Northern Norway

Travel Guide

Leknes showing a small town or village and a hotel
Kautokeino showing a statue or sculpture and snow
Northern Norway showing mountains and a small town or village
Northern Norway
Kautokeino featuring snow

Learn about the residents’ indigenous roots, explore snowy terrain and gaze up at the aurora borealis in the Kingdom of Light.

Northern Norway is a vast expanse with historical sites decorating the wilderness. Snowy peaks and islands make up the exceptional scenery of this cultural home of the Sami people. Drive through sparsely populated valleys and hills at the northern end of the world.

Learn about the Sami community, the northernmost indigenous people in Europe, with a visit to Sápmi ParkOpens in a new window in Karasjok. Taste reindeer meat, learn glass-blowing and watch a revealing film in the Magical Theater. The town has various intriguing sights, including the Sami Parliament of Norway and the Kárášjohka River.

Among the largest towns is TromsøOpens in a new window, which is known as the Gateway to the Arctic and has many cultural sights. Visit the Northern Norway Art Museum, the Mack Brewery and the Tromsø University MuseumOpens in a new window for an insight into the region’s history. The Polar MuseumOpens in a new window contains interesting exhibits about seal hunting and Arctic expeditions.

Summers are bright and relatively warm, with midnight sun in June and July. Lay down a blanket for a picnic next to Lillevardhaug Lake or As Lake. Explore the dense forests in the North Cape of Norway. Visit Kautokeino for the Kautokeino Church, the Kautokeino Museum and the charming Juhls’ Silver GalleryOpens in a new window.

The dark, freezing winter is the best time to see the northern lights, since parts of the region are totally deprived of sunlight in December and January. Gaze up at the green and pink rays of the aurora borealis from most parts of Northern Norway. Among the best place to see them is the Northern Lights Cathedral in AltaOpens in a new window.

The region comprises Norway’s northernmost counties of NordlandOpens in a new window, Troms and Finnmark. Take cruises to get to the various islands and drive around this picturesque terrain in the northern extremes of Europe. You can also fly from Oslo Airport to Tromsø and other towns. Cross the borders to see the northern parts of Sweden and Finland.

Visit Northern Norway for its serenity, picturesque terrain and intriguing indigenous culture.

Where to stay in Northern Norway

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Vesterålen

If you're spending some time in Vesterålen, Sortland Museum is a top sight worth visiting.

Vesterålen
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso

4 out of 5
Sjogata 7, Tromsø
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,106 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P5,106
P5,719 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"Everything was absolutely fantastic.Location was perfect.Staff Eclith was superb in taking care of the small needs we had."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
Clarion Hotel The Edge

Clarion Hotel The Edge

4 out of 5
Kaigata 6, Tromsø
The price is P7,330 per night from Aug 22 to Aug 23
P7,330
P8,210 total
Aug 22 - Aug 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,281 reviews)
Best Breakfast in Norway!
"Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, the hotel was spotless and beautiful with great views, and the breakfast buffet was beyond what many 5-star resorts offer. The only negative in our stay was the air conditioning was insufficient to keep the room cool on an unusually warm summer day."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Clarion Hotel The Edge
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bodo

Radisson Blu Hotel, Bodo

4 out of 5
Storgata 2, P.O. Box 371, Bodo
The price is P5,354 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
P5,354
P5,996 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bodo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Didn't like the fact that the hotel had no parking of its own. Another business (Apcoa Automatbetaling) offered parking next to the hotel, and I did pay $30.01 per day for the two days that I parked my rental car there (though I could have paid for smaller chunks of time between my forays out and ..."

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Bodo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lofoten Basecamp

Lofoten Basecamp

3 out of 5
Skreda 37, Vestvågøy, Nordland
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Vestvågøy. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Offersøykammen ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (247 reviews)
"Amazing place. We are very comfortable family of 3. We had car so easy to get to places. Clean, comfortable, loved the view. Olaf/ Ralph thank you!"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Lofoten Basecamp
Tromsø Lodge & Camping

Tromsø Lodge & Camping

2 out of 5
Arthur Arntzens veg 10, Tromsø
Stay at this campground in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (382 reviews)
"Great holiday park.Stuff very friendly and helpful. Definitely would stay here again"

Reviewed on Apr 18, 2025

Tromsø Lodge & Camping
TotalApartments Vervet Gjøa

TotalApartments Vervet Gjøa

4 out of 5
Gjøastredet 41, Tromsø, Troms og Finnmark
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Tromso Lapland and Tromso Catholic Church Var ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (188 reviews)
"We had some difficulty with finding the apartment. The map was not sent way in advance for us to study. When you are in a car it’s hard to know where to park to go ask for help. We arrived late due to some delays however after driving around awhile we figured it out. We were able to talk to someone ..."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

TotalApartments Vervet Gjøa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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