Licensed Guide and Norway Tour Planner
Northern Region Guide
Northern Norway is a land of dramatic landscapes, with fjords, mountains, and the midnight sun.
It's a region of rich Sami culture and plenty of wildlife, including reindeer and whales. It offers great opportunities for outdoor adventure, from hiking and fishing to witnessing the aurora borealis (northern lights). You can find a wide range of destinations, from tourist hot spots to secluded places where almost no tourists go (yet).
This guide covers the three regions of Nordland, Troms and Finmark. As this is a large area, I’ve decided to focus on the Helgelandskysten (the Helgeland coast), the Senja Island, Bodø, the Lyngen Alps and the far north towns of Alta, Kirkenes, Kautokeino and Honningsvåg.
You might be wondering about the Lofoten Islands? Well, I decided to put the Lofoten Islands & Trollfjord into separate guides. I’ve also created a separate travel guide for Tromsø.
When to Visit
Visiting Northern Norway depends heavily on what you want to experience, as the seasons offer dramatically different attractions. As a ground rule the weather up north is highly unpredictable, and I’d recommend you to come prepared for four seasons in the same day. Here's a breakdown:
Summer (June-August): Summer is the time of year when the Midnight Sun lights up the region, offering 24 hours of daylight and ideal conditions for hiking, kayaking, and exploring coastal villages. You can expect average temperatures between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F), but it might go higher or lower.
Autumn (September-October): Fall, from September to October, brings vibrant colors and the return of the Northern Lights. Actually these are considered some of the best months of the year to see the aurora. Average temperatures are from 5°C to -5°C (41°F to 23°F). However, you can have warmer sunny days, but at the same time snow, especially in the inland areas.
Winter (November-March): Winter, from November to March, is also a good season for seeing the Northern Lights. December to February are typically the coldest months, while November and March can still be quite mild. It’s a great time of year for engaging in winter activities like dog sledding and skiing, and December-January are considered best time of year to see whales. Temperatures can plummet to averages of -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F), with even colder spells inland.
Spring (April-May): This time of year, spanning April to May, sees the gradual return of daylight and milder temperatures, ranging from 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F), making it perfect for witnessing nature's awakening.
To sum it up, if you want hiking, long days and potentially warmer weather, then come during summer. For Northern Lights and winter activities, visit in winter. Autumn often offers fewer crowds and is a good time for Northern Lights viewing as well. Spring is a joyful time of the year as nature awakes from its winter spell. It’s also a time with generally fewer tourists around.
Getting Into
Some parts of the north are well connected from both Norwegian and European airports, while other places are a bit more off the beaten path and require a stopover or two, usually via Oslo.
Train: From Trondheim there is a F7 train (The Nordland Line) going all the way up to Bodø. This is actually as far north as you can travel with the train in Norway. The train goes mainly inland, but you could get off at the train at for instance Mo i Rana or Mosjøen, and you’ll find yourself at the scenic Helgelandskysten coast.
Bus: Best Arctic offers a bus route that connects Tromsø with both Senja and Lyngen.
The Helgelandskysten coast has regional buses operated by Reis Nordland.
For the very north of Norway find route information at Snelandia for buses connecting Alta, Kirkenes, Honningsvåg and Kautokeino.
I can also add that there is a regional bus #160 connecting Tromsø with Alta. Find route information at ENTUR.
Flight: The Tromsø airport is becoming well connected even from several European airports, so you might be able to fly direct, or if not with a layover in Oslo. Flying to Tromsø is your best option if you are visiting Lyngen or Senja, and then take a local bus to get there.
Bodø has direct flights from both Oslo and Trondheim, and it can be a good starting point for exploring both Lofoten and the Helgelandskysten coastline.
There are direct flights from Oslo to both Kirkenes and Alta. But to get to Honningsvåg you’d need to do a layover in Tromsø. To reach Kautokeino you head to Alta, and from there you’d have to drive or catch a bus.
Car: If you have the budget for it I can highly recommend renting a car if you are planning to explore several of the places in this guide. I can especially recommend a road trip along the Helgelandskysten, which is a more unexplored part of Norway (for now). However, to fully appreciate the beauty I recommend setting apart quite a lot of time so that you don’t have to spend too much time in the car.
Places to Stay
Here are some of my favorite places to stay in the places that this guide covers. I’ve divided them into the Helgelandskysten coast, Bodø, Senja, Lyngen, Kirkenes, Alta, Honningsvåg and Kautokeino.
