Published 7th Jul. 2025
Written by Amy Larsen
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People tend to think of Norway as either a summer or winter destination, but September sits quietly in between – still warm enough for hiking and exploring, but with a chill in the air that brings with it beautiful autumnal scenery. The reasons for a September Norway holiday don’t end there, though. Make a beeline to Oslo for festivals aplenty, head west on 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 or Vesteralen Archipelago for golden-leafed hiking trails or visit Geiranger for beautiful biking routes (just don’t forget to pack extra layers, it’s not summer anymore…).
Our Conde Nast TravelerTop Travel Specialist for Norway, Kate, visited the country last September, so was full of tips on why this is a fantastic time of year to explore Norway. Read on for her favourite reasons to visit Norway in September…
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 (held in mid-September), catch a powerful performance at the National Opera and Ballet, or lose yourself in the music at Oslo’s Concert Hall.
Foodie festivals more your scene? 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 (tastier than it sounds, we promise).
Image by Ilja C. Hendel/LAIF-REA
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.
Our Norway expert Kate’s top tip? Hire a car so you’ve got the freedom to move around if the weather isn’t playing ball, as conditions can be very localised in this part of the country. No one wants to be hiking in the rain when there’s a sunny valley a few miles away!
Image by Jérôme Galland
Stick to the shores of either Vesteralen or the Lofoten Islands for a chance to see the Northern Lights in September. While the darker days make sightings more likely than in the summer months, it’s never guaranteed. Skagsanden, Uttakleiv and Vik beaches are our top viewing spots in the Lofoten Islands, thanks to their clear skies and low light pollution. Kate was lucky enough to see the Northern Lights during her latest September trip, she said: ‘Seeing the Northern Lights was magical. The chances of seeing them in Vesteralen and Lofoten in September are good but not guaranteed, so watching them light up the night sky was a very welcome surprise!’
Image by Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Getty Images
Nab a front-row seat to Norway in autumn aboard a Havila cruise (a favourite among our clients at the moment). As summer slips away, so do the crowds, leaving uninterrupted coastal views and tranquil fjord beauty in September. Travel from Bergen in the west up to Kirkenes in the north and admire amber-tinted scenery, craggy cliffs and beautiful bird migrations. 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 Carley Rudd / Kintzing
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 autumnal-coloured 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 Tamme - stock.adobe.com
Next 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
In the late summer and autumn months, Norway’s valleys, forests and orchards are laden with ripe fruit. The berry picking season is in full swing come September, so why not get involved? Make like the locals and head out into the forest, armed with a bucket, in search of wild berries. Whether it’s lingonberries, bilberries, cloudberries or blueberries, there’s plenty to find in nature’s pantry.
If you’re after apples instead, head to the fruit village of Gvarv in Telemark, home to around 500,000 fruit trees. In September, Gvarv hosts an apple festival celebrating the harvest season, so make sure you sample their refreshing apple juice and crisp cider.
Image by davidyoung11111 / Fotolia.com
Another must-do when travelling to Norway in September is the Golden Road. Located in the Inderoy peninsula, just an hour and a half’s drive north of Trondheim, this scenic route comes into its own in autumn. Soak up the cultural landscape and travel by car or by bike, visiting artisan craft workshops, organic farms, historic sites and galleries along the way. Buy fresh local produce at numerous farm shops, sample world-famous aquavit at Inderoy Distillery and sip on craft brews at Inderoy Farm Brewery. Admire the rolling countryside painted in autumn’s pretty colour palette as you glide through the region on two or four wheels.
Image by Barnabas Davoti / Pexels.com
Foodies, listen up – you won’t want to miss Bergen Food Festival, which takes place every year in early September. The festival hosts an array of artisan food producers, allowing you to sample a range of culinary creations made with ingredients from the surrounding mountains and fjords. Peruse the marketplace and take your pick from local cheeses, seafood, meats and fresh fruit and vegetables, before tucking into a special festival menu at a participating restaurant. Fancy learning the tricks of the trade? We’d recommend taking part in a food course with a top chef.
Of course, there are plenty of local tipples to try too. Discover different ciders, beers and spirits from across the country and toast to a trip well spent in Bergen’s beautiful setting.
Image by Mao Yuqing / Unsplash.com
Summer’s crowds have dissipated in September, making it the perfect month for an island-hopping adventure. Hop across the islands off the Hegeland Coast to explore pristine beaches, quirky fishing villages and wild landscapes in the likes of beautiful Bolga and trendy Traena. Further north, the tranquil Lofoten and Vesteralen archipelagos beckon with rugged scenery and autumnal colours, with the potential to spot the Northern Lights. Days are still long enough to enjoy Norway’s great outdoors in pleasant temperatures, whether hiking up mountains or kayaking through crystal-clear waters. Kate visited Vesteralen in September and loved that she could easily find quiet, hidden spots to explore there, as it’s a little more off the beaten track than the Lofoten Islands.
Image by SmallWorldProduction/stock.adobe.com
Written by Amy Larsen | Header Image by Millie Olsen / Unsplash.com
Norway’s majestic fjords, verdant valleys and wild isles offer something special in every season, so it’s easy to see why our team are so passionate about the country. Using their expertise to tailor every trip, you could enjoy mushing a team of huskies, fishing for dinner in the Lofoten Islands, taking part in a local cooking class, and much more. We can advise the most scenic driving routes, tips for avoiding crowds and the best spots to admire Norway’s beauty, be it a cosy fisherman’s rorbu or Scandi-style hotel. The weather can change quickly, but our fantastic Concierges will ensure everything runs smoothly, regardless.
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