Nestled in the northernmost part of Europe, Norway is a country that boasts stunning natural landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and a high standard of living. Known for its fjords, mountains, and glaciers, Norway is a nature lover’s paradise. And, when it comes to winter vacation destinations, Norway is a hidden gem that should not be overlooked. With its snow-covered landscapes, cozy cabins, and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, Norway is the perfect destination for those seeking an adventure-filled winter getaway.
Would you like to explore the Norwegian fjords, mountains, and valleys in less than a week? This eco-friendly journey, also known as, Norway in a nutshell, will take you along the most beautiful train journeys in the world, between Bergen and Flåm, from Oslo. Then the journey continues by boat and bus. There is so much that Norway offers to make your trip a unique experience.
Read through these tips and then go and book yourself that winter wonderland trip to Norway!
How to move around in Norway?
Carved out by glaciers during the last ice age, these narrow inlets of the sea are surrounded by steep cliffs and snow-capped mountains, traveling around Norway remains an exciting experience, however, you choose to do it. Norway’s transportation network is extensive and efficient. And although journeys can be long, services across the board are usually very comfortable. You can buy tickets for almost every trip online or via an app, often at a discount. There is also a discount for young students. The country’s rail network links major cities such as Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim,
For those that want something a little less ordinary, it is also possible to enjoy a Norway winter cruise. You can also combine a spectacular Norwegian Fjord cruise with dramatic train routes on Norway in a Nutshell tour. Sometimes, during the winter, some parts of the fjord are frozen, the Fjord cruise will shorten your travel and they will provide you with a bus replacement.
If you do decide to drive during winter in Norway, roads, especially those in the mountains or areas of heavy snow, can often close for the safety of travelers. It’s also very important to check if your rental vehicle has winter tires. Driving in winter isn’t a joke, so if you aren’t comfortable doing it, try the other options.
The Basics: Where to Start and How to get there
1 – Oslo
Norway’s capital, Oslo, is a good starting point for your winter trip. The magic of silence, outdoor winter activities, Christmas markets, and comfort food. Oslo in winter is a magical city.
What to do in Oslo in winter? There are plenty of things! If you do not have a precise itinerary you can spend 2 days in Oslo.
You can read my article on the places and activities to do in Olso. Click here!
2 – The Flam Railway and its village
The Flam Railway (Flåmsbana) is a spectacular train journey that offers a panoramic view of some of the wildest and most magnificent nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape. The 20 km-long train ride took 20 years and is one of the steepest standard gauge railway lines in the world.
It is one of the most famous rides in Norway. Whether you arrive in Bergen or Oslo, you can take the train to both cities. I recommend you take the train from Oslo to Flam, a journey on this train is surely something you will never forget.
The Flam Railway line from Myrdal to Flåm makes a photo stop at the beautiful Kjosfossen waterfall. The twisting tunnels in and out of the mountain bear witness to the most daring and skilled engineering in Norwegian railway history and are indeed a sight to behold.
I recommend you sleep in Flam’s little village for one or two nights.
You can book your railway ticket or read more by clicking here.
3 – Bergen
Now, before we go any further if at this point you are looking for aurora borealis in Norway, I recommend you skip Bergen and go straight to Tromso.
If you took the train from Oslo to Flam, you might want to try the fjord to go to Bergen. From Flåm you continue by boat on the Naerøyfjord to Gudvangen. Naerøyfjord is the narrowest fjord in Europe and was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Gudvangen, the journey continues by bus through the Naerøyfjord valley to Voss. Please note that this itinerary may change because of winter weather conditions. They can give you an alternative bus from Gudvangen to Voss, always check the weather or request information from the train station.
The last part of the journey is by train, from Voss to Bergen, the second largest city in Norway and the only one in the world to be surrounded by 7 mountains and 7 fjords. You spend the next two nights in Bergen downtown.
Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, doesn’t look like a city at all: when you walk through its streets, you almost feel like you’re in one of those countries where everyone knows each other and says hello when they meet. Bergen offers world-class experiences and culture. Located in the heart of the fjords, Bergen has the ideal combination of nature, culture, and interesting urban attractions.
4 – Tromso
Seeing the aurora borealis is the other big must-see in the city of Tromso. If you plan to visit the area between September and April, you’ll likely be able to see the Northern Lights. It is one of the most popular places in the world to observe this natural light phenomenon.
You have several possibilities for this:
- Watching the Northern Lights on your own (involves renting a car)
- Book an outing to see the northern lights outside the city
- Opt for a cruise at sea to observe them
I would suggest either option one or option two.
Winter in Tromsø is truly an experience with the Northern Lights dancing above you in the sky. Tromso offers a wide range of activities including dog sledding, Sami experiences, skiing and snowshoeing, and Northern Light experiences both on land and from the ocean.
If you intend to go in winter, one thing to consider is the length of the day according to the chosen month. Indeed, the sun does not appear between late November and mid-January. The polar night extends more or less from November to January. This is a point to take into account. Even if it is not completely dark all day, the brightness remains very low.
If you’re looking for a winter destination that combines incredible nature experiences, beautiful landscapes, amazing food, and a charming city, Tromso is the perfect place.
Point to be noted: The auroras don’t always appear green to our eyes. Sometimes it can be silvery in appearance, or even a strange hue of grey or white, however, if you point a camera at it, you will usually see green pop out from the sky.
