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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Norway trip July 2022

15 replies

gaslady14 · 26/12/2021 17:07

Hi all

We are looking at a trip to Bergen and Oslo with the train between at the end of July. We've booked the Airbnb in Bergen and will sort a hotel in Oslo. Few questions:

  • any tips for Bergen / Oslo?
  • does anyone know where to book Norwegian trains please? I can't find a specific Norwegian website which I would usually try to book through
  • how expensive did you find either city? We know it'll be pricey! We are self catering in Bergen partly for that reason!

Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:
CazY777 · 26/12/2021 17:29

I have been to Oslo a few times and once to Bergen. The train journey between the two is great, lovely scenery. In Bergen, if you are into walking you can take the funicular part of the way and then walk up the mountain from there. I also liked the quayside in Bergen.
In Oslo I enjoyed seeing the sculptures in Frognerpark, walking around by the castle, visiting the museum's on the bygdøy peninsula (you can take a boat there). You can also go by boat to the islands in the Oslo fjord. Again, if you like walking you can take the t-bane to the end of the line at Frognersteren and walk around, or to Sogsvann and walk around the lake. The Holmenkollen ski jump is good but I've only been in the winter. I've yet to get to the Munch museum as it always seems to be closed when I want to go there. Food and alcohol is very expensive, we always head to the eastern end for the kebab shops and thai restaurants as they are cheaper. There is also a place right outside central station which does an all you can eat pizza buffet.

gaslady14 · 26/12/2021 23:03

Thank you! This is very helpful, especially the tips about cheaper food- we are perfectly happy with Thai cuisine!

OP posts:
Alaimo · 27/12/2021 16:02

You can book the train at vy.no. It's worth doing in the daylight, especially the section near-ish Bergen where the train traverses a high plateau.

If you do want to go out for a meal, Kafe Spesial is very popular among the younger population (well, people in their 20s &30s) as it's decent value for money by Norwegian standards. Skyskraperen restaurant supposedly has an amazing view, but it was fully in the cloud when i visited.

Finally, take waterproofs. Bergen has a reputation as the wettest place in Norway (Europe?) and it's fully deserved. However, even when it rains you'll see plenty of people out walking/hiking.

gaslady14 · 28/12/2021 12:15

Ah thank you. I did check out vy.no, don't think the trains are up yet for when we want to go but I'll keep an eye and book ASAP. Thanks for your food recommendations, any cheap food places much appreciated!

OP posts:
LilyPond2 · 31/12/2021 23:59

www.seat61.com/Norway.htm
The Man in Seat 61 is a fantastic resource for researching train travel abroad.

gaslady14 · 02/01/2022 02:50

@LilyPond2 you are a star, thank you so much for that. His website literally talks me through how to sort the train!!

OP posts:
WhoAre · 02/01/2022 05:17

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ReviewingTheSituation · 04/07/2022 17:16

@gaslady14 - do you still want tips? We're just back from both those places, but won't type a long message if you're sorted already!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/07/2022 17:39

This is the link for VY, the Norwegian train website.

www.vy.no/en

MallampatiCatty · 06/07/2022 00:28

@ReviewingTheSituation yes please! We go next week! Much appreciated Smile

ReviewingTheSituation · 06/07/2022 10:53

OK - here goes....!

Oslo is a great city, we loved it there. We spend a day island hopping in the fjord. There's not much on any of the islands, but they're good to explore/wander around. There are plenty of spots for swimming (and lots of people doing just that), and one of them has a nice little pub.

The new national gallery was impressive. It's got a lot of paintings/artworks (inc The Scream, which is not in the Munch museum), but also a great design area which was really interesting. And on the very top floor, loads of accessible/interactive stuff which we loved.

The museums on the 'other' side of the harbour were also great - we went to Flam and Kon Tikki museums - both really interesting.
We had an Oslo card for a day, which covered all those museums (and more).

The Alter Bryggen (harbour) is full of restaurants etc - really buzzy and nice atmosphere. It's probably worth a meal there one night. If you go all the way to the end of the harbour, there's another swimming area and some sculptures and space to mooch around in.

The opera house is a must-see - allow time to walk up/over the roof and enjoy the view. It's really impressive.

The sculpture park is supposed to be really good, but we didn't have time to go there.

Are you travelling by train between the cities? We went as far as Myrdal on the train - it's a stunning journey.

Bergen is picture-postcard pretty. A really lovely place. The Bryggen area is obviously a must-see (make sure you walk through/behind it too, for a different view). There are some nice places to eat at the outdoor fish market - under the covered stalls. The menus may look simple (basically fish with potatoes/salad), but it's the freshest fish and totally delicious. DH had whale, which was nothing like we thought, but was lovely.

At the top of the funnicular are miles of walking trails. We hadn't realised how extensive it was, so didn't have the right shoes on for long walking. We did still walk a few miles (inc the walk down), but would have gone further in proper walking shoes. The views are amazing!

The Nordnes area is absolutely gorgeous - my favourite part of the city. Loads of lovely pretty streets of beautiful houses. It's worth an afternoon mooch (with a stop at a nice bar/coffee shop too).

Most of the 'things to do' seemed to centre on boat trips. We didn't do them because we had come in by boat from Sognefjord, so had already done lots of fjord boating, but if you haven't been on the water/to the fjords, then definitely do that.

It's a very compact and walkable city (I guess that may depend on where your AirBnB is!). Apparently it's the wettest city in Europe, so be prepared for that, but it was like being in the med when we were there.

Have a great time - and shout if you've got any specific questions!

MallampatiCatty · 06/07/2022 11:30

Thank you so much I really can't thank you enough! I'll check out the museum card in Oslo as we plan on doing the same with the museums. Good know there are places to swim- we will take our swim stuff and keep our fingers crossed the weather holds out

Sounds like you had a fantastic trip. We're there any restaurants/food places in either city that you'd particularly recommend?Smile

ReviewingTheSituation · 06/07/2022 12:08

In Oslo we had amazing tapas here as we arrived late and it was v close to our hotel. They have other branches in the city. We also had a nice pizza at Villa Paradiso (apparently pizza is big in Oslo!) The 3rd night we ate in the harbour area but I can't remember for the life of me what the place was called.
There was always a massive queue for a place called Olivia (which moved quickly, so there was a constant throughput of people). We didn't eat there, but a friend had recommended it.

In Bergen we ate at the outdoor fish market one evening (where DH had whale, and I had the freshest, tastiest halibut), and then had a lovely meal at To Kokken the other night. You're spoiled for choice with a lot of great fish places there.

We made lunch from the breakfast buffet every day (as did a lot of other people) - just a roll with cheese/smoked salmon and salad, and we took tap water everywhere. So we didn't mind spending a bit on dinner (which is just as well, as it's not cheap!) as we didn't buy any other food.

We took cash with us BTW, but we shouldn't have bothered. Lots of places are card only, and everywhere seems to prefer it. We have a fee-free travel credit card, so just used that everywhere until the last few days when we then spent all the cash!

MallampatiCatty · 06/07/2022 12:17

Thank you so so much. I really am very grateful. Couldn't have had any more detailed more useful advice. And so glad you really enjoyed your trip- Norway sounds fantastic!

ReviewingTheSituation · 06/07/2022 12:19

It really is - a nice change from southern Europe (much as I LOVE Italy and Spain etc). Stunningly beautiful, lovely people and great culture. You'll have a great time.

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