Lillehammer
Lillehammer is a small town in the south of Norway, located directly on the shore of Lake Mjøsa. In 1994, the Winter Olympics were held here, making the city quite well-known. Lillehammer has some great wooden houses to admire, some of which date back to the 18th century.
Many of the sights you should visit, such as the ski jump, are located in the Olympic Park. If you want to integrate some exercise into your day, we recommended climbing the 954 steps which give you a beautiful view of Lillehammer and Lake Mjøsa. If not, you can always take the lift!
Another great attraction is Maihaugen, the largest open-air museum in Europe. It consists of 185 traditional buildings in miniature form. The Lillehammer Art Museum should also not be missed when visiting the city.
In the winter, Lillehammer is a great place for winter sports, such as skiing and cross-country skiing. In the summer, you can go hiking or mountain-biking. This means that no matter when you visit, there’s always the opportunity to be active in a beautiful natural setting.
You can go shopping in the so-called Storgata, a place surrounded by boutiques, restaurants and wooden houses.
You can stay in a local hostel. For €34 a night, you can sleep in a 4-bed dorm.
Trondheim
Luckily for you, there’s another great city up next! From Lillehammer, you can take a rental car to Trondheim.
Trondheim is a beautiful city situated in the province of Sør-Trøndelag, on the banks of the Nidelva River. The city has around 190,000 inhabitants and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The main sight to see is the Nidaros Cathedral, which is the second largest church in Northern Europe.
In Trondheim, you’ll not only find a lot of cultural heritage, but also a large city centre. Although the city isn’t huge, there’s always a lot going on. There are many music and art events, lots of students live there and there’s an active nightlife. One prominent festival is the St. Olav Festival, which is at the end of July. In March, there’s the so-called Minimal Short Film Festival, where you can watch great Norwegian and Scandinavian short films. There are many other charming events all year round, so be sure to inform yourself when planning your trip.
Since Trondheim is located on the Nidelva River, you should definitely watch a sunset by the river. Especially in summer, the view is spectacular. In the city centre and a bit outside, there are many great wooden houses that you can visit as well.
The so-called Stiftsgården, also located in the city, is the local residence of the king. You can also visit the old fortress on the island of Munkholmen, which can be reached by boat.
In Trondheim, you can stay in one of the local hostels. It’s €32 per night for a bed in a dorm.
Alesund
After you’ve enjoyed Trondheim to the fullest, it’s time for you to drive to Alesund.
Alesund is in a wonderful location; the city centre was influenced by the Art Nouveau and is definitely a place you want to visit!
You can go to the aquarium and admire the local fish species. Alesund also has a great museum, the Atlantic Sea Park, as well as the so-called Art Nouveau Centre. The Atlantic Sea Park is the largest saltwater aquarium in northern Europe and offers many different activities, such as diving.
Brosundet divides the two main islands: Aspøy and Hellebroa. Here, you can enjoy a great view and eat outside in one of the many restaurants.
You should also climb the steps to Fjellstua for a breathtaking view over the fjords and the surrounding mountains. You can grab a bite in a nearby restaurant offering simple yet tasty dishes.
In the winter, you can take a bus and go skiing just outside the little town.
Not only is Alesund very scenic, but there’s also lots to do there. You can stay in one of the local accomodations, where a night in a 3-bed dorm would cost you €47.
Geirangerfjord
From Alesund, you’ll take your rental car to Geirangerfjord. The fjord is close nearby, and once you’re there you can go hiking or have a picnic with an extraordinary view.
The Geirangerfjord is one of the most famous fjords in Norway and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. It’s approximately 15 kilometres long and between 600 metres and 1.3 kilometres wide.
The Geirangerfjord is the continuation of the Sunnylvsfjord, which is a branch of the Storfjord. Geiranger is a village located right at the end of the Geirangerfjord.
During your stay in Geirangerfjord, you can sleep in one of the local hostels. A single room costs €44 per night.
Flam
Flam is a little village with about 450 inhabitants. It’s located in the province of Sogn og Fjordane and situated in the so-called Flamsdalen, which is a narrow, elongated valley flanked by high mountains. The mountain range to the west is part of the Nærøyfjord World Heritage Site.
The main attraction here is the breathtaking nature. But if you feel like sightseeing, there’s a railway museum in the city, as well as the Otternes Bygdetun open-air Museum, where you can get an insight into the region's agriculture and life in the 18th century.
You can sleep in one of the local hostels. For €21 per night, you can get a bed in a dorm.
Bergen
Bergen is located in the province of Vestland and is the second largest city in Norway after Oslo. It’s situated directly by the sea, towards the south of Fjordland.
The fish market, located directly at the harbour, is worth the visit. There are vendors of various nationalities here, which makes the fish market something very special.
When you’re in Bergen, you should definitely visit the Bryggen district, which used to be the district of the German merchants in the city. There’s a Hanseatic museum you can visit and lots of wooden houses and warehouses to admire. Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s best-known relics from the Middle Ages. There are wonderful wooden houses all over the city, which often date back to the 18th or 19th century: Bryggen in particular is world-famous for this.
During your time in Bergen, you should also take the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløien, which is located 300 metres above the city. From there, you have a great view of the harbours. The base station is in the centre of the town.
Hostels in Bergen can be found for as little as €25 a night in a 4-bed dorm.
Oslo
Oslo, your last stop, will complete your perfect backpacking trip through Norway. You’ll have visited the most beautiful sights and the most important cities in the country. You’ll drive your rental car from Bergen to Oslo.
Oslo is the capital of Norway and has over 650,000 inhabitants. There’s a lot to do here and many great spots to see.
The Royal Castle and Askerhus Castle are definitely worth seeing. There are also many other great buildings in the city, such as the Oslo Opera House, the Parliament, the City Hall and the Nobel Peace Centre. The opera house was built in 2008 and is made of white marble and glass; it’s located right next to the fjord and near the main railway station.
Of course, there are also great museums in the capital, such as the Munch Museum, the National Gallery, the Viking Ship House, the Fram Museum, the Folklore Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum.
When in Oslo, you should also pay a visit to Vigelandsparken. This vast, beautiful park is located in the western part of the city and has over 200 sculptures, made by the sculptor Gustav Vigeland. The main sculpture is an obelisk in the middle of the park.
Before you return home, you’ll spend the night in the country’s capital. Accommodation in a hostel in Oslo costs €24 per night in a dorm.
