Norway 🇳🇴
Oslo
Tips
- Highly recommend timing your visit to Oslo with Norway’s Independence Day, Syttende Mai (May 17th). Phenomenal to see everyone parading and dressed in traditional clothing.
Attractions
Beautiful park and sculpture garden.
Oslo City Museum (Oslo Bymuseum)
Neat exhibits on Norwegian art, food, and history. Free for under 26.
Port district with contemporary architecture. Popular spot for locals to sunbathe and swim in the summer.
Beautiful architecture, sloped roof to walk on freely with great views of the city.
Food
I limited my eating out as I was staying with a friend, but Norway has the best butter and strawberry jam I’ve ever had. I’d also recommend trying brunost, a caramelized brown cheese. These are especially delicious with Norwegian vafler (waffles).
Day Trips
We chose this specific lake because it was close to my friend in Lillestrøm, but truly, well-worth to camp at any lake in Norway. We saw no one else the entire night there, incredibly peaceful.
Bergen
Tips
- I lucked out with the weather and had no rain for my four days here. However, Bergen is known as the “rainiest city in Europe”, as it averages 240 days of rain per year. So prepare yourself!
Attractions
Train from Oslo
Incredible scenic views, so glad I didn’t fly to Bergen. Especially pay attention near Geilo. I’d recommend booking seats on the left from Oslo -> Bergen; the train hugs the right side of the valleys so the view is typically better on the left. Bring a sweater for the train, as it does travel to high elevations. The stops along the way are also popular for biking and skiing.
Start at Stoltzen Start and climb up 908 steps to an absolutely stunning view of Bergen from Sandvikspilen. One of my favourite places I’ve ever travelled to. From there, you can either come down through Skredderdalen (closer, more woodsy, 2nd pic) or Fløyen (farther, another mountain peak, 3rd pic).
Seven Mountains
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, and I’d recommend hiking at least a few of them! My route was approximately 24km, 6h: Ulriken Start -> Ulriken -> Vidden tursti -> Vidden Start -> Fløyen. Bring lots of water; you’re quite exposed to sun throughout Vidden and there’s no water refill stations between Ulriken and Fløyen. Cool off with a lake swim at Skomakerdiket at the end of the hike.
Central park, nice for a calm stroll.
Throughout Bergen, there’s public docks where you can go for a shallow swim or sunbathe. Very enjoyable on a sunny day!
Nice views and swimming spots.
Food
I might’ve just been craving vegetables at this stage of my trip, but this was the most delicious vegan power bowl I’ve ever had. Genuinely changed my perspective on vegan food.
For cheaper breakfasts and hiking snacks, I loved using this app to pick up discounted pastries and flatbreads from bakeries.
Day Trips
I didn’t do any, but I’ve heard great things about day trips to the nearby fjords.