Fall in Norway
Fall is Norway at its most surprising – quieter, wilder, and more vivid.
Fall 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.
Why visit Norway in fall?
Fall is a wonderful time of year to visit Norway. Here are a few reasons why.
A different color palette
Norway in September and October is full of color. As the leaves change, the scenery along the coastline, fjords and mountainsides burst into vibrant golds and ambers. It’s breathtaking.
Embrace a slower pace
The summer visitors have headed back home. Now is the time to explore all that Norway has to offer at your own speed. It’s a relaxing time, where temperatures are comfortable enough for hiking copper-hued hilltops, but cool enough to get cozy in warm cafés.
Cultural highlights
It’s an ideal time to explore Norway’s cities. Cultural experiences are plentiful. Enjoy museums and art galleries with fewer tourists. And take your pick from a diverse choice of local art, film and foodie festivals that take place at this time of year.
Comfort food
In Norwegian, the word høst means autumn – and harvest. It’s when nature’s pantry overflows. Freshly picked fruit and vegetables, lobster and game all arrive in abundance. Dishes become richer and more filling. Slow-cooked lamb is a favorite, along with mushrooms and berries gathered from the forest.
The skies come alive – again
Fall is one of the best times to see the Northern Lights in Norway. The skies gradually darken and by the middle of September, the aurora borealis begins to dance again in full force. And with our Northern Lights Promise, we’re so confident you’ll see them glow that we’ll give you a free voyage if they don’t appear.
Where to go in Norway in fall?
Lofoten Islands
Fall transforms the Lofoten Islands into a photographer's dream. Dramatic peaks catch the golden light differently now. Sea Eagles soar against ochre-colored skies. Surfers take to the waves. You might even spot a whale.
You’ll also find Lofoten’s calendar packed with cultural and food festivals. For adventure seekers, biking along the scenic coastal roads offers an intimate way to experience the natural beauty of these islands.
North Cape
At Europe's edge, fall at Norway’s North Cape arrives as snow dusts the wilderness and the Arctic landscape begins to change.
With longer, darker nights and fewer visitors, the aurora season kicks off. It’s a great time to watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
Hjørundfjord
When it comes to the Norwegian fjords, many people have heard of Geirangerfjord – its dramatic waterfalls and postcard-perfect scenery are famous worldwide.
But in autumn, it’s the quieter Hjørundfjord that steals the show. Surrounded by steep mountains and golden forests, this little-visited fjord feels intimate and untouched.
On our northbound Coastal Express route from Bergen to Kirkenes, we take a special detour into Hjørundfjord in autumn, giving you a chance to see fjord Norway at its most serene.
Trøndelag
Norway's food capital hits its stride in fall. This is harvest season, where local restaurants celebrate with menus featuring game, root vegetables, and foraged ingredients.
Head to Trondheim and find cozy cafés and pubs with crackling fires. It's the perfect place to taste authentic høst flavors.
(Image copyright: VisitNorway.com)
Bergen
The gateway to the fjords reveals its gentler side during shoulder season. Without the summer crowds, you can wander Bergen’s UNESCO-listed Bryggen at your own pace.
From Bergen, many travelers also take the world-famous Flåm Railway. This scenic train ride is especially stunning in fall, passing waterfalls, mountains and valleys painted in rich golden tones.
Tromsø
This is where you'll experience the magic of the changing seasons in the Arctic – and where the Northern Lights season truly begins.
As darkness returns, Tromsø becomes the perfect base for Northern Lights adventures. The city's vibrant cultural scene also comes alive with several fall festivals.
What to do in Norway in fall?
Fall is the perfect hiking season in Norway. Join one of our shore excursions, including several different coastal hikes and guided walking tours. For those seeking more challenging adventures, a mountain hike offers spectacular views of the changing landscape.
excursions
Art Nouveau Walk (Spring & Fall)
excursions
Hike to Torghatten Mountain
excursions
Mountain Hike in the Hjørundfjord
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Hike with a Visit to a Shieling
A taste of autumn
Fall in Norway is peak harvest time, which means it's top foodie season. On board our ships, we serve a great selection of fresh, locally sourced cuisine.
Seafood such as crab and lobster, meat including lamb and game, dairy products, foraged mushrooms and berries, as well as seasonal vegetables are all delivered directly to the ships.
This significantly reduces food miles and the trade helps local communities. For example, a woman in Finnmark handpicks and personally delivers cloudberries to us. Food experiences don’t get more real than that.
The best of the Norwegian fjords
In fall, we make two sensational detours on our Coastal Express itinerary.
On the northbound route from Bergen to Kirkenes, we head into the Hjørundfjord – one of the most idyllic and beautiful of the Norwegian fjords. While on both the northbound and southbound journeys – if the conditions are favorable – we navigate the narrow passage into the breathtaking Trollfjord.
Sail the Norwegian coast in fall
Experience Norway in its most vivid season with Hurtigruten. Our fall cruises take you the entire length of the Norwegian coast – from Bergen to Kirkenes – with landscapes, culture and wildlife that change with every port.
What to pack for Norway in fall
The coastal climate in Norway in fall is generally mild, but as you sail further north it can get quite cold. In October, temperatures can creep below zero degrees Celsius in the northernmost areas.
Fall can also bring wet and windy conditions, with storms rolling in from the Atlantic. You can expect shorter days and cooler temperatures, so make sure to pack warm base layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, light hiking boots, and a warm hat and gloves.
Planning your fall trip to Norway: FAQs
Yes! You’ll avoid the busier summer season while still enjoying comfortable weather for outdoor activities. The shoulder season might also mean more authentic experiences with locals. Museums and attractions are less crowded, and you'll find cozy cafés perfect for warming up between adventures.
Pack practical layers for unpredictable weather. Waterproof jackets, trousers and sturdy footwear are essential, as are insulating mid-layers that will keep you warm and comfortable.
Definitely. The aurora season begins during autumn as darkness returns after the bright summer nights. Clear, crisp evenings provide ideal viewing conditions, and you'll have the advantage of milder temperatures compared to deep winter.
This is prime time for marine life as orcas migrate along the coast. Seabirds are still active before winter migration, and you might spot seals hauled out on rocky shores. It’s also a great time to spot wild reindeer.
Absolutely. Many consider fall the ideal time to experience the Norwegian fjords. The dramatic landscapes take on new character with fall colors. During this season, we make two fjord visits on our Original voyage, The Coastal Express.
Northbound, we sail to the breathtaking Hjørundfjord, known by locals are our most idyllic fjord. On the southbound leg, providing the conditions are right, we navigate into the narrow but stunning Trollfjord.
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.
Winter (December-February)
Winter is perhaps the most beautiful time to explore Norway's coastline, and is the best season to witness the Northern Lights.
Spring (March-May)
Spring is 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 (June-August)
Summer tells a different story in Norway - one of long, golden days and landscapes bursting with life.