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/ Norway / What to Pack for Summer in Norway

What to Pack for Summer in Norway

April 10, 2021 by Silvia 26 Comments

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I’ve already written up a packing guide for winter in Norway, so now I figured it was time for a summer version of my Norway packing list!

Because while at first I thought packing for winter in Norway was the biggest challenge for visitors, it’s actually quite simple: just pack all the warmest clothes you own. But packing for Norway in summer is a bit more complicated, because you need to be prepared for, well, everything.

Luckily for you, having lived here for over six years now, I know exactly what to pack for Norway in summer. 

If you're planning your Norway summer packing list, here's everything to pack for summer in Norway.

 

Norway Travel Guides! I’ve gathered all my best advice for planning an incredible trip through Southern and Northern Norway in two 95-page ebooks covering my top recommendations for places to visit (both on and off the beaten path), the best times of year to visit, how long to visit for, the best accommodation choices, transportation, what to eat, what to pack, and how to plan the perfect itinerary.

You can purchase the Norway Travel Guides here.

I’d say there are two rules you need to follow when packing for Norway in summer:

1. Pack for every kind of weather

Norwegians aren’t joking when they say you can experience all four seasons in a day here, especially in the summertime. So it’s best to be prepared for all weather.

And don’t think just because you’ll be in Southern Norway it will be warm, or in Northern Norway it will be cold – that’s actually not the case at all.

Some days in Tromsø it will be 72 degrees (22C) while in my previous hometown in the mountains of Southern Norway it’s been 51 degrees (11C). The reason? Higher altitudes and being farther from the warmth of the Gulf Stream often mean lower temperatures.

2. Don’t trust weather forecasts

Okay, so maybe there’s only one rule for packing for Norwegian summer. The weather here is unpredictable, so come prepared!

I don’t just mean come to Norway prepared – come to every day in Norway prepared. Because while a day might start off sunny it will probably be raining in twenty minutes, then it will be sunny again, and then you’ll go on a hike and it will snow and you’ll get back to your hotel realizing you’re totally sunburnt.

Layers

Your Norwegian wardrobe is going to be all about layers. Ideally you want to build up an outfit that will be warm enough for a seriously chilly day, but one that you can also strip down to something appropriate for a hot summer’s day (they do exist in Norway!).

This is especially important if you’ll be hiking up any mountains, as temperatures will drop surprisingly quickly as you make your way up. So while it might be warm and sunny at the start of your hike, still bring enough clothing for a very cold, rainy day, as that might be exactly what you find at the top of the mountain.

Of course it will depend how long you’ll be in Norway for, but I’d bring a couple of tank tops, a few t-shirts, a couple of light cardigans/sweaters, at least one warmer cardigan/sweater (cashmere is my favorite because it’s lightweight, super warm, and doesn’t need to be washed often), and at least one very warm wool sweater from your winter closet.

If you don’t have a 100% wool sweater already, this is a great thing to buy in Norway and keep as a souvenir! Most sports shops have these sweaters, or actually souvenir shops can be a great place to get them as well.

Lightweight waterproofs

Definitely bring a waterproof jacket – the Norwegian winds laugh at umbrellas – and if you’re planning on doing some hiking I’d try to bring waterproof trousers as well. If you can, try to get a raincoat that folds up really small, so you can bring it with you everywhere, just in case.

rain jacket for norway packing list summer

Waterproof hiking boots

I wouldn’t bother bringing rain boots as they weigh a ton and tend not to be super comfortable, but instead I would recommend bringing some comfortable waterproof hiking boots (I have these ones and love them).

They double up quite nicely as rain boots as well, so you won’t have to worry about walking around on very wet days – something Norway has a lot of.

If you don’t want to wear your hiking boots all the time, bring some lightweight trainers/shoes as well. Personally I never wear sandals in Norway because it’s just too cold and wet.

best waterproof hiking boots for norway

Leggings/sportswear

A lot of people ask me what to wear in Norway to blend in, and I think the answer might be sportswear. At least up in the mountains it seems like people only every wear leggings and sports clothing – we have to be prepared for an impromptu hike!

