Norway Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 20 July 2025

Norway, known for its breathtaking landscapes, fjords, the midnight sun, and northern lights, offers a blend of natural wonders that have long attracted tourists seeking extraordinary experiences.

How many people visit Norway every year? 

In 2024, Norway welcomed a total of 6.20 million international visitors.

• Norway welcomed 6.25 million visitors in 2017, marking a strong year for tourism. However, tourist numbers slightly decreased to 5.88 million in 2019.

• The global health crisis caused international arrivals to decrease by approximately 1.40 million in 2020 and 2021.

• Tourist arrivals increased in 2022, with 4.98 million visitors. 2023 marked a 13.45% increase in international tourism, reaching a total of 5.65 million. ¹

• In 2024, Norway welcomed a total of 6.20 million international visitors, a 9.73% increase from 5.65 million in 2023 and a 5.44% increase from 5.88 million in 2019.

Annual Overnight Stays in Norway: How Many Guest Nights are Booked?

• In 2024, Norway welcomed 6.20 million international visitors who together spent 26.2 million guest nights.

• Domestic travelers contributed 12.4 million guest nights in 2024, bringing the combined total to 38.6 million overnight stays.

How many people visited Norway in 2025?

• Total of 13.11 million guest nights in Norway from January through May 2025, up 2.58% from 12.78 million guest nights in the same period of 2024.

Note: These figures represent overnight stays, not total arrivals.

Monthly Visitors Nights in Norway 2025

Month	Total Guest Nights (’000s)
January	2.27 M
February	2.35 M
March	2.64 M
April	2.52 M
May	3.33 M

How many people visited Norway in 2024?

• In 2024, Norway recorded 6.20 million international arrivals and 26.2 million international guest nights.
  

How much do visitors spend in Norway every year?

In 2024, a total of $7.8 billion was spent by tourists while visiting Norway, up 30.0 % from $6.0 billion in 2023 and up 32.2 % from $5.9 billion in 2019.

• Tourist spending in 2017 reached $5.6 billion and increased to $5.9 billion in 2019.

• However, in 2020 and 2021, spending decreases to around $2 billion, mirroring the fall in arrivals.

• Following a rebound in tourist numbers in 2022, expenditure also rose ($5.4 billion), reaching nearly three times the 2021 amount.

• In 2023, tourist expenditure grew to $6 billion, surpassing pre-crisis figures and illustrating both recovery and growth.²

How much did visitors spend in Norway in 2024?

• In 2024, visitors spent around $7.8 billion in Norway. This exceeded the pre-pandemic expenditure by 32.2%.
  
  

How much does it cost to visit Norway?

On average, visitors spend between $125 to $130 per person per day when visiting Norway, which breaks down roughly as follows:

• A one-week trip costs about $888 per person ($127/day).
  
• A two-week trip costs about $1,777 per person ($127/day).

These estimates include accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing; your actual budget may vary based on travel style and pace.

Where do visitors to Norway come from?

• In 2024, most of Norway’s international guest nights were from Germany, with 2.40 million guest nights, followed by Sweden (1.20 million), the Netherlands (0.91 million), Denmark (0.86 million), and the United Kingdom (0.77 million).

Note: 2024 arrivals by country are not available , the figure represents guest nights.

• With the travel restrictions of 2020, the number of international visitors declined. German tourists still led but with reduced numbers of 258,000.³

• Before the pandemic in 2019, Germany was Norway’s top source market with 1.04 million visitors, followed by Sweden (574 000), the United States (555 000), the Netherlands (429 000), and Denmark (319 000).

Norway Travel Resources

Why do people visit Norway?

• People visit Norway primarily for its spectacular natural landscapes and unique light phenomena. 

• The country’s deep, glacially carved fjords, such as Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord, draw boaters and photographers from around the world, while the Northern Lights in Tromsø and the Midnight Sun above the Arctic Circle offer unforgettable celestial displays .
  

How long do tourists stay in Norway?

In 2024, the average length of stay of tourists visiting in Norway was 3.21 nights per visitor

• International visitors spent 4.23 nights per visitor, indicating they often extend their stay to explore more of the country.

• Domestic visitors spent 2.13 nights per visitor, reflecting shorter, purpose-driven trips

Note: Average length of stay in Norway was calculated by dividing total guest nights by total visits.

What are the peak tourist months in Norway?

In 2024, the peak tourist months in Norway were July, August, June, May, and March.

• July recorded the highest number of guest nights, with 6.5 million, followed by August with 5.2 million guest nights.

• Other high-traffic months included June (4.6 million), May (3.33 million), and March (2.64 million), highlighting strong summer and late-spring travel trends.

When is the best time to visit Norway?

The ideal time to visit Norway is during High-season (June–August) due to its warmest weather, long daylight hours and the Midnight Sun on July and August see the highest guest-night volumes.

• Shoulder seasons (May & September): Fewer crowds and lower prices.

• Winter (December–March): Best for Northern Lights and winter sports.
  

How popular is Norway as a tourist destination?

• Norway was named Europe’s Leading Destination 2024 and Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2024 at the World Travel Awards.

• Awarded World’s Leading Green Destination 2024 and World’s Leading Nature Destination 2024, highlighting its sustainable tourism credentials.

• National Geographic ranked the Norwegian fjords as the world’s top tourist attraction, and the 2024 Environmental Performance Index placed Norway 7th globally for environmental stewardship.

• Norway has been rated highly in several sustainable travel rankings. The country ranked 3rd as “Best Countries to Visit in 2022″.

• In 2023, Norway was nominated for and won several key titles at the World Travel Awards, including World’s Leading Green Destination and World’s Leading Nature Destination. 
  

Impact of Coronavirus – Norway Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021

• In 2020, the pandemic caused Norway’s tourism to drop, with visitor numbers decreasing to 1.4 million and spending to $1.8 billion. This showed a 76% decline in visitors from the previous year, and spending made up just 31% of the total 2019 spending.

• The number of visitors and spending slightly increased to 1.44 million and $1.9 billion in 2021.
  

Top Attractions in Norway

• Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo: Features over 650 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in various themes, crafted in iron, bronze, and granite.

• Trolltunga: A striking rock formation situated 1,100 metres above sea level, known for its breathtaking views and reached by a challenging hike.

• Northern Lights in Tromsø: Offers some of the best opportunities to see the aurora borealis from late September to early March.

• Stavanger Cathedral: Norway’s oldest cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, it showcases historic architecture.

• Bergen and the Western Fjords: Known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, trendy scene, and access to majestic fjords.

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References

1. UNWTO: Tourism Statistics – Global and Regional ↩︎
2. EuroStat: Tourism Satellite Accounts in Europe – 2023 Report Edition ↩︎
3. OECD: Tourism Trends and Policies 2022 – Norway ↩︎