5 Days of Nordic Delight
Norway, with its breathtaking landscapes and child-friendly activities, has long been a dream destination for families. We found Norway to be really well designed and thoughtful, absolutely stunning, but quite expensive as well. Here’s our 5-day itinerary that promises a wholesome experience for children and adults alike. Join us as we explore Bergen, Flåm, and Oslo and take one of the world’s most scenic train rides.
Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Bergen
Kick off your trip in Bergen, known as the Gateway to the Fjords. Start your exploration at Bryggen, the historic harbor area with colorful wooden houses. The kids loved wandering through the narrow alleyways, and there was plenty to capture their imagination. Eat your way through the market, our kids loved the donuts and we loved the seafood! Note that most of the market’s stalls were poorly rated, as I would imagine a touristy place would be. It’s still fun to wander around, and we ate at the restaurants facing the harbor that were well rated.
Head to the Floibanen Funicular and ascend Mount Fløyen. The panoramic views are jaw-dropping, and there’s a playground at the top to keep the kids entertained. We underestimated how much time we would stay there, it’s more than just the views, there are several playgrounds, a troll forest, free canoes on the lake, food/drink (I had the Rhubarb Gin Fizz on tap and the kids had fresh smoothies).
Day 2: Bergen/Flåm Fjord Tour
There are a few ways to do this day, we opted for a very well rated all day (11 hour) tour that brought us back to Bergen. But you could break it up and sleep in Flåm as well, which would save some money on the tour, but would require more planning and moving. Most of our travels we tried not to switch lodging too often, so we opted for the tour. Either way the 2-hour fjord cruise to Flam is a must-do, offering unforgettable sights, comfy cruising, with a cafe.
Here is the tour link we took (get 15% off with this link)- it was on a very comfy bus, great driver/tour guide, included the 2 hour fjord cruise, and multiple lookout points for photos. This day was the highlight of our Norway trip.
Day 3: Bergen to Oslo Train
Embark on the famous train journey from Bergen to Oslo. I booked it here directly. The 7-hour ride is filled with stunning landscapes, and the comfortable seating ensures a relaxing experience for the family. Yes, it’s a long day, but the view is amazing, there are family cars you can book for the littles, some wifi, and there’s a cafe.
Arrive in Oslo and settle into your hotel. If the kids still have energy, a walk around the lively Aker Brygge waterfront or Karl Johans Gate might be in order!
Day 4: Discovering Oslo
Head to Vigeland Park, a wonderland of sculptures that children often find fascinating. It was probably my favorite sculpture park of all time.
Other options: Explore the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology. With interactive exhibits, it’s a perfect spot for kids to learn and play. Note that the Viking Ship Museum is supposed to be great, but it is being remodeled for several years. Worth checking at the time you’re reading this if they’ve reopened.
Enjoy a family dinner at one of Oslo’s child-friendly restaurants. Try some local specialties like Kjøttkaker (Norwegian meatballs). Find on Google or Atmosfy to see what’s near your lodging.
Day 5: Final Day in Oslo
Visit the Royal Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Other option: A day of shopping and eating at Karl Johans gate, or spend the afternoon at the Oslo Winter Park or summer beaches, depending on the season.
Wrap up your family adventure with a delightful meal and perhaps a stroll along the Oslo Opera House.
Cost saving tips
In order to splurge on Fjord tours and special meals, we cut costs on other areas that can add up.
– With 6 of us, staying in a central Airbnb was helpful, so we could cook at home. Especially breakfast, coffee, snacks, alcohol. We found the grocery store eggs, chicken nuggets and pasta was quick and easy for the kiddos.
– Taking the train from the airport was incredibly easy and affordable. Public transport was generally very easy, cheap, and seamless.
– Tap water is cold and so delicious. Bring a waterbottle and fill up at any sink! Note I prefer waterbottles with a handle for easy carrying and without a straw to avoid spills, leaks, and mold.
– Alcohol is also very expensive at a restaurant, and anything over a small % of alcohol like beer or cider must be bought at a bar or at the state liquor store. So we made a wine/gin run to sample them at home.
Food/Drink Recommendations
You can’t go wrong with seafood soup, anything salmon, or meatballs, all very traditional Norwegian meals. There’s an award winning hard cheese called Fana that is quite delicious as well– try with some gooseberry jam. There are some traditional meals containing sheep’s heads and reindeer, but I can’t report on that… Also I was shocked that there was whale listed on many menus, but I was assured that it’s not an endangered whale species. It’s the more common minke whale, though I still found it off-putting and didn’t try it. I found some great restaurant and bar recommendations of Google as well as Atmosfy (it’s like TikTok for Yelp!).
All of Scandinavia is very much into different types of licorice. Definitely give it a try! There are some stronger saltier versions that are much more of an acquired taste, but some are lighter with a candy coating and quite delicious. You’ll see it as a common ice cream flavor too!
Being a big gin fan, there are a couple of award winners from Bergen to try: Feddie Nine Sisters Gin (a sisters owned distillery!) and Barekensten Gin. The other very Nordic drinks to sample are a salty licorice liquor called Valhalla and Aquavit, one of the oldest forms of alcohol. Both are very herbal. Note you have to buy liquor and beer at an official liquor store called the Vinmonopolet, only low alcohol beer and cider is available at grocery stores.
Packing
Layers, layers, layers! And we only do carry-ons (see more about my philosophy here). And here are my favorite packing recos! For Norway, our MVPs were the thin rain jacket, my handy backpack, a thin scarf, and the Renata merino wool dress (super versatile), and my favorite Aloha waterproof tote would be great here too.
Prepping for Norway
I always love to get into the local mood before traveling (the kids call it homework :P), so here are some recommendations
The Mercies by Kiran Hargrave
Vikings on Netflix
Royalteen on Netflix (this one isn’t a blockbuster, but it will do for homework)
Pimsleur Norwegian or YouTube for basic Norwegian phrases
Final Thoughts
Norway’s combination of natural beauty and family-friendly activities makes it an ideal destination for a memorable family vacation. From the streets of Bergen to the majestic fjords of Flåm, and the scenic train journey to the vibrant city of Oslo, every moment in this Nordic paradise is sure to captivate the hearts of young and old alike. And there were plenty of wonderful playgrounds to chose from, which is a huge bonus.
Remember, it’s always good to check the weather forecast and any seasonal changes in Norway, as it is one of the rainiest countries. But dress in layers and your trip won’t disappoint! We always packed a rain jacket and comfy walking shoes. Enjoy
Disclosure: I am an advisor for Atmosfy, but do not get any referral bonus for additional users or clicks.
