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Trolltunga in Norway

Visit Norway in May

Get ahead of the peak summer travel season by visiting Norway in May, when you‘ll enjoy plenty of daylight for sightseeing and mild weather for outdoor activities. Experience the historic cities and majestic Norwegian fjords with a tailor-made road trip, coastal cruise or train journey in May designed by Nordic Visitor.

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Travelling to Norway in May

May is an excellent time to visit Norway! It’s spring and the busy summer season hasn’t yet begun, so expect fewer crowds at top attractions and less traffic on the roads.

There are long daylight hours in Norway in May and the weather is pleasantly mild. This means you have lots of time in the day to explore the beautiful Norwegian fjords and coastline. Go hiking, visit museums, or soak up Norway’s Viking heritage.

You could discover Norway on a small group tour, take on a Norwegian road trip, or choose to travel independently via trains and cruises.

Plus, when you book a holiday to Norway with Nordic Visitor, you get tried-and-tested accommodation, transportation reservations, daily breakfast, and many other benefits. You’ll also enjoy the personal service of your own dedicated travel consultant.

Keep browsing below to explore ideas for Norway tours in May.

 

— WHY US?

Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Value for your money
  • Professional service from local experts

 

Explore Norway by car

Enjoy the freedom of a road trip, but with a helping hand. You decide what to see and do, we handle the rest.

Norway
Best seller
Self-drive
7 days / 6 nights
4.8
May - Sep

Norway Fjord Route by Car - Classic

2284EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
7 days / 6 nights
May - Sep

Norway Fjord Route by Car - Classic

2284EUR

EUR

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Norway
Best seller
Self-drive
10 days / 9 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Classic

Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise

3300EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Classic

3300EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Best seller
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
May - Sep

Norway Road Trip - Complete

3812EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
14 days / 13 nights
May - Sep

Norway Road Trip - Complete

3812EUR

EUR

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Norway
Best seller
Self-drive
16 days / 15 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Grand

Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise

4770EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
16 days / 15 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Grand

4770EUR

EUR

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Join a Guided Small Group Tour

Visit Norway and other Scandinavia countries with like-minded travellers and an experienced local tour leader.

Norway
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
Guided Groups
10 days / 9 nights
4.8
May - Aug

Highlights of Norway

Hurtigruten cruise, Norwegian fjords & Expert tour guide

Pace Level Level 2 (Classic)
Activity Level Level 1 (Easy)

5707EUR

5136EUR

Eur

View map
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
May - Aug

Highlights of Norway

5707EUR

5136EUR

EUR

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Norway, Sweden & Denmark
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
Guided Groups
10 days / 9 nights
4.9
May - Aug

Highlights of Scandinavia

Sweden, Denmark & Norway

4987EUR

4488EUR

Eur

View map
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
May - Aug

Highlights of Scandinavia

4987EUR

4488EUR

EUR

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Norway, Sweden, 2 more …
Guided Groups
12 days / 11 nights
May - Sep

Highlights of Scandinavia & Finland Cruise

Finland, Sweden, Denmark & Norway

5587EUR

Eur

View map
12 days / 11 nights
May - Sep

Highlights of Scandinavia & Finland Cruise

5587EUR

EUR

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Norway, Sweden, 3 more …
Guided Groups
14 days / 13 nights
May - Sep

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise

Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark & Norway

5833EUR

Eur

View map
14 days / 13 nights
May - Sep

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise

5833EUR

EUR

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See the Norwegian Fjords by train

Experience Norway in a nutshell on an expertly organised train tour. We do the planning, you just enjoy the ride.

Norway
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
Train
7 days / 6 nights
4.8
May - Sep

Norway in a Nutshell® - Classic

2035EUR

1832EUR

Eur

View map
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
7 days / 6 nights
May - Sep

Norway in a Nutshell® - Classic

2035EUR

1832EUR

EUR

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Norway
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
Cruise & Train
7 days / 6 nights
4.8
May - Sep

Best of the Norwegian Fjords – Express

Geiranger & Fjord Cruise

2584EUR

2326EUR

Eur

View map
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
7 days / 6 nights
May - Sep

Best of the Norwegian Fjords – Express

2584EUR

2326EUR

EUR

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Norway
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
Cruise & Train
13 days / 12 nights
May - Sep

Complete Norway

7678EUR

6910EUR

Eur

View map
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
13 days / 12 nights
May - Sep

Complete Norway

7678EUR

6910EUR

EUR

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Norway
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
Cruise & Train
10 days / 9 nights
5.0
May - Sep

Classic Norway

3182EUR

2864EUR

Eur

View map
10% OFF IN 2024
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
May - Sep

Classic Norway

3182EUR

2864EUR

EUR

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Sail Along Norway's Scenic Coast

Hop on a Hurtigruten cruise between Bergen and Kirkenes for incredible scenery and fun shore excursions.

