Holidays to Norway

Vikings originally hailed from Scandinavia, including Norway, from 800-1100 AD. They were seafaring explorers who gained a fearsome reputation. Vikings left their mark, which is still evident today. 

Norway’s culture is deeply connected to its awe-inspiring landscapes, and visitors will see unique natural wonders. The Vikings, folklore and Norse mythology are all part of Norway’s rich arts and literary culture. The country is also known for Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ painting and Henrik Ibsen’s plays. Norwegians are renowned for their warm hospitality and actively practise ‘hygge’, a concept that emphasises cosiness and enjoying simple pleasures.  

Norway is a long country so has a varied weather system, from a temperate southern coast up to the Arctic north. Along coastal areas, Norway enjoys relatively mild temperatures thanks to the Gulf Stream. Summers see temperatures of around 15–25°C (59–77°F), but they drop in winter to 0–5°C (32–41°F), which is still mild for the season. 

However, as you travel inland and further north, the climate cools significantly and you’ll see greater temperature changes between the seasons. If you're brave enough to travel in the Arctic North, winter temperatures will drop well below freezing and even in summer won’t go above 10°C (50°F). This region also experiences the midnight sun during the summer and polar nights in the winter. 

If you’re looking for outdoor activities like hiking, biking and cruising the fjords, then summer is a great time to go. If you want to avoid the tourist crowds of peak summer travel, you can still enjoy the same activities in spring and autumn, but beware of changeable weather. If you want a winter sports holiday the best time to go is winter. 

If you want to see the Northern Lights, visit between September and April to maximise your chances of seeing them.