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.
Their traditional reindeer stew, bidos, is also worth a try if you get the chance.
Sami in Northern Norway
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Photo:
Marie Louise Somby
Sami in Northern Norway
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Photo:
Marie Louise Somby
The seafood here is also 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
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Photo:
Ernst Furuhatt / www.nordnorge.com
Sea fishing outside of Bodø
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Photo:
Ernst Furuhatt / www.nordnorge.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
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Photo:
Beate Juliussen / www.nordnorge.com
The North Cape plateau
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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
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Photo:
Terje Rakke / Nordic life / www.nordnorge.com
Paradisbukta in Bodø
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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
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Photo:
Visit Lyngenfjord
Ski touring in the Lyngen Alps
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Photo:
Visit Lyngenfjord
You can also go on a guided whale safari …
Whale safari in Vesterålen
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Photo:
Marten Bril / www.visitvesteralen.com
Whale safari in Vesterålen
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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.
A RIB on Saltstraumen in Bodø
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Photo:
Tommy Andreassen / Nordnorge.com/bodoe
A RIB on Saltstraumen in Bodø
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Photo:
Tommy Andreassen / Nordnorge.com/bodoe
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
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Photo:
Hans Petter Sørensen
Træna island
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Photo:
Hans Petter Sørensen
You should visit small, cosy fishing villages as well, like Henningsvær (pictured) in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja.
Henningsvær in Lofoten
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Photo:
Kristin Folsland Olsen / 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
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Photo:
Vegard Stien / Visit Tromsø
Tromsø
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Photo:
Vegard Stien / Visit Tromsø
The Tromsø Cable Car takes you to the top of Mount Storsteinen …
Cable car up mount Storsteinen in Tromsø
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Photo:
True Stories / Bleed / Visitnorway
Cable car up mount Storsteinen in Tromsø
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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
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Photo:
Rune Dahl
Hiking under the midnight sun in Narvik
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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
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Photo:
Roy Mangersnes / wildphoto.no / www.nordnorge.com
Svalbard
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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.