Visiting Norway in January
Mesmerising Northern Lights, snow-draped scenery and unforgettable Arctic experiences, this is Norway in January, the heart of winter.
January in Norway is quietly magical. Snow blankets the landscape, daylight hours are short, and life moves at a slower pace. It’s a great time to visit if you want to reset and relax while still appreciating the great outdoors. Plus, fewer tourists mean quieter journeys, especially north of the Arctic Circle.
Weather in Norway in January
Norway’s weather in January is cold but rewarding. Low temperatures and short daylight hours go hand in hand with beautiful snowy landscapes and the Northern Lights. Simply layer up in warm clothing and enjoy everything this time of year has to offer.
Southern Norway
As expected in the middle of winter, January temperatures in southern Norway are often below freezing, while coastal areas tend to be milder thanks to the Gulf Stream. Daylight hours are short – Oslo gets around 6-8 hours of light each day, but expect beautiful sunsets where purple and pink streaks paint the sky.
Central Norway
In the fjords and around Trondheim, January is typically the coldest month of the year. Temperatures often sit below freezing, with crisp winter days and short periods of daylight. Snow cover is reliable, making it a popular time for skiing, ice skating and other winter activities.
Northern Norway
This time of year brings the Polar Night to the Arctic Circle – when the sun stays below the horizon throughout the day. It starts to rise again mid-month in cities like Tromsø and Kirkenes. The soft twilight provides unique lighting for photography while long evenings offer fantastic opportunities for seeing the Northern Lights.
Why visit Norway in January?
See Norway at its most elemental. Wintry weather and dark skies define the experience, creating ideal conditions for experiencing the wild landscapes of Norway.
Northern Lights season at its peak
January is one of the best months for Northern Lights viewing in Norway. Long, dark nights and low light pollution out at sea create ideal conditions, particularly in Northern Norway and along the coast north of the Arctic Circle.
When you sail with us, we share aurora alerts on board when conditions look promising. This means you can stay cosy in your cabin and step outside only when the lights appear.
A true winter landscape
The scenery is transformed at this time of year. Snow settles across mountains, forests and coastal towns, creating a clean, quiet landscape shaped by ice, frost and soft winter light.
This is a time of year when nature feels still and uncluttered. Frosty pine trees, snow-capped peaks and crisp air make Norway in January an all-round sensory experience.
Fewer tourists, quieter journeys
After the festive period, January is one of the quietest months to visit Norway. Popular destinations feel calmer, ports are less busy, and everyday life has a more relaxed feel.
Whether you’re exploring a small Arctic town, sipping coffee in a harbourside café or visiting the sauna, join us as we reset for the year ahead.
Winter activities in ideal conditions
January offers some of the most reliable conditions for winter fun. Deep snow and consistent cold temperatures make it an excellent time for dog sledding, snowmobiling and skiing.
Many of our shore excursions are designed specifically for the winter months, with guides, equipment and routes adapted to snow-covered landscapes and Arctic conditions.
Polar Night in the Arctic
North of the Arctic Circle, January falls within the Polar Night. While the sun stays below the horizon, snow dusts the landscape around the North Cape, Tromsø and Kirkenes, creating an ethereal blue light unique to the polar regions.
Time your visit to Norway with the 21 January and you’ll experience Soldagen (sun day), when locals mark the return of the sun by gathering to eat sweet solboller (sun buns) and drink hot chocolate – a small but meaningful celebration of light returning to the Arctic.
Where to go in Norway in January
All of Norway looks beautiful in the winter light, but some destinations are particularly well-placed to make the most of the season.
Tromsø
In mid-winter, this Arctic city is fully immersed in the Polar Night, making Tromsø one of Norway’s best destinations to see the Northern Lights in January. Our ship decks provide optimum viewing platforms for chasing the Aurora Borealis. There’s little light pollution out at sea and the ship is always moving, meaning more opportunity for clear skies. Enjoy prime skygazing on the North Cape Line, with sailings to Tromsø in January.
This is also a time for festivals and cultural events, including the Tromsø International Film Festival and the Polar Night Marathon, where runners from around the world race under dark skies.
