When is the Best Time to Visit Norway?
Written by Blue Water Holidays - Tuesday 1st July 2025
Norway captivates visitors with some of Europe's most dramatic and pristine landscapes.
From the iconic fjords of the west coast to the rugged Arctic wilderness of the far north, this is a country filled with natural spectacles that feel almost otherworldly. Ancient glaciers have carved deep valleys that plunge into emerald waters, traditional fishing villages cling to rocky coastlines, and the midnight sun and Northern Lights transform the skies into colourful canvases.
The challenge isn't whether Norway is worth visiting - it absolutely is - but rather understanding which time of year aligns best with what you're hoping to experience. The truth is, there's no single "perfect" time to visit Norway because so much depends on your personal preferences and travel priorities.
Summer brings hiking weather and white nights, but also crowds and higher prices. Winter delivers magical snow-covered landscapes and aurora potential, but shorter days and challenging weather conditions. Spring and autumn each have their own appeal, offering shoulder-season tranquillity alongside unique seasonal highlights.
Whilst traditional holidays making your own way around Norway are popular, cruising is the perfect way to experience the country’s contrasting seasons. Hurtigruten’s small ships have been sailing the breathtaking Norwegian coastline for 125 years and continue to offer daily voyages all year round.
In this guide, we'll walk you through what each season has to offer, helping you decide on the best time to visit Norway to match your travel dreams.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Norway?
For outdoor enthusiasts and fjord exploration, June, July and August are the best time of year to visit Norway, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 15-20°C and up to 19 hours of daylight in some regions. This is when hiking trails are fully accessible, ferries run their most comprehensive schedules, and the famous white nights create magical conditions for sightseeing well into the evening hours.
Summer is also the best time for a Norway cruise if you want to soak up the most scenery as possible, taking advantage of the daylight cast by the midnight sun. However, this period also brings peak tourist numbers and the highest prices, so you'll want to book well in advance and be prepared for busier attractions and popular hiking routes.
Winter transforms Norway into an entirely different destination, with December through February offering the best time to see northern lights in Norway dancing across clear, dark skies. Temperatures can plummet to -10°C or lower, but this creates perfect conditions for winter activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and staying in ice hotels, while the snow-covered landscapes provide a fairy-tale backdrop that's particularly magical around Christmas time.
If you’re looking for the best time to travel to Norway outside of the busiest periods, the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October strike an appealing balance. These months offer milder weather than winter, fewer crowds than summer, and unique seasonal highlights like spring's dramatic waterfalls from snowmelt or autumn's stunning foliage, though you'll need to be flexible with weather-dependent activities.
Winter in Norway
Without question, if you’re looking for magic then Winter is the best time to see Norway. The bright white snow reflects the polar twilight, homes glow along the shoreline, and there is the opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.
Northern Norway is one of the best places in the world to observe the phenomenon. Above the Arctic Circle, there is an Auroral Zone, meaning you are more likely to witness them, and not just once, but multiple times. Winter is definitely the best time of year for a Norway cruise if you have your heart set on seeing the lights, and cruising through the night with the Northern Lights dancing in the sky above is a moving and memorable experience.
The vast white Arctic tundra lends itself to thrilling excursions in Winter in Norway, including dog sledding through the wilderness, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. As well as exciting adventures on land, you can take to the water in a Zodiac for a whale watching trip.
Winter is also the best time for whale watching in Norway, as humpback whales migrate from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the much colder and icy waters of Norway in the winter to hunt for prey. The large supply of plankton and krill in the Norwegian waters attracts fish, making it a prime hunting ground for the whales.
Elsewhere in Norway, the towns and cities scattered along the coast host enchanting Christmas Markets, brimming with local crafts and regional specialities. A visit to one of these is sure to get you in the festive spirit, and gifts make the perfect keepsakes.
Take a look at our favourite options for a Winter Norway cruise.
Spring in Norway
After a long and dark winter, daylight returns to Norway and infuses new life along the coast. The sun begins to melt the snow on top of the majestic peaks, rivers re-emerge, and waterfalls cascade through the verdant scenery, making it the best time to cruise Norway’s fjords if you don’t want to visit in the middle of summer.
Temperatures are mild in Norway in spring, with highs of 14 degrees. However, in the far north above the Arctic Circle, winter still reigns and it is possible to enjoy exciting excursions including snowmobiling and dog sledding. The magical Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights may also make an appearance.
