Travel is so rewarding. Especially when you take advantage of the opportunity to spend the night in unique and authentic places. Check out the awesome Airbnb rentals (including our favorite Airbnb near Trolltunga) where we spent the night in Norway and snag your dream Airbnb for your next trip with these tips.
I appreciate an authentic experience and a unique cabin full of thoughtful decor. Finding a beautiful and unique destination to spend the night while on a trip is a huge priority for me. Many of my favorite memories and experiences while traveling come from the unique Airbnb rentals that I have stayed at. When John and I decided to spend 5 days driving through Norway, I knew that this trip would be no different so I began searching on Airbnb.
My goal was to find unique Norway Airbnb rentals that emulated the authentic and traditional Norwegian style while also directing us to a location filled with fun activities. These locations exposed us to Norwegian culture while also providing such a memorable experience. The process of searching and booking the best rentals has taught me some tips and tricks to finding your best Airbnb at a price that does not break the bank.
Make a plan.
First, we planned which geographical locations we wanted to visit. We are rarely the type to stay in one place for very long . I knew we would want to take advantage of our rental car and cover a lot of mileage during the day. Although we usually book our accommodations weeks to months in advance we booked these Norway Airbnb homes a few days before we left for our trip. We planned our trip for dates that were not in the peak season to travel to Norway. Therefore we had less competition when booking lodging.
Booking our rentals close to our travel time allowed us to have a general feel for what the weather would be like during our trip. This allowed us to consider things like road closures in Mountain areas that would affect our drive. We ultimately decided that we wanted to plan for a few hours of driving from one location to the next each day. This way we could see as much as possible while also having time to hike and explore. For a geographical reference of where we explored, see the map below.
(Map images are directly from Airbnb.com and google maps.)
Norway Airbnb Night 1: Small Cottage with Amazing Views – Odda, Norway
This beautiful cottage was quite the find. I knew I wanted to splurge on this cottage as soon as I viewed the Airbnb ad. Odda was a top designation for us because we planned to do the Trolltunga hike the next day. When we arrived in Odda we drove to the Viking Apartments where we wandered to the front desk to meet our hosts. Rustic furs and simple décor filled the entry overlooking breathtaking views of the Fjords behind the building. Our little cottage was located a short distance down the cliffside towards the Fjords.
As we approached we discovered a beautiful view of blue water situated between mountains. The cottage was made by compiling unique items that had been salvaged and repurposed. The rustic brick, wood beams and antique windows were all such thoughtful touches that gave this cottage an authentic feel. This Airbnb was one of the most expensive lodging splurges on the trip. The view and experience were worth it. Before hiking Trolltunga, we woke up to beautiful blue skies. We enjoyed our store-bought breakfast of yogurt, meat, and cheese while on the deck in front of the cottage.
Pros:
The view was unbeatable. The Norway Airbnb cottage felt so unique and authentic and the purposeful décor felt perfect for the location. This cottage was filled with candles that gave it a cozy and romantic feel but was also equipped with electricity for small lamps, chargers and any other need. The location was very private since it was located a short distance from the apartments. We also had a great time chatting with our host who had lived in Odda his entire life and was able to give us some great historical information. Trolltunga is located nearby so this Airbnb is an ideal location for anyone interested in doing this hike.
Cons:
Although we loved our stay in the cottage, we did have to compromise some of the comforts that we may have experienced elsewhere. There was no attached bathroom at the cottage. We could walk up to the apartments and use the facilities there. We had a private entrance into the lower level where we could use the kitchen, bathroom, shower, and laundry. There was Wi-Fi access up at the apartment but not down in the cottage. Another thing to note was that the walking path down to the cottage was somewhat steep. While this was no problem for us, this is something to consider if you have a hard time navigating sloped terrain.
