Best Time to Visit Norway – What to Avoid

Find out about the weather in Norway and the ideal times to travel there.

Although Norway is a unique travel destination, it does not have the same tourist appeal as other European nations. For the majority of the world, it still remains a big mystery. Norway has a lot to offer visitors, from the stunning northern lights that transform the entire nation into an otherworldly wonderland, to the famous fjords and architectural marvels in Oslo. However, the majority of Norway’s charms are found in the sleepy little towns and on its smaller roads.

The best months to visit the fjords are probably April, May, or June because those are the months when the fruit orchards along the shoreline burst into pastel bloom. However, because of the region’s milder climate and year-round popularity, it is a great place to visit.

What’s the Climate in Norway Like?

Even within regions, the weather and climate in Norway can differ significantly. The country’s climate is very variable. Due to the Gulf Stream’s warm water, Norway generally experiences much milder weather than other places around the world with similar latitudes, such as Siberia and Alaska. Travelers may still feel quite chilly in Norway, and the Arctic climate in the north of the country makes it typically much colder than the rest of the country.

One of the factors fjord Norway’s year-round popularity as a travel destination is the relatively mild climate along Norway’s coast. No matter what season you choose to visit Norway, we advise checking the weather forecast beforehand and packing plenty of warm clothing!

Norway Weather

The best chances for nice weather are in June, July, and August, when average temperatures in the Bergen region are 14°C. Because of the Gulf Stream’s warming effects, mean wintertime temperatures in Norway’s coastal regions as far north as the Lofoten Islands typically remain above freezing; on some days, it may even feel more like autumn than winter. The coldest region is the Finnmark Plateau, where wintertime temperatures typically hover around -15°C (with a chilly -51.4°C serving as the record low in 1886). In general, winter conditions become more severe the further inland you go.

Norway in Spring

If you want to see snow and have plenty of daylight, March is the best month to travel to Norway. Mountaintops will still be covered in snow by the end of April, but meadows and fjord-side pastures will begin to bloom in late spring. May’s long days also bring about orchard blossoming, especially in the Hardangerfjord region, where apple, plum, and cherry trees are covered in pink and white flowers. May through the end of July is a good time for bird sightings if you’re interested in bird watching. Foodies will delight in delectable lamb, cod, and herring dishes served with the first potatoes of the year, asparagus, and wild garlic.

Norway in Summer

The summer months are ideal for touring Norway’s mind-boggling fjords, as well as its dramatic coastline, in addition to the spring and fall. A self-drive vacation offers a free-spirited, more sedate substitute to the widely publicized Norwegian cruise thanks to its good roads and light traffic. Driving on your own will give you a different viewpoint of the scenery, and you can stop whenever you like at a café, a lookout point, or a hiking trailhead. And if you want to see the fjords from the water, our Norwegian self-drive vacations offer plenty of chances for a boat trip, ferry crossing, or mini voyage using the nearby Hurtigruten ships.

Throughout the summer, wildflowers continue to enchant, and if you travel far enough north, the midnight sun will bathe the landscape in a beautiful golden glow. Between mid-May and late-July, the sun is nearly always visible at Nordkapp. There is plenty of time to take in the scenery and enjoy activities like hiking and kayaking in much of Norway during the midsummer months when the daylight hours are nearly endless.

Norway in Autumn

In September, Norway’s mountain sides start to gild with the lovely autumn hues. Additionally, crab is in season. Fruits and berries are ripe. Another benefit of traveling now is that summer crowds will have thinned at popular locations like Bergen. You might be fortunate enough to see some early northern lights sightings. Be ready for shortened schedules on ferries, trains, and tours as it can get cold starting in late September, especially in the far north. The autumn, however, can be a very rewarding time to visit Norway if you plan it carefully.

Norway in Winter

The majority of northern Norway is covered in snow during the winter, but it is less common in the south and along the west coast where the Gulf Stream helps to maintain milder temperatures. However, Norway in the winter is typically a snowy wonderland with ice-fluted mountains, protracted dark nights, winter activities, and the promise of the aurora borealis. From the middle of November to the end of January, the sun doesn’t rise in Norway’s far north. Winter in Norway is the best time to eat lobster, prawns, scallops, blue mussels, halibut, and salmon, which will please seafood lovers. Try your hand at winter sports like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing when you’re not gorging on fish or looking for the northern lights. Set sail from northern Norway for a Hurtigruten coastal excursion to Finnmark and the North Cape.

When is the Best Time to Go to the Fjords?

Throughout the year, many tourists choose to visit Fjord Norway. You’ll be able to see the beautiful fjords in the spring, when fruit trees are in bloom on the hillside landscape and waterfalls are in full flow. The busiest time of year for visitors to Norway is during the summer due to the country’s milder climate and abundance of outdoor activities, with Norway’s fjords being a top destination. Exploring Norway’s natural landscape is best done in the autumn, when the fjord landscape will be covered in lovely fall colors. If you want to visit the fjords when they are least crowded and at their most serene, the winter is a great time to do so. As an added bonus, the stunning snow-capped mountains that surround the fjords will also look spectacular.

No matter what time of year you decide to travel to Norway, we advise taking the Norway in a Nutshell tour. This trip gives you an overview of Norway, which is exactly what it says on the tin!

FAQs

If you want to find more interesting and beautiful places to vise, welcome to check our best-time-visit guide below!

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