Do you want to know what to wear in Norway in Spring? In this guide, we will tell you EXACTLY what to pack for Norway no matter if you are visiting in March, April or May and if you are staying in Oslo, Bergen or heading further North into the Fjords or going on a Fjords cruise then this is the guide for you.
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!
This includes guidance on how to dress for the weather, dress codes as well as Norway special events in Spring.
Spring Weather Norway
Spring in Norway is classified as March, April and May. So what can you expect from the weather in Norway in Spring?
How cold is Norway in Spring?

How cold Norway in Spring feels very much depends on when you visit as the temperature difference between months is vast. In May the sun is beginning to shine with average highs of around 16C however March by comparison is much cooler with average highs of 5C with low often being below freezing.
Note: these temperatures are for the capital city of Oslo. The further North you go the cooler the temperatures will be.
The key to any capsule wardrobe for Norway for Spring has to be having lots of light layers that can be put on and removed as required.
How rainy is Norway in Spring?
Norway can be rainy whatever month you are visiting. In Spring you get between 7-9 days of rain a month so a compact waterproof jacket and waterproof walking trousers are a good idea for anyone planning to spend time in the great outdoors.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
PLanning to visit Norway in another season check out our related guides:
Traveling to other Nordic countries? Be sure to check our our related guides:
What to Wear in Norway in Spring
Before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Norway in Spring for women and men, we wanted to reiterate that we think it is a great idea to pack a capsule wardrobe. It means you are less likely to lose your luggage when travelling and prevents you from overpacking. For help in packing a capsule wardrobe check out these posts.
Best Shoes for Norway in Spring
But first we will turn our attention to shoes for Norway in Spring. And it is worth noting that the shoes you need for cities such as Oslo and Bergen are very different to those you need for hiking and Fjords. But the first shoe we recommend putting on your packing list is:
Sneakers
Sneakers are absolutely the best shoe for places like Oslo and towns like Bergen. These are great for walking around cities and cultural attractions and are comfortable for walking long distances.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds, however you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
Hiking Boots
If you plan on doing more outdoor activities in Norway like hiking near Fjords, and mountains then we recommend packing hiking boots. I prefer these over hiking sandals as boots with some waterproofing will cope better if you get rain in Norway.
Boots
If you are visiting Norway in March or Early April another set of handy shoes has to be a classic ankle boot although in May you may be able to get away with a sandal instead.
What to Wear in Norway in Spring for Women

Waterproof Jacket
A lightweight packable waterproof jacket is an essential no matter what Spring month you are traveling in.
But if you go with a packable jacket then you will need to layer with fleeces.
Jacket
The later in Spring you travel the more important a jacket will be. We like Columbia and Eddie Bauer jackets that are insulating but also have some waterproofing.
Layers
Lots of layers are the most important thing for your Norway packing list. Hoodies are a good choice, but I also like to pack a lightweight fleeces as they are really insulating, layer well but also packaway easily and dry quickly if they get wet.
Trousers / Pants
Trousers and pants are a great versatile pick for Norway and are way more useful than dresses and skirts especially if you are doing lots of outdoors activities.
Now depending on your Norway itinerary I would consider packing the below pants:
- Convertible Hiking Trousers that can double up as shorts and trousers if you plan on doing hikes in September. Although for November you may want some fleece lined ones instead.
- Jeans – for in cities and towns rather than hikes.
- Athleisure – if you prefer hiking in leggings these can be a good pick.
Skirts and Dresses
These aren’t essential but are nice to have if you plan on going to nicer restaurants for upscale dinners. For Spring we recommend sticking to sweater dresses that can be paired with tights and ankle boots but for May you can transition to your midi wrap dresses.
Click here to shop dresses for Norway
T Shirts
T Shirts are perfect base layer for Norway in March, April and May.
Blouses
Loose blouses are perfect for Norway. I particularly like them for evenings paired with a waterfall cardigan or blazer.
Swimwear
There are lots of opportunities for a swim or sauna in Norway so I definitely recommend having one piece of swimwear with you.
PJs or Nightie, Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
Sunglasses
Be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses with good UVA protection as the sun can be strong in Norway.
Note: if you plan on taking a Ffjords cruise in Norway be sure to check out this packing list as there are some cruise specific adjustments that you will need to make.
What to Wear in Norway in Spring Packing List for Men

Alongside our regular men’s travel essentials we recommend adding the following items to your men’s packing list for Norway in Spring:
Alongside our regular men’s travel essentials we recommend adding the following items to your men’s packing list for Oslo in Spring:
Jacket
The thickness is dependent on the month of travel with March requiring much thicker than May.
Chinos/Jeans
Jeans are great for daytime sightseeing in Oslo. But on top of jeans men will also find chinos and dockers helpful.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
T Shirts and Shirts
T shirts are great for days sightseeing. In March recommend having a mix of long and short sleeves, but for early May in particular you are likely only going to need short sleeve t shirts.
And on top of t shirts you may also want to pack a button down shirt for use in more upscale restaurants.
Layers
A hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket are the perfect layers for 7 days in Oslo.
Swimwear
For saunas.
Underwear
Goes without saying.
What to pack for Norway in Spring (Non Clothing)

- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Norway is no different especially in cities like Oslo around tourist attractions. A crossbody bag with lots of zips is the best way to protect your belongings.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips. We also recommend packing a waterproof cover to protect your pack and belongings should you get caught in a downpour
- Travel adaptor – Norway uses traditional European plugs so UK and US visitors will need a universal adaptor to make their electronics work.
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Sun screen
- Hiking Poles (Optional) – if you plan on doing any serious hiking. We recommend having a foldaway pair as they are much easier to pack.
- Compact Umbrella – important for any month you visit Norway.
- Camera
- Reusable Water bottle – again, important if you plan on hiking.
- Mosquito Spray – if you are buy lakes and still water this is absolutely an essential.
- Sleeping Mask – in the land of the midnight sun a sleeping mask is an essential in September.
- Travel First Aid Kit – especially important if you plan on doing lots of hiking.
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here. However toiletries should be easy to buy in Norway if you want to big them on arrival.
- Binoculars – the Fjords are beautiful be sure to have some binoculars with you to fully appreciate them.
FAQs About Norway in Spring
What should I pack for Norway Fjords ?
The Fjords should be on anyone’s Norway bucket list. The above packing list should work for the Norway Fjords but the most important things to remember are:
- waterproof jackets
- layers and jackets
- hiking boots and hiking socks
- walking trousers
For a Norway Fjords cruise packing list check out this post.
Can you wear jeans in Norway?
You can absolutely wear jeans in Norway in Spring. However I advise against wearing them on hikes as they are uncomfortable to wear on long hikes.
Have you been to Norway in Spring? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below