Helgelandskysten Coast
Helgeland is the most southern part of Northern Norway, and is located below the arctic circle. It’s a beautiful part of Norway with hundreds of small islands and charming small communities. In recent years the infrastructure has been improved, and there are now many good options for accommodation.
The Island of Vega is at the southern end of Helgeland, and is inscribed on UNESCO's list of the world's natural and cultural heritage because of its traditional eider duck farming. It’s an undiscovered Island Gem that you don’t want to miss. For a few great places to stay at Vega check out Havhotellene or the more affordable Banken Bed & Breakfast.
A bit further north on the mainland you find Vevelstad Guest Farm, a historical place where you’ll feel right at home. Or stay at the nearby Handelstedet Forvik which is a 3-star hotel with plenty of charm. They rent out 5 rooms, and have their own restaurant and roast their own coffee which you can enjoy in their café.
Another Island you might want to visit is Dønna. Here you can stay at Brygga på Dønna (The Docks at Dønna). This place has a great location with a tasty breakfast buffet and nearby options for hiking, biking and fishing.
A bit to the north-west is the island group of Træna. Perhaps one of the most secluded places you can visit in Norway, but well-worth your time. Træna is especially known for its Træna Music Festival every year in July and for the iconic Trænastaven mountain, a landmark in the Helgeland region. There are not a ton of places to stay in Træna, but on the island of Torsholmen you find Træna Rorbuferie with eleven seaside cabins for rent. Other options include Træna Overnatting, which is a bed & breakfast, and the House by the Sea which rent three modern cabins.
Inland from Træna, pretty much straight east you find Polarcamp, which is a great option for renting a small cabin. They also offer a wide range of activities.
Located at the foot of the 993 meter high Sandhornet mountain (and just south of Bodø) you find Cool Cabins. And as the name suggests, this is a really cool place to stay! Mostly due to the extreme proximity to the sea and surrounding nature.
Bodø
You probably won’t spend many nights in Bodø town, and for many it serves as a hub for further exploration of the area. Either if you are catching the ferry to Lofoten, or heading south to explore the Helgelandskysten coast. However, if you do spend time here I recommend the Quality Hotel Ramsalt for its proximity to the central station, the ferry terminal, and they also have rooms with great views of the sea.
Senja Island
Senja is an island to the south-west of Tromsø. It’s a place with plenty to offer such as Northern Lights viewing, fishing, hiking, boat trips and so on. The landscape is a mix of rugged mountains plunging into deep fjords, interspersed with white sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages. Three great places to stay with different character and location include Senja Fjordcamp, Senja Fjordhotel and Finsnes Gård.
Alta
Flatmoen Nature Lodge offer “Northern Lights” cabins all with their own jacuzzi. They are located just south of Alta town, and specialize in riding activities such as sleigh ride, wagon ride and horseback riding both in winter and summer.
For a centrally located hotel in downtown Alta I recommend the Thon Hotel Alta.
Lyngen
This popular area is known for the Lyngen Alps, a mountain range that rises sharply from the fjords. The main activities are hiking and biking in the summer and skiing and northern lights in the winter.
For staying in a comfortable apartment with great views check out Lyngen Experience Apartments. Aurora Fjord Cabins are modern and comfortable cabins with views of the fjord and potentially the Northern Lights on a clear night. Svensby Tursenter has spots for campervans, tents, and also offers cabin rental. They can provide a wide range of activities.
Kirkenes
Thon Hotel Kirkenes has a great location right on the water, and probably one of the best hotel breakfasts in Norway!
Kirkenes Snowhotel is located just a 15 minute drive from Kirkenes, and offers a unique experience where you can sleep in a hotel made out of snow and ice. They also have small cabins, known as Gamme, inspired by the traditional hunting and fishing huts that the Sami people made. A stay comes with an included breakfast and a 3-course dinner.
Honningsvåg
This is a small city on the island of Magerøya. To the north of Honningsvåg is the famous North Cape and its visitor center, which is why this place attracts a lot of visitors. Honningsvåg is also a stop for the Hurtigruten and Havila cruise ferries.
The View is a hotel half way between the airport and Honningsvåg town center. The Hotel is surrounded by nature, and despite being located in a former barracks of the Norwegian Army, it has been fully renovated and has comfortable rooms and common areas. Enjoy the breakfast buffet with a view of the reindeer grazing on the outside.
