Embarking on a Norwegian fjords adventure offers an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes and rich culture of Norway. This 8 day itinerary takes you through some of the most breathtaking fjords, charming towns, and scenic drives in the country. From the picturesque streets of Ålesund to the dramatic cliffs of Geiranger, each destination promises unique experiences, including exhilarating hikes and serene moments by the water.

8 Day Norway Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo & Fly to Ålesund

Day 2: Explore Ålesund

Day 3: Geiranger Fjord

Day 4: Skageflå Hike & Relax in Alstad

Day 5: Trollstigen & Fly to Stavanger

Day 6: Månafossen Waterfall Hike

Day 7: Preikestolen Hike

Day 8: Fly to Oslo & Explore City

Itinerary Map

This itinerary spans 8 days in beautiful Western Norway, flying between the main cities and relying on rental cars to navigate within local regions. Click on the image to launch an interactive map.

Itinerary Snapshot

A quick view of what we did and where we stayed. Here are the trip’s activity highlights, with accommodation links.

Activities

3 Mountain Hikes
2 Scenic Driving Days
2 Days of City Sightseeing
1 Spa Afternoon
3 Gourmet Dining Experiences

Accommodations

Hotel Brosundet, Ålesund (2 nights)
Grande Fjord Hotel, Geiranger (1 night)
Juvet Landscape Hotel, Valldal (1 night)
Airbnb Rental, Stavanger (3 nights)
Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo (1 night)

Itinerary Photo Highlights

Scroll through for highlighted photos from each day of the itinerary.

Itinerary Details

Day 1 – Arrival Day

Pick up 4-day rental car at Ålesund Airport
Drive to Ålesund (20 minutes)
Check into Hotel Brosundet
Walk to the Fjellstua Viewpoint

Day 2 – Explore Ålesund

Visit Alnes Lighthouse on Godøy Island (1 hour roundtrip driving)
Lunch at the Fisketorget Delikatesse
Explore the Art Nouveau District
Stroll the waterfront
Dinner at Apoterkergata No. 5

Day 3 – Experience the Geirangerfjord

Drive to Hellesylt (2 hours)
See the Langedalselva Waterfall
Take one of the Hellesylt walking trails
Eat lunch in Hellesylt
Ride the car ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger (1 hour, 20 minutes)
Check into the Grande Fjord Hotel
Dinner at Restaurant Hyskje

Day 4 – Hiking & Relaxation

Take a rib boat to Skagehola
Do the 5 mile Skageflå hike to Geiranger
Drive the Eagle Road to Ørnesvingen Viewpoint (10 minutes)
Enjoy the scenic fjord views
Continue driving to Alstad (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Check into the Juvet Landscape Hotel
Use the sauna at the Bath House
Dinner in the Cow Barn

Day 5 – An Epic Scenic Drive

Drive to the Trollstigen Viewpoint (25 minutes)
Enjoy the Visitor Center and scenic lookouts
Continue driving towards Åndalsnes and then to Ålesund Airport (2 hours)
Fly to Stavanger
Pick up 3-day rental car at Stavanger Airport
Drive to Stavanger (15 minutes)
Check into Airbnb rental
Dinner at a waterfront harbor restaurant

Day 6 – Hiking & Museums

Drive to the Eikeskog parking area (1 hour)
Hike to Månafossen Waterfall and Mån Farm (3.6 miles roundtrip)
Return to Stavanger (1 hour)
Visit the Norwegian Canning Museum and Stavanger Maritime Museum

Day 7 – An Iconic Norway Hike

Drive to the Preikestolen parking area (45 minutes)
Hike to Pulpit Rock (5 miles round trip)
Picnic lunch overlooking Lysefjord
Return to Stavanger (45 minutes)
Stroll Gamle Stavanger
Relax with a snack at FrK Krag Café

Day 8 – Explore Oslo

Take a morning flight to Oslo
Drop off luggage at Radisson Blu Airport Hotel
Take the train into downtown Oslo (20 minutes)
Use the Oslo tram system to explore the city
Eat a Norwegian hotdog at Syverkiosken
Enjoy a Norwegian waffle at Haralds Vaffel
Ride the Bygdøyfergene ferry to Bygdøynes (20 minutes)
Visit the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Fram Museum
Ride the ferry back to Oslo (20 minutes)
Stroll Oslo’s harbor promenade
Dinner at a waterfront restaurant
Return by train to the hotel (20 minutes)

Itinerary Tips

Make reservations in advance for Apoterkergata No. 5, Restaurant Hyskje, and the Bath House at Juvet Landscape Hotel (dinner reservations for the Barn House can be done with the Juvet hotel reservation)
Pre-purchase the ferry tickets online from Hellesylt to Geiranger
Some Norwegian hotels will let you take food from the breakfast buffet to make a packed lunch to take on your daily excursions (we did this at Grande Fjord and Juvet)
To arrange a boat to get to the base of the Skageflå hike, ask the hotel to call boat providers, and get a pickup at the hotel’s dock, or at the main dock in Geiranger
This itinerary works well for the summer months, but double check hiking conditions if you go during the shoulder season
Verify the road status for Trollstigen, as they sometimes close the road even in the summer
Booking an Airbnb for the second part of the trip made it easy to do laundry

if I Had More Time…

I would have stayed an additional night at the Juvet and added a 3-night stay in Bergen. From Bergen, I would have done the Trolltunga Hike (another iconic Norway hike) and a 1-day tour combining the Flåm Mountain Railway and a cruise on the Sognefjord.

Itinerary Photos

Additional photos capturing favorite memories from the Norwegian Fjord Explorer trip…