Best Time to Visit Norway

Norway is one of the most lively, unique, and festive places in the world. The Northern Lights, gorgeous views, unique culture, and sprawling hills attract countless tourists each year. So, what is the best time to visit Norway?

The best time to visit Norway is between June and August when it is warm and the foliage is vibrant. December through February is the worst time to visit Norway unless you are a skier. You can avoid crowds if you go to Norway between March and May or September and November when tourism is down.

There is no bad time to go to Norway because you can always enjoy beautiful views. With that said, some months are better than others if you have a family or plan to avoid crowds. Follow along as we explore the best time to visit Norway.

When Should You Not go to Norway?

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The worst time to visit Norway is from December to February because of the extreme cold and snow. Temperatures stay below 30 degrees throughout this period generally making it a bad time to be outside. This can limit your outdoor activities and make it difficult to navigate the roads depending on the snow and ice.

However, some people consider this the best time to go to Norway to enjoy skiing. The winter is the ski season in Norway which attracts thousands of tourists each year.

Cheapest Time to Visit Norway

April is the cheapest time to visit Norway because it isn’t a popular time for tourism. You can book a flight for between 4% and 6% cheaper than during the summer or winter. The savings are worth it because international flights are never cheap, so it’s ideal to get the best bang for your buck.

Summer is the most expensive time to visit Norway and you can spend up to hundreds of dollars more on a flight depending on your location.

You can find round-trip flights to Norway for as low as $1,200 in April. A round-trip flight to Norway in June could cost as much as $1,900 or more per person depending on when you book it.

Book your flight to Norway 3 months in advance or sooner to get the best deal on your vacation. Airlines offer better rates the further out that you purchase your tickets, and that helps with international flights.

Best Time to Visit Norway: Monthly Breakdown

January: Best Time for Adults

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January is the coldest month of the year in Norway with an average temperature of 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the cold temperatures, it doesn’t rain more than 8.8 inches on average throughout January in Norway. The cold weather doesn’t stop the festivities, and there are many fun outdoor events all month long.

The Northern Lights Festival in January is a demonstration of beautiful music for tourists and locals to enjoy. Adults can have plenty of fun at the Bergen Whiskey & Beer Festival which is a unique 2-day event. Karnivool is among the most unique January events in Norway, and it takes place in the iconic city of Oslo.

• Karnivool
• Northern Lights Festival
• Bergen Whiskey & Beer Festival

February: Best Time for Conventions

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The average high daily temperature throughout February is 35 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a markable improvement over January’s weather, but it is still quite chilly. It typically snows at least 8 inches each February in Norway, if not more.

The Kristiansund Opera Festival is a mellow event that mixes opera, art, and ballet into one package. Oslo is home to the Ice Music Festival which is a more lively and upbeat event. Conventions like HackCon and the Nordic Fuzz Convention also draw massive crowds in February.

• Kristiansund Opera Festival
• Ice Music Festival
• HackCon
• Nordic Fuzz Convention

March: Best Time to Visit Norway for Skiing

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Oslo is the perfect Norwegian destination in March with fun events like the Holmenkollen Ski Festival. Blueberry Smoke is another unique event held in Oslo that is worth checking out when you visit in March. Fitness-conscious tourists will enjoy the Birkebeiner Race that ends in Lillehammer, but you might get cold.

The average daily high during March in Norway is 44 degrees Fahrenheit which makes outdoor activities much easier. You will still want to pack a heavy coat or jacket and prepare for it to snow. March snowfall averages 6 inches, but larger accumulations can occur. Luckily, March is a great time to ski in Norway before it gets too warm.

• Holmenkollen Ski Festival
• Birkebeiner Race
• Blueberry Smoke

April: Best Time to Visit in Spring

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April marks the return of warmer weather throughout Norway as the country moves into spring. It can get as warm as 55 degrees during April in Norway, and it’s a great time to explore the outdoors. Cold weather is still common at night and in the morning, so don’t ditch your jackets just yet.

Enjoy some relaxing music at the Voss Jazz Festival at the beginning of April to start your trip off right. There aren’t many special events throughout April in Norway, but it’s a great time to get outside. Hiking destinations like Segla, Munka, and Stetind are worth checking out.

• Voss Jazz Festival
• Hiking

Related Read: Best Time to Visit Sweden

May: Best Time to Celebrate History

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Temperatures continue to increase throughout May across all of Norway. You can expect temperatures up to 75 degrees or warmer depending on which region you visit. May is the windiest month in Norway which can help you cool off on a hot day.

Hear some eclectic music from around the world at the Bergen International Festival in May. Celebrate Norway’s history on May 17th which is known as Constitution Day. This is the equivalent of the 4th of July in the United States, and it’s a big deal in Norway.

