Norway is one of the best destinations in Europe for families with older children. From dramatic fjords and spectacular train journeys to Viking museums, kayaking adventures and colourful waterfront cities, there is plenty to keep teens and tweens engaged.
We travelled through Norway with our boys aged 11 and 13, combining Oslo, Flåm and Bergen into one unforgettable trip using trains, ferries and a scenic bus ride. Public transport is excellent, English is widely spoken and the mix of cities, scenery and outdoor adventure makes Norway particularly inviting to explore as a family.
Whether you are planning a Norway itinerary with teens, looking for the best fjord experiences or deciding which cities to visit, these guides share my favourite destinations, activities and practical travel tips for families.
Why Norway is great for families with older kids
Norway works especially well for teens and tweens because the activities feel adventurous and memorable. Older children can enjoy:
- Fjord cruises and kayaking trips
- The famous Flåm Railway
- Viking history and interactive museums
- Hiking with incredible scenery
- Ziplining and outdoor adventures
- Scenic train journeys between cities
- Independent exploring in safe, walkable cities
Norway is also extremely clean, organised and family-friendly. Efficient public transport makes it easy to visit multiple destinations in one trip. Pretty much everyone speaks English to a standard that leaves me embarrassed as a Brit by our comparatively poor foreign language skills.
My favourite places in Norway with older kids
Oslo
Oslo is a fantastic starting point for a Norway itinerary with teens and tweens. The city combines history, waterfront activities and modern Scandinavian culture in a way that feels relaxed and easy to explore as a family.
Some of our favourite things to do included visiting museums, walking along the harbour, taking in the view from the rooftop of the opera house and taking boat trips around the Oslo fjord.
Read my full guide to Oslo with kids.
Bergen
Surrounded by mountains and fjords, Bergen is one of the most beautiful cities in Norway and a brilliant base for family adventures.
The colourful Bryggen waterfront, funicular railway and nearby fjord excursions make this a great destination for older children who enjoy being active and outdoors. if your teens love seafood, you won’t eat anywhere better!
Read my full guide to Bergen with older kids.
Flåm
Flåm may be small, but it was one of the highlights of our Norway trip. The scenery here is absolutely spectacular, plus there are loads of memorable experiences for families.
From riding the world-famous Flåm Railway to fjord cruises and outdoor adventures, this is a destination that teens and tweens are unlikely to forget. For animal lovers, feeding the micro pigs will make even the surliest teen smile…
For more, read my guide to Flåm with kids.
Norway in a Nutshell Tour
This epic tour combines a ride on the world-famous Flamsbana railway, the fjord village of Flam, a fjord cruise to Guvangen plus lunch in the mountain resort of Voss. Don’t spend a fortune paying a company to organise this for you. Save the pennies and give yourself more flexibility by doing it yourself.
Read my guide to a family DIY Norway in a Nutshell Tour.
Suggested Norway itinerary for families
If you are visiting Norway for the first time, a simple itinerary could look like this:
- 2–3 days in Oslo
- Scenic train journey to Flåm
- Fjord cruise and outdoor activities
- 2–3 days in Bergen
This route gives you a mix of cities, scenery and adventure while keeping travel relatively straightforward.
Is Norway expensive with kids?
The only real negative is the cost of living. Food and drink in restaurants and bars is expensive. Expect to pay £20-£30 for a main course in a non-posh restaurant (as at summer 2025).
However, you can mitigate this by self-catering. Food in supermarkets isn’t much more expensive than in the UK. You can also save money by bringing snacks, carrying refillable water bottles and having tap water in cafes and restaurants. Most places will have a tap water station where you can help yourself to water. Otherwise, waiters will happily bring you a jug of water. It’s quite a normal thing to do and I didn’t see anyone with mineral water.
In addition, many outdoor activities are free.
We found that the unforgettable scenery and experiences made Norway feel well worth the extra expense.
When is the best time to visit Norway with teens and tweens?
Summer is usually the best time for a family trip to Norway, especially if you want to enjoy fjord cruises, hiking and long daylight hours. It’s also an ideal summer choice for those – like us – who don’t like the heat of southern Europe in August!
However, i would imagine that winter can also be magical for families interested in snow activities and seeing the Northern Lights.
Destinations
The best activities with kids in Oslo