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
Clarion Hotel The Edge

Clarion Hotel The Edge

4 out of 5
Kaigata 6 Tromsø
The price is P17,315 per night from Jan 18 to Jan 19
P17,315
P19,392 total
Jan 18 - Jan 19, 2026
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this 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! (1,396 reviews)
Cleaning of rooms could be better. They didn’t put slippers nor robes. Towels were not great quality and scarce.

Reviewed on Dec 16, 2025

Clarion Hotel The Edge
Smarthotel Tromso

Smarthotel Tromso

3 out of 5
Vestregata 6 Tromsø
Stay at this hotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Great location and quiet

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2025

Smarthotel Tromso
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso

Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso

3 out of 5
Gronnegata 35 Tromsø
The price is P13,866 per night from Jan 18 to Jan 19
P13,866
P15,530 total
Jan 18 - Jan 19, 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Tromsø. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,358 reviews)
24x7 reception (barception), clean room, good amenities

Reviewed on Dec 16, 2025

Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso
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.
Skaret by Vander

Skaret by Vander

4 out of 5
25 Storgata Tromsø Troms og Finnmark
Stay at this aparthotel in Tromsø. Enjoy rainfall showerheads, an in-room coffeemaker, and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (519 reviews)
Yes. They were able to check us in earlier as the room was available. We were grateful for that even though it’s unmanned. They were quite responsive through email as well.

Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025

Skaret by Vander
TotalApartments - Stakkevollvegen studio

TotalApartments - Stakkevollvegen studio

2 out of 5
303 Stakkevollvegen Tromsø Troms
Stay at this aparthotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Tromso Fjords and Polar-Alpine Botanical Gardens are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (106 reviews)
Accommodation in Tromsø can be expensive, but I found this to be a suitable compromise. Having a full kitchen means we could save money by not eating out. There is a supermarket directly underneath the apartment which was really convenient (just be aware it is closed on Sundays) The apartment was ...

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2025

TotalApartments - Stakkevollvegen studio
TotalApartments Vervet Gjøa

TotalApartments Vervet Gjøa

4 out of 5
Nordøstpassasjen 15 Tromsø Troms og Finnmark
Stay at this aparthotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Perspektivet museum and Andreas Aagaard House are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (245 reviews)
Good location. Clean. Easy to contact someone when we needed to sort out storage for our luggage.

Reviewed on Dec 17, 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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