journey we wrote a 10-day Norway itinerary. Our 10 Day Norway Itinerary solely covers the fjord area, from Stavanger to Ålesund, with epic hikes, fjord cruises, kayaking, and extra. Our Northern Norway Itinerary covers northern Norway, beginning in Tromsø and highway tripping via Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, ending within the Lofoten Islands.
Since publishing our second itinerary, we steadily get questions on how one can mix each of them. With 10 days, how will you go to the fjord area and the Lofoten Islands?
On this article, we now have a number of concepts on how to do that. One itinerary is geared extra in the direction of hikers and the second itinerary is geared to seeing a few of the major highlights of the fjord area.
Since I’m combining two 10-day itineraries into one 10-day itinerary, you have to to surrender some very cool locations.
Which leads me up to now: in the event you assume you’ll ever return to Norway once more (and belief me, after your first go to, you’ll be dreaming of a return journey), skip the combo itineraries on this article and simply give attention to one area in your first journey. It will likely be simpler to plan, cheaper (since you’ll be taking fewer flights), and general extra gratifying, since you should have a extra leisurely expertise.
However in the event you plan to take just one journey to Norway, you may like these two itinerary concepts.
Overlooking Svolvaer from Svolvaer Fløya within the Lofoten Islands | 10 Days in Norway
About These Itineraries
Greatest Time To Go
These itineraries are greatest between the months of June and October. Resulting from climate and snowfall, some mountain climbing trails don’t “open” till June. Plus, some roads may be closed till late spring, resembling Trollstigen, a steep, iconic, twisting highway close to Geirangerfjord.
These Itineraries are Designed as a Street Journey
Renting a automotive offers you extra flexibility than public transportation. It’s doable to get round by public transportation, and in order for you extra data on how to do that, I like to recommend visiting the Go to Norway web site.
Inner Flights
With a purpose to journey between the fjord area and northern Norway, I like to recommend flying. You possibly can journey by prepare, however in the event you solely have 10 days to spare, you’ll lose treasured time.
To fly from southern Norway to the Lofoten Islands, you’ll most definitely find yourself reserving flights with multiple cease. Many flights will undergo Oslo or Bodø to be able to get to the Lofoten Islands. Complete flight occasions can vary from 3 to 7 hours, relying on the flight schedule for the day and your level of origin and last vacation spot.
Primarily, touring from the fjord area to the Lofoten Islands can take the vast majority of a day.
For extra details about attending to and across the Lofoten Islands, with a lot of ideas on how one can plan your time, check out our article Lofoten Islands Itinerary: Full Information for First Time Guests.
Lofoten Islands | 10 Days in Norway
10 Days in Norway: Pattern Itineraries
#1 Epic Hikes within the Fjord Area
This itinerary is geared in the direction of hikers. You’ll hike three of Norway’s most iconic hikes, Kjeragbolten, Pulpit Rock, and Trolltunga, go to Stavanger and delightful Bergen, and spend three days within the Lofoten Islands.
Should you plan to observe this itinerary, you have to to do it between June 1 and September 30, until you intend to rent a information to hike Trolltunga.
10 Days in Norway: Kjeragbolten, Trolltunga & the Lofoten Islands
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, fly to Stavanger
Day 2: Hike Kjeragbolten
Day 3: Hike Pulpit Rock, drive to Trolltunga
Day 4: Hike Trolltunga
Day 5: Drive to Bergen, go to Bergen
Day 6: Fly to the Lofoten Islands
Day 7: Lofoten Islands
Day 8: Lofoten Islands
Day 9: Lofoten Islands
Day 10: Fly House
The best way to Use This Map: Click on the tab within the prime left hand nook of the map to view the layers (factors of curiosity and the driving route). You possibly can click on the test marks to cover or present layers. Should you click on the icons on the map, you may get extra details about every focal point.
Should you click on the star subsequent to the title of the map, this map will likely be added to your Google Maps account. To view it in your telephone or laptop, open Google Maps, click on the menu button, go to “Your Locations,” click on Maps, and you will notice this map in your record.
Day 1: Arrive in Stavanger
Most worldwide flights will arrive in Oslo. From right here, take a connecting flight to Stavanger.
Choose up a rental automotive, both on the Stavanger airport or within the city of Stavanger.
Sleep in Stavanger. We stayed on the Consolation Sq. Lodge. This modernly embellished resort (with fascinating art work) is positioned inside the coronary heart of Stavanger. Take-away breakfast is obtainable, good if you wish to seize breakfast and get an early begin mountain climbing.
