Module 18:
Summer in Norway

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.

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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 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.

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.