After a lifetime of winter visits to Norway, and seven years living in what are some of the wintriest places in Norway, I’ve learned a thing or two about winter in Norway. Now, personally I think winter is when Norway is at its best, but it can also be a bit of a tricky season for travel if you’re not properly prepared.
So read through these tips and then go book yourself that winter trip to Norway!
It’s dark
November, December, and January are dark months in all of Norway though, unlike the north, southern Norway does continue to see sun during the winter months.
But don’t let polar night stop you from visiting northern Norway in the winter! We don’t get any sun in Tromsø from the end of November until mid-January, but I actually love this time of year here. It’s incredibly cozy, and the northern lights are extra spectacular. And while the sun doesn’t actually rise, it does approach the horizon, meaning we do get a few hours of beautiful blue light – like an extended twilight – so you will still be able to see the stunning winter landscape here.
It’s good to remember the limited daylight hours when planning out your days, though the darkness can also add to your winter experience in Norway. You’ll see some amazing stars at night in the Norwegian countryside, and in the north longer nights mean more chances of seeing the northern lights!
It’s not actually that cold
Thank you, Gulf Stream.
Or maybe no thank you, as I’ve actually seen a lot of visitors disappointed at the lack of snow and frost when they’ve visited Norway in the winter.
If you want to see snow and experience some really cold temperatures, you’re best off heading inland and/or up into the mountains. And that even applies to northern Norway – Tromsø’s winter temperature’s often hover around zero. Last winter we had a huge amount of snow here, but the year before we didn’t have any snow on the ground for all of December!
That said, sometimes even the Norwegian coast can get really cold, and you want to be prepared so bring appropriate winter clothing. I’ve even written an entire post for you on what to pack for winter in Norway.
It’s cheaper
Winter is off season in many places in southern Norway (not northern Norway), so it can be much cheaper! In fact, after record numbers of tourists last summer, the fjord region has been talking about seriously jacking up their summer prices to keep the crowds down. So if you’re on a budget winter is a much better time to visit!
Read also: 7 Ways Norway Isn’t as Expensive as You Think
A lot of roads might be closed
This is an annoying thing about planning road trips in Norway in the winter – just because you see a road on a map doesn’t mean you can drive it. I can’t seem to find information online about closed roads in English (anyone else know?), but they list the closed roads here and you can use Google translate.
Your best bet is probably to just ask locals about any routes you’re thinking of driving.
Also, on the flip side, I’ve found that sometimes Google Maps will route me away from roads in the summer just because they were closed in the winter. These tend to be Norway’s prettiest roads too, so don’t rely solely on Google Maps!
You can’t see the northern lights everywhere in Norway
If your hearts are set on seeing the Northern Lights you’re going to have to head north of the Arctic Circle. I would at least go as far north as Bodø, but Tromsø would be an even better bet.
I mean, sometimes we do get glimpses of the Aurora in southern Norway, but sometimes the UK gets glimpses too – it’s not the norm. If you want any real chance of seeing the Northern Lights then hop on a flight to Tromsø! Read my guide to winter in Tromsø here.
Northern Lights Guide!
If you do want to see the Northern Lights, I’ve written an in depth ebook covering all aspects of planning a Northern Lights trip, including the best places in the Nordics to see the Northern Lights, the best time to see the Northern Lights, my top accommodation choices, tour options, how to chase the Northern Lights (including which apps I use), how to photograph and film the Northern Lights, what to pack for your trip, and other exciting Arctic activities to try on your trip up North.
If you want to ensure you have the best Northern Lights trip possible, you can purchase the ebook here.
Book your activities and accommodation early
A lot of people think of summer as peak season, but that’s not actually the case in many places in Norway, especially in the north.
Here in Tromsø peak season runs from November until the end of March, thanks to the norther lights. And since Tromsø is a fairly small city, often every single hotel room here will be fully booked. It can even be hard getting a dinner reservation sometimes! And the same goes for northern lights tours and other winter activities.
