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10 Top Destinations in Northern Norway

By Carl Austin · Last updated on February 5, 2024

Enveloped in the magic of the aurora borealis, Northern Norway provides travelers with a unique experience in the Arctic Circle. Its expansive landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and authentic Nordic adventures offer a glimpse into the otherworldly wonders of this far north destination.

Northern Norway is a good place to visit any time of year. It all depends on travelers’ interests. The land of the midnight sun offers 24 hours of daylight during the summer, so travelers can hike or fish whatever the hour. Winters in the far north brings dog sledding through snowy terrains, cross-country skiing and the famous northern lights, colorful waves of light that seemingly dance across the night sky.

Whether exploring stunning fjords, wandering through picturesque fishing villages or watching whales in crystalline waters, Northern Norway deserves a top spot on your travel bucket list.

Map of Northern Norway

10. Vesteralen

Vesterålen is an archipelago located north of the Lofoten Islands. It’s very mountainous, with towns situated between the mountains and the fjords. With its white beaches, Vesterålen is a good place to not only see the northern lights but also watch birds and sperm whales, which feed close to the shore.

With its mild winters, the archipelago stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers may want to hike the Queen’s Route, a nine-mile marked trail along the beach and across a mountain to a fishing village. The fishing villages are notable for their colorful wooden houses.

9. Hammerfest

The Vikings may have attacked Great Britain centuries ago, but the British got even in 1809 when they attacked Hammerfest, the most northern city in the world.

The municipality also is known for getting the first electric street lights in Europe and served as a German U-boat base in World War II. It was totally destroyed in the war as part of the Germans’ scorched earth policy.

As the oldest city in northern Norway, Hammerfest offers excellent fishing and wilderness adventures. A key attraction is the museum devoted to Arctic fishing and hunting; it’s also where visitors can join the Polar Bear Club.

8. Kirkenes

Located in Norway’s far northeast, Kirkenes was also impacted by World War II, serving as a base for the German army and navy, and then taken over by Russia’s Red Army. It is located not too far from the border with Russia and Finland, so travelers will want to visit the Border Area Museum.

The town’s central square is home to a Russian market on the last Thursday of every month. Another top attraction is the Andersgrotta, an underground bunker that houses Kirkenes residents during World War II. Kirkenes is reachable by ship, airport and road.

7. Vega Archipelago

Inhabited since the Stone Age, the Vega Archipelago is a group of 500 islands in the Norwegian Sea. Here, fishermen ply the seas as they have for 1,500 years. They also harvest the down feathers from eider ducks, in an Arctic Circle environment that is inhospitable for life.

Though the environment is harsh, the archipelago is scenic with lighthouses, eider nesting houses and quaint fishing villages. The islands are popular with bird watchers who come to see more than 230 species of birds. Hiking and biking are good ways to explore the islands.

Skiers will love Narvik, which offers some of the best alpine and extreme skiing in Norway. What could be more exciting than skiing down a mountain that offers panoramic views of the fjord below!

The fjord offers excellent fishing; the port is ice-free in the winter. Because of this, Narvik was important to both sides in World War II. Visitors can learn more about this at the War Museum.

The Museum Nord affords visitors a chance to learn more about the area and everyday life in Narvik. Art lovers won’t want to miss Skulpturlandscap, where pieces of sculpture can be found around the town.

Alta, located in Norway’s far north, has many things going for it. It has a subarctic climate that makes it a popular year ‘round travel destination. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and dog sledding, while warmer weather recreation opportunities include hiking, fishing and biking.

It’s not only a good place to view the northern lights but a great place to view ancient rock art. More than 6,000 rock carvings have been discovered since 1973; an open air museum can be found at Jiepmaluota, about three miles from Alta. Staying in an igloo hotel is a good wintertime option here.

Sitting just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø is the second largest town in northern Norway. A section of the central town is referred to as “Swedish town” because Sweden helped build new housing after most of the town was destroyed by World War II bombing.

Situated on a peninsula, Bodø is where the railroad ends and a jumping-off point for the Lofoten Islands. Saltstraumen, known as the world’s strongest tides, are just outside Bodø. It’s also a good place to see northern lights dancing across the night sky. Fishing, boating and kayaking are popular activities. With a strong arts community, it is a good place to buy Norwegian crafts.

3. Nordkapp

For most of the year, the Nordkapp region has just over 3,000 residents. The population, however, soars by 200,000 in the summer months when travelers come to visit its famous North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe connected with the international road network, and its lighthouse.

The scenery in his remote area isn’t too shabby, either. The region also is known for its large colonies of birds, including puffins. Outdoor adventures abound, from fishing for king crab (and eating it) to riding ATVs over scenic terrain and whale and seal watching. Getting here also is an adventure since it involves going through a 6.9-km (4.3-mile) underwater tunnel.

Located 350 km (217 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is an ideal place to chase the northern lights. Known as the “gateway to the Arctic,” Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway. It is home to the world’s northernmost botanical garden and golf course.

Tromsø hosts an international film festival and a northern lights festival every year, and has an active nightlife scene. Outdoors enthusiasts are sure to enjoy wilderness recreation opportunities such as hiking, whale watching, kayaking, cross-country skiing and dog sledding across frozen lakes. Tromsø is a beer-drinker’s heaven, with more pubs than any other Norwegian town.

1. Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are located far above the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea. They may be off the beaten path, but travelers who search them out will be rewarded with unique opportunities for adventure.

Things to do in Lofoten includes kayaking between the islands, fishing and just enjoying the picturesque scenery, including quaint villages with picture-postcard harbors. This wilderness outpost is surrounded by pretty fjords and spectacular mountains, with a landscape that is punctuated with seabirds.

This land of the Vikings boasts the Lofotr Viking Museum and a living museum at Borg that centers around an original Viking longhouse.

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31 beautiful places to visit in northern norway in 2024 (+ map).

Are you looking for the best places to visit in Northern Norway ? This is a guide to the most beautiful places to visit throughout Arctic Norway from cities to areas of natural beauty.

I love Northern Norway . It is unparalleled in its beauty and it feels like with every corner you turn, your mind will be blown.

From the Arctic Circle up the coast, the scenery is dominated by mountains rising out of the cold Atlantic Ocean .

In the northern reaches of the Norwegian Arctic , the landscape morphs into the tundra where reindeer roam throughout the summer.

This changing scenery and the picturesque villages dotted along the coast make for the perfect road trips in summer.

During the winter, Northern Norway is perfect for hunting the northern lights and cruising along the coast on the Hurtigruten.

Many of the places listed in this guide are also stops along the Hurtigruten cruise route in both summer and winter.

In this guide I have listed my favorite places to visit in Northern Norway. If you have any suggestions or questions, please leave a comment below!

Best places to visit in Northern Norway

Found on the Bodø peninsula between Saltfjorden and Vestfjorden , Bodø is a vibrant town with a rich history, interesting culture, and impressive natural surroundings.

With Bodø as your base, you can fill your trip with unique attractions, fun activities, and great food.

One of the main attractions is the Saltstraumen. This small strait has one of the strongest currents in the world and is home to the world’s largest maelstrom (whirlpool). You can visit the maelstrom on a boat tour .

You will also find the Norwegian Aviation Museum (the largest in the Nordic countries) and the Nordland Museum (one of the oldest buildings in the town).

After a busy day, enjoy a local craft beer from the Bådin Bryggeri.  I recommend trying the Tønder Bay New England IPA.

The brewery is open on select Fridays throughout the month for tours and tasting sessions. Alternatively, you can find their beers in numerous bars and shops around the city.

Narvik is located along the Ofotfjord and is most famous for iron ore its iron industry, with regular cargo trains arriving from the mine in Kiruna, Sweden .

However, tourists love Narvik for its majestic nature and snow-capped mountains.

Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular things to do in the area is hike and ski. In fact, Narvikfjellet is one of the largest and most complete ski resorts in Northern Norway .

Here, you’ll find family-friendly slopes suitable for all skill levels and modern cabins offering scenic views.

Expert hikers will enjoy tackling the Øvre Fjellheisstasjon 13.9 km (8.64 mi) looped trail that offers panoramic views of the town and the fjord.

In town, be sure to learn more about Narvik’s history at the Narvik War Museum and Narvik Museum .

The colorful town of Ørnes is best known for its breathtaking archipelago, which consists of more than 700 islands and 30 towering peaks.

For epic views of the archipelago, check out Love Bench at the end of the pier.

In winter and summer, you’ll want to spend most of your time exploring the archipelago, but the town has plenty to offer too.

For example, the Ørnes Cultural Path will show you historic landmarks like Urnes Stave Church , which was built in 1130 AD.

Built in the 18th century, the Ørnes Old Trading Post and its vibrant architecture are also well worth a visit.

4. Stamsund

Stamsund is a small village located in the Lofoten archipelago on the southern side of Vestvågøy.

This village is a crucial fishing port and the largest base for Lofoten trawl fishing.

One unique activity you can try is cod fishing. Running throughout the year, most fishing trips head toward Nappstraumen where you’ll have the chance to catch halibut, cod, and plaice.

Cod fishing is incredibly easy and, in my experience, fish love to hook themselves on the line!

In summer, you could take to the water in a canoe or head out into the mountains.

The Steinetinden and Stamsundheia Loop will give you the chance to spot the common swift and cuckoo, and you’ll take in some of the best views in the archipelago.

For somewhere unique to stay, check out one of the traditional fishermen’s cabins , commonly known as a rorbu.

5. Stokmarknes

The idyllic village and port of Stockmarknes is where Richard With founded the iconic Hurtigruten coastal route more than 120 years ago.

Therefore, the Norwegian Coastal Express Museum is one of the biggest draws to the area.

Here, you can learn all about the region’s coastal activity and history. What makes the museum so unique is that it’s housed inside a full-sized ship – the MS Finnmarken from 1956.

When you’re not exploring the museum, spend time exploring the village and some of its architecture. Børøy bru and Hadsel Church are two locations I recommend visiting.

From Stokmarknes, a lot of people also like to cross over the bridge to Børøya island, where you’ll find traditional stilt houses and sea views.

6. Sortland

You can find Sortland along the Sortlandsundet strait on the island of Langøya. The capital of the Vesterålen Archipelago, Sortland is famously known as the Blue Town after artist Bjørn Elevenes came up with the idea to paint the town blue in 1998.

As a result, you can stay in the quirky bright blue Strand Hotell if you’re looking for a unique experience.

In winter, a visit to Sortland Villmarkssenter is in order. At this family-run wildlife center, you can explore the Vesterålen with Alaskan huskies and race on snowmobiles.

In the summer, consider hiking along the coast and across Sortland Bridge to Sigerfjord Kirke. From the church, you’ll be treated to impressive mountain views and breathtaking architecture.

7. Risøyhamn

Found on the island of Andøya, Risøyhamn is a great place to visit if you enjoy bird watching.

That’s because there are bird colonies found in the area all year round. There are believed to be more than 160,000 nesting puffins nearby.

Risøyhamn is also a popular place to spot humpback whales and orcas , with voyages leaving the port regularly for spotting sperm whales .

If you’re keen to find something different to do in Risøyhamn, make the 40-minute journey north to Andøya Space .

Here, you’ll find Norway’s only operational space center, where you can learn about northern lights research and take a virtual trip to Mars.

In the summer, enjoy a fine dining experience and scenic views at the Marmelkroken summer cafe .

Harstad was once the northernmost Viking power center in Norway and an important trade connection for the Sámi people . The Sør-Troms Museum displays the history of Harstad from the Stone Age to the 1950’s.

If you’re traveling with children, they might enjoy a trip to Grottebadet . Here, they can play in the swimming pools and take part in water parties. This is a great wet weather plan.

Two kilometers (1.24 miles) from the center of the city is Folkeparken. This popular recreation area features marked hiking trails, lit skitracks, and traditional shelters.

In the summer, you can even lake swim and mountain bike in Folkeparken. Harstad isn’t too far away from WonderInn Arctic and their epic glass-mirrored cabins either!

9. Finnsnes

Finnsnes is known as the gateway to Senja Island. The town is home to several attractions, but the most popular is the central park and its natural lake. This is one of only two parks in Norway that contains a natural lake.

In the summer, the town hosts a week-long summer festival called “Finnsnes i Fest.” During the festival, you can expect lots of live music and delicious food and drink.

If you want to explore the ruggedness of Norway and potentially spot the northern lights, Senja Experience offers an exciting 5-hour night tour that explores the best possible viewpoints for the aurora borealis.

Be sure to tuck into authentic Senja recipes made from local ingredients at Senjastua too. I recommend the Boknafesk , a type of stockfish that is eaten throughout Northern Norway.

Tromsø is where a lot of Arctic adventures start. There are lots of things to do and the city is home to the world’s northernmost university, planetarium, and botanical garden.

The Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden features vibrant Arctic plant species that bloom in summer and autumn.

The same company also runs The Polar Museum , which tells the stories of expeditions and everyday life in the Arctic from the 17th century.

The city also has impressive architecture, with the Arctic Cathedral and Tromsø Cathedral being fine examples. If architecture and museums aren’t to your liking, take the cable car up the mountains instead.

The views are phenomenal and you might catch a glimpse of the northern lights! At night, grab a drink at Magic Ice – an entire bar made from ice!

11. Skjervøy

Skjervøy is arguably one of the most picturesque islands in Norway. The island is surrounded by fjords and the sea, and the town features the most amazing snow-capped mountain backdrop.

