Woman with umbrella on a rainy day at Aker Brygge in Oslo, Eastern Norway
A woman outside a log cabin
Bird's-eye view on the Nidaros Cathedral and a rainbow in Trondheim, Trøndelag, Norway
Houses in the hillside in Bergen, Fjord Norway
Rockheim in Trondheim
Paradox museum in Oslo, Eastern Norway

What to do
on a rainy day
in Norway

1. Get dressed!

There's a famous Norwegian saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."

So when you visit, bring everything from a swimsuit to your warmest wool, because the weather in Norway is unpredictable.

But rainy days don’t have to be gloomy. Showers make things shimmer and can turn a hot holiday into a coolcation. Don't be surprised if the sun suddenly comes out!

2. ...or get a new umbrella

Bergen, in the heart of the fjords, is Norway's second-largest city and averages over 230 days of rain a year. But don’t let that put you off! It's a charming city that will steal your heart.

Buy fashionable rain gear from local designers like BRGN or Norwegian Rain.

Nestled between seven mountains, Bergen's rainfall generates lush nature – enticing one to get outside and explore.

But since it rains so much here, there are also plenty of cosy indoor restaurants, galleries and shops to visit.

Get tips from Bergen locals

3. Enjoy cool museums

In fact, all of Norway's major cities have an abundance of interesting and fun museums.

You can spend a whole day in the cool Rockheim National Museum of Pop and Rock in Trondheim!

Enjoy a city break the Norwegian way

Oslo also offers unique destinations for when the skies open up, including world class museums, like MUNCH and the National Museum.

Explore Oslo

You can also seek shelter in some seriously strange places, like the quirky Paradox museum!

Norway's quirkiest museums

Stylish museums

Don't miss Norway's unique museums!

  • People looking at Edvard Munch’s Scream at The Munch Museum in Oslo

    Museums

    The Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway, during sunset

    Explore the MUNCH museum

    Exterior The National Museum of Norway in Oslo

    The spectacular National Museum

    Quirky museums

    Quirky museums

    Kunstsilo - The art silo at Odderøya island in Kristiansand, Southern Norway

    Kunstsilo – Southern Norway's new art destination

Two kids on a motorcycle in a museum.

4. Cool fun for kids

When the children are done splashing in puddles you can take them to one of Norway's many experience centres, science museums, aquariums or zoos.

And we have lots of indoor playgrounds, too!

Fun for the whole family

Check out these family-friendly activities around the country:

More fun things to do

...when the rain is pouring down.

  • Kids at a farm looking at the cows walking by in Trøndelag

    Farm activities

    Young girl crossing the Via Ferrata in Loen in Fjord Norway

    Family fun

    Lynx in Dyreparken Zoo in Kristiansand, Southern Norway

    Animal parks, zoos, and aquariums

A couple jumping from a sauna into the water.

5. Enjoy the contrasts

Nothing kickstarts your system faster than a dip in chilly water before retreating into the embrace of the hot, relaxing air in a sauna (like the locals like to do). Aaah!

Norway's hottest saunas

Sauna time!

Hot saunas are popping up in stunning locations all over the country.

Women relaxing in a pool with a nature view
Pub on a rainy street in Bergen
Three girls drinking hot chocolate at Aker Brygge in Oslo, Eastern Norway
A woman reading in a bed inside a sky lodge at The Bolder in Rogaland, Fjord Norway
Women dancing in the National Theatre Stage in Bergen
SNØ - indoor arena for snow experiences in Oslo
A woman in the rain

6. Visit a spa

Brighten your day at a relaxing, luxurious Norwegian spa, surrounded by calming nature.

True bliss!

Find you favourite spa

7. Enjoy a sweet treat

If your rainy day excursion has 'whet' your appetite, pop by a café or bakery for a tasty Norwegian pastry!

Sample Norwegian sweet treats

8. Get cosy!

...and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate!

Norwegians are masters of kos (cosiness), and have lots of words for it, including innekos (Indoor cosiness), peiskos (fireside cosiness), kveldskos (evening kos), sengekos (bed kos, slang for sex!), and fredagskos (Friday kos), to mention but a few.

Learn the noble art of kos

9. The great indoors

Let's not forget cabin cosiness (hyttekos).

Norway has many spectacular places to stay inside and watch the weather pass by outside.

Unique places to stay

10. Go under

The weather doesn't matter if you dine below the surface at Under, one of the world's largest underwater restaurants.

Or sample Norway's unique cuisine at another of our Michelin-starred dining establishments!

Taste Norwegian cuisine

11. Feel the music

For many, the perfect way to finish off a damp day is with a hot concert, theatrical performance, or a visit to a festival!

What's on in Norway

12. Stay cool

Swap rain for snow! No matter the weather you can always hit the slopes at the Snø indoor ski resort, just outside Oslo.

...or simply sing in the rain!

Come rain, come shine! Check the latest weather forecast at yr.no, and remember – the weather often turns out better than predicted!

Seasons and climate

Get inspired!

Check out these creative ideas for your visit.

Three people standing at a viewpoint above the city of Ålesund in Fjord Norway
Top 10 destinations in Norway
A woman on a city break in Norway is overlooking Ålesund from Aksla viewpoint
City breaks the Norwegian way
The Soria Moria Sauna in Telemark, Eastern Norway
Norway’s hottest saunas
  • The new Munch museum in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Norway – a world class art destination
    Quirky museums
    Quirky museums
    People enjoying the floating Soria Moria sauna in Telemark
    Coolcation in Norway
    Woman in bed looking at the view over Lysefjorden from the Bolder in Rogaland, Fjord Norway
    Raw escapes

Norway all year round

Anytime can be a good time to visit Norway!

  • Girl holding an umbrella at the Sjonfjellet mountain in Northern Norway

    Seasons and climate

    A woman smelling apple blossoms in Hardanger, Norway in the spring

    10 great reasons to go to Norway in the spring

    Woman drinking water from a river, Hemsedal, Norway.

    10 reasons to love Norway in autumn

    The calendar of Norway, spring, summer, autumn and winter

    Norway month by month

Take advantage of top offers

See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.

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    StrawberryA different hotel company! Look out for great weekend deals at more than 100 hotels in Norway.
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    StrömmaSightseeing by bus and boat in several major tourist spots and cities in Norway.
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    NorwegianNorwegian offers cheap flights in Norway and direct flights from more than 70 European destinations. Book flights through our low fare calendar to your destinations.
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