So if you’re visiting Norway in the winter, I would definitely try to book everything as early as possible. You can book your accommodation here, your northern lights tours and winter activities here, and rental car here.
This isn’t the time for camping
If you’re traveling to Norway on a budget try Couchsurfing or Booking.com .
Read also: How to Find Cheap Accommodation in Norway
If you’re traveling with a group of friends in the winter, then I’d highly recommend renting a cabin in the mountains, which is what most Norwegians do. You can usually book these cabins on Booking.com – a lot of them will be called “Hyttegrend.”
Or if you want a bit more luxury you could stay in a mountain hotel, like this one by Gaustatoppen, for a very traditional Norwegian experience.
February and March are the most beautiful months
December can often be hit or miss with snow and is very, very dark, while January is cold.
I’d say February is the best time to visit Norway for a true winter experience, whereas if you want milder weather with still lots of snow (at least in the mountains) then March is a good bet.
Read also: Norway’s Prettiest Winter Landscape
Easter is a huge ski holiday
That’s right, forget egg hunts on grassy lawns and pastel spring dresses, in Norway Easter is all about skiing!
The Easter holidays are a huge deal in Norway and definitely worth experiencing – the mountains are full of people, parties, concerts, and fun activities over Easter – but keep in mind that it can get a little crowded as well.
If you’re going to be in Norway over Easter you’ll want to book your transportation and accommodation way in advance.
Read also: The Longest Easter in the World? It’s in Norway
Everything shuts down over Christmas
One of the things I love about living in Norway is how seriously they take their holiday time here. But that also means that you shouldn’t expect to get anything done during holidays, especially over Christmas! Pretty much everything, including grocery stores and even some public transport, will shut down by 1 pm on December 24, opening again on the 26th or 27th.
So if you’re spending Christmas in Norway this year (yay!) get all your errands done and where you want to be before Christmas Eve and then enjoy a relaxing few days!
A lot of mountain hikes are closed
Guys, can I get serious for a second?
I feel like every week I’m hearing another story about someone visiting Norway and going on a hike in bad weather, or worse yet, a hike that is closed for the winter, and these stories never have happy endings.
And that’s my excuse for responding in all caps whenever someone emails me telling me that they’ll be in Norway in October and have always dreamt of climbing Trolltunga, and when the hike says it’s only open until September, you can still go on your own after that, right?
NOOOO!
Like, sorry for shouting, but you should never, ever, ever ever ever go on hike in Norway that is closed for the season.
A lot of these famous, Insta-popular hikes in Norway are expert-level and out of mobile phone reception. And not only is the weather too icy and the snow too deep for these hikes in the winter, but the days are also far too short.
Cozy days in front of a fireplace in a Norwegian cabin look good on Instagram too!
Winter tires are a must
When I was younger my family would often fly to Germany before Christmas to visit some friends, and then we’d rent a car a drive up to Norway to see my grandparents.
And every time it was a disaster.
You, see in Germany cars are fitted with year-round tires. The problem is, Germany’s year does not include Norway’s winter.
If you’re planning a winter road trip up into Norway then you’re going to want a car with winter tires, especially if you’ll be heading up into the mountains. In the winter the roads here are covered with a permanent layer of snow and ice and everyone drives around not only on winter tires, but studded winter tires. This is the law in Norway, so any car you rent in Norway will have winter tires.
And while we’re on the subject of cars, if you will be driving here in the winter it’s good to keep water, a warm blanket, and snacks in the car just in case you get stuck somewhere. I also always have a wool blanket and shovel for those times my car gets stuck in the snow (if you put the blanket right at the front of the tires they won’t spin in the snow).
Read also: How to Travel Norway on a Budget: Transportation
Norway travelers! Do you have anything to add?
Rachel says
It really surprises me how different the climate and temperature is when we hop over to Narvik from Abisko for the day. We’ve done it a few times now and we’ve gone from deep snow to mild, rainy weather. It’s like ‘hello Gulf Stream!’
