When to visit the Nordic countries
This guide gives you the best tips when visiting Scandinavia and the Nordic countries and the best places to see.
There's plenty to discover and explore in the Nordic countries, which are stunning year-round.
Experience unique Nordic nature, beautiful sandy beaches, Norwegian fjords and waterfalls, the Northern Lights, modern cities and much more.
Best time for the Nordic countries
Scandinavia and all Nordic countries have four seasons, where you can participate in many activities, tours, and attractions.
Outdoor activities are part of the Nordic lifestyle, and you find many different kinds of outdoor things in the Nordics.
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Spring is lovely with blooming flowers, and Summer with long sunny days where you can swim and visit one of the many music festivals.
Fall is also great for hiking trips, and in Winter, you can visit some of the many ski resorts, enjoy indoor “hygge” by the fire, and visit the Christmas markets in Copenhagen.
But the best time to visit depends on what you wish to see and do. In summer, the weather is warmer and more pleasant, and daylight lasts more than 16 hours.
Summer in the Nordic countries
Summer, June, July and August are great times to visit the Nordic countries and the high season in the Nordics. You have long days; in summer, the Sun comes up around 4:00 and sets around 22:30 in most Scandinavia.
In the Arctic region, the sun is above the horizon in the summer months, and you can experience the Midnight Sun where the sun never goes below the horizon.
For travellers, June, July, and August are the most popular months for visiting Nordic countries. Many tourists choose these months because of the pleasant temperatures and the sunny weather.
If you prefer milder weather and less crowded tourist attractions, May or September's shoulder seasons present an appealing alternative. You can get lucky to have good weather for several days in those months.
In spring, summer and fall, you can enjoy activities such as:
- City breaks in the main Nordic cities
- Visit the many Nordic castles and palaces
- Discover the fantastic fjords in Norway
- Visit one of the many Nordic attractions for kids
- Swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in Denmark
See also: Weather in Scandinavia
When to visit Denmark
You can visit Denmark in any four seasons, but many tourists visit the country in the spring and the summer.
Especially in May, when the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and there are lots of outdoor activities to do, and all you'll need is a light jacket. If June isn't an option, July, August and September are good alternatives because the weather is still good and not so rainy.
There are lots of outdoor events in Denmark during those months. However, the summer months of July and August are also the time of year in Denmark when you experience the most tourist crowds. The country is also perfect for a biking holiday because of the temperatures and the infrastructure.
If you want to go to Denmark to avoid the high travel season, May and September can be viable alternatives when to go to Denmark, and the weather is still mild enough for outdoor activities.
Before May and after September is the lower travel time of the year in Denmark, and prices of flights to Denmark and local hotels are lower.
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When to Visit Sweden
Summer runs from June to August, and Spring from March to May.
Travelling to Sweden in June is an excellent idea to experience outdoor events like Midsummer's Eve and other activities. The weather is quite warm, and you have long hours of daylight. In the northern part of the Nordic region, you find a unique natural phenomenon called the Midnight Sun, and here the sun is not going down under the horizon.
Also, May and July are great alternatives. It can be rainy in May and June, but July is warmer and drier. July and August can also be slightly more expensive than the earlier summer months, so June is still your best bet for when to go to Sweden.
It is highly recommended in late August and September if you're a budget traveller trying to decide when to go to Sweden. The flights to Sweden will be cheaper than during the high season, along with local hotel prices, and during that time, the weather in Sweden is still mild enough for outdoor attractions, although some sights begin to close during September.
Sweden is a great country to visit in the winter if you want to go skiing and discover the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland.
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When to visit Norway
Most travellers go to Norway in Spring and Summer, especially in June, July and August.
That's the time of the Midnight Sun, so you'll get very long days in southern Norway or even sunshine around the clock in northern Norway, and there are many things to do and places to go in Norway.
June and July are also the time for Norway's highest tourism levels, so while all sights and attractions will be open, you will see some tourist crowds.
So when should you go to Norway to avoid the high travel season? May and September are lovely alternatives to go to Norway and get lower rates - and the weather in Norway will still be mild enough for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
For travellers, the cheapest month in Norway is October. The summer is over, but the ski season hasn't started yet. October can be cold, and many outdoor attractions have begun to close.
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When to visit Finland
May through September offer the mildest weather and the highest travel volume.
Especially early summer - May and June are pleasant in Finland. When you pick when to go to Finland, remember that the Finnish summer holidays are in July, which equals higher prices. After that, August and September have more annual rainfall.
In June, the weather in Finland will be warm, outdoor activities and events are commonplace, and you can witness the Midnight Sun.
At the other end of the spectrum are the winter travellers. Finland, in the winter months, offers many kinds of activities. If you want to see the Northern Lights, aim for December. It's a pricey time of year, but Christmas in Finland, with all the snow and the local events, is a great experience. Don't forget to visit Rovaniemi, the Santa Claus Village in Lapland.
As a winter sports enthusiast, when to go to Finland is not an issue. You will find many flexible choices between January and March, Finland's coldest months.
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When to visit Iceland
The warmest months, June, July, and August, are the best to visit Iceland.
The Spring has plenty of unpredictable weather, but spring can be a delightful time to visit Iceland. The country begins to bloom literally, and the emergence of the long winter and brighter, longer days puts locals in an upbeat mood.
Summer in Iceland is peak season. Use Reykjavík as the base for explorations or stay in one of many locations around the countryside.
Summer is delightful; the sun barely sets, and enjoy the natural phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. You'll have the slightest chance of rain during June, and the weather in Iceland stays mild until late August. Come mid-September, though, almost all of the summer activities will be closed until May of the following year.
The colder part of the year is also when flight prices to Iceland fall drastically, and suddenly, the local hotels cut their prices by more than half. Budget travellers wondering when to go to Iceland should aim for February or March. They have more daylight than in the earlier winter months.
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When to visit Greenland
Greenland falls within the Arctic Circle. In winter, in the Polar darkness, the people there don’t see the sun for three months. This necessarily means no light reaches there in the Arctic region in Greenland. No one enjoys as much sunlight during the summer as Greenland. Even though the summer is precisely hot, per se, it’s enough to give you a good tan on your face. Greenland shares its season cycle with the Arctic.
There are two weather cycles in Greenland, and summer and winter are so different that your experience will vary greatly, in combination with the season when you visit Greenland. The travel season is spread over the summer, winter, and spring. Another important thing is to consider the purposes of your visit. Do you go to Greenland to see the Northern Lights and want to try dog-sledging - October-March is the time to go there.
The high season is between May and September because that’s when the winter ice starts to melt, which gives many exciting options like skiing, boating rides, trips to see the glacier, and some extraordinary polar wildlife like whale watching and experiencing the midnight sun. The amazing Midnight Sun can be explored during the Arctic summertime. Being part of a 24-hour Midnight Sun experience here in the most beautiful natural surroundings in the world is unforgettable.
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Visit the most beautiful natural sites in the Nordic countries
