Norway
The best time to visit
When to go to Norway
Go in summer, June to August, for the fjords, hiking and the midnight sun. For the northern lights, come late September to March, when the northern nights are long and dark. Winter is cold, but the aurora makes up for it.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Oslo. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jun.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Hard cold.
In short
The year at a glance
Norway is a country of two great seasons. The month ratings track Oslo, but the draw is the coast and the mountains: summer for the fjords under near-endless daylight, winter for snow and the aurora in the Arctic north.
Summer, from June to August, is mild, green and busy, with the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle and every road and ferry running. Winter, from late September to March, brings the northern lights, dog-sledding and skiing, with the far north in polar darkness around midwinter.
Month by month
Norway month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Oslo.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C / 30°F | -6°C / 21°F | 49 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| February | 0°C / 32°F | -6°C / 21°F | 36 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| March | 4°C / 39°F | -3°C / 27°F | 47 mm | Avoid 20 | Cold and dry. |
| April | 10°C / 50°F | 1°C / 34°F | 41 mm | Good 53 | Cool and dry. |
| May | 16°C / 61°F | 6°C / 43°F | 53 mm | Ideal 83 | Cool and dry. Oslo hotels in May |
| June | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 65 mm | Ideal 92 | Mild with a little rain. Oslo hotels in June |
| July | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 81 mm | Ideal 86 | Mild with a little rain. Oslo hotels in July |
| August | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 89 mm | Ideal 83 | Mild with a little rain. |
| September | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 76 mm | Ideal 77 | Cool with a little rain. |
| October | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | 84 mm | Good 49 | Cold with a little rain. |
| November | 3°C / 37°F | -1°C / 30°F | 73 mm | Avoid 17 | Cold with a little rain. |
| December | 0°C / 32°F | -4°C / 25°F | 55 mm | Avoid 16 | Freezing with a little rain. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
The fjords and the west
Bergen, Geiranger and the great fjords are at their best from late spring to early autumn, with May to September the prime window.
Tromso and the Arctic north
Northern lights from late September to March, midnight sun in summer. Cold, dark winters are the aurora season.
Oslo and the south
Mild summers with long evenings and lake swimming, cold but bright winters with a festive feel.
Go for
Best time to visit Norway for
The fjords
June to August for the warmest, longest days, open mountain roads and every ferry and cable car running.
Northern lights
Late September to March in the Arctic north around Tromso, on clear, dark nights away from town.
Midnight sun
June and July above the Arctic Circle, when the sun never fully sets.
Skiing and dog-sledding
December to March, deep in the snowy winter, across the mountains and the north.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Midnight sun, June to July
Above the Arctic Circle the sun stays up around the clock, opening endless summer days.
Northern lights, Sep to Mar
The aurora dances over the Arctic north on clear winter nights.
Hard cold
Nov to Mar.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Norway
Compare hotels and rentals around Oslo, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Norway?
When can you see the northern lights in Norway?
Are the fjords worth visiting in winter?
Where else, and when
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