Norway’s story is carved by ice and sea—from Viking longships and Hanseatic traders to sleek, modern museums and whisper-quiet electric boats. Across a week, you’ll pair Oslo’s design-forward waterfront and world-class art with Bergen’s postcard-perfect Bryggen and fjords sculpted by retreating glaciers.

Expect big-sky nature and human-scale cities: walkable centers, tram and metro networks that run on time, and locals who happily recommend their favorite bakery. Norway is largely cashless; cards and mobile payments are widely accepted. Always carry a rain layer—especially in Bergen—and pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones and viewpoints.

This 7-day Norway itinerary features two cities (Oslo and Bergen) linked by the legendary Bergen Railway, a panoramic fjord cruise, and the Flåm Railway. You’ll cruise Oslofjord, ride the Fløibanen funicular, sample cinnamon buns and seafood, and—if you wish—add a cliffside viewpoint above Aurlandsfjord. Fjords, food, and effortless transport: that’s Norway at its best.

Oslo

Oslo is Scandinavia’s quietly confident capital: a fjord-front city where people picnic on the Opera House roof, sip world-champion coffee, and ride bikes along a car-lite waterfront. Museums on polar exploration and modern art sit minutes apart, while forests and the Holmenkollen ski jump rise over the skyline.

Top sights include the new MUNCH museum, the National Museum, the Nobel Peace Center, Vigeland Sculpture Park, and the Bygdøy museum peninsula (Fram, Kon-Tiki, and the Norwegian Folk Museum). Tjuvholmen and Aker Brygge bring boardwalk dining and contemporary architecture right to the water’s edge.

• Where to stay (Hotels): Design-forward splurge at The Thief; great-value, central stays at Citybox Oslo; forest-and-fjord views at Scandic Holmenkollen Park. Browse more Oslo stays on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.
• Getting to Oslo: Book flights to Oslo (OSL) within Europe via Omio. Coming from North America or Asia, compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. From OSL, trains to Oslo S take ~20–25 minutes; expect roughly NOK 120–230 ($11–$22) depending on service.
• Coffee and food to bookmark: Tim Wendelboe (roastery legend), Fuglen (retro cafe/bar), Supreme Roastworks; seafood at Fiskeriet; contemporary Nordic at Kontrast or Maaemo (3* Michelin, big splurge); sleek Japanese-Nordic at Hanami; casual bites at Mathallen food hall.

Day 1: Arrival in Oslo, Opera House Rooftop, and Fjordfront Flavors

Morning: Fly into OSL. If you’re arriving from within Europe, check times and fares on Omio; for long-haul routes, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Train to Oslo S (~20–25 minutes), check in, and freshen up.

Afternoon: Walk the sloping roof of the Oslo Opera House for harbor views and architecture that invites you to climb it. Stroll Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen’s art-lined boardwalks; pop into the Astrup Fearnley Museet if time allows. Coffee pick-me-up at Fuglen or Supreme Roastworks.

Evening: Dinner by the water: Sjømagasinet (Norwegian seafood, refined) or Døgnvill Burger Tjuvholmen (casual, quality produce). Nightcap at HIMKOK, the award-winning cocktail bar with aquavit-forward infusions, or Territoriet for an intimate wine bar vibe.

Day 2: Museums and Oslofjord by Silent Boat

Morning: Start at Tim Wendelboe for a perfectly dialed-in espresso, then head to MUNCH to meet Edvard Munch beyond “The Scream”: sky-high galleries, fjord views, and rotating exhibitions. If you prefer design history, the National Museum’s expansive collection is a short stroll away.

Afternoon: Ferry or bus to Bygdøy for the Fram Museum (step aboard the polar ship), Kon-Tiki Museum (Thor Heyerdahl’s balsa raft), and the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum with its 13th-century stave church.

Evening: Glide through islands and lighthouses on the Guided Sightseeing Cruise on Oslofjord by Premium Silent Boat (eco-friendly, excellent photo ops; 2–2.5 hours).

Afterward, dine at Katla (open kitchen, Nordic-Asian spice) or Fiskeriet (cod tongues, fish soup, daily catch) near Youngstorget.

Day 3: Holmenkollen, Vigeland Park, and Grünerløkka

Morning: Breakfast at Apent Bakeri or Godt Brød. Ride up to Holmenkollen for the Ski Museum and the iconic jump tower; views stretch over forests and fjord. If you love a stroll, follow a short forest path for quiet Oslo moments.

Afternoon: Return to the city for Vigeland Sculpture Park—over 200 granite and bronze works tracing the human condition. Lunch at Mathallen food hall (consider Barramon tapas or Melt for grilled cheese) and browse Norwegian cheeses, cured meats, and chocolates.

Evening: Explore Grünerløkka’s indie shops and murals. Dinner at Nedre Foss Gård (wood-fired, seasonal) or Lofthus Samvirkelag (excellent pizzerias using Norwegian ingredients). End with drinks at Kulturhuset (multi-space cultural spot) or Grünerløkka Brygghus for local beer.

Bergen

Wrapped by seven mountains and the North Sea, Bergen wears its maritime past in full color. Bryggen’s wooden Hanseatic wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, glows in reds and ochres beside a harbor of fishing boats and fjord cruisers.

