What to Wear and What to Pack for Norway in Summer
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Traveling to Norway in summer and wondering what to wear? I know how overwhelming packing for Norway can be… In this guide, you can find our experience-based tips on what to wear and what to pack for Norway in summer. Find out!
Packing for any trip to the Nordics somehow always stresses me out. Packing for an active summer vacation in Norway is simply not as straightforward as packing for a beach destination.
So when we had to pack our bags for the two-week road trip in Norway in August, I was wondering what to wear in Norway in summer and how to pack light, yet be ready for all types of weather.
As we kept checking the ever-changing weather forecast, we realized that we would need clothes for pretty much all seasons for this summer trip to Norway. There was rain with temperatures of 6-12°C (42-54°F) in one place and sunshine with temperatures over 24°C (75°F) in another…
Our experience with the weather during a recent 2-week trip to Northern Norway and Lofoten Islands was exactly the same. We went from wearing t-shirts and shorts one day to sweaters, jackets, long pants, and even gloves literally a day later…
So here is a complete packing list for Norway in summer based on our experience during several trips. You may get lucky and you’ll have warm and sunny weather the whole time in Norway in summer, but I wouldn’t count on it too much. It’s better to travel well prepared so that you can enjoy everything that Norway has to offer no matter the weather. Find out!
Good to know: This is not a packing guide for fashionista’s looking for a cool Scandinavian look for their summer trip to Norway. This is a packing list for active travelers who plan to explore Norway beyond Oslo, see the fjords, visit the charming towns and villages, and do some hiking.
If you are visiting Norway on a cruise, this packing list will work as well, but you may want to pack a few nice outfits for dinner.
What to Wear in Norway in Summer
Here are just a few items of clothing that you really should consider packing for Norway in summer months (June, July, and August)
1. Layers of T-shirts and sweaters. The best way to travel light and be prepared for all kinds of weather in Norway is to layer your clothes. We had several days, especially along the fjords in Flam and when hiking to Pulpit Rock, when we started out with 3 layers, went to 1, and then back to 3 or even 4 again.
This is what we packed: T-shirts, several light tops with long sleeves, a light fleece jacket (with a zipper, so it’s easier to layer), and a thin fleece pullover. Why fleece? Because it’s warm, light to pack, and it dries quickly. We also took a few simple shirts and blouses to wear at dinner.
2. Rain jacket. Make sure you always have a rain jacket with you in Norway! Sometimes, the rain comes completely unexpected and you can get soaking wet in no time.
Before our trip, we were wondering whether a light rain jacket would be sufficient or if we needed a warmer insulated jacket in summer months. Despite the rain and the wind and rather cold temperatures, we were ok with the light jackets (sometimes in combination with two fleece sweaters underneath).
This is what we packed: a light rain jacket like this and this for the children. These are our favorite rain jackets and we have been using them on every trip for years. As the kids grow out of one, we immediately buy a new one. They’re worth every cent.
3. Jeans, shorts, and hiking pants. Depending on what you plan to see and do in Norway, you should pack some smart pants or jeans and hiking pants for outdoor activities. I’d definitely take shorts because when the sun is shining it feels really hot, even though the temperatures are not as high.
This is what we packed: casual pants, jeans, and hiking pants. On one of our summer trips to Norway, we never actually needed shorts because we were extremely unlucky with the weather (it was an exceptionally bad couple of weeks, the locals told us). But I’d definitely pack shorts as well. Normally, Norwegian summers are warm enough to wear shorts. We wore shorts and T-shirts on various occasions when we visited the Lofoten Islands in July.
4. Sneakers and waterproof hiking shoes. What kind of shoes to pack for Norway depends highly on what you plan to do. In general, light sneakers or walking shoes are best for sightseeing. However, if you plan to go hiking, you really need good hiking boots.
Most hiking trails (Pulpit Rock, Florli 4444, almost all of the hikes in Lofoten, etc.) are very wet, so ideally you wear waterproof hiking boots. I don’t think you really need sandals in Norway, but water shoes might come in handy if you are planning to go kayaking.
