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Wondering what to pack for a trip to Norway in summer? Find out our top seven tips to visit Oslo in style!
What to Pack for a Trip to Norway: Summer
Written By: Angela Sterley
Summers in the southern Norwegian city of Oslo can vary between rainy days and sunny skies. This is a city that doesn’t guarantee consistent weather, so it’s important to take along the right wardrobe so you don’t end up dressed for the wrong weather.
Always check the weather forecast before your trip. Once you’ve researched the weather, you can focus on creating a travel capsule wardrobe, which should easily fit in a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for summer travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Summer
- Top Summer Dresses Perfect for Europe
- Lightweight Jackets for Easy Layers
- Best Walking Shoes for Europe’s Cobblestone Streets
Overall, the locals in Oslo have a clean and minimalist style, so here are a few staple pieces to take on your Norwegian vacation.
Traveling to Norway in winter? Read this guide instead.
Wear neutral colors – but not exclusively
When you’re planning what to pack for a trip to Norway keep in mind that locals like to keep things simple in their wardrobe, right down to the colors. They tend to gravitate toward gray, beige, black, and blue. Neutral colors are worn often around Oslo, even though much of the city’s architecture can be found in pastels or bright hues.
What are neutral colors? Find out.
If you want a pop of color for the sunny summer days, be sure to include a piece in turquoise or pink to wear with your neutrals!
Don’t dress in all black. Learn how to avoid dull all-black outfits!
Raincoats and umbrellas are a must
Though Oslo has beautiful summer days, it also experiences rainfall throughout the season. Classic yellow raincoats with snap buttons are commonly worn around the city on rainy days.
If you don’t have the space to bring a raincoat, then it’s essential to pack an umbrella. It’s very likely that you’ll experience rain during your visit, so bring the proper clothing to keep yourself dry during your explorations.
Take a look at these stylish and Insta-friendly water-resistant jackets!
Rain boots
Along with a raincoat, keeping your feet dry can make the difference between a fun and a miserable day. Locals are often seen wearing classic wellingtons or rain boots from brands such as the Danish Ilse Jacobsen.
Both short and tall boot styles are commonly worn around the city. As you plan what to pack for a trip to Norway, even if there’s not enough space to pack larger boots, be sure to bring along a waterproof pair of shoes to withstand the rain.
These are the best waterproof leather boots recommended by our readers. They don’t need to be made out of rubber to resist rainy showers!
Don’t forget a scarf
Though there’s no need for a heavy scarf during the warmer months in Oslo, light scarves are popular accessories. Wear one to add a pop of color to your outfit or for a little extra warmth on a rainy day.
The versatility of the piece allows you to mix up your outfit with multiple options for tying around your neck or even looping around your bag.
Read these tips on what to wear on a rainy day!
Dresses and shorts
When those sunny days do come to Oslo, you don’t want to be caught looking like you’re prepared for a rain storm.
Bring along a summer dress or pair of shorts to wear as you lay out in the grass in one of the many parks dotting the city. Locals flood the parks on sunny days and are all dressed to take advantage of the weather!
For added versatility, these are popular convertible travel dress styles!
Sandals and sunglasses
Pairing your summer dress with a pair of rain boots isn’t the best option, so be sure to include a pair of sandals in your bag!
Pick a pair that’s comfortable enough to roam around the city. Sunglasses are also an easily-forgotten staple when packing for Norway, so don’t forget to bring a pair for the sunny days.
Check out our round-up of comfortable walking sandals that don’t sacrifice style! Alternatively, pack some cute ballet flats!
Swimsuit
One of the draws of Norway is the breathtaking fjords. Make sure you pack a swimsuit to jump in on the warm summer days.
The extended daylight, due to the country being situated so far north, allows for summer activities to continue on into the late evening hours. This gives the perfect opportunity to take a bucket list swim under the midnight sun, so be prepared!
These are the best one-piece swimsuits of the season!
What are your tips on what to pack for a trip to Norway in summer? Share in the comments!
For more packing tips, please visit these Europe Packing Lists:
- 10-Step Packing Guide for Europe
- What to Wear in Scandinavia in Winter
- What to Wear in Iceland in Summer
- What to Wear in Norway in Winter
Suggested travel resources:
- Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring
- Lonely Planet Norway (Country Guide)
- Travel Shoes for Europe
- The Best Carry-on Suitcases for Europe
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We are hoping to go to Norway next summer, to visit family and to see the house my great grandmother grew up in! I think I’ve got the clothing part of packing down. My biggest concern is sleeping! I’m afraid with that much light at night, I won’t sleep well. Is there a favorite sleep mask that is good for blocking as much light as possible? I have a cupped one, but find that it isn’t comfortable for a side sleeper. I’m open to all suggestions!
I had commented previously before my trip to Norway about what to wear in the fall but found it was pretty similar to summer! You might want to bring long pants for evening and something for rain just in case but I found they packing list worked well.
I have a little bit of weird travel destinations. i am going from the Norway and Sweden to Spain and France. It is in the beginning of June, i have heard In the Scandinavian countries, it get cold like 50s and 60… ( I am from Miami Fl. ) What would you suggest to minimized packing from cooler weather to hot weather? i am going for two weeks.. Thanks again for all your help
Hi Alina, you may find this 10 step guide to packing for a trip with mixed climates helpful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-guide-to-packing-for-different-climates/ You may also find this article useful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/traveling-from-cold-to-hot-climates-my-layering-strategy/ The best advice is to layer your clothes. Hope this helps. Have an amazing time on your trip, your itinerary sounds incredible! 🙂
Any tips on Oslo in September?
Hi Allie, thank you for your question! Have you seen this post: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-norway-in-winter/ Hope this helps 🙂
Yes, but you don’t have a post on Scandinavian weather during Autumn. Is there another country’s post that you could suggest I go off of that has similar weather?
Hi Allie, let me look into this for you. 🙂