Norway and natural beauty go hand in hand, especially in September. Begin your holiday to Norway in Oslo and settle in for a scenic seven-hour journey on the Bergen Railway, or marvel at the unfolding colourful landscapes aboard a coastal cruise. Keen to stretch your legs? Head to the postcard-perfect Lofoten Islands for golden-leafed hiking trails, or visit Geiranger for beautiful biking routes (just don’t forget to pack extra layers). Read on for our favourite reasons to visit Norway in September…
- For festivals in Oslo
- For hikes and the Northern Lights in Lofoten
- For calm coastal cruises
- For the scenic Bergen Railway
- For bike rides in Geiranger
For festivals in Oslo
Kicking off our list of reasons to visit Norway in September are the lively festivals in Oslo; with over 900 events on the cultural calendar, you’re spoilt for choice. Immerse yourself in the city’s thriving music scene at the annual Ultima Contemporary Music Festival, catch a powerful performance at the National Opera and Ballet, or lose yourself in the music at Oslo’s Concert Hall.
Keen to discover Norway’s traditional cuisine? Oslo’s got you covered. Head to Youngstorget in the city centre and tuck into the Matstreif Food Festival (Norway’s largest), where over 140 stalls serve local delicacies, from freshly-caught crab to sautéed reindeer.
Image by Ilja C. Hendel/LAIF-REA
For hikes and the Northern Lights in Lofoten
Lace up your hiking boots and head to the Lofoten Islands for copper-coloured trails in September. Skip the summer crowds and scale the heights of Festvagtind for pretty panoramas of Henningsvaer, a vibrant fishing village known as the ‘Venice of Lofoten’. Or, challenge yourself with a trek up the dramatic Reinebringen trail. At the top, the 1,470ft high jagged peak offers sweeping views over Reinefjord, Kjerkfjord and the surrounding summits.
Stick to the shore for a chance to see the Northern Lights in September. While the darker days make sightings more likely in Lofoten, it’s never guaranteed. Skagsanden, Uttakleiv and Vik beaches are top viewing spots, however, thanks to their clear skies and low light pollution.
Image by Jérôme Galland
For calm coastal cruises
Nab a front-row seat to Norway in autumn aboard a Havila cruise. As summer slips away, so do the crowds, leaving uninterrupted coastal views and tranquil fjord beauty. Travel from Bergen in the west up to Kirkenes in the north and admire amber-tinted scenery, craggy cliffs and beautiful bird migrations. In September, glide through the glassy Hjorundfjord and crane your neck to take in the towering Sunnmore Alps before crossing the Arctic Circle and travelling up to the North Cape – mainland Europe’s northernmost point and a bucket-list spot.
Image by Melina Kiefer / Unsplash.com
For the scenic Bergen Railway
Speaking of scenic travel, Norway’s lush landscape bursts into colour along the Bergen Railway in September. Sit back, relax and marvel at your mesmerising surroundings on the seven-hour journey from Oslo to Bergen, which passes through 22 stops and 180 tunnels. Once you pull out of the station, watch as mirror-like lakes give way to thick forests and cascading waterfalls flow into winding rivers. Completed in 1909, it’s northern Europe’s highest mainline railway, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau at around 4,000ft. Just don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights...
Image by Carley Rudd / Kintzing
For bike rides in Geiranger
Last up on our list of reasons to visit Norway in September is for bike rides in Geiranger. Home to the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord, this area dazzles with honey-hued natural beauty. Dodge the summer rush and cycle in September when the popular routes begin to clear. Hop on a bike and follow Trollstigen’s (Troll Road) twisting trail through Romsdalen Valley, where dramatic peaks and tumbling waterfalls surround you. Or, for a faster pace, hire an electric bike and zip along the meandering mountain roads, breathing in the crisp autumn air.
Image by Krisjanis Mezulas / Unsplash.com
Written by Amy Larsen | Header Image by Millie Olsen / Unsplash.com
