Norway Bucket List

At Make a Bucket List, we’ve been fortunate enough to visit Norway on several occasions. This is why we have created this Norway bucket list guide to help you plan the trip of your dreams to Norway, whether that be trips to the Norwegian fjords, historic cities, Arctic villages and famous viewpoints. So if you love scenic cruises, hiking, photography or food, Norway gives you powerful landscapes and memorable experiences that will become treasured memories.

Using our own experiences we’ve put together some Norway cruise port guides that include classic attractions and practical tips so you can plan your days in ports such as Stavanger, Molde, Olden and Skjolden. We’ve also created a full Norwegian Fjords packing guide, so you don’t get caught out, whatever season you may be visiting in.

Why Norway Belongs on Your Bucket List

Norway stretches from the Oslofjord and the southern coast up past the Arctic Circle to the North Cape. The country mixes deep fjords, high mountains, waterfalls, coastal towns and wildlife such as whales, puffins and reindeer.

Many visitors arrive on a Norwegian fjords cruise, stopping at ports such as Stavanger, Molde, Olden and Skjolden. Others fly into Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø or Trondheim and build road trips through areas such as the Lofoten Islands, Geirangerfjord and the Atlantic Ocean Road.

However you travel, Norway rewards slow days outdoors, time in small villages, and simple moments like coffee in a harbour café while you while you take in your amazing surroundings.

Essential Norway Bucket List Experiences

Cruise the Norwegian Fjords & Explore Norway’s Fjord Villages and Small Towns

A cruise along the Norwegian coast belongs on almost every Norway bucket list. Ships slip through narrow fjords such as Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and Hardangerfjord, sail past waterfalls and stop in villages that sit between water and steep cliffs.

Many visitors also say the highlight of their trip was the time spent in small communities beside quiet water in these fjords.

Stavanger Bucket List Highlights

Stavanger sits on the south west coast and mixes historic wooden streets, street art and easy access to Lysefjord.

• Walk through Gamle Stavanger with its white wooden houses and cobbled lanes.
• Visit colourful Øvre Holmegate and hunt for murals and street art.
• Step inside Stavanger Cathedral if time and opening hours allow.
• Join a Lysefjord cruise to see Pulpit Rock from the water.
• Visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum or Stavanger Museum.
• Relax by the harbour at Skagenkaien with a drink or seafood dish.

Our Stavanger port guide explains how to walk from the ship into town, how to use the hop on hop off bus and which local excursions work well in a single cruise day.

Molde Bucket List Highlights

Molde faces a wide fjord and a backdrop of snow-covered peaks. It works well for travellers who enjoy museums, viewpoints and relaxed café time.

• Climb or drive to Varden for the famous Molde panorama.
• Explore the Romsdal Museum, with historic buildings and exhibits on local life.
• Visit Molde Cathedral and the Rose Maiden statue by the town hall.
• Walk along the waterfront by Aker Stadion and watch ferries cross the fjord.
• Call into galleries such as the Møre og Romsdal Art Center.
• Join a tour to the Atlantic Ocean Road or Bergtatt Marble Caves if schedules allow.

This Molde guide sets out walking routes from the cruise pier, shows how steep some streets are and compares local tours with cruise line excursions.

Olden Bucket List Highlights

Olden is a tiny village with a huge backdrop. Think glassy lakes, steep valleys and glaciers.

• Take a trip to the Briksdal Glacier, with options to hike or ride troll cars.
• Ride the Loen Skylift to Mount Hoven for wide views over fjords and peaks.
• Use the Olden sightseeing bus or land train if you prefer less walking.
• Try kayaking on Nordfjord for a close-up water-level view.
• Stroll to the village, browse shops and enjoy coffee with a view.

Our guide on things to do in Olden explains the layout of the cruise pier, where to find Olden Adventure, how long excursions take and what to expect from each activity.