Day 2: Hike to Kjeragbolten
Complete Driving Distance: 292 km (together with the Lyseveggen Street detour)
Complete Driving Time: 5.5 hours
Get an early begin at present. Have breakfast at your resort after which drive to the trailhead for the Kjeragbolten hike. It takes two and a half hours to drive to Kjeragbolten (140 km) from Stavanger.
That is an unimaginable hike. Actually, it’s one in all our favourite hikes, ever. Not solely do you get to check how daring you’re by standing on Kjerag, however the surroundings from the path is jaw-dropping. Even in the event you can’t stand up the nerve to face on the boulder, that is nonetheless an epic hike.
Kjeragbolten | 10 Days in Norway
View from the path to Kjeragbolten | 10 Days in Norway
The hike to Kjeragbolten is 12 km spherical journey and takes between 5 and seven hours.
LEARN MORE: Kjeragbolten Hike: A Full Information
In case you are doing nice on time, contemplate this scenic detour. You possibly can drive down (after which again up) Lyseveggen Street, a slim highway with 32 hairpin turns, a mean gradient of 9.4%, and an elevation distinction of greater than 800 meters (2600 ft) over 5.8 km (3.6 miles). And if that isn’t loopy sufficient, there’s a tunnel close to the underside than turns 340 levels.
In case you are up for this journey, like we had been, flip left if you pull out of the Kjerag car parking zone and you’ll begin happening this windy, switchback highway nearly straight away. This highway connects the Kjeragbolten automotive park with the city of Lysebotn.
Return to Stavanger.
Day 3: Hike to Pulpit Rock, drive to Trolltunga
Complete Driving Distance: 225 km
Complete Driving Time: 4.5 hours
That is one other lengthy day with loads of driving. Nonetheless, the hike to Pulpit Rock is brief and candy and one in all Norway’s hottest hikes.
ITINERARY MODIFICATION: You possibly can skip the Pulpit Rock hike and drive to Trolltunga. Should you like this concept, spend the evening in Lysebotn after mountain climbing Kjeragbolten (on day 2) and drive to Odda or Tyssedal from right here.
Get an early begin at present. With the current opening of the tunnel now you can drive from Stavanger on to Pulpit Rock.
The hike to Pulpit Rock is 8 km (5 miles) spherical journey and takes a complete of 4 to 5 hours, much less time if you’re a quick hiker.
Pulpit Rock | 10 Days in Norway
Noon crowds at Pulpit Rock in August | 10 Days in Norway
LEARN MORE: The best way to Hike to Pulpit Rock
Since this hike is so widespread, it’s vital to get an early begin at present. Not solely will you keep away from crowds on the path, however an early begin may even offer you extra time to drive to Trolltunga.
After the hike, drive to one of many cities close to Trolltunga. I like to recommend staying in Odda or Tyssedal. From the Pulpit Rock car parking zone, it takes 4 hours to drive to those two cities.
For data on the place to remain, learn our article: The place to Keep Close to Trolltunga
Day 4: Hike Trolltunga
Trolltunga is one other Norwegian hike whose recognition has been boosted by Instagram in recent times. Since we did this hike in 2013, there have been loads of modifications. The funicular has been dismantled and a brand new highway to an higher car parking zone has been added. Now, it’s doable to skip the primary main climb of the hike, and drive it as an alternative.
Should you hike the complete path to and from Trolltunga, it’s 28 km (17.4 miles) spherical journey with 900 meters of elevation acquire. It’s a giant day, which is why we offer you a full day to do that hike. Nonetheless, in the event you park within the higher lot, you remove the toughest a part of the hike and save your self roughly 1.5 hours.
Just like the hike to Kjeragbolten, the surroundings alongside the path is breathtaking. The path ends on the Troll’s Tongue, a sliver of rock good for images.
Trolltunga | 10 Days in Norway
Path to Trolltunga | 10 Days in Norway
Learn all about this hike in our article Mountaineering Trolltunga.
Sleep in Odda or Tyssedal.
Day 5: Drive to Bergen, Go to Bergen
Complete Driving Distance: 140 km
Complete Driving Time: 3 hours
Within the morning, drive to Bergen. From Tyssedal, the drive is 140 km and takes 3 hours.
Spend the rest of the day in Bergen. Have lunch on the fish market, wander the cobblestoned streets, take the funicular up the hillside for the most effective views over Bergen, and discover Bryggen, the situation of the Hanseatic homes alongside the harbor.
Bergen | 10 Days in Norway
Bryggen | 10 Days in Norway
Day 6: Fly to the Lofoten Islands
At the moment, fly from Bergen to the Lofoten Islands.
