14 Places to Visit in Norway in Winter (That Aren't Tromsà¸!)
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Loading... - Gwen Hebert
- 10 Dec 2021
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I get it, Tromsø is awesome. I’ve traveled to Tromsø in winter (and in summer). But, you can have the ‘Tromsø’ experience in other destinations in Norway during winter.
This guide is not to deter anyone from visiting Tromsø in winter! It is just letting you know that other options do exist if you get stuck with price, activities, or flights. And trust me, many of these Norwegian cities, towns, and village ROCK during the winter.
These are the best places to visit in Norway in winter… beyond Tromsø.
Where to Go in Norway During Winter
This list is hand-picked and I’ve chosen some very mainstream and popular places as well as some unconventional places. Some require a bit of effort to get to, and others like Oslo, simply require a flight or train ride in.
We have also listed the area of Norway, the daylight situation (is it completely dark in winter?), as well as unique experiences that will entice you to travel to the Norwegian winter destination.
We also list a few pros and cons of the destination and we give some of the resources on this site that may help you plan your Norway winter trip.
Things to Consider Before Booking a Norway Winter Trip
There are some things to consider before booking a trip to Norway during winter.
· Are you visiting Norway for snow?
· Are you traveling to Norway for adventure?
· On the hunt for the Northern Lights?
· Really… why are you coming?!
When you figure out what is most important to you, personally, for your trip, then you can decide on which destination(s) are the best.
But, one thing we can assure you is that no matter which place you choose on this list- you will absolutely fall in love with Norway.
Norway Daylight in the Winter
Another big thing to consider when planning a trip to Norway is the daylight situation. It is poor in winter. I say that with a laugh because in some places, it virtually doesn’t exist.
However, as you probably guessed, the further south you are, the more daylight you will have. Oslo, for example, will still have like nearly 6 hours of daylight on the winter solstice.
But, if you venture far north to Nordkapp, Hammerfest, or Svalbard, you won’t get any daylight. I was in Lofoten during winter and the sun doesn’t actually ‘rise’, but there are a couple of hours of the day that look like a never-ending sunset.
So, plan accordingly.
On this guide, we have also included an area that details the sunrise and sunset times. We generically picked December 21 as an indicator as that is the winter solstice (the longest day of the year!).
Temperatures in Norway During Winter
The average temperatures in Norway vary during the winter. It depends on what month as well as the location. Generally speaking, the coastal areas are warmer than inland.
For example, Bergen is warmer than Oslo. We will list the average December temperatures for each destination (since holiday travel is the most common).
What to Pack for Winter in Norway
What you should pack really depends on which destination you’ll be visiting on a Norway holiday. Some places, like Bergen, are reminiscent of autumn in Norway instead of a snowy and cold winter.
We recommend you view our packing guide for winter in Norway to get a better idea of what we think you should bring. It is very detailed and gives suggestions for both men and women.
Winter Destinations in Norway
These fourteen places have been hand-selected and I will start with some of the popular destinations first and then move along to lesser-known places. I think they are all fantastic picks for winter travels in Norway… but for very different reasons!
Oslo
Average Temperatures (December): High: 1C/34F Low: -4C/25F
Sunrise and Sunset on December 21: 9:18am and 3:12pm
Pros of visiting Oslo in winter: usually gets snow, capital city so lots to do, cross-country skiing options
Cons of visiting Oslo in winter: no northern lights or ‘Arctic’ feel, no dramatic fjords like you may imagine from Norway
I spent a little over three years living in Oslo and I know that city like the back of my hand (I still go back a lot so I learn all of the new things to do in Oslo). While it may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ when it comes to a magical wonderland winter visit, hear me out…
You can ski and snowboard right in Oslo. Seriously… you take the t-bane (metro) right up the mountain to Frognerseteren and you can ski, snowboard, cross-country ski, and sled. There are Christmas markets in Oslo that also give it a cozy feel during winter.
While visiting Oslo during winter may not be for travelers hunting down the northern lights, it definitely has its appeal. In addition, Oslo has the best museums in Norway and you can find everything from the Nobel Peace Prize Center to Viking Museums.
Unique experiences: KOK Sauna (floating sauna), SNØ (world’s largest indoor ski center), SALT (sauna and cultural hub on the Oslofjord), can take a metro to ski or snowboard right in the city. Read More…
