Best time to Visit Norway

A planned visit to Norway with a clear itinerary would definitely make your trip memorable. Here are a few things you should not miss when in Norway!

Midnight Sun

Since the Earth revolves around the Sun with a tilted axis, the north pole faces the Sun, causing summer. Norway is situated in both the northern and eastern hemispheres of the earth, which causes a phenomenon called the Midnight Sun.

The reason behind this phenomenon is that the days extend and nights shrink, causing the Sun to be visible in the sky at night as well. You will be able to witness the Sun in the sky and daylight at midnight!

Northern Lights

The northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are bewitching and enchanting patterns of light visible in the skies of Norway. If you are visiting Norway, do not miss the Aurora Borealis at any cost!

Norway is in close proximity to the North Pole, which places it in the Auroral oval. This is caused by the interaction of the Sun’s electrons and Earth’s magnetic field. The collision of atoms and molecules causes these lights, which are a spectacle for the human eye, causing intrigue and mystery.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, specifically Norway, is from September / October to March / April.

Norwegian Fjords

When the last ice age ended, it created beautiful landscapes due to the destruction. The glaciers carved these U-shaped valleys and created beautiful mountains on the land of Norway.

As the glaciers melted, the valleys filled with water, and the Norwegian Fjords became a visual treat for modern man to witness. You can visit these Fjords when they are in their full bloom and beauty!

Some of the fjords make it to the list of “Best Norway Places To Visit In Winter”.

Art and Architecture

As mentioned earlier, Norway is balanced in many ways. After you enjoy the natural beauty, you can return to the man-made beauty — art and architecture!

You will find everything in Norway, including the Edvard Munch museum in Oslo, the intricate architecture in the town of Alesund, the buildings and art galleries of Bergen, the breathtaking sculptures of Vigelandsparken, the beautiful rock carvings of Alta, and the overall urban architecture mixed with the wood-carved rooftop houses.

Wild and Marine Life

Norway offers major opportunities to enjoy marine and wildlife exploration. You can go whale watching in Andenes or explore wildlife at Svalbard. Wildlife here consists of Polar Bears, Svalbard Reindeer, the magnificent Arctic Fox, Elk, Muskox, and more. You can also watch rare birds like Rock ptarmigans, Atlantic puffins, and Starlings.

First, let's explore what Norway looks like each month. This exploration will help you understand when it's best for you to visit Norway.

January

• Norway experiences winter in the month of January, and without a doubt, it looks serene. Apart from the coastal region of Norway, you will see snow everywhere. The beautiful Norwegian mountains and the urban landscape are snow-laden, white, and beautiful.

• The weather in January ranges from Sunny, snowy, and rainy, depending on the region and time of your visit. The temperature will range from -1ºC to -6ºC.

February

• February again, is a month of winter and snowfall in Norway. Along with being a time when the land looks spectacular, you will find lesser rush in terms of tourists. Most people do not choose February due to the temperature. However, if you prefer coolness and other perks that come with February, you can definitely think of it as a great opportunity!

• The temperature in February might feel extreme as it falls to -1ºC to -7ºC. You can carry good quality sweaters and other winter clothes for your journey! The perks of travelling during this time is that since February is off-season, the flights and hotels are at their cheapest rates.

Things to Do in January and February

• Spot the Northern Lights since it is winter and dark.

• Indulge in winter sports and other winter activities like steaming Norwegian sauna.

• Experience the magic of snowy Fjords, waterside towns

• The whale-watching safari ends in mid-January, so you might be able to catch some majestic Whales.

March

• If you wish to catch glimpses of nature birthing Spring, you must visit Norway in the month of March. The days will start to get back to normalcy and the country will be brighter. The best thing about March is that you get to experience Sunny days in some regions and snowfall storms in others.

• Since March is still off-season, you will get to enjoy cheap flights and hotels. There will be fewer tourists overall. However, the tourists start showing up by the end of March.

April

• April seldom holds on to the harsh winters and snowfalls. The month is brighter, better, and more beautiful. You will find the snow melting in some parts of the country, making it a great option to travel on foot.

• The temperature in the month of April ranges from 1ºC at night to 9ºC in the day. In regions like Tromso, winter still exists, and the temperature there in the day ranges from 0-3ºC. You will experience whispers of spring, enhanced daylight, and increased daytime.

Things to Do in March and April

• Explore beautiful Fjords and other water bodies

• Hiking up to Pulpit Rock.

• Spring blooms in cities, roadsides, and villages.

• Skiing and other winter sports are available in the mountains, specifically in Oslo, Bergen, and Lillehammer.

• Spotting the Northern Lights before they go into hibernation until the month of October.

May

• May is considered to be one of the best times to visit Norway. It is also the time when the tourist season begins. You will see less white mountains and snow-laden landscapes and more green and yellow in the palette.

• You witness the flowers in full bloom, longer days, and more lively water bodies around you. Since this month has walkable streets and mountains, you can carry comfortable walking shoes. That being said, the weather can be volatile and may surprise you, so keep some waterproof jackets and winter clothes along with you.

June

June is also one of the most convenient months to visit the country of Norway! Since it is peak tourist season, you can plan beforehand to reduce the flight and hotel expenses. Since it is a busy time of the year, you would want to be swift with the bookings because the hotels fill up faster than you think they would.

The weather is soothing, with 10ºC - 20ºC temperature, and the days are longer with bright daylight.

Things to Do in May and June

• Explore different fjords and their scenic beauty.

