Norway is one of those countries where the journey really is part of the experience. You can plan every stop of your road trip in advance, but some of the best moments happen somewhere in between.

Instead of giving you another list of Norway’s most famous sights, these are 10 experiences I think are worth adding to a Norway road trip. Some are iconic, some are surprisingly simple, but together they made our trip through Norway in June unforgetable.

1. Hike to Preikestolen

Preikestolen is popular for a reason. The hike itself is beautiful and the trail is really well maintained. While it was fairly quiet along the way, it definitely got busier once we reached the top.

On our way down it suddenly started raining, which is a good reminder of how quickly the weather can change in Norway. Always bring proper rain gear, even if the weather looks fine when you start.

2. Visit Heddal Stave Church

We visited Heddal Stave Church, Norway’s largest stave church. The entrance was around 100 NOK when we visited and there is convenient parking right next to it.

The dark wooden architecture is incredibly impressive and makes it a great stop to add to a Southern Norway road trip.

3. Experience a Fjord by Boat

There are beautiful fjords everywhere, but experiencing one from the water is completely different.

For Geirangerfjord, we rented a small motorboat and explored the fjord ourselves. With some music playing, surrounded by huge mountains and waterfalls, we could enjoy the scenery away from the bigger tourist boats.

It was easily one of our favourite experiences of the entire trip.

If you choose to rent a boat yourself, make sure you have the necessary boating experience and follow the rental company’s requirements.

4. Visit a Salmon Farm

One of our most unexpected highlights was Hardanger Akvasenter.

Learning more about salmon farming and actually seeing how it works was incredibly interesting. It is something completely different from the usual hikes and viewpoints and gave us another perspective on Norway.

For us, this is an absolute must.

5. Get Lunch From a Local Fishmonger

Sometimes the best experiences are completely unplanned.

One day we were really hungry and stopped at a local fish shop to pick up a lunch platter. It ended up being incredibly fresh and delicious.

If you love seafood, definitely stop at a local fishmonger at least once instead of only eating at restaurants.

6. Stop at the Waterfalls!

Norway has waterfalls everywhere.

Langfossen and Låtefossen really impressed us. You will also pass countless smaller waterfalls while driving, so leave enough time for spontaneous stops along your route.

If you are flying a drone, be especially careful around waterfalls. Strong water and wind are not the only hazards. Trees, steep terrain and changing conditions can make flying more difficult than it initially looks. Always check the local rules and restrictions before flying.

7. Take Your Time at Haukelifjell

Haukelifjell was one of those places where we simply wanted to stop.

Even in June it was noticeably colder up there. We stopped, made ourselves a coffee and enjoyed the mountain scenery. On our way back through the area, we even stopped for a run.

It is a good reminder that not every memorable place needs a big activity attached to it. Sometimes making a coffee somewhere beautiful is enough.

Check current road and weather conditions before your trip, particularly outside the summer season.

8. Book a Sauna by a Fjord or Lake

If you see a sauna next to a fjord or lake, look it up.

We spotted one, checked Google Maps and realised it was available to rent. Only about three hours later, we had spontaneously booked it for that evening.

After cold and rainy days on the road, sitting in a warm sauna next to the water was perfect. It is definitely something we would do again.

9. Stop at Local Bakeries

Do not just drive past the small cafés and bakeries you find along the way.

Some of our favourite stops were little bakeries seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Grab a coffee, try a sommerbolle or another Norwegian pastry, sit down and simply enjoy it.

Not everything on a road trip needs to be a sightseeing stop.

10. Enjoy the Ferries

Ferries are simply part of a road trip through Norway.

They can make your journey take longer than your navigation app initially suggests, but do not see them as lost time.

Get out of the car, head upstairs and enjoy the view. Some ferry journeys offer incredible perspectives of the fjords and surrounding mountains.

Instead of rushing from one destination to the next, make the ferry ride part of the experience.

One Last Tip

Do not plan your Norway road trip too rigidly.

Our route changed several times because of the weather, and that ended up being one of the best things about the trip. Norway is perfect for spontaneous stops, changing plans and discovering places you did not originally have on your list.

Sometimes the unplanned experiences are the ones you remember most.