To top things off, incredible wildlife such as humpback whales and orcas can regularly be spotted in the region. As a result, a Skjervøy boat trip has to be on your itinerary.

You’ll potentially spot whales and you’ll be able to admire the geology of the island.

Another great way to enjoy nature on the island is by visiting one of the first hammock parks in Norway .

You can pitch your hammock 161 meters (528 feet) above the fishing village. Complete your wild adventure by staying in the remote Aurora Woods cabin!

12. Øksfjord

Øksfjord is connected to Skjervøy via daily ferries , so getting between the two places is quite straightforward. The biggest draw to this town is nature.

Øksfjordjøkelen Glacier is just a short distance away. The glacier spills over the edge of the coast and the blue ice calves into the sea. You can visit the glacier by kayak or RIB.

The main landmark in Øksfjord is the Øksfjord Church . It was built in 1954 and is an iconic site in the town.

During your visit to the town, be sure to stop by Støa Kafé Og Spiseri for some delicious Norwegian waffles, afternoon tea, and epic fjord views. Keep your eyes peeled for whales while you eat!

13. Hammerfest

Hammerfest is surrounded by stunning coastline, sandy beaches, and rugged mountains, making it a great destination for active travelers.

Since I was a child, I dreamed of visiting Hammerfest to see the northern lights after reading the book “Neither Here Nor There” by Bill Bryson, which still sits next to my desk.

For panoramic views of the town, hike up Salen Hill, just a 15-minute walk from the town center. Hammerfest is also quite historic.

For example, The Struve Geodetic Arc – a UNESCO World Heritage Site , was once used to calculate the size of the Earth.

If you’re into history, make sure to visit the Museum of Reconstruction where you will learn about how Northern Norway was rebuilt after all the settlements were burned down in World War Two.

14. Honningsvåg

Honningsvåg is popular with the Hurtigruten Coastal Express and cruise ships. This city has a huge range of things to do all year round.

In winter, you can take to the hills on a North Cape winter safari or a guided snowshoeing hike . Both of these activities will allow you to explore Northern Norway’s diverse landscape.

In summer, explore the city and everything it has to offer. You could go in search of king crab on a fishing expedition , visit the Bamse Statue, or explore the landscape on a Blue Puffin midnight sun tour .

One of my favorite attractions is Artico Christmas House , where you’ll find a festive gift shop, a traditional kitchen, and lots of fun and games.

15. Kjøllefjord

Kjøllefjord is a lively fishing community that lies at the head of a small fjord. It offers impressive ocean views and a glimpse of the Finnkirka sea cliff.

As well as the fjord, Kjøllefjord is surrounded by mountain plains, dense forest, and fishing lakes. Therefore, you’ll probably spend most of your time hiking.

The Kjøllefjord – Finnkirka 15.9 km (9.87 mi) hike takes approximately 6 hours to complete and offers excellent views of Finnkirka . If you want to take in local culture, Davvi Siida has some excellent winter and summer tours.

You’ll be able to visit migrating reindeer, learn more about Sámi culture, and even try some of the ancient Sámi cuisine .

For impressive sea views and traditional Norwegian food, like Hjellosing, consider staying at Hotel Nordkyn .

Mehamn is located on the Vedvik Peninsula and is a well-known fishing hub. Like most towns in Northern Norway, Mehamn is most popular with active travelers who want to explore.

However, the town is also famous for its Christmas Museum . The Nissehuset Christmas Museum is home to over 26,000 quirky Christmas-related items, a bar/pub, a spa and sauna, and vibrant waterfront accommodation. On top of that, the museum offers boat rentals for travelers who want to take to the water.

For an adventure, you can head out on a tour with Nordic Safari Wildlife Adventures . In winter, the 2-hour Snowmobile Safari will give you an opportunity to spot the northern lights if the skies are clear!

17. Berlevåg

Most people visit Berlevåg to escape the hustle and bustle. This quiet town is surrounded by a vast open landscape, so there’s plenty of exploring to be done.

Sandfjorden preservation area is just a 13-minute drive away. Here, you’ll find endless hiking opportunities, mountain ridges, sandy beaches, and wildlife.

A walk along Sandfjorden beach will allow you to hike up the mountain ridge, swim in the icy sea, and spot wildlife like reindeer.

In Berlevåg, the main attraction is the Berlevåg Havnemuseum . This museum has exhibitions about the construction of the harbor, shipping, fishing, World War II, and archeological excavations.

Check out Arctic Glasstudio and its impressive glasswork during your visit too! For something to eat, tuck into a bowl of traditional Norwegian fish soup at Havblikk Kafe Og Pub .

18. Båtsfjord

Båtsfjord is found along the northern side of the Varanger Peninsula . As the fishing capital of Norway , Båtsfjord is a bird watcher’s paradise .

You can photograph birds like king eiders, steller’s eiders, and long-tailed ducks from close range.

Syltefjordstauran is also home to more than 300,000 kittiwakes, razorbills, and puffins. The  3 km (1.86 mi) long cliff is the perfect place for a refreshing walk.

After exploring the wild side of Båtsfjord, stop by the Båtsfjord Museum. The museum covers the development of Båtsfjord and puts a special focus on fishing and fisheries.

I recommend staying at Båtsfjord Brygge . This accommodation has hot tubs overlooking the sea and runs boat trips regularly to spot humpback whales.

If you’re keen to find traditional Norway, include Vardø on your Northern Norway itinerary . Vardø is the easternmost town in Norway and is generally considered to be one of the oldest towns in the entire country.

Therefore, you can expect to find an abundance of traditional buildings, old landmarks, and vibrant architecture. Interestingly, the town also used to be a center for medieval witch trials.

Major points of interest include the Steilneset Memorial Site , the Drakkar Leviathan sculpture , and Vardøya Island.

If you want to learn more about the town, visit the Pomor Museum and Vardøhus Fortress . The architecture alone at Vardøhus Fortress is spectacular.

For a truly unique experience, spend the night in the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage on Hornøya, where during spring and summer you will wake up in the middle of thousands of puffins!

Vadsø is the largest town in East Finnmark, so there’s a lot more to do than other places in the region.

The town was a central area for the Finnish/Kven immigrants during the 19th century and a stopover site for the two North Pole expeditions, so there is some history to take in.

You can learn about the town at the Vadsø Museum . You should visit the Immigration Monument too!

If you time your visit right, you could experience the Varanger Music Festival . This festival takes place every year in Vadsø and features artists from across Norway.

If you’d prefer to experience the natural side of the town, walk around Vadsø Island. Here, you’ll find a range of coastal viewpoints and historical landmarks like Kokkenes Batteri.

21. Kirkenes

Kirkenes is a small town with an important history. It is best known for its views of the aurora borealis . In ideal conditions, the northern lights can potentially be spotted up to 200 nights a year.

The region’s history is displayed brilliantly in the Borderland Museum . There are a number of World War Two monuments and installations around the town, including an old bunker that can be toured daily.

Moving away from local history, Kirkenes is home to the Snowhotel 365 , which claims to be the first hotel completely made out of ice and snow in the world. Impressively, it is open for business 365 days a year.

The hotel offers a winter and summer schedule that includes fun for all the family. This includes a reindeer and husky farm, king crab fishing, and snowmobile tours.

If you’ve always wanted to explore Norway’s stunning coastline, rugged mountains, and vibrant towns, Leknes is a great place to start.

Here, you’ll find tropical-looking beaches, traditional stilt houses, mountain hikes, and so much more. One of the best beaches to visit is Haukland Beach.

This white sand beach offers undisturbed views of the archipelago and turquoise waters. You should also visit Lofotruna , which is a large metal sculpture that hangs on a mountain wall.

Budding photographers might also enjoy the Lofoten photo safari tour offered by Arctic Guide Service . You can pick the photo spots and the tour company will sort the rest! Complete your stay by sleeping in a traditional cabin over the water at Lofoten Basecamp .

Located on the island of Moskenesøy , Reine is commonly referred to as Lofoten’s most scenic village, so it’s not somewhere you want to miss.

The village is scattered with red fishermen’s cottages and sits between tall mountains that rise up from sea level. Reine actually consists of several smaller islands, each connected by a bridge.

On Sakrisøya island, you can find Anitas seafood restaurant and shop , which is famous for its delicious fishburger.

On Hamnøy Island, you will find Eliassen Rorbuer Accommodation – one of the iconic Lofoten Islands photo spots. Of course, you could stay here too!

In winter and summer, you can explore Reine by boat. Aqua Lofoten provides RIB tours that include mountain hikes and wildlife spotting opportunities. You might spot orcas and humpback whales!

24. Henningsvær

Henningsvær is a fishing village made up of several small islands off the coast of Austvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago. This village is most famous for its fjord views, traditional housing, and towering mountains.

However, Henningsvær is also home to an attraction unique to this region. Henningsvær Stadium  can be found on a small island.

Arguably the most beautiful place in the world to play football , the stadium is visited by football fans from around the world all year. The walk to the ground itself is breathtaking. You’ll walk through the village center and have epic views of the mountains.

Henningsvær is also home to multiple art galleries ( Gallery Lofoten and Kaviarfactory ) and a climbing school that offers winter alpine climbing, skiing, and ice climbing excursions.

25. Svolvær

Svolvær has historically been one of the most important fishing towns in Northern Norway. If you walk along the coastal front of the town, you will find the huge racks used for drying cod, which is then exported worldwide.

While fishing is the main economic driver of the town, the tourism industry has been growing rapidly, with Svolvær the common starting point for many people’s Lofoten Islands adventure.

One of the best activities I did in Svolvær was take a sea eagle safari to Trollfjorden . As you reach the fjord the eagles start to circle the boat, knowing an easy meal of herring is on the cards.

These majestic birds then swoop down, picking fish out of the sea or catching fish as they are thrown off the boat. During summer, the mountains surrounding the area provide mindblowing scenery as a backdrop to hikes.

The area is known to be the inspiration behind the setting of the film Frozen, with the castle in the film apparently based on the church just outside of the city.

I recommend staying in the Svinøya Rorbuer on the island lying just off the town. The Rorbuer has a beautiful restaurant where, during the Christmas season, you can try a traditional Norwegian Christmas Dinner .

Senja is the second largest island in Norway and it has two completely different sides. The island’s side facing the Atlantic is wild and mountainous, while the inner side is covered with lush forest landscapes.

As such, Senja offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. There are plenty of hiking, climbing, and driving opportunities.

A scenic place to have a walk is Ersfjord Beach . This beach offers views of Okshornan and Tungeneset peaks , and you could take a cold dip in the sea. Ånderdalen National Park and its rugged mountain range are also worth exploring.

Along the Storjorda (Naustneset), you might be able to spot some of the local elk population. If you’re visiting Senja with children, you could walk alpacas at Snyfjellet Gård (animal park) .

Thanks to its stable climate and minimal light pollution, Alta has become known as ‘the City of the Northern Lights.’ The lights can potentially be seen here up to 200 nights a year and the town is even home to the stunning Cathedral of The Northern Lights .

When you’re not looking for the northern lights, you can learn more about Alta in the Alta Museum .

In the summer, the museum has a petroglyph park that displays fascinating rock etchings from the Stone Age.

In winter, adrenaline junkies might prefer to hit the snow on a snowmobile tour in search of the aurora borealis. At the end of the day, settle down for the night in the Igloo Hotel – a hotel fully constructed out of ice with a different theme every year.

28. Hamningberg

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique during your Northern Norway adventure, be sure to stop by Hamningberg .

Hamningberg is an abandoned fishing village that features intact buildings, making it one of the best-preserved examples of a fishing village from pre-war times.

Not too far from Vardø, most people visit the village in one day. This will give you enough time to enjoy the drive to the village and a few hours to explore.

Along with the collection of abandoned buildings, there’s a small beach you can walk along that is occasionally frequented by reindeer! There is also an array of unique rock formations to photograph.

29. Stabbursdalen National Park

Stabbursdalen National Park offers everything any outdoor enthusiast could ever ask for from a Northern Norway national park.

Home to the northernmost pine forest in the world, Stabbursdalen features open plateaus, deep ravines, picturesque valleys, and the Stabburselva River.

Tourists have access to a huge range of short and long hiking trails, salmon fishing spots, and mountain lakes.

The Stuorra Biŋalvárri trail is 8 km (4.9 mi) long and it leads through dense forest and mountain tops all the way up to the peak. The views of Stabbursdalen, Stabbursneset, and the Porsanger fjord from the top are phenomenal so don’t miss out!

30. Øvre Pasvik National Park

Øvre Pasvik National Park is located 100 km (62 mi) south of Kirkenes in northwest Norway.

Like Stabbursdalen National Park, Øvre has diverse landscapes scattered with forests, mountain peaks, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

This national park is also a fantastic location for hiking. In fact, it is probably best known for the Piilola Trail – a popular wilderness trail through the boreal coniferous forest zone.

Best suited to experienced hikers, the 35 km (21.75 mi) long summer trail connects Norway’s Øvre Pasvik National Park and Finland’s Vätsäri Wilderness Area.There’s a chance you might spot wildlife like brown bears along the trail, so stay vigilant.

Another popular attraction in Øvre Pasvik National Park is the visitor center . Here, you can learn all about the wildlife in the area, and there’s even a restaurant and accommodation on site.

