Even a mention of the name Norway is usually enough to conjure images of snow-caked villages and icy mountains. The country, which sits at the far northern end of Europe, is hardly known for its hot days. However, there can be pretty T-shirt-worthy weather when the season is right, and some places get balmier than others. But where are the warmest places in Norway?
Cue this guide. It will scour the nation from tip to toe to seek out the hottest spots around. Naturally, the south features more heavily than the north – the Arctic Circle is hardly conducive to sunbathing, right? But there are also some unique microclimates created by the fjords and the Gulf Stream that mean you might just be surprised at the options that come in with soaring summer thermometer readings in these parts.
We think you’ll be pleased with the range of destinations on the menu. Yep, the warmest places in Norway are a pretty eclectic bunch. They include medieval towns on the North Sea, the happening capital in Oslo, and a whole host of beachside spots where you can cool off on stunning sands when the summer is in full flow…
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Nesbyen
A small town located northwest of Oslo, Nesbyen made headlines in 2020 when it celebrated 50 years as Norway’s warmest destination. The town has held the title since 1970, when it saw temperatures rocket to 35.6 degrees Celsius (96.08 F).
Outside of those extreme, record temperatures, July is the best month to visit Nesbyen for heat. Even at average temperatures, the town is still one of the warmest places in Norway, and visitors can expect average maximum temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius (69.8 F). In August, temperatures remain high but drop ever so slightly lower, averaging at a maximum of 19 degrees Celsius. As a general rule June, July, August are the most desirable months to visit Nesbyen for a chance of warm, sunny weather.
One of the main reasons that this one gets so balmy is that it’s well protected by a wall of high mountains far inland from the cooling North Sea breeze. That makes it a hiker’s dream. The nature park of the Valdres is a touch to the north, touting alpine lakes on plateaus, while the Indre Vassfaret is to the east, offering wooded rambling trails through evergreen forests. Both are great in the spring and summer months.
Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad sits just south of Oslo and is situated on the Eastern coast of the Oslofjord. The city’s southern location means it experiences milder weather, and the shelter from the Fjord prevents the city from being attacked by unbuffered sea breezes. Fredrikstad is an urban break for tourists yet has plenty of natural features to enjoy in the warmer months.
Unlike most on our list, Fredrikstad experiences a maximum average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in June and August. The higher temperatures in these months elongate the summer period, creating three months of reliable heat for visitors to Fredrikstad. July, of course, is the warmest month, with a maximum average of 21 degrees Celsius.
For those wanting warmer summer months yet a smaller city than Oslo, Fredrikstad is a great destination in Norway. The city reliably experiences temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius from June until August and has enough tourist infrastructure to keep visitors well entertained.
Oslo
Thanks to the Oslofjord, the Norwegian capital of Oslo is a remarkably sheltered city. The city is also located in Norway’s warmer South and has the benefit of surrounding mountains and forests – easily earning it a spot on the warmest places in Norway.
In Oslo’s summer months, visitors can have surprise temperatures of up to 33 degrees Celsius. However, the average maximum temperature is highest in July, when you can expect temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius. Similar to Nesbyen, the temperatures drop only slightly in August. Visitors can expect average maximums of 21 degrees Celsius – just one degrees lower than in July.
Between June and August, Oslo is a great Norwegian destination for a taste of the sun. At the Opera Beach and Sorengautstikkeren in the center, you’ll often find locals and tourists alike taking a dip in the sea or soaking up rays from the stone docks. The warm weather is hugely embraced as part of summer culture in Oslo, making it the perfect Norwegian escape.
Mandal
One of Norway’s largest towns, Mandal sits on the country’s Southernmost tip. Visitors and locals can enjoy the town’s coastal location, with plenty of surrounding beaches to savor sand, sea, and sun in those warmer months. Sjosanden, Kanelstranda, and Spidsbo are all top-rated beach locations.
Unlike our previous places, Mandal experiences the same average maximum temperature in July and August. Across both months, you can expect an average maximum of 18 degrees Celsius. July is the more reliable of the months, though, with more frequent warm days, so we’d still recommend visiting Mandal in July where possible.
Mandal has also been known to exceed its average maximum temperatures during the summer months sporadically. In July 2018 and 2019, temperatures soared to a maximum of 27.5 degrees in the month’s hottest days, earning Mandal a firm spot on our list of the warmest places in Norway.
Alesund
Alesund is located on Norway’s Western Coast, which typically experiences breezy cooler weather. The town sits at the opening of the Geirangerfjord and is home to the Mount Askla lookout that famously overlooks the town’s scenic archipelago.
The warmest months to visit Alesund are July and August, with both months having an average maximum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. However, if you have to choose between the two, we’d suggest visiting in August. August’s mean temperature is 0.4 degrees Celsius higher than July’s, meaning you can expect a higher proportion of warmer days.
While the surrounding region tends to be breezy and cool, Alesund does see sporadic high temperatures. Most notably, in July 2018, July temperatures reached a record of 30 degrees Celsius. And, annually, you can expect anomalous hot days of up to 25 degrees Celsius in July and August.
The town’s scenic locale makes it a perfect outdoor destination to enjoy summer heatwaves. Alesund is an easy addition to our recommendations of the warmest places in Norway.
Trondheim
Trondheim is one city that benefits directly from the shelter of its surrounding Fjord. The Trondheim Fjord sits in central Norway and is famed for its depth, providing lots of protection against the wind for its cities and towns within.
Like many other Norwegian destinations on our list, Trondheim experiences its warmest month in July. In July, you can expect average maximum temperatures of 19 degrees, highlighting the city as one of the warmest places in Norway. This average drops by one degrees Celsius in August, maintaining a warm 18 degrees.
Unlike our other destinations, temperatures in Trondheim are a little lower in June, with an average mean of 16 degrees Celsius. Therefore, we’d recommend visiting in July or August if you plan on enjoying some warmer Norwegian weather.
Located right on the Fjord’s waterfront, Trondheim is an incredible watersports destination. And, thanks to its rural location, the city is also the perfect base for hiking holidays and wildlife spotting. For an outdoor summer holiday, Trondheim is a strong contender.
Rognan
In the Northern municipality of Saltdal, Rognan is a small village that sits in the center of the Saltdal Fjord. The village is the perfect destination in Norway for a scenic, rural escape. The village has an aesthetic harbor framed by a backdrop of the fjord mountains. The Sjunkhatten National Park is located just North of the village and makes for an excellent summery day trip in the wilderness.
While Northern temperatures are typically cooler, you can still expect occasional top temperatures and a mild summer in Rognan. Typical of Norwegian summers, July is the hottest month in Rognan, experiencing average temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius. However, in the past, Rognan has seen daily temperatures rise as high as 21 degrees Celsius in July – meaning it can be one of the warmest places in Norway.
Unlike the rest of our list, we’d only recommend visiting in July if you desire warm weather in Rognan. Temperatures tend to average at 14 degrees Celsius in August, and anomalous spikes in heat are few and far between. For this reason, keeping your visit within July maximizes your chance of a warmer holiday and gives you a higher likelihood of getting those Norwegian rays you crave.
Where is the warmest place in Norway?
The warmest place in Norway is Nesbyen, which holds the current record of 35.6 degrees Celsius.
What’s the warmest it gets in Norway?
The record hottest temperature is 35.6 degrees, recorded in Nesbyen in 1970. However, usually the warmest it gets in Norway is up to 25 degrees Celsius.
Where is the driest place in Norway?
The driest Norwegian city is Skjak. Skjak only experiences 278mm of precipitation a year.
