It’s easy to imagine yourself in Norway in winter, rugged up against the bitter cold, gaze fixed upwards, waiting for emerald and violet light to dance across the sky.
Snorkelling, endless sunshine, and horse riding along the beach are less vividly painted pictures, primarily due to external markets lacking a focus on summertime tourism in Norway.
With more hours of sunlight each day than you know what to do with, daytime temperatures in the low 20s, and plenty of nature to get out and explore, summer is a prime time to visit the country, and these are just some of the unique activities you can get involved in.
Ride a horse along the beach
Mountains, fjords, snow, and auroras dominate the public’s perception of Norway, which completely obscures the fact that the country’s immense coastline is also dotted with white sand beaches and Maldivian-blue coves. Take to one of Lofoten’s prettiest on an Icelandic horse, led along its shores by the team at Hov Gård. Their tours take you from the farm’s stables on Gimsøya Island, up to a vantage point with panoramic views, along the Arctic beach, past traditional fish drying racks, and then right back to where you started from. For the most memorable experience, book the Midnight Sun ride, which runs daily at 10:00 p.m. from May to August.
Visit a palm-covered island
In a country where it’s assumed the weather is perpetually cold, it’s fair to also think that tropical plants didn’t stand a chance. But on an island a short boat ride from Stavanger in Norway’s south, they flourish. At Flor og Fjære, palms, cacti, and summer peonies are planted in harmony, populating the undulating hills of a 50-acre botanical garden. It’s at its most beautiful from May to September, when the flowers awaken from hibernation and cover the island in colour. At the garden’s heart is a large tropical greenhouse, where guests to the island sit among the palms and dine on a three-course lunch using vegetables and herbs grown on the island. Tickets to Flor og Fjære include return ferry transport, a guided tour of the gardens, and a set-menu lunch.
Go hunting for truffle (seaweed)
Most people have never heard of truffle seaweed, let alone tasted it. The uncannily earthy-tasting ocean fungus grows prolifically on the tendrils of the knotted wrack that carpets Norway’s coastline, making it one of the most sustainable ways for Norwegian chefs to add the pungent flavour to their dishes. Try it on the menu anywhere in the Trøndelag or Arctic regions, where it’s used to flavour everything from the butter for your pre-dinner bread to the country’s ubiquitous fiskesuppe (fish soup). Join a foraging tour with Trøndelag Sankeri’s Jim-Andre Stene, and you’ll get more than just a taste for the fungus. Here, you’ll learn to identify the truffle seaweed from the wrack and gain insight into the collecting, prepping, and drying processes, so you can forage it for yourself.
Snorkel an Arctic fjord
It’s cool to be able to say you’ve been bungee jumping in Aotearoa or swimming with the whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef. But being able to say you’ve snorkelled in an Arctic fjord feels on a whole different level. Join Nord & Ne just outside of Bodø for an eye-opening drift-snorkel through the seaweed forests of Saltstraumen fjord. Beneath the surface, you’ll see dozens of starfish, tiny nudibranchia, and hermit crabs galore. Or, strap on a scuba tank and head into the depths to see cod, catfish, and anemones. Drysuits and all snorkelling and diving equipment are provided.
Indulge in utepils
The word translates, quite literally, to ‘outdoor beers’. It’s a beloved part of Norwegian culture and simply involves having a beer outside in the sun. Pick up a few cans from any of the local grocery stores or the Vinmonopolet (the state-run liquor stores) and crack them in the sunshine on your hotel balcony. Or, head to the town centre to find a bar, cafe, or restaurant with alfresco seating and an ale on tap. In cities like Stavanger, they take utepils seriously, transforming the harbourfront into a pedestrian street, extending all the bar and pub alfresco areas, and hosting live concerts throughout the summer.
Go berry foraging
Wild blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cloudberries are ripe for the picking between May and October, and grow bountifully across the country. Bring a small container with you when you head out on a hike, and if you spot a patch of berries en route, you’re most welcome to pluck them. Of course, this only goes for berries on public land; trespassing and stealing can’t be condoned. Wild raspberries and blueberries are some of the easiest berries to find, growing countrywide and in rather conspicuous places, like hiking trails and even behind bus stops. It’s the cloudberry that’s most elusive, their exact whereabouts in the colder, marshy areas of Norway a strongly guarded local secret.
