Tips for preparing for your trip to Norway
Norway was one of those trips we had been wanting to take for a long time. Fjords, mountains, endless roads, fishing villages, white-sand beaches... and that feeling of being somewhere completely different.
But after spending two weeks travelling around Norway, there are a few things we wish we had known before we started planning our route.
Because looking at Norway on a map is one thing, but travelling around it is something completely different.
Our route took us from Oslo to Flåm and Bergen, before heading north to discover the Lofoten Islands, Bleik, Andenes, Olsborg and Tromsø. We also spent four days on board Hurtigruten, travelling along part of the Norwegian coast from a completely different perspective.
And these are the 7 things we wish we had known before travelling to Norway.
1. Don’t limit your trip to the fjords
When we think of a trip to Norway, the fjords are probably the first thing that come to mind. And yes, they are truly spectacular.
But Norway is so much more than Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord or the landscapes that appear on all the postcards.
During our trip, we discovered white-sand beaches, fishing villages, mountains, waterfalls, scenic roads and landscapes we never expected to find so far north in Europe.
The Lofoten Islands are a great example. Their mountains rising straight from the sea, small fishing villages and beaches make every stretch of road feel like a postcard.
💡 Tip
When planning your route around Norway, try to combine different types of landscapes and leave some room to discover places you hadn’t planned to visit.
2. The weather can change in a matter of minutes
One of the first things we learnt during our trip was that the weather in Norway has a personality of its own.
You can start a hike in glorious sunshine and finish it in the rain. You can have a completely clear sky in the morning and find yourself surrounded by fog and strong winds just a few hours later.
And the further north we travelled, the more important it became to be prepared for sudden changes.
That’s why travelling with several layers of clothing was essential.
A T-shirt, a warm layer and a good waterproof jacket can make all the difference between enjoying the scenery and freezing cold while trying to take a photo. 😂
💡 Tip
Dress in layers and always carry a waterproof jacket in your backpack, even if it’s sunny when you leave your accommodation.
In Norway, the weather forecast can change faster than your plans.
3. Distances can be deceiving
This was probably one of the most important things we learnt when planning our trip. On a map, some places may look relatively close to each other. But in Norway, you can’t plan a route based on kilometres alone.
Winding roads, ferries, tunnels, mountains and speed limits mean that journeys can take much longer than you might expect.
And then there’s the little problem of wanting to stop constantly. At a viewpoint. By a waterfall. At a beach. To admire a spectacular landscape.
So the journey times shown on Google Maps may only be the beginning. 😅
💡 Tip
When planning your road trip around Norway, allow for driving time rather than just looking at the number of kilometres.
And, above all, leave plenty of time for those unexpected stops.
4. The road trip is part of the journey
One of the things we enjoyed most was having the freedom to travel at our own pace. In Norway, the road isn’t simply a way of getting from one place to another. It’s part of the experience.
There are stretches where you don’t need to be heading anywhere in particular because the scenery itself makes the journey worthwhile. Along our route, we came across beaches, viewpoints and landscapes where we simply felt like stopping for a while.
And that’s precisely what makes a road trip so special: not everything has to be planned.
💡 Tip
Don’t pack every day with sightseeing and set schedules. Leave some time to be spontaneous. Some of the best stops may be the ones you come across when you least expect them.
5. Don’t try to see everything
Two weeks can seem like a long time when you first start planning a trip, until you open a map of Norway. Then you start adding places: Oslo, Myrdal, Flåm, Bergen, the Lofoten Islands and, why not, Tromsø? And suddenly, you want to see absolutely everything.
Our route took us from the south to the north of the country, but even then, we had to accept one thing: Norway isn’t a country to be explored in a hurry.
There are places that deserve more time than you had originally planned. And landscapes where you simply want to sit down and take it all in.
💡 Tip
It’s better to enjoy fewer places at a slower pace than spend your entire trip driving around just to tick destinations off a list.
It’s not about seeing everything. It’s about enjoying what you’re seeing.
6. If you can, discover Norway from the sea as well
One of the experiences we enjoyed most during our trip was swapping the road for the sea for a few days.
We spent four days on board Hurtigruten, travelling along part of the Norwegian coast. It was a completely different way of travelling.
After several days of driving, getting on the ship meant forgetting about maps, roads and timetables for a while. All we had to do was look out of the window or head out onto the deck.
And every day, we woke up to a different landscape. The journey is part of the destination too.
💡 Tip
If your budget and itinerary allow it, combine a road trip with a coastal voyage.
It not only gives you a break from driving; it also offers a different perspective of the Norwegian coastline and allows you to reach places that can only be accessed by sea.
7. Free up some space on your phone
This tip may sound silly until you’re actually there. Then it suddenly makes perfect sense. Because you’ll want to photograph everything. And you’ll probably take 25 almost identical photos because you won’t know which one to choose.
And yet, when you get home and look back at your photos, there will be something that none of them can capture. The feeling of actually being there.
💡 Tip
Free up some space on your phone before you set off and bring a portable power bank. You’ll need it.
And if you only remember one thing...
Always leave some time for the unexpected. Because in Norway, the best parts of the journey were often the ones we hadn’t planned. A road you decide to take, a beach that appears around a bend, a viewpoint where you decide to stop...
Perhaps that’s one of the best things we learnt after travelling around Norway for two weeks.
You don’t need to have everything under control to enjoy the journey. Just go with the flow.
There are many ways to explore Norway. The best route will be the one that suits the time you have, the way you like to travel and what you really want to experience.
If you’re planning your trip to Norway, we hope these tips help you enjoy it that little bit more.
And remember: leave some time for the unexpected.
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💡 Want to keep exploring Norway?
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What to do during your trip?
As well as visiting the must-see places, I always like to set aside some time for a special activity. Here are a few suggestions that can add something extra to your trip and help you discover this destination from a different perspective.
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