31. Bugøynes

One of my favorite places in Northern Norway is Bugøynes , also known as “Little Finland”. This small town in Troms og Finnmark was one of the only places which survived “Operation Nordlicht,” when the Nazis burnt down the majority of settlements from Northern Norway down through Finnish Lapland .

Bugøynes’s nickname Little Finland comes from the fact the town has traditionally been inhabited by Finnish speakers, and Finnish is still a commonly spoken language in the village.

There is even a Finnish sauna spot along the beach. After enjoying the warmth of the sauna, you can run into the frigid water of the Arctic Ocean!

The road to the town is one of the most scenic routes in Northern Norway , with reindeer roaming free and beautiful views out over the fjord.

Many people visit Bugøynes with their campervans, staying the night in the campervan park in the village.

One of the most popular times to visit is during the Bugøynes festival, where people come from across the region to party in the summer.

Beautiful places to visit in Northern Norway (on a map!)

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Road is Calling

12 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Northern Norway + Travel Tips

Northern Norway is like a different world where nature’s grandeur unfolds in every direction. Not that southern Norway isn’t impressive (it is!) but in the north it just feels infinitely more untamed and raw.

Here, the landscapes are more dramatic, the wilderness more expansive, and the sense of adventure more palpable. It’s a region where you can truly lose yourself in the vastness of the Arctic, where every vista leaves you breathless and every moment feels like a journey into the unknown.

I visited northern Norway only once. But that trip left an indelible mark on my soul creating unforgettable memories of its untouched wilderness, lingering in my mind and making me want to return.

All these beautiful places to visit in northern Norway that I mention in this post are a great reminder of where to go back to experience the Arctic region one more time.

If you also plan to go, get some inspiration below together with the idea of the best northern Norway attractions and must-visit natural sights!

Things to Remember Before You Go to Northern Norway

1.) There is a midnight sun from mid-May to late July , with the sun remaining visible for 24 hours a day. This means not only that you’ll have more time for outdoor activities but also that you need to book accommodation with blackout curtains (or take with you an eye mask) to sleep well. 

Bring with you sun protection with high SPF, sunglasses with UV protection, and a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face from the sun (a practical one that blocks the sun’s rays and easily fits in the suitcase).

2.) Polar Nights occur from late November to mid-January , with extended periods of darkness and the sun remaining below the horizon for most of the day.

3.) Pack appropriate clothing – even though it’s summer, temperatures in Northern Norway are usually very cool, particularly in the evenings and early mornings. Pack layers and bring warm clothing, including a waterproof jacket, to stay comfortable if the weather changes.

4.) Be mindful of local customs and traditions when visiting indigenous Samí communities in Troms of Finnmark region . Ask permission before taking photographs if people are present.

5.) Rent a car to save money on tours and public transportation but do it in advance ! In Northern Norway, we like to rent cars through this company but I talk more about it and about alternatives in my Norway car hire and driving post.

8.) If you’re visiting in the winter and want to see Northern Lights, plan to spend multiple nights in the region to increase your chances of witnessing this natural phenomenon as it is not a daily occurrence due to solar activity and weather conditions.

Beautiful Places to Visit in Norway This Year

Beautiful northern norway islands not to miss, sommarøy – northern island of white sandy beaches & turquoise waters.

If you were to ask me what is the most beautiful northern Norway island, I’d pick Sommarøy without thinking for too long. Because for me it combines the best of two worlds – white sand beaches with crystal clear blue water that look like a paradise-like setting that’s hard to resist and almost perfect climate, particularly during the summer months, when temperatures are typically pleasant and not excessively hot.

The dramatic contrast between the Arctic environment and the idyllic beaches creates this unique scene that makes you feel like you are somewhere in the Caribbean, yet with a Nordic twist.

In summer, Sommaroy experiences the phenomenon of the midnight sun (just like many areas in Northern Norway) which means that for several weeks around the summer solstice, you can enjoy outdoor activities at any hour and go on midnight hikes or kayaking under the never-ending sun. It is a surreal adventure!

Also, if you are like me and don’t like heat, Sommaroy is a perfect summer destination to escape high temperatures as you can lounge on the beach without the discomfort of extreme heat. 

In winter, you can’t see white sand beaches and blue water, but the island is still beautiful with snow-covered landscapes and icy fjords.

Senja – Norway in Miniature

Senja is the second-largest island in Norway (after Hinnøya) where all landscapes seem to be picture-perfect, including fjords, mountains, beaches, and fishing villages. It is often referred to as “Norway in miniature” because it encapsulates many of the diverse natural features and landscapes that are characteristic of the entire country.

So within a relatively small area, you can explore tall mountains, deep fjords, dense forests, sandy beaches, and vast green spaces reminiscent of different parts of Norway. And all of that within a very short distance.

This is why if you are short on time and can’t see much of northern Norway (not to mention the south), choose Senja to see a bit of everything in one place.

Like the rest of Norway, it is a paradise for those who love hiking, fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching, or just being in beautiful nature. Here you can do it all and see it all mirroring different opportunities available throughout the country.

Vestvågøya – Lofoten’s Island Retreat

Vestvågøya is the second-largest island in the Lofoten archipelago with many fishing villages and tons of opportunities for recreation in a pristine natural setting. In some ways, it is similar to other islands of the Lofoten archipelago but there are a few aspects that make it different and unique.

Like Uttakleiv Beach , a unique geological formation known for its peculiarly shaped rocks and sea stacks, Offersoykammen mountain peak with panoramic views of Vestvagoya and the surrounding islands, or Gimsøy Nature Reserve on the northern tip of the island with diverse ecosystems, including coastal heathland, wetlands, and sandy beaches.

There are also various birdwatching sanctuaries where to observe a variety of seabird species nesting along the cliffs and shores, including sea puffins, sea eagles, guillemots, and others.

All these places are great for photography and enjoyment of coastal landscapes from out of this world.

Best Way to Visit Vestvågøya: by car rental as it is the most convenient way to explore the island (which is huge) and the rest of the Lofoten Islands. It is not well-served by public transportation and only main villages and towns on the island are connected.

Another option is to join a guided tour if you prefer someone else to handle the logistics and provide insights into the island’s attractions.

Unique Tours of Lofoten Islands to Book This Year

Magerøya – Gateway to the Northernmost Point of Europe

Magerøya is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Northern Norway because of its impressive landscape of Nordkapp (or North Cape) which is often referred to as the northernmost point of Europe accessible by road.

The coastline here is rugged everywhere you look with dramatic cliffs and Arctic tundra covering the island as a beautiful carpet. In addition to Nordkapp, Magerøya offers other attractions such as fishing villages, bird-watching opportunities, and the unique cultural heritage of the indigenous Sami people. They are all great for education and photography opportunities.

The main point of interest here (which is Nordkapp) has an interactive visitor center Nordkapp Hall that features exhibitions about the region’s geography, climate, and history.

Come to Magerøya island for its geographical significance, rare landscapes, and opportunity to visit the edge of the continent. In this way, you’ll have a chance to explore a very remote region (not just in Norway but in the world) and stand at the northernmost point of mainland Europe.

Beautiful Northern Norway Cities & Towns You’ll Love

Bodø – gateway to the arctic & entry point to the lofoten islands.

While Bodo itself is not part of the Lofoten Islands, its accessibility and transportation links make it a common starting point for experiencing the natural beauty and attractions of the Lofoten archipelago.

There is a major transportation hub in Bodo with the main departure point for ferries and express boats that go to various Lofoten islands. Additionally, this city has an airport with flights to Lofoten which is also very convenient if you are short on time.

But the main thing is not that . For me, Bodo became a real discovery where nature is a significant aspect of the city – from the center, you can easily reach the Børvasstindan mountains with very steep slopes and dramatic ridgelines, and its mountain peaks often have snow in the summer .

Another thing that will make you hold a breath here is Saltstraumen (location here ), the most powerful maelstrom in the world . It is possible to see this wonder from Saltstraumen Bridge, which provides a vantage point for observing the powerful tidal flow. Alternatively, take a boat tour to get close to maelstrom and experience the phenomenon firsthand.

When visiting Bodo in winter, enjoy skiing in the Budomarka natural area and Bodo’s charming city center with colorful wooden houses and lovely markets.

Tromso – Aurora Capital of the World

Tromso is the most famous city in northern Norway that stands out as a must-visit destination because of its location amidst marvelous Arctic landscapes. Situated on the island of Tromsøya, it has views of snow-capped mountains on all sides juxtaposed against the tranquil waters of the Norwegian Sea. This creates a perfect natural backdrop for beautiful photos and memorable experiences .

It is worth visiting Tromsø, in both summer and winter as it is a very beautiful and authentic city often called the ‘Small Paris of the North’.

Tromsø is also very accessible (well connected by air travel with Norwegian cities and many cities in Europe, including those in Eastern Europe like Budapest and Prague ) and offers unique experiences with easy proximity to the Northern Lights and Arctic Circle.

The best season to travel here is winter when you can chase northern lights, go dog sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, and even road-tripping a bit in the area. But summer offers its own charm, with the midnight sun illuminating the landscape and providing endless daylight hours for late-night hiking, fishing, or kayaking. Summer is also a great time to experience  Bukta Open Air Festival (music festival) or  International Film Festival . 

Narvik – Doorway to the Northern Fjords

Narvik is on my list of the most beautiful Norwegian cities due to its location between rounded mountains and fjords.

Main reason to travel here in summer is to go on a scenic road trip to the Lofoten archipelago making stops in charming fishing villages along the coast or towards significant fjords in northern Norway such as Ofotfjord and Rombaksfjord.

In winter, Narvik is a cheaper alternative to Tromso for witnessing the Aurora and participating in Norway’s famous winter activities such as dog sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing. If you are adventurous enough, then even go on a scenic road trip through snow-covered landscapes in the region.

Narvik also has a history related to World War II and an interesting Narvik War Museum which commemorates the events of the war, particularly the Battle of Narvik. The town was strategically important due to its ice-free harbor and access to iron ore mines in the region.

Alta – City With the Most Prehistoric Heritage in Northern Norway

Alta is a city and UNESCO World Heritage Site at the same time known for rock carvings (on the map you’ll find it under the Alta Museum name) that depict scenes of daily life and rituals from prehistoric times (to be exact 7,000 years ago).

Among all cities in Norway (not just in the north but in southern Norway too), it stands out for the Sami cultural heritage which includes traditions such as reindeer herding and traditional crafts. It is here where you can learn and experience the culture of Sami people which is part of Norwegian daily life today. 

However, besides UNESCO-listed rock carvings, Alta has a beautiful location in the Aurora Borealis zone , making it an excellent destination for witnessing the northern lights during the winter months.

It has its own airport well connected with many cities in Norway, but accommodation is somewhat cheaper and town itself is much quieter without too many tourists.

In summer, during white nights, the Alta region is perfect for hiking, fishing, and just exploring natural landscapes.

Hammerfest – the Northernmost Town in the World

There are other places north of Hammerfest that are considered to be ‘the northernmost’ spots (like Kamøyvær or Skarsvåg) but they are very tiny settlements with minimum infrastructure and not much to do besides photographing coastal scenery and saying that you have been to the utmost northern point.

Hammerfest is a city (even though small) with cultural experiences and impressive Arctic landscapes. It is in the far north of Norway, one of the northernmost cities in the world.

It is a long way to come here but if you do, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about polar bears at the Polar Bear Society Museum , see the Meridian Column (erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise measurement of the shape of the Earth), and partake in activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching amidst the breathtaking Arctic landscapes. 

Other Places to Visit in Northern Norway

Reine – most beautiful village in norway.

Reine is often described as one of the most picturesque villages in Norway, and for good reason – because of its traditional red Rorbu cabins (once used by fishermen) in front of the dramatic mountains that rise steeply from the sea and create a breathtaking backdrop.

You can probably easily recognize this village by looking at my photo or many other photos of this type on the Internet. The thing is that Reine often comes up first on image searches for ‘Lofoten Islands’ so it may look familiar.

It is famous for the views that simply take a breath away and serve as a wonderful backdrop for the photos.

By the way, the best point for capturing the iconic red cabins is from the bridge that crosses over the inner part of the village. From its vantage point, you can see the charming cluster of cabins set against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains and the picturesque waterfront.

Additionally, climbing up to Reinebringen provides another gorgeous perspective of the village and its surroundings which is the right place to go to if you look to take photos of the Lofoten Islands from above.

Reine also offers a few scenic hiking trails, kayaking opportunities, and areas designated for fishing. You can easily make a base here for a day or two and explore the area at a slower pace!

Kirkenes – Where Arctic Russian & Norwegian Cultures Meet

This is another beautiful and quirky place to visit in the very north of Norway. It is right near the Russian border and people come here for a fascinating blend of Norwegian and Russian cultures.

Due to its location, the town has a diverse population with influences from both Norwegian and Russian cultures . And such diversity is reflected in Kirkenes’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

People come here for the same reasons as they go to other cities and towns in North Norway – to view the Northern Lights in winter and experience the midnight sun in summer, see the region’s pristine wilderness, and have a chance to spend time in the very far corner of the Arctic. 

But another reason (which is also very unique to this destination) is to have a king crab safari on the fjord and experience cultural crossroads through the Borderland Museum (that gives insight into cross-border interactions between Norway, Russia, and Finland), Andersgrotta (underground bomb shelter, built during World War II that shows the impact of the German occupation on the local community), ad Kirkenes Snow Hotel (with ice and snow sculptures that introduce a bit Arctic craftsmanship).