We never really missed rain boots in Norway, but we sure were glad we had waterproof hiking boots.
This is what we packed: one pair of light walking shoes/sneakers for everyday use and one pair of waterproof hiking boots each for hiking. These hiking boots are our favorites and they are perfect for Norway in summer!
5. Buff. Mainland Norway is not as cold in summer as e.g. Iceland or the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. So normally you don’t really need gloves, shawls, and winter hats. However, a buff is extremely handy to have and we did use it quite a few times during the trip, especially during fjord cruises.
This is what we packed: BUFF original.
6. Sunhat and sunglasses. Sun can be really harsh in Norway in summer so don’t forget sun protection. Those few moments when it was sunny during our trip, it felt really warm.
What to Pack for Norway in Summer
These are the travel essentials that will make your Norway summer trip more comfortable.
1. Sleep mask. If there is one thing you have to take to the Nordics in summer, it’s a sleep mask. It might be less important in August, but it’s a must in May, June, and the beginning of July. The days are endless and the midnight sun makes it impossible to sleep, especially because many accommodations don’t have black-out curtains.
2. Swimsuit and a quick-drying towel. There are many places where you can swim in Norway (weather permitting), so it’s always handy to have your swimwear with you. A quick-drying travel towel is nice to have too.
3. Day backpack. A light day backpack is very handy in order to carry all those extra layers of clothes you may or may not need during the day. Don’t forget a rain cover – we used it quite a few times on all our summer trips in Norway.
4. Reusable water bottle. Tap water is safe to drink in Norway, so don’t forget to pack a reusable water bottle. Not only is it good for the environment, but it will save you quite some money as well.
5. European electrical adapter. Just as the majority of continental Europe, Norway has 220-volt electricity and uses type C/E/F electricity plugs.
6. Mosquito spray. I read that Scandinavia is a real mosquito paradise in summer. We encountered some mosquitoes in Norway, but nothing really significant (I guess it highly depends on where exactly you go and how the weather is). In any case, it’s a good idea to pack a good mosquito spray when visiting Norway in summer months.
7. Sunscreen lotion. As I said, even if it’s not very warm, the sun can be really harsh in Norway in summer, so a good sunscreen lotion with a high SPF factor is a must.
8. Face lotion and lip balm. We have a Facebook travel group for traveling to Iceland and Scandinavian countries and every time somebody asks what people wish they packed to the Nordics, people mention face lotion, moisturizing cream, and a good lip balm. The air is very dry in the Nordics and moisturizers are really essential in any season.
9. Portable charger (power bank). A portable charger has become a real must-have travel necessity for us. Also in Norway, we used it daily. We use our smartphones all the time (as GPS with Google Maps/Waze, as a camera, video camera, etc.) and they are usually empty long before we reach our hotel for the night.
10. Camera gear. Unless you use your smartphone for pictures, don’t forget your camera gear, including extra batteries and plenty of memory cards. Everything is so expensive in Norway, so better bring all you need from home.
LEARN MORE: How Expensive is Norway (with Price Examples)
11. Umbrella. Usually, we never pack an umbrella when traveling, but we could have definitely used one a few times in Norway. If you have a good rain jacket and plan to stay outside the cities most of the time, then you don’t really need an umbrella. But in town (and especially one like Bergen where it rains 230 days a year) a good windproof travel umbrella can be really useful.
12. Hiking poles. If you are planning on doing lots of hiking in Norway, hiking poles might be good to have. Most popular hiking trails are quite strenuous with lots of steep descents and trekking poles make it so much easier on your knees. We each have a pair of lightweight foldable trekking poles. They’re so compact and easy to pack that we now take them for all trips where we plan to do any hiking.
So, these are our tips for what to wear and what to pack when traveling to Norway in summer. If you are planning a trip, you may want to check our other articles for many different destinations in Norway. Take a look below!
More tips for visiting Norway:
- Summer itineraries:
- Lofoten:
- Cruises:
- Stavanger:
- Flam:
- Tromso:
- Svalbard:
- For more inspiration, see our Norway Travel Guide.
