You won’t regret visiting Norway in the summer. Waterfalls thunder, meadows burst with wildflowers, and the craggy fjords are a place of tranquility. Long hours of daylight, thanks to the midnight sun, mean there’s more time to experience Norway’s exhilarating outdoors or live it up in cosmopolitan Oslo.
Summer in Norway offers the chance to go from hiking mountains to exploring fairytale towns and villages. Cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger show off their cultural sides with museums, galleries, and historic quarters set around buzzy waterfronts. You’ll find thriving café cultures and independent breweries, too.
Whether you’re keen to escape the crowds in the remote north or take the ferry to Oslo’s islands, here is everything you need to know about Norway in the summer.
Long Hours of Daylight
Midnight sun in Tromsø
Given Norway’s proximity to the Arctic Circle, where the sun never sets during summer, the country experiences long hours of daylight between mid-May and late July.
The further north you travel, the longer the days. In Tromsø, for example, a city famous for seeing the northern lights during winter, the midnight sun is visible between May 20 and July 22. Oslo, in the south, doesn’t experience the midnight sun, but the sun nonetheless sets late and rises early during summer.
North Cape, Honningsvåg
Celebrate the midnight sun on a visit to Honningsvåg, the northernmost city in mainland Norway, high above the Arctic Circle. Explore North Cape, a 1,000-foot-high sea cliff, rising above the Barents Sea. There’s a visitor center with an exhibition, a chapel, a restaurant, and a café with views of the North Cape marker.
You could also visit Gjesvær, a small fishing village a few miles west of North Cape, to join a bird safari to Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve. During summer, the islands just off Gjesvær welcome throngs of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, and fulmars. Gannets descend on the grassy reserve to nest.
Wonderful Hikes
Mt. Fløyen, Bergen
Norway is well known for its incredible hikes. Ranging from coastal walks to mountain treks, there is a scenic hike for every ability, and they are all sublime during summer.
On the edge of Ålesund, on Norway’s west coast, take the opportunity to hike the 1,631-foot Godøyfjellet mountain on Godøy island. Routes lead from the north and south sides, and halfway up there’s a beautiful surprise: a trout-filled lake called Alnesvatnet. Views from the route are breathtaking, including the red-and-white-striped Alnes Lighthouse, a sweep of blond beach, and the vast ocean beyond the island.
Summer in Norway presents the perfect chance to hike Bergen’s Mt. Fløyen via the signposted trail from the city center. The route takes around one hour each way, though you could take the Fløibanen funicular from the city center to the top and hike down, or vice versa. There’s a lake, a café, bathrooms, and some fun troll statues at the top.
Lake Lovatnet
Near the picturesque village of Olden, located on the Nordfjorden fjord, there are several sensational hikes, including the emerald-green Lake Lovatnet, a six-square-mile lake fed by the Jostedal glacier, which offers gentle hikes.
If it’s a moderate hike you’re after, head to Mt. Hoven for dazzling views of the Nordfjorden and Jostedalsbreen National Park. You could take the Loen Skylift to the top and embark on a summit trail, with over 40 miles of mapped routes to choose from. During the summer, you could also book a guided hike with Loen Active.
Briksdal Glacier
My recommendation, however, is to hike to Briksdal glacier, the western arm of the colossal Jostedal glacier, the largest glacier in mainland Europe. Formed around 2,500 years ago, the Briksdal glacier has shaped the Briksdalen valley, surrounded by waterfalls, forests, and mountain meadows.
Starting at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, follow the rugged 1.5-mile riverside track, taking in the spray of Kleivafossen waterfall and spotting grazing goats, to reach the glacier and its ice-blue pool.
Spectacular Waterfalls
Seven Sisters Waterfall
Summer is one of the best times to see Norway’s spectacular waterfalls, when mountain and glacier snowmelt create these powerful cascades throughout the country.
Gaze at the dramatic Seven Sisters waterfall—dropping around 820 feet down a vertical rockface—on a boat trip on the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord from Geiranger. Langfossen, around 90 minutes from Haugesund in southwest Norway, is a mesmerizing waterfall that drops almost 2,000 feet into the Åkrafjord.
If you’re visiting Flåm, take the chance to ride the iconic Flåm Railway, and you’ll also get to witness the gorgeous Kjosfossen during the scenic railroad journey. The train offers a brief stop, with time to step off and take in the 305-foot waterfall.
Tvinde Waterfall
Tvinde Waterfall is just under an hour’s drive from Flåm and is a wonderful, tiered waterfall that plunges 360 feet down the mountainside.
Oslo Pride
Oslo
From food to music festivals, if you find yourself in Norway in summer, there is much to celebrate. Should you visit the capital in late June, you’ll find a wonderful program of parades, concerts, and street parties in celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community at Oslo Pride.
Norway’s largest pride event has operated since 1974, with events centered on Pride Park in the city’s Kontraskjæret. It’s free and open to all, with stages for music and culture, as well as food and drink stalls. Talks, exhibitions, and film screenings take place around the city.
Fairytale Fjords
Geiranger
Norway’s most breathtaking asset is, arguably, its sapphire-blue fjords. These deep inlets of water, carved by glaciers during the last ice age, feel like calm lakes, surrounded by steep mountains and jade-colored forests.
Norway’s fjords line the craggy west coast, dotted with pretty towns and villages, such as Haugesund, Olden, and Geiranger, and are easy to explore during summertime.
You could take a leisurely boat trip to soak in the scenery of the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord or Nærøyfjord. If you’re visiting Stavanger, head to the Lysefjord to witness the extraordinary Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, in Ryfylke. This hulking rock formation with a pancake-flat summit soars 2,000 feet above the fjord.