There are two airports within the Lofoten Islands. Svolvaer Airport is positioned in Svolvaer, within the northern a part of the Lofoten Islands. The Leknes airport is extra centrally positioned within the Lofoten Islands. Ideally, fly to Leknes since it’s centrally positioned.
Once I searched flights from Bergen to the Lofoten Islands, I couldn’t discover any direct flights. Most flights went via Oslo or Bodø. Bodø is a metropolis on the mainland that’s not removed from the Lofoten Islands. You might have the choice to fly to Bodø after which take a ferry to the Lofoten Islands, however flying from Bodø to Leknes or Svolvaer will most definitely be quicker.
There are three airways that fly to the Lofoten Islands: Wideroe, Norwegian Airways, and SAS. We have now flown all of those airways and have had good experiences with every of them.
To go looking flights, you need to use Skyscanner. I additionally just like the Wideroe web site. The Wideroe web site gives you flight choices with Norwegian Airways and SAS.
Flights can take 3.5 hours to five hours to get from Bergen to the Lofoten Islands. Common flight prices vary from $200 to $450 USD per individual through the summer time months.
As soon as within the Lofoten Islands, decide up your rental automotive and get settled into your resort and in case you have any additional time, discover the world.
For data on the place to remain within the Lofoten Islands, learn The place to Keep within the Lofoten Islands.
Day 7, 8 & 9: Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands might look small on a map, however there’s a lot to do right here. Most of the greatest issues to do are positioned between Svolvaer and the city of Å.
It could take fairly a while to drive from one finish to the opposite (it takes simply over 2 hours to drive from Å to Svolvaer). However what a drive it’s! It looks like there may be one other beautiful view round each bend within the Lofoten Islands.
Lofoten Islands | 10 Days in Norway
The Lofoten Islands are positioned within the Arctic Circle, however it could be hotter right here than what you’ll anticipate. The nice and cozy Gulf Stream present retains temperatures average. Throughout the summer time months, daytime temperatures vary from 13 to 24°C (60 to 75°F). Additionally, from late Might to mid-July you’ll get to expertise the midnight solar.
You might have three full days to tour the Lofoten Islands. Throughout this time, discover the fishing villages, hike the paths, get pleasure from these scenic drives, and go to the seashore. Sure, the seashore. They’re beautiful right here! It might be too chilly for most individuals to get within the water, however the white sandy seashores and aquamarine water are beautiful.
For a full record of what to do right here, learn our article, Prime Ten Issues to do within the Lofoten Islands.
Uttakleiv Seaside | 10 Days in Norway
Rorbuers within the Lofoten Islands | 10 Days in Norway
Reinebringen | 10 Days in Norway
The view of Kvalvika Seaside from Ryten | 10 Days in Norway
There are loads of other ways to plan your time if you are right here. You would spend a day in Svolvaer (hike Svolvaer Floya and/or rock climb Svolvaergeita) and Henningsvaer. On day 2 you possibly can hike one or two mountain climbing trails (Ryten, Reinebringen, and Festvågtind all make good selections). On day 3 you discover historic Nusfjord, go to Uttakleiv and Haukland Seashores, hike one other path, and discover Hamnøy and Reine.
For extra data on how one can plan your time within the Lofoten Islands, check out our 10-day northern Norway itinerary.
Day 10: Fly House
To go away the Lofoten Islands, the most suitable choice is to fly from Leknes or Svolvaer to Oslo after which fly residence from right here. Alternatively, you may also take the ferry from Moskenes to Bodø and catch a flight from right here. The ferry crossing takes 3 hours and it may be fairly tough at occasions.
For these of you flying on to a different vacation spot aside from Europe, you might not be capable of journey from the Lofoten Islands to a world vacation spot all in the identical day. On day 9, you might have to journey to Oslo and on day 10, fly residence (or proceed your travels) from right here. That is simply one thing to bear in mind when taking a look at flights.
#2 Highlights of the Fjord Area
This itinerary offers you three days within the Lofoten Islands and 4 days within the fjord area of Norway.
Relatively than spending your time within the fjord area on the mountain climbing trails, you go to Ålesund, drive Trollstigen, see stunning Geirangerfjord, do Norway in a Nutshell, and go to Bergen. Should you like the thought of doing a little bit little bit of mountain climbing, you are able to do so at Geirangerfjord, Åndalsnes, and within the Lofoten Islands.