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I see you have bug repellant on the packing list. Mosquitoes love me, I seem to attract them more than most. We are going to Northern Norway – Tromso, Senja, Vesteralen and Lofoten the end of June, beginning of July. Did you experience mosquitoes or ticks on your 2 week summer trip? I’m hoping the wind will keep them away on the steep hikes, but in the towns and Lofotyr Viking Museum?
Hi Amy, mosquitoes love me too but it’s usually not too bad in Northern Norway. That said, a lot depends on the weather and the specific place you are visiting, so I would always pack a spray (or mosquito-repellent bracelets if that’s easier to pack). We haven’t seen any ticks. I think it shouldn’t be a problem this high in the north unless you go camping or spend lots of time in the forests.
Enjoy your trip!
Trip booked for 2 June 6th. We are older so we will be centraled in Bergen. We will opt for pre booked guidedshorter day trips. More of a culture,food trip. Museums parks, people etc. Again, we have booked hotel in Bergen
Maybe you would have suggestions for some day trips and not expensive places in Bergen for meals
Hi Sharon, for day trips, take a look at Bergen tours on GetYourGuide – there’s a bit of everything and for various budgets.
If you have a car, you can visit some places on your own. The most popular location that you could visit nearby is Flam. If you go without a tour, here you can read about the best things to do in Flam.
As for where to eat, there are so many options, including the Fish Market in the center. But that area is very touristy so not the cheapest. There are some nice options a bit further from the water, in the shopping streets, e.g. Daily Pot or Siam Ratree Thai Restaurant. Egon is a popular restaurant chain in Norway with a big choice of reasonably priced food. Overall, Asian restaurants tend to be much cheaper than Norwegian.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip.
Such a useful list, including things I wouldn’t have thought to pack. We’re off in a couple of weeks Bergan to Kirkenes on a rail and sea package. We’re really looking forward to it so thanks for all the great information you’ve provided.
Glad to help. Have a great time in Norway!
I’d like to suggest smart wool tee shirts ( men and women)- in long and short sleeve , even tanks. Excellent layering pieces and are perfect for all temperatures!
Thank you for your well described list !
Hi Rita, yes, indeed, (merino) wool shirts and t-shirts can be great for layering and easy to wash/dry when traveling too.
Thank you for this wonderful blog. Do you recommend packing a base layer (top and bottom) for an August trip? We are planning to do the Trolltunga, Pulpit Rock and Kjerag hike? Not sure if I can get away with exercise leggings. I am planning to travel in a carry on with 3 long sleeve and 4 half sleeve t-shirts, 2 savannah trail hiking pants from REI, 2 leggings, windproof jacket, waterproof hiking shoes, sneakers and keens. Please advise 🙂
Hi Shazia, normally, you don’t need any base layers in the summer, but a merino t-shirt can be helpful if it’s really cold. A waterproof jacket is really advisable too. In general, you’ll use t-shirts much more than long-sleeve shirts. It’s much easier to layer and adjust to the weather if it gets really warm. You just never know what kind of weather you’ll get.
We’re just back from Northern Norway and we had sunny days where we could wear t-shirts and shorts and it was too warm, but most of the time, we had temperatures of around 10-12°C (50-55F) and often rain too. We wore our hiking pants and sweaters/ rain jackets almost every day. We also wore our hiking boots pretty much during the entire trip except to go to a restaurant for dinner or when we spent the whole day in town.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
@Jurga, thank you for your valuable advice. Your list is super helpful and we are planning to travel in carry ons and a backpack 😀
Thank you this was helpful. I also liked the links so I can look at or possibly buy items I need or might have in my house.
Glad to hear this, Nanci. Have a great time in Norway!
Hello
Thanks for the information. We are travelling to Norway and Iceland on a cruise this July. I’m wondering if you know if we can grab a cab at the cruise ports in Norway or if we should join a tour. We just booked last minute and are trying to plan itineraries before we leave in a week. Thanks for the help!
