Norway’s story is carved by ice and sea—from Viking longships to merchant guilds and modern eco-design. In just one week, you’ll trace that arc: Oslo’s bold architecture and world-class museums, a legendary rail-and-fjord journey through deep valleys, and Bergen’s timber-fronted quays that once bankrolled the Hanseatic League.

Expect dramatic scenery: mirror-still fjords, high plateaus, waterfalls like white threads, and cities that hug the water. This Norway itinerary stitches in the Flåm Railway, Nærøyfjord cruise, Bryggen’s medieval bones, and the Munch and National Museums, all paced for easy travel and maximum views.

Practical note: weather swings fast—pack layers and waterproofs year-round. Contactless payments are the norm; tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for notable service). Seafood shines, but save room for brunost (brown cheese) and Bergen’s skillingsboller cinnamon buns.

Oslo

Oslo is Norway’s capital of clean lines and big ideas: the glacier-like Opera House, the Barcode skyline, and MUNCH’s rippling facade beside the fjord. Yet nature is never far: forested hills, a river walk, saunas bobbing in the harbor.

• Top sights: MUNCH (Edvard Munch’s The Scream), National Museum, Akershus Fortress, Opera House rooftop, Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower, Bygdøy’s Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums.
• Neighborhoods to taste: Aker Brygge/Tjuvholmen for waterfront dining; Grünerløkka for third-wave coffee, indie shops, and bars.
• Fun fact: Oslo’s ski jump at Holmenkollen has hosted competitions since 1892 and offers the city’s best panorama.

Where to stay: Search central stays near the Opera House, Aker Brygge, or Nationaltheatret for easy transit. Browse apartments and hotels here: VRBO Oslo | Hotels.com Oslo

Getting there: For flights within or to/from Europe, compare fares on Omio Flights. For long-haul options beyond Europe, check Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. The Flytoget airport express or local train takes ~20–25 minutes to Oslo S.

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, Fjordfront Stroll, and Opera at Dusk

Assume afternoon arrival.

Afternoon: Drop bags and stretch your legs along Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen. Duck into Astrup Fearnley Museum’s waterside plaza for a view of the sculpture park, then wander to the Barcode district for the classic rooftop walk on the glacier-white Oslo Opera House.

Evening: Dinner at Fiskeriet Youngstorget—order the fish soup or crispy cod fish and chips at the bar, plus daily oysters if you’re lucky. Nightcap at Himkok, the acclaimed distillery-cocktail bar; try a house aquavit highball or the lingonberry sour. Turn in early to sync with local time.

Day 2: Icons of Art and Architecture + Grünerløkka Coffee

Morning: Coffee at Fuglen (mid-century vibes, meticulous brews). Tour the National Museum (Norwegian design, painting, and a small but mighty Munch section), then stroll past Oslo City Hall’s murals to the harbor.

Afternoon: Lunch at Mathallen Food Hall; grab the tempura-fresh fish and chips at Vulkanfisk or pinxtos at Barramon. Walk the Akerselva River up to Grünerløkka, pausing at Tim Wendelboe or Supreme Roastworks—both world-champion roasters pouring pristine Nordic-style coffee.

Evening: Book dinner at Katla (open-fire, Nordic-Asian plates; octopus with chili-butter or lamb with koji rice if on the menu). After, sip a botanical gin cocktail at Torggata Botaniske or a glass from an impeccable list at Territoriet.

Day 3: MUNCH, Bygdøy’s Polar Explorers, and Holmenkollen Views

Morning: Start at MUNCH; take the elevator to the 13th-floor terrace for a fjord panorama before exploring The Scream and experimental prints. Espresso and a cardamom bun at Åpent Bakeri kiosk nearby.

Afternoon: Hop the harbor ferry to Bygdøy. Step aboard the ice-breaking Fram at the Fram Museum and peer at Thor Heyerdahl’s balsawood vessel in the Kon-Tiki Museum. If you’re a maritime buff, the Norwegian Maritime Museum is next door. Late-afternoon ride to Holmenkollen for the Ski Museum and tower lookout; on snowy days, watch locals carve home on cross-country trails.

Evening: Dinner at neighborhood favorite Smalhans (seasonal Norwegian dishes; the “husmannskost” set is a great value). For a splurge, consider Michelin-starred Hot Shop (hyper-seasonal tasting menu, inventive but grounded). If you fancy a steam, reserve a floating sauna session at KOK Oslo on the fjord before calling it a night.

Bergen

Cradled by seven mountains and braided with seafaring history, Bergen is Norway’s storybook port. Its UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf—leaning timber warehouses painted russet and gold—once pulsed with stockfish trade and Hanseatic power.

• Top sights: Bryggen and Bryggens Museum, Fløibanen funicular, Ulriken cable car, KODE art museums, Edvard Grieg’s Troldhaugen, Fish Market.
• Fjord access: Easy day cruises to Mostraumen or longer Hardangerfjord jaunts; or arrive via the classic Oslo–Flåm–Nærøyfjord–Bergen route.
• Local flavor: Try a skillingsbolle (cinnamon bun), fresh shrimp at the Fish Market, and creamy fiskesuppe on a rainy day.

