Norway, the country with a considerable image in terms of vacation destination. But what is southern Norway like with kids? We found it very doable with our kids. The country is one of the safest countries in the world. The biggest danger is still the rugged nature, but that is also what makes this country very attractive and a wonderful destination to visit. As far as we are concerned, Norway is the destination for parents who love adventure and nature, but also need to consider small kids. The country has mountain peaks up to 2,400 meters with eternal snow, Europe’s largest glacier, picturesque fjords, the highest and widest waterfalls imaginable, as well as wonderfully quiet beaches where you can keep your kids in plain sight. In this blog, we list the best children’s activities in southern Norway.
Best travel time South Norway with kids
We were in Norway during the Norwegian summer vacation (late June to almost the end of August). We could notice this well in terms of crowds in the campsites, but on the other hand there were few kids to be seen. I think because of the low population density or perhaps because Norwegians also go abroad more during their vacations.
In high season you do find the most activities and entertainment for kids and at attractions you have the widest opening hours during this period. The weather in Norway always remains a guess and is often similar to the weather in the Netherlands. Because much of southern Norway is on a mountain plateau, you have less trouble with mosquitoes here than in neighboring Sweden, for example.
Transportation to and in Southern Norway
Norway has a very good road network. Beautiful tourist routes are indicated by a brown sign with a special sign on it. Similar brown signs with other signs indicate on the route if there is a beautiful waterfall, viewpoint or, for example, a museum. We explored Norway with our kids by motorhome.
This gave us the freedom we like with kids. For them, driving in Norway was already enough entertainment: “Waterfall on mom’s side!” or “Snow on dad’s side!” We also got to know people who explored Norway by public transportation. Norway has an extensive network of express buses, connecting to ferries and city buses.
These also have discounts for families and are cheaper than the train. By train, in turn, you ride more through wild nature and have the most stunning views. Although public transportation is an option, a car or RV is still, of course, the finest way to explore this region.
Of course, you can also fly to the major cities of Bergen or Oslo and explore southern Norway from there in a rental car. You can rent a car at both airports for a round trip just fine. For more information on renting a car at Oslo airport, take a look here and for renting a car at Bergen airport, take a look here.
Children’s activities southern Norway
#1 Orca spotting in a fjord
In Norway, you have the most beautiful fjords. Fjords are actually mountains eroded by glaciers during the ice age. This makes you see a very different type of mountains in Norway than, say, the Alps. From the water, the mountain walls sometimes rise almost vertically straight up. This makes you feel very insignificant on the fjord.
Most lakes do not flow hard and, as a result, the water is often very calm and flat. So it’s ideal for getting out on the water with kids, such as in a canoe or rowboat. However, you are required to wear a life jacket in Norway. Also as an adult because of shock hazards when you flip over in the sometimes icy glacier water.
But the views you have, the ultimate tranquility you experience and the majestic mountain walls next to you make this trip on the water unforgettable! If you are even a little lucky, you can spot porpoises or even orcas in some fjords connected to the sea. Definitely a must do if you are visiting southern Norway with kids.
#2 Go hiking with the kids to the Preikestolen
If you look up Southern Norway on the Internet you are guaranteed to find pictures of the Preikestolen. This is a rock that rises above the Lysefjord with gigantic views and you have one of Norway’s most famous hiking trails here. This makes it equally touristy and at the end point you will have to be content with sharing the view with many others.
The route to it is made very passable with stairs, decking and reinforced with stones, so good to walk for kids. We chose not to do this route, partly because of the crowds, but also because you can’t really get close by car. The Preikestolen takes 2 hours there (without a break) and 2 hours back. It is up to yourself to assess whether both the kids and yourself can handle it.
We chose instead to do the hike at Holtaheia. You can park quite high up already and from there the first viewpoint is about a 30-minute walk away. This is a place where in 1961 a small plane crashed into the mountain containing a school class on its way to a camp. There are still wreckage on the route that you are not allowed to touch or move.
For the kids, this turned this walk into an exciting scavenger hunt. In addition, the route was very clearly marked with red dots, allowing the kids to lead the tour. The trail, although steep at times, is not boring. Constant rocks, waters and beautiful views.
From the point with cross where the names of the deceased are also displayed, it is another hour’s walk to the highest point from where you have a view of the beautiful Lysefjord and hinterlands. There was no one to be seen here and we could enjoy the view by ourselves and the thrill of being there.
#3 Imagine yourself back in time in the Viking village
As you read above, we are not necessarily fans of crowds and tourist activities. For the Viking Village, on the other hand, we gladly made an exception. First of all, it is located in a fairytale valley, which is a UNESCO heritage site. Right and left, the rock walls shoot up and meters-high waterfalls cascade down the walls.
We had already received this tip from a family and it lived up to expectations. It is not big, but it is spacious and there is a lot for kids to see. They have literally recreated a village and people walk in traditional costumes and practice ancient trades. For the kids, there is plenty to do: bow and arrow shooting, axe throwing (also fun for cool moms and dads), sword fighting, Viking clothing fitting, playing old board games, learning to drum on goatskin and many more such activities.
Although it was high season when we were there, there was hardly any waiting time at the various children’s activities. They also have a restaurant where you can taste traditional Norwegian dishes, but it didn’t look very appetizing and doesn’t get good reviews either. It is better to “just drive through” the huge tunnel (with traffic circle and colored lights) and then stop at the fine bakery “Marianne Bakeri &Kafe”. Here you can even sit outside overlooking a fjord.
