Find it hard to choose between a city break and a nature-based activity holiday? In Bodø and Salten, you don’t have to! Combine the urban city vibes of Bodø and a visit to the old trading post of Kjerringøy with trips to the Svartisen glacier and the powerful maelstrom Saltstraumen.
The city of Bodø, known as Northern Norway’s 'mini metropolis', is full of quirky shops, delicious food, and major cultural events. With everything from the Nordland Music Festival to a host of events at the cultural centre Kulturkvartalet Stormen held all year round, it’s no wonder the city was named the European Capital of Culture in 2024!
The city centre is within easy reach of hiking and climbing excursions to the Børvasstindan mountain range, skiing in Bodømarka, and RIB trips to Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom. You can also go on a sea eagle safari. In the nearby archipelago, the island of Kjerringøy is one of Norway’s best-preserved coastal trading posts.
Bodø is located in Salten, which is a natural base for exploring both the region’s beautiful coastline and its pristine inland nature.
Explore the paddling paradise of Rødøy, go island hopping, or enjoy hiking in one of several national parks, including Rago and Sjunkhatten. At Saltfjellet, you can cross the Arctic Circle, while Sulitjelma outside Fauske is the place to go for cross-country skiing.
Other highlights include the Hamsun Centre in Hamarøy, glacier hikes on Svartisen, unique accommodation options, and a drive along the Scenic Route Helgelandskysten.
Bodø has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is completely sustainable, it does mean that it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.
Get in-depth travel information and inspiration on Bodø’s official website.
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Top things to do
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Where to stay
Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.
Book nowBodøScandic Havet
Right on the waterfront in the heart of Bodø city center, you'll find Scandic Havet, an eco-labeled experience hotel and the largest conference hotel in Northern Norway. You don’t have to go far up the floors before you get a spectacular view of the city, the sea, and the mountains surrounding Bodø. On clear days, you can see all the way to Svartisen and Lofoten from the hotel's upper floors.
Book nowLeinesfjordVilla Haugen Boutique Hotel
Villa Haugen is located at 67,8° N and 14,8° E on an island in Steigen - Nordland – at the edge of the ocean with fantastic views of Lofoten and Vesterålen. Grøtøy used to be one of the most important and influential trading posts in Norway for more than 200 years and our main house was part of this. One can surely say that it is a place of great experiences and big contracts – historical as well as nature wise.
Food and drink
Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.
Book nowBodøRestaurant Bjørk
Restaurant house, with several departments, centrally situated in the glass arcade, Glasshuset. We have a pleasant and informal atmosphere, equally as suitable for every day use as for the more important occasions. Our menu is extensive and varied, adapted to suit our lunch, dinner and evening guests.
Tips from the locals
Getting here and around
Plan your trip to Bodø and Salten with Entur, Norway's official travel planner.
By plane
Bodø Airport is located 2 kilometres from the city centre. The airport bus has many daily departures and covers the distance in about 5 minutes. A flight from Oslo to Bodø takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Transfer in Bodø for your trip to the Lofoten Islands.
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By train
There are daily train connections between Trondheim and Bodø. The trip takes about 10 hours.
By ferry
The Norwegian coastal express Hurtigruten calls at Bodø twice a day.
Fast passenger boats and car ferries take you from Bodø to several ports in the Lofoten Islands and along the Helgeland coast.
By road
Rv. 80 links Bodø to the E6, the main road through Norway.
Another alternative is the Coastal Route Rv. 17, which hugs the coast a few kilometres to the west and takes you all the way to Trondheim. Note that there are several ferry crossings on this route.
Local travel
A bus network takes you around the city and municipality of Bodø.