Silvia says
Yeah that’s so crazy – it’s so far north!
Elena says
Hi, I have been to Iceland in Feb and I love it!I am planning to go to Norway in winter..I would like to go further North like Tromso to see the Northern lights but also to see the landscapes and snow during the day.
What’s the best month? Jan or Feb?
Which places would you recommend?
Silvia says
If you want to see the landscapes I would visit in February, when the sun has returned. You can find my recommendations for places to visit near Tromsø at the bottom of this post: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/things-to-do-in-tromso/
ANANTH says
Elena, This is ANANTH from Pune, India. The Feb is a better month to go to Norway, particularly, Tromso to see the northern lights. I will be travelling to Tromso on 23rd Feb 2023 from Mumbai, India via Helsinki. I will be there for a week or so. Tromso is the best bet to see the spectacle of northern lights.
Corinne says
I’m heading to Norway for the weekend, and I just want it to be clear and pretty! I’m layering up!
Silvia says
Oh how exciting! It looks like you’ll have a good chance of nice weather 🙂
Zen says
Winter in Norway/Scandinavia: use the opportunity to ice-skate on natural ice! (Do ask a local for advice on where it it safe though…) It does not freeze all that much in the rest of Europe any more sadly.
Silvia says
Oh true, you can even drive on the ice in some places if you want!
Van says
It’s so funny that the fjords are almost entirely visited in summer while everyone is headed to Tromso in winter. Summer here is totally off season and most tourists we get during that time arrive by cruise ship and only stay for a day so all the hotels are empty. Not that I would recommend a visit during summer anyway – I think the Arctic is at its best in winter but I guess, the opposite goes for the fjords 😀
Silvia says
Oooh really, I didn’t know that! I’ve only been to Tromso in the summer, but that was when I was like seven, haha. We’re thinking of going in June this year though! But you’re right, I need to make it up there in the winter too.
Van says
Sounds great! Let me know if you’re going and want to meet up 😉
Silvia says
Yesss I definitely will!
Puddin says
Actually I am planning to hike Norway next year, so I would like to subscribe your blog as well.
Kate - Travel for Difference says
Norway is SO high on my list. Thank you so much for the wonderful tips. I’ll be sure to look back on this post when I visit X
Silvia says
Oh wonderful, I hope you like it as much as I do!
Sophie Nadeau says
I swear I never had any real urge to visit Norway before I began to read your blog. Now I really want to visit; it sounds so fascinating! Also interesting to know that it doesn’t get too cold in the Winter; I was kind of picturing -40 haha!
Silvia says
Haha no, the coldest I’ve ever experienced here – high up in the mountains – was -25. Russia on the other hand…
Odd Andreas says
On Finnmarksvidda the winther can be really cold. About Finnmarksvidda in Wikipedia, section “Climate” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnmarksvidda
Mariette van der Nest says
Hi, this has really helped me a lot!! Thank you. We are from South Africa and are planning to go to Norway January 2018. Starting in Oslo, Bergen, Tromso, Kirkeness, could you give advice about the availability of domestic flights? Should we book ahead of time? We plan to be there about 12 days – weather wise, what are the chances seeing the northern lights?
Silvia says
Hmm you will have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights insofar as it will be really dark in January, but the weather is really unpredictable, especially on the coast, so it may be too rainy/snowy. Hopefully you will have good luck, just be aware that it’s not guaranteed. I would also book your flights ahead of time as they’ll be cheaper. It sounds like you’ll have an amazing trip!
Stuti says
Hey. Thanks a lot for all the tips. We are planning a trip towards late November and Tromso is definitely on the list, mostly due to the northern lights. What are the chances of us experiencing snow and northern lights towards the last few days of November and would you suggest a better time to visit?
Silvia says
You should have a very good chance of seeing the Northern Lights in late November, but less of a chance to see snow, unless you go up to the mountains. I believe there’s more snow in January and February there, though often down on the coast won’t have much snow.
