Southern Norway Road Trip Itinerary – How to spend 2 weeks in Norway

Wild nature, majestic mountains, endless expanses – this is Norway for me. With only 5.4 million inhabitants but a size as big as Japan, Norway’s landscape is shaped by thousands of lakes, forests, mountains, and tiny villages. The best way to explore the picturesque land of fjords is by campervan. Norway is the ideal destination for an epic road trip since only driving through the beautiful landscapes is an adventure in itself. Especially if you’re searching for a deeper connection to nature, challenging hikes with the best views, and outdoor adventures in general – Norway should be on your list!

I’m sure it would take several months to explore all the famous beautiful places in Norway and maybe years to discover its countless hidden gems. The truth is most of you (including myself) are not able to spare that amount of time (and money lol). That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best places you can visit on a Southern Norway road trip within two to three weeks.

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Quick Facts about Norway

Population	5.4 million
Capital	Oslo
Language	Norwegian
Currency	NOK (Norwegian Krone), 1 US$ = 10 NOK
Best time to visit	June – September (for hiking)

Southern Norway Road Trip Itinerary

1. Kristiansand/ Mandal

If you are coming to Norway by ferry from Denmark, Kristiansand will be your first stop in Norway. The sixth-largest city in Norway is often referred to as the capital of the south and is home to around 112,000 people. If you don’t necessarily want to spend the first night in Kristiansand, then it is worth driving the 45km (around 50 minutes) to Mandal. Mandal is the southernmost city in Norway and enchants with its typical old, white wooden houses and the natural recreation area Furulunden.

Camping site recommendation: Topcamp Sjosanden

2. Lindesnes Lighthouse

Along the South Coast of Norway, a stop at the beautiful Lindesnes Lighthouse is a must. The lighthouse, which was built in 1655, is not only Norway’s oldest but also the southernmost lighthouse on the mainland. After a short climb, you can let your gaze wander over the beautiful coast. Of course, you can climb up the lighthouse as well. But hold on to your hair – it’s usually pretty windy! 😀

3. Stavanger

Even though Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway, it exudes the charm of a small town. Especially in the colorful city center, where cute little shops are lined up in pretty wooden houses. The historic old town with its cathedral from the 12th century is perfect for strolling around. Well, I guess it’s not without reason that Stavanger was named the European Capital of Culture in 2008. Read my post on the best things to do in Stavanger for more inspiration!

Camping site recommendation: Olberg Camping

4. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)/ Lysefjord

Enjoying the view from Preikestolen was one of my absolute highlights during my 3 weeks in Scandinavia. The hike to Preikestolen (also referred to as Pulpit Rock) is not very long with a total of 8km, but at the beginning, you have to conquer some steep stone steps. However, once at the top, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view over the Lysefjord. If the weather is clear, you can let your gaze wander far over the mountain peaks and admire the glittering fjord, which lies around 600 meters below. On the top of Preikestolen, you really feel like being above the clouds – an indescribable feeling. I recommend starting the hike very early (around 6 am) in order to avoid large crowds on the rock and also to only have little “oncoming traffic” when climbing all the way up.

Camping site recommendation: Camping Preikestolen

5. Haugesund

The area of Haugesund is the perfect stopover between Preikestolen and Bergen. Not far from the city center, there is a huge monument, which was built in honor of the millennial birthday of the country of Norway as well as in honor of the country’s first Viking king Harald Schönhaar.

Camping site recommendation: Haralshaugen Camping AS

6. Bergen

Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, attracts many tourists every year and is known as the “gateway to the fjords”. In Bergen, you can marvel at traditional colorful wooden buildings in Brygge, take the mountain railway to the top of Fløyen, or visit the famous aquarium. One of the things to know before visiting Bergen is that you should definitely bring an umbrella. With an average of 248 rainy days a year, Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe.

Camping site recommendation: Lone Camping AS

7. Voringsfossen

Voringsfossen waterfall can be found in the middle of the mountains. With a height of 183 meters, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Norway. Since August 2020, visitors can walk over a breathtaking bridge and marvel at the falling water below them. Also worth seeing is the Norsk Natursenter Hardanger (10 kilometers away), an interactive museum about Norway’s nature, culture, and origins of the country.

Camping site recommendation: Eidfjord Hytter

8. Folgefonna Nationalpark

Norway is one of the best adventure travel destinations worldwide. And Folgefonna National Park offers a variety of adventurous outdoor activities as well as different hiking trails and beautiful photo spots. For example, you can take a (guided) hike up to the glacier, linger at the beautiful Bondhusvatnet Lake, which is even considered a drinking water lake, or visit the fairytale valley Buartal.

9. Trolltunga

The Trolltunga hike is one of the most popular ones in the country and one of the best outdoor adventures in Norway you can experience. Taking a photo of the famous Trolltunga rock formation is definitely a must on your Norway trip! However, the 20–28-kilometer hike should not be taken lightly. Additionally, it is advisable to start the hike as early as possible. Not only to escape the crowds but above all to make it back in time. 10 to 12 hours should be planned for this hike in any case. It is also important to have enough food and water as well as a good day hiking backpack with you and to wear the right hiking equipment.

There’s also the option to walk up with your camping equipment on the back and to find a nice camping spot on top of the mountain so that you can come back the next day. You can find detailed information and tips on the Trolltunga hike on Norway’s Tourism website. Even though this hike is quite strenuous and demanding – the efforts will pay off! Throughout the whole hike, you will be rewarded with fantastic views. In my opinion, nothing describes the feeling of having finally made it to the top and being able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Norway.

Camping site recommendation: Trolltunga Camping

10. Oslo

Oslo, the vivid capital of Norway, should also be on your agenda. Must-see attractions in Oslo include the Royal Palace, the Viking Ship Museum, the Akershus Fortress, and the Opera House. You can find more suggestions in my blog post about how to spend two days in Oslo.

Do you have any questions regarding this Southern Norway Road Trip Itinerary? Are you ready to explore the land of fjords? Let me know in the comments down below.

Don’t know what to pack for this epic road trip? Make sure to take a look at my ultimate campervan packing list!

And don’t forget to save this post for your next Norway road trip!