Do you want to know what to wear in Norway in Summer? In this guide, we will tell you EXACTLY what to pack for Norway no matter if you are visiting in June, July or August and if you are staying in Oslo, Bergen or heading further North into the Fjords 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 Summer.
Summer Weather Norway
Summer in Norway is classified as June, July and August. So what can you expect from the weather in Norway in Summer?
How hot is Norway in Summer?
Although summers in Norway are warm, the weather is still pretty changeable.
On average you can expect the temperatures to hover between 13°-18°C /57° to 65°F. However, it is not unheard of for the temperatures to rocket to 25°C – 30°C / 77°F – 86°F. But even with these temperatures you can get some at the other end of the spectrum too. Therefore the key to any capsule wardrobe for Norway has to be having lots of light layers that can be put on and removed as required.
How rainy is Norway in Summer?
Norway can be rainy whatever month you are visiting. June is actually one of the driest months however you can still expect around 9 days of rain in this month. And it is worth noting that the further North you go the more rain you are likely to experience.
So really the moral of this story is you should always pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a good quality compact travel umbrella for Norway.
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.
Traveling to other Nordic countries? Be sure to check our our related guides:
What to Wear in Norway in Summer
Before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Norway in Summer 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.
And if you are traveling to the rest of the Nordics check out our other posts:
Best Shoes for Norway in Summer
But first we will turn our attention to shoes for Norway in Summer. 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.
What to Wear in Norway in Summer for Women
Waterproof Jacket
Although you won’t need thick coats in Norway in Summer, it is worth having a lightweight packable waterproof jacket with you in case of rain.
But if you go with a packable jacket then you will need to layer with fleeces.
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
- Jeans – for in cities and towns
- Shorts – for hotter months for hiking and cities
- 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.
Click here to shop dresses for Stockholm
T Shirts
T Shirts are perfect base layer for Norway in June, July or August.
Blouses
Loose blouses are perfect for Norway. I particularly like them for evenings paired with a waterfall cardigan or blazer or even for hiking.
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. Note: as most of Norway does not have air conditioning you will want lightweight nightwear with you.
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 Summer 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 Summer:
Jacket
Again a lightweight waterproof jacket is perfect for summer visitors so long as you ahve something like a fleece to go underneath.
Pants and Shorts
As with the ladies packing list we recommend packing:
- convertible walking trousers,
- shorts and
- something like chinos or jeans for cities and towns.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
T Shirts and Shirts
T shirts are great for days sightseeing. And on top of t shirts you may also want to pack a button down shirt for use in more upscale restaurants in the city (my favorite restaurant in the city is Tradition).
Layers
A hoodie, jumper and fleece alongside your waterproof are the perfect layers for 7 days in Norway.
Swimwear
For same reason as the female packing list.
Underwear
Goes without saying.
What to pack for Norway in Summer (Non Clothing)
- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Norway is no different. 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 throughout summer.
- 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 Summer
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
- 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 Summer. However I advise against wearing them on hikes as they are uncomfortable to wear on long hikes.
Have you been to Norway in Summer? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below