Skjolden Bucket List Highlights

Skjolden lies at the very end of Sognefjord and feels quiet and remote. It gives access to Norway’s national parks and local experiences that feel closer to everyday life.

• Walk from the pier along the lake and river, taking in wooden houses and quiet paths.
• Visit the tourist information centre for maps, a café and indoor activities.
• Book RIB tours, hikes or cycling trips with Adventure Tours Norway.
• Meet the animals at Skjolden Llamas.
• Join an excursion to Urnes Stave Church, Norway’s oldest stave church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Start part of the Sognefjell Mountain Road walk for views over lakes and peaks near the village.

This visiting Skjolden guide shows what you can do on foot from the ship and which tours take you deeper into the national parks.

See the Northern Lights

Watching the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) dance above mountains and fjords is a classic Norway goal. The best chances sit between late September and late March, especially around Tromsø, the Lofoten Islands and Alta.

• Look for clear, dark nights with low cloud cover.
• Use a local Aurora forecast app while you travel.
• Join a small group minibus or boat tour that chases clear skies away from city lights.
• Pack thermal layers, hiking boots, a warm hat and gloves and a tripod for long exposure photos. The Norwegian Fjords packing guide explains cold weather clothing in more detail.

Experience the Midnight Sun

In summer the sun barely dips below the horizon above the Arctic Circle. In places such as Bodø, Tromsø and Nordkapp you can hike, kayak or sit on a beach late at night in full daylight. The light feels soft and golden and works well for photography.

Hike Iconic Norwegian Viewpoints

Norway has some of Europe’s most photographed hikes. You can add one or two to your Norway bucket list if you feel comfortable with long days on the trail. These include;

• Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) near Stavanger – cliff top view over the Lysefjord.
• Trolltunga near Odda – rock ledge that hangs over a lake.
• Kjeragbolten – boulder wedged between cliff walls above the fjord.
• Romsdalseggen Ridge and viewpoints above Åndalsnes.
• Varden viewpoint above Molde for a panorama of peaks and islands, featured in the Molde guide.

If you plan any of these hikes, check local conditions, allow plenty of time and follow official safety advice.

Ride Norway’s Scenic Railways

Norway’s trains combine long distances with spectacular scenery, which makes them ideal for a bucket list trip.

• Oslo to Bergen railway over the Hardangervidda plateau.
• Flåmsbana between Myrdal and Flåm, with waterfalls and steep valleys.
• Nordland Line from Trondheim to Bodø across the Arctic Circle.
• Rauma Line near Åndalsnes with views of Trollveggen and bridges over deep gorges.

You can include some of these routes in a wider circular trip such as the classic Norway in a Nutshell route.

Discover Norway’s Cities

Balance your fjord days with time in cities. Each one adds cultural depth to a Norway itinerary.

• Oslo – Viking Ship Museum, Fram Museum, Munch Museum, Opera House and city beaches.
• Bergen – Bryggen Hanseatic wharf, Fløibanen funicular, seafood at the fish market and easy access to nearby fjords.
• Trondheim – Nidaros Cathedral, old wooden wharves and café culture.
• Tromsø – Arctic base for Northern Lights tours, reindeer experiences and Sami culture.

Packing for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Weather changes fast in the fjords. One day brings sunshine on deck, the next day brings heavy rain beside a glacier. This Norwegian Fjords packing guide sets out specific clothing and cruise essentials, but are some key points to get you started:

• Wear layers so you can adjust quickly.
• Pack waterproof jackets and trousers.
• Take sturdy footwear with good grip.
• Add hat, gloves, warm socks and a scarf for early and late season trips.
• Bring binoculars for wildlife and distant waterfalls.
• Use a waterproof day pack for cameras and spare layers.

Norway Food and Drink Bucket List

Food in Norway reflects the sea, forests and mountains. Add a few of these dishes to your Norway bucket list and try them in local cafés, bakeries or restaurants.

