Hardanger is where Norway’s industry and wild nature shake hands: Tyssedal’s early-1900s hydropower plant helped electrify the country, while just up the valley a glacier-carved plateau ends in a stone “tongue” that made Trolltunga a global hiking icon. Across the fjord, orchards have clung to sunlit slopes for centuries, fermenting today into award-winning Hardanger cider. Between hikes, you’ll wander Bergen’s UNESCO-listed Bryggen—a colorful reminder of the Hanseatic League’s trading heyday.

This 7-day itinerary blends city culture with alpine drama. You’ll ride funiculars to sunset views, step inside monumental industry at the Kraftmuseet, and string together Norway’s greatest hits: Låtefossen, Vøringsfossen, and the long, luminous days of the fjords. Expect crisp air, waterfalls around every corner, and berries and waffles as trail fuel.

Practical notes: weather swings fast—pack breathable layers, waterproofs, and sturdy boots. Self-drive is convenient, but buses and shuttles cover all key points. Seafood is superb in Bergen; in Hardanger, seek local cheeses, cured lamb, and small-batch cider. For Trolltunga, respect seasons: June–September is prime for self-guided; outside that, go with a certified guide.

Bergen

Bergen, the “Gateway to the Fjords,” sits in an amphitheater of seven mountains where medieval trade houses glow in Bryggen’s timber rows. It rains—often—but that only sharpens the greens on Mount Fløyen and the appetite for soup on the harbor. Come for the history; stay for coffee culture, seafood, and cable-car sunsets.

• Top sights: Bryggen (UNESCO), Fløibanen funicular, Mount Ulriken cable car (Ulriken643), Fish Market, KODE museums, Bergenhus fortress.
• Food & drink to try: Fiskesuppe, shrimp on brioche, brown cheese waffles, and modern Nordic tasting menus.
• Getting in: Fly into Bergen (BGO). Compare flights on Omio (typical 1.5–3 hours from major European hubs; from ~$60–150 off-peak). From Oslo, take the Bergen Line to Voss/Bergen via Omio Trains (~6.5–7 hours, scenic, from ~$40–90).
• Where to stay: For walkable Bryggen and the Fish Market, base in the harbor/Nordnes area. Browse Hotels.com Bergen or apartments on VRBO Bergen.

Tyssedal (Hardangerfjord)

Tyssedal is a compact fjord village five minutes from Odda—the launchpad for Trolltunga and waterfalls that roar straight from the Hardangervidda. Here, Norway’s modern story began: the Tysso I power station once pulsed enough electricity to feed a smelter that changed the valley forever.

• Top sights: Trolltunga, Låtefossen, Buerdalen and the Buerbreen glacier viewpoint, Agatunet medieval farm, Hardangervidda Nature Centre (Eidfjord), Vøringsfossen’s sky-bridge.
• Don’t miss: The Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry (Kraftmuseet) and the short-but-steep Lilletopp hike along historic penstocks.
• Getting there from Bergen: Morning bus to Odda via Omio Buses (~3–3.5 hours; ~$35–55), then a 5-minute taxi or local bus to Tyssedal.
• Where to stay: Look in Tyssedal/Odda for easy trailhead access. See Hotels.com Tyssedal, Hotels.com Odda, and cabins on VRBO Tyssedal or VRBO Odda.

Day 1: Arrive in Bergen, Bryggen Walk, and a Sunset Funicular

Morning: Fly into Bergen (BGO). If arriving from within Europe, compare routes on Omio. Take the Bybanen light rail to the center (~45 minutes; ~$5). Drop bags at your hotel/apartment near Bryggen or Nordnes.

Afternoon: Shake off jet lag with a slow wander through Bryggen’s crooked timber alleys. Pop into the Fish Market for a cup of fiskesuppe or shrimp on brioche, then a specialty coffee at Kaffemisjonen—local roasters known for precise pour-overs.

Evening: Ride the Fløibanen to Mount Fløyen for a gentle forest stroll and wide-open harbor views—golden hour here is magic. Dinner back at the quay: Bryggeloftet & Stuene serves classic bergensk fare (try the fish soup and reindeer), or Enhjørningen for white-tablecloth seafood in a 17th-century house.

Day 2: Mountains over Bergen—Ulriken, Vidden, and KODE

Morning: Light breakfast at Det Lille Kaffekompaniet (great cinnamon buns), then the Ulriken643 cable car for a summit panorama. If weather’s fair and you’re fit, walk part of the Vidden trail toward Fløyen (the full traverse is 4–6 hours one-way; you can always turn back).

Afternoon: Back in town, lunch at Pingvinen—hearty Norwegian comfort dishes like kjøttkaker and creamy fish gratin. If it’s a rainy afternoon, roam the KODE museums: Nordic painting, design, and changing contemporary shows.

Evening: Seafood splurge: Fjellskål at the Fish Market does oysters, shellfish platters, and baked cod; book an outdoor table when it’s calm. Nightcap at No Stress, a cozy cocktail bar with Norwegian spirits and inventive garnishes.

Day 3: To Tyssedal via Hardanger, Industrial Heritage, and Fjord Stroll

Morning: Depart Bergen for Odda/Tyssedal by bus (~3–3.5 hours; ~$35–55). Check schedules and tickets on Omio Buses. Aim for a morning departure to arrive around midday; check into your Tyssedal or Odda stay via Hotels.com Tyssedal or VRBO Odda.

