Bodø is known as city of the sea eagle, and nowhere in the world is there a larger stock of this majestic bird. Daily these huge birds are observed soaring high above the town and perched on rocks on the islands near Bodø.
Key facts
Bodø, latitude 67°17’N, is the administrative centre of Nordland county. With its 46,000 residents it is the second largest town in Northern Norway, with excellent communications and fully modern facilities. The town is surrounded by nature’s beauty, including the Børvasstindene Mountains to the south, Landegode Island and the Lofoten Islands to the north. Each year, more than 1,5 million people travel to and from Bodø by air, railway, bus, express boat or coastal steamer.
The midnight sun is visible 2 June - 10 July, and the dark period (polar night) 15 - 29 December. During autumn and winter you can be lucky to experience the northern lights dancing across the sky.
Important commercial activities are trade, defence, transport, health services, education and local administration.
Accommodation
Most hotels are located in the city centre of Bodø, and there is one in Saltstraumen (33 kilometres from the city centre). There is a camp site three kilometres from the city centre.
Travelling to Bodø
By plane: SAS and Norwegian have frequent daily departures from Oslo (1 hour 25 minutes). Widerøe has flights from Trondheim and all the minor airports in Nordland.
By train: Bodø is the end station of the national train line from Oslo/Trondheim.
Coastal steamer: Calls in once a day southbound and northbound
Express boats: Daily Bodø - Svolvær and Bodø – Sandnessjøen. In addition there are daily departures to the islands surrounding Bodø.
Buses: Daily buses to and from Narvik Rv. 17 – The Coastal Route
Bodø is the northern point of the route and Steinkjer the southern point. Rv. 17 passes Saltstraumen and the Svartisen Glacier.
Sights in Bodø
Saltstraumen – the world’s strongest maelstrom
Every six hours, 400 mill m3 of water at speeds up to 20 knots rush through the 150 meter wide and three kilometre long sound connecting two fjords. The powerful whirlpools can be up to 10 m in diameter and 4-5 m deep. Saltstraumen is famous for its abundance of fish.
Kjerringøy
The island of Kjerringøy is a half hour drive from Bodø city centre. A picturesque, coastal-alpine landscape sheltered from the ocean by a garland of small islands, islets and rocks. In this compact and varied coastal landscape you find everything from sheer mountain faces and shiny, white, sandy beaches, to vibrant farming communities and the historical Kjerringøy Trading Post which is situated in an idyllic setting. The many buildings at this traditional trading post are well-preserved.
The Norwegian Aviation Museum
The museum is set like a giant propeller by the main road close to Bodø city centre. With its unique shape, its grey and black surfaces and glistening glass facades, the museum meets the eye as a modern and distinctive piece of architecture. There are two monumental exhibition halls, one for civilian aviation and one for military aviation.
Activities in Bodø
Bodø is an excellent place for nature or culture-based activities, and the nature surrounding the city centre of Bodø is excellent for outdoor activities.
You can join a guided walk, go on a sightseeing trip, go fishing or hiking, cycle through idyllic countryside or watch sea eagles. And you are, of course, free to just wander along the seashore while watching the waves break on the shore. Or why not play golf in the midnight sun.
Bodø offers excellent opportunities for anglers wishing to explore rivers or lakes in the local area. Many of the lakes are populated with high quality trout and salmon. Saltstraumen is a popular venue for sea fishing, both from the shore and from boats. Take a walk along the marina, have a look at Nyholmen Fort just outside the city centre, try one of the many trials just outside the city centre.