5 must-see places above the Arctic Circle

Take a hike around the clock at Senja, dive into Blåisvatnet lake, or simply kick back and enjoy the majestic scenery at Andøya. Here are some of Northern Norway’s hot spots.

In recent years, The Lofoten Islands have attracted great attention on social media. Pictures of steep mountains, deep fjords and the midnight sun have made people want to drop everything and book a ticket to the archipelago located far above the Arctic Circle.

In addition to the world-famous Lofoten, Northern Norway is home to several other photogenic destinations – only with fewer visitors and more space.

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Steffen Fossbakk.
Photo: Steffen Fossbakk

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1. Senja island

Northern Norway is the largest region of mainland Norway, however, Fossbakk does not need to travel far from his home in Finnsnes to find stunning locations for his photography. Some of his favorite spots are located just a stone's throw away, at Senja island - midway between Lofoten and Tromsø.

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2. Andøya island

This might surprise you – the picture below is actually not captured at Hawaii. This tropical beach is located far above the Arctic Circle, at the island of Andøya in Vesterålen.

“The island is an incredible destination for those who like easy hikes with amazing views”, Fossbakk says.

During summer, you are welcome to choose from a wealth of trails for hiking and biking, or you can spend the day sunbathing at one of the white beaches along the coast.

Steffen Fossbakk.
Photo: Steffen Fossbakk

Facts about Steffen Fossbakk

Steffen Fossbakk is a nature photographer living in Finnsnes, Northern Norway.

He is one of the ambassadors of Mitt Norge, which is a small production company working to inspire locals to travel more in Norway.

The photographer shares his pictures with more than a hundred thousand followers on Instagram.

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3. Blåisvatnet lake in the Lyngenfjord region

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4. Vesterålen

The area is often referred to as “Lofoten’s little brother”, but that doesn’t mean Vesterålen is a pushover. Let us introduce you to the kingdom of whales.

The archipelago of Vesterålen is the only place where you are almost certain to see whales on even short trips. During summer, you can also get a glimpse of the mighty sperm whales in the middle of the night because of the midnight sun.

Vesterålen offers everything from white beaches and idyllic farmlands to craggy mountain peaks rising from the sea. In other words, the landscape gives you an ideal opportunity for an active holiday.

Some attentive readers may have noticed that Fossbakk previously in this article recommended Andøya island, which is actually located in Vesterålen. However, Vesterålen is made up by several islands which are all worth visiting.

5. Sommarøy island

If you are looking for summer vibes, you should plan a trip to the small island of Sommarøy (which literally means “summer island”). Here, you are surrounded by beaches, crystal clear water and untouched nature.

Enjoy your day in a kayak exploring the fjord and picturesque surroundings, or take an easy hike to the viewpoint overlooking Sommarøy.

The island is only an hour drive from Tromsø, and you can either stay in a Rorbu – an old fishermen's cabin – or book a room at the comfy Sommarøy Arctic Hotel.

Sommarøy.
Photo: C.H. / Visitnorway.com

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Find your Arctic summer destination

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Hot spots in Northern Norway

Andøya

Andøy is the northernmost municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Vesterålen archipelago. The main island in the municipality is… Read more

Andøya

Lake Blåisvatnet

Perhaps Norway’s most picturesque lake. The bright blue colour is a wonderful sight, both in reality and on Instagram. Do you dare to jump into the… Read more about the Lyngenfjord region

Lake Blåisvatnet

Senja and Central Troms

Go hiking and kayaking under the midnight sun, or skiing and dog sledding under the northern lights. Or simply kick back and enjoy some of the most… Read more

Senja and Central Troms

Sommarøy

If you are looking for simple ways to bring the summer vibes, you should plan a trip to the small island of Sommarøy (which literally means “summer… Read more

Sommarøy

Vesterålen

Get ready for an Arctic adventure with whale watching, cool museums, hiking and snowshoeing. In Vesterålen, you can combine wow experiences with… Read more

Vesterålen

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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

Leaving it as you found it

Norway is a country of outstanding natural beauty, with dramatic waterfalls, crystal clear fjords, majestic mountains, and spectacular glaciers. Preserving this landscape, its communities, and the way of life is essential for locals and visitors alike.

Norwegian philosophy is very much that conservation is everyone’s responsibility. Try to leave as small a footprint as possible. Leave it as you would like to find it is the mantra - Take only pictures, keep only memories.

Quality of life is what it is all about, not only now, but for the time to come as well. It’s about recognizing that everybody else are just as important as ourselves, and taking steps to implement that thought in all aspects of life. It’s neither easy nor quickly done. But it is definitely worth it.

Facts about Steffen Fossbakk

Steffen Fossbakk is a nature photographer living in Finnsnes, Northern Norway.

He is one of the ambassadors of Mitt Norge, which is a small production company working to inspire locals to travel more in Norway.

The photographer shares his pictures with more than a hundred thousand followers on Instagram.

Facts about use of drones

Illustration of drone use in Norway

1. The drone should always be kept within your sight and operated in a mindful and considerate manner. Never fly near accident sites.

2. Never fly closer than 5 kilometres from airports unless you have explicit clearance to do so.

3. Never fly higher than 120 metres off the ground.

4. Never fly over festivals, military facilities or sporting events. Keep a distance of 150 metres.

5. Be considerate of others privacy. Take note of the rules concerning photos and films of other people.

Read more about use of drones on Civil Aviation Authority Norway’s website.

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Flying high over Senja

Kayaking in Vesterålen

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