Norway Road Trip: Best places to visit & itinerary

Norway offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience with something for everyone. Whether you're looking to explore nature, learn about history and culture, or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, Norway is definitely worth a visit.

The country is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, stunning fjords, mountains, and glaciers. The northern lights are also a popular attraction, especially during the winter months due to its location inside the Artic Circle and its dark night skies, but for Lucinda Norris (@vanlifewithluci) it is the winding mountain roads, inland seas or fjords and majestic waterfalls that make it so memorable as a destination.

Our brand ambassador and seasoned Vanlifer Lucinda Norris is back with another expert travel guide, this time she’s talking through her epic Norway road trip, including the top 10 best places to visit in Norway plus road trip itinerary.

Top reasons to do a Norway road trip:

Outdoor activities
Norway offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, kayaking, and more. With its vast wilderness areas and extensive trail networks, Norway is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Rich heritage
The country has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with many museums, art galleries, and historic landmarks. From the Viking Age to modern times, Norway's history is fascinating and worth exploring.

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris) 

Sustainable tourism
The country is also at the forefront of sustainable Tourism, with a commitment to preserving its natural and cultural resources for future generations. Visitors can enjoy eco-friendly accommodations, tours, and activities that are both responsible and enjoyable which lots of access to free camping, free facilities like toilets and showers it was very campervan friendly.

Safety
I felt really safe travelling around this country and most locals speak English better than I do. It is known for being one of the safest countries in the world. Crime rates are low, and the country has a stable political climate. Visitors can enjoy peace of mind and focus on exploring and having fun if you’re leaving your campervan to explore even in busy cities.

If you’re thinking about heading somewhere different this year, here are the top ten places to see in Norway:

Top 10 best places to visit in Norway

1.Bergen
Bergen is a picturesque city on the west coast of Norway known for its colourful houses, fish market, and funicular railway, check out the old town with its wooden buildings and twisty turning streets. It has a rich maritime history being a stronghold of the Hanseatic league (Pictured below).

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris)

2. Oslo
Oslo is the capital city of Norway, with many cultural attractions, including museums, parks, and historic landmarks. This is the palace and an important civic building, as Norway has a long regency of kings and queens. Beautiful free attractions here include the statue garden in the city centre.

3.Geirangerfjord
Geirangerfjord is a breathtaking fjord with snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, and crystal-clear waters. You can take a ferry here for a few pounds, which I would recommend as it's a great way to travel the length of the fjord and see the famous waterfalls.

4.Kjerag Glacier
Kjerag Glacier is located in the vicinity of the Kjerag massif, which is also in the region around the Lysefjord, not far from Preikestolen. You can walk near to the glacier here or view it from afar via a boat tour.

5.Tromsø
Tromsø is a famous city in northern Norway known for its stunning northern lights, as well as outdoor activities like dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling. A must visit!

6.Lofoten Islands
Lofoten is a group of islands known for their dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, and unique flora and fauna.

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris)

7. Preikestolen
Preikestolen is a cliff located in southwestern Norway that provides stunning views of the Lysefjord.

8. Flåm Railway
Not quite on the road, but the Flam railway offers a scenic train journey through the mountains and fjords of Norway.

9. Jotunheimen National Park
Jotunheimen National Park is a vast wilderness area with mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes that is popular for hiking and outdoor activities.

10. Stave churches
The stave churches are a must-see. There are a few of them all over Norway, in particular Borgund Stave church was particularly cool.

Norway Road Trip Itinerary

Driving around Norway can be an incredible adventure; I spent over 2 months touring around Norway from the end of June to August to enjoy the warm summer, which averaged between 22-30 degrees and had lots of daylight hours.

I drove from the UK via the hook of Demark and crossed the Toll bridge to cross into northern Europe, but car ferries can also be taken. I just fancied the adventure of also visiting Sweden and Denmark en route to Norway. By driving all around the countryside, you have unprecedented access to its wild landscapes with stunning scenery at every turn in Norway.

1.Start in Oslo - the capital city of Norway, where you can explore the city's museums, parks, and historic landmarks before heading out on your road trip.

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris)

2.Head west to Bergen - a picturesque city on the west coast of Norway with its colourful houses, fish market, and funicular railway.

3.Drive through the fjords - Norway is known for its stunning fjords, including Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Hardangerfjord. Drive through these natural wonders and take in the breathtaking scenery.

4.Explore the Lofoten Islands - take a ferry from Bodø to the Lofoten Islands and explore these stunning islands known for their dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, and unique flora and fauna.

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris)

5.Drive to the North Cape - drive to the northernmost point of mainland Europe, the North Cape, and take in the stunning views of the Arctic Ocean.

6.Visit Tromsø - a city in northern Norway known for its stunning northern lights and outdoor activities like dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling.

7.Drive along the Atlantic Ocean Road - a scenic road along the coast of Norway that passes over small islands and bridges with stunning ocean views.

8.Explore the Jotunheimen National Park - a vast wilderness area with mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes that is popular for hiking and outdoor activities.

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris)

9. Finish in Trondheim - a historic city on the west coast of Norway with a charming old town and stunning cathedral.

Top tips for a Road Trip in Norway

Remember to plan your road trip in advance, especially during winter when driving conditions can be challenging. Make sure to have the appropriate gear, such as snow tyres and chains, and check road conditions before heading out. Finally, always drive carefully and be respectful of the environment and local communities.

Driving in Norway

If you are planning to hire a vehicle and fly out, Norway has several international airports, including Oslo Airport, Bergen Airport, and Stavanger Airport. You can take a taxi, bus, or train from the airport to your destination or hire a car.

(Image credit: Lucinda Norris)

Here are some things to keep in mind when renting a car in Norway:

1. Age Restrictions - You must be at least 19 years old to rent a car in Norway, and some rental agencies require drivers to be 21 or older.

2. Driving License - You will need a valid driver's license from your home country to rent a car in Norway. If your driver's license is not in English or a Scandinavian language, you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you arrive in Norway.

3. Insurance - It's important to ensure adequate insurance coverage when renting a car in Norway. Basic insurance is typically included in the rental price, but you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage for peace of mind.

4. Winter Driving -  If you plan to rent a car in Norway during the winter months, it's important to be prepared for snowy and icy conditions. Make sure your rental car is equipped with winter tyres and that you have experience driving in these conditions.

5. Toll Roads - Many roads in Norway have tolls, and some rental agencies may charge an additional fee for processing these tolls. Ensure you understand the toll system and any associated fees before you hit the road. I used the online toll system to register my van, and the amount was itemised into a bill at the end of the month, which I could then have deducted directly from my bank account. Toll roads are clearly labelled.

6. Fuel Cost - Fuel costs in Norway are higher than in many other countries, so be prepared for this expense if you're planning a long road trip. Car ferries are also frequent and mostly used in the Fjordlands to reach popular areas like Prekstolen for the famous hike. So be sure to check your sat nav to see what routes include ferries.

7. Navigation - Norway's roads can be difficult to navigate, especially in remote areas. Make sure you have a reliable GPS or map system to help you find your way.

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