Afternoon: Visit the Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry (Kraftmuseet). Its turbine halls feel like a cathedral to electricity; add the short Lilletopp hike to see old penstocks clinging to the cliff. Pick up picnic supplies at Coop Extra Odda or REMA 1000—wooden benches along Sørfjorden make perfect lunch spots.

Evening: Early dinner at your hotel restaurant (Trolltunga Hotel’s dining room does seasonal Norwegian plates; Tyssedal Hotel serves fjord fish and game). Turn in early—tomorrow is your Trolltunga day.

Day 4: Trolltunga—Norway’s Photogenic Stone “Tongue” (Full-Day)

Full-day adventure: Start pre-dawn at Skjeggedal. The classic route is 20–28 km round-trip (10–12 hours) with 800–1,200 m elevation gain, depending on whether you use the paid shuttle up to Mågelitopp (reduces ~7 km). June–September is typical for self-guided; October–May requires a certified guide with glacier/snow safety. Carry waterproof layers, a map/GPS, headlamp, 2–3 liters of water, and 1,500–2,500 kcal of food. Expect a photo queue at the “tongue”—be patient and keep a safe distance from edges. If you prefer, book a guided Trolltunga Via Ferrata (summer) for a thrilling cable-protected ascent and a zipline descent.

Post-hike: Back in Tyssedal/Odda, opt for a simple, satisfying dinner: the hotel kitchen, a hot pizza from Pizzabakeren Odda, or burgers and a salad to refuel. Stretch, hydrate, and rest.

Day 5: Waterfall Circuit, Buerdalen Valley, and Slow Fjord Evening

Morning: Sleep in and recover over coffee and a hearty breakfast. Drive or bus 10 minutes south to Låtefossen, the double-barreled waterfall that thunders under the stone bridge—mist hangs like breath over the road. Bring a rain shell for the spray.

Afternoon: Head to Buerdalen for the marked trail toward the snout of Buerbreen (Buer Glacier). You’ll cross streams and roots to reach a dramatic glacier viewpoint in 2–3 hours round-trip; go with a local guide if conditions are wet or if snow lingers. Picnic by the river or grab a warm waffle at a valley kiosk when open in season.

Evening: Back in Odda/Tyssedal, take a gentle walk along Sandvinvatnet or the fjord promenade. Dinner at your hotel or a casual spot in Odda’s center; pair it with a local Hardanger apple cider if available.

Day 6: Lofthus Orchards, Agatunet, and Cider Tasting

Morning: Make for Lofthus on the fjord’s sunlit side (~30–40 minutes by car/bus). In summer, fit hikers can tackle the Dronningstien (Queen’s Trail)—a stunning 16 km one-way ridge route between Kinsarvik and Lofthus with fjord-and-glacier views (allow 6–8 hours; arrange transport). Otherwise, choose the easier Lofthus Fruit Trail among orchards with interpretive signs.

Afternoon: Step back centuries at Agatunet, a cluster of preserved farmhouses and boathouses that tell Hardanger’s rural story. Then visit a local cider producer—Aga Sideri is a beloved option—for a guided tasting flight that shows why “Hardanger cider” earned protected status. Designate a driver or use a taxi.

Evening: Dinner with a view: Hotel Ullensvang’s restaurant presents fjord fish and seasonal produce, and often a dessert showcasing local apples. For a more casual bite, Lofthus Ekspedisjon serves excellent pizzas that pair perfectly with crisp, aromatic cider. Return to Tyssedal.

Day 7: To Bergen and Departure

Morning: Bus back to Bergen (~3–3.5 hours). Check tickets on Omio Buses. If your flight departs late afternoon, store bags and squeeze in a last wander.

Afternoon: Lunch near the Fish Market—grab a bowl of fish soup or grilled salmon and a seat facing the harbor. Pick up edible souvenirs: brunost, smoked salmon, or a bottle of Hardanger cider (check airline rules).

Evening: Head to the airport via the Bybanen. If you’re continuing elsewhere in Europe, scan connections on Omio Flights and future rail legs on Omio Trains.

Where to stay (quick picks):

• Bergen: Historic-harbor hotels or Nordic-chic apartments near Bryggen and Nordnes. Compare on Hotels.com Bergen or VRBO Bergen.
• Tyssedal/Odda: Fjord-view rooms close to Trolltunga shuttles and the Kraftmuseet; cabins for families. Browse Hotels.com Tyssedal, Hotels.com Odda, VRBO Tyssedal, and VRBO Odda.

Getting around (summary):

• Flights: To/from Bergen on Omio.
• Trains: Oslo–Bergen scenic line on Omio Trains (~6.5–7 hours).
• Buses: Bergen–Odda/Tyssedal and local Hardanger routes via Omio Buses (~3–3.5 hours between Bergen and Odda).
• Ferries: Select Hardanger crossings operate seasonally; check Omio Ferries if you plan a car route requiring a crossing.

Across a week, you’ll trace Norway’s story from Hanseatic wharves to hydropower turbines and sky-high rock ledges. With Trolltunga in your camera roll, cider on your palate, and waterfalls in your ears, Hardanger’s mix of industry and wilderness sticks with you long after the fjord mist fades.