Oslo to Bergen Winter Adventure - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo

Welcome to Oslo! Norway's rapidly growing capital, which is still considered a small city, is surrounded by mountains and sea. Not only is the city center made for walking, but outlying neighborhoods—filled with charm and character—are easily accessible by public transportation. Jump on a tram, train, or bus and discover all that Oslo has to offer. Take a half-day wander around Aker Brygge, an area on the Oslofjord that's made up of beautiful, modern buildings where you can find bars and vibrant nightlife. It acts as a sort of courtyard for the city of Oslo and brings together both tourists and locals to enjoy the great food, atmosphere, and entertainment.

In the afternoon, you can use the reliable public transport to visit the Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Open-Air Folk Museum, which are both in the same area. Afterward, stroll along the Havnepromenaden (harbor promenade)—a new five-and-a-half-mile waterfront park—which combines sightseeing, history, art, architecture, and a little bit of adventure.

For dinner, you can head to the city's historic core, which buzzes with restaurants and cafés that offers a warm and cozy setting in cold weather and outdoor seating during the warmer months.

Day 2: Explore Oslo with a Local

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll meet up with your guide for a custom private tour of Oslo. Your guide, a native of Oslo, will organize the tour based on your personal interests.

Here are a few ideas that travelers have enjoyed:

• Akerselva River Walk (4-5 hours): During this tour, you'll take the tram to the Akerselva River, an important waterway that offers an abundance of local history. you'll start with the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology (on the north side of the river) and then head south to the Labour Museum (part of the Oslo City Museum) as your guide shares stories about the heart of Oslo's history. The river is five miles (eight km) long and passes waterfalls, swimming areas, forested areas, and wildlife—with lots of photography opportunities!
• From Fjord to Forest (full-day): This outdoor tour takes you to a beautiful island just outside Oslo's harbor, which takes about 30 minutes by tram from the city center. No cars are allowed here, and the island offers a wide array of outdoor activities. You can choose an activity depending on the season or simply walk around one of the lakes while your guide shares the local history.
  
• Holmenkollen Ski Jump (2-3 hours): If you have less time to spare, this tour will take you to a popular area called Holmenkollen, where a wooded range of hills can be reached by light rail from the city center in about 35 minutes. Open year-round, the Ski Museum & Tower offers over 4,000 years of snow sports, polar exploration, and an exhibition on snowboarding and modern skiing. You can head for the observation deck, which offers panoramic views of Oslo, and then walk down to the ski jump while your guide shares stories about local trolls, legends, and castles.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore as you please. For dinner, you may choose to wander around the city's historic core, which is buzzing with restaurants and outdoor cafés. If you're looking for Oslo's trendiest local scene, head east for Grünerløkka, which many inhabitants refer to affectionately as "Løkka." This once-run-down sector of Oslo is now the site of refurbished apartments, fashionable cafés, and hip restaurants.

During summer months, Oslo comes alive to celebrate extended daylight hours, with various festivals and celebrations happening each week.

Day 3: Transfer to Flåm, Fjord Cruise

This morning, you'll catch a train to Flåm (Bergensbanen). During this lovely journey from Oslo⁠—you'll initially travel past a number of towns and then notice the scenery gets more remote as you travel through spectacular valleys⁠—before going over a mountain and arriving in Myrdal. In Myrdal, you'll change trains onto the Flåm Railway, which will take you through the valley of Flåmsdalen. This is known as one of the steepest and most beautiful train journeys in the world, and it will take you past lush fjord landscapes, steep mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and snow-covered mountains.

You'll arrive at Flåm in time for lunch. On arrival, we recommend a visit to the Flåm Railway Museum, which offers an insight into the building of one of Europe's steepest railway lines, the technical challenge, and the people behind these impressive engineering works.

In the afternoon, you'll join a fjord cruise, where you'll discover the spectacular landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage area. This is a round-trip with a boat and bus. The narrow Nærøyfjord is surrounded by steep mountains and snow-covered peaks that stand 5,906 feet (1,800 m) above sea level, with thundering waterfalls and picturesque villages along the fjord. In Gudvangen, you'll take the bus to Voss, where you'll catch a train to Bergen. From the train station in Bergen, your hotel will be just a short walking distance away.

Day 4: Explore Winter in Bergen with a Local

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll meet up with a local resident for a custom private tour of Bergen. Your guide, who was born and raised in Bergen, will find the right tour for you based on your interests.

Here are a few walks and hikes that travelers have enjoyed:

• Walk through History: This walk starts from the city center and takes you through narrow streets up to the mountainside known as "Sandviksbatteriet," with spectacular views over the city. From here, the trail leads to a small, hidden cabin rich in World War II history. During the walk, your local guide will offer local stories of Bergen's history and culture.
• Explore Bergen's Parks & Architecture: This easy walking tour visits notable exteriors and city parks, starting with the largest church in Bergen: St. Johannes. From there, you'll walk through the botanic garden and onward to Bergen's largest and most beautiful park: Nygårdsparken. You'll then walk through the city's narrow streets lined with traditional Bryggen houses and eventually visit Nordnes, another great park. Your guide will share stories of life in Bergen, as well as offer lesser-known activities and restaurant recommendations not frequented by tourists. 

The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring the city on your own. In December, the city will be beautifully decorated for Christmas, and you may find a festive market to visit.

Day 5: Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen

After breakfast—your boat departs from Bergen's port and takes you through a deep fjord past Mostraumen and finally to Modalen. This is one of the smallest villages in Norway, with only 380 residents. You'll sail along the 16-mile (27 km) Osterfjorden and pass striking fjords, steep mountains, and spectacular waterfalls. It's a good idea to snag a spot on one of the sundecks to get the best vantage point of the views. Your captain will even sail the boat's bow right up to a rushing waterfall so that you can get a splash of ice-cold mountain water before turning around in Modalen and retracing the magnificent landscape.

The trip will take about three hours, and the rest of the day is yours to explore more of the city.

Day 6: Depart Bergen

It's time to say farewell to Norway! You can enjoy your last day in this beautiful city with a leisurely breakfast, neighborhood stroll, and/or souvenir shopping before you head to the airport for your return flight home.

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