Southern Norway rewards the curious with a rare blend of urban design, maritime history, and otherworldly fjords. Oslo’s cutting-edge museums and harborside architecture flow into Bergen’s colorful Hanseatic heritage and mountain trails, culminating in Stavanger’s white-wood quarters and the granite drama of Lysefjord and Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).

In the Viking Age, these coasts linked farmers and fishermen to Europe’s trade routes; today, the same waterways deliver fjord cruises, scenic railways, and kayak-perfect inlets. You’ll ride the legendary Bergen Railway, glide through mirror-still fjords, and taste Norway’s seafood at its source.

Practical notes: Norway uses NOK, tap water is excellent, and contactless payments are ubiquitous. Pack layers—weather changes quickly—and bring traction for shoulder-season hikes. Rail seats often sell out in summer; book Oslo–Bergen early. In winter, guided fjord and city experiences run reliably, while major hikes require winter gear or guided trips.

Oslo

Oslo is a waterfront capital where saunas bob in the harbor, the Opera House invites you to walk its slanted roof, and galleries pair architecture with art. Neighborhoods like Grünerløkka brim with Nordic roasters and indie design, while Bygdøy peninsula gathers Norway’s great seafaring stories in a compact museum mile.

Stay: Browse central apartments and hotels near Aker Brygge, Frogner, or Bjørvika for easy tram and ferry access. Search stays on VRBO Oslo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Oslo.

Getting in: Fly into OSL and ride the airport train (~20 min) to the center. Compare flights with Omio (Flights) and onward trains within Europe on Omio (Trains).

Days 1–4: Museums, waterfront walks, and an Oslofjord cruise

• Bjørvika & the Opera House: Walk the marble roof for harbor views, then continue to the MUNCH museum for Edvard Munch’s breadth beyond The Scream. Stroll the Barcode towers and the new library’s ship-like atrium.
• Bygdøy Museums: The Fram Museum (polar exploration) and the Kon-Tiki Museum (Thor Heyerdahl’s balsa raft) are hands-on and inspiring. Nearby, the Norwegian Folk Museum’s open-air stave church ties medieval craft to modern life.
• Akershus & Aker Brygge: Trace centuries of fortifications at Akershus Fortress, then dock-hop through Tjuvholmen’s galleries and sculpture walks.
• Oslofjord by silent boat: See islands, lighthouses, and fortress walls from the water on this low-noise cruise: Guided Sightseeing Cruise on Oslofjord by Premium Silent Boat.

  

Eat & drink like a local: Start with dialed-in espresso at Tim Wendelboe (Grünerløkka) or Fuglen (retro interiors by day, classic cocktails by night). Supreme Roastworks pulls competition-level shots, while Åpent Bakeri turns out sourdough and cardamom buns.

For lunch, duck into Mathallen food hall—try Vulkanfisk for fish soup and shrimp smørbrød, Barramon for Basque pintxos, or Kulinaris for small-batch ice cream. Old-school Engebret Café serves reindeer stew and fish dishes in a 19th-century dining room.

Dinner ideas: Maaemo (special-occasion tasting menu), Kontrast (seasonal, hyper-local), and Ekspedisjonshallen at Sommerro (grand brasserie with live music). After, sip aquavit at Himkok (house distillery, innovative cocktails) or sample Norwegian craft at Schouskjelleren Mikrobryggeri’s candlelit cellar.

Bergen

Embraced by seven mountains, Bergen pairs salty air with storybook streets. Bryggen’s colorful, leaning warehouses—once the Hanseatic League’s trading hub—now hide craft studios and tiny museums, while funiculars and cable cars lift you straight into hiking country.

Oslo → Bergen (morning of Day 5): Ride the Bergen Railway across high alpine plateaus in ~6.5–7 hours. Expect ~$50–$100 if booked in advance; search on Omio (Trains). Flights take ~55 minutes if you’re short on time—compare on Omio (Flights).

Stay: Base near Bryggen or the Fish Market for easy ferries and funiculars. See options on VRBO Bergen and Hotels.com Bergen.

Days 5–8: Bryggen, mountaintops, and world-class fjord days

• Bryggen & harborside: Wander narrow alleys, then learn trading lore in the Hanseatic exhibits. The Fish Market showcases seasonal crab, salmon, and prawns—great for a light lunch.
• Viewpoints: Take Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen for short forest loops and city panoramas, or Ulriken’s cable car for higher, wilder ridge walks.
• Signature fjord day (Naerøyfjord & Flåm Railway): This full-day combination delivers two icons—the UNESCO Nærøyfjord’s sheer cliffs and the historic Flåm Railway. Book: Guided tour - Viking Village, Nærøyfjord Cruise and Flåm Railway.