Where to stay: Base in Bergen Sentrum near Bryggen or the Fish Market for walkability; Møhlenpris is hip and quieter. Browse: VRBO Bergen | Hotels.com Bergen

Getting to Bergen from Oslo: The direct train is a destination in itself—one of Europe’s great rides. Compare fares/times on Omio Trains. For buses or backup connections, see Omio Buses; ferries within Norway can be browsed on Omio Ferries.

Day 4: Oslo → Bergen via Flåm Railway and Nærøyfjord (Norway in a Nutshell)

Assume morning departure.

Morning: Early train Oslo S → Myrdal (~4.5–5 hours). Switch to the Flåm Railway for a jaw-dropping 20 km descent past waterfalls and steep farms (~1 hour). Grab a takeaway cinnamon bun at Flåm Bakery.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ægir BrewPub (Viking-hall vibes; salmon burger, local beers). Then board the Nærøyfjord cruise from Flåm or Gudvangen (~2 hours) through a UNESCO-listed, knife-thin fjord. Continue by bus Gudvangen → Voss (~1h15) and local train Voss → Bergen (~1h15). Total Oslo–Bergen via this route: ~9–10 hours with connections; expect roughly 1,900–2,800 NOK depending on season and booking method. Tickets for trains/buses on Omio Trains and Omio Buses; the fjord ferry can be booked in advance via local operators.

Evening: Check in and stretch your legs around Vågen harbor. Casual late eats at Pingvinen (hearty Norwegian comfort—meatballs with lingonberries, creamy fish soup) or Trekroneren for Bergen’s cult-favorite hot dogs (reindeer or wild garlic sausage).

Day 5: Bryggen, Fish Market Lunch, and Mount Fløyen

Morning: Coffee at Kaffemisjonen (multiple national championship trophies) and a skillingsbolle at Godt Brød Korskirken. Explore Bryggen’s narrow alleys, timber galleries, and the Bryggens Museum (medieval layers under glass floors). Peek into artisans’ workshops for handwoven textiles and woodcarving.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Fish Market: pick a platter at Fjellskål Fisketorget (shrimp, crab claws, gravlax) with a glass of white. Ride the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen; walk to Skomakerdiket lake, rent a canoe in summer, or follow easy trails through spruce forest. On rainy days, browse the KODE art museums, from Munch and Dahl to design.

Evening: Dinner at Restaurant 1877 in Kjøttbasaren (historic market hall; reimagined Norwegian fare—salt-baked celeriac, pan-fried cod with brown butter). Craft-beer nightcap at Henrik Øl & Vinstove or vinyl-spun pints at Apollon Platebar.

Day 6: Ulriken Heights and Grieg’s Lakeside Home

Morning: Take the Ulriken643 cable car to Bergen’s highest city peak (weather dependent). On clear days, views stretch to the sea. Adventurous travelers can book the Via Ferrata (summer season) with a guide. Coffee with a view at Skyskraperen before descending.

Afternoon: Light lunch back in town at Daily Pot (soups, grain bowls), then tram or taxi to Troldhaugen, composer Edvard Grieg’s villa and lakeside concert hut. The museum adds context to the Peer Gynt and piano lyricism you’ve heard all your life; seasonal afternoon recitals are a treat.

Evening: Book the boat out to Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant on a skerry outside Bergen (weather and season permitting). Their “meteorological menu” riffs on the day’s catch and conditions; think scallops, halibut, and kelp butter. Return to town for a mellow glass at Altona Vinbar, a vaulted 17th-century wine bar.

Day 7: Sauna, Short Fjord Cruise, and Departure

Assume afternoon departure.

Morning: If you prefer a gentle finale, book a slot at Nordnes Sjøbad (seawater pool and sauna) or take the 3-hour Mostraumen fjord cruise from the city—narrow passages, waterfalls, and steep-walled drama without a long transfer.

Afternoon: Coffee at Det Lille Kaffekompaniet beneath Fløibanen. Early lunch at Bryggen Tracteursted (seasonal; traditional Norwegian dishes and cured fish in a historic setting) or a quick burger made with Norwegian beef at Døgnvill by the harbor. Head to the airport light-rail (Bybanen) for an easy 44-minute ride.

Departing Bergen: Check flight options across Europe on Omio Flights. For long-haul routes beyond Europe, compare on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com.

Practical Tips and Costs

• Oslo public transit: a 24-hour Zone 1 ticket is roughly 120–140 NOK; tap in/out on Ruter’s trams, buses, ferries, and metro.
• Oslo–Bergen train: 6.5–7 hours direct; standard fares ~500–1,200 NOK depending on advance purchase. Book on Omio Trains.
• Norway in a Nutshell route (DIY): Oslo→Myrdal (train) →Flåm (Flåm Railway) →Nærøyfjord ferry →Gudvangen→Voss (bus) →Bergen (train). Expect ~9–10 hours, total transport often 1,900–2,800 NOK.
• Cards over cash: Norway is nearly cashless; even kiosks and ferries accept cards and mobile pay.
• What to pack: waterproof jacket, insulating mid-layer, comfy walking shoes, and a compact daypack. Summer sun is long; winter light is short—plan museum times accordingly.

Summary: In one week, you’ll sip world-class coffee in Oslo, climb its opera rooftop, stand eye to eye with The Scream, trace a legendary rail to the fjords, and taste the sea in Bergen. Mountains, museums, and maritime history braid together into a Norway itinerary you’ll remember every time you hear Grieg or smell the sea.