Norway
Best seller
Self-drive
10 days / 9 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Classic

Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise

3300EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Classic

3300EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Best seller
Self-drive
16 days / 15 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Grand

Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise

4770EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
16 days / 15 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Grand

4770EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Self-drive
7 days / 6 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Express

Road Trip & Hurtigruten

2439EUR

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Express

2439EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Complete

Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise

4323EUR

Eur

View map
14 days / 13 nights
May - Sep

Scenic Norway - Complete

4323EUR

EUR

Close map view

Norway Travel Experts

As a travel agency founded in the Nordic region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Norway. We offer a variety of tours — both independent and guided — that include the must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights that are hand-picked by our own Norway travel experts. To ensure a stress-free trip, we handle all the local details for you — accommodations, activities, rental car, train tickets, Hurtigruten cruise reservations and other specialist services.

Oh, and we can customise your itinerary! If you decide you want to add extra nights at a certain location, for example, your personal Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be happy to make suggestions and modify your itinerary.

Different ways you can experience Norway

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Norway below.

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Christian, Canada

Complete Norway, February 2020

We had a great experience

Everything was fine, accomodations were perfect, comfortable and very good breakfast. Our experience with Nordic Visitor was very helpful and the followups were very efficient.

Tracy, United States

Highlights of Norway, May 2019

Fantastic tour! My second guided tour with Nordic Visitor, and I will look to do other tours

I enjoyed the small group size and getting to know my tour mates. I most enjoyed the Fjord part of the tour.  Flam was amazing and the accomodations were fantastic! This was my second guided tour with Nordic Visitor, and I will look to do other tours with Nordic Visitor. I have recommended to friends and 2 have used for self-drive tours in Iceland. I also wrote a positive trip advisor review on my Iceland tour and it was read by 1,500 people! I will give another positive write-up on this trip. I love to look at your website (which is one of the best travel websites I've seen) and dream about where I may want to go next.

Brenda, South Africa

Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter, January 2020

Wonderful experience!

It's intimidating visiting a foreign country where you don't speak the language. Our fears were put to rest the moment we started our tour, the whole experience was just wonderful. Everything was wonderful, our tour was carefully planned and made the maximum use of our time.

Larry, Canada

Highlights of Norway, July 2019

I enjoyed the whole tour!

The scenery was beautiful and the accommodations and food were excellent. Our tour leader and driver were great to travel with and I enjoyed the whole tour.

Debbie, United States

Norway in a Nutshell® & Northern Lights Express, March 2020

Excellent tour!

An excellent tour. Excellent locations, nice quality. Self guided, directions were very clear and concise. We especially enjoyed the day spent at Camp Tamok, where we partook in reindeer and dog sledding.

Lesley, Australia

Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter, October 2019

Good travel experience!

Flam railway trip fantastic and the ferry cruise in the magnificent fjord. Overall, very good travel experience for this usually very independent traveller.

Michelle, Australia

Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter, October 2019

Seamless organisation, wonderful time!

All hotels where great a very well located. All transferred where seamless and directions very easy to follow. As a solo traveller I was astounded by how well everything had been organised. I had a wonderful time and thank you for organising my days in Norway. I would definitely use you again. I will be travelling again in 2020. I will be contacting you about other destinations. Thank you again for your seamless organisation. A wonderful journey.  

Richard, United States

Best of the Norwegian Fjords – Express, August 2019

Positive experience

Overall everything went off perfectly!

Travel Guide

Be prepared for just about anything on your Norway adventure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VISITING NORWAY IN MAY

Whatever you’re wondering about visiting Norway in May, we’re here to answer your most commonly asked questions. Is May a good time to visit Norway? Definitely! What can you visit during this time of year? Read below to find out all the details from our local travel experts.