#4 Go sledding on the route between Fortun and Lom
We had already driven beautiful routes in southern Norway with the family, but this was beyond our imagination! You end up climbing to almost 1400 meters above sea level, with views of the last fjord on one side and mountain peaks with snow and huge glaciers on the other! Insanely beautiful and impressive.
For the kids, everything is easy to see from the car, but be sure to stop at the beautiful viewpoints as well. We decided to camp on top of the mountain overlooking a piece of ice crumbling into the lake and lots of snow around us. The kids loved seeing snow in the summer and were very eager to play in the snow for a while. A rain suit will do well then, along with some extra layers underneath.
With a yoga mat/ plastic bag or even a mat from the car, you can then glide down on the snow for a bit. Be careful of any hollow spaces, though, so you don’t sink through them. We always checked at the bottom of the mountain how much water was melting underneath and what the landscape around it looked like, to estimate if it was hollow under the snow.
On the whole stretch between Fortun and Lom, there is just no restroom, restaurant or store in sight, so keep this in mind. Lom does have a very good well-known bakery (Bakeriet I Lom), so good reason to get lunch there. If you walk around the store, you and the kids can watch the huge raging waterfall that flows past it (there is a high fence happily around it).
By the way, you can also zipline over this, which can be a fun activity for the older kids. You can drive the entire route together without a break in 1.5 hours by car or RV.
#5 Hike to Europe’s largest glacier
Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in Europe. It is as much as 60 kilometers long and also 500 meters thick in some places. You can do glacier tours on the ice, but with kids it is safer to opt for an earth walk, but one where you get very close to the glacier. Another family-friendly, cool route that does involve adventure.
You can park by car a short distance from the glacier and you have 2 hiking trails you can walk with the family. A hiking trail soon turns off to a small tributary of the glacier and is about 1.5 kilometers out and 1.5 kilometers back. We chose the other hiking route overlooking the largest glacier unit and this route was 3 kilometers out and 3 kilometers back.
It took us about 2.5 hours with breaks with the kids. The trail is mostly flat and adventurous enough for the kids due to little waters, decks, rocks, views and waterfalls. The view of that giant blue wall of a glacier is fantastic. You can already see it from the parking lot, but becomes even more impressive as you get closer.
There are restrooms at the parking lot and along the way there is nothing but nature. In Jostedal itself are some hotels, campsites or restaurants to refuel after the hike. In high season, campsites filled up quickly, so be sure to get there in time to be sure of a spot.
Family-friendly restaurants in southern Norway
Fløistuen Cafe in Bergen: you can’t leave South Norway with kids without having tried some of their pastries with your family. This café has such delicious Norwegian pastries and sandwiches and that alone is a reason to stop by here. But for kids, right outside you’ll also find a large nature playground, climbing frames and swings.
For both little ones and slightly older kids, there is plenty to do. If you still feel like a little walk after coffee, you can follow a true “Troll Trail” across the bridge. On this path you will find different figures from the troll world, as well as obstacles for kids to climb over.
When you get back to the café, enjoy the beautiful view for a while and try their famous soft serve ice cream with a brightly colored topping.
Villa Rosenhagen in Jørpeland (Preikestolen): a 12-minute drive from the parking lot of the starting point to Preikestolen, you will find this delightful restaurant with rose garden. Just an oasis of calm, where they make dishes with honest local products. You can eat here either inside or outside on their spacious terrace.
Always nice when the kids can run around outside for a while while you quietly eat your (cold?) meal. They have a fine and original á la carte menu for both lunch and dinner. For the kids, for example, they have cheeseburgers, sandwiches, pancakes, meatballs with mashed potatoes and mini salads. They use funny Namur names like “I’m not hungry” and “I wanna go home” for these children’s dishes. Deliciously recognizable!
Family-friendly hotel southern Norway
You have several large cities in southern Norway where you can stay overnight with the family. We list the best-rated family-friendly options from some of the larger cities. Click on the blue link for more information.
Oslo:
Budget accommodation: Topcamp Bogstad – Oslo
Middle class accommodation: Frogner House Apartments – Skovveien 8
Luxury accommodation: Thon Hotel Astoria
For a list of all accommodations in Oslo, take a look here.
Mountains:
Budget accommodation: Bjørnestrand Fjordside View
Mid-range accommodations: Ole Bull, Best Western Signature Collection
Luxury accommodation: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel
For a list of all family-friendly accommodations in Bergen, take a look here.
Stavanger:
Budget accommodation: Scandic Stavanger Park
Mid-range accommodation: Clarion Hotel Energy
Luxury accommodation: Hotel Victoria
For a list of all family-friendly accommodations in Stavanger, take a look here.
Kristiansand:
Budget accommodation: Hotel KRS
Middle class accommodation: Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda
Luxury accommodation: Radisson Blu Caledonien Hotel
For a list of all family-friendly accommodations in Kristiansand, take a look here.
About the author: Denise is on a long trip through Northern and Eastern Europe with her boyfriend Koen and kids Djurre (6) and Isaloes (3) with their camper Bessie. Their main purpose is to slow down and de-stimulate. As remedial educators and couples therapists, they take many lessons from this journey that they are happy to share with you. Follow them on Instagram under samenmetdenise and stopstartoutdoorcoaching
