I have been living in Oslo for almost 2 years now, and I must say that the beauty that Southern Norway has to offer is truly incredible. In May 2024 I took a 7 day road trip with my family, and I want to share those details with you in case you are looking for a similar length roadtrip in the region. You can of course add more to your journey if you have more time, but the highlights below are absolutely worth seeing at a minimum!
You can also use this MindTrip link for an AI generated, customizable and interactive itinerary based on my journey in the blog post below 🙂
Arrive in Oslo
Odds are if you are flying into the region you will be flying into Oslo Gardermoen Airport, which is about 30 minutes north of city center by train. Most international flights will take you to Oslo, which is a great place to start your adventure in Norway. You can easily connect to other cities in Norway via short flights from Gardermoen if you desire, but since this is a road trip there’s no need for that. The city center can easily be reached via multiple methods of transportation, including train, bus, and taxi. I would recommend the train as it is not only the fastest, but also the cheapest.
While there is much to see in Oslo, for this itinerary I will focus on the road trip around the southern part of the country, where are there are so many charming towns and cities to visit, and so many beautiful sights to see. If you want to add a few days to the itinerary, it is definitely worth staying a few days in Oslo to see all that the city has to offer (new post will be coming soon with things to do in Oslo). If you are going to do this, I would recommend starting your trip with a few days in Oslo, rather than ending, this way you have a few days to get acquainted before heading out on the road trip adventure.
Day 1: Hit the Road – Oslo to Stavanger
We started off straight away with the longest day of driving, heading south on the E18 from Oslo, with the goal of arriving to Stavanger by the evening. This is about a 7 hour drive, but don’t worry as there is no shortage of sights outside the window along the way. Also, we stopped in Kristiansand, which is roughly halfway and provides a perfect chance to stop for lunch and stretch the legs.
Stop for Lunch in Kristiansand
I would recommend leaving Oslo around 7:30 or 8:00, as it will take about 4 hours to drive to Kristiansand, and then you can arrive right around lunch time. We stopped for lunch at will.i.juice & more, which is a lovely restaurant with delicious salads and bowls. After a quick lunch, we took a lap around the city center, which does not take long at all (around 30-45 minutes if walking at a brisk pace) as the city is very compact and walkable. There is a beautiful church with a nice park in the center of the city, and nice views of the water if you walk along the promenade on the southeast side of the city. Once you’ve stretched your legs and are ready to continue onwards, its time to hop back in the car and continue towards Stavanger.
Arrive in Stavanger
As you continue the drive from Kristiansand, you will not be disappointed by the sights around every corner. You will pass through countless tunnels and bridges, winding through the beautiful landscapes of Southern Norway’s fjords. Sometime in the early evening you should arrive in Stavanger.
After the long day of driving, its a great time to explore the city center on foot and find a great place for dinner. We ate at Fisketorget Stavanger, which is a fish market and restuarant right on the main harbor in Stavanger. Would recommend the fish soup, a Norwegian speciality and very delicious here. The views are also very nice if you have good weather to dine outside.
Day 2: Hike Preikestolen
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Preikestolen (aka Pulpit Rock in English) is “Norway’s most famous hike” for good reason. The views are absolutely incredible and it is easily accessible by car. Driving from Stavanger will take about 45 minutes to reach the parking lot. It is recommended to arrive as a early as possible to secure a parking spot, and the earlier you arrive at the top the less crowded it will be (expect big crowds between May and August, especially if the weather is nice that day). It takes about 4-6 hours to hike to the top and back depending on your desired speed and hiking experience. We brought a lunch with us on our hike which worked out great as we were able to stop near the stop for to refuel before making the final charge to top. The views at the top speak for themselves, and you will understand why this hike is definitely a must do.
Back to Stavanger
After spending some time at the top enjoying the incredible views, we headed back down to the car and returned to Stavanger. After the hike we were tired so took some time to relax at the lodging, before heading out again for dinner. Dognvill Burger Stavanger is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a delicious burger after the long hike. Afterwards head for a stroll down Fargegaten, the colorful and quaint tourist street in Stavanger where you will find a lot of bars and shops.