For a regular hotel in downtown Honningsvåg I’d recommend the Scandic Bryggen.
Kautokeino
This town is for sure off the beaten path, and is particularly significant for being a center of Sami culture. It is home to institutions that preserve and promote Sami language, arts, and traditions. Surrounding Kautokeino is a vast area of Arctic tundra and wilderness, characterized by wide open spaces, sparse vegetation, and extreme weather conditions.
For a comfortable stay in downtown Kautokeino I recommend checking into the Thon Hotel Kautokeino. The hotel is located in a beautiful wooden building with great views of the Finmarksvidda plateau. Restaurant Duottar offers Scandinavian cuisine and Sami specialties such as reindeer meat and smoked salmon. The hotel can also be helpful in arranging various excursions in the area such as hikes, fishing trips, snowmobiling and so on.
Note that prices for hotels highly fluctuate throughout the year, and if you book early you can sometimes find good deals! The high season in Norway goes from June to August.
Places to Eat
Here’s a few of my favourite places to eat in the following places: the Helgelandskysten coast, Bodø, Senja, Lyngen, Kirkenes, Alta, Honningsvåg and Kautokeino. In some remote areas the best place to eat might be at the place where you stay as there won’t be any other cafés or restaurants nearby.
- Helgeland Kolonial (Sandnessjøen, Helgeland) - A cozy café serving healthy food made from short traveled ingredients from the region.
- Soprano Food & Wine House (Sandnessjøen, Helgeland) - Typical Italian restaurant, and they do it well!
- 3 Kalver (Solfjellsjøen, Dønna Island Helgeland) - Family run place serving traditional dishes. I’d send them an email to ask about opening hours. They also offer lodging.
- Dønnefjellstua (Dønna Island) - Restaurant and café only open in summer, serving fish soup, local cured meat, salads, cakes and more.
- Oscar Brygga (Tonnes, Helgeland) - “An old fishing pier, converted to a restaurant with a maritime style.” You can expect local fish dishes, and traditional meat dishes. Great location!
- Skreien Spiseri (Senja) - Family run restaurant, café and bar. Skrei is the Norwegian word for “arctic cod”, and that's their speciality. But they also have lamb, meatballs, spare ribs and other tasty meat dishes.
- Senja by Heart (Senja) - In this popular restaurant you can be served traditional Boknafish (semi-dried cod fish), mussels, salmon, Scandinavian bouilabaisse, beef and pork dishes, all rooted in the local food traditions of the Senja Island.
- Senjastua (Senja) - A safe bet for authentic food from Northern Norway.
- Eliassen Matkunst (Lyngen) - Their menu is inspired by short-traveled local ingredients, this restaurant is receiving rave reviews.
- Zappffe Café - (Lyngen) - A great little kiosk/café with some tasty treats and delicious coffee.
- Havly Restaurant (Honningsvåg) - A Fusion restaurant with exciting dishes based on local ingredients.
- Soi 9 Restaurant (Honningsvåg) - Probably the best Thai restaurant in Northern Norway.
- Sjøgata Pub (Honningsvåg) - A place to meet locals and enjoy both drinks and food in a casual atmosphere.
- Vanvitting Grill (Alta) - A great mix of Indian and Turkish dishes.
- Stekeriet Mat og Vinhus / Nori (Altla) - Some of the best food the Nordic cuisine has to offer.
- Restaurant Sami Siida (Alta) - For a homemade Sami food experience
- Suba Sushi (Kirkenes) - All the fresh seafood in this region makes the basis for this great Sushi Restaurant.
- Aurora Restobar (Kirkenes) - Food of high quality. Try the yummy fish cakes and the reindeer hamburger.
Things to Do
With its diverse landscapes, cultures and weather, Northern Norway has a lot to offer the visitor year-round. Major attractions include the Northern Lights, outdoor activities, learning about Sami culture, wildlife encounters, good local food, boat trips and coastal exploration.
The Helgelandskysten coast
Spring, summer and fall is a great time to go hiking in Helgeland. Popular hikes include the Seven Sisters, Torghatten (the mountain with a hole in it) and Lovunden with chances for seeing puffins. For the experienced hikers check out these seven challenging summit hikes.
A fun activity can be to try out the Zip-Line nearby Mosjøen, or perhaps some Via Ferrata to the top of Øyfjellet.
Helegeland is great for cycling, and thanks to local ferries you can go island hopping with your bike. There are also many options for going kayaking in this region. You can find more info about biking and kayaking here. (use google translate or send them an email). For a boat tour head to Træna and get in touch with Træna Rib & Safari.