I think it really depends on the town and what you want to visit there. For example, in Bergen or Stavanger, the ships usually dock very close to the center, so you can just walk everywhere. However, if you want to do excursions outside of the city, you may want to book those in advance. You don’t necessarily have to do it with the cruise company, but be sure to do some research on what interests you the most and see how to best get there.
I don’t think you’ll need a cab in most places – it’s either walking around in town or making excursions to see nature destinations outside of the cities, and for that, you definitely don’t want to pay for a taxi – it costs a forture in Norway.
Same for Iceland.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga,
Akureyri, Iceland, 07:00 am to 09:00 pm
Isafjordur, Iceland, 08:00 am to 07:00 pm
Grundarfjordur, Iceland, 07:00 am to 08:00 pm
Reykjavik, Iceland, 07:00 am to 08:00 pm
Haguesand, Norway 08:00am to 5:00pm
Flaam, Norway 07:00am to 5:00pm
Andalsnes, Norway 10:00am to 08:00pm
We didn’t have tours booked since the private groups are fully booked. We find the ship ones not too interested or too expensive. Help?
Ok, you’re lucky we’re stuck in bad weather in Northern Norway and I have some free time tonight to do all the research. 🙂
Here are some suggestions for shore excursions:
Akureyri: this day tour.
Isafjordur: this day tour.
Grundarfjordur – I’d look into tours offered by the cruise company. There aren’t any good tours to explore the best of Snaefellsnes Peninsula starting from there and without a car, you won’t be able to see much.
Reykjavik – you can stay in town – see our suggestions on what to see in Reykjavik. Or you can do a half-day trip outside the city plus time in the city, or a full-day tour. Most people would probably do a short-ish tour to the Golden Circle and spend some time in town. Or you can go to Sky Lagoon (everyone I know says it’s nicer than the popular Blue Lagoon, and it’s closer to the city center, so will be easier) and spend the rest of the time in town.
Haugesund. (if that’s what you mean) You can find some tour options here. Or make your way to Stavanger and visit the town and maybe take a cruise on Lysefjord. See our guide to the best things to do in Stavanger.
Flam – see our guide to the best of Flam with 1-day itinerary suggestions.
Andalsnes: check these tours.
These are all tours to the best destinations nearby. In some places you can also stay in town (Reykjavik, maybe Stavanger), but most smaller ones don’t have that much to offer to spend an entire day there.
Good luck!
Thanks, Jurga, for the weather information and packing list. We are booked to cruise Norway, the Faroes and Iceland in August next year. Our previous trip was later in the year but I would like to recommend a walk we did in Oslo, along the Akerselva river. We caught a bus to the top and enjoyed an 8 kilometre walk back into town. It takes you past the fast flowing river, waterfalls, forested areas, swimming pools, historical buildings, coffee shops and green parks in suburbia. It was raining all day but we still enjoyed it and would love to do it again. A wonderful way to get a feel for Oslo if you are only there for the day as we were.
Thank you for sharing your experience and tips for Oslo, Maureen. I’m sure it will be useful to some of our readers.
Happy travels!
Thanks so much for all your suggestions. We will be traveling next month to Scandinavia for the first time. Looking forward to seeing this beautiful part of the world.
Glad to help. Have a wonderful trip!
Our first time in Norway in august 2020 and i found your article very useful. Thank you!
Can’t wait to be there!
Glad to hear that, Patricia. Enjoy your trip! We are also going back to Norway this summer I know how you feel – we’re very excited as well!
Happy travels!
Thank you for all the wonderful information and suggestions. Norway 8/2020 for me. Now I’m ready 🙂
Glad to help, Carolyn. We just booked another trip to Norway in summer as well. Fingers crossed we all get some good weather and no need for all those layers… 🙂
Hi –
Thank you so much for your tips! I’ve found packing for my August Norway trip to be intimidating, so this helps a lot. Question – if I were going to purchase just one type of hiking shoe – would you recommend a boot or a shoe? I’ll have a more casual walking shoe for around town – really curious regarding the need for the hiking terrain. Thank you!