  

• Half-day fjord cruise (close to Bergen): When time is tighter, sail deep into Osterfjord and the Mostraumen strait on a compact day: Mostraumen Fjord Cruise - the local operator.

  

More to add if you love music and craft: Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg’s villa) hosts intimate concerts, and Fantoft Stave Church offers a striking wooden silhouette amid pines.

Eat & drink: For coffee, Kaffemisjonen and Det Lille Kaffekompaniet keep standards high. At lunch, Søstrene Hagelin specializes in traditional fish cakes; at the Fish Market, try a steaming bowl of fiskesuppe or a crab sandwich al fresco.

Dinner standouts include Bryggeloftet & Stuene (classic West Norwegian fare), Pingvinen (hearty Norwegian comfort—lamb in cabbage, fish gratin), and Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant (boat-accessed, set menu built around the day’s catch). For a nightcap, browse vinyl and beers at Apollon Platebar or explore Norwegian taps at Henrik Øl og Vinstove.

Stavanger

Stavanger blends maritime roots with street art and forward-looking cuisine. Wander lanes of white wooden houses in Old Stavanger, then pivot to boldly painted Øvre Holmegate before setting your sights on Lysefjord’s granite walls.

Bergen → Stavanger (morning of Day 9): The Kystbussen coach links the cities in ~4.5–5 hours (coast-hopping with fjord crossings); check schedules and fares on Omio (Buses). Prefer water? Seasonal fast ferries run ~4–5 hours—search options via Omio (Ferries). Flights are ~45 minutes; compare on Omio (Flights).

Stay: Sleep steps from the harbor for easy cruise access and evening walks. Compare places on VRBO Stavanger and Hotels.com Stavanger.

Days 9–12: Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock, and coastal culture

• Lysefjord from sea level: Cruise beneath Preikestolen’s 604-meter cliff and past waterfalls that mist the deck; seals sometimes haul out on skerries. It’s a great option in shoulder season if trails are icy higher up.
• Hike Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock): Allow ~4–5 hours round-trip from the mountain lodge trailhead. In summer, go early for quieter paths and softer light; in late fall/winter, consider microspikes or a guide. Buses run from Stavanger to the trailhead in season—check departures on Omio (Buses).
• Stavanger’s old town and art: Stroll Gamle Stavanger’s 18th-century cottages, then spot large-scale murals seeded by the Nuart Festival. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum explains offshore tech with kid-friendly exhibits and North Sea context.
• Hafrsfjord’s “Sverd i fjell”: Three giant bronze swords mark the site of a decisive 9th-century battle that united Norway. Time it for golden-hour photos.

Cafés & bites: Kokko pairs minimalist design with specialty coffee and excellent pastries; Bluebird Kaffebar and Coffeeberry are local favorites for flat whites and beans to-go. For breakfast or a casual lunch, Ostehuset bakes stellar breads and salads, while Kanelsnurren is famous for cinnamon knots.

Dinner & drinks: RE-NAA (two Michelin stars) showcases Rogaland produce with precision; for a more relaxed sibling, Renaa Matbaren serves shareable bistro plates. Fisketorget Stavanger plates the catch of the day right on the harbor, and Sabi Omakase offers an intimate, chef-led sushi experience. After dark, Cardinal pours one of Norway’s best beer selections, Hanekam buzzes on Øvre Holmegate, and Bøker og Børst blends café vibes with craft pints.

Optional extra fjord time from Bergen (if you extend or swap a day)

If you’d like a different perspective on Mostraumen with a local guide, consider this 3.5–4 hour round trip: Bergen Mostraumen Fjord Cruise with Local Guide.

Getting home: Depart from Stavanger (SVG) or loop back to Oslo by flight (~55 minutes) via Omio (Flights). If you’re continuing in Europe, compare trains and buses with Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Seasonal tips: Summer (June–August) offers midnight glow, green trails, and the broadest fjord schedules. Spring and fall bring crisp air and fewer crowds—pack rain gear for Bergen. In winter, prioritize city culture and boat-based fjords, and only attempt major hikes with proper gear or a guide.

In 12 days you’ll savor Oslo’s cultural edge, Bergen’s fjord gateway, and Stavanger’s epic Lysefjord landscapes. The mix of rail, boat, and trail makes Southern Norway feel both spacious and intimate—every bend in the water revealing a new story.