• Try fishing, boating, coastal rides, etc.

• Roads are cycling and hiking-friendly.

July

• Visiting Norway in July might end up being your best decision. July is part of the peak tourist season months. You will get to experience the best scenery and environment in the country. The nation also hosts the biggest food festival in the month of July, so do not miss that!

• Norway’s temperature in July is suitable for Indian citizens since it ranges from 18ºC - 20ºC. The weather in Norway treats you well in the month of July, so you can plan your trip at that time. Pre-book everything since it is peak season and hotels fill up rapidly.

August

• August is the host of Bergen’s Beer Festival, Shellfish Festival in Mandal, Telemark International Folk Music Festival in Bo and Oslo’s Jazz Festival. Additionally, Norway exhibits some of its most beautiful sceneries in the month of August.

• The weather is very friendly and trustworthy. Norway experiences a rise in tourism in August, resulting in rapidly filling hotels and rising rates. Along with the abovementioned festivals, you get to experience the warmth of the day and slightly chilled nights, the balance you would want.

Things to Do in July and August

• The best time to cruise in Norway starts in July. The Fjords cruise in Tromso, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Geirangerfjord, or Trondheim to Kristiansund.

• Go cycling, hiking, or car riding through the scenic beauty of Norway’s villages, mountainside towns, and cities.

• Best time to visit Norway’s beaches, waterfalls, and fjords.

• Visiting the Norwegian islands becomes easier by car, bicycle or bus.

• The Flam Railways will tour you through some of the most beautiful places in the country.

• Visit Svalbard Island to spot Polar Bears.

• West coastal trip with coastal ferries.

September

• In the month of September, Norway flourishes with autumnal beauty. You can witness the greens turning red and orange, blue skies, and slightly snow-covered mountains. The colour palette makes it one of the most beautiful sites to witness.

• Norway starts getting colder by the day in the month of September. You can visit all the tourist attractions without experiencing crowds. Since September is an off-season, you can enjoy your trip on a lower budget than usual.

October

• October marks the beginning of wintery cold weather, unlike the chilled cold of September. You would want to bring your winter clothes with you if you are planning a visit in October. Unlike the other parts of Norway, Oslo lacks snowfall. This results in thousands of people visiting Oslo, even in October.

• Since it is winter, the days start getting shorter again! An average day will last around 5 to 6 hours every 24 hours. It gets dark very early, resulting in longer nights. This might be an obstacle in your journey of exploration!

• October also marks the end of Aurora Borealis’ appearances. It is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Norway.

Things to Do in September and October

• Go Island hopping and explore the sceneries.

• Explore the fjords by cruising and boating.

• You can go trekking, hiking, cycling, car riding, and mountain biking. The roads are very friendly up until late October.

• Visit places that experience the phenomenon of Aurora Borealis in October.

November

• November will take away the autumn colours from the beautiful country and fill the canvas with whites, blues, and blacks. That being said, these neutral colours manage to impress you even more, especially if you are a fan of winter and its aesthetics.

• You would want to carry your heavy winter coats and sweaters and be ready for a chilling cold. In some parts of the northern parts of Norway, the Sun does not rise at all, the entire day. This is not a favourable condition for generic travel. However, if you want to experiment and explore, Norway is all yours.

December

• This is the season of celebrations and songs! Norway celebrates Christmas like none other. If you are into Christmas and New year’s eve travels, Norway is definitely the place you would want to visit. From reindeer safaris to northern lights, everything is special about December in Norway!

• The weather is extremely cold; that goes without saying! Tromso experiences complete darkness throughout the month, with no Sunrise or Sunset.

Things to Do in November and December

• Chase the Northern Lights; this is your best bet.

• Indulge in winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing.

• Enjoy Reindeer safaris.

• Enjoy the Christmas season in Norway.

Please Note: You can visit art galleries, historically relevant cities and villages, New Nordic cuisine, art and architecture at any time of the year.

If your priority is to spot the Northern Lights and enjoy the winters in the countryside of Norway, you should prefer visiting in the winter months, i.e., October to January.

However, if you want to experience the beautiful phenomenon of the Midnight Sun and experience the warmth of this beautiful country, enjoy the scenic views, and click dreamy pictures with a vast colour palette, you must visit Norway from March to July.

Since this window of time may allow you to enjoy both Aurora Borealis (in March and April) and the Midnight Sun, you may visit Norway in March, April, May, June, or July.

We hope that this blog offered some worthy insights into your plans to visit Norway.
There are other things you must take care of as well, along with understanding this monthly breakdown of the weather in Norway. The most important of these is getting a Norway visa for Indians and ensuring your trip safety, which is conveniently possible with a travel insurance policy.

With Tata AIG, you can buy affordable and customisable overseas travel insurance for your Norway visit.

With our travel insurance cover, you get extensive coverage for unforeseen trip incidents, like delayed or cancelled flights, lost baggage, medical expenses during the trip, and more.

Buy the policy with the help of our experts at Tata AIG, customise it according to your preferences, and safeguard your journey to Norway.

What is the biggest drawback of visiting Norway in the summer season?

The biggest drawback of summer in Norway is the crowd, the number of tourists, rising hotel and flight rates, longer queues, and unavailability of accommodation.

What is the biggest drawback of visiting Norway in the winter season?

Drawbacks regarding winter visits in Norways include shorter days, no daylights in some regions, limitations in outdoor activities, becoming an experimental visit, and the weather, which is extremely cold.