10 Days in Finland and Norway: Helsinki, Tromsø & Bergen Itinerary
Finland and Norway reward slow travelers: warm cinnamon rolls at dawn, a midday ferry to a fortress island, and midnight skies painted green. Helsinki pairs neoclassical grandeur with contemporary Nordic design; Tromsø is a high-latitude hub for Northern Lights and Arctic wildlife; Bergen is your colorful gateway to deep fjords and the legendary Flåm Railway.
History is never far. Helsinki’s urban plan nods to its Russian imperial past. Tromsø’s museums chronicle polar expeditions and Sámi heritage. Bergen’s Bryggen, once a Hanseatic trading post, remains a creaking, UNESCO-listed maze of timber corridors and salty sea lore.
Practical notes: both countries are cash-light (cards and mobile pay everywhere). Expect crisp winters (Northern Lights best Sept–Mar) and luminous summers with the midnight sun (May–Aug). Pack layers, waterproof shoes, and book headline experiences—Northern Lights tours, fjord cruises, saunas—well ahead.
Helsinki
Helsinki is Nordic cool without pretense—sea breezes, clean lines, and an almost reverent love of coffee and sauna. Its compact center lets you wander from Senate Square’s gleaming cathedral to a bustling market harbor in minutes.
- Top sights: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (UNESCO), Temppeliaukio “Rock” Church, Uspenski Cathedral, Design District boutiques, Allas Sea Pool and Löyly saunas.
- Eat and drink: Traditional plates at Restaurant Savotta; Michelin tasting at Olo or Grön; market bites at Old Market Hall; coffee at Ekberg 1852, Way Bakery, Café Regatta.
- Fun fact: Helsinki has more public saunas than traffic jams—go figure.
Where to stay: Browse central apartments and hotels near Esplanadi, Kamppi, or Katajanokka for easy walking.
Getting there: Compare Europe-bound flights on Omio (flights). For regional rail once in Europe, see Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).
Tromsø
At 69°N, Tromsø is an Arctic small city with big experiences: aurora chases, fjord wildlife, and a cable car view that makes the whole world feel made of snow and light. It’s also a lively university town—meaning great coffee, craft beer, and a friendly pulse even in polar night.
- Top sights: Arctic Cathedral, Polaria, Fjellheisen cable car, Polar Museum, waterfront strolls.
- Signature experiences: Northern Lights safaris, husky sledding, reindeer and Sámi culture, seasonal whale watching.
- Dining: Fresh Arctic cod at Fiskekompaniet, modern Norwegian at Mathallen or Bardus Bistro, classic pub culture at Ølhallen (Mack Brewery).
Where to stay: Central hotels by the harbor or cozy cabins outside town for darker skies.
Getting there: Fly Helsinki–Tromsø (usually via Oslo) in ~3.5–5 hours, $160–$320 one-way on Omio (flights).
Bergen
Bergen, framed by seven mountains and stitched with old wharves, is Norway’s fjord capital. Colorful Bryggen warehouses lean at delightful angles, ferries nose into dramatic inlets, and funiculars whisk you to pine-scented trails above the town.
- Top sights: Bryggen (UNESCO), Fish Market, Mount Fløyen funicular, Mount Ulriken cable car, Bergenhus Fortress.
- Eat and drink: Pingvinen for homestyle Norwegian classics, Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant for seafood “out on the islet,” Bryggen Tracteursted for historical recipes, coffee at Kaffemisjonen or Det Lille Kaffekompaniet.
- Essentials: Bring a packable rain jacket—locals call it the city of rain for a reason.
Where to stay: Stay near Bryggen, the Fish Market, or Nygårdshøyden for easy access to sights and transit.
Getting there: Tromsø–Bergen direct is ~2 hours (or ~3.5 hours via Oslo), $120–$250 on Omio (flights).
Day 1 — Arrival in Helsinki
Afternoon: Arrive and check in near Esplanadi or the harbor. Stretch your legs along the Esplanadi park, peek into the Old Market Hall for a first taste of rye bread, salmon soup, and Karelian pies.
Evening: Book a relaxing sauna session at seaside Löyly (harbor views, wood-fired warmth), then dinner at Restaurant Savotta beside Senate Square—try vendace fish with mashed potatoes and cloudberry dessert. Nightcap at Liberty or Death for inventive cocktails in a candlelit, speakeasy atmosphere.
Day 2 — Classic Helsinki: Squares, Fortresses, and Saunas
Morning: Coffee and cardamom buns at the historic Ekberg 1852 on Bulevardi. Walk to Senate Square for Helsinki Cathedral’s white colonnade, then over to the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral for onion domes and Baltic views. Browse local design along Aleksanterinkatu.
Afternoon: Ferry to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (UNESCO). Stroll ramparts, pop into the dry dock, and pause at Café Piper’s terrace in summer. Lunch at Story in the Old Market Hall when back—salmon soup and archipelago bread hit the spot.
Evening: Tasting menu at Michelin-starred Olo (seasonal Nordic produce, precise but warm service). If you’re still curious about Finnish bathing culture, an evening dip at Allas Sea Pool with a harbor view is wonderfully atmospheric.
Day 3 — Design District, Rock Church, and Neighborhood Flavors
Morning: Grab a flaky croissant and a flat white at Way Bakery & Wine Bar, then visit Temppeliaukio “Rock” Church—carved into granite with a copper dome, it’s an acoustic marvel. Art lovers can detour to Amos Rex for cutting-edge exhibitions.
Afternoon: Browse the Design District: Iittala and Marimekko flagship stores, small studios on Punavuori’s side streets. Lunch at Old Market Hall—try the famed Soppakeittiö (hearty daily soups) or a plate of gravlax. Coffee with a sea breeze at Café Regatta, a beloved red cottage by the water.
