Norway

• Aurland
• Jotunheimen National Park
• Svalbard
• The Lofoten Islands
•  Geiranger
•  Flam
• Northern Lights

 Low Season – October–April

Temperatures this time can be very cold, in January it hovers around 2 degrees. In winter, much of Norway is transformed into a snow-clad paradise from November to April. However, many attractions are closed. Accommodation prices are high, except on weekends. March is considered high season in Svalbard. The glorious colours of autumn are at their best in October.

 Shoulder (May–mid-Jun & mid-Aug–Sep)

These months are a good time to travel, with generally mild, clear weather and fewer crowds. Accommodation prices can be high, except on weekends. You should book accommodation well in advance for festivals. From May to mid-June, the scenery in Norway is at its most spectacular, with fruit trees in blossom, snow in the mountains, and meltwater swelling the waterfalls. Between late September and late March, it is dark between 6pm and 1am. This is your best chance of spotting the lights!

 High Season (mid-Jun–mid-Aug)

In high season, accommodation and transport are often booked out in advance. Accommodation prices are at their lowest (except in Lofoten). The weather can be unpredictable, it can be warm and sunny or cool and rainy. In summer, temperatures average around 18°C. The most popular tourist places can be busy, but finding peace and quiet, if you wish, is easy.   In the summer, the sun never fully sets in northern Norway; and even in the south, the sun may set around 11pm and rise at 3am.

Travelling in Scandinavia in the summer is a delight, comfortable temperatures, super long light–filled days, food festivals and music everywhere and all Scandinavians seem so incredibly pleasant, all the time! Spoilt as we Kiwis are with dramatic scenery, Scandinavia still has the power to take your breath away with soaring mountains, deeps fjords and thick, forested hillsides at every turn. But if the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is on your bucket list you have to be thinking about heading up to the edge of the Arctic Circle between Oct – Mar when the temperatures are not so balmy! But as the locals say, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’ so wrap up warm and get yourself there. This extraordinary phenomenon is well worth the trip but should certainly not be the raison d’etre for your visit as they are notoriously unpredictable.   This entrancing show of light is caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen – a true example of science making magic. I loved it.
-Kate

Currency Kroner

Language Norwegian

Why we love it Norway is just like Australia! So many amazing outdoor activities just waiting to be had! Whether you’re here in summer or winter the possibilities are endless! Enjoy world-class hiking, cycling and white-water rafting in summer; dog-sledding, skiing and snowmobiling in winter. In winter for a once in a lifetime experience you can see the spectacle of the northern lights, these activities are an exhilarating means of getting close to nature.

Weather Norway is best visited from May to mid-June and mid-August – September. There is generally mild, clear weather and fewer crowds. Accommodation prices can be high, except on weekends.

Festivals and events Festivals of food, music and films are vital to the Norwegian culture scene. During the summer months, when there is a myriad of music festivals in Norway covering both popular genres and niches such as jazz, blues and contemporary experimental music. The two largest festivals in Oslo are Norwegian Wood and The Øya festival. The former focuses on quality artists from the golden age of rock and pop, with headliners such as Neil Young, Mark Knopfler and Patti Smith.

Health* There are currently no health requirements to enter Norway.