MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN NORWAY
Bring the whole family!
Everybody in!
“It feels so good to get away from everyday life and spend time with my favourite people.”
Ann Kristin Lyngset Otterlei
Mother and wife
Planning a multi-generational holiday in Norway? Here's everything you need for an unforgettable all-age trip with grandparents, parents, and kids. Discover family-friendly activities, practical travel tips, and the best places for a three-generation trip to Norway.
How can you set aside time to spend quality time with your (extended) family in the bustle of everyday life?
Has it been a while since the grandparents saw their grandkids? Or is someone in the family is celebrating an anniversary? Bring everyone along for a memorable celebration!
Some call it Grandymoon, to thank our elders, others say multi-generational holidays, or simply family holidays. No matter how you put it, the key is to bring everyone along to show appreciation and make new memories together.
Then there's the planning… Grandma craves a sauna, the kids want adventure, and you just want a moment to catch your breath. The good news is: these multi-generational escapes to Norway have something for all of you!
Stay together
Finding the perfect accommodation is maybe the most important thing planning a multi-generational trip together. The accommodation might even be the destination.
Do you want to stay in separate units to get some personal space, or do you want to all be together under the same roof? Eat and prepare meals together, or get it all served (so no one needs to do the dishes!).
Book well in advance in order to get all the rooms you want at the same hotel. Or maybe now is the time to rent a fancy, luxurious cabin with multiple bedrooms and a sauna? You might even book a whole, small countryside hotel all to yourself!
Or why not try a guarantied favourite with the kids: a treetop cabin! Even nana whose 80 can enjoy camping again, if you turn it into glamping, in comfortable tents with beds, bathroom, and heating. Check out some lovely options below.
Family friendly accommodation
Find the perfect place to stay with your family.
Snowy family holidays
Ski resorts have room for the whole extended family – and offers plenty of fun activities in the snow!
Take the oldest kids to enjoy the wonderful slopes and jumps. Most ski resorts has areas designated for children. Those of you who want a more peaceful experience can withdraw on a calm and peaceful cross-country skiing trip through the snowy forest. If anyone doesn't know how to ski, tobogganing is a classic – you’re never too old to laugh all the way down the hill. Auntie can go dog-sledding through the magical, snowy landscape led by eager, cheerful huskies!
Meanwhile, mum and grandma can relax with a long-awaited spa treatment. All of the biggest ski resorts have luxurious spas and fun water parks and gyms, offering something for all ages. See ski resorts with spas here.
Too stressful? It's totally fine to just relax inside with a good book by the fireplace. Glance out at the snow-covered landscape through the window and enjoy some slow cooking to treat the other family members when they return from their activities. There's room for that too.
Farm holidays for the entire family
Farm stays include everything from rural luxury in a manor house to simple living at a rustic summer mountain farm. Ann Kristin Lyngset Otterlei and her extended family chose a farm holiday,
"There's something for everyone here, from the oldest to the youngest," she says.
Her family stayed at the farm Brimi Seter in Lom (pictured), where they loved the fresh farm food and serene surroundings.
"No one was in a hurry, and the farm made me feel like we had stepped back into the old days. We felt very safe, and the kids could run around freely and play outside," she says. She also appreciated the homemade breakfasts made with local ingredients, including milk, cheeses, scrambled eggs and juices.
The kids made new friendships with the cows, the cat, and the chickens. They helped feed the animals and learned about farming, which has been a vital part of Norwegian life for centuries.
The group travelled two hours to visit 'hell' Helvete Nature Park ('Hell Nature Park') and explore Northern Europe's largest potholes! They drove further south to try dresin cycling in Dokka and spent the rest of their stay at Hesla farm in Gol.
"What I liked about Hesla farm is that it felt exclusive, yet had a decent rate. We could choose to stay in the main house, an annex, or a converted traditional storehouse. We had a cosy stroll to Gol's town centre, where there's a skate park, water park, and good restaurants. Everybody had a great time," says Ann Kristin.
You can find many lovely historical farms in the valleys of Eastern Norway, including Gudbrandsdalen, Vågå, Lom and Telemark, where you also can buy local food from the Fruit Village of Gvarv. In this area, you can also enjoy a cruise on the Telemark Canal. Active visitors can kayak or cycle along the canal, while the rest can cruise in comfort aboard a canal boat.
If you want to gather the family for a celebration of any kind, do check out the stately farms at Helgøya by Lake Mjøsa for some country luxury!
Mountain holidays
Another good tip for a multi-generational adventure is to bring the grandparents, parents and kids to the mountains!
Head to a cabin or a traditional and intimate Norwegian mountain lodge to try some hearty mountain food, get some together time, and enjoy lots of kos – the Norwegian way of having a cosy time. In the mountains, you can enjoy hikes of any length, from short family friendly walks to conquering a local summit.