Alta
Known as the ‘City of the Northern Lights’, Alta makes a great base for Arctic experiences. Closer to the North Pole than it is to central Europe, the city's minimal light pollution and its position beneath the Auroral Oval mean that Northern Lights sightings in Alta in January are common.
We call at Alta for several hours on the North Cape Line itinerary, giving you plenty of time to join an optional excursion to the Northern Lights Cathedral, its spiral form echoing the movement of the aurora, and the Sorrisniva Ice Hotel. The frozen structure is rebuilt each winter from river ice and snow.
Kirkenes
In Norway’s far northeast, Kirkenes offers a glimpse of life at the Arctic frontier. This outpost town is a vibrant mix of different cultures, languages and cuisines. It’s also the place to sample some of the world’s finest king crab.
We sail to the edge of Norway on The Coastal Express. Join an excursion to the Snowhotel 365, where you can see intricate ice sculptures by artists from around the world, meet the hotel’s resident reindeer and go husky sledding through the Arctic wilderness.
Oslo
Oslo eases you into Norway in January. Snow settles across the parks and forested hills, but the city offers respite, with museums, galleries, cafés and saunas providing warmth from the short winter days.
Our cosmopolitan capital is also the starting point for our North Cape Line itinerary, making it a natural place to begin your journey north. Be sure to spend some time here before boarding and explore Norway’s cultural heart at an unhurried pace.
What to do in Norway in January
Whale watching in Tromsø
Tromsø is one of Norway’s most popular destinations for whale watching in January, when large groups of orcas and humpback whales follow migrating herring into the fjords and the nearby fishing village of Skjervøy. Daily boat tours can take you closer to the action.
Skiing at Norway’s ski resorts
Reliable snow and cold temperatures make January one of the best times of year for skiing in Norway. From well-known ski resorts to local cross-country trails, winter sports are part of everyday life here.
Winter activities in Arctic landscapes
January is the perfect time for classic winter pursuits such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. While sailing with us, you can choose from a diverse range of winter shore excursions. Try dog sledding or experience the magic of the aurora while gliding on a snowmobile.
Sauna and cold-water plunges
Saunas are part of daily life in Norway, even in mid-winter. Warming up in the heat before dipping into icy water is both bracing and restorative. Join Norwegians at a communal sauna or book a private session all to yourself.
A taste of Norway in January
January in Norway is all about kos – a feeling of warmth, comfort and togetherness. Food plays a big part in that, with simple pleasures enjoyed slowly, often in cosy cafés while snow falls outside.
Bakeries fill with the smell of freshly baked treats, including the much-loved kanelboller (cinnamon buns) found across Scandinavia, or the more traditional skoleboller (school buns), a custard-filled bun topped with icing and coconut. Hearty winter dishes also feature, from warming soups and stews to preserved fish and root vegetables. This is food designed to nourish you during the some of the coldest weeks of the year.
What to pack for Norway’s weather in January
Warm, layered clothing is essential. Pack waterproof outerwear, an insulated jacket and thermal base layers. And if you misjudge the cold, our onboard shops sell woolly jumpers made in Norway. You’ll also need winter boots with good grip (or buy clip-on ice grips) and accessories like gloves and a hat.
Proper clothing makes all the difference. Every Norway itinerary includes time outdoors – as it should to make the most of our home’s incredible scenery.
Explore Norway in January with Hurtigruten
Yes, especially if you enjoy winter landscapes and quieter destinations. January is also one of the best months to see the Northern Lights.
Warm clothing is a must. Think practical layers, an insulated coat or jacket and a hat, gloves and a scarf or face buff, to protect from the wind. Sturdy footwear with good grip is essential too.
Absolutely. This is prime Northern Lights viewing season, especially north of the Arctic Circle.
Yes! We sail into some fjords on our winter voyages, such as the North Cape Line. Expect snowcapped peaks and frozen waterfalls, with more sheltered waters than out at sea.
No. While temperatures can often dip below freezing, Oslo is not as cold as destinations further north. Simply wrap up warm and make the most of our capital city’s museums, art galleries and cosy cafés.