Storybook Waterfronts
Bryggen, Bergen
Norway’s fjord towns and cities come to life during summertime. Wander Bergen’s Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, made up of colorful wooden buildings that line the waterfront, next to the 12th-century St. Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen.
Bergen’s wharf dates back to a period when Bergen was a major trading port in the 14th century, and is now home to cafés, restaurants, galleries, and shops.
Trondheim
Trondheim, on the Trondheimsfjorden, has its own charms, including a fanciful 13th-century church, Nidaros Cathedral, that’s the northernmost medieval Gothic cathedral in the world. It’s a popular pilgrimage site, with nine routes across Norway—known as St. Olav Ways—all leading to Nidaros Cathedral.
Trondheim is known as the Viking capital of Norway and is full of character, especially the cobblestone streets of the Bakklandet neighborhood, with its colorful houses, riverfront restaurants, and 17th-century Kristiansten Fortress.
Gamle Stavanger
In Stavanger, stroll the pretty old town, known as Gamle Stavanger. It’s famous for its 173 traditional wooden houses that line cobblestone lanes next to the harbor. All of the houses are painted white with terracotta roof tiles. Some are home to galleries, cafés, and shops, while others are private homes.
Seasonal Produce
Strawberries
From fresh seafood to foraged berries, Norway in the summer means there’s a mouthwatering bounty of seasonal produce on offer.
Summer is berry season, which sees strawberries ripen from late May; cherries, blueberries, and raspberries from July; and blackberries from August. Specific to cool climates, rarer lingonberries and cloudberries are also in season from August.
Ripened under the midnight sun, these delicious fruits are a sublime accompaniment to hot waffles and pancakes, or a sweet filling in pies with a crumbly pastry topping and a generous pour of cream.
Mackerel
Summer in Norway sees a wealth of seafood in season, including mackerel and shrimp. Mackerel is served in a variety of ways—grilled, smoked, hot, and cold—while shrimps are peeled and served on their own or in a sandwich.
Beautiful Beaches
Tjuvholmen Beach, Oslo
One of the wonderful surprises you’ll find in Norway in the summer is its abundance of beautiful beaches. The best beaches in Norway include the beaches of Jæren, a swath of protected coastline near Stavanger.
For over 40 miles, between Tungenes in the north and Sirevåg in the south, the coastline reveals a string of soft, white sand and pebble beaches. Hop on the number eight bus from Stavanger to reach Viste Beach, a lovely cove that’s perfect for a summer dip.
Beach in Jæren
Follow the coastline north to explore more Jæren beaches and look out for some of the endangered plant life found here, including saw-wort, marsh helleborine, sea holly, and northern marsh orchid.
Oslo has its fair share of top beaches, too, with swimming, watersports, and sunbathing being popular activities on Tjuvholmen Beach, in front of the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.
An hour’s drive south of Oslo, dive straight into the Oslofjord from Ingierstrand Beach’s wonderful diving tower, or hop on a ferry to Hovedøya and explore the island’s trails and tranquil beaches.
FAQs
Is Norway worth visiting in the summer?
Pulpit Rock
Norway in summer is absolutely worth visiting, thanks to easy access to fjords and mountains, with clear lakes, green valleys, and meadows in bloom. Throw in the long days of sunlight, and summer in Norway makes perfect sense.
Cities in Norway, such as Oslo, Tromsø, Bergen, and Stavanger, come to life with festivals, waterfront dining, and urban landmarks, such as historic old towns, fortresses, and museums.
What's the hottest month in Norway?
Oslo
Norway’s hottest month is July, with temperatures ranging from 63°F to 72°F. June and early August can also feel warm, though bear in mind that the weather in the far north, around Tromsø and Honningsvåg, will feel much cooler than places like Oslo and Stavanger in the south.
Though the warmest months in Norway occur during summer, the weather can still be unpredictable. Misty mornings are frequent, especially in fjord and mountainous areas, and rainfall is common.
What should I pack for a summer trip to Norway?
Hiking in Norway
Check the forecast for your destination close to your trip to get an idea of the weather. Pack layers, such as leggings, loose and comfortable walking slacks, T-shirts, button-down shirts, and sweaters that you can easily peel off, as needed.
If you plan on an active vacation, pack accordingly with athleisure and workout-style items for kayaking, walking, and hiking. Sturdy boots or comfortable sneakers are essential, too.
Pack SPF, a sun hat or a baseball-style cap, and sunglasses, along with a waterproof daypack to store your everyday items, such as wallet, phone, and water.
This idyllic corner of northern Europe is not exempt from bugs. Consider mosquito spray your friend when exploring lakes, fjords, and forested areas in Norway in summer.
How crowded is Norway in the summer?
Royal Palace, Oslo
Summer in Norway is peak season, and, yes, it will be busier than other times of the year, but the country does not experience the same levels of crowds as other European destinations during summer.
If there is something you are keen to try or a museum you are set on visiting—and Norway has some excellent outdoor activities and top museums—consider pre-booking your ticket and visiting earlier in the day, to avoid busier times, such as midday and early afternoon.
What are the best things to do in Norway during the summer?
Mt. Fløyen, Bergen
The best things to do in Norway in summer include experiencing the midnight sun, between late May and mid-July, when the sun does not set above the Arctic Circle.
Other things to do include experiencing Norway’s soft, sandy beaches, hiking mountain and coastal areas, exploring fjords, and seeing extraordinary natural sights such as glaciers and waterfalls. In Norway’s cities, the best things to do also include exploring old towns and visiting world-class museums, galleries, and restaurants.
Pulpit Rock
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