NORTHERN NORWAY

Arctic adventures

Scroll down for inspiration or go directly to our plan your trip page

Støtt in Helgeland .
Photo: Støtt brygge / faroutfocus

Watch as the midnight sun paints the landscape in a golden hue for everlasting summer nights …

Midnight sun at Senja in Northern Norway .
Photo: Tobias Bjorkli

… or as the northern lights come alive, dancing across the night sky in winter.

Welcome to Northern Norway – where nature will surprise you, and the culture will amaze you.

Northern lights in Helgeland .
Photo: Jan Inge Larsen / Helgeland Photo / Helgeland Reiseliv AS

Visit jaw-dropping mountains like Torghatten in Helgeland (pictured), Møysalen in Vesterålen, or the Lyngen Alps …

Torghatten in Brønnøy .
Photo: Ronny Lien / www.visithelgeland.com

… and listen to the other-worldly sounds of the joik.

You see, this part of Norway is where the majority of the country's indigenous people live – the Sami – and their ancient song tradition is simply captivating.

Sami in Northern Norway .
Photo: Marie Louise Somby

The seafood here is world-class, and you might get the catch of your life at any time of the year.

However, if you visit between January and April, you can try to reel in a big skrei – the migrating Atlantic cod arriving from the Barents Sea.

Or perhaps a king crab safari is more your style?

Sea fishing outside of Bodø .
Photo: Ernst Furuhatt / www.nordnorge.com

Seafood is not the only culinary treasure from the region. The Arctic kitchen is a feast of flavours, and exclusive reindeer meat is a must try if you get the chance.

Reindeer meal at Mathallen .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

An important thing to remember before you start planning your trip is that Northern Norway is a vast area.

It stretches from the Helgeland region in the south to mainland Europe's northernmost point near the North Cape (pictured) and east towards the Russian border.

The North Cape plateau .
Photo: Beate Juliussen / www.nordnorge.com

Glittering fjords, staggering peaks and unspoilt nature await.

Have fun at one of the white beaches, check out some of Norway's top kayaking spots, go hiking and even surfing (!) …

Paradisbukta in Bodø .
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic life / www.nordnorge.com

… or embrace the snow and go ski touring or dog sledding in winter.

Ski touring in the Lyngen Alps .
Photo: Visit Lyngenfjord

You can also go on a guided whale safari …

Whale safari in Vesterålen .
Photo: Marten Bril / www.visitvesteralen.com

... and join a rib tour or a boat trip to one of the world's strongest maelstroms, Saltstraumen outside the lively and cultural city Bodø.

Saltstraumen in Bodø .
Photo: Tommy Andreassen / www.nordnorge.com

Other bucket list activities in the region include island hopping along the Helgeland coast and travelling along one of the world's most beautiful roads, Kystriksveien.

Scenic spots like Træna (pictured) and the UNESCO-listed Vega islands are waiting for you!

Træna island .
Photo: Hans Petter Sørensen

You should visit small, cosy fishing villages as well, like Henningsvær (pictured) in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja.

Henningsvær in Lofoten .
Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen / Visitnorway.com

Henningsvær in Lofoten .
Photo: Berge / Knoff/Natural Light / Visitnorway.com

The biggest city in this region is Tromsø – the world's northernmost university town.

Here, you can show off your best moves on a night out, check out cool art exhibitions and enjoy the urban vibes.

Tromsø .
Photo: Vegard Stien / Visit Tromsø

The Tromsø Cable Car takes you to the top of Mount Storsteinen …

Cable car up mount Storsteinen in Tromsø .
Photo: True Stories / Bleed / Visitnorway

… while the cable car in Narvik ensures a quick and easy trip to the top of Mount Narvikfjellet.

From Narvik, you can also embark on a short, but incredible train journey along the Ofoten Railway.

Hiking under the midnight sun in Narvik .
Photo: Rune Dahl

Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, is where you'll find the Svalbard Islands. Here, you can participate in exotic nature-based activities all year round in a landscape that is both rugged and fragile.

Svalbard .
Photo: Roy Mangersnes / wildphoto.no / www.nordnorge.com

There's a lot of unique adventures waiting for you in Northern Norway, but remember to find a cosy place to recharge as well.