You may think that it is possible to visit Kirkenes together on the same trip with the North Cape (in Magerøya mentioned above) but do not underestimate the distance. Reaching Kirkenes takes a lot of time.

Best Way to Visit Kirkenes: Kirkenes has its own airport well connected with Oslo, so there is a chance to fly. By road, the best way to go is not from Norway but from Finland, specifically from Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. In summer, car rentals in Rovaniemi are cheaper and you can go on a road trip to Kirkenes through vast expanses of tundra, Sami villages, and Finnmark Plateau, one of Europe’s last wilderness areas with endless vistas and a sense of remoteness.

If you do plan this trip in winter, stop for the night in Aurora Village in Ivalo for the best experience of northern lights.

Trollfjord – Best Fjord to Visit in Northern Norway

I am ending my list with a place to visit in Northern Norway that should be on everyone’s list as it is one of the most beautiful fjords in the country. 

It is located in the Lofoten archipelago (with a couple of other scenic places in this article) and is known for the very narrow entrance surrounded by steep cliffs rising vertically from the water on all sides and deep blue waters.

Trollfjord is a unique fjord as it stretches for about 2 kilometers inland, creating a very dramatic landscape. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and occasionally whales, so visiting it can create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You should come here for the fjord itself with its incredible views that show the natural beauty of northern Norway’s coastal wilderness up close.

More Beautiful Places to Visit in Norway 

Have you been to northern Norway yet? If yes, share where you went and what your favorite places were! If not and you planning a trip to this country, check my other posts about other beautiful destinations in Norway that are also worth a trip:

• Bergen & it’s fascinating things to do – if you are coming on a short visit
• Modalen municipality – between Bergen and Mostraumen fjord
• Ulvik – a hidden beautiful town on the way from Bergen to Hardangerfjord

More Similar Posts Around Europe

• Things to Do in Northern Spain – when you have a car
• Beautiful Places to Visit in Tenerife North – with must-do things on any visit 
• Tenerife North vs Tenerife South – how to decide which one is better for you
• Must-Do Things in Turkey – for a bucket list experience 

Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. She is working online and that’s why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. On this blog, her main goal is to inspire others to travel to under-the-radar places and discover the world while working remotely.

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Welcome to Alta

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Whales in Norway

Arctic Cathedral

Rock Art of Alta

Lofotr Viking Museum

The Polaria Museum

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Sami Parliament

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Northern norway: the ultimate 2024 travel guide.

A visit to Northern Norway can feel like a visit to a new planet, with vast landscapes, beautiful views and a lot less people. If you seek natural beauty and a sense of freedom, then a trip to northern Norway should be top of your list. Brad and I had a fantastic time in the north of Norway during our 3 month road trip with Tinggly and we spent quite a bit of time in the north. 

We LOVED it. Northern Norway is probably my favourite area in all of Norway and below I am going to take you through everything you need to know about northern Norway, including the best places to visit in northern Norway and the top things to do! 

Travellerspoint

What is Northern Norway? 

Before we begin, let’s define the perimeters of what northern Norway actually consists of. If you look at a map of Norway you’ll see that it actually curves around the top of both Finland and Sweden . 

Northern Norway is everything in “Nordland” so above Folderied (if you look on a map), you’ll see the border for northern Norway. 

This runs the whole way up and around to Kirkenes. So there is a LOT of road to cover. 

Remember you’re going to be within the arctic circle, so not only will there be lots of reindeer (yup! A lot!), you can also learn more about the Sami culture.

Best places to visit in Northern Norway 

Below I’ll give you a run down of all the best places to visit in northern Norway. This is a perfect way to plan a northern Norway roadtrip. Every place listed is somewhere Brad and I visited. 

Brad and I had a short and sweet stop in Kirkenes. We actually wanted to visit the ice hotel there (it’s pretty famous and awesome) and try out king crab fishing, which the area is famous for, but basically in classic fashion, we left everything too late! But if you do want to try king crab fishing, then this is the main point in Norway to do so. 

Hamningberg

This was a completely unexpected destination for us in northern Norway, but it turned out to be a very special place...it was the first time in Norway that we have seen the amazing Northern lights. It’s one of the further points you can get to in Europe and the town itself is actually a seasonal fishing village. 

It’s closed in the winter, but Brad and I managed to visit just before they closed the road. But because it’s so secluded, the drive there is crazy beautiful, it feels like you’ve driven onto another planet- amazing. 

Also, there wasn’t another human in sight when we visited. We had this whole random little village to ourselves and because we were so far north, we got a clear sky and the northern lights lit up the sky ...amazing memories! 

If you’re looking for one of the very unique places to visit in northern Norway, then this is your stop. You’ll need your own set of wheels to visit! 

Vardo is a great place in northern Norway and it’s actually quite easily accessible because it has its own airport (check Skyscanner for the best prices). Vardo is it’s own little island and just before we went, we were trying to find the bridge to get over then realized it’s an underwater tunnel, which is always cool! 

Vardo itself is very quaint and cute and has a really cool fort and museum that you can wander around. It’s also got hotels, restaurants, a cinema and other sights to see so it’s definitely worth a stop.

If you’re planning a Norway road trip from Kirkenes to the North Cape, then you’ll probably find yourself pass Borselv. It’s the name of an area in Norway and the reason I mention it as one of the great places to visit in northern Norway is the fact that we have seen an amazing show of the northern lights by a lake there and it’s got a really cool canyon you can stop at. 

Ah, the North Cape is my favourite place in all of northern Norway. It’s the most northern point you can go in Europe, so it’s an iconic stop for that reason alone. When we visited we were greeted by an amazing sunset, followed by one of the strongest views of the northern lights ever. We saw green, pink and purple with our own naked eye. It was amazing. 

The north cape is the highlight of any northern Norway itinerary and should not be missed. 

Alta is a popular stop as it’s one of the major towns (or cities) in northern Norway. We had planned on visiting a husky farm in Alta, but that fell through, so we did a little work and checked out the northern lights cathedral which is actually pretty cool. 

This is another great area in northern Norway that’s popular for its hiking opportunities. Brad and I done a baby hike, we basically hiked in the snow to a frozen waterfall and bridge. The bridge you can jump off in the summer months, if you’re feeling braze, but actually the frozen waterfall looked really cool! 

It was the first time I saw a proper full frozen waterfall, and the drop is quite dramatic on the bridge, so you might find it scary.

If you visit in winter like we did, then be super careful with ice! 

When people think of northern Norway, they often think of Tromso. I guess it would be considered the “capital” of the north. It’s got an airport and it’s a very popular spot for holidays to northern Norway, (even though there are even better places more north!) 

But if you want to wander around the city, take a northern lights tour or do any other holiday based activities, then a trip to Tromso is great. We stayed one night but didn’t see the northern lights. 

This is a great Northern Lights tour from Tromso, the 7 hour duration gives you the optimal chance to see them. Check it out. 

Lofoten Islands 

Ah, the Lofoten islands. An area of outstanding beauty in my opinion and my second favourite place in all of northern Norway. I’ve actually done a whole guide on the Lofoten Islands because there is so much to see and do here, but it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in northern Norway. 

Full of natural beauty, cool bridges, fishing villages and chances to see the northern lights, this place is growing in popularity every year. 

We didn’t “stay” in Narvik, rather we just visited through to pick up some gas and shopping. But, I want to mention it because it looks like a pretty cool city. There are lots of bright lights, shopping opportunities and you’re quite close to the polar park which is a popular place to visit in northern Norway with kids. 

This is often a good place to rent a car then take the Lofoten islands road trip. 

We've written a detailed guide on the top car rentals in Norway if you're unsure who to go with.

Or better yet, hire your own camper or motorhome and save on hotel stays! It's by far the best way to see Northern Norway.

Best things to do in Norway Norway 

So now that I’ve explained my favourite places to visit in northern Norway, I thought I’d mention some of the cool activities you can do here. Some of these Brad and I didn’t do, but they are worth mentioning because we had plans to do them! 

1. Chase the Northern Lights 

There are a few factors needed to see the northern lights: no cloud, a certain KP index, and the further north the better ... well you can’t get much further north in the world than northern Norway, so you’re putting yourself in the BEST position to see the northern lights. If you give yourself week, then you’ve got a pretty good chance. 

Read Also: Where To See The Northern Lights In Norway

2. Go Crab Fishing or Ice fishing 

Basically fishing in Norway is a very popular activity, as you’ll notice from all the fishing villages you encounter. So if you want to do as the locals do, then try your hand at fishing. Ice fishing is possible in the winter only. 

3. Discover frozen waterfalls 

There are lots of really cool waterfalls around northern Norway, and of course if you visit in the spring or summer, then they won’t be frozen (But they’ll still look beautiful). 

But if you visit in the winter, then a frozen waterfall is a really cool thing to behold. I can recommend the Gorzi waterfall. 

4. Go hiking 

Northern norway is a hiker's dream and there are countless opportunities for hiking in Norway. A very popular walking and hiking region in the Lofoten islands, however remember if you are hiking in the winter, you’ll need crampons for your shoes and some routes may be closed due to weather conditions. 

5. Check out the Vardohus Fortress

This is a really cool fortress in Vardo that’s totally worth a visit. I would recommend an overnight stay in Vardo. 

6. Take beautiful pictures of Reine 

I have never seen a more picturesque village than Reine in the Lofoten Islands . This is probably the most famous and most popular spot in the Lofoten Islands and it’s really no surprise why. Those red houses with the mountainous backdrop make for an iconic postcard picture and there is really no bad angle of this cute little town. Be sure to check out my guide on how to take better travel photos , which includes lots of examples from photos we took in Northern Norway.

7. Go arctic surfing 

When we were driving around the Lofoten islands, we saw surf board rental and then we saw people actually surfing in the water….that is brave! Arctic surfing a real thing and people love it. 

Don’t worry, you’re wrapped up warm, so apparently the water temperature is fine, but if you want a unique experience in northern Norway, then why not try that.

8. Find out more about the Sami culture 

The Sami people are the indigenous population of mainly northern Norway, Finland and Sweden. Their way of life is unique and certain tours allow you to experience that way of life up close, which is pretty cool. 

If you want to learn more about the Sami culture and discover reindeer, then this is a great option! Check it out here.  ‍

Driving in Northern Norway 

Driving in the north of Norway is amazing, and for a few good reasons. Firstly, it’s super quiet. Brad and I went days where we only passed 1 or 2 cars in about 3 hours of driving. This means you have vast and beautiful landscapes all to yourself- amazing. 

There are no road tolls in all of northern Norway which means it’s a lot cheaper to road trip the north than it is to roadtrip the rest! 

You will need to be careful with driving as some road conditions can be icy and snowy if visiting in the winter season. You’ll need winter tyres too and a decent car. 

Fuel is more expensive in northern Norway than it is in the rest of Norway. It averages at around 1.5-1.6 euro. 

When is the best time to visit Northern Norway? 

Since Brad and I visited in the month of October, I can recommend that. It was quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and the weather was awesome. October is one of the best times to see the northern lights too, after October it will start snowing more heavily, and you can’t see them with snow. 

And also places like Hammingberg won’t be open after October. So I think that’s a great month to visit. 

On the other hand, I think the spring time would also be beautiful, and perhaps May/June would still be a quiet time to visit northern Norway too. 

How to visit Northern Norway 

When it comes to visiting northern Norway, you’ve got a few options. You can either fly to one of the main cities, such as Tromso and use that as a base to rent a car and a road trip through different parts, or you can rent a car from Oslo, or Bodo and do a fully blown northern Norway roadtrip. 

I think regardless of how you get to northern Norway, you should definitely rent a car for at least a couple of days to really experience all the beauty the north has to offer. 

So there you have it, my guide to Northern Norway. I hope you’ve found this useful and hopefully it’s inspired you to discover the beauty of the north. If you’ve got any other tips or tricks to add to this northern Norway travel guide then simply pop a comment below. 

Happy travels! 

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Northern Norway – magnificent nature and vibrant culture

Enjoy the Northern Lights, colorful sky and epic scenery. Experience the arctic wildlife, coastal culture and sami culture. Have joyful moments and fun in the snow. Everything under our limitless sky.

“Winter is not always the coldest time in the North, but for sure the coolest.” The visitors say

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Bodø – your gateway to the most refreshing and beautiful coastline, what do you want to see and do.

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Northern Norway – by the taste buds

Northern Norwegian cuisine is rustic, with simple, strong tastes. The riches of the sea are reflected on your plate. More surprising are maybe the intense flavours of veg and soft fruit grown in Northern Norwegian agriculture. Add wild berries and some surprises for the sweet tooth, and your tastebuds will be amused.

Waffles make Northern Norway happy

The food is half the journey, vesterålen are the tasty islands, restaurants in tromsø serve up the tastes of the arctic, møsbrøm flatbread is a staple in salten, travel by your palate around harstad, northern norway is the best place to see the northern lights, where do you see the northern lights.

Where are the best places to see the Northern Lights? Depends on you, your mood and the way you like to do things.

Kristoffer went hunting for the Northern Lights in Senja

The lyngenfjord is the northern lights fjord, go to the north cape to see the northern lights at the end of the world, roam the helgeland archipelago for a different northern lights holiday, jann finds northern lights in lofoten behind the next mountain, jens and marius catch the northern lights in vesterålen, is it really daylight 24/7, stay up late and watch the midnight sun.

