Want both soothing nature and pumping adrenaline? Yes please! Go hiking under the midnight sun, or skiing under the northern lights. You could even experience your best two-wheeled adventure ever.
Situated far above the Arctic Circle, and less crowded than many other northern places in Northern Norway,Senja and Central Troms is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hamn is the largest resort, and offers a variety of winter activities from ice fishing, snowshoeing and ski touring, to northern lights expeditions and wildlife safaris. There are challenging hiking and biking trails with rewarding views everywhere, and beautiful views along the National Scenic Route Senja.
Senja and Central Troms is one of the world's richest fishing grounds. Spend the night in a rorbu, a traditional fisherman’s cabin, before heading out to try your luck at fishing. If you are more of an adrenaline-seeker, you can join a RIB tour in historical Bergsfjorden.
Don't miss the idyllic islands outside Senja, like Dyrøya, Husøy, and Tranøya, which houses a permanent exhibition for the Midt-Troms Museums. Another authentic Northern Norwegian gem is Garsnes Brygge in Salangen. This resort offers cabins, exciting tours and activities, and fine dining.
To get a real taste of the region, sample local products like char from Altevatn lake, cod from Senja, and goat cheese from Balsfjord.
Senja has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is 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.
Find more inspiration on Senja's official website.
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Top things to do
Don't miss these highlights.
VangsvikGuided cultural walk on Tranøya Island
Tranøya is a small island on the southern coast of Senja. The island has no vehicle traffic and can only be reached by a short boatride or kayak. In fact, the only motorised vehicle on the entire island is the tractor on the farm. This is the place to enjoy peace and quietness. We pick you up by boat on request.
Northern Light activities
Where to stay
Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.
VangsvikNorwegian Wild
SkalandHamn i Senja
GryllefjordWelcome to Kaikanten and Gryllefjord
FinnsnesFinsnes Gaard
SkalandCamp Steinfjord
BotnhamnCamp Fjordbotn
BotnhamnCafè & grill Fjordbotn
BrøstadbotnAttme Have
BarduPolar Park
SjøveganSalangsverket
SkatvikSkatvik Camping
VangsvikNorwegian Wild Camping
VangsvikCafè Hyttekroa
SkalandThe Fat Cod
TennevollBrasseriet Naustet
GratangenStorfossen Hostel
StonglandseidetFamily friendly hikes under the midnight sun
StonglandseidetSenja Roasters Café
StonglandseidetCamping Senja Arctic Lodge
See it for yourself
Senja
Getting here and around
Plan your trip and buy tickets for public transportation with Entur, Norway's national travel planner.
By bus
There are bus connections from Finnsnes to most of the western villages in Senja. However, travelling between villages on the western side is difficult by public transportation, and good planning is essential.
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By boat
Fast, comfortable high-speed ferries link Tromsø and Harstad, calling at Finnsnes and smaller ports along the way.
An hour's drive from Tromsø, the car ferry between Brensholmen and Botnhamn is a year-round service.
In summer, there is a ferry connection from Andenes in Vesterålen to Gryllefjord.
The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten calls at Finnsnes twice a day.
By car
The island has good roads.
National Tourist Route Senja is a magnificent route that runs between the ocean and the mountains.
Plan your route, check traffic alerts, ferry information and more at the Norwegian Roads Administration website.
By plane
The nearest airport is Bardufoss Airport, which offers several daily connections to Oslo.
You can also fly to Tromsø Airport or Harstad airport and go by boat to Senja.
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By train
The train stops in Fauske, from where you can take a bus to Senja via Narvik.
If you are coming from Sweden, the Swedish SJ railway company operates a service to Narvik, from where frequent buses go to Senja and Central Troms.
Seasons and climate
Due to the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream, Senja and Central Troms has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude, such as Alaska and Siberia.
The coastal climate in Senja and Central Troms makes the winters mild and the summers relatively cool.
January and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of -4° C. July and August are the warmest, with an average temperature of 11° C.
May and June are the driest months, with an average 50 mm of rainfall. October is the wettest month.
Strong winds can occur, especially in late autumn and winter.
Get the latest weather forecast on yr.no.
Read more about the northern lights in Senja.
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