Norway Airbnb Night 2: Simple Apartment – Voss, Norway
On our next night, we booked our Airbnb primarily based on the convenience of the location. We were very happy with the simple décor and convenience of the lower apartment that we rented in Voss, Norway. We originally booked an Airbnb that was located farther away from Odda. Luckily, we were able to cancel our prior reservation and book this apartment the day before our stay. Realizing that the hike we planned would take all day, we wanted to shorten our drive without any ferry routes or Mountain roads. Although we never actually met our host, they were very accommodating and our last-minute arrangements were exactly what we were looking for.
Pros:
The space was simply decorated in Scandinavian design. Essential kitchenware stocked the tidy apartment kitchen. Amenities included our own entrance, plenty of living and kitchen space in the main room, Wi-Fi, bathroom, and laundry. After a full day of hiking and our stay in the cottage the night before, we appreciated the comforts of the apartment. Compared to potential hotels in the area, our price was fair and we appreciated the comfortable homey feel. Our view from the main window and entrance of the Airbnb was also beautiful. The Airbnb was located close to the city center where we ventured to a nearby café for dinner.
Cons:
Voss, Norway was not necessarily a destination on our travel itinerary but was an enjoyable place to spend the evening and night. There were not very many food options located in Voss and there was a significant amount of construction. Overall it was a comfortable option to regroup and spend a relaxing night.
Norway Airbnb Night 3: Espe Mountain House with Sauna – Nordfjordeid, Norway
The location of our next Airbnb is what dictated our plans to travel to the Western coast of Norway. There was a number of things to do in this area which surprised us as our plan had not originally included a visit to Nordfjordeid. Not only was the Espe House appealing for its thoughtful décor and comforts, but our Airbnb host also sent us a map a few days before we left on our trip. This map contained links to google maps and had an extensive list of sites to visit based on activity interest and location.
Pros:
This cozy tiny house was equipped with a small kitchen and was located near the larger city of Nordfjordeid with a grocery store. We headed into town to buy more traditional and authentic Norwegian food and enjoyed the challenge of putting together a meal in our tiny house. Although small, this kitchen had all the functionality that we needed for a nice dinner and quick breakfast with French press coffee in the morning. The atmosphere and décor were so cozy with candles. The tiny house boasted large windows with beautiful views of the other houses on the mountain. I appreciated the thoughtful wildflower bouquet and chocolate that we were greeted with. Although we had originally planned to spend some time out on the deck that was equipped with a grill, we experienced some snowy weather and woke up to a white covered mountainside.
Cons:
One thing that initially appealed to us about this tiny house was that it had a private sauna. Unfortunately, we did not use it during our stay. The sauna was well built and located inside the tiny house. However, it required advance notice before arrival as well as an additional fee of 50 Euros. The sauna would have been a perfect addition to our snowy mountain experience, however, the tiny house itself was plenty warm and cozy.
Norway Airbnb Night 4: Charming Log Cabin – Lesja, Norway
This charming log cabin was so authentic and resembled so many of the cabins we had seen while driving through the mountains in central Norway. This cabin was located on a hillside farm full of entertaining goats and lamb and even boasted the grass roof that we had seen throughout our drive. The entire experience was filled with history and tradition. The beauty of the handcrafted logs and stone fireplace was very impressive.
Pros:
Our host was friendly and shared historical information about the small cabin. This cabin was often used for people who needed a place to stay during their pilgrimage across Norway. There was a large apartment building on the farm property. Our host invited us to stay inside the apartment instead of the cabin if we were looking for more comforts. The cabin rental is usually only available in the summer season. Our host worried that we would be cold due to the sudden drop in temperature. We assured them that we would be plenty warm (thanks to some snowy Minnesota camping experiences) and that we were very excited about staying in the rustic log cabin regardless of cooler temps.
Our hosts also encouraged us to wander around the farm and head down toward the river and Reinheimen National Park. There we drove by the riverside spotting elk and other wildlife.