For weeks and months, the sun doesn’t set in Northern Norway. Here are some tips for you to find those special places to have those special midnight sun moments.

Go to Lofoten’s wild side for the Midnight Sun

Vardø gets the midnight sun before the rest of us, the midnight sun is bodø’s coat of arms, the midnight sun in narvik fills you with energy, in vesterålen, you see the midnight sun over the atlantic, how to see the midnight sun in tromsø, when to go and how to get the best holiday, nordlandsruta – the longest trekking trail in norway, how to travel and plan your trip, where should you drive this spring and summer.

Northern Norway was made for individual exploration by car. There is something new around every corner; scenic beauty and picturesque villages. No less than six Norwegian Scenic Routes are found, and we can also strongly recommend quite a few others. Here are some suggestions.

The Norwegian Scenic Route in Helgeland is a journey across the islands in the west and along ice capped mountains to the east

See the midnight sun, whales and imposing landscapes during your journey along the norwegian scenic route on andøya, the norwegian scenic route winds around senja’s outer coast, the norwegian scenic route to havøysund takes you from birch forests to the open ocean, the norwegian scenic route in varanger shines with cultural gems and storm carved nature, the norwegian scenic route in lofoten is an island hopping adventure through a towering mountain chain, travel like the locals.

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North Norway

The north is a playground for those seeking pristine nature, adventurous outdoor activities, the midnight sun in summer and the dazzling northern lights in winter. While they may often be simplified as nature’s greatest light show, there’s a whole lot of science behind the aurora borealis.

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Lofoten Islands & Svolvær

Lofoten is an archipelago above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway that encompasses...

 At 350 kilometres (217 miles) above the Arctic Circle, it’s no wonder Tromsø is often...

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Located just north of the Arctic Circle is Bodø, the second largest city in northern...

In just a 5-minute walk from the centre of Tromsø you will discover Polaria, housed in a...

Polar Museum

As Tromsø has long been an important base for arctic expeditions, a stop at The Polar...

Fjellheisen - Tromsø Cable Car

The Fjellheisen aerial tramway runs year-round up to the Storsteinen mountain ledge, 420...

North Cape & Honningsvåg

As mainland Europe’s northernmost point at the latitude of 71° north, North Cape...

The small town of Kirkenes in Norway’s arctic region of Finnmark is the northern end of...

Kirkenes SnowHotel

Nothing says “arctic adventure” like sleeping in a hotel sculpted of snow and ice....

Polar Park - Arctic Wildlife Centre

The world’s northernmost animal park, the Polar Park in Bardu, nearby Tromsø, is home to...

Pasvik Valley

Besides containing Norway’s largest bear population, the Pasvik Valley near Kirkenes is...

Tromsø Friluftsenter

Located outside the city of Tromsø on the island of Kvaløya (“Whale Island”), the Tromsø...

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Karl Baedeker, writing a hundred years ago about Norway’s remote northern provinces of Troms and Finnmark, observed that they “possess attractions for the scientific traveller and the sportsman, but can hardly be recommended for the ordinary tourist” – a comment that isn’t too wide off the mark even today. These are enticing lands, no question: the natural environment they offer is stunning in its extremes, with the midnight sun and polar night further defamiliarizing the often lunar-like terrain. But the travelling can be hard going, the individual sights geographically disparate and, once you do reach them, rather subdued in their appeal.

Arctic phenomena

East to kirkenes, the finnmarksvidda, roald amundsen, the road to finnmark.

The intricate, fretted coastline of Troms has shaped its history since the days when powerful Viking lords operated a trading empire from the region’s islands. And while half the population still lives offshore in dozens of tiny fishing villages, the place to aim for first is Tromsø , the so-called “Capital of the North” and a lively university town where King Håkon and his government proclaimed a “Free Norway” in 1940, before fleeing into exile. Beyond Tromsø, the long trek north and east begins in earnest as you enter Finnmark, a vast wilderness covering 48,000 square kilometres, but home to just two percent of the Norwegian population. Much of this land was laid to waste during World War II, the combined effect of the Russian advance and the retreating German army’s scorched-earth policy, and it’s now possible to drive for hours without coming across a building much more than sixty years old.

The first obvious target in Finnmark is Alta , a sprawling settlement – relatively speaking, of course – and an important crossroads famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. From here, most visitors make straight for the steely cliffs of Nordkapp (the North Cape), ostensibly but not actually Europe’s northernmost point, with or without a detour to the likeable port of Hammerfest , and leave it at that; but some doggedly press on to Kirkenes , the last town before the Russian border, where you feel as if you’re about to drop off the end of the world.

The main alternative from Alta is to travel inland across the eerily endless scrubland of the Finnmarksvidda , where winter temperatures can plummet to -35°C. This high plateau is the last stronghold of the Sámi, northern Norway’s indigenous people, some of whom still live a semi-nomadic life tied to the movement of their reindeer herds. You’ll spot Sámi in their brightly coloured traditional gear all across the region, but most notably in the remote towns of Kautokeino and Karasjok, strange, disconsolate places in the middle of the plain.

Finally, and even more adventurously, there is the Svalbard archipelago, whose icy mountains rise out of the Arctic Ocean over 800km north of mainland Norway. Once the exclusive haunt of trappers, fishermen and coal miners, Svalbard now makes a tidy income from adventure tourism, offering everything from guided glacier walks to hard-core snowmobile excursions and husky riding: journeys that will take you out to places as remote and wild a spot as you’re ever likely to get in your life. You can fly there independently from Tromsø and Oslo at surprisingly bearable prices, though most people opt for a package tour.

As for accommodation, all the major settlements have at least a couple of hotels and the main roads are sprinkled with campsites. If you have a tent and a well-insulated sleeping bag, you can, in theory, bed down more or less where you like, but the hostility of the climate and the ferocity of the summer mosquitoes, especially in the marshy areas of the Finnmarksvidda, make most people think (at least) twice. There are HI hostels at Alta, Karasjok, Kirkenes, Honningsvåg, Mehamn, Harstad, Senja, Skibotndalen and Tromsø.

On and above the Arctic Circle , an imaginary line drawn round the earth at latitude 66.5 degrees north, there is a period around midsummer during which the sun never makes it below the horizon, even at midnight – hence the midnight sun . On the Arctic Circle itself, this only happens on one night of the year – at the summer solstice – but the further north you go, the greater the number of nights without darkness: in Bodø, it’s from the first week of June to early July; in Tromsø from late May to late July; in Alta, from the third week in May to the end of July; in Hammerfest, mid-May to late July; and in Nordkapp, early May to the end of July. Obviously, the midnight sun is best experienced on a clear night, but fog or cloud can turn the sun into a glowing, red ball – a spectacle that can be wonderful but also strangely uncanny. All the region’s tourist offices have the exact dates of the midnight sun, though note that these are calculated at sea level; climb up a hill and you can extend the dates by a day or two. The converse of all this is the polar night , a period of constant darkness either side of the winter solstice; again the further north of the Arctic Circle you are, the longer this lasts.

The Arctic Circle also marks the typical southern limit of the northern lights , or aurora borealis , though this extraordinary phenomenon has been seen as far south as latitude 40 degrees north – roughly the position of New York or Ankara. Caused by the bombardment of the atmosphere by electrons, carried away from the sun by the solar wind, the northern lights take various forms and are highly mobile – either flickering in one spot or travelling across the sky. At relatively low latitudes hereabouts, the aurora is tilted at an angle and is often coloured red – the sagas tell of Vikings being half scared to death by them – but nearer the pole, they hang like gigantic luminous curtains, often tinted greenish blue. Naturally enough, there’s no predicting when the northern lights will occur. They are most likely to come out during the darkest period (between November and February) – though they can be seen as early as late August and as late as mid-April. On a clear night the fiery ribbons can be strangely humbling.

Southeast of Nordkapp the landscape is a relentless expanse of barren plateaux, mountains and ocean. Occasionally a determined village relieves the monotony with commanding views over the fjords that slice deep into the mainland, but generally there is little for the eyes of most visitors. Nor is there much of anything to actually do in what are predominantly fishing and industrial settlements, and there are few tangible attractions beyond the sheer impossibility of the chill wilderness.

The E6 weaves a circuitous course across this vast territory, hugging the Finnish border for much of its length. The only obvious target is the Sámi centre of Karasjok, 270km from Nordkapp and 220km from Hammerfest and easily the region’s most interesting town. Frankly, there’s not much reason to push on further east unless you’re intent on picking up the Hurtigruten coastal boat as it bobs along the remote and spectacular shores of the Barents Sea. Among the Hurtigruten’s several ports of call, perhaps the most diverting is Kirkenes , 320km to the east of Karasjok at the end of the E6 and near the Russian frontier: if any European town comes close to defining remoteness then this surely must be it.

Finally, accommodation is very thin on the ground, being confined to a handful of the larger communities. Reservations, therefore, are strongly advised. Campsites are more frequent and usually have cabins for rent, but they are mostly stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Dark times: witchfinding in Finnmark

Finnmark was long known to medieval Christians as Ultima Thule – the end of the world – and legend has it that the road to hell was a small, unpaved one set out towards the Varanger peninsula, presided over by devils and dark knights. After paganism was outlawed and the Black Death decimated local populations in the late 1300s, the Scandinavian kingdoms exhibited marked intolerance towards anyone harbouring anti-Christian tendencies. Although the Church had long regarded the extremes of Finnmark as the realm of the devil, witchfinding only took a hold in the 1620s – half a century or so later than the rest of Europe – when, it was alleged, a coven set up shop in a cave on the edge of Vardø. Over the next sixty years, Norway indicted 135 “witches” found in and around the town, and burned 91 of them alive at the stake – a huge number considering the size of the population.

Used by the Nazis to ship out iron ore from its ice-free port, the mining town of KIRKENES was bombed more heavily during World War II than any other place in Europe apart from Malta. The retreating German army torched what was left as they fled in the face of liberating Soviet soldiers, who found 3500 locals hiding in the nearby iron-ore mines. The mines finally closed in 1996, threatening the future of this 4000-strong community, which is now trying hard to kindle trade with Russia to keep itself afloat. The sterling part Kirkenes played in the war is recalled in the Sør-Varanger museum and also by a couple of monuments – one dedicated to the town’s wartime women in the main square, and a second to the Red Army, plonked on Roald Amundsens gate, just to the east.

Thanks to the bombs, Kirkenes is now almost entirely modern, with long rows of uniform houses spreading out along the Bøkfjord, a narrow arm of the Barents Sea. If that sounds dull, it’s not to slight the town, which makes the most of its inhospitable surroundings with some pleasant public gardens, lakes and residential areas – it’s just that it seems an awfully long way to come for not very much.

Crossing into Russia

From Kirkenes, it’s just 16km southeast along the E105 to Storskog , Norway’s only official border crossing point with Russia. You can take photographs of the frontier, provided you don’t snap any Russian personnel or military installations – which rather limits the options as there’s little else to see. The crossing is busy for much of the year, but it’s not open for casual day-trippers; in any case, the only convenient settlement nearby is the ugly and heavily sullied Russian mining town of Nikel , around 40km further to the south, from where you can – extraordinarily enough – travel by train all the way to Vladivostok. Several Kirkenes travel agents organize day- and weekend tours into Russia, the most worthwhile being those to the Arctic port of Murmansk . The trips include both a visa and the fee for the invitation you need to acquire said visa (500kr for one day, 675kr for three), which the agents can arrange in a few hours once they have your passport, a completed visa application form, an extra passport photo and the money; if you do it on your own, reckon on at least one week, possibly two or three. Among these travel agents , Pasvikturist, in the centre at Dr. Wesselsgate 9 (

t 78 99 50 80, w pasvikturist.no ), is as good as any. They have details of trips to Murmansk, both one-night (2900kr per person) and weekend (3200kr) excursions – a return bus trip alone will run you 600kr (or 1750kr in a taxi, which seats three passengers). Incidentally, there is a Russian consulate in Kirkenes, at Arbeidergata 6 ( t 78 99 37 37, w www.kirkenes.mid.ru ), but they will not shortcut the visa process, which costs 315kr (excluding invitation) and can take between 5 and 10 days. If a Russian jaunt proves impossible, you’ll have to be content with the reflection that if you have made it to Kirkenes and the border, you are further east than Istanbul and as far north as Alaska.

Venture far inland from Alta and you enter the Finnmarksvidda , a vast mountain plateau which spreads southeast up to and beyond the Finnish border. Rivers, lakes and marshes lattice the region, but there’s nary a tree, let alone a mountain, to break the contours of a landscape whose wide skies and deep horizons are nevertheless eerily beautiful. Distances are hard to gauge – a dot of a storm can soon be upon you, breaking with alarming ferocity – and the air is crystal-clear, giving a whitish lustre to the sunshine. A handful of roads cross this expanse, but for the most part it remains the preserve of the few thousand semi-nomadic Sámi who make up the majority of the local population. Many still wear traditional dress, a brightly coloured, wool and felt affair of red bonnets and blue jerkins or dresses, all trimmed with red, white and yellow embroidery. You’ll see permutations on this traditional costume all over Finnmark, but especially at roadside souvenir stalls and, on Sundays, outside Sámi churches.

