If you ever dreamed of going to Northern Europe, you should include Norway on the list. Norway sits on top of the charts as one of the best places to visit and one of the safest countries in the world. Its strategic location makes the trip worthwhile. Nature is everywhere. You can have a look at amazing landscapes of mountains, fjords, waterfalls, lakes, and other natural wonders. You can also go around the cities or take a walk along the fishing villages on the coast. Norway is easily one of the most beautiful and photogenic countries on the planet. If you’re not sure when the best time to visit Norway, is we are here to tackle this question.
Why you should plan your visit
Norway is an exciting tourist destination in Europe. It’s open all year round but you have to keep in mind that depending on the season, some of the attractions could be inaccessible. There are different activities whether you’re in the northern or southern part of the country. Also, they have a calendar of festivities that you might want to consider. For a wilderness trip, you should also check on the current climate during your visit. Whale sight-seeing is also seasonal if you want to spend time on the coastal areas. To help you assess the best time to visit Norway, here is a four-season guide.
Winter
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Winter in Norway starts around November and lasts until April. The main attractions during this time are the ski slopes in the mountains. Other than that, some, if not most of the tourist attractions close due to the severe weather conditions. The temperatures can reach below freezing and some parts could be snow-covered. Even fjords could get frozen over. These are the darkest and coldest months, so be ready with thick layers of clothing. Outdoor activities such as chasing the Northern Lights during this time will require proper snow gear such as boots, mittens, hats, jackets, and windbreakers.
December and January is the darkest time of the year and an exciting time to experience the polar night. This is a time where the sun doesn’t seem to rise during the day and the sky is just dark blue. Christmas season is also best celebrated in Norway. Aside from the festivities, outdoor activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, and ice skating. When going to these attractions, take note of the difficulty in transportation during this time.
Spring
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Springtime is from May to June. The weather is perfect during this time and an off-peak season for crowds of tourists. You can enjoy visiting the fjords, see the trees start blooming, and watch waterfalls flow at their strongest with the longer duration of daylight. Just be careful with the slushy snow starting to thaw all over the place.
Roads that closed in the winter reopen during springtime. It’s a good time to do a road trip along the mountains and fjords. Spring’s a busy time for Norway when there are a lot of things to do especially if it’s nature-related.
Summer
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Around June to August summer comes to Norway. Temperatures range from 20-30 degrees celsius. July brings the warmest month. Though you can wear light clothes during the day, it’s relatively cool at night, so you should still bring something to warm you up.
The peak tourist season arrives in summer and all attractions open. Expect huge crowds and fully-booked accommodation especially with the mountain hiking activities resuming operations after the snow season. Local and foreign tourists on holiday vacations number large amounts during these months. To help you find other things to do, read about the 30 best things to do in Norway on holiday.
Since it’s the high peak and busy season for the tourism industry in Norway, the availability of transportation is more frequent. You can choose to ride buses, ferries, or trains to maximize the duration of the trip.
fall
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Autumn in Norway happens from September to October and for many people, it’s the best time to visit Norway. Enjoy the breezes of the summer as the surroundings tint into orange. This is one of the best times to visit Norway because of the mild temperature. Cool without the snow, it’s the perfect time for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The coastal areas bring warmer weather but be ready with your rain gear. The weather also starts to transition into winter so better pack the essentials to warm you. Because of this erratic weather changes, this time’s off peak for tourists.
Norway, already beautiful during this time, becomes majestic as the majority of the colors turn golden. Berries and mushrooms provide a fun experience. Fall season brings the opportunity to chase the Northern Lights as the night temperatures are not yet too cold.
Final Thoughts
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Before planning your Norway visit, you should consider the activities you want to do. That way, match your preferences to a perfect time of the year. Factor in the peak tourist season, transportation availability, calendar of activities, and the weather forecast.
If you look at the map, Norway is a long country with schedules of specific activities all year round. Different attractions depend on which part of the country you visit. The southern part of Norway is warmer. In the east, find the capital city. In the west lie the fjords and mountains. The arctic north, of course, brings opportunities to see the Northern Lights.
Any time is the best time to visit Norway. It depends on how you like to enjoy the different seasons in this country. Some people may like the summer, some may love the winter. If you carefully plot the perfect time to travel, your trip to Norway will surely be a wonderful experience as you spend time in nature and culture.