Of course it depends on what your itinerary looks like, but if you plan on spending a lot of time out in the nature in Norway then you’ll want something suitable for an active day. And please don’t be one of those tourists who hikes up a mountain in jeans – it never ends well.

Swimsuit!

You might not think it, but thanks to the Gulf Stream the water in Norway can be surprisingly warm.

Okay, “warm” might not be quite the word for it. But it’s definitely possible to swim in the sea and lakes around Norway, and in fact if you meet any Norwegians they will definitely pressure you into going for a dip. Plus, don’t you want to be able to say you’ve gone swimming in a fjord?

Even if the answer is no, a lot of hotels of saunas and jacuzzis, so you’re going to want that swimsuit.

Lake Lian Summer Trondheim Norway

Shorts and sundresses

Yes, Norwegian summer can be quite cold, but it can also be surprisingly hot! So don’t forget some summer clothes. Plus, if you want to fit in with Norwegians, dress like it’s summer even if it feels like late autumn.

culture shock norway

Wool

I mean, I couldn’t write a Norway packing list without including wool!

Try to bring at least one really warm wool sweater (think winter clothing here), and maybe another lightweight one for walks outside. It will keep you warm and dry, and you won’t need to wash it too often. Plus, Norwegians love their wool, so you’ll totally fit in with the locals!

Thermals

And while you’re digging through that box of winter clothing, go ahead and grab some thermal leggings as well – especially if you’re planning on spending time up in the mountains. It can reach freezing temperatures up here even in the middle of summer, and it’s so not fun to spend your summer holiday shivering.

You’ll also appreciate having thermals with you if you’re planning to spend a lot of time on ferries or cruise ships around Norway, as it can get awfully chilly on deck.

The Kari Traa wool leggings and shirts are especially popular here and you’ll often see women wearing them in photos.

Sunscreen and mosquito repellent

All of the worst sunburns in my life happened in Norway, because the air is often too cold to feel your skin burning. So don’t forget sunscreen!

You’ll also definitely be needing some mosquito repellent, and since both sunscreen and mosquito repellent are quite expensive in Norway, I’d recommend bringing some from home. Though if you’re traveling carry-on only don’t worry, you can easily buy both in Norway as well.

Something for motion sickness

Unless you’ll be traveling exclusively by rail or plane, you’ll be encountering some very twisty roads and maybe a few ferry crossings over choppy waters. You can buy motion sickness tablets and Sea-Bands at most Norwegian pharmacies, but again, they’re probably cheaper at home. Personally I get incredibly motion sick and swear by Sea-Bands.

Sleeping mask

You know those cute sleeping masks that glamorous women in movies always seem to sleep in, even though no one does that in real life? Well, here’s your excuse to buy one. It never gets dark in Norway in the summer, which is something that throws a lot of visitors’ sleep schedules off, especially if they’re already suffering from jet lag.

While most hotels and homes in Norway are equipped with blackout shades, sometimes you might find yourself trying to sleep in what, judging from the sky outside, would appear to be the middle of the day. And while tying a shirt around your head can work, a sleep mask is much more comfortable! I sleep with one every day in the summer here.

Sunglasses

I’m including this because for some reason whenever I’m traveling somewhere cool I always forget to bring sunglasses! Don’t be like me.

Hat

No, I’m afraid I’m not talking about one of those super chic Instagram sun hats.

If you’re planning any hikes for your summer trip to Norway, then consider bringing a warm beanie to protect your ears from those chilly winds up in the mountains. You don’t need to go full on winter hat here, but you’ll definitely appreciate having something to keep your ears warm on top of the mountain.

And if it’s not too depressing to add to a summer packing list, you might also want to bring gloves and a scarf. Norwegians love spending as much time as possible outside in the summer, regardless of the weather, and if you want to do as Norwegians do you’ll need to be prepared for some chilly days and evenings outside.