Despite the slow encroachments of the tourist industry, lifestyles on the Finnmarksvidda have remained remarkably constant for centuries. The main occupation is reindeer herding , supplemented by hunting and fishing, and the pattern of Sámi life is still mostly dictated by the biology of these animals. During the winter, the reindeer graze the flat plains and shallow valleys of the interior, migrating towards the coast in early May as the snow begins to melt, and temperatures inland begin to climb, even reaching 30°C on occasion. By October, both people and reindeer are journeying back from their temporary summer quarters on the coast. The long, dark winter is spent in preparation for the great Easter festivals , when weddings and baptisms are celebrated in the region’s two principal settlements, Karasjok and – more especially – Kautokeino . Summer visits, on the other hand, can be rather disappointing, culturally speaking at least, since many families and their reindeer are kicking back at coastal pastures and there is precious little activity in either town. Still, your best bet for spotting small herds are along the road to Hammerfest and in the area around Nordkapp.

The best time to hike the Finnmarksvidda is in late August and early September, after the peak mosquito season and before the weather turns cold. For the most part the plateau vegetation is scrub and open birch forest, which makes the going fairly easy, though the many marshes, rivers and lakes often impede progress. There are a handful of clearly demarcated hiking trails as well as a smattering of appropriately sited but unstaffed huts; for detailed information, ask at Alta tourist office.

Easter festivals in the Finnsmarksvidda

As neither of the Finnsmarksvidda region’s two principal settlements, Karasjok and Kautokeino, is particularly appealing in itself, Easter is without question the best time to be here, when the inhabitants celebrate the end of the polar night and the arrival of spring. There are folk-music concerts, church services and traditional sports, including the famed reindeer races – not, thank goodness, reindeers racing each other (they would never cooperate), but reindeer pulling passenger-laden sleds. Details of the Easter festivals are available at any Finnmark tourist office.

Hikes into the Finnmarksvidda

Karasjok is an excellent point of departure for an exploration of the Finnmarksvidda. The region’s most popular long-distance hike is the five-day haul across the heart of the Finnmarksvidda, from Karasjok to Alta via a string of strategically located huts – gorgeous and invigorating but not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. More gentle a trek is the 3.5km Ássebákti nature trail , which passes more than a hundred Sámi cultural monuments on the way. Clearly signed, the trail begins some 16km west of Karasjok along Highway 92 towards Kautokeino. For information on walks in the region, enquire at either the Karasjok or Alta tourist offices.

It’s a two-hour drive or bus ride from Alta across the Finnmarksvidda to KAUTOKEINO (Guovdageaidnu in Sámi), the principal winter camp of the Norwegian Sámi and their reindeer, who are kept in the surrounding plains. The Sámi are not, however, easy town dwellers and although Kautokeino is very useful to them as a supply base, it’s still a desultory, desolate-looking place straggling along Highway 93 for a couple of kilometres, with the handful of buildings that pass for the town centre gathered at the point where the road crosses the Kautokeinoelva River.

Originally, the Sámi were a semi-nomadic people, living in small communities ( siidas ), each of which had a degree of control over the surrounding hunting grounds. They lived off hunting, fishing and trapping, preying on all the edible creatures of the north, but it was the wild reindeer that supplied most of their needs. This changed in the sixteenth century when the Sámi moved over to reindeer herding , with communities following the seasonal movements of the animals.

The contact the Sámi have had with other Scandinavians has almost always been to their disadvantage. In the ninth century, they paid significant fur, feather and hide taxes to Norse chieftains. Later, in the seventeenth century, they faced colonization and moves to dislocate their culture from the various thrones in Sweden, Russia and Norway. The frontiers of Sámiland were only agreed in 1826, by which point hundreds of farmers had settled in “Lapland”, to the consternation of its native population. By that point, Norway’s Sámi had kowtowed to Protestant missionaries and accepted the religion of their colonizers – though the more progressive among them did support the use of Sámi languages and even translated hundreds of books into their language. In the nineteenth century, the government’s aggressive Social Darwinist policy of “ Norwegianization ” banned the use of indigenous languages in schools, and only allowed Sámi to buy land if they could speak Norwegian. Only in the 1950s were these policies abandoned and slowly replaced by a more considerate, progressive approach.

1986 was a catastrophic year for the Sámi: the Chernobyl nuclear disaster contaminated much of the region’s flora and fauna, which effectively meant the collapse of the reindeer export market. While reindeer herding is now the main occupation of just one-fifth of the Sámi population, expressions of Sámi culture have expanded. Traditional arts and crafts are now widely available in all of Scandinavia’s major cities and a number of Sámi films – including the critically acclaimed Veiviseren (The Pathfinder) – have been released. Sámi music ( joik ) has also been given a hearing by world-music, jazz and even electronica buffs. Although their provenance is uncertain, the rhythmic song-poems that constitute joik were probably devised to soothe anxious reindeer; the words are subordinated to the unaccompanied singing and at times are replaced altogether by meaningless, sung syllables.

Since the international anti-colonial struggles of the 1960s, the Norwegians have been obliged to thoroughly re-evaluate their relationship with the Sámi – initially by amending the national constitution to include social, cultural and linguistic rights for them in 1988, then a year later establishing a Sámi Parliament, the Sameting , in Karasjok. Certain deep-seated problems do remain – issues such as land and mineral rights and the identity of Sámi both as an indigenous, partly autonomous people and as citizens of a particular country – but at least Oslo is asking the right questions.

Situated on the western shore of the rugged island of Kvaløya, linked to the mainland by bridge, HAMMERFEST , some 150km north of Alta, claims to be the world’s northernmost town, though in actuality this prize goes to Longyearbyen on Svalbard. It was, however, the first town in Europe to have electric street-lighting, and is indeed mainland Europe’s most northerly settlement. Hardly fascinating facts perhaps, but both give a glimpse of the pride the locals take in making the most of what is, indisputably, an inhospitable location. Indeed, it’s a wonder the town has survived at all: a hurricane flattened the place in 1856; it was burnt to the ground in 1890; and the retreating Germans mauled it at the end of World War II. Yet, instead of being abandoned, Hammerfest was stubbornly rebuilt for a third time. Nor is it the grim industrial town you might expect from the proximity of the offshore oil wells, but a bright, cheerful port, which drapes around a horseshoe-shaped harbour sheltered from the elements by a steep, rocky hill. Hammerfest also benefits from the occasional dignified wooden building that recalls its nineteenth-century heyday as the centre of the Pomor trade in which Norwegian fish were traded for boat-loads of Russian flour. But don’t get too carried away: Bill Bryson, in Neither Here Nor There , hit the nail on the head with his description of Hammerfest as “an agreeable enough town in a thank-you-God-for-not-making-me-live-here sort of way”. To be sure, it’s the general atmosphere of the place that appeals rather than any specific sight.

Should you get antsy while holed up in Hammerfest, try a day-trip or overnight excursion out to Seiland , a nearby island where you can take in any number of activities, including hiking, deep-sea fishing, boating, snowmobiling and hunting. Trips offered by Seiland Explore ( t 78 41 96 40, w seiland-explore.com ) range from deep-sea fishing (from 1000kr/day) to a two-day guided excursion to a glacier (from around 7000kr per group). Alternatively, the tourist office has details of local excursions, easily the most popular of which are the fishing trips and the summertime sea cruises to local bird cliffs, which seethe and squawk with guillemots, gannets and kittiwakes, among many other types of sea birds.

One of Norway’s most celebrated sons, Roald Amundsen (1872–1928) was intent on becoming a polar explorer from his early teens. He read everything there was to read on the subject, even training as a sea captain in preparation, and, in 1897, embarked with a Belgian expedition upon his first trip to Antarctica. Undeterred by a winter on the ice after the ship broke up, he was soon planning his own expedition. In 1901, he purchased a sealer, the Gjøa , in Tromsø, leaving in June 1903 to spend three years sailing and charting the Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The Gjøa (now on display in Oslo) was the first vessel to complete this extraordinary voyage, which tested Amundsen and his crew to the very limits. Long searched for, the Passage had for centuries been something of a nautical Holy Grail and the voyage’s progress – and at times the lack of it – was headline news right across the world.

Amundsen’s next target was the North Pole, but during his preparations, in 1909, the American admiral and explorer Robert Peary got there first. Amundsen immediately switched his attention to the South Pole , and in 1910 set out in a new ship, the Fram (also exhibited in Oslo), for the Antarctic, which he reached on December 14, 1911, famously beating the British expedition of Captain Scott by just a couple of weeks.

Neither did Amundsen’s ambitions end there: in 1926, he became one of the first men to fly over the North Pole in the airship of the Italian Umberto Nobile, though it was this last expedition that did for Amundsen: in 1928, the Norwegian flew north out of Tromsø in a bid to rescue the stranded Nobile and was never seen again.

Beyond Tromsø , the vast sweep of the northern landscape slowly unfolds, with silent fjords cutting deep into the coastline beneath ice-tipped peaks which themselves fade into the high plateau of the interior. This forbidding, elemental terrain is interrupted by the occasional valley, where those few souls hardy enough to make a living in these parts struggle on – often subsisting by dairy farming. Curiously enough, one particular problem for the farmers here has been the abundance of Siberian garlic ( Allium sibiricum ): the cows love the stuff – it tastes much more like a chive than garlic – but if they eat a lot of it, the milk they produce tastes of onions.

Slipping along the valleys and traversing the mountains in between, the E8 and then the E6 follow the coast pretty much all the way from Tromsø to Alta, some 410km – and about a seven-hour drive – to the north. Drivers can save around 100km (although not necessarily time and certainly not money) by turning off the E8 25km south of Tromsø onto Highway 91 – a quieter, even more scenic route, offering extravagant fjord and mountain views. Highway 91 begins by cutting across the rocky peninsula that backs onto Tromsø to reach the Breivikeidet–Svensby car ferry , a magnificent twenty-minute journey over to the glaciated Lyngen peninsula. From the Svendsby ferry dock, it’s just 24km over the Lyngen to the Lyngseidet–Olderdalen car ferry , by means of which you can rejoin the E6 at Olderdalen, some 220km south of Alta. This route is at its most spectacular between Svendsby and Lyngseidet, with the road nudging along a narrow channel flanked by the imposing peaks of the Lyngsalpene, or Lyngen Alps. Beyond Olderdalen, the E6 eventually enters the province of Finnmark as it approaches the hamlet of Langfjordboten, at the head of the long and slender Langfjord. Thereafter, the road sticks tight against the coast en route to Kåfjord.

Some 20km from Kåfjord, ALTA ’s primary claim to fame is the most extensive area of prehistoric rock carvings in northern Europe, which are impressive enough to have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At first blush, however, the view of the town is somewhat less than encouraging. With a population of around 20,000, it comprises a string of unenticing modern settlements that spread along the E6 for several kilometres. The ugliest part is Alta Sentrum , now befuddled by a platoon of soulless concrete blocks. World War II polished off much of the local Sámi culture that used to thrive here, as well as destroying all the old wooden buildings that once clustered together in Alta’s oldest district, Bossekop , where Dutch whalers settled in the seventeenth century.

That being said, the settlement is an excellent place to base oneself in for explorations out to the Finnmark plateau. The area around here gets very green in the summer months, and hiking, canyoning and riverboat safaris are all on offer. In the wintertime, the stable (if very cold) climate allows for plenty of outdoor activities , including dog-sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and chasing the northern lights. Additionally, Europe’s largest dog-sled race, the Finnmarksløpet ( w finnmarkslopet.no ), is put on here in mid-March, complemented by a big week-long cultural celebration, the Borealis Winter Festival.

Alta’s prehistoric rock carvings and the Alta Museum

Accessed along the E6, Alta’s prehistoric rock carvings, the Helleristningene i Hjemmeluft , form part of the Alta Museum . Count on at least an hour to view the carvings and appreciate the site. A visit begins in the museum building, 5km from town, where there’s a wealth of background information on the carvings in particular and on prehistoric Finnmark in general. It also offers a potted history of the Alta area, with exhibitions on the salmon-fishing industry, copper mining and so forth.

The rock carvings themselves extend down the hill from the museum to the fjordside along a clear and easy-to-follow footpath and boardwalk that stretches for just under 3km. On the trail, there are a dozen or so vantage points offering close-up views of the carvings, recognizable through highly stylized representations of boats, animals and people picked out in red pigment (the colours have been retouched by researchers). They make up an extraordinarily complex tableau, whose minor variations – there are four identifiable bands – in subject matter and design indicate successive historical periods. The carvings were executed between 2500 and 6000 years ago, and are indisputably impressive: clear, stylish, and touching in their simplicity. They provide an insight into a prehistoric culture that was essentially settled and largely reliant on the hunting of land animals, who were killed with flint and bone implements; sealing and fishing were of lesser importance. Many experts think it likely the carvings had spiritual significance because of the effort that was expended by the people who created them, but this is the stuff of conjecture.

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The best places to visit in Norway in 2024

Mar 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Stunning culture-filled cities are tucked away in Norway's incredible landscapes © BlueOrange Studio / Shutterstock

Simply put, Norway is spectacular. Along the west coast, shimmering blue fjords carve deep into the interior, with picture-perfect villages hugging the shores and gravity-defying farms clinging to the steep slopes above. Elsewhere, the coastline is less dramatic but still stunning with white-painted towns and countless islands, while interior Norway has some of Europe’s wildest, most beautiful mountains, interspersed with green agricultural valleys and stretches of deep forest.