Lauren
Hi Lauren, it depends on what you are planning to do. If you are doing any serious hikes in Norway, then you’ll really want the best hiking boots and ideally waterproof since most hikes are really muddy.
If, however, you are just exploring and maybe walking to a waterfall here or there, then you’ll be fine with lower shoes.
Hello all Norway travellers!
I am Norwegian and I have survived all the weather possible in my country. In the what to wearlist I only miss two very important things: really thin wool sweathers, one with long sleeves and the other with short sleeves. Skip two t-shirts, bring two wool.
Wishing you happy days in my country. You are welcome.
Eli
Thanks for your recommendations, Eli. I can’t imagine wearing wool if it gets to 20°C and warmer, but I know how all the Nordic people seem to be wearing wool year-round. Might have to get me one of those short-sleeved wool t-shirts as well… 🙂
Happy travels!
Hi there, thank you very much for all the information. I’m from Canada and will visit Belgian, Nederland and Norway ( I plan to hike Trolltunga ). I will be in Norway at the end of July for a week. I’m use to travel and hike in cold and tempered weather. The thing is I will travel with a carry on luggage on plane si I need to calculate everything gram very wisely. I was wondering if I bring my hiking boots or my running shoes (I won’t bring both). I know the boots will give me a better support for my feet and ankle, but they weigh a lot. I didn’t know you had musquito issue, we have a lot of them here in Canada… a mean a shit load. I will manage that. Thank you again I will try to get in touch with the Facebook group for extra tips and help.
Hi, I’m not sure if I haven’t answered your comment on FB already (or was it someone else…), but I would definitely take the best waterproof hiking boots that you have for Troltunga hike. It’s one of the longest and most strenuous of the popular hikes in Norway, and the terrain is very muddy. Good shoes are a must!
Enjoy your trip.
This is great – I have been researching Norway weather for July and all the advice I got was layers, but this was more informative. I am wondering about the plugs – I have plug adapters (had already purchased the kit from Apple), but do I need a voltage converter as well? We are ~110 here in the U.S. and I know a lot of my hair tools/steamer/etc. are not dual voltage. Wondering if I need to purchase a separate voltage converter on top of the plug converters.
Hi Olivia, glad you found this info helpful. For Norway, you’ll indeed need a European adapter and it will be ok for most chargers (camera, phone). I’m not really sure about the other devices you mention. You should check each device to see if they can handle 110-220V. If not, then indeed, you’ll need a voltage converter (probably something like this – but do some research). Also – consider which of those devices you really need when traveling.
Have a great trip!
Thank you, I’m lucky enough to be on a fjords cruise in June and I think your advice is the best I’ve found. I started on what to pack and I’m clicking around all sorts of links and trying to work out how much I can fit in without relying on the cruise excursions. Feeling like Pulpit Rock is a must!
Hi Debi, glad you found it useful. We have several articles about Stavanger and hiking to the Pulpit Rock, and also combination of Lysefjord cruise and the Pulpit Rock hike. It’s a bit of a challenge to do and the Lysefjord cruise and the hike if you are on a cruise ship (or you risk not getting back in time – depends on the schedule). But it should definitely be possible to do just the Pulpit Rock hike.
Enjoy your trip!
Thank you so much your article, it has proved very interesting as we are just off on a cruise from Copenhagen to Bergen with Stavanger as a stop on our route. We shall definitely be taking suncream now and mossie spray (in case)
Good to hear that, Debbie. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Jurga:
We are traveling to Oslo on Spring break -we realize it’s going to be cold and we don’t mind that part. The biggest question in my mind is how to go about the train routes. For instance, our thinking is to do an entire loop: starting from Oslo to Bergen (with at least one overnight stay in Flam?). Then, from Bergen (on a rental car?) head south to Stavanger and from this town we will begin our way back to Oslo (with stops or perhaps one overnight stay along the way). I have read about the Norway in a Nutshell tour and it really sounds incredible. Should we fully rely on train rides? Another option I was considering was is just to get a rental for the entire stay than do shorter train tours along the way, including the Norway in a Nutshell in 1-2 days. I am a bit stressed about getting this all wrong. Any help, suggestions or advice would be incredible appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Jose, it really depends on what you prefer – trains or self-drive. I think price-wise it will be cheaper to drive unless you’re traveling alone.
