Spring in Norway
Welcome to 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'.
Known locally as vårfølelse, 'springfulness' is Norway's answer to the winter blues. It’s that uplifting feeling of renewal you get when you see the first wildflower peeking through the snow or turn your face to the first rays of spring sunshine.
Springfulness is also scientifically proven. The sights, sounds, and smells of springtime in April and May trigger your brain to produce more serotonin and dopamine, known as the 'happy hormones'.
You can smell springfulness in the fruit blossoms drifting through the air. See it in our fjords, sparkling in the sunlight and still framed by snow-capped mountains. And you can sense it in the joyfulness of people you meet.
Why spring is the perfect time to visit Norway
Spring is Norway’s season of awakening. Fruit trees splash colour along the fjords. Waterfalls are in full flow, fed by the melting snow. And it’s the official start of puffin season in northern Norway.
It’s a season that starts with the Northern Lights still streaming across the night skies and that ends with the Midnight Sun illuminating our landscapes for most of the night.
April and May are also when the crowds of summer have yet to arrive. Even better, the longer days mean there’s plenty of time for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing.
April
April is a time of transition, from cold to warm and from dark to light. It’s a month defined by crime novels and comical puffins, skiing and sunshine.
May
May is the height of spring in Norway. All along the coast, the vibrant colours of spring make winter’s white landscapes feel like a distant memory.
Norway’s spring climate
| Average max/min temperature (April) | Average max/min temperature (May) | |
|---|---|---|
Oslo | 9°C/1°C | 16°C/7°C |
Tromsø | 3°C/-2°C | 8°C/2°C |
Longyearbyen | -6°C/-11°C | 0°C/-4°C |
With Norway stretching over 1,000 miles and spanning the Arctic Circle, the coastal climate varies widely between southern and northern Norway.
But thanks to the warming waters of the Gulf Stream, it is milder than other places at a similar latitude such as Greenland and Alaska. As spring unfolds, temperatures rise into the double digits and the days get longer.
| Average daylight hours (April) | Average daylight hours (May) | |
|---|---|---|
Oslo | 14 hours 36 minutes | 17 hours 14 minutes |
Tromsø | 16 hours 19 minutes | 22 hours 46 minutes |
Longyearbyen | 20 hours 56 minutes | 24 hours |
The further north you go, the faster the daylight increases. In southern Norway, daylight stretches from just over 13 hours in early April to over 18 by late May. North of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø sees 14 hours of daylight in April, and by mid-May, the sun never sets. On Svalbard, the Midnight Sun starts shining in mid-April.
If you are travelling along the coast in April and May, you could experience spring’s many faces, from the first of the year’s flowers in the south to the last of the year’s snow in the rugged north.
You could even experience all four seasons in one day. Don’t be surprised to see balmy sunshine, rain or snow showers, high winds, and calm seas within just a few hours.
The best spring activities in Norway
1. Sail the Hjørundfjord
We sail Norway's fjords year-round, but in April and May we can’t resist a detour into the Hjørundfjord. Many of us Norwegians consider this to be the most beautiful of the Norwegian fjords – and it’s at its best in springtime.
2. Celebrate 17th May
Constitution Day is one of the biggest events in Norway’s calendar. On 17th May - or Syttende Mai, as we call it - we wear bunad, our traditional dress, parade through the streets, and fly the Norwegian flag. It’s the highlight of the season.
3. Experience the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights
Spring is an extra-special time of year to visit Norway’s coast as there’s a chance of seeing both the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights. Auroral activity is highest in March and April (and again in autumn), while the Midnight Sun arrives in Svalbard in mid-April.
4. Ride the Flåm Railway
Rising into the mountains from the Sognefjord, the Flåm Railway is one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world, and it is most breathtaking in spring. Other Norwegian railway lines worth travelling for include the Dovrebanen and Bergensbanen, which you can ride as part of our Sail and Rail Norway package.
5. Go whale watching
Northern Norway is the best place to spot the Humpbacks, Orcas, and Sperm whales, and you can spot even more species in Svalbard. As the winter whale-watching season runs until April and the summer season starts in May, spring is one of the best times to visit for those hoping to see whales.