What are the best things to do in Norway in May?

There are plenty of things you can do during your trip to Norway. In May, the days are long and the nights are short, so you can spend more time sightseeing on your spring vacation in Norway.

Plus, with the mild May weather in Norway, you can take advantage of the plentiful outdoor activities. Enjoy Norwegian fjords cruises and scenic hikes at places like Pulpit Rock.

Here are 10 of the best Norway travel experiences in May:

  • Marvel at the majestic waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil
  • Enjoy a Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage along the west coast
  • Cruise through dramatic fjords like the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord
  • Drive the scenic Atlantic Ocean Road
  • Board Norway in a Nutshell® in May to experience breathtaking landscapes
  • Hike in national parks for the country’s best vantage points
  • See Arctic wildlife and experience midnight sun in remote Svalbard
  • Celebrate Constitution Day (17 May) with the locals in the vibrant capital, Oslo
  • Watch dance and music performances at the Bergen International Festival
  • Attend other music festivals such as Codstock in the Lofoten islands

Good to know: Nordic Visitor itineraries aren’t set in stone. Our Norwegian experts know the country inside out and will tailor your itinerary to create a tour of Norway that suits you.



What are the best places to visit in Norway in May?

May is an ideal month to visit most parts of Norway and explore the top attractions.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Norway in May:

  • Explore the capital Oslo and its many highlights and museums
  • Head west to admire Norway’s fjords in May, such as Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord
  • Visit charming Norwegian villages such as Flåm
  • Stroll through the “Gateway to the Fjords”, Bergen, and the historic city of Trondheim
  • Sail to the Arctic Circle to see the North Cape, Lofoten islands and Tromsø
  • Hike up iconic landscapes like the Pulpit Rock, or see them from the water
  • Fly north to visit the kingdom of polar bears, remote Svalbard


What is the weather like in Norway in May?

It’s springtime in May, so Norway is transformed with pretty flowers and greenery. The days grow longer and longer and the weather is warming up. It is always colder further north, and wetter on the west coast. You might experience lovely warm days in Southern Norway in May.

What is the temperature in May?

As the country spans such a large distance, temperatures in Norway vary depending on location. The west coast is usually mild thanks to the Gulf Stream, while the north is still cold.

In Oslo and Bergen the average temperature is 11°C (52°F) in May. In Stavanger it is 8°C (47°F), in Tromsø it’s 5°C (41°F), and in Longyearbyen, the main town of Svalbard, it is -3°C (27°F).

Does it snow in Norway in May?

It is unlikely to snow during your tour of Norway in May, as winter has passed. If you’d like to experience snow, visit Northern Norway between December and March.



What are the driving conditions in Norway in May?

If you decide to take on a road trip in Norway, you won’t regret it! It’s an excellent way to experience the country at your own pace. In May, the weather and road conditions are usually ideal to take the wheel and you have plenty of daylight for the journey.

In general, the roads in Norway are of a high standard and are well-maintained. It’s also good to note that Norwegians drive on the right side of the road, like in North America. Rural roads generally have two lanes, but can be narrow and winding, particularly in mountainous areas.

Would you rather take in the view and let someone else do the driving? You could discover Norway on a small group tour or travel via trains and cruises.

What to pack for a trip to Norway in May?

It can get chilly in Norway in May, especially in the mountains or on the decks of cruise ships, so it’s a good idea to bring layers. That way, come rain or shine, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the country.

Here is a list of packing essentials for your Norway trip in May:

  • Shorts and trousers
  • Short and long sleeve shirts and at least one warm jumper or fleece
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Hat and gloves
  • Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
  • Sunglasses, sun hat and SPF lotion

An umbrella can also come in handy. If you’re cruising Norway in May, you might like to bring binoculars to get a closer look at coastal attractions. You might also want to bring an eye mask as the nights can be quite bright, due to the midnight sun.

What to wear in Norway in May?

In the Nordic countries, they have a saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”.

Look at the forecast before travelling and dress appropriately. Bring summer clothes for any warm days, but make sure to bring layers to adapt to the wind, rain or sunshine. If you go hiking or are out at sea, make sure you bring waterproof and windproof clothing.

What are the daylight hours in Norway in May?

In May the days are very long in Norway. In fact, if you visit the north in the last 2 weeks of May, you’ll get to experience the midnight sun phenomenon whereby the sun doesn’t set at all.

