The Best Time to Visit Norway in 2023

Are you planning to visit Norway? Before you book those plane tickets, you should know the best — and the worst — times to visit. Coming to Norway at the right time of year can save you money and help ensure a pleasant experience. 

There are a lot of amazing things to see when you visit this beautiful Scandinavian country. With plenty of museums, amusement parks, and natural landmarks such as fjords, Norway can make a memorable vacation spot. 

However, your experience may vary depending on the time of year you visit. As you read onward, we’ll explain the best time to visit Norway for a relaxing, fun vacation.

We’ll also mention the worst times to visit Norway, in case you’re not a fan of arctic winters. And later on, we’ll provide some general advice about visiting Norway that can make your trip a success! 

Why You Should Visit Norway

So, why would you want to visit Norway anyway? This country is rarely the first place to come to mind when people think of vacation spots. However, there are plenty of amazing sights to see in Norway. 

Norway is home to over 1,700 fjords — that’s more than any other country in the world. The most popular fjord for tourists is Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you visit this fjord, you can enjoy activities like hiking, cruises, and kayaking. Do you want to learn more about Vikings? As the home of this ancient culture, you can visit several different Viking museums when you visit Norway.

Consider stopping by the Sagastad Viking Center to witness one of the largest Viking ships in the world! These are just a couple of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway.

So if fjords or Vikings don’t interest you, there are plenty of other exciting things to do during your stay. But no matter what you do during your trip, your experience will vary depending on the time of year you visit. 

Overall Best Time to Visit Norway 

If you’d like a pleasant and affordable vacation, the best time to visit Norway is June through August. These months are when Norway has warm weather and plenty of exciting opportunities for visitors. 

Not a fan of scorching summers? Norway may be the vacation spot for you — the average summer temperature in this country is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, it may frequently rise into the high 70s and low 80s, so dress for some hot days and consider bringing your swimming gear. Summertime is also the best time to visit the Norwegian fjords!

The warm yet pleasant weather is ideal for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities near these landmarks. Another benefit to visiting this time of year is that you’ll get plenty of sunlight.

Because Norway is so close to the north pole, certain areas will have sunny skies until midnight. While southern Norway doesn’t get quite as much sunlight as the northern half, it will still stay pretty bright until roughly 11 PM. 

Cheapest Time to Visit Norway

If you’re on a tight budget, the cheapest time to visit Norway is between November and April. You can find some pretty affordable tickets when you visit during this period. 

People around the world are less likely to travel during these months, so the low demand for tickets means lower prices.

However, this is especially true for Norway because of its cold climate. While you can get some pretty warm weather during Norwegian summertime, their temperatures can drop well below zero during winter and autumn, which isn’t appealing to most tourists. 

November to April is also when most children are in school, so tourism overall tends to be pretty low.

This can be a benefit for travelers who want to avoid crowds during their vacation. Hotels may also be cheaper during Norway’s off-season due to lower demand.

So overall, visiting during these months can be the most cost-friendly option. However, bear in mind that many popular tourist attractions may not be available during this period. 

Least Busy Time to Visit Norway

Do you want to avoid the crowds during your visit to Norway? You’ll want to visit during shoulder seasons, which are between May and June or September and October. 

Tickets will be fairly affordable around this time, though shoulder seasons aren’t the cheapest option altogether. The weather during these months will be pretty mild, but you should prepare for some pretty chilly days as well. 

A lot of tourist attractions may temporarily close during these months.

However, the ones that are still available will be a lot less crowded. Overall, this timing is ideal for travelers who don’t enjoy expensive trips, big crowds, or extreme weather. 

Worst Time to Visit Norway

The worst time to visit Norway is in January. This month is when Norway’s winter is at its coldest. You can expect frequent snow storms and temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not only is it cold, but it’s incredibly dark this time of year, too. Northern Norway can get little to no sunlight during January. Even if you’re visiting the southern half of the country, you’ll only get a few hours of daylight before the sun goes down in the early afternoon.

However, visiting during this period is pretty cheap. So if you’d still like to experience Norway in January, you can at least expect to save a lot of money.

Just make sure you stock up on warm clothing and prepare for plenty of snow. To make the most of a January trip to Norway, consider planning some indoor activities.

Museums, restaurants, and shopping malls could be a few fun ideas for a wintertime Norway trip. You should also stock up on vitamin D supplements since the lack of sunlight could result in a deficiency. 

Things to Consider

There are a few different factors you should keep in mind before boarding that plane to Norway. Here’s how you can make the most of your trip and ensure that everything goes smoothly! 

• Plan your activities ahead of time. Thorough planning can ensure an organized, fulfilling experience during your stay in Norway. Preparing everything in advance can also help you budget your money — after all, it’s no secret that overspending is easy while you’re on vacation. 
• Download a translation app. Norwegian is the official language of Norway, so there may be times when a language barrier could pose an issue. So if you have a translation app on your phone, you can work through these barriers with ease. However, you don’t want to rely entirely on an app — consider learning a few basic Norwegian words and phrases before your trip, too. 
• Bring appropriate clothing. Norway can get pretty chilly, especially during the night. So even if you’re visiting in the middle of July, consider bringing along a couple of sweaters just in case the weather drops. 
• Learn about currency conversion. The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian Krone. Research the currency rate before your trip, as it can fluctuate throughout the year. If possible, try to memorize the conversion rate so you can keep track of how much money you’re spending. 
• Make the most of public transportation. Norway is a country with excellent public transportation. Even small towns typically have some reliable bus systems. So don’t waste money on a rental car if you don’t need it — a monthly bus pass will be much cheaper. 

