NORTHERN NORWAY

Travel ideas

Welcome to the bright midnight sun and incredible northern lights, Sami culture, rich wildlife, and wild Arctic nature!

Northern Norway is a truly unique destination, year-round.
Explore the best summer and winter activities and plan your trip.

Scroll below for hidden gems and top tips from locals!

Summer in the North

Experience white beaches, staggering peaks, cosy fishing villages, and some of the world's most scenic roads.

Northern Norway

The midnight sun

You need to see it to believe it!

  • A person watching the midnight sun at Senja in Northern Norway
    Midnight sun
    People attending the Trevarefest festival under the midnight sun in Henningsvær, Northern Norway
    Cool things to do under the midnight sun
    Two people exploring Lofoten under the midnight sun
    Midnight sun video goes viral

Explore northern destinations

Northern Norway is a big part of the country that's home to plenty of beautiful places.

  • Two women are hiking up the Sherpa staircase to Mount Storsteinen in Tromsø, Northern Norway
    Tromsø
    Midnight sun in Bodø, Northern Norway
    Bodø
    Whale safari in Vesterålen, Northern Norway
    Vesterålen
    The fishing village Hamnøy in Lofoten in winter, Northern Norway
    The Lofoten Islands
    Woman biking in Lurøy, Aldersund
    Kystriksveien – the coastal route
    Three people summer biking at the Narvikfjellet with midnight sun
    Narvik
    A couple in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer, held by a Sami man
    Heart of the Sami – Kautokeino and Karasjok
    Restaurant at Snowhotel Kirkenes in Northern Norway
    Kirkenes
    Four persons having a drink at the bar of the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Northern Norway
    Alta
    Aurora borealis over Lyngenfjord, Northern Norway
    The Lyngenfjord region
    Three kids on a beach at Senja, Northern Norway
    Senja and Central Troms
    People in hammocks in front of the Svartisen glacier in Helgeland, Northern Norway
    Salten
    The midnight sun shining over the North Cape
    The North Cape
    A bridge connecting Herøy to another island in Helegeland, Northern Norway. In the background, the mountain range The seven sisters.
    Helgeland
    Two people hiking in Nordkyn
    Nordkyn
    Tyven i Hammerfest
    Hammerfest
    "Spisshusene" in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
    The Svalbard Islands
    Seabirds at the Hornøya island in Varanger
    Varanger
    Vegaøyene in Nordland
    The Vega Islands
    Northern lights over Elgenes in Harstad, Northern Norway
    Harstad
    The globe marking the Arctic Circle in Tonnes at Rødøy, Norway.
    The Arctic Circle

Find hidden gems

Top locals tips and recommended roundtrips.

  • Reindeer crossing the road in Varanger, Northern Norway
    Scenic Route Varanger
    A woman biking along Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya in Vesterålen
    Scenic Route Andøya
    Hiking in the mountains surrounding Tromsø in Northern Norway
    Tips from locals: Things to do in Northern Norway
    A bus in the summer landscape in Lofoten, Northern Norway.
    4 stunning round trips in Northern Norway
    Go island hopping on the Helgeland coast. Aerial photograph of Træna in Helgeland, Northern Norway
    Go island hopping along the Helgeland coast
    A couple overlooking Tromsø from a viewing point at a tall building
    One day in Tromsø by foot or on wheels
    An astronaut at Andøya Space learning and experience center in Northern Norway
    Travel to space at Andøya
    The exterior of Juhls Silver Gallery in Kautokeino
    Juhls Silver Gallery – a magical place in Finnmark

Winter in the North

Northern lights, skiing, dog sledding, and wildlife safaris are just some of what winter in Northern Norway offers!

14 reasons to visit
The polar night

Northern lights

The magical Aurora Borealis frequently paint the sky in beautiful colours from late September to April.

  • The northern lights over the fishing village Reine in Lofoten, Northern Norway
    Northern lights
    Man watching the northern lights over Mefjordsletta, Senja
    The best time to see the northern lights is now!
    People learning how to photograph the northern lights in Gildeskål, Northern Norway
    How to photograph the northern lights
    Northern lights over Grøtfjord in Kvaløya, Northern Norway
    Facts and fiction about the northern lights
    A woman paddling under the northern lights in Lofoten
    The locals’ best tips to see the northern lights

Cool winter experiences

Try being a dog musher, catch skrei, go skiing, and end your day by sleeping in an ice hotel!