Evening: Dinner at Grön (vegetable-forward, creative, Michelin-starred) or Finnjävel Sali (refined takes on Finnish classics). Toast the city at Wino in Kallio—natural wines, lively locals.
Day 4 — Fly to Tromsø + First Aurora Hunt
Morning: Fly Helsinki to Tromsø (often via Oslo), ~3.5–5 hours, $160–$320 on Omio (flights). Aim for a late-morning arrival.
Afternoon: Check in and explore: quick stop at Polaria’s Arctic aquarium, then take the Fjellheisen cable car for panoramic views over islands and fjords. Coffee at Risø Mat & Kaffebar (excellent filter brews).
Evening: Join an ethical small-group aurora chase—warm layers provided, bonfire vibes, and expert guides to outrun clouds:
Tromso Aurora Hunt with Bonfire, Soup, Winter Gear & Transfers
Pre-tour bite: Raketten Bar & Pølser—Norway’s tiniest hotdog stand, beloved by locals on chill nights.
Day 5 — Drive Your Own Husky Team
Morning: A bucket-list Arctic thrill—drive your own huskies through powdery valleys (you and a partner switch driver/rider). Cake and a hot drink in a cozy lavvu (Sámi tent) afterward:
Tromso Husky Self-Drive Sledding with Cake and Drink in Lavvu
Afternoon: Warm up at PUST, the floating sauna with a plunge ladder into the fjord (book slots in advance). Coffee and cinnamon buns at Smørtorget, a homey café-gallery.
Evening: Dinner at Fiskekompaniet (cod, king crab, Arctic char with sea views) or Mathallen (seasonal Norwegian ingredients, smart wine list). If skies are promising, watch for aurora “outbursts” along the waterfront.
Day 6 — Seasonal Wildlife or Arctic Landscapes
Option A (Nov–Jan): Sail silent hybrid-electric vessels into the herring-rich fjords to watch orcas and humpbacks feed—magical in low winter light:
Silent Whale Watching by Hybrid-Electric Boat from Tromsø
Option B (Feb–Oct): Swap the whales for a guided Arctic landscapes day—snowshoe or minibus nature tours showcase beaches, reindeer pastures, and mirror-calm fjords. Pack layers and bring a thermos.
Evening: Cozy up at Bardus Bistro (reindeer, skrei when in season). Sample Mack Brewery classics at Ølhallen, the city’s oldest pub.
Day 7 — Reindeer & Sámi Culture + Museums
Morning: Meet a Sámi family, hand-feed reindeer, and hear stories of life in the far north. A hot lunch and joik (traditional song) add welcome warmth:
Reindeer visit, and Sami Culture Including Lunch from Tromso
Afternoon: Dive into polar history at the Polar Museum (Amundsen fans, this is your place) or the Tromsø Museum for Sámi culture and aurora science. Warm up with a cappuccino at Kaffebønna on Storgata.
Evening: Dinner at Emmas Drømmekjøkken (elegant northern cuisine). Early night ahead of travel—or a quiet stroll over Tromsø Bridge to see the Arctic Cathedral glow.
Day 8 — Fly to Bergen + Bryggen Waterfront
Morning: Fly Tromsø to Bergen, ~2 hours direct or ~3.5 hours via Oslo, $120–$250 on Omio (flights). Check in near Bryggen.
Afternoon: Wander Bryggen’s crooked alleys (UNESCO) and the Fish Market for fjord-fresh snacks. If you arrived before noon and conditions are calm, consider a scenic fjord run this afternoon:
Mostraumen Fjord Cruise - the local operator
Evening: Dinner at Bryggen Tracteursted (traditional recipes in a historic setting) or Enhjørningen (classic seafood). Craft beer and vinyl vibes at Apollon Platebar.
Day 9 — Nærøyfjord Cruise & Flåm Railway (Full Day)
All-day guided adventure: a scenic bus to the fjords, an ethereal Nærøyfjord cruise between sheer cliffs, a stop at a Viking Village, and the iconic Flåm Railway with waterfalls and hairpin views. It’s Norway’s greatest hits in one day—bring layers and a camera.
Guided tour - Viking Village, Nærøyfjord Cruise and Flåm Railway
Back in Bergen, reward yourself with a seafood feast at Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant (book transport by boat) or comforting meatballs and cabbage stew at Pingvinen.
Day 10 — Mount Fløyen Morning & Departure
Morning: Ride the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen. Walk easy forest trails with city-and-sea panoramas; kids love the friendly mountain goats in summer. Coffee at Det Lille Kaffekompaniet near the lower station, then a quick peek at Bergenhus Fortress.
Afternoon: Grab a light lunch (smoked salmon on dark bread) at the Fish Market before your transfer. Depart Bergen in the afternoon with camera rolls full of fjords and aurora.
Getting between cities (summary):
- International to Helsinki: compare on Omio (flights).
- Helsinki → Tromsø: 1-stop flight via Oslo, ~3.5–5 hrs, ~$160–$320, book on Omio (flights).
- Tromsø → Bergen: direct ~2 hrs (or via Oslo ~3.5 hrs), ~$120–$250, book on Omio (flights).
- Within Europe by rail/bus/ferry when useful: trains, buses, ferries.
Where to stay (quick picks via our partners):
In ten days you’ll trace a satisfying arc: Helsinki’s cultured harbors, Tromsø’s northern skies, and Bergen’s deep-cut fjords. Expect big scenery, thoughtful food, and stories you’ll retell for years—preferably over hot coffee and something cardamom-spiced.