Almost anywhere you go in Norway you’ll find scenery to take your breath away and abundant activities to inspire you. Here are the best places to visit in 2024.

Best for museums and architecture

Norway’s energetic, innovative capital boasts top-notch historical and cultural museums, a creative food scene, and cutting-edge architecture such as the striking new Munch Museum and the iconic opera house, designed to resemble a glacier. A stroll along the new waterfront promenade is a great way to get a close-up look at Oslo’s evolving cityscape. And after a year-long renovation the Nobel Peace Center reopened in November 2023 . 

Planning tip : One of Oslo’s top attractions, the Viking Ship Museum , is closed until 2026, but the Fram Museum is another great ship-centered attraction that tells the fascinating story of Norwegian polar exploration. 

2. Lofoten Islands

Best for astonishing Arctic beauty

The Lofoten archipelago is vivid, dramatic, and irresistibly photogenic, with jagged mountains rising from the sea and colorful villages hugging rocky shores that are moss-green in summer and blanketed in pristine snow in winter. Come for the hiking, the kayaking, the arts scene, the history, the wildlife, the seafood, or just to admire the incredible views on this outer edge of northern Norway. In summer, there’s almost endless daylight, while in winter, the aurora borealis often shimmer overhead in undulating waves of green, yellow, red, and purple. 

3. Jotunheimen

Best for hiking and trekking

Home to Norway’s 29 highest summits, plus hundreds of other peaks over 2,000 meters, Jotunheimen – whose name means “home of the giants” – is rugged, wild, and an irresistible lure for hikers and climbers. Base yourself in a mountain lodge or cabin and go for day hikes, or embark on a multi-day wilderness trek through incomparable scenery. Much of the region is protected within Jotunheimen National Park , which is within easy reach of the fjord region and several cities. 

Planning tip : Join the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) for discounts and special access to a large network of staffed lodges and unstaffed cabins throughout Norway, including many in and around Jotunheimen. 

4. Sognefjord

Best for stave churches and pretty fjordside villages 

The longest and deepest fjord, the Sognefjord carves into the interior from the west coast to the edge of Jotunheimen. Its many scenic arms include the stunning UNESCO–listed Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. Several of Norway’s 28 surviving medieval stave churches are located around Sognefjord, including two of the most impressive, Urnes and Borgund. Also around the fjord are picturesque villages such as Fjærland, the book town; idyllic Solvorn; Undredal, known for its goat cheese; and Flåm, the lower terminus of the scenic Flåm Railway.

Planning tip : Sightseeing cruises on the UNESCO fjords operate between Flåm and Gudvangen, connecting to a bus to complete the round trip. If you’re driving another option is to take the car ferry between Kaupanger and Gudvangen.

5. Hardangerfjord

Best for waterfalls and cider

Norway’s second-longest fjord, the Hardangerfjord is known for its fruit orchards and many spectacular waterfalls. There are endless things to do here, from kayaking peaceful inlets to cycling the fjordside roads, hiking up to isolated Kjesåsen Farm, or trekking onto the glaciers of Folgefonna National Park. The Hardangerfjord is gorgeous at any time of year, but mid-May to mid-June brings an additional layer of beauty with the blossoming of the region’s many apple and cherry trees. Be sure to sample some of the locally produced cider and juice while you’re here.  

Planning tip : Norled’s fast passenger ferry runs from April through October, making it possible to travel between destinations around the Hardangerfjord without a car. There are also a few car ferries that you can walk aboard for free.

Best mix of urban attractions and outdoor recreation

Norway’s second-largest city is a charmer, starting with its UNESCO-listed waterfront district, Bryggen, a delightful warren of colorful wooden buildings and narrow alleyways where merchants from the powerful medieval Hanseatic League once held sway. Though framed by mountains – there’s wonderful hiking within easy reach – Bergen is very much a maritime city, as reflected in its vibrant restaurant scene highlighting fresh fish and seafood.

Planning tip : The Bergen Card offers free or discounted admission to many of Bergen’s excellent museums and other attractions, as well as tours and transportation.

7. Geiranger

Best for panoramic fjord views

The UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord is another of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, with sheer walls, impressive waterfalls, and abandoned farms clinging to high cliffs. The ferry journey between Geiranger and the quieter village of Hellesylt is stunning, as is the land approach to Geiranger from the north on Route 63, Ørnevegen (the Eagle Road), which makes 11 hairpin turns as it winds down the mountainside. Stop at Ørnesvingen, the highest switchback, for panoramic views. 

Planning tip : East of Geiranger, Route 63 continues along the north side of the glacial massif. Take the side road from Djupevatn (toll) to the Dalsnibba lookout for a stunning look back towards Geiranger. 

Best for early 20th-century architecture and design

Regularly voted one of Norway’s most beautiful cities, Ålesund owes its special character to a devastating fire in 1904 that razed the town, leaving 10,000 people homeless. When the city rose from the ashes, it was with an entirely new cityscape in the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style, making it unique in Norway. For an incomparable panorama of Ålesund and its magnificent natural surroundings, climb the 418 steps to the Aksla viewpoint, overlooking the city center.

9. Trondheim

Best blend of history and innovation

Norway’s historic Viking capital, Trondheim is a lively university town, a medieval pilgrimage destination, a science and technology hub, a culinary hotspot (it was the European Capital of Gastronomy last year), and so much more. The Nidelva River flows through the city center, lined with colorful warehouses. Rent a kayak or take a sightseeing tour by boat for the best views. Trondheim’s star attraction is Nidaros Cathedral, a medieval masterpiece built over the grave of Norway’s patron saint, King Olav II Haraldsson, while across the river, the 17th-century Kristiansten Fortress played a major defensive role during the Scandinavian wars before being occupied by the Nazis during World War II.

10. Nordland Coast

Best for wild coastal road trips

In a country where gorgeous views are everywhere, Kystriksveien , the coastal road from Steinkjær to Bodø (the European Capital of Culture for 2024 ), stands out with its seemingly infinite views of mountains rising from the sea, sandy coves, pretty fishing villages, and countless islands including the birdwatching hotspots Vega and Lovund. The whole route stretches 400 miles (650 km) and takes a minimum of four or five days to drive, with several ferry crossings and numerous worthwhile detours along the way. Kystriksveien is also a wonderful cycling destination; guided tours and luggage transport are available.

Planning tip : Ferries along the route use the Autopass system for tolling. If you don’t have a transponder, register an account in the FerryPay system to avoid a surcharge for mailed invoices. Visit www.autopassferje.no for details.

Best city for year-round outdoor activities

Located 217 miles (315 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is northern Norway’s largest city and unofficial capital. In summer, you can hike, kayak, sauna-hop and savor the city’s urban delights under the midnight sun, while in winter, there are excellent chances of seeing the aurora borealis casting a magical glow overhead as you ski, snowshoe, dogsled and reindeer sled across pristine wintry landscapes. Winter is also the best time for whale watching, whereas summer is the prime season to take a birdwatching cruise in search of puffins and other seabirds.

Local tip:  Since 2001 Tromsø has been twinned with Gaza City, a topic which is now being keenly discussed by locals. 

12. Svalbard

Best for remoteness and Arctic wildlife

Tromsø not far enough north for you? Then head to Svalbard , an Arctic archipelago located roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and one where Norwegian, Russian and other citizens all inhabit in a visa-free zone. During the polar summer the islands come alive with migratory species such as whales and seabirds. Polar bears and reindeer wander across the landscape year round, while seals and walrus can often be seen hauled out on ice floes or island shores. In winter, the long polar night descends over the archipelago as the only natural light comes from the moon, stars, and the brilliant auroras that frequently dance across the heavens. 

Planning tip : Despite its small size, Svalbard’s administrative center, Longyearbyen, has a surprising range of restaurants, making it a good place to sample the flavors of the Arctic.

This article was first published Jul 22, 2012 and updated Mar 14, 2024.

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• April 30, 2019

Renowned for its dramatic landscapes, rugged coastline, and mighty fjords, Norway attracts many nature-loving visitors every year. This means that many places have become popular, but there is still much to discover. Northern Norway, a  far less explored region.

About Northern Norway

Northern Norway lies above the Arctic circle and is one of the best places to see Northern Lights . With its fascinating  indigenous Sami culture, reindeer herding traditions and long skiing season, Northern Norway is becoming a winter wonderland hotspot for  visitors be tween September and March. Summer has so much to offer too. 

Why visit Northern Norway in the summer?

After the long, dark winter, the snow finally starts to melt giving way to a fast blooming spring. This magical time of year paints mountains in blankets of green and  makes the sun rises so high in the sky it never sets. This picturesque scene is also  home for many different bird species.

Summer temperatures in Northern Norway can reach up to 30 degrees, but more often hover around the low 20’s. This surprisingly mild climate brings with it bountiful opportunities for nature-lovers, photographers, families and foodies to enjoy the outdoors in “the land of the midnight sun.”

8 things to do in Northern Norway in summer:

1. visit tromsø, “the arctic capital”.

Located 69 o  North, the Arctic city of Tromsø is set on an island between picturesque mountains, untouched beaches, and quaint fishing villages.  Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway and has an intriguing background based on tales of fishermen and the stories of Arctic exploration. 

There are many things to do around this lively city including visiting a number of museums (Polar Museum, Tromsø Museum and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum), the Polaria aquarium and the world’s most northern botanical garden, brewery and glass blowing factory!

If you fancy learning about Tromsø, then our Tromsø City Walk Tour  is  the perfect tour for you, and includes a guided visit to Polar Museum and a tasty lunch! Or  visit the highlights of Tromsø by minibus on our  Tromsø Island Tour ,   which includes a guided visit to  Tromsø Museum, Fjellheisen cable car and a delicious Arctic lunch in our favourite local restaurant. 

5. Put on your hiking boots!

Endless mountains surround the city of Tromsø offering spectacular hiking trails and views just an hour drive or less from the city! Whale island ( Kvaløya ) has 10 mountains over 700m, making it a hiking paradise. All you need are strong legs to reach the top and then you can reap the reward of a Norwegian “kitkat” ( Kvikk lunsj ). As your Arctic experts, we can arrange transport, rental equipment (warm clothes and boots), and guides services to help you choose the perfect hike for your level this summer.

7. Northern Norway’s local cuisine

Have a taste of the Arctic this summer. Northern Norway’s diverse cuisine of fresh, local products includes cod, halibut and shrimp from the sea, reindeer and lamb from the mountains, and berries and mushrooms from the forest. Try one of many local restaurants and cafes in Tromsø. There are plenty to choose from!

For those who want learn and taste history at the same time, join the Full Steam Experience foodie tour where you will learn about Skrei, a special type of cod that made Tromsø what is it today. Cool down in a terrace with a beer from Mack, the world’s most northern brewery, or enjoy an ice-cream, a Norwegian favourite!

8. Summer music and events

Tromsø is a lively city thanks to the student life, tourism and the 24 hour sunlight in summer. There are many music concerts and sports events you should not miss if you are travelling to Tromsø between June and August including:

Midnight sun concerts at the Arctic Cathedral: every night from 1 st June- 15 th August

Midnight Sun Marathon: 22 nd   June

Riddu Riddu: 10 th July- 14 th July Indigenous music and arts festival

Bukta Tromsø Open Air Festival: 18 th July – 20 July r ock, beer and seafood

Tromsø Mountain Challenge: 23 rd August- 25 th August

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The 15 best places to visit in Norway

There’s so much world-beating scenery, and so many amazing places to visit and things to do in Norway that it’s really tough to come up with a list of the very best places.

But, of course, you can’t do everything in just one trip, so we’ve scoured the country and picked our 15 favourites.

Best for picturesque scenery: Geirangerfjord

It may not be one of the Norway’s largest fjords, but what Geirangerfjord lacks in size it makes up for with its stunning location and breathtaking scenery.

Part of a Unesco World Heritage site, the fjord cuts deep inland with steep mountains looming either side, and thundering waterfalls gushing down them into the water below.

The classic fjord scenery and dramatic landscapes make Geirangerfjord one of Norway’s most visited attractions – but don’t let that deter you. Its jaw-dropping beauty and sheer natural majesty will reward even the most jaded of travellers.

If you’re visiting, it’s a good idea to grab a hop-on, hop-off bus pass .

Best for city sophistication: Oslo

Norway’s capital Oslo is a pleasant place to spend a few days, with a stunning waterfront location. Grand 19th century buildings stand alongside some of Scandinavia’s most impressive examples of contemporary architecture.

As you would expect of the home city of Munch and Ibsen and Grieg, it takes its art and culture seriously with a number of prestigious museums, including the impressive Nasjonalgalleriet and the fascinating Kunstinustrimuseet.

For such a small city Oslo can be surprisingly lively too, with bustling bars, cafés and restaurants – not to mention the popular floating sauna scene.

And, of course, winter sports are a big thing here – after all there aren’t many capital cities where you can go skiing or sledging by metro. And in summer, you can swim or kayak in the Oslofjord .

These boat tours and cruises are also worth a look!

Best for glacier walks: Jostedalsbreen

If you’re going to go for a walk on a glacier, you may as well make it the largest one in mainland Europe. The Jostedalsbreen glacier is some 37 miles long with whitish-blue arms of ice covering almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park.

Hiking on an icy landscape formed thousands of years ago is a magical experience. You can get up close to the creaking ice, explore ice caves and look out for the weird and wonderful ice sculptures made by nature.

