Ultimate Fjord Road Trip: Lysefjord, Bergen, Voss, Aurland & Oslo - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Stavanger, Explore Stavanger Like a Local

Welcome to Stavanger, Norway's fourth-largest city! Enjoy the calm atmosphere in this lively harbor town and university hub, where you'll have the chance to explore picturesque narrow streets with white wooden houses and cool street art like a local. On arrival, take a taxi to your accommodation and settle in. This small city is surrounded by stunning natural attractions, such as Preikestolen, the Lysefjord, Kjerag, and a handful of islands. Drop your bags and refresh, then venture out to explore the old streets and historic architecture.

Stavanger is a compact city that's easy to explore when you're short on time. Meet a local guide who will lead you across the city center, sharing stories about the city's most beloved neighborhood spots, historic sites, and artsy districts. You might pop into cozy coffee shops while strolling the historic core, or wander Øvre Holmegate, a very colorful and artistic street that's home to trendy bars, cafés, and boutiques. Visit Hafrsfjord where you'll find Norway's famous swords, or discover Skagenkaien where the charming harborside area offers a quiet reprieve from the lively city. 

Day 2: Pick Up Rental Car, Full-Day Preikestolen Hike

Get an early start today to avoid the crowds on today's hike up to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). Pick up your rental car and make the 90-minute drive to the starting point in Lysefjord. Here you'll lace up those hiking boots and follow tracks to reach the summit of Pulpit Rock, a moderately difficult trek and one of the most beautiful trails in the world. The special hike takes about five hours including return, and covers mountainous terrain. Soak up those famous views from the top, which rises 1,981 feet (604 m) above sea level, then return to where you started from. 

This is a self-guided seasonal hike (May through October), but you won't be alone, as this is one of the more popular spots in the country. For that reason, you should start your hike early to both conserve daylight and avoid crowds. It may be worth collecting the rental car the evening before to save time, and don't forget to pack a picnic to enjoy from the top! After your hike, return to Stavanger for another relaxing evening.

Day 3: Drive to Bergen via Rosendal

Today you'll set off on an epic road trip, so eat a hearty breakfast and get behind the wheel. Your 6.5-hour journey to Bergen takes twists and turns with a scenic detour through the idyllic Rosendal, located along Hardangerfjord, where you'll gain a glimpse into life in Norway and admire lots of cozy villages along the way. Stop at Baroniet Rosendal, a historic estate built in 1665, for a snack and to visit the rose garden before you continue onto Bergen.

Norway's second-largest city boasts a long history that can still be seen at spots like the old Hanseatic Wharf at Bryggen, where some of Bergen's first buildings were built and rebuilt after the Great Fire in 1702. The cozy city center has plenty of shops to browse within its downtown, or you can venture into nature aboard the Fløyen funicular to take in the views from 1,300 feet (400 m). Check into your hotel, then venture out for dinner in town. Try traditional food at Bryggeloftet & Stuene or local seafood at Lysverket.

Day 4: Half-Day Bergen Tour, Heit Sauna

This morning you'll explore the best of Bergen with the help of a local. As a private walking tour, the morning can be customized to your interests. You could choose to walk through history, exploring the narrow streets up to the mountainside known as Sandviksbatteriet, where you'll take in spectacular views over the city and then visit a small, hidden cabin rich in World War II history. Alternatively, explore the parks of Bergen, from the botanic garden to the beautiful Nygårdsparken. Or set off on a 2.5-hour hike of Mount Sandviken, one of the seven mountains around Bergen.

After, it's time to relax—Bergen style. Fired with Finnish wood, the Heit Sauna reaches a temperature between 140°F and 175°F (60°C to 80°C). If you like it really hot you can splash the stones with water! Lean into the experience and soak up views of mountains, sea, and new architecture as you sweat it out. For the full experience, cool down in the icy waters outside the sauna. Make sure you bring lots of drinking water.

Day 5: Guided Øygarden Kayak Tour

Today you'll venture out to Øygarden, a historic island kingdom, for a full-day kayaking adventure. Ice retreated here 10,000 years ago, leaving thousands of islands like "pearls on a string." Meet your guides in town for the drive west of Bergen. After a safety briefing, you'll grab a paddle and enter the water. Follow your guide across the distinctive fjord landscape, soaking up breathtaking scenery and learning about the local history. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you glide across the clear water. During the tour, you'll stop for lunch before returning to the water.