  • Inside Tromsø Ice Domes in Northern Norway
    Stay in one of Norway’s cool ice hotels
    Dog sledding in the winter landscape on Kvaløya
    Northern Norway in winter
    A person is riding a dog sledge during winter in Finnmark, Northern Norway
    Dog sledding
    An astronaut at Andøya Space learning and experience center in Northern Norway
    Travel to space at Andøya
    A woman catching a fish
    Go on a skrei adventure
    Pierre feeding reindeers
    Get to know the Norwegian reindeer
    Ski touring Lyngen
    Ski touring in Lyngen
    Lofoten
    Ski touring in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja
A snow-capped fishing village in Moskenes in Lofoten, Northern Norway

Practical tips for winter
in Northern Norway

Everything you need to know before you go.

Read more

Art and culture

Learn about the cultural history of northern cities and experience the culture of the Sami – the indigenous people of the North.

  • Bodø centre at dusk, Northern Norway
    Bodø – European Capital of Culture
    Ida Tolou in The Arctic Cathedral
    Artist Ida Tolou's top cultural tips in Tromsø
    Young Sami woman with a reindeer in Røros
    Experience Sami culture
    The rebirth of the joik: portrait photo of the Sami artist Elle Márjá Eira outside during winter in Northern Norway.
    The raw rebirth of the joik
    A couple in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer, held by a Sami man
    Heart of the Sami – Kautokeino and Karasjok
    Tourists enjoying the view on the dock in Henningsvær
    Happy vibes in Henningsvær

Wildlife safaris

Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Join a wildlife safari and see some of the most majestic creatures in the world up close!

See wild animals

Go on a safari

On a wildlife safari in Northern Norway, you may see moose, birds like puffins and eagles, as well as whales and other majestic ocean dwellers!

  • Two poeple sitting in Domen viewpoint by Biptope in Varanger, Northern Norway
    Arctic birdwatching – Varanger
    A man holding a king crab in Northern Norway.
    King crab safaris
    Whale tale above the water outside of Andøya in Vesterålen, Northern Norway
    Whale watching
    An Atlantic Puffin at Hornøya outside of Vardø in Varanger, Northern Norway
    Birdwatching
    Moose swimming in the ocean in Vesterålen, Northern Norway
    Come along on a moose safari

World class seafood

And more! Sample Arctic cuisine like reindeer meat, skrei, stockfish, and king crab.

  • Johnny Trasti cooking over a bonfire
    Arctic cuisine
    Lofot lamb servet on a silver plate
    The Norwegian Cookbook
    A man fishing skrei in Lofoten
    Skrei – In cod we trust
    Boats and red fisherman's cabins along the small harbour of Nusfjord in Lofoten, Northern Norway
    The fish that built Lofoten
    A reindeer meat dish with sides at Sorrisniva in Alta
    Recipe: Reindeer dish from Finnmark
    The sami dish bidus, also known as reindeer stew in a dish by the fire
    Recipe: Bidus
    King crab meal
    Recipe: Kongekrabbe – King crab from the Arctic
Midnight sun in Husfjell, Senja, Northern Norway

Plan your trip to Northern Norway

Find the perfect accommodation, restaurants, and cool things to do!

Plan your trip

See it yourself

Can't get enough of Northern Norway? Here are some inspirational videos for you!

  • Timeless Society in the land where the sun never sets

    How to find NORTHERN LIGHTS in Norway. The ultimate guide | Visit Norway

    Top 5 things to do in Northern Norway in winter | Visit Norway

    The Myth of Haill

    Sami inspired architecture

    Visit the heart of Sami

Discover more

A wonderful autumn experience by the Aurlandsfjord - a fjord landscape in autumn colours
Fjord Norway
Inside the underwater restaurant Under in Lindesnes, Southern Norway
Southern Norway
Kayaking in the sunset in the Nidelva river in Trondheim, Trøndelag
Trøndelag
  • M/S Victoria passing Sundkil Bridge in Telemark, Norway
    Eastern Norway
    Oslo opera house in Winter.
    Oslo
    Bryggen in Bergen, wharf
    Bergen

Take advantage of top offers

See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.

