Winter in Norway
Winter is perhaps the most beautiful time to explore Norway's coastline, and is the best season to witness the Northern Lights.
Sailing along Norway’s coastline in winter is a beautiful experience. The air is fresh, crisp and clear. Mountaintops silhouette against a backdrop of polar twilight, and clusters of cosy homes glow on the shoreline like fires in the distance.
Top winter experiences in Norway
Witness the wondrous aurora borealis
Experience the magic of Norway’s white winter wonderland
Ride a snowmobile or dog sledge across the snowy tundra
See charming Christmas markets along Norway’s coast in late November and December
The fantastic Northern Lights
Join us on an exploration of polar twilight that often also includes experiencing the elusive aurora borealis at night. Sailing with Hurtigruten, at sea and far away from light pollution, provides some of the best possibilities to view this magical celestial lightshow of ghostly green, red and dark purple.
Even regular daylight in the far north is remarkable. The low position of the sun renders beautiful subtle shades of light that reflect off the Arctic’s white surroundings.
Arctic winter wonders
Norway lights up during Christmas. Stroll the charming lanes and browse the stalls of traditional Christmas markets in coastal towns and cities in late November and December.
Elsewhere, follow in the footsteps of great explorers and venture out on North Cape while peering over the edge of the world. Or discover the splendid Arctic scenery and wonders of the far north during exciting shore excursions.
Dashing through the snow
Imagine crossing the snowy tundra on a snowmobile or sitting in a dog sled behind a team of barking huskies. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, there are also introductions to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. These are just a few of the excursions Hurtigruten offer during winter.
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Dog Sledding (Tromsø)
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Cross-Country Skiing
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Snowmobile Trip In The Arctic
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Snowshoeing In Tromsø
How to make the most of Norway at Christmas
Snow-dusted mountains and markets. Crisp air that clouds from your mouth. Twinkling lights along the shoreline. And if you’re lucky, a festive display from the Northern Lights. The Norwegian coast puts on an unforgettable show for the most wonderful time of the year.
From dog sledding through the snowy landscape to wandering through the world’s biggest gingerbread town, we’ve rounded up 9 magical ways to experience Christmas in Norway.
What to pack for winter in Norway
It can get quite cold along the coast during winter, so we recommend you pack a thick winter jacket, hat, gloves, wool sweater, a scarf, winter boots with good grip, and pull-on spikes.
Our winter voyages
- Up to 25% off
The North Cape Express: Full Voyage from Oslo to Bergen
Oslo – Honningsvåg – Bergen (Roundtrip)
December - May - 14 days
$4,044
MSTrollfjord
- Solo travelers | No single supplement
11-Day Norwegian Voyage | Bergen - Kirkenes - Trondheim
Bergen - Kirkenes - Trondheim (Roundtrip)
Regular departures - 11 days
$4,015
Multiple
- Up to 25% off
The North Cape Express: Full Voyage from Bergen to Oslo
Bergen – Honningsvåg – Oslo (Roundtrip)
December - April - 14 days
$3,919
MSTrollfjord