Best Time to Visit Stavanger
Stavanger sits on Norway's southwest coast, with a mild, wet climate where rain is possible in any month. Summer (June to August) is the warmest, driest and busiest season with very long daylight hours; winter brings short days and can leave the Preikestolen plateau icy. Here is when to go — and when to think twice.
The warmest, driest and longest-daylight months, with Preikestolen and the Lysefjord at their most accessible — but also the busiest and most expensive, especially in July.
Cooler and quieter than summer, with the trail to Preikestolen usually clear of snow and prices well below the July peak.
Short days, frequent storms off the North Sea, and ice on the Preikestolen plateau that can call for crampons — some fjord cruises run a reduced winter schedule.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 to 5°C | Low | Low | Short, dark days and frequent storms off the North Sea; Preikestolen requires proper winter gear and often crampons |
| February | 0 to 5°C | Low | Low | Still deep winter, ice commonly reported on the upper Preikestolen trail, days slowly lengthening |
| March | 1 to 7°C | Low | Low | Snow still melting off the higher trails, changeable weather, a quiet month to explore the city |
| April | 3 to 10°C | Medium | Medium | Preikestolen is usually clear of snow by late April, daylight lengthening fast, still cool and often windy |
| May | 6 to 14°C | Medium | Medium | One of the best shoulder months: trails open, daylight very long, crowds and prices still below summer |
| June | 10 to 17°C | High | High | Summer season begins, near-round-the-clock daylight this far north, Preikestolen and Lysefjord cruises busy |
| July | 12 to 19°C | High | High | The warmest month and the peak of the Norwegian holiday season, book shuttles and cruises ahead |
| August | 12 to 19°C | High | High | Still warm and busy, the first cooler evenings appear toward the end of the month |
| September | 9 to 15°C | Medium | Medium | Crowds thin out fast, trail conditions still good, noticeably more rain than summer |
| October | 6 to 11°C | Low | Low | Days shortening quickly, heavy rain becomes more frequent, first snow possible on Kjerag |
| November | 3 to 7°C | Low | Low | Wet and stormy, short daylight, some cruise and shuttle schedules reduced for winter |
| December | 1 to 5°C | Medium | Medium | Darkest month of the year, Christmas markets in the city, snow and ice likely on higher trails |