Day 3: Explore Stavanger and Drive to Bergen
Day 3 we explored Stavanger in the morning, and continued our journey with the drive to Bergen in the afternoon/evening. It takes about 4.5 hours to make the drive, so you can spend as much time in Stavanger as you’d like before heading out. We took the opportunity to explore Gamle Stavanger, the old part of the town just to the west side of the bay. This area is filled with old white cottages and cobblestone streets, and is a wonderful area just to walk around with no plan or map, just explore.
Drive to Bergen
The drive to Bergen will take about 4.5 hours, and will take you on two car ferries along the way. Its another beautiful drive, with lots of scenic ocean views, and the car ferries are a great chance to stretch your legs.
Dinner and Drinks in Bergen
Once we arrived in Bergen and checked into our lodging, we went for dinner at Bryygeloftet & Stuene, a restaurant on the waterfront that serves classic Norwegian dishes in a refined setting. After another day of driving, we wanted to stretch our legs so we took a stroll around the city to get acquainted with the new surroundings, and were not disappointed with the beautiful views.
To cap off the evening, we enjoyed some cocktails in the evening at No Stress, which lived up to its namesake as a very chill and relaxing environment to enjoy a nice drink in the first night in Bergen.
Day 4: Spend the Day in Bergen
Day 4 is the first day with no driving, as we spent the entire day exploring Bergen on foot.
Fløyen
Fløyen is a hill in Bergen that has panoramic views of the city. I always love to get a view of the full city from a high vantage point, so in my opinion this is a must do in Bergen. There are two ways to get to the top. You can either take the funicular (which is 75 NOK one way or 140 NOK for a return ticket), or you can hike from the city center (which takes about an hour). In the interest of time, we opted to take the funicular to the top, and then hike the path through the woods back down to the city, after stopping at the top for some time to take in the views, and of course capture some photos.
Lunch – Trekroneren
After hiking down to the city, we ate at the iconic hot dog stand Trekroneren. Here you can try a Reindeer Sausage with the chef’s recommended toppings if you’re feeling adventurous (would definitely recommend, it was delicious).
Bryggen
As were right next to it after finding a spot to stop and eat our hot dogs, we then explored the Bryggen area of Bergen, which is the main attraction for most visitors. This area is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as these buildings are old commercial buildings dating back to the Hanseatic League in the 13th to 15th centuries. The tiny alley ways between the buildings makes the area to explore much larger than it initially appears. There are tons of shops here, as well as a museum about the history of the area. Since the weather was super nice, we took the chance to find an outdoor bar/patio and enjoy a beer.
Fisketorget
The fish market is another iconic spot in Bergen. You can find fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables at this outdoor market right on the harbor in the city center. We took some time to explore the market and had dinner here at one of the outdoor restaurant stalls set up along the water.
Day 5: Drive to Flåm
On day 5, we packed back into the car and started the journey towards Flåm. This is by far the most beautiful day of driving of the trip, and it just continues to get more and more picturesque the closer you get to Flåm.
Lunch in Undredal
Going off the beaten path (and the main road) for a bit, we opted for a lunch stop in Undredal, which is a small village between Gudvangen and Flåm. The narrow winding road down the valley to Undredal was lined, and sometimes stopped, by sheep in the middle of the road. We ate lunch at Undredal Bryggje Restaurant (check before heading here because they are only open seasonally in the summer), which is a gorgeous setting right along the fjord. I cannot recommend this place enough, as the Baby Goat Feast (sharing plate) and Brunost (Norwegian Brown Cheese) Diavola pizza both hit the spot, and are made with local, fresh ingredients.
Afternoon in Flåm
After lunch in Undredal, its just a short 30 minute drive to Flåm, the popular tourist town in this area. Because this is the most touristy town, it may be very busy in the summer if you are visiting on a day where there are cruise ships parked, so be aware of this. That being said, there are lots of options for your afternoon in Flåm.