10 Days in Norway: Geirangerfjord, Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen & the Lofoten Islands
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, fly to Ålesund
Day 2: Tour Ålesund, drive to Geirangerfjord
Day 3: Geirangerfjord
Day 4: Drive to Flåm
Day 5: Norway in a Nutshell, drive to Bergen
Day 6: Fly to the Lofoten Islands
Day 7: Lofoten Islands
Day 8: Lofoten Islands
Day 9: Lofoten Islands
Day 10: Fly House
Day 1: Arrive in Ålesund
Arrive in Oslo and take a connecting flight to Ålesund. Spend the night in Ålesund.
Day 2: Ålesund, Trollstigen, and Geirangerfjord
Complete Driving Distance: 194 km
Complete Driving Time: 3.5 hours
Spend one to 2 hours exploring Ålesund. It’s a very small city and it doesn’t take lengthy to see it. Don’t miss the view from Fjellstua for this superb view over the town.
Ålesund | 10 Days in Norway
Surroundings on the drive between Ålesund and Åndalsnes | 10 Days in Norway
From Ålesund, drive to Åndalsnes. Have lunch on the town and contemplate strolling as much as the Rampestreken Viewpoint for a tremendous view. It’s a hefty uphill stroll to get right here with 700 meters of climbing. It’s going to take about 3 hours spherical journey, however on a transparent day the views over the world are beautiful.
This viewpoint is positioned alongside the Romsdalseggen Ridge mountain climbing path. You would not have sufficient time to hike the complete path at present, because it takes 8 to 9 hours, however this viewpoint offers you a really related view.
From Åndalsnes, drive to Trollstigen. Trollstigen (Troll’s Ladder) is a switchback highway that is among the hottest drives in Norway.
Trollstigen | 10 Days in Norway
Touring on this route, you’ll drive up Trollstigen. From the highest, be sure you cease to benefit from the view.
Lastly, proceed on to Geirangerfjord and test into your resort. We stayed at Lodge Utsikten. This resort presents superior views over Geirangerfjord, a minimum of when the climate is obvious (we weren’t so fortunate).
Day 3: Geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and one of many prettiest fjords in Norway. When you are right here, you’ll be able to go kayaking, discover the quick mountain climbing trails, go to the viewpoints over the fjord, and discover the city of Geiranger.
Geirangerfjord | 10 Days in Norway
Day 4: Drive to Flåm
Complete Driving Distance: 280 km
Complete Driving Time: 6 hours
The drive from Geiranger to Flåm is 280 km and takes 6 hours. That will sound like loads of driving, and it’s, however there are some issues to do alongside the way in which.
Dalsnibba Viewpoint. Simply south of Geiranger, drive on Norway’s highest highway to this viewpoint. From right here, you should have a tremendous view over Geirangerfjord. That is solely price it on a transparent day. We did this on a wet day and noticed nothing however clouds.
Previous Strynefjell Mountain Street and Buldrefossen. A scenic drive on a excessive mountain highway and fast go to to a waterfall.
Jostedalsbreen Nationwide Park Heart. Cease right here to study glaciers. Jostedalsbreen is the most important glacier in mainland Europe.
As soon as in Flåm, get settled into your resort.
Day 5: Norway in a Nutshell and Bergen
Complete Driving Distance: 167 km
Complete Driving Time: 2.5 hours
The Norway in a Nutshell tour is a very fashionable tour for first-time guests to Norway. This tour features a cruise on Naeroyfjord (one other UNESCO Website and the narrowest fjord in Norway) and Aurlandsfjord, a railway journey to and from Myrdal, and a spectacular view of the Naeroydalen valley from the Stalheim Lodge.
Naeroyfjord | 10 Days in Norway
You possibly can e-book the complete tour as a tour on the Norway in a Nutshell web site. Nonetheless, since you have got your personal automotive, it can save you some cash by piecing it collectively your self.
From Flåm, you’ll be able to trip the Flåmsbana to Myrdal and again. This journey by prepare takes about 2 hours spherical journey and has been described as probably the most stunning rail journeys on the planet.
Additionally, from Flåm, you’ll be able to cruise Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord after which return to Flåm by way of bus. This round-trip journey takes 2.5 hours.
After all, you would not have to cruise the fjords and trip the Flåmsbana. You possibly can select to do one or the opposite.
Get the entire particulars on how one can e-book your personal tickets, together with pricing and hyperlinks to buy your tickets, in our article The best way to do the Norway in a Nutshell Tour on Your Personal. This text additionally has a number of cool viewpoints and detours so as to add to your go to in Flåm.