In the south, you’ll experience 16-18 hours of daylight in May. In the north, expect between 19-24 hours of daylight.

There is a difference in daylight hours between the beginning and end of the month. In early May, the sun rises at 5:15 AM and sets at 9:15 PM in Oslo. In Tromsø, the sunrise is at 3:20 AM and sunset at 10:10 PM.

By the end of the month, the sun rises at 4:05 AM in Oslo and sets by 10:25 PM. In Tromsø, the sun doesn’t set.

Can I see the northern lights in Norway in May?

It is unlikely you’ll see the northern lights during your stay in Norway in May, as the nights are short and don’t get very dark.

If you’re keen to see the northern lights in Norway, you should plan your trip for the winter, between October and March. The long nights mean dark skies, which make it easier to see the colourful solar activity.

Head to Northern Norway with an aurora borealis tour in Tromsø or Kirkenes to chase the northern lights.



How to tour Norway in May?

Though many of Norway's top natural attractions can be visited in under a week from Oslo, May is a wonderful time to slow down the pace. Venture further into the Norwegian countryside – either on your own or with tour guides.

Travel independently around Norway
To travel at your own pace while soaking up all the fantastic views, you could explore Norway by train or cruise.

Your exciting rail adventure will take you through the mountains to cities like Bergen or Trondheim. If you want to embark on one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world – Norway in a Nutshell® – May is a great month to do it.

Spring is also a good time to cruise Norway’s fjords and seas. Opt for a Hurtigruten journey to sail along the rugged west coast with one of the country’s best cruise lines. You can add shore excursions to places like charming Ålesund and the Lofoten islands.

A road trip in Norway
May is an ideal month for those who would like to take the wheel for a tour of Norway. Drive from Southern Norway to the western fjords at a relaxed pace. Experience incredible roads like the steep, twisting Trollstigen or the dramatic Atlantic Ocean Road.

At this time of year, the road conditions are excellent for touring, and you have decent daylight hours to drive and explore.



A small group tour of Norway
In May, you can choose from a range of guided small group tours to see the wonders of Norway. You could even discover other Scandinavian countries along the way.

These guided tours offer an enriching experience, allowing you to get the most out of your trip thanks to the expertise of a local guide. What’s more, you’ll be travelling alongside 15 people at most, so the trip is still personal for you.

Partially guided tours in Norway
A partially guided tour is a great way to combine solo travel with guided excursions. In May, you could head north to discover Svalbard. Explore the largest settlement, Longyearbyen, by yourself and join fun activities every day such as boat and husky safaris.

Good to know: Whichever of these travel styles you choose, you’ll get all the signature Nordic Visitor benefits. These include access to our 24/7 helpline, a detailed personal itinerary, helpful travel guide and daily breakfast.

Your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will book all your accommodation, and you can add extra nights and activities to your itinerary too.



As a Northern European tour operator, Nordic Visitor specialises in organising trips to this beautiful corner of the world. We have many more ideas and travel tips to help you explore the region your way!

Scroll down to learn more about Nordic Visitor’s services.

 

— OTHER DESTINATIONS

See more of Northern Europe

  • Want to visit Sweden and Denmark too? Immerse yourself in Scandinavia
  • Like raw nature? Discover Iceland’s jaw-dropping landscapes
  • Looking for more road trip ideas? Venture to Scotland and Ireland
  • Keen to go off the beaten track? Explore wild Svalbard

Our Services

Whether you travel by train, cruise ship or car in your Nordic Visitor package, all customers receive personalised service with a designated travel consultant, tailor-made quality travel documents, and our self-drive clients receive a hand-marked map that outlines their route, overnight stays and highlights along the way. Furthermore, Nordic Visitor has long-standing professional relationships with local tour operators, which are carefully selected by our staff and are recognized for consistent, quality service.

Book With Confidence

  • Protect your money & plans with our flexible booking terms  .
  • 97% of customers say they’d recommend us to friends.
  • We work closely with trusted, high-quality suppliers.
  • Enjoy personal service from Norway travel experts.
  • Get peace of mind with a 24/7 helpline during your stay.
  • We’re here for you in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Contact us

Do you have a question about our Norway tours Or maybe you want to customise a travel package. Whatever you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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