Winter in Norway
Winter in Norway is pure magic. It’s a season of long nights and brilliant lights, stillness and excitement, deep snow and warm hearths.
Along the coast, mountains gather snow, the air sharpens and clouds from your mouth, and lights twinkle along the shoreline. Overhead, the Northern Lights put on an unforgettable show. For many of us, this is the time to visit Norway at its most beautiful.
The winter months are also the peak season for koselig – a kind of everyday warmth, cosiness and belonging. It’s a year-round state of mind, but winter is when it matters most. You’ll notice it in the candlelit cafés, woollen blankets, shared meals and the quiet joy of simply watching snow fall outside while you sit somewhere warm. It’s not just about being cosy. It’s about being present and finding contentment in small, meaningful moments.
Join us on board for a koselig Norway winter cruise, where the warmth of the ship, the crisp calm of the fjords and the good company you’ll find yourself in create the perfect winter scene.
Visiting Norway in winter
Visiting Norway in November
November in Norway signals the true start of winter. Days grow shorter, the mountains turn white and the northern skies are alive with aurora.
Visiting Norway in December
December in Norway brings Northern Lights, snowy scenery and array of winter activities, which are made even more magical by the cosiness of Christmas.
Why visit Norway in winter?
See the Northern Lights
Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights – and a fjord cruise in Norway is one of the best ways to spot them. The long nights and clear skies offer ideal conditions to see the aurora borealis.
Fjords in silence and snow
Wrap up warm, grab a hot drink and stand on deck to watch Norway’s snow-covered mountains and mirror-like fjords glide past. The scenery – and the sense of calm it fills you with – make a Norway winter cruise unforgettable.
Have a winter adventure
Winter is the season to try snowshoeing, dog sledding and snowmobile riding. You can visit reindeer farms and learn about Sámi culture from those who live it. We offer plenty of winter outdoor activities as part of our winter cruises, run by locals who know this land best.
Experience the polar night
Above the Arctic Circle, the sun stays below the horizon – but it’s far from dark. Soft blue light, glowing skies and towns strung with fairy lights create a calm, otherworldly atmosphere you won’t ever forget.
Enjoy the festive atmosphere
December brings a festive mood, with wooden stalls lit with candles and lanterns, markets filled with crafts and spiced treats, and traditions that go back generations.
A quieter kind of travel
Winter in Norway brings a gentler pace and even more moments of serenity. Expect fewer tourists and plenty of time and space to contemplate life and art in the galleries, museums and historic sites that line Norway’s coast.
Surprisingly mild winters
Winter along Norway’s coast is not as cold as you might think. The Gulf Stream keeps coastal Norway milder than expected, and the snow brings its own quiet beauty.
What is Norway's winter weather like?
Winter is a great time to visit Norway. The weather and winter temperatures in Norway varies depending on where you go – it’s all about latitude and altitude.
Along the southern and western coast, which includes Bergen and Ålesund, the Gulf Stream keeps temperatures relatively mild. Expect average highs around 0°C and lows just below freezing. Snow does fall here, but it often comes and goes due to coastal wind and rain.
Further inland and in the Arctic north, temperatures drop. In northern coastal places like Alta, Tromsø, it’s common to see -3°C to -12°C, and occasionally as cold as -20°C or below, especially at higher altitudes.
In Norway, winter snow conditions are generally stable, especially inland and in the mountains. Coastal areas can be more variable – snow followed by rain followed by snow with a glimpse of sunshine within an hour isn’t unusual! – but even the higher ground along the fjords often remains snowy throughout, especially the further north you go.
In winter, the weather along Norway’s coast can shift quickly. Here, conditions are shaped by ocean winds, while inland and Arctic areas tend to be colder and drier. It’s best to dress in layers and prepare for anything, whatever your itinerary has planned.
Daylight hours vary widely. Above the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn’t rise for several weeks during the polar night. Svalbard enters full polar night from mid-November to late January, while on the Norwegian mainland, places like Kirkenes, Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands also experience weeks with no direct sunlight – but the darkness isn’t total. Soft twilight gives the snow-covered landscapes a calm glow.
Further south, daylight hours are short but present. Oslo still sees 5-6 hours of daylight in midwinter, with the sun sitting low on the horizon.
Where to go in Norway in winter
Northern Norway – for outdoor activities
Fjord cruises – for snowy coastal scenery
Embarking on a Norway winter cruise offers a front-row seat to the fjords in their most peaceful season. Snow-covered peaks, frozen waterfalls and still waters create a dramatic but quiet beauty – best enjoyed from the deck of one of our ships with a hot drink in hand.
City breaks – for the culture and festive atmosphere
Lofoten Islands – for rugged winter beauty
The Lofoten Islands are especially striking in winter. Think jagged mountains, tiny fishing villages and soft Arctic light during the polar night. It’s remote, wild and full of contrast - perfect for photography, quiet walks and taking in some of Norway’s most dramatic coastal scenery.