We did a self-drive trip with a small part by bus (Stavanger-Bergen because you really don’t need a car in either of those towns) and also just a short train ride from Flam to Myrdal and back. Here you can find our Norway trip itinerary – it doesn’t include Oslo, but includes Flam, Bergen, and Stavanger – so maybe it will help you a bit.
Hii jurga… hope u r doing good. I will be in Trondheim from this April for a year… what type of clothings I should carry. Tnx in advance.
For a year? You’ll need ALL types of clothing – from shorts and t-shirts in summer, sweaters and rain jackets, to woolen sweaters, thick winter coats and waterproof warm boots in winter. For winter packing, you can check this guide. Hope this helps.
Hi
I am travelling to Norway in June 2019
So I want to know about weather as well as culture
Hi Neena, Norway is big and you never really know how the weather will be. You can find some information here, but the best is to just check the weather forecast a few days before your trip – that way you know what to expect.
As for Norwegian culture, it’s also a very broad subject. Maybe this will be helpful…
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Jurga,
I am from South Africa and will be visiting Oslo/Bergen in May 2019. Thank you for the heads-up on the clothing.
Is there something that you can recommend on local sim cards and cellphone networks in Norway?
Hi Wendy, glad you found this useful. Keep in mind that May can be quite cold still, so you may want to take a warm jacket and a few extra layers just in case.
As for cellphone, sorry I can’t help you with it as we just use our Belgian sim cards without extra charges in Norway. So we never had to look this up. You could try to ask this question in our Iceland & Scandinavia travel group on Facebook, maybe somebody will be able to help you out.
I’m going to Oslo 2nd week in May 2019, what can you expect weather/temperature wise then. Thanks
Hi Nicola, I haven’t been to Oslo, but I read that May is a beautiful month to visit the city. The time of spring blossoms and spring temperatures somewhere in between 6°C (42°F) and 16°C (61°F).
But, as always, you never know with the weather. If you’re worried about the clothing, I think layering is always your best bet in Norway. Also, check the weather forecast one week in advance and then you’ll have a much better idea what to expect.
Hi Nicola,
We’ve been to Oslo last year in May…..it was very hot during the day,We wore light pants/shorts/skirts and shortsleeve shirts, Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen is recommened for this beautiful city.
Please keep in mind that summer of 2018 was exceptionally hot and dry everywhere in Europe, including Norway. With average temperatures of just 12°C, May isn’t normally a short-sleeve month in Oslo. 🙂
Thanks Jurga
You have made our planned hike to Pulpit Rock in July 19 a little easier to organize. Layering is always the answer I guess
Glad to help, Andy. If you are still looking for info for hiking Pulpit Rock, please check these posts: hiking Pulpit Rock with kids (practical info for the hike) and How to visit Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock in one day.
Also, if you have more time, I really recommend staying in Stavanger a bit longer. It was one of our favourite places in Norway! Here are some of the best things to do in and near Stavanger.
Enjoy your trip!
nice details, will help during our visit to Bergen and Lofoten islands in april 19
Beware that April is much colder than summer months, so you’ll need warmer clothes. Definitely in Lofoten. Pack enough layers and a good waterproof jacket, also a warm hat and maybe even gloves for the North.
Thanks.
Thank you. This is very helpful to help us decide what we need to bring on our upcoming trip to Norway!
Hi Carole, glad you found this useful. Just wanted to say – this year the whole of Europe (Scandinavia included) is experiencing the hottest and driest summer ever. So make sure you check the weather forecast before you go. I think you may need to pack a bit more summer clothes than on a regular Norwegian summer. I know someone who is there at the moment and they are wearing t-shirts, shorts, and sandals… This summer is just crazy weather-wise. In any case, I wouldn’t forget a sweater and a rain jacket – the weather can change quickly.
Enjoy your trip!
Beautiful pictures, reminds me of my trip……