Southern Norway adventure: Road trip to fjords and falls

You've barely just arrived in Oslo, and you're already raring to start your adventure through Southern Norway. You quickly pick up your hire car and set off towards the city, bristling with excitement. The only way to see the urban sights is through the windscreen, but that doesn't matter; after all, you still have a plenty to do and see! So, you forge ahead, continuing south along the Oslofjord.
Your first destination: Verdens Ende (World's End), which, strictly speaking, is 'just' the southern tip of the island of Tjøme at the end of the Oslofjord. When you arrive, you're met with large rocks and glassy water interspersed with a few small rocky islands – a wonderful place for hiking and even swimming! You snap a pic of the iconic Tipping Lantern – the forerunner of today's lighthouse – and then continue your road trip.
The meadows become greener, the expanses vaster and the hilly landscapes get closer. And then you've finally reached your destination for the day: the town of Larvik. Settle in, put your feet up and think about what you want to do next: maybe a trip to the beach or just bee line it to a restaurant for a typical Norwegian dinner?

The early bird catches the worm! So you tuck into breakfast then get your hire car back on the road as soon as you're ready because you've got loads of adventure ahead of you. Today, you're cruising south along the Skagerrak coast, where you find cute coastal towns with rows of typical Norwegian wooden houses. Whether you take a leisurely stroll through Kragerø, follow the scent of cinnamon buns through the alleyways of Risør or hire a boat in Gjeving to explore the small rocky islands (optional, payable on site), your photo gallery will be sure to thank you. When you arrive in Kalvehageneset, you hike through the coastal forest and enjoy a picnic with a view of the Homborsund Lighthouse.
Impressive street art, typical wooden houses in the Old Town and the white sand city beach Bystranda – in Kristiansand, the capital of Southern Norway, you find yourself in a little world of contrasts. And it's absolutely idyllic! There's also has plenty to offer in terms of cuisine. So grab a seat in one of the city's many restaurants and round off the day with some delicious food and a nice glass of wine.

The rays of sun peeking through the alleys between the white wooden houses create the ultimate alarm clock. Today, you're up and at 'em early. You wouldn't have been able to stay in bed for long anyway; Stavanger and Preikestolen await! You grab your keys, hop in your hire car and follow the route from the rocky, hilly coastal landscape of Kristiansand to the lush meadows of Stavanger.
That constantly changing light above you is exactly what this region is famous for! And it's also famous for something else: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). This flat-topped cliff is the highlight you've been waiting for – and rightly so! Equipped with good hiking boots and a pack full of provisions, you set off on your adventure. You can hardly imagine what's waiting for you at the summit. Just a few more steps, and then you see it: a cliff that plunges nearly 2,000 feet into the depths and offers a breathtaking view of the Lysefjord and practically the entire world – goosebumps and pure thrills! You plan a total of four hours for the ascent and descent, then it's back to the hotel, where you exhaustedly fall into your cosy bed and enjoy some well-earned rest.

A spectacular road trip awaits you, and how you go about it is all up to you! The direct route takes you along the coast of the North Sea over countless islands and bridges and guarantees you a dreamlike fjord panorama – great sea views ahead! And if you'd prefer to see the water in its untamed form, take a detour and go waterfall hunting. Along your way, you'll pass several falls, the first of which is Langfossen, then Låtefossen and finally, the famous Steinsdalsfossen. And not only is the latter beautiful to look at, but you can even walk behind its wall of water without getting wet! Then your road trip enters its final straights.
While you're in Bergen, make sure not to miss out on the famous Fløibanen, an electric funicular railway that takes you up almost 1,300 feet to the top of Mount Fløyen (optional, payable on site). On a clear day, you can see the city's colourful mosaic of roofs set against the fjord. And you can also already see the next destination on your trip through the city: the colourful, wood-panelled boathouses of the medieval Hanseatic district of Bryggen! Now it's just a matter of how fast you'll get back down.