Day 6: Drive to Voss, Canoe Fishing with a Local

Today a two-hour drive takes you inland to the mountain village of Voss, perched between the famous Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord. Voss is known for its great skiing, extreme sports, and unspoiled nature. Stop by a café or bakery in town for a quick lunch, then get ready for a special adventure. Between late February and April, you can experience the ancient art of ice fishing. An experienced local will meet you for the adventure, showing you the old tradition of fishing in lakes and rivers around the scenic area.

If it's not the right season you might like to go rafting, kayaking, or biking instead. Keen hikers can't miss the easy path through the Bordalsgjelet Gorge, which leads up to a cascading waterfall; Gråsidetoppen, a roughly six-hour trek up a mountain that will give you an impressive view back across town; and the longest option, Mount Lønahorgi, which will give you mountaintop views of the Fresvikbreen, Hardangerjøkulen, and Vossaskavlen glaciers.

Day 7: Drive to Aurland, Fjord Cruise in Nærøyfjorden

Today's short one-hour drive leads you deeper into Norway to Aurland. En route, you'll pause to explore the pristine nature of Sognefjord, and stop for a scenic cruise through the Nærøyfjord. Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and peaks reaching up to 5,905 feet (1,800 m) high, the Nærøyfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the world's most beautiful landscapes. Try to resist the urge to reach out and touch the mountains as you cruise through its narrow passages, past tiny fishing villages, and traditional wooden houses.

If you prefer to paddle, you can opt for a kayak tour through the fjord instead before you spend your evening exploring the restaurant scene in Aurland. This cozy fjord village sees fewer tourists than neighboring Flåm, making it a relaxed base for a slew of activities, and the traditional cuisine here is unmatched.

Day 8: Train & Bike in the Flåm Valley

Park the car, grab rental bikes, and board Norway's most famous train journey. Travel from the village of Flåm up to Myrdal, following a vertiginous valley in the heart of the fjords. This steep train journey carries you up to the top so you can pedal the 12.5 miles (20 km) back down to Flåm. Soak in amazing views of the Kjosfossen, Kårdalsfossen, Rjoandefossen, and Brekkefossen waterfalls, and snake through 21 hairpin bends at Myrdalsberget. Along the route, take a snack break at the Rallarrosa dairy, a traditional mountain farm in Kårdal that sells homemade goat cheese.

It's easy going once you reach the valley floor, following the Flåm River back to town. In Flåm, explore the 1667-built church before getting back behind the wheel and driving back to Aurland for the evening.

Day 9: Drive to Oslo, Explore the Norwegian Capital

Head over the mountains to Oslo today, a 4.5-hour drive away—but don't miss a stop at the Stegastein Viewpoint before you go. This platform juts 98 feet (30 m) out from the mountainside, more than 2,000 feet (610 m) above the fjord. Your route to Oslo will depend on the weather. If you take the "snow road," stop in Lærdal to see the 1130-built Borgund Stave Church that still stands in its original Viking form. It's one of the oldest stave churches in the world and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its architecture and art forms from the Viking age, combined with Christian architecture. 

Once you arrive in Oslo, Norway's buzzing capital, take time to explore the multicultural seaside city that combines the best of nature and urban life in one place. Check out the Viking Ship Museum, which houses three ancient Viking burial ships, or celebrate calmer accomplishments at the Nobel Peace Center. Encounter the city's artistic side at the Munch Museum, dedicated to Edvard Munch of "The Scream" fame, and Vigeland Sculpture Park, or go shopping in the hip cafés and shops of the Grünerløkka district. 

Day 10: Depart Oslo

It's time to say farewell to Norway! Enjoy your last few hours walking around Oslo's neighborhoods, relaxing in a café, or visiting local boutiques for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. If you have the time, stroll along the Havnepromenaden (Harbor Promenade)—a modern 5.5-mile (9 km) waterfront park that combines sightseeing, history, art, architecture, and a little adventure.

Then, when the time is right, drive to the airport with enough time to return your rental car and catch your departing flight onward or home. Safe travels!

More Great Norway Itineraries 

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Norway? Check out these other Norway itineraries, explore different ways to spend 10 days in Norway, or discover the best time to visit Norway.