For more on Norway’s glaciers and how to get to them, check out our Norwegian glacier guide .

Best for dramatic views: Preikestolen

The iconic 604m-high Preikestolen, more commonly known as Pulpit Rock, is one of the most snapped sights in Norway.

Familiar to viewers from the breathtaking final fight scene of Mission Impossible: Fallout , its height and sheer cliff faces towering over the blue Lysefjord below make it an iconic sight.

It’s also a popular hiking route , which combines gentle forest trails and rocky paths with the dramatic summit and its jaw-dropping views.

It takes about four hours to clamber up to the summit and back down again, and the trip can be easily done on an organized tour, such as this one or tackled independently (this option tends to suit more intrepid walkers).

If this one’s on your wishlist, check out our hiking guide – it has loads more info on hiking to the summit .

Best for mountains: The Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark

A vast mountainous wilderness, the Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark is the place to head for serious hiking and mountain-climbing.

With its spectacular snow-capped scenery, glacial lakes and valleys, it’s home to a huge concentration of mountains peaks, including Norway’s (and northern Europe’s) two highest mountains – not to mention the country’s highest waterfall.

But it’s not just experienced outdoor types who can enjoy the park – a network of paths, mountain huts, and ferries across the blue-green lakes allow access to the park’s most dramatic viewpoints.

Best for island-hopping: Lofoten

Lofoten – a necklace of islands strung out along Norway’s northern coast – is a beautiful archipelago of mountains, pretty fishing villages and white-sand beaches.

The wild scenery and relaxed, unhurried pace of life make Lofoten a great place to kick back and chill out for a few days. If you’re feeling energetic there are some great hikes, or you can do some swimming or kayaking round its picture-postcard coves and inlets.

This can be a relatively tricky part of Norway to explore under your own steam but fortunately there are some amazing guided tours worth joining .

Best for seascapes: a Hurtigruten cruise

Well, it’s not exactly a place, but a trip on a Hurtigruten cruise liner allows access to some of Norway’s most remote settlements and inlets that you would never otherwise visit.

Running from Bergen to Kirkenes, this iconic Norwegian boat route was a former supply ship and often the only lifeline to villages unconnected to the rest of the country by road.

Today, Hurtigruten services still provide a vital daily service to many places, but the boats also give travellers a chance to see some of Norway’s most stunning scenery. So hop on and take the slow route past some of the world’s most spectacular coastline and mountainscapes.

For more on this spectacular coastal journey, see our ultimate guide to sailing the Hurtigruten route .

The prettiest village: Mundal

Often touted as Norway’s prettiest village, Mundal’s traditional wooden houses line the waterfront, with snow-capped mountains looming above.

Tucked away at the top of the remote Fjærlandsfjorden, a branch of Norway’s longest fjord the Sognefjorden, Mundal’s isolated location has saved it from the usual tourist development.

Despite its population of less than 300, Mundal (also known as Fjærland) is Norway’s official ‘book town’, with secondhand books sold all over the village, from converted barns and sheds to bookshelves set up along the waterfront.

Best for whale-watching: Andenes

Although it’s a nice enough town in its own right, the main reason to visit Andenes on the island of Andøya is to go whale-watching.

The town is well-known for its whale safaris around the Vesterålen islands, whose waters harbour many different species including minke, humpbacks, pilots and sperm whales.

Indeed, many operators are so certain that you’ll see these amazing sea mammals during a boat trip that they’ll give you a refund if you don’t see any.

If you’re not sure where to start, read our guide to whale-safaris in Norway .

Best for train nerds: the Flåmsbana railway

This iconic train trip is a must-do, combining the romance of train travel with some of Norway’s most dramatic scenery.

One of the highlights of any trip to Norway, this trundling train runs a switchback route from the isolated village of Myrdal, some 867m above sea level, down to Flåm on the beautiful Aurlandsfjord.

The train is equipped with four sets of brakes to control its steep journey down the picturesque Flåm valley, past wooded hillsides, narrow gorges and the thundering 140m-high Kjosfossen waterfall.

For more, read our full guide to one of the world’s most spectacular train trips .

Best for wildlife: Svalbard

One of the remotest places on earth, the icy, snow-covered island of Svalbard is a magnet for lovers of nature, wilderness and wildlife.

High up in the Arctic Circle, this isolated archipelago is home to more polar bears than people, and makes a magical destination for those with a real sense of adventure.

On land, there’s a good chance of seeing reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears, while the surrounding waters harbour walruses, whales and seals amongst others.

And if you tire off all that wildlife, you can take a snowmobile tour to explore the icy wastes and do some northern lights spotting.

Best for adventure: Voss

Tucked between the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord, Norway’s extreme sports capital, Voss has pretty much everything the adrenaline-seeker could want.

From skiing, white-river rafting, extreme mountain-biking to para-glding and base jumping, there’s no sport too scary that you can’t do it here.

For more how to get a serious adrenaline rush during your trip, see our guide to extreme sports in Norway .

The best drive in Norway: Trollstigen

Thrill-seekers will love the adrenaline rush that you get when driving the Trollstigen (the Troll’s Road), one of the world’s most dramatic – and frankly terrifying! – roads.

The route from Åndalsnes up to the Trollstigveien Plateau is not for the faint-hearted – its twists through 11 switchback bends on its way up the mountain.

However the rewards are enormous – expect gushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and amazing views. There are a couple of intriguing architect-designed viewpoints that make the most of the spectacular vistas.

If you don’t fancy doing the drive yourself – and let’s face it, you’ll need pretty strong nerves and stomach – you can take a bus tour along the road, or even tackle its twists and turns by electric bike .

Best for selfies: The Kjerag boulder

Norway’s ultimate selfie-spot the Kjerag boulder is wedged between two cliff-faces high above the beautiful blue Lysefjord. The hike up here passes through woodlands and rocky glacial landscapes with ever-improving views as you get higher.

But, it’s the boulder shot everyone’s after, so step out onto this small rock suspended some 1000 metres up in the air – if you dare!

You can do the hike yourself in six to eight hours there and back or go or an organized tour with an experienced guide .

Best for browsing: Bergen

Despite being Norway’s second city, Bergen’s old town is all brightly painted wooden houses and cobbled streets, with an atmospheric, small-town feel. Undeniably pretty, its location is hard to beat too, spread around the waterfront, with wooded hills as a backdrop.

Its laid-back vibe, attractive old town, independent shops and excellent cafés and restaurants make it worth spending some time here, before heading out to explore the wonderful fjords on its doorstep.

You can simply wander through backstreets on your own, or get all the inside info on the city on this walking tour with a local guide .

On a quick visit to Norway? Here are our top five must-visit places:

1) Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) 2) Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark 3) Lofoten Islands 4) Trollstigen 5) Bergen

The 10 best fjords in Norway

Norway’s best glaciers and how to reach them

Eight great hiking tours in Norway

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13 Reasons to Visit Northern Norway Instead of Southern Norway

October 7, 2021 by Silvia 4 Comments

Now I’m not trying to say the Northern Norway is  better than Southern Norway – oh wait no, that’s exactly what I’m saying.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while then you know that I’m partial to Northern Norway. I’ve made the North my home and can’t imagine moving back South – there’s too much I would miss. And while Southern Norway is a wonderful place to visit and obviously you should choose it over boring places like Sweden, if you had the choice I would head up North instead. 

Okay no, if you want to see those classic fjord views or Norway’s cities, then you definitely should visit Southern Norway. But ideally you would visit Southern Norway AND Northern Norway, because both have so much to offer. 

And to help you plan your trip, I’ve just published my Northern Norway Travel Guide, which is a 98-page ebook that covers my top recommendations for places to visit in Northern Norway (both on and off the beaten path), the best times of year to visit, how long to visit for, the best accommodation choices, transportation, what to eat, what to pack, and tips for planning an itinerary you will love. 

You can get more details and purchase the Northern Norway ebook here . And if you’re planning on visiting Southern Norway as well, you can purchase my Southern Norway Travel Guide here . And if you’re hoping to see the northern lights, you can purchase my Northern Lights Travel Guide here . I think that should have you covered! 

But if you need a little more convincing, here are a few reasons why Northern Norway is definitely worth a visit:

Northern lights

I could probably just end this list here, because what better reason to choose Northern Norway than the chance to get to see the northern lights? While Southern Norway does sometimes get northern lights shows, it’s rare to see the aurora below the Arctic Circle. 

And I mean, if you’re planning to visit Norway between September and March then you really might as well make it a Northern Norway trip so that you get to see the northern lights. How sad would it be to be hanging out under dark skies in Bergen when the northern lights are dancing above the Arctic? 

Polar Night

If you visit Oslo in the wintertime you might be surprised by how dark it is. The sun is only up for a few hours, which is actually kind of cool because it means you’re really far north! But you know what would be even cooler? Imagine being so far north that the sun doesn’t rise at all in the winter. And that’s exactly what you can experience during polar night in the Arctic!

Okay maybe that doesn’t sound appealing but hear me out. Polar night is actually a really beautiful period and on mainland Norway we still get a few hours of blue and sometimes pink light, so you won’t be in total darkness the entire time. Though if you visit Svalbard in the middle of polar night you actually  will be in total darkness all day, which personally I think is such a fun experience. It almost feels like being on a different planet! 

I do sunburn really easily so maybe I’m biased. 

Midnight Sun

Maybe the extremes of polar night intrigue you, but you really love the sun. In that case you could visit the Arctic during the Midnight Sun period, when the sun never sets. There’s something so special about hiking a mountain at midnight with the sun still shining. 

Wouldn’t it be a shame to travel so far north to get to Norway but not actually make it all the way up to the Arctic? It sounds cool because it  is cool – and not just literally. 

The jagged mountain peaks

Okay yes, Southern Norway is home to Norway’s tallest mountains, but if you’re going for beauty over height I think the North definitely wins. 

Turquoise water and white beaches

While Southern Norway is famous for its dramatic fjords with deep blue water, in Northern Norway you’ll find beaches so white and water so turquoise that you’ll wonder if you’re actually in the tropics – at least until you dip your toes in.

Sami culture

The Sami people have lived at the top of Europe for thousands of years and the majority of Norway’s Sami live in Northern Norway! 

While Southern Norway might be home to the largest population of wild reindeer, in Northern Norway you’ll find lots of domestic reindeer herds wandering around, and they are way less shy than wild reindeer. You can even visit some Sami settlements to spend time with the reindeer and learn more about them. 

Northern Norway is also a great place to go whale watching! 

Friendly locals

My (Southern Norwegian) mom was skeptical when I decided to move up here, saying that Northerners drink and swear a lot. I won’t say that she was necessarily wrong, but she did leave out one other key characteristic of Northern Norwegians: they are the friendliest Norwegians. It’s true!

Fewer people

If you don’t care about friendly locals because you don’t like people don’t worry, Northern Norway doesn’t have many! Call me antisocial, but I really do love how few people live up here. And the small population has been a definite advantage over the past couple of years, during which life carried on here almost as normal. 

The dialect is more beautiful

Cursing aside, personally I find the dialects in Northern Norway to be so much prettier than the dialects spoken in Southern Norway. And don’t you want to listen to the prettiest version of Norwegian? Of course you do.

Svalbard 

Svalbard might just be the coolest (though not coldest ) place I’ve been, and it happens to be in Northern Norway! This group of islands is actually closer to the North Pole than to Oslo, and Svalbard’s towns are the northernmost permanently inhabited spots on the planet, aside from a few research bases.

I feel like that’s really reason enough to want to visit Svalbard, but probably its main attraction is the distinct landscape with pristine glaciers and the Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, humpback whales, orcas, and even narwhals! 

You can read more about Svalbard in my Northern Norway Travel Guide !

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Melissa says

October 7, 2021 at 2:51 pm

Just 2 more months before I land in the Artic! I am really looking forward to this, especially since it is my first travels since the pandemic. I plan to hang about relaxing. Surely, if I stare at the sky for 2 weeks between sessions in the saunas and hot tubs I will see lots of northern lights. I think, it is both northern lights and experiencing polar night that is attracting me to the Norwegian artic. I would though be just as happy to visit the Swedish artic even though the blog above says Sweden is boring. I like boring stuff!

October 7, 2021 at 2:57 pm

Hummm! I posted a comment. I seems to have disappeared without posting at all. Something broken?

October 9, 2021 at 9:16 am

I really should revisit Northern Norway to get another shot at those northern lights! And I love all Norwegian dialects, but the northern ones are definitely dreamy :). Congratulations on the book!

October 16, 2021 at 5:36 pm

“How sad would it be to be hanging out under dark skies in Bergen when the northern lights are dancing above the Arctic?” – Ouch! My Bergen colleagues said I was crazy heading up north in the middle of winter, a while back. Must admit though, the north is certainly a special place.

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Once a full-time nomad, I'm now trying to find a balance between continuing to explore off the beaten path places around the world while also building a home in Norway. Want to know more? Head to my About page !

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20 amazing places to visit in Norway

Posted: August 22, 2023 | Last updated: August 22, 2023

Geirangerfjord

Vøringsfossen

Atlanterhavsvegen

Lofoten Islands

Jotunheimen National Park

Lake Lovatnet

Njardarheimr

Blåisvatnet

Andøya Island

Jostedalsbreen glacier

Alta Rock Art Museum

Lillehammer

Île aux Ours Bear Island

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