This fascinating contrast between north and south means you can experience more seasons during a springtime voyage. The milder temperatures mean outdoor pursuits are extremely popular, including kayaking, guided hikes and city walking tours.
The flora and fauna in Norway are incredible during the spring. Flowers, including crocuses and daffodils, are in full bloom and bring an injection of colour, while puffins breed on the cliffs dotted along the coast.
Redwings, Chaffinches and Sparrowhawks make the short migration from the rugged shores of Great Britain back to Norway. After spending the winter months under the South African sun, Swallows make the long and often hazardous journey to Norwegian shores, making it the best time of year to visit Norway if you’re a birdwatching fan.
It is also possible to experience national celebrations when you visit Norway in the spring. The 17th May is Norway Day and parades take place in the towns and cities along the coast.
‘Svalbard in Spring – The Return of the Sun’ is one of our most popular spring cruises. Please call to find out more and book this Norway cruise.
Summer in Norway
Summer is one of the most popular times to cruise the Norwegian coastline, which is illuminated under the Midnight Sun, an incredible natural phenomenon. It brings perpetual daylight along the entire coastline and endless sun north of the Arctic Circle, which many believe to be energising.
This season is also the best time to cruise Norway’s fjords, as the hillsides glow and waterfalls are at their peak, delivering winter’s snow melt into the sea. The picture-postcard scenery is reflected in the tranquil waters below, and kayaking trips are a unique way to take it all in.
Sea eagles can often be seen soaring in the skies above. Sea eagle safaris in purpose-built Zodiacs are the perfect way to get up close to these majestic birds, the largest birds of prey in Europe.
On land, Finnmark’s Sami herders bring their reindeer back to summer grazing grounds closer to the coast. It is also possible to see sperm whales in the waters off Andoya in the Vesteralen Islands.
Summer is the high season for festivities in Norway. Saint John’s Eve on the 23rd June observes the birth of Saint John the Baptist and marks the summer solstice.
Once the sun is low on the horizon, bonfires are lit up and down the coastline into the early hours of the morning, an incredible sight. There are also several food fairs during the summer, showcasing the delicious regional produce, and outdoor concerts, making for an unforgettable voyage.
Our Summertime Fjordland cruise is perfect if you want to visit Norway at this time of year.
Autumn in Norway
Autumn is a season of colour in Norway, as vivid reds, yellows and oranges dominate the woods and mountainsides, a striking contrast to the azure blue skies. The soaring peaks receive their first dusting of snow and the days begin to get shorter.
Autumn is a more peaceful time to enjoy a Norway cruise and is one of the best times to visit Sweden and Norway, as the summer crowds have subsided. You can take in the kaleidoscope of colours and abundant nature at a much gentler pace.
With longer nights, there is the chance to see the mesmerising Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hiking in Norway in the autumn is also extremely popular, as temperatures are mild and you are rewarded by outstanding views.
In the autumn, the traditional farming communities dotted along the coast are reaping the rewards of a glorious summer. Harvest time means an array of seasonal delicacies to try, including mushrooms and cloudberries, which often feature heavily on menus in the cafes and restaurants ashore, as well as in meals onboard.
Explore Norway on a Cruise
The best time of year to visit Norway really depends on what side of the country you want to see. Outdoor enthusiasts and keen photographers will love the summer months and the beautiful weather it brings, whilst those seeking when to see the Northern Lights in Norway should book a trip in the winter.
One of the best ways to explore Norway is on a cruise, whether you journey into the fjordland or just sail along the country’s coast. Voyage in search of the spectacular Northern Lights, experience the Arctic Awakening as daylight returns along the coast in Spring, enjoy the incredible natural phenomenon of the Midnight Sun in Summer, and see the colours of the landscape change to vivid shades of reds, yellows and oranges in the Autumn.
Each voyage is accompanied by a fantastic range of optional shore excursions, tailored to match the season of cruises, including dog sledging, snowmobiling, kayaking, and a visit to the North Cape.
The fantastic Hurtigruten 11-night voyage from Bergen cruises along the entire Norwegian coast north to Kirkenes and back, calling at an incredible 34 ports. Ports visited by night on the northbound route are seen by day on the southbound journey, ensuring guests see the very best of the dramatic Norwegian landscape.
You can browse our full range of Norway cruises on our website.