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My husband and I spent 4 days in Norway in August 2023 as part of our Toronto / Iceland trip. We wanted to do the famous Pulpit Rock hike and visit Geirangerfjord, so we went from Stavanger → Geiranger → Oslo. It was a lot of hopping around, and unfortunately many things went wrong.
First, it rained during our hike to Pulpit Rock and not only was it miserable, we could not see anything when we got to the top! Next, our flight out of Stavanger was delayed so much we missed our connection and had to take two more flights: Oslo → Bergen and then Bergen → Ålesund. Finally, my husband fell sick (probably from the hike in the rain) and we didn’t explore as much together as we would’ve liked.
Despite everything that went wrong, there were still bright spots from the trip and here are my favorites:
1. Geirangerfjord (Geiranger)
Why Visit:
Geirangerfjord is one of the most breathtaking fjords in the world. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its deep blue water, dramatic cliffs, and countless waterfalls.
Highlights:
- Fjord cruise → the classic way to experience Geirangerfjord. You’ll pass by the iconic Seven Sisters, Suitor, and Bridal Veil waterfalls.
How to Go:
We booked the Geirangerfjord boat tour online in advance from Geiranger Fjordservice. To get there, we flew to Ålesund and drove about 3 hours to Geiranger in a rental car. The route included a short 10-minute ferry ride from Linge to Eidsdal.
2. Vigeland Park (Oslo)
Why Visit:
Vigeland Park is one of Oslo’s most famous landmarks. It’s a massive open-air sculpture park entirely designed by one artist, Gustav Vigeland.
Highlights:
- Great Fountain → a massive bronze fountain surrounded by 20 tree-like sculptures representing the “cycle of life.”
- Monolith Plateau → the centerpiece of the park, a 46-foot (14-meter) tall granite column carved with 121 intertwined human figures that took 14 years to complete.
How to Go:
The sculpture park is free to visit. I explored it with a guide as part of a day tour of Oslo.
3. Bygdøy Museums (Oslo)
Why Visit:
The Bygdøy Peninsula, sometimes called Oslo’s “museum island,” is home to several of Norway’s most famous museums. It’s the perfect place to learn about the country’s history, culture, and polar exploration — all within walking distance of each other.
Highlights:
- Norsk Folkemuseum → one of Europe’s largest open-air museums, featuring 160+ historic buildings including the famous Gol Stave Church.
- Fram Museum → dedicated to Norway’s legendary polar expeditions. You can even step aboard the Fram, the strongest wooden ship ever built.
How to Go:
You can reach Bygdøy by ferry or by bus from central Oslo. I visited the Norsk Folkemuseum and Fram Museum as part of a day tour, which included admission to both.
4. Gamle Stavanger (Stavanger)
Why Visit:
Gamle Stavanger (“Old Stavanger”) is one of Norway’s prettiest and best-preserved old towns. It’s a peaceful neighborhood of white wooden houses, cobblestone lanes, and flowers spilling from window boxes.
Highlights:
- Norwegian Canning Museum → located in an old sardine factory and tells the story of how Stavanger became Norway’s “sardine capital”.
How to Go:
The area is free to walk around, but the canning museum has a small fee.
5. Fjellstua Viewpoint (Ålesund)
Why Visit:
Fjellstua Viewpoint offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in Norway. From the top, you can see Ålesund’s colorful Art Nouveau town center, surrounding islands, and fjords stretching into the distance.
Highlights:
- Grab a snack or drink at the Fjellstua Café while soaking up the view.
How to Go:
We drove to the viewpoint and there was a small free parking lot next to it, but you can also climb the 418 steps from Town Park if you prefer a short workout.
Planning a trip to Norway? Check out my top five tips for a smoother, more enjoyable trip!