Best Time to Visit Oslo, Norway - Weather Year Round

By VI Staff on May 16, 2020 - Updated

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Oslo is the capital of Norway and is one of the northernmost capitals in the world. It can be extremely cold in the winter, although this can be a good time to visit if you like winter sports and very low room rates. The warmest months are between May and August - this is the best time to visit Oslo. The temperatures rise; the flowers bloom; and you can experience nearly 24 hours of daylight; the famous midnight sun usually occurs sometime in June or July. The city is crowded during the peak season and room rates go up, but you can find affordable accommodations even during this time of the year. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Oslo, Norway Weather & Temperature by Month

In January, Oslo is absolutely freezing with average high temperatures at 34°F (1°C) and an average low temperature of 19°F (-7°C). It’s the coldest month of the year and an absolute wonderland for winter sports enthusiasts.

Oslo Weather in February: The winter wonderland nature of Oslo continues in February along with the cold weather. Low temperatures remain the same at 19°F (-7°C) while the high temperature average sees a 2-degree increase to 36°F (2°C). Precipitation levels average at 40 mm.

March marks the beginning of Oslo’s spring season and brings with it an average low temperature of 27°F (-3°C). The average high temperature climbs quickly to 43°F (6°C).

In April, Oslo receives the least rainfall of the year with just 40 mm to be expected. Additionally, the low temperature average increases by 7 degrees to 34°F (1°C) while the high temperature average sees a 5-degree bump up to 48°F (9°C).

Oslo Weather in May: The mildly cold temperature in May makes great conditions for sightseeing in Oslo. The average low temperature sees an increase of over 10 degrees to 45°F (7°C) while the average high temperature also sees a rather big jump to 61°F (16°C).

June enjoys the highest average of daily sunshine in the year with 8 hours of sunlight per day. The long, sunny days bring with it much warmer weather with the average low temperature and the average high temperature at 52°F (11°C) and 68°F (20°C) respectively.

In July, Oslo receives its hottest weather in the year as summer hits its peak. The average high temperature increases 4 degrees to 72°F (22°C) while the average low temperature sees a 3-degree rise to 55°F (13°C).

Oslo Weather in August: Days get quite rainy with August receiving its highest precipitation rate of the entire year – 90 mm. The temperatures start on a downward trend this month as summer nears its end and fall fast approaching. Low temperature averages are at 54°F (12°C) while high temperature averages hover at 68°F (20°C).

In September, the low and high temperatures measure in at 45°F (7°C) and 61°F (16°C) respectively. Ski season in Oslo starts this month so skiing along with other winter sports are bound to be fantastic.

October sees 39°F (4°C) for the low temperature average. Meanwhile, the average high temperature measures in at 50°F (10°C).

Oslo Weather in November: Days get quite cold, quite fast in November as winter comes early. Expected rainfall measures in at 70 mm while the average low temperature sinks quickly to 30°F (-1°C). The high temperature average is 39°F (4°C).

December brings what seems like very short days to Oslo with a 1-hour daily average of sunshine. The high and low temperatures measure in at 30°F (-1°C) and 23°F (-5°C) respectively.

Home to architectural innovation, incredible views of nature and awe-inspiring museums and galleries, Oslo is a must visit city for art lovers and fans of architectural masterpieces. Arguably the best time to visit Oslo is between May and August when the temperatures are mild and cool and hotel prices are quite affordable. For those dying to get a glimpse of Oslo’s “Midnight Sun”, plan your visit between June or July. The perfect time to visit for a sightseeing trip is between May and August as well. Winter sports enthusiast should plan to visit the city in between September and April when skiing opportunities north of the city are at their best.

2.Getting to Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the capital and largest city in Norway. The Oslo Airport is the biggest airport in Norway and the second biggest airport in Scandinavia. It is the hub for the country’s national airline, Scandinavian Airlines. The airport is located about 22 miles northeast of Oslo in Gardermoen. There are direct flights to the Oslo Airport from most major cities in Europe and from some cities in Asia and North America. You can also arrive in Oslo by train: trains arrive at the Oslo Central Station in the heart of the city. Several bus companies operate buses to Oslo Bussterminal. You can also travel to Oslo by ferry from Copenhagen, Frederikshavn, and Kiel.