Holly Skinner says
Hi Sylvia, me and a friend will be in Norway during end of November too! So interesting you say there won’t be much snow in November? We will be renting a car in Oslo and want to slowly make our way to Trondheim to see the Northern Lights! Do you think there will be a lot of closed roads or will we be able to make it up? We’ll definitely be taking a stop in Bergen so that’s our starting point to go further north.
Thank you so much for all of your posts on Norway, they are so helpful!!
Silvia says
If you’re driving from Bergen up north you will have to avoid any mountain roads that close during the winter (only the really high mountain roads), but if you stick to the main route you should be totally fine. But Trondheim isn’t actually north enough to see the northern lights – it’s actually quite rare to see the northern lights from Trondheim. You’ll want to go at least up to Bodø (another 10 hours from Trondheim) to get a chance to see them.
Hope you have an amazing trip!
MADDALENA says
Hi Sylvia!
We are 2 couples under 25 and we’re planning a short trip to Norway in late February. We have only 5 days to visit it. We come from Milan, Italy, and we are sick of urban landscapes, so we want to visit mostly natural and typical places. We are thinking about Tromso (hoping to see Northern Lights). How long do you think we shoud stay there, considering the few days we have?
Which other places do you suggest us to visit? and using what kind of transport? do you suggest us to rent a car o traveling by bus/ train? (obviously if we decide to visit Tromso we’ll reach it by plane).
Sorry for my bad english and for all those questions!
I really appreciated your advices and I hope you answer me soon!
John says
Hi Sylvia:
My name is John and I am from Canada. Anyway in November I will be traveling to Iceland, Tromso Norway and then backtracking to Alaska. Leaving on the 14th for Iceland and winding up in Tromso on the 22nd till the 28th. What are the chances of a bit of snow and seeing the northern lights?
Thanking you in advance.
John
Samuel Franklin says
Hi Silvia. Thanks for the blog. I knew Norway is dark in winter, but Christmas time is my favourite season for travelling. Last Christmas I spent in Denmark and it was fabulous. The next year I’m planning to visit Norway, again in December. I’m gonna stay there for a month or even longer. So I’ll probably use Couchsurfing. Hope I won’t develop any sort of depression after being in darkness for a while… just kidding 🙂 What city would you advise for the best Christmas atmosphere? Should it be Oslo, or elsewhere?
sue shellard says
Thinking of booking a cruise to go in search of Norther lights as a surprise for my hubby’s birthday in 2019, as I know its on his bucket list. Have been looking at moon phases as I was told it is more likely to experience the lights if it is NOT a full moon. Really want to go in November, and was thinking early November as the days are still slightly longer than at the end of the month. What is the chances of seeing them in early November?
Silvia says
Early November is a really good time to go, you’ll just have to hope for good weather as there can be storms that time of year. But I agree that’s it’s good to go when the days are slightly longer. And I’ve still seen Northern Lights when the moon was bright, so it really just depends on your luck and how strong the lights are.
Gemma says
Hi Silvia, loving your posts. My boyfriend and I want to visit Norway for a week mid-October. We want to head as far north as Tromsø and are looking at different travel options. We love the idea of self drive but are concerned with weather/road conditions. What do you think?
Yuyu says
Hi Silvia thanks for your information is helpful. We plan to visit Norway end of November and we plan to drive from lofoten to tromso. I’m wondering that weather is fine to drive for this long journey?.
Appreciate if you give some advice
Amal Ibrahim says
Thanks for sharing all this info. I hope to visit Norway someday as it has been on my list of travel destinations for some time now. I especially enjoyed reading about winter in your post. It’s so helpful.
Zeca says
Hi Silvia,
I am thinking about making Norway my next destination, so I’m bookmarking your blog 😉 Thanks for all the tips!
