It’s no secret that we go nuts for Norway at any time of year, whether it’s blanketed in snow or carpeted with spring blooms. But summer in Norway is pretty special. From its emerald-green valleys and deep fjords to its island-fringed coastline, June brings a vibrant energy to the country’s legendary landscapes. Take part in Midsummer festivities, embark on iconic road trips or spot Arctic wildlife in Svalbard – there’s plenty to entice travellers. Still need convincing? Read on for our top reasons to visit Norway in June…
1. For the Midnight Sun
2. For the lush green landscapes
3. For the festivities
4. For the ultimate road trips
5. For the wildlife-watching
For the Midnight Sun
If you’ve ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day, Northern Norway in June has the solution – 24 hours of daylight. Head north of the Arctic Circle to experience this phenomenon in destinations such as Tromso, North Cape and the Lofoten Islands. Keen adventurers can embark on a nighttime hike, wildlife safari, deep-sea fishing trip or kayaking tour around silent fjords. However you spend your time, you’ll have the opportunity to take in the scene-stealing surroundings in (quite literally) a different light. For an unforgettable sleepout, set up camp on one of Northern Norway’s island idylls and admire the North Sea in hues of tangerine and terracotta. Just don’t forget an eye mask…
For the lush green landscapes
Norway is the outdoor destination of dreams – and it’s at its best in June. Heralding the start of summer, June brings the promise of blue skies, sweet-spot temperatures and spectacular nature galore. Make a beeline for the fjords to see shimmering steel-blue waters, cascading waterfalls and mountains cloaked in verdant green vegetation. Lace up your hiking boots as it’s the perfect weather for exploring on foot, whether discovering the delights of Aurlandsdalen – Norway’s answer to the Grand Canyon – or tackling the Insta-famous rock formation, Trolltunga (where jaw-dropping views reward hikers at the top), unforgettable vistas await at every turn.
Image by Jason Row/Big Rolo Images/Fotolia
For the festivities
Not only does Norway’s nature awaken in June, but its festive spirit does too. On the 23rd, Sankthansaften (Midsummer’s Eve) is celebrated across the country to honour the longest day of the year. Bonfires are lit along Norway’s coastlines, fjords and lakes, and communities gather locally to celebrate with live music and barbeques. Aside from solstice soirees, there are plenty more buzzy celebrations to experience. How about Harstad’s Arctic Arts Festival – think music, theatre and dance performances – to get you into the festive mood before Midsummer’s Eve? Food fanatics, treat your tastebuds at Norway’s largest food festival in Stavanger, Gladmat, where a smorgasbord of culinary delights await. Further north, Bergenfest provides attendees with an audio feast, with exciting musical lineups set in the historic Bergenhus Fortress.
For the ultimate road trips
One of the best things about Norway in June? The country’s northern regions become fully accessible. This can only mean one thing: road trip time (Norway is one of the safest places to drive in the world, after all). Weave your way through the Lofoten archipelago as you cruise between Moskenesoy and Austvagoy with the Midnight Sun on your side. Stop at picturesque fishing villages along the way (we’re looking at you, Reine), and enjoy freshly caught seafood, off-the-beaten-track beaches and otherworldly hikes. Further north, take a spin around Senja island – known as ‘Norway in miniature’ – for dramatic jagged peaks and sparkling turquoise waters. Not in a rush? Traverse the lush Helgeland coastline (made up of over 14,000 islands and islets) as you drive along the Helgelandskysten route and take in stunning ocean views, soaring mountains and glistening glaciers.
Image by SmallWorldProduction/stock.adobe.com
For the wildlife-watching
While there’s an abundance of wildlife to spot all year round, Norway in June is prime time to see polar bears in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Come summer, much of the sea ice has melted – making it easier to reach the bears’ habitat – and the Midnight Sun (the gift that keeps on giving) means there’s no shortage of daylight hours. Birdlife also booms in June, whether it's breeding Atlantic puffin colonies on Runde Island or soaring sea eagles in the Lofoten archipelago. From spotting orcas, sperm and humpback whales around Vesteralen to watching walrus and seal colonies slip in and out of the water in Svalbard, there’s a wealth of wildlife on the world’s second-longest coastline.
Written by Hannah Whitehall | Header image by Ben Burger/Fotolia.com
