When is the Best Time to Visit Norway?

From culture and cuisine to adventure and spectacular landscapes, Norway has it all, making it a must-visit destination. As one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit.

However, depending on what you want to see and what you want to do, there might be a best time of year to visit, especially if you are planning to go on one of our cruises to Norway.

The summer is the most popular time to visit as it boasts the best weather, long hours of daylight, and everything is open. Winter is considered a magical time to visit, and it is a popular time to visit with many people heading to Norway to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Spring and autumn are quieter times to visit the country.

Here, we take you through everything you need to know about picking the best time of year to visit Norway.

The best chance to see the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis as they are also known, is during the winter months – January especially - as that is when they are most active. However, you can also see them in early spring and during the autumn months.

Here at Fred. Olsen, we are one of the only cruise lines to offer Northern Lights cruise holidays in January, alongside sailings from September to March. You can go in search of the aurora on a selection of specially timed itineraries from southern and northern UK departure ports.

These Northern Lights cruises don’t only give you the opportunity to see these dancing ribbons of green, blue and pink illuminating the skies above Arctic Norway's mountains and glaciers, but you can enjoy shore tours such as snowmobile or husky dog sledding adventures.

Cazzy Magennis, the writer behind the Dream Big Travel Far blog, says that you can see more colours in the Northern Lights in Norway.

“Something else to note about where to see the Northern Lights in Norway, you’ll have a high chance of seeing the ‘colours’. What I mean by this is that sometimes if you’re looking at the Northern Lights further down the world, so say from Finland, or even Latvia, Estonia, then you’ll see the “white” of the Northern Lights, and you’ll only see the colours (predominantly green) when you put a camera to it.

“Well, when you are in north Norway, you will see that green with your own eyes, it's amazing. We actually saw pink and purple too...it’s unbelievable.”

Cruising into the heart of the Norwegian fjordland is the best way to experience this stunning part of the world. On a Norwegian fjords cruise with Fred. Olsen, you can sail the height-restricted waterways and take in the natural wonders of Pulpit Rock, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the world, and the Briksdal Glacier.

The best time to visit Norway's fjords is often thought to be the summer (June, July, August). Whilst this is high season, it is when the weather is most stable and mild, with long days, but you can sail throughout the year and experience the fjords.

As part of a cruise to Norway’s fjords, you can ride the famous Flamsbana Railway and go kayaking on the Hardangerfjord, as well as learn about the history of the Vikings.

Oneika Raymond, the blogger behind Oneika Traveller, has visited the fjords in Norway before, and she spoke about some of her highlights: “If you’re looking to be wowed by crazy scenery, one needn’t look any further than the fjords in Norway. At 204 kilometres long and 1038 kilometres deep, the Sognefjord is the king of all fjords, the largest in Norway, and the emerald-green Fjaerlandsfjord (say THAT five times fast!) is the crown jewel.”

The Midnight Sun, which is caused by the Earth’s tilt and rotation, is a natural phenomenon where the sun never sets below the horizon, even at midnight.

During the summer months, you’ll find the Midnight Sun anywhere north of the Arctic Circle. In Norway, the Midnight Sun is visible from mid-May to mid-July in most places and from late April to late August in Svalbard. The Midnight Sun period lasts longer the further north you go.

If you are looking for a quieter time to book a cruise, a perfect time to visit is during the shoulder season. The months to visit Norway if you want to book a trip during the shoulder season are in Spring (May - June) and Autumn (September – October.

This is a good time to visit if you want to enjoy pleasant weather but would like to visit Norway during a time when it isn’t as popular. You may also enjoy some good cruise deals during these times of year.

During the autumn and spring months, it is a great time to go hiking along the fjords and mountains or visit the markets and festivals taking place. You may also get to see the Northern Lights! 

The summer is the peak season for visiting Norway on a cruise, and this runs from June to August. If you are planning your cruise during this time of the year, you can expect average temperatures between 17 to 18°C.

The big attraction in the summer is the Midnight Sun, but Norway comes alive with a host of cultural events, including the Riddu Festival, which celebrates the indigenous Sami culture.

Norway is a breathtaking country with its towering mountains, picturesque fjords, rolling valleys and mighty waterfalls; there is nowhere else like it in the world. Whether you are visiting on a Northern Lights cruise or during another time of the year, Norway will certainly not disappoint.