When you keep these tips in mind, you can make the most of your vacation in Norway! 

Frequently Asked Questions

So far, we’ve listed the best and worst times to visit Norway and provided a few helpful tips for your journey. Do you still have questions on your mind? Don’t fret — here are the answers to some common questions about visiting Norway! 

When can you see the Northern Lights in Norway? 

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a beautiful phenomenon that everyone should experience at least once. And if you visit Norway sometime between late September and April, you may get to witness them. 

You can only see the Northern Lights if you’re in the arctic circle, however. So make sure you visit a location in the northern region of Norway.

The most popular Norwegian tourist destinations, such as Oslo and Gerainger, do not have Aurora Borealis in their skies. Here are a few popular cities in Norway where you can see the Northern Lights: 

• Trondheim 
• Bodø 
• Tromsø 
• Svalbard 

What is the best time of year to visit Norwegian fjords? 

If you’d like to see the Norwegian fjords, your best bet is to visit during the summer. Warm weather is ideal for visiting fjords since these landmarks are home to plenty of outdoor activities. 

When you visit during the summer, you can expect plenty of sunlight, which means you’ll have more time to enjoy the beauty of Norway’s fjords. And when there’s no snow or ice, you’ll get to enjoy plenty of hiking and a more stunning view. 

Is Norway expensive to visit? 

Norway is a pretty expensive country to visit. However, the price of visiting Norway will depend entirely on where you’re coming from, the time of year, how long you stay, and what you do during your visit. 

If you visit during shoulder season and plan your budget carefully, you can have a cost-efficient visit to this country. And if you’re coming from another European country, you will likely have a cheaper flight compared to American tourists. 

One reason Norwegian vacations are so expensive is the cost of food, especially when it comes to dining out. Fortunately, eating at home as often as possible can help prevent overspending during your stay. 

Even if it can be a little pricey, Norway is still worth visiting at least once. It has so many wonderful attractions and landmarks that will make it worth saving up for! 

What is the warmest month in Norway? 

July is the hottest month of the year in Norway. So if you’re visiting during this summer month, you should try to dress appropriately and spend some time at the beach. 

The southern half of Norway is where you can expect the warmest summer weather. For instance, the average July temperature in Oslo is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can often get much hotter. 

Up in northern Norway, the summers aren’t quite as warm. Tromsø, a popular northern Norwegian city, rarely gets any higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit during July. 

Do they speak English in Norway? 

You don’t need to learn an entire second language to visit Norway. While the main language in this country is Norwegian, most people in Norway can speak English quite well.

This is because Norwegian people learn English as a second language from a fairly young age.

This is particularly true of big cities like Oslo. Areas that expect a lot of tourists tend to have plenty of accommodations for visitors who don’t speak Norwegian. As a result, most workers in these cities are very fluent in English.

So don’t be afraid to let people know you don’t speak Norwegian. Many signs, restaurant menus, and product labels will also include English translations underneath the main Norwegian text. 

Is Norway friendly to foreigners? 

Overall, Norway tends to be pretty friendly to foreigners. Most Norwegian citizens will be kind to tourists who are seeking help and will not mind speaking to them in English. However, not all Norwegians are the same.

While most people in Norway will treat foreigners with kindness, you may meet a handful of people who aren’t so welcoming. This is true of any country, however, so don’t let this discourage you from visiting! 

What kind of food is popular in Norway? 

One of the most popular foods in Norway is seafood. Salmon and shrimp are particularly common in Norwegian cuisine, so you can find them on just about every restaurant menu.

And because this country has such a large coastline, you can expect your seafood to be pretty fresh. Norway has a reputation for its baked goods as well. Consider stopping by a Norwegian bakery for some cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, or a custard-filled pastry called “skolebrød.”

You may also want to try some Norwegian-style waffles, which often come with a topping of strawberry jam and brown cheese. When it comes to snacks, Norway has a wide variety to choose from.

A few popular candies in Norway are salty licorice, marzipan candy, and chocolate. You can also find familiar snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and french fries at most grocery stores. 

Various foods from around the world are popular in Norway, too. Tacos, for example, are very popular among Norwegians. There are also plenty of pizza and burger restaurant chains throughout the country. 

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Norway? 

The best time to visit Norway is from June to August, as this is when the weather is ideal and the sunlight is abundant! If you’re on a tight budget, consider visiting between November and April.

And if you want to avoid the crowds, visit during shoulder seasons. You should be wary of visiting during January. This is when Norwegian winter is at its coldest and there’s little to no sunlight.

So, are you ready to visit Norway? There’s a lot to experience in this beautiful country, so consider booking a trip for next summer!