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Hiking, climbing, cycling, running (or just relaxing on the beach)
From south to north, you can embark on everything from easy urban strolls to challenging climbs and via ferratas. Summer is peak season for numerous outdoor activities. Hike up to stunning views in Tromsø, Bergen, and Ålesund and stroll by the fjord as the sun sets in Oslo. Go fishing or swimming in lakes and fjords, and mountain biking on Rallarvegen near the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Conquer stunning peaks in Lofoten and relax on the beach in Southern Norway. Keep fit and push yourself by lacing up for Tromsø’s unforgettable Midnight Sun Marathon.
Festivals and events
From jazz to rock, and food to arts and crafts — there is a lot happening in summer. Experience live music at open-air concerts and sample delicious and sustainable local food and drink. Don’t miss Palmesus, Scandinavia’s biggest beach party featuring top international and Norwegian artists, in Kristiansand.
Dive into summer
If winter is the time to head for the slopes and heat up by a fireplace in your cabin, summer is all about enjoying the water. Southern Norway is famous for its beaches and archipelagos, but you will also find some amazing beaches in Trøndelag, Jæren, Fjord Norway, and Northern Norway. With one of the longest coastlines in the world, you have tons of options to choose from. Why not try snorkelling or scuba diving?
Bring the kids to an amusement park or a water park, such as Bø Sommerland. Don’t worry if it’s raining – there are plenty of indoor aquatic centres and resort hotels with pools and slides where you can spend a few hours on a rainy day!
Discover top attractions
The National Museum in Oslo is the biggest art museum in the Nordic countries. Discover a vast collection of the finest art, architecture, and design in Norway. Experience Norway from the road on a National Scenic Route with stops featuring cutting-edge and sustainable architecture. Sample delicious eats in Trøndelag, the European Region of Gastronomy 2022, and exciting WWII history at the heavy water basement in Rjukan.
Roam where you want to
The Norwegian right to roam gives you free access to nature, whether you are on the coast or in the mountains. Head out camping (or glamping) or stay in a treetop cabin and wake up to the sound of twittering birds. With everything from lighthouses and fishermen’s cabins to luxurious, traditional hotels throughout the country, Norway has plenty of accommodation options that will make for a memorable holiday no matter where you end up staying the night.
Quintessentially Norwegian experiences
The locals celebrate Midsummer Eve, or Sankthansaften (Saint John’s Eve), on 23 June. Outdoor parties with bonfires take place all over Norway, especially along the coast or up in the mountains. And the Norwegians take their bonfires seriously – in 2016, residents in Ålesund built the world’s largest open-air fire.
A taste of summer
A typical summer dish is made of freshly caught fish, for example mackerel served with sour cream, new potatoes, and cucumber salad. Peeling and eating prawns purchased straight from the boat, enjoyed right at the dock or served with white bread, mayonnaise, and white wine is another favourite. Hike through the woods and pick your own blueberries, or visit a farm and pick strawberries or morello cherries. To sample local flavours with a little more luxury, book a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant or visit Under, the world’s largest underwater restaurant.
Summer temperatures can reach 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, and there is hardly any humidity in the air. Even the nights are often warm, and water temperatures in the sea and in the many inland and forest lakes usually reach 18 degrees or higher, making swimming a popular pastime.
Local variations
- The warmest and most stable weather usually occurs on the eastern side of the southern mountains including the south coast between Mandal and Oslo.
- You will find the highest temperatures inland, and especially Setesdal is famous for its high temperatures. Along the coast, a cool sea breeze will often refresh you.
- In Fjord Norway, a lovely sunny day can be followed by a day of rain and fog, but here, you can experience both winter and summer in one day – go summer skiing or glacier hiking in the morning, take a swim in a fjord in the afternoon.
- In Northern Norway, you can see the midnight sun from the middle of May to the end of July. Just remember that the temperatures in the north are usually a bit lower than in the rest of the country.
How to dress for summer
- Norwegian summer weather may be relatively stable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t surprise you. If you go hiking in the mountains or are out at sea, be prepared for everything and make sure you bring waterproof and windproof clothing, as well as a layer of wool.
- Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen! With so many hours of daylight, it’s easy to get a sunburn.
- Pack a swimsuit and enjoy a dip in the fjord or a mountain lake.
From late June to early August, it never gets completely dark anywhere in the country. But if you want to experience the midnight sun, you have to travel to Northern Norway. The further north you go, the more nights of midnight sun you get. There are plenty of cool things to do with the extra hours – go kayaking, hiking, or fishing in the middle of the night, or visit one of the top places to experience the phenomenon in all its glory.
Well done! The weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. Be prepared!
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Correct! You can ski on glaciers in the summer, such as at the Folgefonna Glacier.
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Correct! Norwegians love fresh seafood in the summer! Pumpkins are for Halloween.
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