From Flåm, drive west in the direction of Bergen. On the drive, you’ll come to a fast detour the place you’ll be able to drive up the Stalheimskleiva, one of many steepest roads in Europe, to the Stalheim Lodge. From the resort, benefit from the superior view of Naeroydalen Valley. This fast detour can also be a part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour. Since you have got a automotive, you are able to do this by yourself, and also you don’t must pay the additional charge to do that as a part of a tour.
The view of Naeroydalen from the Stalheim Lodge | 10 Days in Norway
From the Stalheim Lodge, it takes two hours to drive to Bergen.
Get settled in your resort and spend the night exploring Bergen.
Day 6: Bergen, Fly to the Lofoten Islands
Spend the morning in Bergen. Within the afternoon, fly to the Lofoten Islands and get settled into your resort.
Day 7, 8 & 9: Lofoten Islands
Tour the Lofoten Islands. See the primary itinerary on this publish for concepts on how one can spend your time.
Day 10: Fly House
Start your journey residence (or proceed on to your subsequent vacation spot).
Useful Suggestions for this Itinerary
Flight Delays To/From the Lofoten Islands
Dangerous climate disrupted our flight plans on the day we left the Lofoten Islands.
From the Lofoten Islands, we traveled to Gdansk, Poland. Wet climate cancelled our flight from Leknes. We had been bussed to Svolvaer, rerouted on a brief hop to Bodø, and took a second flight to Oslo. From Oslo, we flew to Warsaw after which to Gdansk.
Flight delays will not be an uncommon incidence on the Lofoten Islands and we bought fortunate that we nonetheless made it to Gdansk on our deliberate day (though lots later at evening and with 4 flights in sooner or later…sure, it took 4 flights to get us from Svolvaer to Gdansk).
The best way to Modify this Itinerary
With Extra Time
Extra time within the Lofoten Islands. We spent 5 days right here and would have beloved to have had extra time. Additional days offer you extra time to go mountain climbing and provides some “contingency time” in case you have wet days if you are right here.
Tromsø. With two extra days, you’ll be able to drive from the Lofoten Islands to Tromsø after which spend sooner or later in Tromsø.
Oslo. Add a day in Oslo initially or finish of the itinerary to tour the town.
The Atlantic Street. The Atlantic Street is one other very scenic drive in Norway. On itinerary #2, you’ll be able to add sooner or later and drive the Atlantic Street from Ålesund.
Hike Romsdalseggen Ridge. On itinerary #2, you hike Romsdalseggen Ridge, a difficult however spectacular hike, from Åndalsnes. To do that, plan to remain in a single day in Åndalsnes earlier than and after the hike. Study extra in our article on how one can hike Romsdalseggen.
With Much less Time
I don’t advocate doing this itinerary until you have got a full ten days.
There’s a lot to see and do within the Lofoten Islands, and to make it definitely worth the time and expense of flying right here, I like to recommend that you’ve got a full 3 days.
It’s nearly not possible to shorten the fjord area of those itineraries with out creating very lengthy days stuffed with lengthy drives and a packed mountain climbing/sightseeing schedule.
Ramberg Seaside within the Lofoten Islands
Are you planning a visit to Norway? Remark beneath in case you have any questions on these itineraries or how one can spend 10 days in Norway.
Extra Info for Your Journey to Norway:
10 DAYS IN THE FJORD REGION: On this 10 day itinerary via the fjord area,go to southern Norway: Bergen, Geirangerfjord, and Stavanger and hike Trolltunga, Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten.
NORTHERN NORWAY ITINERARY: On this 10 day Norway itinerary, highway journey via Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, two stunning off the crushed path locations, and go to the Lofoten Islands.
PLACES TO GO IN NORWAY: For an inventory of prime experiences in Norway, don’t miss our Norway Bucket Listing. In case you are a hiker, we even have a mountain climbing information with 14 epic day hikes to do in Norway.
BEST OF THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS: For an outline of the most effective issues to do, learn our Lofoten Islands Prime Ten Listing. Nice hikes within the Lofoten Islands embody Ryten, Reinebringen, Festvagtind, and Svolvaer Floya. For a giant journey, climb Svolvaergeita for probably the most distinctive experiences within the Lofoten Islands.
EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For extra nice concepts on the place to go in Europe, try our article 30 Stunning Locations to Go to in Europe and the 20 Greatest Hikes in Europe. You can too get extra journey concepts in our 10 Days in Europe itinerary information, which has 10 nice itineraries in your subsequent journey to Europe.
Learn all of our articles about Norway in our Norway Journey Information.
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