We are planning a multi-week trip to Scandinavia for 2011. The trip will be three weeks or longer and focus on the outdoors and small towns vice the big cities - although we will probably visit these but for a short time.
The question. When to visit. July, August, or September. I have read that September has fewer people and perhaps lower costs. More importantly, I have also read that there is less rain on the west coast of Norway in September.
All help appreciated. We would also be interested in any suggested itineraries. We plan to have a car.
Scandinavia 2011 - July, August, or September?
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Statistically the Norwegian west coast receive less rain in August than in September. Here are statistics for Bergen from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute: http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Hordaland/Bergen/Bergen/statistics.html Using that site you can find similar statistics for many other places in Norway.
Most Norwegians do their vacation in July and go back to work from early August. However, there are many tourists from other European countries in Norway during both August and the first part of September. This in particular on the west coast.
I suggest you travel in the second half of August: The Norwegians are back at work, better chance of drier, hotter weather than if you delay to September. In particular if you plan on visiting Lofoten, I think you should try to go there in August.
I think the areas you should focus on in Norway are
1) the Norwegian west coast, including Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord.
2) the outer Lofoten islands in Northern Norway.
You'll find brief introductions to those areas on this page: http://findnorway.com/
Thanks. I was pondering the same thing.
I'll be working in Oslo from Aug. 15th - 24th; then in Bergen, starting Aug. 26th. Was wondering whether to add on my vacation time before or after. Sounds like it'll be before Oslo
I would definitely do August. Many of the locals are on vacation and are either 1) heading south to the sum or 2) heading out to country to their cottages. there are often bargain hotel rates since there are so few business travelers. (We got incredible rates at the Grand in Stockholm and a lovely hotel in Copenhagen in August a few years ago.