3.Getting From the Airport

There are several ways to get from the Oslo Airport to the city center. The Flytoget Airport Express Train departs from the airport every 10 or 20 minutes and the trip into Oslo takes about 20 minutes. There are also Norwegian State Railways trains that stop at the airport and travel into Oslo. Flybussen is the name of the bus service to and from the airport. Buses depart every 20 minutes every day of the week and go to the Oslo Bussterminal. There are several taxi companies that have special Airport Taxi offers. The taxi information desk is located in the Arrivals Hall.

4.Getting Around Oslo, Norway

Oslo has an excellent public transportation system called Ruter. It is made up of city buses, regional buses, ferries, local trains, metro, and trams. This system runs throughout the center of Oslo as well as around the outskirts of the city. The metro or subway system is called the T-bane. It is a network of six subway lines and is very easy for visitors to use. The T-bane runs throughout the city and out into the suburbs. The buses and trams are the best way to get around Oslo. Together, the buses and trams make a very efficient and affordable way to see the city. There are single fares as well as passes.

5.Getting Around by taxi, car, t-bane, on foot, by bike

In addition to Oslo’s Ruter public transportation system, there are other ways to get around the city. Taxis can be hailed on the street; they can be found at taxi ranks; or they can be reserved by phone. Fares can be high, so this is not the best transportation option. Visiting Oslo by car is not very practical because of the scarcity of parking and the expense. Seeing Oslo on foot is a viable option because many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other. Another fun way to see the city is by bike: Oslo has a public bike service that is popular during the warm months. More Things to Do in Oslo

6.Restaurants

Because of the number of workers from other countries who choose to live in Oslo, the number of restaurants, especially restaurants serving ethnic cuisine, has significantly increased. In Oslo you can find food from America, China, France, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Turkey, and many other countries. Most restaurants are concentrated at Aker Brygge, a former shipbuilding yard on the harbor front. One of the local favorites here is the Albertine Cafe and Bar with its informal atmosphere and its panoramic view of the harbor. There are some older restaurants that are historic such as the Grand Cafe where Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen dined.

7.Shopping

Oslo is one of the most shopper-friendly cities in Scandinavia. Part of the reason for this is that many shops are within walking distance of each other, and there are traffic-free streets reserved just for shoppers. The heart of the shopping district is Stortorvet. Here there are more than 25 shops that sell many kinds of goods including handicrafts and enameled silver jewelry. There are also many stores concentrated along Karl Johans Gate and the streets that branch off it. Oslo also has shopping malls: these include Aker Brygge which is a complex of 40 restaurants and 65 shops. Other malls are Paleet, Oslo City, and Galeri Oslo.

8.Neighborhood Guide

Oslo is divided into several neighborhoods or districts. The center city is called Sentrum. This is the area where there are many business offices and city municipal offices. The Sentrum District is also the main tourist area: it starts at Oslo’s Central Train Station in the east and continues down the city’s main street called Karl Johans Gate to Det Kongelige Slott or Slottet which is the Royal Palace in the west. The district that is south of Sentrum is the location of the Akershus Festning, or the Akershus Fortress. This is an old castle that once protected Oslo’s harbor. This area is also home to the Norwegian Opera and Ballet.

9.Getting Married in Oslo

Oslo is a beautiful city and a special place for a wedding. Two foreign citizens are allowed to get married in Norway but there is a lot of paperwork that must be completed. Once you have finished all of the paperwork it will be time to look for your perfect wedding venue. Losby Gods is an old manor house dating from 1850 that is now a beautiful hotel and wedding venue. The Sundvolden Hotel is over 350 years old and, amazingly, its function room called the Glidehuset room is more than 1,000 years old! Dyna Fyr is a lighthouse that can accommodate up to 40 wedding guests.

10.Where to Stay

Accommodations in Oslo are generally more expensive than comparable hotels in cities in Canada or the United States, but they are on par with room rates in big European cities such as London or Paris. On the other hand, Oslo hotels receive most of their revenue from business travelers: the hotels lose their business travelers during the peak tourist summer months. This means that you can find discounts during June and July; regular room rates return around mid-August. Many hotels also offer discounts on the weekends. Luxury properties include the Grand Hotel and First Hotel Grims Grenka, while there are other kinds of accommodations like guest houses, cabins, apartments, and campgrounds.