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Northern Lights over Lofoten

Norway Tours in December

From northern lights adventures in the north to scenic journeys in the fjords, travelling to Norway in December offers exciting possibilities. You can opt for a short winter break or a longer tour by train or cruise. The Norwegian travel experts at Nordic Visitor will use their insider knowledge to craft your ideal holiday.

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TRAVEL TO NORWAY IN DECEMBER

Be ready for a winter wonderland by touring Norway in December. Admire the snow-covered peaks, experience fun winter activities and visit the many Christmas markets. With the polar nights in the north, it’s the ideal time to come chase the northern lights!

At this time of year, you could explore Norway independently via trains and cruises or book a partially guided tour to Northern Norway.

The Norwegian travel experts at Nordic Visitor will tailor an itinerary to suit you. For an extra special December holiday, why not take a fjord cruise at Christmas time? Or you could even spend a night in a hotel made of snow and ice!

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 as part of your package.

Keep browsing below to explore ideas for winter tours to Norway in December.

 

— 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

 

ENJOY A WINTER BREAK UP NORTH

Stay in snowy northern Norway and enjoy a blend of free time and guided activities, including northern lights tours.

Norway
Best seller
Cruise
7 days / 6 nights
4.7
Dec - Mar

Best of Northern Norway Classic - 71° North Cape

3781EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
7 days / 6 nights
Dec - Mar

Best of Northern Norway Classic - 71° North Cape

3781EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Best seller
Cruise
10 days / 9 nights
4.9
Oct - Mar

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise

3234EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
Oct - Mar

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise

3234EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Cruise & Train
7 days / 6 nights
Oct - Apr

Express Norway - Winter

2058EUR

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
Oct - Apr

Express Norway - Winter

2058EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Cruise & Train
7 days / 6 nights
Oct - Apr

Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter

1729EUR

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
Oct - Apr

Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter

1729EUR

EUR

Close map view

Expand your Nordic adventure

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Scandinavian holiday with these tours that combine stays in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and other Nordic destinations.

Iceland
Best seller
Guided Groups
8 days / 7 nights
5.0
Sep - Mar

Northern Lights Circle Tour

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

514454ISK

Eur

View map
Best seller
8 days / 7 nights
Sep - Mar

Northern Lights Circle Tour

514454ISK

ISK

Close map view
Norway
Best seller
Cruise
7 days / 6 nights
4.7
Dec - Mar

Best of Northern Norway Classic - 71° North Cape

3781EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
7 days / 6 nights
Dec - Mar

Best of Northern Norway Classic - 71° North Cape

3781EUR

EUR

Close map view
Norway
Best seller
Cruise
10 days / 9 nights
4.9
Oct - Mar

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise

3234EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
Oct - Mar

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise

3234EUR

EUR

Close map view
Iceland
Self-drive
10 days / 9 nights
4.9
Oct - Apr

South & West Iceland at Leisure - Winter

216165ISK

Eur

View map
10 days / 9 nights
Oct - Apr

South & West Iceland at Leisure - Winter

216165ISK

ISK

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Different ways you can experience Norway

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

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.

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.

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.

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.  

Roseanne

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise, October 2019

Great trip

Hotels were all lovely and very accommodating.

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.

Mary, United States

Northern Lights by Train and Cruise, October 2019

A dream vacation

My husband and I had a fantastic time visiting Norway, it was a dream vacation for us!

Amy,

Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter, October 2019

Incredible holiday!

Really lovely tour which felt independent. Excellent hotels, easy travel arrangements, stunning scenery, wonderful journeys... an incredible holiday. Thank you. Very highly recommended.

Andrea Thompson

Norway in a Nutshell® - Classic, October 2019

It was a great experience!

It was a great experience! Nordic did all the work organizing our trip, which went incredibly smoothly. It was the most stress-free trip I've ever taken, and we saw much more than we probably would have seen on our own.

Travel Guide

Be prepared for just about anything on your Norway adventure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VISITING NORWAY IN DECEMBER

Whatever you’re wondering about visiting Norway in December, we’re here to answer your most commonly asked questions. Is December 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 December?

Sure, the days are short and the winter temperatures start to get chilly, but there’s a lot to love about spending holidays in Norway in December.

One of the highlights if you visit Norway in winter is the aurora borealis. You can see them best in Northern Norway, or you could spend a few nights on a Hurtigruten cruise along the country’s picturesque west coast. Or maybe you want to experience thrilling winter activities.

There is plenty to do and your days in Norway could be filled with fun excursions and exploration.