The second largest glacier on the mainland of Norway is located in Helgeland. It is named Svartisen (the black ice). Several companies offer guided glacier hikes.
As you are quite far north you can go hunting for the Northern Lights in wintertime. Here’s a tour including snowmobiling into the wilderness. Helgeland is ideal for both downhill skiing and cross country. Find some ski resorts here.
Another tour operator I can recommend is Støtt. Check out their website for an overview of activities and accommodation.
Bodø
I’d say the biggest attraction of Bodø is actually outside of the city: The Saltstraumen tidal current, one of the strongest in the world. You can easily drive there from Bodø, but even more exciting is to join a RIB Tour to Saltstraumen, which can be combined with sea eagle spotting.
Senja Island
Senja is kind of like the Lofoten Islands in miniature, and a bit less explored, so you can find many of the same activities. If you don’t have a car, consider doing this private tour of Senja which will give you a tour of iconic spots and historical landmarks.
Popular activities include whale watching, kayaking, hiking, boat tours, fishing and chasing the Northern Lights. You can find many of these activities at the Visit Senja website.
Many who visit Senja end up staying in Tromsø, but go there as a daytrip. Check out this Island Hopping Tour from Tromsø to Senja.
Lyngen
A highlight in Lyngen includes hiking to the famous Blåisvannet (the Blue Lake). Read more at Visit Lyngenfjord for how to get there. Or consider the family friendly hike to Lyngstuva where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the fjord and mountains. This is also a great spot to watch the Northern Lights.
For winter in Lyngen you can go dog sledding, whale watching, enjoy sami experiences, snowshoeing or skiing and much more. Find winter activities at Visit Lyngefjord.
For something very different head to the northernmost Whiskey distillery in the world: Aurora Spirit Experience. They provide guided tours of this arctic whiskey experience.
Kirkenes
You might stay at the Snowhotel in Kirkenes, but if not you can also just go there to visit. It’s quite a fascinating place! Find tickets to the Snowhotel here.
Other winter activities in Kirkenes and the surroundings include viewing the Northern Lights. You can find tours at GetYourGuide and Visit Kirkenes. Or perhaps you want to go snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding or on a King Crab Safari? Kirkenes got you covered. Find tours you can book in Kirkenes here.
Alta
Alta has a lot to offer, both winter and summer. In many ways I’d say Alta is a great alternative to Tromsø, since you’ll find similar things to do, but generally less people around. Some popular winter activities in Alta are Northern Lights Tour, Whale Watching in the Altafjord (Nov-mid-Dec only), dog sledding or snowmobile safari on Finmarksvidda mountain plateau.
A great museum open all year around is the Alta World Heritage Rock Art Museum.
In the summer meet reindeer and learn about sami culture on this tour, enjoy a cruise on the Alta Fjord and go hiking and fishing under the midnight sun. You can find more activities on the Visit Alta website.
Honningsvåg
Many who visit Honningsvåg come to see the Nordkapp-plateau (the North Cape). To get there you can take a local bus #110 (50 minutes). Find route schedule on ENTUR. You can also join a tour, which often will include the North Cape plateau and a visit to a local Sami family. Some also include a King Crab excursion. Or join a tour that only includes getting there and back again, plus entrance to the North Cape center/hall.
There are also tours who do boat trips including bird watching, and if you are lucky you’ll see both puffins and eagles.
Kautokeino
Kautokeino is all about sami culture and nature experiences. Áilo Mátki & Tourist offers various activities such as tundra safaris, northern lights trips, wilderness trips and snowmobile expeditions. They also rent out cars, tents, ATVs and traditional sami lavvu (tipi tent).
Find more information about Kautokeino on the Visit Norway website.
In this guide for Northern Norway I’ve only listed a few highlights, barely scratching the surface to hopefully inspire you to visit this beautiful part of my country. If you want to know more contact me through my Tour Planning service and I can help you plan your journey up north.
How to Get Around
Public transportation
If you rely on public transportation you are restricted to mostly buses and public ferries. Use ENTUR to find route schedules.
Car
If you have the budget for it I would highly recommend renting a car to be able to explore as much as possible. Look for car rentals at here.
Travel Connections & Resources
See the “Getting Into” section above.
Travel Insurance? I recommend: Safety Wing
Learn Norwegian? I recommend: Speak Norsk
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