We opted to walk around the town on foot and explore the souvenir shops, but you can also go for one of the beautiful hikes in the area or do a trip on the iconic Flåm Railway. We opted not to do this because we had driven in the area and were planning to take the fjord cruise on Day 6, but the train is iconic and the views are amazing so it’s definitely a great option.
Stegastein Viewing Platform
Next we headed up the very windy road near Aurland to the Stegastein Viewing Platform, a short drive away from Flåm, but with a high vantage point and amazing views over the Aurlandsfjord. We spent some time here enjoying the view and taking photos before heading back down the windy path. If the road is open (usually opens in June), you can take the old scenic route over the mountain all the way to Lærdalsøyri, which takes about an hour with no stops. In mid May the road was closed so we instead drove through the world’s longest passenger car tunnel (24.5km).
Lærdalsøyri
We opted for a low key dinner at home this night, but there are several options in Aurland (just at the bottom of the windy road) if you want to stop for a bite before calling it a night. We stayed in Lærdalsøyri, which I would recommend as it is a beautiful setting with the mountains and waterfalls on both sides, and the old town is historic and well preserved. In addition, lodging in Flåm is limited, so you can save a lot of money and get away from the most touristy area by staying in Lærdalsøyri.
Day 6: Nærøyfjord, Gudvangen, and Flåm
In the morning, we explored the old town in Lærdalsøyri near our accommodations, and enjoyed some coffee and pastries from Fredag & Fretland Bakeri before heading to Gudvangen.
Lunch in Gudvangen
Backtracking a little bit, we drove to Gudvangen, which takes about an hour from Lærdalsøyri, but it is beautiful to see the drive from another angle today. Gudvangen is a beautiful little village tucked at the end of the Nærøyfjord, and is truly one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever seen. Right on the water is the Gudvangen Cafe & Bakeri, where we stopped for a coffee and lunch. They have amazing pizza here, and the scenery around while you chow down is incredible. This cafe is right next to the beginning of the Nærøyfjord cruise, so the location is perfect for lunch as you don’t have to worry about missing your cruise.
Nærøyfjord Cruise
Now it’s time for the highlight of the trip, the cruise through the UNESCO listed Nærøyfjord. If you are lucky enough to visit on a sunny, warm day in May like we were, there is absolutely no better time to visit. The snowcapped mountains, lush greenery, and sparkling blue water is breathtaking, and pictures just won’t do it justice. The cruise is 2 hours long one way and takes you to Flåm. My advice is to take the cruise from Gudvangen to Flåm and sit on the outside deck in the back of the ship. Even on a cool day, you will be protected from the wind in the back, and the most beautiful views will be right before your eyes (looking backwards in the direction of Gudvangen). This is also a much less popular route than Flåm to Gudvangen, so you’ll likely have fewer people in your photos and on your boat. After arriving in Flåm, you can take the bus back to Gudvangen to grab the car.
Drinks and Dinner in Flåm
After arriving on the cruise in Flåm, now is your best (and probably last) chance to do any additional souvenir shopping, or snap some photos of the iconic Flam Railway (even if you don’t take a ride yourself). Afterwards we headed to the local Aegir Brewery, with a very viking like setting on the inside and with many different beers on tap to try. They also have a very good restaurant upstairs (no reservations so get your name on the waiting list while you enjoy the beers downstairs). Would recommend the burger, it’s one of the best I’ve had in Norway!
Day 7: Return to Oslo
Sadly the final day of the roadtrip had arrived, so we packed up to drive back to Oslo. If you have time, you can stop at the Borgund Stave Church, which will be right off the main road on the way back to Oslo (beware you do have to pay an entrance fee and then walk a bit to get a view of the church, so you won’t be able to stop for a free photo).
You will also pass through Hemsedal about 1.5 hours into the trip on the way back, which can be a good place to stop for lunch and/or coffee. From Hemsedal its about 3 to 3.5 hours back to Oslo.
Feel free to leave a comment with any questions you may have, and stay tuned for more content coming soon 🙂