The best time to travel in Norway

Norway's best in the summer: the birds are out, the weather is nice and the hiking trails are open. Of course, Lapland is an exception: you have to be ready to face the cold for a chance to see the northern lights and this part of the country is absolutely magical under the cover of snow.

At a glance

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The best time to travel to Norway is between May and September. With May comes the arrival of spring, totally transforming the appearance of Norway; the days are longer and the country is filled with flowers in full bloom. Between June and August, the weather can be a little unpredictable: nice, warm weather is as likely as chilly, wet weather. In May and September, the weather is quite mild, with clear skies. It's best to travel during this time unless you absolutely must go skiing no matter what or unless you plan to visit Lapland. The thing is, from October to April, it can be freezing cold and many places of interest are closed to visitors. You should also consider the differences in the climates of the various regions of Norway. For example, the southern part of the country isn't too cold so you can travel there throughout the the entire year. Go and experience fjords, dream archipelagos and the northern lights in this extraordinary country.

Hiking Trip

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Norway provides the perfect terrain for hikers. Jotunheimen National Park is one of the best known national parks in the country, with trails high up on the glaciers. Rondane National Park is perfect for those who want to get away from the crowds. In Hardangervidda National Park, you can even find reindeer. The summer is the perfect time to go hiking in Norway. Not only is it warmer, but many trails and cabins don't even open until the end of June or the start of July. Before that, many routes are impassable.

The West Coast

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Go and explore the fjords of Western Norway... Take a ferry and enjoy spectacular views on the banks, and then go for a hike on one of the region's glaciers. It's a great place to go if you want to get a breath of fresh air. Although you could always visit the lovely town of Alesund as well. If you choose to visit this beautiful region during the summer months, you'll be able to enjoy music and food festivals beginning in the months of July and August. You can also explore the well-known town of Bergen, what with its superb architecture, ports and hills.

Lapland

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Troms and Finnmark are extremely cold but they're worth the trip... on a sledge! Of course, the best time to go if you want to go dog sledding or snowmobiling is in winter- even though it's really cold. In what's one of the most beautiful places in the world, you'll hardly even feel the cold. And Eastern Lapland is without equal: during the winter, a beautiful blue light shines down over stretches of immaculate snow and you can admire an internationally known spectacle... the world-famous Northern Lights. Of course, there's no reason to avoid visiting Lapland during the summer as well.

Central Norway

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Central Norway features national parks and huge mountain ranges for you to visit. Go in the summer when it's not too cold and push yourself doing hiking and rafting. Jotunhein National Park is a favourite among hikers. In the parks, you can find wild reindeer, elk and musk-oxen. In the villages, you'll admire the beautiful wooden churches. But watch out on your way out of there... You might stumble upon one of the local wild animals.

Explore the Fjords

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Fjords are one of Norway's best-known features and they're sure to enchant you. Although the Geirangerfjord is often crowded, it's worth the trip. The same goes for the Naeroyfjord, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And of course, you really must travel to the captivating Lofoten islands. Go and visit the most remote farms in the country and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the world. It's best to go in the summer when it's easier to get around and it's not too cold. You should also make sure to visit the Lysefjord and Magdalenefjord.

Wildlife Viewing Trip

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Norway is an absolute paradise for people who enjoy observing wild animals. Needless to say, you might stumble upon reindeer. But you might also see musk-oxen and elk. Up north in Svalbard, you'll find the famous polar bear as well as arctic foxes and birds. In Sto, you can go whale watching and you might even spot a seal if you're lucky. Bird enthusiasts will be able to observe various species in Femundsmarks and Gjesvaer for instance. You should visit Norway in the summer if you want to see as many animals as possible... other than Svalbard of course, where you can find arctic animals throughout the whole year!

The archipelago of Svalbard

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The archipelago of Svelbard is the stuff dreams are made of: snow as far as the eyes can see, glaciers, the polar night and the midnight sun... Welcome to the (sort of) North Pole! We should warn you: you'll encounter more polar bears than other human beings, but the spectacle is well worth the trip. You can admire it all from a boat, you can go hiking or you can be pulled along on a sledge by huskies. You can go in the middle of winter, during the festivities celebrating the return of light in March or April, or in the summer.

Southern Norway, Oslo and the Surrounding Area

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Oslo is a vibrant, bustling city with lots of cafes, bars and restaurants as well as a rich cultural scene. The city is bordered on either side by beautiful countryside: there are gorgeous multi-coloured forests, lakes and hills where you can go hiking, biking, skiing or boating before going off to explore the traditional villages. The average temperature is 16 degrees, which is quite pleasant. In winter, the temperature hovers around zero degrees, but the city is hot! Travel to Southern Norway all throughout the year; the beautiful blossoms of spring are just as charming as the Christmas markets in winter.

Tiphaine Leblanc

11 contributions

Updated 26 October 2018

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