Not keen on hiking? Look out for the sturdy, Norwegian horses that are built for this type of terrain. They are more than happy to carry you through it! Horse riding is a fun and memorable way for all ages to explore and enjoy nature together. You can also go freshwater fishing, cycling, or simply relax with a good book in a soft deep chair.
A hot tip is that ski resorts are also open year-round (you enjoy less of a crowd and more space off-season). There are some wonderful hotels and big cabins to rent. When the snow has melted, the alpine slopes turn into a paradise for downhill biking and mountain biking. The spas and swimming pools are also open year-round, including in Trysil, Geilo and Hemsedal.
And remember, Gondola lifts and cable cars make sure that every family member can reach the top! The sporty members can hike, while the rest can take the gondola, and you can all meet for a lunch at the top to experience the wonderful view!
The Loen skylift in Nordfjord, the Romsdal gondola in Åndalsnes, and the historical cable car Gaustabanen in Telemark to Gaustatoppen are all great options for easy rides to the top that offer plenty of fun activities, from spa hotels to via ferratas!
Fjord escapes for big families
You don't need more than one fjord to keep the whole family entertained! For a calm escape, use a fjord as your base camp for all the activities you want to try. Bring everyone along on a family fjord cruise to explore the dramatic mountains and waterfalls, or go kayaking.
A good tip is to go to one of the quieter, lesser-visited fjords, where you still experience an amazing fjord landscape – without the hustle and bustle of the most visited fjords.
For instance, Nordfjord is a beautiful area famous for the Fjord horse and the Myklebust Viking ship, a full scale replica of the largest Viking ship ever found in Norway. One option is to drive further north to the Hjørundfjord in Sunnmøre, a hidden gem known for its dramatic mountains and fun swings with a fjord view (pictured). In the innermost part of the Sognefjord, the Lustrafjord has much to offer families, including glacier walks, rafting, and a small, but unique, indoor water park, Lustrabadet.
Another fun fjord is the Hardangerfjord, home to fruit farms, scenic hikes, via ferratas, and the mighty Folgefonna glacier. A bit further south, Åkrafjorden is a peaceful fjord waiting to be discovered and is a great base for activities and fjord adventures.
Wherever you go, locals who live by the fjord are always ready to welcome you with open arms, making your multi-generational fjord holiday unforgettable.
Arctic getaways for every generation
Northern Norway is where every family member can follow their own rhythm – day and night.
The midnight sun will ensure that uncle Billy and your eldest son can pursue golfing all night long. Auntie can get up at 5 in the morning for some morning yoga before breakfast, while you can enjoy the ocean view from your bedroom window. Life just feels easier when the sun never sets.
Take the whole family for a picnic on a white sandy beach – and challenge them to go for a (possibly chilly) swim in the ocean! Rent kayaks, SUPs or row boats to discover the beautiful archipelagos in this part of the country. A fishing trip with the whole family is also a must!
Have you ever seen a whale? Now's the time! Whale watching will leave everyone in the family in awe!
If you visit in autumn, winter, or early spring, the northern lights might reveal themself, enchanting both young and old. The magical thing is that this light never looks the same: its shapes, sizes and colours change each time. Bring wool clothes, blankets, and hot chocolate and enjoy the free show if Aurora decides to dance across the sky.
City breaks for the whole family
Dreaming of urban comfort and convenience? Norwegian cities are compact and walkable and have something for everyone. With flight connections to most major cities, it’s easy to plan your multi-generational city break.
Discover one of the many museums, whether you're into art, history, technology, or music, most of which offer family discounts. Many also have activities for children.
Another great thing to do together is to explore sculpture parks like the Vigeland Park or the Ekeberg Park in Oslo, or take a day trip just outside the capital to discover the unique, huge open air art installations at Kistefos Museum in Hadeland or the cultural destination Ramme Gård in Son. These are fun and inspiring ways to be out in nature while seeing world class art. Animal parks, zoos, and aquariums are great for all ages, especially the animal lovers in your family.
Does someone in your family use a wheelchair? Or does the youngest traveller still need a stroller? Many Norwegian attractions are universally accessible and welcoming to all, especially in the cities. The harbour promenade in Oslo is an 8-kilometre-long trail beside the Oslofjord, perfect for anyone on wheels.
Many cities, like Oslo and Kristiansand, even have city beaches where you can sunbathe on warm days while the kids build sand castles and swim. If the weather is too cold, head to a hot sauna. It's a great way to unwind and spend time together in true Norwegian style.
Rent an apartment at an apartment hotel in the city, or check if your hotel offers family rooms.
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