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A woman standing on a ferry looking at Kjerringøy, outside og Bodø in Northern Norway.

Salten

Natural therapy in its purest form

Steep mountains, national parks, fjords and fishing villages – in Salten, you get to experience spectacular nature without standing in line.

Hot tip: Get the most out of your visit and explore the whole coast with express boats and ferries!

The Salten district stretches from Helgeland in the south to Ofoten in the north. Bodø, located in the middle of Salten, is the biggest city in the district. Plan for a city break in Bodø before exploring the rest of the coastal gems in Salten – many easy reachable from the city centre.

You can tour the area by car, but express boats (many with their starting point in Bodø) are a beautiful way of exploring the many coastal gems.

One of the absolute highlights is Saltfjellet, where you can cross the Arctic Circle, the islands and coastal villages Steigen and Hammarøy, with many unique accommodation options.

Find inspiration below, or go directly to:

A couple walking towards Tranøy Fyr in Salten, Northern Norway
Nordskot brygge during summer in Steigen, Northern Norway
Manshausen island drone view
Northern lights over Naustholmen houses.

The main city in Salten is Northern Norway’s mini metropolis Bodø, which was a European Capital of Culture in 2024.

The city is both Salten’s urban hub and a natural starting point for exploring the rest of the region.

Make the most of highlights like Kulturkvartalet Stormen, a cultural centre with a library and a concert hall, and sample heavenly confectionery at Craig Alibone.

The idyllic Kjerringøy trading post and the world's strongest maelstrom Saltstraumen are also within easy reach, making perfect day trips from Bodø.

Furthest north in Salten, at Tranøy, you can treat yourself to an overnight stay in a lighthouse.

At Tranøy lighthouse, you have an undisturbed view of the Vestfjord and the craggy mountains in Lofoten. The sound of crashing waves is the only lullaby you need!

About 20 minutes south-east lies Hamarøy, where Knut Hamsun lived for many years. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1920. Many of his novels, including Pan, Wayfarers, and The Growth of the Soil were inspired by the surrounding landscapes.

The Hamsun Centre provides fascinating insight into the author’s life as well as wonderful views of the area known as 'the Realm of Hamsun'.

North of Bodø, you’ll also find Steigen, an area with spectacular peaks and idyllic sandy beaches such as Bøsanden and Brennviksanden.

Relax by the coast, hike in the mountains, explore the cultural landscape on the historic island of Engeløya ...

… and spend the night in one of Norway’s most unique holiday lodgings.

In 2016, the modern sea cabins at Manshausen received four awards at the A+ Awards, also known as the Oscars of architecture.

There are several other unique accommodation options nearby, including the boutique hotel Villa Haugen and Naustholmen, where the adventurer, author and paddling queen Randi Skaug lives.

Enjoy fishing and boat trips, sauna visits, fresh seafood – and a slow and relaxing pace!

Where to stay

Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.

Find more places to stay
People hiking in the Rago National Park in Salten, Northern Norway
Restroom Ureddplassen, Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten in Northern Norway
Northern lights at polarsirkelen in Saltfjellet, Salten, Northern Norway
A woman walking over a hanging brigde, Salten.
A man holding up two big cod on a boat outside of Bodø in Northern Norway

You’re also guaranteed a welcome break from the digital buzz of everyday life in Salten’s national parks.

Rago in Sørfold (pictured) offers rugged wilderness, while Láhko and Junkerdal are top tips if you’re up for a fishing trip to a lake or river. Sjunkhatten has several hiking trails and barbecue spots and is ideal for families with children.

If you're exploring the region by car, visit one of the world's finest public toilets. Seriously!

Many people come to Salten by car, and the last stretch of the Scenic Route Kystriksveien runs through the region. Ureddplassen in Gildeskål makes a great stop when nature calls, but also if you want to snap some photos of grand views.

If you drive from the south on the E6 across Saltfjellet towards Fauske or the skiing paradise Sulitjelma, crossing the Arctic Circle is definitely a highlight. Maybe you’ll get to see the northern lights!

Another tip is to stop at the Nordland National Park Center in Saltdal. It's also the starting point for a visit to the unique nature reserve Junkerdalsura.

Test your fishing luck in the Saltdalselva river. If you’re interested in river fishing, you really must check out Beiarelva. Located in Beiarn west of Saltdal, it is one of Norway’s top salmon fishing rivers (license required).

If sea fishing is more your style, you have every chance to give it a go along the coast of Salten. Visit in winter, and you might catch a skrei (migrating cod) on your hook!

Top things to do

Don't miss these highlights.

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The Arctic hideaway Fleinvær in Salten, Northern Norway
People kayaking in winter landscape.
A person looking at the view from a mountain with orange sky.

"I want to move here!"

You can! At least for a few nights.

The Arctic Hideaway on the small island of Fleinvær south-west of Bodø, is just one of several wonderful places you can wake up in while exploring Salten’s diverse coastline.

Don't miss the municipalities of Gildeskål, Meløy, and Rødøy, which are all magical places to go island hopping.

Here, in the southern part of Salten, it is easy to get to fishing villages and island gems such as Støtt (pictured), Bolga and Sør-Arnøy by speedboat from Bodø and other places along the coast.

Boat trips also provide an affordable sightseeing option.

Salten is fantastic all year round. Simply choose what you want to experience most!

Getting here and around

Plan your trip to Bodø and Salten with Entur, Norway's official travel planner.

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Midnight sun in Bodø, Northern Norway
Bodø
Woman drinking water from a river, Hemsedal, Norway.
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Manshausen island drone view
An island escape that says WOW!

Take advantage of top offers

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

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