• Bergen International Festival
• Constitution Day
• Syttende Mai festival

June: Best Time to Visit in the Summer

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You can expect temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees when you visit Norway in June. It typically rains between 2 ½ and 4 ½ inches each June in Norway. The rain isn’t enough to stop exciting outdoor sporting events and music festivals.

Norway hosts the world-famous Download Festival in June which attracts international tourists. The North Cape March is a great way to see lots of Norway in one physically active event. You can also observe or join in on the Faerder Sailing Race during June in Norway.

• American Emigration Festival
• Download Festival
• Whit Saturday
• North Cape March
• Faerder Sailing Race

July: Best Time to Visit for Art

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Stiklestad Summer is a festive summer event that runs until August in Norway. Glomma Festival is another great event on the river that is perfect for adults. July is a great time to enjoy art with numerous exhibitions throughout the country at places like the Vestfold Kunstsmuseum.

It doesn’t often get hotter than 76 degrees Fahrenheit during the day in July. Areas like Oslo are prone to rain in July and averages 3 inches throughout the month. The comfortable highs make it easy to spend time outside without getting too hot.

• Stiklestad Summer
• Glomma Festival
• Art Exhibitions
• Gressholman Festival
• Molde International Jazz Festival

August: Best Time for Music

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August is a hot time in Norway, but it marks the decline back to cooler weather towards the end of the month. Temperatures fluctuate between 52 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Areas like Bergen, Norway can get up to 7 inches of rain or more in August.

The Findings Festival is worth checking out if you wind up in Oslo during August. Laid-back events like the Telemark International Folk Music Festival are a great way to experience Norwegian culture.

• Peer Gynt Festival
• Findings Festival
• Telemark International Folk Music Festival
• Chamber Music Festival

September: Best Time to Visit Oslo

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September is a slightly less busy time in Norway with minimal events. However, it’s a great time to visit Oslo because of the weather. Special events like the Oslo Design Fair and Oslo Marathon attract crowds every September.

Temperatures stay between 50 and 65 degrees throughout September in Norway. Oslo specifically gets between 3 and 8 inches of rain each September.

• Oslo Marathon
• Oslo Design Fair

October: Best Time For Jazz Music

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October is when it starts to get cold again in Norway so bring your warm attire. Temperatures fluctuate between 43 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit throughout October in Norway. It generally rains up to 3.5 inches each October, but it’s known to rain much more.

The cold weather can dissuade some tourists from exploring fun outdoor events, but they are worth it. Events like the Lillehammer Jazz Festival are a blast each October as long as you dress warm enough. Insomnia Festival is another fun event each October in Norway, and you will find Halloween celebrations all over as well.

• Insomnia Festival
• Lillehammer Jazz Festival
• Halloween

November: Best Time for Northern Lights

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Northern Lights season begins in September, but November is the best time to see them in Norway. North Cape, Tromsø, and Svalbard are the best places to see the Northern Lights each November. You can also enjoy great live music during November in Norway at the Oslo World Music Festival.

Snow is common throughout November in Norway and accumulations between 5 and 12 inches or more are common. It can get as cold as 23 degrees during November and it rarely gets warmer than 42 degrees. You can enjoy gorgeous views of snow-capped hills and mountains during November in Norway.

• Oslo World Music Festival
• See the Northern Lights

December: Best Time for a Quiet Trip

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The most notable event throughout December in Norway is the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. This event is held in Oslo and attracts visitors from across the world anxious to celebrate the new recipient of the prize. There aren’t many festive events during December in Norway as the country prepares for Christmas.

With that said, you can still have holiday fun at Christmas Town in Tromsø. Drive through Oslo and enjoy the several Christmas light displays and decorations. It snows up to 3 inches per week each December in Norway, so your chances of a white Christmas are quite strong.

• Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony
• Munin Conference on Scholarly Publishing
• Christmas Town

Best Time to Visit Norway With Family

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The summer is the best time to visit Norway with family because of the weather. Norway is known for its cold weather, but that isn’t a problem between June and August. Summer is the only time of the year that you can count on warm temperatures in Norway.

Even the spring can be quite cold in Norway depending on where you stay. Temperatures stay below 80 degrees Fahrenheit in most parts of Norway. You won’t have to worry about excessive heat as you travel around Norway with your family in the summer.

Best Time to Visit Norway to Avoid Crowds

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The spring and fall are when you are the least likely to encounter crowds in Norway. Tourists generally flock to Norway in either the summer or winter. The summer is appealing to tourists because of the comfortable temperatures, and the winter brings skiers.

Spring and summer have fewer festivities that would attract large crowds. With that said, March-May is one of the prettiest times for Norway so it’s worth the vacation. September through November is a quiet time in Norway, but it’s a blast if you can handle the cold temperatures.