The itinerary is still on the rough side, but I’ll probably do a 2 week trip in March, driving through the southwest and the fjordlands for the first week or so, and then taking a flight up to the arctic circle for 4 or 5 days to catch the Northern Lights and maybe Lofoten.
From your experience, what’s March like for driving in Norway in general, and in the southwest in particular? I have zero experience in driving in the snow, so I’m a bit worried that Norway might come at me too strong. I mean, I’m used to wet, tough roads, but a permanent layer of ice on the pavement isn’t something that we see every day in Portugal.
Thanks again! Cheers,
Pedro Ratto says
Hi Silvia, nice blog !!! Congrats…
I’m actually living in Copenhagen and pretend to visit Norway in the end of Feb and beginning of march. We are all around 33 years old and we are wondering to spend around 4 days, from Friday to Monday. What do you suggest for a couple and one friend, I really would love to visit the Fjords.
Thanks
Best
Pedro
Jess says
Your blog is a dream when planning a trip to Norway (although my list of things I want to do is getting very long!)
If I plan to come late March/ early April how many hours of daylight should I plan on having?
Silvia says
Glad to hear that! Daylight depends on where you’ll be, but you can just Google the place name + sunrise/sunset and the date and Google will tell you 🙂
Jessica says
Hi! Thanks for all of the tips! I am looking to plan a trip the last week of November and Lofoten is a must for us. I am wondering if you can give me any insight during this time of the year – weather, if you are able to hike, how much daylight do you get, northern lights possibilities.. sorry for all of the questions I am just concerned if it is a good idea scenic wise to go during this week. Any answers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Elisa Frag says
Well i would love to visit Norway in winters but some of my friends told me that hoteling in Norway is little bit costly is it right?
Maria says
Hi there, We’re heading for Norway 3rd – 7th January. We’ll be Travelling from Copenhagen and ultimately need to fly out of Oslo on 7th. Is it worth aiming for Tromso to see northern lights and maybe do dog sledding and then just fly down to Oslo? Or is this not the best time of year? Appreciate any suggestions. Last year we were in Bergen in summer and travelled up to Lom, which was amazing. Thanks, Maria
Silvia says
Yeah I definitely think the North is best in the winter. I would fly straight to Tromsø and back, and totally skip Oslo, aside from your flight out.
Ankita says
Hi.
Your blog is very informative and amazing! I was planning a trip from
5th nov 2019 for ten days. Do you think it would be a good idea? What can I expect?
Joan says
Hi Silvia,
Loved your post! My (new) husband and I are considering going to Norway for our honey moon from roughly March 27 – April 8. We would love to catch some Winter up north..stay in log cabins, but also get some outdoorsy hikes in further south around the fjords. Is this an option do you think?
Thanks,
Joan
Drumradio2.com says
I think I d better brush up on my Norwegian knowledge before I go, I m embarrassed to say I know very little about the country so thank you for saving me from some awful faux Pas!! I ve spent a lot of time in Latin America too, and I forget that other cultures need more space!
Pierre says
Hello
My daughter currently in Norway up to December. The only period we can visit her will be during Christmas time. Can you tell me if it does worth to go in December as it will be dark all time. Is with the moon line we can see the landscape? Or the only activity will be to see the northern lights
Silvia says
Yes, even during polar night in northern Norway we still get a few hours of daylight (except Svalbard) so you can still see a lot.
Renata Lazzatoni says
I rally wanted to see killer whales but I only hve holidays on 20 december, is it too dare to go to Tromso to see killer whales and Northern Lights?
Northerner says
Hello
January is cold. But is it worth going in January? We can’t go in February or March unfortunately
Silvia says
Yes, I personally love January! Just bring warm clothing.
Philip says
Hello
I am planning on going to Norway in November and would like more information about it
Does it snow a lot around this time? Also, if I want to see the northern lights in tromso, where can I see them?
Is there any public transportation there?
Silvia says
You can read my guide to Tromsø in winter here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/tromso-in-winter-things-to-do/