Daypack

Norway is a wonderful country to explore on foot, so bring a daypack with you so you can head off on an adventure. Plus, eating out in Norway is kind of really expensive, so this way you can bring all the food and snacks you’ll need for the day.

packing for summer in norway

Reusable water bottle (and thermos)

Bottled water in Norway is super expensive, and the tap water here is delicious, so be sure to bring a reusable bottle with you. And if you have extra space in your luggage I’d consider bringing a thermos as well, especially if you’ll be going on any long hikes. It’s just so cosy to stop for coffee/tea/hot chocolate up in the mountains – and life in Norway is all about getting cosy.

TRAVEL INSURANCE!!

Guys, always, always get travel insurance! And like, not just the free travel insurance from your credit card, because they pretty much never pay.

If you’re European you can use your European health card in Norway, but to be honest I’d still recommend getting travel insurance because you never know what will happen. Norway’s weather is unpredictable, unexpected things can happen, and let’s face it, Norway is not a cheap country to travel through, so if there’s any time you should buy travel insurance it’s when you’re visiting Norway.

I personally use World Nomads because that’s what I used as a backpacker and I’ve had to file claims twice with them now and they paid me promptly, no additional questions asked. They also helped get me to a hospital in Beijing when I was too overwhelmed/dying to find one on my own, so I am forever grateful to those guys.

You can find a quote on World Nomads here, or pop your travel details into the chart below:

 

Have I missed anything? If you have any other tips for packing for summer in Norway please share in the comments and I’ll add them to the post!

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Comments

  1. Arielle says

    May 10, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    “I love summer in Norway–it’s the best day of the year!” -All my Norwegian friends

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      May 10, 2018 at 11:29 pm

      Seriously though – it was really warm the other day and everyone was super happy until suddenly we were like, wait, is this it? Is summer over now? Haha

      Reply
  2. Tosh Bene says

    May 10, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    This is totally true! Love this list. I can totally relate to the “never brings sunglasses to cool places” point LOL whoops! =)

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      May 10, 2018 at 11:29 pm

      Haha omg glad it’s not just me!

      Reply
  3. Buy Business Class says

    May 11, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    This is quite amazing blog post!

    Reply
  4. Margaret says

    June 4, 2018 at 2:27 pm

    So happy to find this blog about packing! And the one about eating cheap and not missing out on the food experience! We booked a last minute flight to Bergen for NEXT WEEK, and I was like “Wha? I know nothing about Norway except that it’s beautiful and expensive!” So I feel more prepared reading through all your blogs! Hoping our Airbnb hosts will also have great ideas when we get there, but your blog has helped so much with planning!!

    Reply
  5. Margaret says

    June 20, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    OK! Just got back from a week in the Bergen region and your blog was SPOT ON! I didn’t have a great raincoat, but my husband bought me a poncho in a pouch to carry in my daypack, and it saved me on a particularly rainy day, coupled with mist from a huge waterfall! It also protected my pack from getting soaked since it was under the poncho too! So happy I followed your suggestions. We were ready for every kind of weather when we left each morning, and every day ran the gamut from sunny and warm to cool and breezy. But even in the rain, Norway is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been! I’m hoping for a return visit for hiking and huts! Thanks for the great info!

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      June 20, 2018 at 5:48 pm

      Ooh I’m so happy to hear that you had a great time!

      Reply
  6. Nurdan Gokce says

    July 14, 2018 at 9:56 am

    What about the late August like 28 of August-3 rd of September? What should I pack?

    Reply
  7. Dave says

    July 25, 2018 at 5:31 am

    ARe Sauna’s popular in Norway and if so, where do you find them?

    Reply
  8. Jim Black says

    April 4, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    Wish this list was in a better format for printing. We’ll be there in August and are excited to finally get to Norway (if Norwegian AIr will ever accept my reservations!)

    Reply
  9. Caitlin says

    April 6, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Hello! I’m visiting Norway this May. I was thinking of bringing my North Face winter coat (goes down past my tush). Is this to warm for this time of year? I’m very cold-blooded so I figured this was a good idea. But I don’t want to bring it if I won’t use it!

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      April 6, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      It really depends where you’re going and what time in May – in the mountains and parts of Northern Norway there will still be snow at the start of May, so a winter coat will definitely be helpful! I’d say if you have the space for it, bring it, as the weather is unpredictable and it’s better to have it in case, especially if you’re prone to getting cold.

