Norway offers unique and memorable experiences every month, so no matter what time of year you choose to visit, you’re sure to find something to enchant you. This is our season-by-season guide to help you choose the best time of year for your Norwegian holiday.
During June, July and August, the summer days are long and the nights all but disappear, especially if you travel beyond the Arctic Circle. Summer temperatures in the south frequently hit the mid-twenties, although you’ll still need to come prepared for a variety of weathers – especially if you’re exploring the coastal or northerly regions.
With the longest coastline in Europe, and endless miles of fjords and islands to explore, Norway’s summer months are a wonderful time of year to take to the water, swimming in pristine lakes, kayaking in tranquil bays or ferry-hopping along the untouched coastline.
You can celebrate Sankthansaften (mid-summer) with a bonfire or barbecue with the locals, and forage for wild berries on an evening hike through peaceful forest landscapes. Stroll along a deserted beach on the northern island of Andøya (one of the Vesterålen group) under the midnight sun, or explore southern Norway’s skjærgård – an idyllic archipelago of thousands of small islands and islets.
This is our favourite time of year to lean into the Norwegian concept of koselig (cosiness) by planning an itinerary that celebrates the vibrant colours of høst (autumn). The historic city of Bergen is at its most lovely, whether you’re browsing the shops and restaurants of the iconic Bryggen waterfront quarter or taking in the incredible views from the Fløibanen funicular.
One of our favourite regions to visit at this time of year is the spectacular Hardangerfjord region, which is located around 90 minutes from the city of Bergen. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can tackle spectacular hiking trails like the gravity-defying Trolltunga viewpoint and the towering Vøringsfossen waterfall. Alternatively, you can explore the region by road-tripping along the Cider Route, sampling fresh, seasonal produce along the way.
The average winter temperature in Norway sits at around zero degrees Celsius, although it’s typically a little warmer in the southern and west of the country. The chilly conditions shouldn’t deter you from experiencing an epic mid-winter holiday – just rug up in some deliciously cosy Norwegian knitwear and you’re all set.
The Northern Lights (Nordlys) are at their most spectacular during the long nights between November and February, especially above the Arctic Circle, where the night skies are frequently clear and dark. Tromsø is Norway’s northern capital, and it’s the perfect base for all manner of icy escapades. When you’re not chasing the Aurora Borealis, you can be enjoying snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing or experiencing traditional Sami culture.
The Gulf Stream (also known as the North Atlantic Current), brings warm water from the distant Gulf of Mexico to Norway’s northern coastline, ensuring that the temperatures remain very tolerable even in the depths of winter. The winter whale watching season runs from November to January, when humpback whales and orcas are regularly spotted frolicking in the waters off the coast of Tromsø.
The sense of joy that comes from feeling of warm sunshine on your face after months of polar night is known to Norwegians as vårfølelse (springfulness). As the snow disappears from the landscape during February and March, the Norwegian landscape explodes into a kaleidoscope of colours that you must see to believe. Spring skiing is a popular way to mark the changing of seasons, with fabulous downhill skiing at resorts like Voss and Lillehammer, and epic ski touring in the Lofoten Islands.
The Norwegian capital of Oslo is one of our favourite destinations for a European springtime city break. The city’s many parks are painted in delicate shades of pink and white as countless cherry and magnolia trees come into bloom, and everywhere you look, people are enjoying the Norwegian springtime tradition of utepils – literally ‘outside beer’ – at the city’s outdoor cafés and bars. You’ll receive extra kudos from the locals if you earn your utepils by taking a spine-tingling dip in the nearest fjord beforehand.
Norway is a destination that never fails to surprise and delight, and it’s utterly magical at any time of year. Whether you’re chasing the midnight sun in summer, getting your cosy on in autumn, living in a real-life snow globe in winter, or watching nature awaken in spring, your Personal Travel Manager can help you plan your dream Norwegian escape.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