Explore Norway in winter with Hurtigruten
What to do in Norway in winter
Aurora chasing and stargazing
Clear polar skies and long nights are the best conditions for admiring the night skies. Chase the Northern Lights and learn about the stars on a dedicated Astronomy Cruise or Northern Lights tour.
Festive Christmas markets
From early November and throughout December, many of Norway’s towns host charming Christmas markets with twinkling stalls, local crafts, seasonal treats and a heart-warming holiday feel.
(Image copyright: Fredrik Ahlsen - Maverix Media AS)
Skiing in Norway
From cross-country tracks to alpine slopes, winter wouldn’t be winter in Norway without skiing! Glide along cross-country routes or whoosh down slopes in resorts the length of the country.
(Image credit: Ola Matsson – SkiStar/VisitNorway.com)
Winter excursions
Winter brings an exciting array of excursions to our voyages. Go dog sledding across frozen tundra, snowshoeing along forest trails, ride a snowmobile through Arctic terrain, or meet reindeer in the snow.
Toast your trip in an ice hotel
Explore Kirkenes Snowhotel or Alta’s Igloo Hotel, where you can visit ice-carved rooms, admire the craftsmanship and enjoy a drink in the ice bar. You can even spend the night in a snow suite.
Sauna and Arctic plunge
Relax in a hot sauna before plunging into icy Arctic waters – if you’re brave enough. This Nordic ritual is both invigorating, surprisingly relaxing and widely available along the coast in winter.
Whale watching in Tromsø
From January to April, orcas and humpback whales follow herring into Norway’s fjords. Tromsø is a top spot to go whale watching - if you’re lucky, with the Northern Lights overhead.
A taste of winter in Norway
In Norway, winter is a season of comforting, hearty food. You'll find warming dishes like lamb or beef stews, and reindeer with root vegetables, often served with flatbread or lingonberry jam. Along the coast, fresh seafood and creamy fiskesuppe (fish soup) are staples.
In December, traditional Norwegian Christmas meals include ribbe (roast pork belly) and pinnekjøtt (lamb ribs). Bakeries’ shelves heave with kanelboller (cinnamon buns), pepperkaker (gingerbread), and cardamom-spiced treats, best paired with a hot coffee – a year-round staple in Norway – or gløgg (mulled wine with almonds and raisins).
At festive markets, packed with stalls selling handmade crafts and warm snacks, the atmosphere is cosy and cheerful.
What to pack for a winter cruise in Norway
Thanks to the variable weather and short daylight hours, it’s worth packing carefully for your winter cruise. We Norwegians swear by layers: a thermal base, an insulating mid-layer like wool or fleece, and a wind- and waterproof outer layer.
It’s also well worth bringing insulated boots with good grip, a warm hat, gloves, a scarf, a small day bag and waterproof trousers for excursions and shore visits. A head torch is especially useful in the north, where daylight is limited.
On board our ships, the atmosphere – and dress code – is relaxed, so pack comfortable clothes for indoors, and a few warm layers for time on deck. Non-slip shoes are useful for icy quays and occasionally slippery decks – our onboard shops usually sell ice grips, which you can attach to your shoes if needed. If your ship has a sauna or hot tub, don’t forget swimwear.
Keep easy-to-put-on items handy (like a down jacket and slip-on boots) in case of late-night Northern Lights alerts from the crew. For photography, bring extra batteries as they drain quickly in the cold.
Frequently asked questions
Temperatures vary by region. Coastal areas are often around 0°C, while inland and northern areas can range from -5°C to -20°C, especially at higher altitudes and latitudes.
No. With the right clothing and layers, winter is a great time to visit Norway. Coastal areas are milder than you might expect, thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Wear thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer (like wool or fleece) and waterproof coat and trousers. Insulated boots, gloves, a hat and a scarf are essential.
Yes. Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights, especially from October to March in northern Norway, where nights are longest and skies often clear; it’s also covered by our Northern Lights Promise.
Yes. Coastal ports remain open year-round, and Hurtigruten ships sail daily, even in winter. The fjords are usually calmer and quieter, often framed by snow-covered landscapes.
In winter, you may see orcas, humpback whales, reindeer, sea eagles, and Arctic foxes. Whale watching is especially good from January to April along the northern coast.
Norway through the seasons
Whether you want winter’s Northern Lights, spring’s awakening landscapes, or summer’s Midnight Sun, every season brings a new reason to sail the Norwegian coast.
Spring
Welcome to the season that has a special place in the hearts of Norwegians. We even have a word that captures all the goodness that spring brings: vårfølelse, which we translate as 'springfulness'.
Summer
Sunlit peaks and glimmering fjords. The air filled with warmth and the scent of pine. Long daylight hours that blur into dusky evenings. The Norwegian coast comes alive in summer’s glow.
Autumn
Autumn in Norway is a season of contrasts. Golden forests glow against deep blue fjords. Long, quiet nights return, and with them, the Northern Lights. The air is crisp, the pace slower. It’s the perfect time to see Norway in a new light.