• Fresh salmon and Arctic cod served grilled, smoked or in fish soup.
• Fiskesuppe – creamy fish soup with root vegetables and herbs.
• Brunost – brown cheese with a caramel flavour, often served on bread or waffles.
• Norwegian waffles topped with jam and sour cream.
• Kanelbolle – cinnamon buns found in bakeries and petrol stations.
• Reindeer and elk dishes in northern Norway.
• Cloudberries and other berries served with cream or in desserts.
• Aquavit and Norwegian craft beer for a drink with local character.
• Strong filter coffee, which Norwegians drink throughout the day.

Our port guides often mention specific cafés and restaurants, so why not use these to pick easy places to sample dishes near each cruise pier.

Culture, History and Wildlife Experiences

Norway’s culture and history sit right beside its landscapes. So you may want to add a few of these ideas to really round out your Norway bucket list.

• Visit stave churches such as Urnes or Borgund to see medieval wooden architecture and carved doorways.
• Call into Viking museums in Oslo, the west coast and northern Norway.
• Learn about Sami culture in areas such as Tromsø, Kautokeino and Karasjok, with reindeer herding and storytelling experiences.
• Spend time in local museums such as those in Stavanger and Molde that explain coastal life, fishing and city growth.
• Take a whale watching trip near Tromsø or Vesterålen for humpbacks and orcas in season.
• Join birding trips for puffins and sea eagles on coastal cliffs and islands.

Navigating Norway

Norway looks large on the map, but with some planning you can move between regions smoothly using a mix of domestic flights, trains, buses, ferries, cruise ships and road trips.

Arriving in Norway

• Most people fly into Oslo Gardermoen, Bergen, Stavanger or Tromsø.
• Many UK travellers reach the fjords on a round-trip cruise from Southampton or other European ports.
• Ferries also link Norway with Denmark, Germany and Sweden.

Getting Around by Train and Bus

• Use long-distance trains on routes such as Oslo–Bergen, Oslo–Trondheim and Trondheim–Bodø.
• Regional buses link small towns and fjord villages to main hubs; schedules vary by season.
• In cities, local travel cards give simple access to trams, buses and metro lines.

Driving in Norway

• Driving gives the freedom to stop at viewpoints, trailheads and small villages.
• Roads can be narrow with tunnels, hairpins and steep sections; speeds are modest.
• Winter brings snow and ice, so local rental rules and winter tyres matter.
• National scenic routes such as the Atlantic Ocean Road, Trollstigen and Sognefjellet give classic road trip experiences in the fjord region.

Getting Around on a Cruise

• Cruise ships act as moving hotels, bringing you to ports such as Stavanger, Molde, Olden, Skjolden, Geiranger and Flåm.
• Each port guide on this site explains how far the ship docks from town, what you can reach on foot and which excursions need transport.
• Use ship excursions where distances are long or timing feels tight, and local operators or independent walks where everything sits close to the pier.

Practical Tips for Visiting Norway

These practical points make it easier to enjoy Norway and stick to a realistic budget.

• Currency – Norway uses the Norwegian krone (NOK). Cards work almost everywhere, even in small shops and on buses.
• Language – Norwegian is the main language, but most people speak good English.
• Prices – Food, alcohol and excursions can feel expensive compared with the UK. Plan a daily budget, pick self-catering options where possible and fill water bottles from taps, as tap water is safe to drink.
• Weather – Expect rain and cool temperatures even in summer. The Norwegian Fjords packing guide explains clothing in different seasons.
• Daylight – Summer brings long days, while winter brings short days. Build plans around how much daylight you have.
• Safety – Norway feels safe, but treat mountain hikes, glaciers and coastal paths with respect. Follow signs, stay on marked trails and check local advice.
• Sustainability – Stick to marked paths, leave no litter, refill bottles instead of buying plastic and support local businesses.

Full Norway Bucket List Index

Below are the current Norway articles we have, so feel free to have browse and see what appeals to you when creating your Norwegian bucket list: