Three Weeks in Norway: Honest Reviews of Hotels, Restaurants, Tours & Unforgettable Experiences

This is my fourth and final post about our incredible three-week adventure in Norway. You can find the other posts here:

• 5 Weeks in Norway and the Netherlands: Northern Lights, Fjords, Tulips & More

• Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway: Amazing When You See Them, But Weather Changes Everything

• Three Weeks in Norway: Fjords, Mountains, Musk Oxen, and Unforgettable Hikes

In this post, I will review and informally rate all the services we used during our trip, including accommodations, restaurants, tours, and other experiences.

Hopefully, this will help you if you are planning your own adventure in Norway.

Here we go!

Trip Planning

Solo Female Wanderer – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

Without question, hiring Sarah from Solo Female Wanderer was one of the best decisions—and investments—we made for this trip.

Norway is a large country, and planning an itinerary that maximizes your time requires a lot of research. Sarah did that for us and then went well beyond our expectations.

She provided excellent recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and activities. Her knowledge and advice were a key part of making this such a memorable trip.

If you are planning a trip to Norway and want help putting everything together, I would highly recommend Sarah.

Accommodations

Comfort Hotel Runway – Oslo Airport – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

We stayed here for one night between arriving in Oslo and flying to Tromsø.

This is a basic off-site airport hotel that does exactly what it needs to do. The rooms are comfortable, and the location is convenient for catching an early flight.

Nothing special, but perfectly fine for a one-night airport stay.

Home Hotel Aurora – Tromsø – ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Norway is expensive.

We wanted to stay in the centre of Tromsø before moving out to our glass cabin, and the rate at Home Hotel Aurora was similar to other hotels we considered. The big difference was that it included breakfast, dinner, and fika (afternoon coffee and cake).

The hotel is a little tired and could use some updating, but the staff were friendly and helpful, and the food was good (especially considering it was included in the room rate).

They also have a sauna, which was fantastic after a cold, wet day exploring Tromsø.

The location is excellent, with everything in the city centre within easy walking distance.

I would happily recommend this hotel.

Aera – Outside Tromsø – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

This was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

As part of our effort to maximize our chances of seeing the Northern Lights, we booked a stay at this glass cabin hotel just outside Tromsø.

It was spectacular.

When you book directly through their website, the rate includes breakfast delivered to your cabin, use of an electric vehicle during your stay (very helpful because you need to drive to reach the hotel), a private one-hour sauna session, and complimentary use of snowshoes.

But the best feature is their Northern Lights service. They monitor the skies and send you a WhatsApp message when they see the lights. This means you don't have to spend the entire night staring out the window hoping something happens.

The breakfasts were delicious and plentiful. You select your choices ahead of time, and everything is delivered right to your cabin.

You can have dinner delivered to your room or eat in the dining area.

The cabins themselves are cozy and comfortable, with the bed positioned directly in front of the large window for Northern Lights viewing. Of course, when the lights appeared, we still went outside because nothing beats standing under the Arctic sky watching the aurora.

No hotel can guarantee you will see the Northern Lights, but Aera does everything possible to make the experience special.

Dovrefjell Lodge – Dovrefjell – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had read about Dovrefjell Lodge while researching our trip, and the location immediately caught my attention.

The area around Dovrefjell National Park is spectacular, but the main reason we booked this lodge was the Musk Ox Safari.

That safari turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip.

The lodge itself is wonderful. The owners are friendly and welcoming, the accommodations are comfortable, and the food was outstanding.

I

f you are visiting Dovrefjell (especially if you want to see musk oxen), this is definitely the place to stay.

And yes, it is called a safari—but you don't really chase them!

Airbnb – Oslo – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

As I always say, when you stay in multiple places, something has to be your least favourite.

For us, this was it.

The location was excellent, and the apartment itself was good, although it was a little difficult to find.

The apartment had beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. Unfortunately, because it was located at street level directly beside the sidewalk, we had to keep the curtains closed most of the time, which defeated the purpose of having those windows.

There were also no basic toiletries provided, such as soap or shampoo. This may seem like a small thing, but it is frustrating when travelling.

In the reviews, the owner responded to a comment about this by saying he was not "running a hotel" and therefore did not provide soap. My view is that if you are renting out an apartment and already providing coffee and other necessities, soap is a pretty reasonable expectation.

I would probably choose somewhere else if returning to Oslo.

Flåmsbrygga Hotell – Flåm – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

This is a good example of what happens when you stay in a small tourist destination with limited choices.

The hotel is expensive and fairly average.

That said, Flåm is a small town with limited accommodation options, so you may find yourself staying here simply because there are not many alternatives.

Airbnb – Bergen – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bergen was our favourite city in Norway, so we were fortunate that our Airbnb here was also our favourite accommodation.

The apartment is located up one of Bergen's many hills, so be prepared for a walk and some steep stairs to reach the unit.

Once inside, however, it was perfect for our stay.

The apartment was comfortable, well-equipped, and had everything we needed.

We would happily stay here again.

Airbnb – Stavanger – ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

This was a beautiful apartment and a comfortable place to stay.

Unlike many Airbnbs, this one clearly felt like someone's actual home. There were clothes in the closets, shoes in the hallway, and food in the refrigerator.

While some people may not like that, it did not bother us. The apartment was beautifully furnished and very comfortable.

The only downside was the location. It was about a 30-minute walk to central Stavanger, which was a little farther than we would have preferred.

Next time, I would probably look for something closer to the centre, but if nothing else was available, I would stay here again.

Restaurants

Norway has a reputation for being expensive, and that reputation is well deserved. Eating out can definitely put a dent in your travel budget.

That said, we found many places where the food, atmosphere, and experience made the cost worthwhile.

Here are our ratings of the restaurants we visited.

Raketten Bar & Pølse (Hot Dog Stand) – Tromsø – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (with a smile)

Apparently, Raketten is one of the smallest bars in the world, but we weren't there for the bar—we came for the reindeer and beef hot dogs.

A hot dog stand probably shouldn't get five stars, but I love hot dogs, and this one was absolutely worth standing in the rain for.

Order the recommended toppings. You won't be disappointed.

Sapporo Ramen – Oslo – ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

We love ramen, especially Sapporo-style ramen, so this place was a perfect fit for us.

The owner/chef is quite a character and runs this very busy little restaurant almost single-handedly.

The food was excellent, and it was exactly the type of casual local restaurant we enjoy finding when travelling.

The Salmon – Oslo – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was probably our favourite restaurant experience in Oslo.

Located on the waterfront, The Salmon is part restaurant and part education centre focused on Norway's most famous seafood export.

Yes, the menu is heavily focused on salmon—but there are many different preparations and combinations, so there is plenty of variety.

The food was excellent, the setting was great, and we loved the whole experience.

Mad Love Pizza – Oslo – ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

This was definitely not a tourist restaurant.

Mad Love Pizza is a tiny local spot with only a few tables, counter ordering, excellent pizza, and draft beer.

Basically, it is exactly the kind of place Teresa and I love finding when we travel.

Simple, local, and delicious.

Sushi Roll Sandviken – Bergen – ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Norway is expensive, so you can imagine that sushi in Norway is not exactly budget-friendly.

However, the food and service here were excellent.

The quality was very good, and we would definitely recommend it if you are looking for sushi while in Bergen.

Haglin Sisters – Bergen – ⭐☆☆☆☆

This was probably our least favourite restaurant experience of the trip.

It felt more like a fast-food restaurant than a place to enjoy a meal, and the food was below average.

I would skip this one.

Pingvinen – Bergen – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

One of our favourite restaurants of the entire trip and definitely our favourite in Bergen.

Pingvinen is a local gastropub serving traditional Norwegian comfort food. The restaurant was filled mostly with locals, with very few tourists, which is always a good sign.

The food was delicious, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the experience felt authentic.

We enjoyed it so much that we returned for lunch on our final day in Bergen.

Highly recommended.

Bryggeloftet & Stuene – Bergen – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.5 would be more accurate)

Calling this three stars is probably a little harsh. Three and a half stars would be a fairer rating.

This is one of Bergen's oldest restaurants and specializes in classic Norwegian dishes.

The food was good, but the experience was mixed. The service was efficient but felt somewhat cold, and the atmosphere was more formal and traditional than we usually prefer.

Still, if you are looking for classic Norwegian cuisine in a historic setting, it is worth considering.

Monella – Stavanger – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A fantastic family-run restaurant with friendly service and excellent food.

Monella is not right in the centre of Stavanger, so depending on where you are staying, it may require a bit of a walk.

However, the food was absolutely worth the effort.

A wonderful local restaurant and one we would happily return to.

Tours and Activities

Teresa and I generally avoid organized tours when we travel. We enjoy exploring cities on our own, finding hidden gems, and setting our own pace.

That said, some experiences are simply better with a knowledgeable guide, especially in a country like Norway where the landscape, weather, and logistics can make a big difference.

Here are the guided activities we booked during our trip.

Snowshoeing – Tromsø Outdoors – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We ended up booking this tour at the last minute after our land-based fjord tour was cancelled.

Sarah, our travel planner, had recommended Tromsø Outdoors, and they did not disappoint.

Our guide was excellent, the route was challenging without being overwhelming, and we were fortunate to have fantastic weather.

The scenery was beautiful, and snowshoeing through the Arctic landscape was an experience we will always remember.

Highly recommended.

Land-Based Fjord Tour – Arctic World Tromsø – ⭐☆☆☆☆

I had read several blog posts suggesting that land-based fjord tours were worthwhile because they provide a different perspective than seeing the fjords from the water.

Unfortunately, our experience was disappointing.

I am not sure if this particular tour simply wasn't a good one or if land-based fjord tours just aren't for us, but we felt like we spent a lot of time driving around with very little to see.

It was one of the few experiences on the trip that did not live up to expectations.

Chasing the Northern Lights – Arctic World Tromsø – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

I booked two Northern Lights tours as part of my strategy to maximize our chances of seeing the aurora while in Tromsø.

Sarah had explained that one challenge with staying at a glass cabin is that if the weather is cloudy at your hotel, you may miss the lights completely. The advantage of a chasing tour is that the guides can drive around—sometimes all the way into Finland—to find clearer skies.

By the time we joined this tour, we had already experienced an incredible Northern Lights display at our hotel. In some ways, the pressure was off.

We did see the lights during the tour, although they were not nearly as dramatic as what we had seen the previous night. Of course, that was not the tour company's fault.

I did feel our driver could have been a little more creative in finding the best viewing location, but overall, we accomplished our goal—we saw the Northern Lights twice.

Mission accomplished!

Musk Ox Safari – Dovrefjell Lodge – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was the main reason I booked our stay at Dovrefjell Lodge, and it absolutely delivered.

The lodge arranged the safari, and everything about the experience was excellent.

Our guide gave us a great introduction the night before and then spent time scouting for the musk oxen before our outing. Because of that preparation, we had incredible views of these amazing animals.

Along the way, we learned so much about Dovrefjell National Park, the history of the area, and the musk oxen themselves.

This was one of the highlights of our entire Norway trip.

A must-do if you are visiting the region.

Norway in a Nutshell – Fjord Tours – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I gave Fjord Tours a five-star Google review before we even finished our trip because their customer service was outstanding.

They helped us choose the best options and even assisted with getting excellent seats on the scenic train journeys.

Norway in a Nutshell is definitely a tourist experience, with a mix of international visitors and Norwegians, but there is a reason it is so popular.

We chose the two-day journey from Oslo to Bergen. Along the way, you travel on three trains, a ferry (fjord cruise), and a bus as you make your way across some of Norway's most spectacular scenery.

Teresa and I had never experienced a scenic train journey before, and this set the bar incredibly high.

I would absolutely include this on your Norway itinerary.

It is a much more memorable experience than simply driving from Oslo to Bergen or taking the direct train.

Sauna and Fjord Swimming – Fjord Tours – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We booked this as part of our Norway in a Nutshell adventure.

We had already spent plenty of time in Norwegian saunas, but adding a fjord plunge created a completely different experience.

Technically, we did not "swim"—we slowly lowered ourselves into the water using a ladder—but that was more than enough!

The cold water literally takes your breath away. There is a reason people ease into it rather than jump in.

Obviously, anyone attempting cold-water immersion should be careful, but the experience was unforgettable and absolutely worth trying.

Sauna and Fjord Swimming – Heit Marineholmen Sauna 2 – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why do something once when you can do it twice?

After enjoying our first fjord sauna experience, we booked another session in Bergen.

This was a really cool spot where you reserve a private sauna and take turns enjoying the sauna and the fjord ladder.

It was a unique Norwegian experience, and we were glad we did it again.

Mostraumen Fjord Cruise – Mostraumen Fjord Cruise – ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

This rating may seem a little harsh.

If this had been our only fjord cruise in Norway, I probably would have rated it much higher.

The scenery was spectacular, but because we had already experienced two other fjord cruises, this one felt like the weakest of the three.

It seemed to take a long time to reach the most impressive scenery, leaving less time actually cruising through the fjord.

That said, if you are staying in Bergen and this is your only opportunity for a fjord cruise, absolutely do it.

You will not be disappointed.

Preikestolen Cruise and Guided Hike – Rødne Tours – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

This was one of the main reasons we travelled to Stavanger, and it ended up being the highlight of our entire Norway trip.

There were so many things that came together perfectly.

After a miserable day of weather when we first arrived, we woke up to beautiful conditions for our hike. The Lysefjord cruise was our favourite fjord experience of the trip, and the hike itself could not have gone better.

We were incredibly lucky that we were the only two people booked with our guide. He was able to take us on an alternative route—the old horse trail—where we did not see another person during the entire 3½-hour climb.

When we reached Preikestolen, we had the famous viewpoint almost completely to ourselves.

As if that wasn't enough, we experienced an incredible sunset during our hike back down.

Teresa and I have been fortunate to experience many amazing moments while travelling, but this day ranks right near the top.

It was truly unforgettable.

Other

TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I use this card for all my purchases, especially travel-related expenses.

I used it to pay for our rental car when we drove from Oslo to Dovrefjell. After returning the car, Avis charged my credit card more than $3,000 CAD for a chipped windshield that I had not even noticed.

The way Avis handled the situation was extremely frustrating. There was no communication other than sending documents that were all in Norwegian, which apparently supported the charge.

Fortunately, TD's travel insurance coverage came through exactly as it should.

They processed the claim, reimbursed the full amount, and their customer service team was responsive and helpful throughout the process.

I will continue using this card for future travel.

Final Thoughts

Planning a three-week trip through Norway takes a lot of time and effort. The country is large, the distances are significant, and the weather can change quickly.

But that is also part of what makes Norway such an incredible destination.

From standing under the Northern Lights in Tromsø, to hiking above the Lysefjord at Preikestolen, to searching for musk oxen in Dovrefjell, this trip delivered more memorable moments than we could have hoped for.

Not everything was perfect. Some hotels were better than others, a few restaurants were disappointing, and not every tour lived up to expectations.

But that is normal when travelling.

The experiences that worked were truly outstanding, and even the less-than-perfect moments became part of the adventure.

Norway is expensive, but if you plan carefully, choose your experiences wisely, and allow yourself time to enjoy the journey, it is absolutely worth it.

For Teresa and me, this was one of our favourite trips ever.

Would we go back?

Absolutely.

There is still so much more of Norway we want to see.

You can find our other posts on Norway here:

• 5 Weeks in Norway and the Netherlands: Northern Lights, Fjords, Tulips & More

• Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway: Amazing When You See Them, But Weather Changes Everything

• Three Weeks in Norway: Fjords, Mountains, Musk Oxen, and Unforgettable Hikes

Any questions or comments? Please contact me at thethirdperiod.ca@gmail.com