Appreciate the slow life and enjoy the silence in a lighthouse or an old fishermen's cabin.

Tranøy Lighthouse .
Photo: flightseeing.de / nordnorge.com

Or venture into the fjords, like the narrow Trollfjorden, with the coastal express Hurtigruten.

Trollfjorden .
Photo: Tofoto / www.nordnorge.com

Trollfjorden in Northern Norway .
Photo: Tofoto / www.nordnorge.com

Ready to explore Europe's northernmost region?

Plan your trip today

Trollfjorden .
Photo: Tofoto / www.nordnorge.com

Trollfjorden in Northern Norway .
Photo: Tofoto / www.nordnorge.com

Travel through Northern Norway

Discover more

Best deals from our partners

Book your next Norwegian holiday adventure now.

Credits

Lofoten in a nutshell by Fjord Tours

Photo: Tomasz Furmanek

Lofoten in a nutshell

Arctic mountains & picturesque fishing villages

Situated above the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten archipelago offers dramatic, imposing beauty everywhere you look. This tour combines breathtaking scenery and idyllic fishing villages. Relax and enjoy the vibrant costal culture, or add activities of your choice. Travel comfortably by local bus and ferry.

Price from

1790 NOK

Book now
Credits

2-Day Photo Tour of the Lofoten by Book Nordics

Photo: Lofoten Lights AS

2-Day Photo Tour of Lofoten

Explore Lofoten with a pro photographer

Visit Gimsøya, Torvdalshalsen, Haukland, Eggum, Unstad, Henningsvær, the Lofoten Cathedral, Napp, Nusfjord, Flakstad Beach, Hamnøy, Reine, Sakrisøya, and more. Accommodation not included.

Price from

2350 NOK

Book now
Credits

Oslo Essentials Long Weekend by 50 Degrees North

Photo: 50 Degrees North

Best of Norway small group tour

All the highlights of Norway this summer

Join our exclusive 14-day summer tour from Oslo via Bergen to the very top of Norway. Take the Norway in a nutshell® train journey from Flåm and catch a boat along the Norwegian fjords to Bergen. Feast on fresh seafood in Bergen before taking the Hurtigruten along the coast to your final stop, Kirkenes.

Price from

46890 NOK

Book now
Credits

Grand tour of Norway by Authentic Scandinavia

Photo: Harald Sandal Bohn

Grand tour of Norway

Oslo, Flåm, Bergen & Hurtigruten cruise

An amazing 12-day rail tour from Oslo via the Norwegian fjords to Bergen. From Bergen you will continue on a 7-day cruise through incredible scenery along the Norwegian coast to Kirkenes.

Price from

14625 NOK

Book now
Credits

Active days in spectacular Lofoten by Expa Travel

Photo: Expa Travel

Active days in spectacular Lofoten

Experience fishing, mountains, and cycling trips!

Lofoten offers stunning nature, mountain hikes, world-class fishing, and cycling trips in spectacular scenery. Sample delicious food served by lovely hosts.

Price from

13790 NOK

Book now
Credits

Lofoten Culinary Food Week by 50 Degrees North

Photo: 50 Degrees North

Lofoten Culinary Food Week

Cooking Classes, Exclusive Experiences & Sea Adventures

Join us for an exclusive culinary week staying in three unique seaside and farm properties in the magical Lofoten Archipelago. Driving around Lofoten lets you stop by small country roads, explore quaint seaside villages, and travel at your own pace. Book early as tables in these small, remote lodges are very popular!

Price from

51500 NOK

Book now

Your Recently Viewed Pages

Places to go

Cities and places

Things to do

Plan your trip

Accommodation

Getting Here & Around

Tours & Round trips

Offers

NORTHERN NORWAY

Arctic adventures

Travel through Northern Norway

Discover more

Best deals from our partners

Accommodation

Getting Here & Around

Tours & Round trips

Offers

NORTHERN NORWAY

Arctic adventures

Travel through Northern Norway

Discover more

Midnight sun

Northern lights

Experience the Sami culture

Arctic cuisine

5 must-see places above the Arctic Circle

Go island hopping along the Helgeland coast

Best deals from our partners