  • Food - Brim Explorer
    Brim ExplorerQuiet fjord tours on award-winning electric catamarans in Oslo, Tromsø, Lofoten, and Svalbard.
    Performancce Marketing
    CityboxModern and affordable hotels in central locations in Oslo, Bergen, and Kristiansand.
    Blazerbu -  Norgesbooking
    NorgesbookingBook your perfect cabin stay in the fjords, mountains, and valleys of Norway.
    Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Scandic HotelsExperience Nordic hotel hospitality at its finest at more than 90 hotels across Norway. Special offers are available.
    The Thief - A lifestyle boutique hotel in Oslo
    StrawberryA different hotel company! Look out for great weekend deals at more than 100 hotels in Norway.
    Standard Room -  Svolvær - Thon Hotel
    Thon Hotels ASFantastic breakfast included! Experience true comfort and reasonable rates at our 80 hotels in Norway.
    Valevåg Camping
    CampcationBook a camping stay in stunning and unique locations all across Norway with Campcation.
    Hotell Refsnes Gods - fasade
    Classic Norway HotelsWhen the hotel is the destination. Book a night to remember in one of Norway's most unique and distinctive hotels.
    Two people sitting in a sofa in Eagle Nest Eco Lodge in Eastern Norway
    50 Degrees North NordicChoose between unforgettable tailormade individual trips and small, exclusive group tours of Norway.
    Family in outdoor pool in winter at Radisson Blu mountain resort & residences in Trysil, Eastern Norway
    Radisson HotelsGreat value offers and comfortable quality stays in Norway´s major cities, airports, and ski resorts.
    Hardangerfjord - Authentic Scandinavia
    Authentic ScandinaviaTravel curated by locals. Our tailormade tours suit every type of traveller and budget.
    Lit-up tent in snow with colorful northern lights and mountains behind it
    Booknordics.comUnique holiday packages, adventure hotels, tours, and activities.
    Two women viewing scenic Norwegian fjord from a boat, with dramatic mountains reflected in calm water under blue sky.
    Fjord ToursHome of Norway in a Nutshell, Norway's most popular tour. Fjords, mountains, and stunning destinations — all in one trip!
    Eidfjord village - Go fjords
    Go FjordsBook fantastic tours and experiences! We offer tours in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Lofoten, the North Cape, and more.
    The Hurtigruten ship MS Nordkapp in Geirangerfjord in Fjord Norway
    HurtigrutenExperience the world's most beautiful sea voyage on an unforgettable cruise along the stunning Norwegian coast.
    Skiing on finnmarksvidda
    Norrøna AdventureGet ready for expeditions and adventure holidays with Norrøna Adventure. Hiking, skiing, and biking trips.
    Sykkeltur i Hardanger
    Discover NorwayOffers a range of exciting self-guided hiking, biking, and skiing holidays in Norway. Luggage transfer included.
    Happy family taking a selfie in an airport after arriving to Norway
    Norwegian HolidaysLow-price package holidays with Norwegian. Book your flight, hotel, and rental car all in one place.
    Hop on hop off bus - Stromma
    StrömmaSightseeing by bus and boat in several major tourist spots and cities in Norway.
    Hikers approaching a small wooden cabin with grass roof in mountainous landscape
    Up NorwayBespoke luxury hand-picked by local experts. We combine your preferences and our knowledge to make an unforgettable journey.
    Aurora borealis Tromso - Fjord Travel
    Fjord Travel NorwaySleep in an ice hotel, hunt the northern lights, and discover the magical fjords. Book your tour now!
    Woodward - Arctic Campers
    Arctic Campers ASDo you want to try van life? Explore Norway in comfort and style with our smart and cosy campervans.
    Auto Europe
    Auto EuropeAlways a smooth car rental experience. Search and compare rental rates. Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to pick-up.
    Buss bilde - NOR-WAY
    NOR-WAY BussekspressEnjoy scenic views on comfortable bus trips to the fjords and from city to city with our express buses.
    Raumabanen - SJ Nord
    SJ NordSJ NORD - the adventure starts on the train
    A bus driving along the coast in Norway, Vy express route vy146
    Vy expressDiscover Norway on comfortable express buses that take you between major cities, mountains, and fjords.
    Vy Train travelling on a scenic railway line between Bergen and Hønefoss, Norway
    Vy TrainGlide through scenery on a train between Oslo and Bergen on the Bergen Railway and explore the greater Oslo region.
    Van 4 - Cabin Campers
    Cabin CampersExperience the road trip of a lifetime with our cabins on four wheels.
    Malangen resort - My nordic travel
    My Nordic TravelChoose between DIY itineraries and pre-packaged holidays to the very best destinations in Norway.
    Campanyon - Arctic Dome Smiberget
    CampanyonUnique camping in nature. Book a stay in a treehouse or glamping tent or rent a motorhome pitch.
    Airplane
    NorwegianNorwegian offers cheap flights in Norway and direct flights from more than 70 European destinations. Book flights through our low fare calendar to your destinations.
    Elegant wooden hotel in mountain valley beneath snow-capped peaks.
    De HistoriskeHave an unforgettable stay at one of Norway's unique, authentic historic hotels. Enjoy first-class dining experiences and a broad range of activities.
    A woman hiking in the summer mountains by the fjord.
    CampioNorway's biggest camping booking site. Find the best camping and motorhome pitches throughout Norway.
    Two women waving out the windows of a campervan with Benzini Campers on the hood
    Benzini CampersThe adventure of your life starts here. Book a campervan with Benzini Campers now.