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Sample nature’s bounty
Høst is the Norwegian word for both ‘harvest’ and ‘autumn’. Autumn is the season to eat lamb, the main ingredient in a number of traditional recipes. Moose and other wild game are perfect with lingonberries and cream sauce. New potatoes, sweet carrots, and delicious chanterelles and other mushrooms are all on the autumn menu.
In Norway, fruit and berries have excellent growing conditions, with long hours of sunlight in summer and early autumn, making them especially tasty. Some berries can be picked right up until the first snowfall.
Why not book a table and experience Nordic cuisine with someone special at a Michelin-starred restaurant?
Explore Norway’s compact cities
Norway offers compact and very walkable cities throughout the country. Explore history, experience arts and culture, and discover new places on foot. There are plenty of festivals in autumn.
Oslo is home to world-class museums. Visit the new MUNCH museum or the National Museum, the biggest art museum in the Nordic countries. Go north for an urban Arctic experience in Bodø or Tromsø. Ride the funicular to spectacular mountain views, right by the city centre in Bergen.
Travel responsibly
Many destinations are certified as sustainable and help support local jobs. Travelling responsibly means buying local goods and staying longer in one region. Visitors can also increasingly choose better options when it comes to transport. Journey through stunning fjord scenery in autumn light aboard an electric ferry. You do not want to miss some of the top train rides in the world – travel from Oslo to Bergen on the Bergen Railway Line or experience the Rauma Line or the Nordland Line. Relax and take in all the vibrant colours of autumn.
Go for a hike or take a bike ride in the mountains and marvel at the sight of the heather as it changes into a vivid myriad of red, yellow and orange shades. Public transport takes you to great destinations for both cycling and hiking. In many places, you can even catch a ride to the top of the mountains with a gondola.
Jumping into the fjord at this time of year can be quite bracing, to put it mildly. Thankfully, many amazing new saunas have popped up by the fjords around the country. Heat up with beautiful views just a few steps from the fjord. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit!
Autumn also means outstanding opportunities for a good catch. The ocean is brimming with cod, pollock and halibut, while salmon and trout are waiting for you in one of the many lakes. All you need is patience and a little knowledge of where to go. Operators from the south to the north are ready to welcome you to the fishing experience of a lifetime.
Northern lights and whale safaris
Despite what you might think, winter is not the only time of year to see the northern lights. The intensity of the natural light show overhead is enough to leave anyone speechless. Up north, autumn is also ideal for spotting whales, including humpback whales and orcas. Vesterålen, Senja, Alta, and Tromsø in Northern Norway are superb destinations in which to experience this.
Wake up in nature
Get closer to nature by staying in unique accommodation. A stormy night is hard to forget, especially if you experience it in a lighthouse or a fisherman’s cabin right by the edge of the water in Northern Norway. Norway is also home to many treetop cabins where you can wake up to twittering birds and observe the changing seasons up close. If you want more luxury, spoil yourself by staying at a spa hotel.
In autumn, the days get shorter, and the weather grows colder all over the country. September, October, and November are the traditional autumn months in Norway. Summer temperatures can last well into September, and snow can start falling as early as October. The average daily temperature falls between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius, although there are many local variations.
How to dress for autumn
- The weather can change quickly in Norway, especially in the mountains, so bring good footwear and warm clothes no matter what the conditions are like when you set out.
- Dress in layers and be prepared for both sun and rain, and even snow.
- If you’re out seeing the city sights, it's a good idea to bring along an umbrella. Bring a rain jacket along if you are exploring nature, or a swimsuit for some autumn swimming (don’t worry — there are spas and indoor pools too).
- Above all, don’t trust your own eyes – by the time you’ve gotten dressed, the weather may have changed.
In Norway, the chances of seeing the northern lights increase as the nights get longer.
North of the Arctic Circle, the polar night sets in at the beginning of November in the northernmost regions. During the polar night, the sun remains below the horizon for several months.
The northern lights can be seen when the sky is clear and dark. Cold, dry nights from October to March are the best to hunt for the northern lights, so a late autumn or winter trip to the north is recommended for those who want a glimpse of the northern lights.
Well done! Autumn in Norway offers a truly bountiful harvest.
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Correct! The best chance to catch them is in Northern Norway during the polar night.
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Correct! Cod, pollock, halibut, salmon and trout abound, amongst other species. Reel in something delicious (or get close enough to tell the tale about the one that got away!).
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