      Reply
  10. Apeil says

    June 2, 2019 at 1:10 pm

    Hi. I’ll be traveling from California, US next week to Bergen, Aurland and Oslo. Your article will be very helpful when packing. Do people dress casual in jeans/blouse or dress up in a dress/slacks for dinner? Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      June 2, 2019 at 3:34 pm

      Norwegians tend to dress quite casually, but if you go to a fancier restaurant you might want to dress up a bit.

      Reply
      • Lori says

        July 18, 2019 at 4:19 pm

        This is off topic but I have been reading your posts on how to avoid the crowds in the Bergen area during summer months (we are arriving mid-August). We are flying into Oslo and out of Bergen with a week in between. Most of the suggested areas to visit are quite a distance from both Oslo and Bergen. Do you have any suggestions for overnight trips closer to either location? I don’t want to spend too much time just driving from one place to another. Thank you for your wonderful posts. Excellent information!

        Reply
  11. Chris says

    January 25, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    Hi Silvia.
    When visiting Norway in June, we wil land at Narvik and stay a couple of days on the Lofoten. We are doing Russia first before Norway, we don’t want to bring to much and to heavy clothing. What would you suggest in regards of clothing, buy some basic clothing in Norway – say ‘n windproof jacket and some thermal underwear and use a light rain poncho, or a soft shell jacket. If buying in Norway, Narvik, is there some shops you can recommend? (Or rather buy in Russia some clothes?

    Also (although this should be rather in a different part of your blog), between Trondheim and Alesund, which can you recommend? (We do want to do the Geiranger fjord trip). Traveling from Alesund to Bergen, the best, quickest and cheapest way – train, ferry or bus?

    Thank you very much

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      January 30, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      Clothes will be cheaper in Russia, but the sports shops in downtown Narvik will also have what you’re looking for. I would recommend Alesund, especially if you’ll already be going to Geiranger fjord. The scenery in that area is much more beautiful than around Trondheim. Quickest transport would of course be your own rental car, otherwise bus. Have fun!

      Reply
      • Chris says

        January 30, 2020 at 8:19 pm

        Thank you for your posts and the reply on my enquiry.
        Keep up the good work.

        Reply
  12. Lin Saberski says

    May 19, 2022 at 11:28 pm

    You mentioned not hiking in jeans. Mine are loose and comfy! Still a problem?
    Lin

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      May 22, 2022 at 2:17 pm

      They’ll be fine if it’s a short, easy hike! But if you’re doing a longer hike I’d wear proper hiking trousers.

      Reply
  13. Kim says

    June 21, 2022 at 1:14 am

    Hi Silvia. My hubby and I leave for a 3 1/2 week stay in Norway in just a few weeks. Your article on what to pack in the summer is very helpful. One question if I may: We only plan to do easy to moderate hikes. Do we absolutely need hiking shoes? Ours are rather heavy. Would athletic shoes with good grip be adequate?
    Thanks very much. Kim from USA

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      June 23, 2022 at 11:54 am

      If you’re doing easy hikes then normal sneakers should be fine! It’s really only the trickier ones that you’ll need ankle support and waterproof boots. Have fun!

      Reply
  14. Heddy Holz says

    June 27, 2022 at 10:43 pm

    Do u have any names of private guides. We are 4 travelers and would be interested in a private guide. We are coming I on a Hollland America cruise on July 17. We would be interested in guides in all the ports. Please contact me.thank you

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    October 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    This list is fantastic! We are planning to fly into Oslo and out of Bergen with a stop in the north next summer. Is there a place that you recommend with an airport? I’m thinking Tromso for the “city vibe” but are there hikes with amazing views in the area? While I know Lofoten is beautiful, I’m a bit nervous the area might be a bit too sleepy for my family.

    Reply
    • Silvia says

      October 26, 2022 at 3:38 pm

      Tromsø has lots of fantastic hikes – the city is surrounded by mountains. And the landscape is very dramatic, so it will feel very different from the south.

      Reply

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Once a full-time nomad, I'm now trying to find a balance between continuing to explore off the beaten path places around the world while also building a home in Norway. Want to know more? Head to my About page!

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