Ride the Fløibanen funicular for easy views or the Ulriken cable car for a bigger panorama. Art lovers can sink hours into the KODE museums; food lovers chase seafood, cinnamon buns, and Norway’s best hot dogs. Bergen is also a perfect launchpad for the Nærøyfjord, Flåm Railway, and the Mostraumen channel.

• Where to stay (Hotels): Central polish at Hotel Norge by Scandic or Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen; great value at Citybox Bergen or Scandic Ørnen. Explore more options on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.
• Getting there from Oslo: Take the Bergen Railway (~6.5–7 hours of scenery; ~$45–$110 depending on advance purchase). Check times and prices on Omio (trains in Europe). Trains typically depart in the morning and arrive mid-afternoon.
• Food and drink to bookmark: Bryggeloftet & Stuene (classic West Coast fare), Pingvinen (Norwegian comfort), Bare Vestland (small plates of local produce), Trekroneren (beloved hot dogs), Kaffemisjonen and Det Lille Kaffekompaniet for specialty coffee, Apollon Platebar for records and a pint.

Day 4: Oslo to Bergen by Scenic Train, Bryggen, and Sunset on Fløyen

Morning: Board the Bergen Railway from Oslo S. Reserve seats via Omio. Bring snacks, or visit the onboard cafe while the landscape shifts from forests to high plateau and dramatic valleys.

Afternoon: Check into your Bergen hotel. Wander Bryggen’s crooked lanes and Hanseatic assembly rooms; peek into artisans’ workshops for woodwork and textiles. Coffee at Kaffemisjonen or a kanelbolle (cinnamon bun) at Godt Brød.

Evening: Ride the Fløibanen funicular (6 minutes) for a golden-hour panorama; follow a short forest loop at the top. Dinner back in town at Bryggeloftet & Stuene (fish soup, steamed mussels, reindeer) or Bare Vestland for local small plates. Finish with cocktails at No Stress or a beer at Apollon Platebar.

Day 5: Full-Day Nærøyfjord Cruise and Flåm Railway (from Bergen)

Set out on a signature fjord day combining narrow waters, a Viking village, and the world-famous Flåm Railway. The Guided tour - Viking Village, Nærøyfjord Cruise and Flåm Railway typically starts from central Bergen, transfers you to Gudvangen, cruises the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, rides the Flåm Railway up hairpin valleys, and returns by train to Bergen. Expect a full day (10–12 hours) with ample photography breaks and a knowledgeable guide.

Tip: If you’d rather linger in Flåm overnight, consider Fretheim Hotel, Flåmsbrygga Hotel, or budget-friendly Flåm Hostel, and return to Bergen the next morning.

Day 6: Mount Ulriken, KODE Museums, and Seafood Night

Morning: Breakfast at Det Lille Kaffekompaniet near the funicular. Take the Ulriken cable car to Bergen’s highest viewpoint; on clear days you’ll see far-flung islands and surrounding peaks. Adventurous hikers can sample the start of the Ulriken–Fløyen ridge trail (return when ready).

Afternoon: Explore the KODE art museums (Munch, Dahl, and contemporary collections) around Lille Lungegårdsvannet lake. Lunch at Smakverket (open-faced sandwiches, salads) or Trekroneren for an iconic Bergen hot dog with lingonberry or reindeer sausage.

Evening: If the weather’s fair and you want a destination meal, book Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant (boat transfer from the pier; tasting menus showcase shellfish and seasonal catches). In town, try Pingvinen (meatballs, fish cakes, brown cheese cheesecake) or Enhjørningen for traditional seafood in a historic Bryggen house.

Day 7: Morning Mostraumen Fjord Cruise and Departure

Morning: Take an early fjord run—short, spectacular, and perfect before your flight. Choose either the Bergen Mostraumen Fjord Cruise with Local Guide (about 3.5 hours) or the Mostraumen Fjord Cruise (about 4 hours). You’ll pass waterfalls, narrow channels, and sheer cliffs just beyond the city’s harbor.

If your flight is midday, consider a shorter harbor stroll instead and save the cruise for a future morning.

Afternoon: Collect your bags, then ride Bybanen light rail to Bergen Airport (BGO) in ~45 minutes, or take a taxi (~25–30 minutes depending on traffic). For flights within Europe, compare on Omio; for long-haul routes home, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Evening: If you have one last hour, pick up edible souvenirs: brunost (brown cheese), cloudberry jam, or aquavit. Toast your fjord week with a final coffee at Kaffemisjonen.

Good to Know

• Weather: Bergen is famously rainy—pack a waterproof shell and shoes. Summer offers long days; winter brings early sunsets and cozy cafe culture.
• Transport: In Oslo, the Ruter network (metro, tram, bus) covers most sights; in Bergen, Skyss buses and the Bybanen are easy. Trains between cities: see Omio.
• Dining tips: Norwegians dine early by European standards; book top spots (Maaemo, Kontrast, Cornelius) well ahead. Tipping is appreciated but modest (round up 5–10% for great service).

Alternate “fjord day” from Bergen: If you’d prefer a slightly different route, consider the Guided Tour To Nærøyfjorden, Flåm And Stegastein - Viewpoint Cruise, which adds the Stegastein lookout platform high above Aurlandsfjord for dramatic photos.

This 7-day Norway itinerary balances culture, cuisine, and scenery: Oslo’s art and fjordfront nights, the storybook lanes of Bryggen, and the deep silence of Nærøyfjord. You’ll leave with camera rolls full of mountains and memories—and a wish to return for the midnight sun or northern lights next time.