Cons:
Our host offered to start a fire for us but we assured them that we could handle it. There was a large stack of chopped firewood outside of the cabin, ready for use. We woke up to a snowy morning and the temperature did get cold in the cabin. By keeping the fire stoked throughout the night we stayed warm and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. There were fewer restaurants nearby but our host did supply us with directions to local stores and food. Although the cabin was very primitive, we did have full access to the apartment building. This space contained a kitchen, bathroom, shower, laundry and Wi-Fi (only available in the apartment common area and not our rustic cabin).
We didn’t break the bank with these Norway Airbnb rentals.
But what about the cost? Honestly, these Airbnb rentals weren’t that much of a splurge. We expected Norway to be very expensive and from our research, that was the case for most hotels. These locations were cheaper or comparable to the price of hotels in the area and were worth every penny. We also decided to cook and organize snacks at our Airbnb’s. This allowed us to save money compared to dining for every meal. This way we could also splurge when we did find a particularly interesting restaurant.
Useful tips to book rockin’ Airbnb vacation rentals for your dream adventure:
Plan your general route first.
As I mentioned, our road trip plans allowed us a lot of flexibility for where we wanted to stay. One of the first steps when planning is to decide whether you will have a car or if you will need to rely on public transportation. As you start to consider locations for Airbnb vacation rental, your mode of transportation will be an important factor in deciding where you want to stay.
Be flexible.
After you have a general idea of what is available, narrow down your search by dates in your travel range. We were lucky that we could plan our road trip and be flexible based on which days our top picks were available. Start searching within your range of dates but also search for different ranges for the number of days you plan to stay. Some Airbnb rentals require a two-night minimum stay. Even though you may only plan to stay one night, you may find an Airbnb worth changing your plans for. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.
Use the map feature while searching.
The map feature works best if you can be flexible and is also useful if you are limited by things like your mode of transportation. With the map feature, it is possible to preview each Airbnb and see locations and prices listed in one visual. This is helpful both when searching in a narrow area or when doing a broad search. Again, my best advice is to be flexible. If you’re willing to deviate from your path or original plan it may open your options to other great finds.
We had certain activities that we wanted to do while in Norway. Hiking Trolltunga was one of those activities on our bucket list so we made sure to search for Airbnb rentals nearby. Pick key activities or locations that you want to visit and use the map feature to search in your desired areas.
Pay attention to added fees and cancellation fees.
Unfortunately, the initial price that is listed does not always include additional fees, taxes or cleaning fees. Each rental can have different fees. It is sometimes hard to predict what the final price will be without selecting a rental and filling in the dates. Make sure to enter the correct number of people that will be staying in the Airbnb. Additional fees may be required for larger groups. Pay attention to cancelation fees. We had to cancel one of our Airbnb rentals due to the ferry schedule and unforeseen road closure. Luckily we were able to cancel the day before we planned to stay there without any additional cancellation fees. This way we could use the instant book feature to rent another Airbnb that worked better for us.
Start searching early and plan ahead.
As I mentioned earlier, we somehow managed to book these Airbnb homes a few days before our trip. I am a huge planner so that was out of character for me. One of the reasons that we could wait so long to book our Airbnb rentals and still find such great locations is that we were traveling before the peak tourist season in Norway. This was a huge advantage since we don’t mind snow and had more options available for Airbnb vacation rentals. However, I would highly recommend booking accommodations early. The top-rated choices usually book quickly during peak seasons so planning ahead is often ideal for getting the best locations.
Get out there.
If you have plans to visit Norway, I hope you consider enhancing your trip by spending the night in one of these magical Airbnb rentals. These cabins, cottages, and homes helped make my trip memorable and I know they’ll do the same for yours. If you don’t have a trip to Norway planned in the near future (which let’s be honest, you should), I hope you can use these tips to improve your ability to book awesome Airbnb rentals on your next adventure.
Check back soon to learn more about other awesome finds on Airbnb! Future posts will include our favorite activities and experiences in Norway. Stay tuned for information on the famous Trolltunga hike and tips to beat the crowds. If you found this post useful, please share it with your friends or Pin it for later.
