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 P20,779 per night from Dec 7 to Dec 8
P20,779
P23,273 total
Dec 7 - Dec 8
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! (1,394 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on Nov 28, 2025

Clarion Hotel The Edge
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso

4 out of 5
Sjogata 7 Tromsø
The price is P22,291 per night from Dec 14 to Dec 15
P22,291
P24,966 total
Dec 14 - Dec 15
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Excellent views. Good size rooms

Reviewed on Dec 4, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
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! (1,007 reviews)
Great breakfast

Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025

Smarthotel 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! (506 reviews)
The room was nice, bathroom is spacious. The location is perfect, I was very happy with that. Also check in and check out is super easy. Kitchen is nice, but we would have liked a kitchen towel and we found the whole set up a bit not practical. What we missed the most however was a broom or a vacuum ...

Reviewed on Oct 26, 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! (102 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! (235 reviews)
Apartment was well presented, very clean and modern. Loads of space. Bedding, towels and everything you need for a good stay was there. The apartments are in a great central location and very secure. Having stayed in November, the heating was always very welcome and very warm when returning from ...

Reviewed on Nov 28, 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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