A week in Norway. What should we do?

March 21, 2018 10:37 AM

My SO and I are going to Norway in June. We fly into Oslo on the 8th, have to be in Bergen by the 13th, leave Norway on the 15th for an overnight in Copenhagen, followed by two days in Reykjavik. Help us plan our trip a little.

We are looking for tips and advice on things to be aware of or ideas of things to do while there. We are going to Bergenfest (Nick Cave!!) but we also want to explore the cities as well. We aren’t interested in yours - looking at you, Norway in a Nutshell - and want to get off the tourist track a bit if possible.

Any tips or advice about visiting here would be very appreciated. Places to stay, eat, drink, hike, or anything really!

posted by Marinara to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total)

There is a really great gay bar in Bergen that my family used to own the building. It's called Finken and is a nice place to go out to. The fish market is great. The hiking in and around Bergen is the best but requires good shoes. One of the most rewarding experiences you can have is to take the night train from Bergen to Oslo. It is so nice.
posted by parmanparman at 12:28 PM on March 21, 2018 [2 favorites]

Eat TONS of sushi! Take the ferry out to the beach!
posted by catspajammies at 1:50 PM on March 21, 2018

Should be, aren't interested in "tours", right? A buddy of mine did part of his mission in Alesund (apologies for the missing halo), which is about 8 hours out of your way between Oslo and Bergen. And damn if it's the most picturesque place I've ever not been to. Even the bridges, which curve gently between glaciated islands, are picturesque. They have a festival every year where they burn an enormous pyre, and a few cruise ships visit, but it's not a touristy place.
posted by wnissen at 2:38 PM on March 21, 2018

Response by poster: Yes, karma for a hastily typed question on mobile. Should say “not interested in tours.” Dang autocorrect!
posted by Marinara at 2:48 PM on March 21, 2018

Will you have a car? Geirangerfjord was absolutely stunning. There is also many guided glacier walks (we did Nigardsbreen and it was spectacular). Both are a little out of the way for Oslo -> Bergen but are worth the detour, IMO.
posted by basalganglia at 3:37 PM on March 21, 2018

We're going to Norway this year too (and Copenhagen) a little later than you in late June. We're going to do the Nigardsbreen glacier walk like basalganglia did (glad to hear it was spectacular) and maybe take the ferry through the Nærøyfjord, not far from Bergen (or maybe even kayak there).
posted by ceejaytee at 8:40 AM on March 22, 2018

The Munch museum in Oslo is fabulous.

Even though it's kind of a tourist thing, seeing Viking stuff at Bygdøy is pretty amazing. (Big Viking ship and other artifacts, plus a reenactment village.) Also the Vigeland park is contemplative art-stuff for an afternoon walk.

Also a tourist thing but still awesome is Akershus and the Norwegian Resistance Museum, if you're into history stuff.

And I assume you're taking the Oslo-Bergen train? It's gorgeous. It might be a tourist thing, but it's still something everyone recommends for obvious reasons. It's a nice way to see the countryside.

Personally, when I'm in Oslo and Bergen, just walking around (rain or shine) and exploring is my daily activity. The trains (and everything else) are a bit expensive, but I've never had a car in Norway, and quite enjoy myself just wandering.
posted by RedEmma at 4:38 AM on March 23, 2018