Here are 10 of the best things to do in Norway in December:

  • Spot the dancing aurora borealis in the night sky
  • Explore the vibrant capital, Oslo
  • Board Norway in a Nutshell® in December to experience the beautiful Flåm and Bergen railways
  • Learn more about Sami culture
  • Enjoy a Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage along the west coast
  • Stay the night in an ice room at the Snow Hotel
  • Meet huskies for a dog sledding excursion
  • Cruise through the dramatic Norway fjords in December
  • Try snowmobiling, snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the countryside
  • Admire the fairy lights of the many Christmas markets and fairs

Christmas markets in December
December is an excellent time to visit Norway to take part in their festive season. You’ll find a large Christmas market in Oslo, which is open until the end of December. Among many other locations in Norway, Bergen and Trondheim also host markets from November until around 22 December.

Once you’ve visited Norway’s markets, you’ll know that the true highlight are the stalls. Taste local delicacies and buy high-quality craft as souvenirs. If you’re travelling as a family, kids may love to try ice skating or admire the views from the top of ferris wheels.

Good to know: The Norwegian experts at Nordic Visitor will make sure your itinerary is tailored to your taste. Add excursions like dog sledding or snowmobiling to your tour or even shore excursions to your cruise. You could visit charming Ålesund and the Lofoten islands.

Plus, 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.



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

Travel to Norway in December to see the beautiful natural sights covered in snow. Northern Norway is especially great to visit during the winter for snow activities or to go chasing the northern lights.

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

  • Explore the capital Oslo and its many highlights and museums
  • Visit Tromsø to chase the aurora borealis
  • Head west to admire the glittering fjords, such as Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord
  • Stay in charming Norwegian locations such as Flåm and Trondheim
  • Experience snow like never before in Kirkenes
  • Stroll through the “Gateway to the Fjords”, Bergen
  • Sail across the Arctic Circle to the North Cape and the Lofoten islands
  • Fly north to visit the kingdom of polar bears, remote Svalbard

If the northern lights are on your bucket list, December is a fantastic time to visit Norway. The “northern lights belt” (also called “aurora belt”) passes directly through Northern Norway. This means the best places to go for viewing the aurora borealis are the Arctic towns of Tromsø or Kirkenes.



What is the weather like in Norway in December?

As December is a winter month, the weather is usually cold. Temperatures are falling slowly towards below freezing, especially at night. It can be a hit or miss regarding snow in December, but at higher altitudes snow starts to cover the rugged landscape.

What is the temperature in December?

In Norway in December, the average temperature is around 0°C (32°F). But as the country spans such a large distance, temperatures in Norway vary depending on location.

In the capital and in Tromsø, the average temperature is -3°C (27°F) in December. In Bergen and Stavanger, it is higher with an average of 3°C (37°F) and 6°C (43°F) respectively. That’s thanks to the Gulf Stream, which warms the west coast.

Does it snow in Norway in December?

You may expect some snow during your tour of Norway in December. However, January to March are usually the months with the most snowfall.

The Norwegian winter is an ideal time to take part in activities such as snowmobiling or dog sledding.



What are the driving conditions in Norway in December?

Driving in Norway in winter is likely to be different than what you’re used to back home, even if you’ve experienced snowy, icy conditions before. Winter storms can bring high winds, poor visibility and slippery surfaces.

Driving over mountain passes can also require extra caution at this time of year. It’s important to note that some roads are closed over the winter. This is why we recommend summer road trips to Norway instead.

Between May and September, you could also join a guided group tour, go hiking and experience the midnight sun. Southern Norway is especially beautiful at this time of year!

What to pack for a trip to Norway in December?

Temperatures are usually below freezing in Norway at this time of year. For that reason, it’s best you bring ample warm 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 December:

  • Insulated and waterproof jacket
  • Wool jumpers
  • Waterproof or snow trousers
  • Insulated boots with a good grip
  • A warm hat, gloves and scarves
  • Thermal socks and underwear

If your tour includes activities like dog sledding or snowmobiling, you may also wish to bring glove liners, a balaclava and maybe even warmer heat packs. Some excursions will provide thermal suits for your protection, but make sure to check details before departing on your adventure.



What to wear in Norway in December?

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

When travelling to Norway in the winter, you can expect cold temperatures outdoors. They may feel even colder with the strong coastal winds (wind chill factor). To enjoy all your winter activities, come prepared with warm underlayers and insulated outer layers.

What are the daylight hours in Norway in December?

As December coincides with the winter solstice, you can expect the shortest days and longest nights of the year. In Oslo, the sun rises around 9:00 AM and sets at 15:20 PM. This means you’ll experience an average of 6 hours of daylight.

In the north, the sun doesn’t rise at all thanks to the polar nights. The advantage of this is that you may be able to see the northern lights!

Can I see northern lights in Norway in December?

The best time to admire the auroras in the Norway skies is between the months of October and March, so you’re in luck! Head to Northern Norway with a stay in Tromsø or Kirkenes for your best chances of seeing them.



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
  • Want to meet Santa Claus for Christmas? Head to Lapland
  • Interested in more road trip ideas? Venture to Scotland

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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