6. Go hiking
Is there anything more Norwegian and in the spirit of vårfolelse than a springtime hike? Most of the snow will have melted from the trails so it’s easy to walk along fjords streaked with waterfalls swollen with melting snow or hike across glaciers beneath bright blue skies.
7. Go biking
There are plenty of bike routes to pedal in Norway – and cycling is a great way to get even closer to the beautiful coastal scenery. Most of our biking excursions are by e-bike, so you don’t need to worry about any tiring uphill sections!
8. Go kayaking
Paddling beneath snow-capped peaks with just the splash of your paddle breaking the silence is an unforgettable way to experience Norway’s coastline. Our springtime kayaking excursions explore urban waterways and the fjords of Arctic archipelagos.
9. Hit the slopes
In Norway, ski season extends into April and early spring is one of the best times of year to go skiing. There’s a good chance of fresh snow in our ski resorts, while the warmer temperatures mean some of us even ski in our T-shirts.
(Image copyright: Norefjell Ski Resort)
10. Join springtime festivals
Come spring, Norwegian diaries overflow with events the length of the coast. Time your voyage to join us for joyful festivals that celebrate everything from jazz in Trondheim to the Sámi Easter in Kautikeino.
(Image copyright: Ernst-Furuhatt, www.nordnorge.com)
11. Explore Norway’s fishing villages
In spring, fishing villages up and down Norway’s coastline reawaken. It’s not just the fruit trees that blossom at this time of year. Spring energises fishing communities as festivals, fresh produce, and people full of vårfolelse return to the outdoor cafes, the restaurants, and the solveggen.
(Image copyright: Øyvind Heen – fjords.com)
What to do on a spring cruise in Norway
Enjoy the flavours of spring
Our floating restaurants prepare seasonal menus filled with local ingredients from the ports we visit. Spring is the time for seafood, so look forward to delicacies like fresh mussels, shrimp and King Crab. It’s also the end of the season for skrei, a large migrating cod that has particularly firm and tender flesh – taste it while you can.
During Easter, Norwegians traditionally cook lamb or rakfisk (fermented fish), along with the first pick of the year's vegetables.
Join our springtime traditions
This special time of year sees the return of some of our most treasured Norwegian traditions. One of our favourites is Påskekrim, Easter crime; the uniquely Norwegian custom of reading crime novels at Easter. We also love to celebrate Easter by going skiing and eating oranges and Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bars.
In the spring months, you can also find us savouring our first utepils, ‘outdoor beer’, of the year, perhaps as we lean against a solveggen, a wall perfectly positioned to catch the sun – although we think utepils tastes even better on the top deck with the Norwegian coast floating past. Some of us even brave our first outdoor swim of the year; very refreshing and invigorating!
Travel tips for spring
Be prepared
Plan carefully for springtime in Norway. It’s best to double-check that trails are open and safe before you go on a hike or bike ride. You should also be prepared for conditions to change quickly and with little warning, whether you’re heading out for a day in the mountains or for an hour in the shops.
How to dress
As a general rule, mornings and evenings can be chilly, with milder weather during the day. Layers are essential. You can add and remove them as required. If the sun is shining and it feels warm enough to go out wearing sunglasses and sleeves, be sure to carry a waterproof and windproof layer with you too. You might need them in an hour or two!
It’s wise to carry a warm layer, too. There’s a good reason why so many of us Norwegians choose woollen jumpers and socks. Wool is breathable, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating, making it practical as both a base layer and a sweater.
Packing essentials
Spring is the time of year when you need to pack sunglasses, suncream, and swimwear as well as a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Bring sturdy waterproof shoes or boots and comfortable indoor shoes.
A waterproof and windproof layer is essential, as is a warm layer such as a thin down jacket, a fleece, or a sweater. Thermal underwear is useful, too, especially if you’re travelling to northern Norway.
An umbrella is worth carrying to shelter from fleeting spring showers in urban areas, but it’s unlikely to be practical in windy conditions if you're travelling by boat.
A small bag or backpack is useful for carrying those extra layers plus a water bottle, camera, and wallet when you’re out and about.
You could also pack binoculars if you want to spend time watching for spring wildlife such as puffins and whales.
