The beauty of summer in Norway

When people think of Norway, they often picture snow-capped peaks and icy fjords. But summer tells a different story - one of long, golden days and landscapes bursting with life.

This is the season of festivals, outdoor adventures and stunning beauty spots. It’s a time of year when we gather to celebrate, share our favourite seasonal dishes, and make the most of the Midnight Sun.

Here are just a few reasons to experience Norway in summer.

There’s something dreamlike about summer under the Midnight Sun. From mid-May to late July, the days are endless north of the Arctic Circle, and there’s perpetual daylight along much of the Norwegian coastline.

This is all thanks to a natural phenomenon where the sun hovers above our horizon without setting – even at midnight – and a golden glow lights up the Norwegian fjords, mountains and forests.

Of course, it takes some getting used to. At first, your body clock will tell you one thing, while your eyes tell you another. Don’t worry, though – in no time at all, you’ll get used to it. You’ll feel the special energy that comes with these longer days – it’s like having two days packed into one.

Look around and you’ll see us filling our days and evenings with hiking, kayaking and all-night celebrations. You’ll see our children playing outside in the late evening, walkers trekking through sunlit landscapes in the early hours, and little fishing villages glowing under an amber sky.

Birds continue their songs late into the night and, even in urban areas like Tromsø, the streets are buzzing with late-night coffee drinkers and tourists, revelling in the novelty of perpetual daylight.

During this magical season, sleep feels optional and the time for adventure feels limitless.

The weather in Norway is as charmingly changeable in summer as it is all year-round. While our days can be mild, even warm and sunny, there’s usually a chill that settles in the evening, even under the Midnight Sun.

If you’re wondering what to pack, do as we Norwegians do – bring layers! You’ll want to have comfortable shorts, T-shirts and sunhats if you’re going to be in the warmer parts of the country. But make sure you’ve also got a jumper, waterproof jacket and hiking shoes.