Destinations > Norway > Northern Norway

Northern Norway

Few travellers venture north of the Arctic Circle, however this is a unique wilderness that offers the opportunity to get away from it all. Trains only run as far north as Bodø (although there is a line from Sweden that goes to Narvik), so travellers find that they have to resort to the more expensive buses or the scenic Hurtigruten ferries to get around.

Bodø

Bodø is the first sizable town north of Trondheim. There isn't really a lot to see here, however the train line ends here so you can't avoid visit Bodø if you want to travel farther north. Most travellers come hop off the train and transfer to bus or ferry services.

Practical Information

Bodø Tourist Information Centre

Sjøgata 21, Bodø

Tel 75 54 80 00
Website www.visitbodo.com

Coming and Going

Bodø is the end of the train line with two trains a day to Trondheim. Bus or ferry are the only affordable ways to travel farther north. The bus station is located about a five-minute walk from the tourist information centre.

Ferries depart Bodø for the Lofoten Islands and the Hurtigruten ferry calls in at Bodø on the coastal route between Kirkenes and Bergen.

Tromsø

Perhaps the most lively city this far north, Tromsø is the major city in the region and it is a good place to organise trips farther afield.

Practical Information

Tromsø Tourist Information Centre

Storgata 61, Tromsø

Tel 56 52 08 00

Website www.destinasjontromso.no

Coming and Going

Tromsø is an important air hub with flights to many destinations in Norway including Svalbard.

Buses run from here to Bodø, Narvik and Alta.

Accommodation

Sydspissen

Strandveien 166, N-9006 Tromsø

Tel 7762 8900

Tromso Vandrerhjem

Åsgårdveien 9, 9016 Tromsø

Tel 23139350

Sights

Polaria

This information and exhibition centre focuses on the polar regions. It features a 180-degree cinema with film from Svalbard; an aquarium with Arctic sea creatures and also four bearded seals.

Hjalmar Johansensgt 12, Tromsø

Tel 77 75 01 00

Website www.polaria.no

Admission NOK 80, students NOK 55

Open 1 Jan-17 May noon-5pm daily; 18 May-15 Aug 10am-7pm daily; 16 Aug-31 Dec noon-5pm daily

Hammerfest & Nordkapp

Hammerfest claims to be the world's most northerly town (athough Longyearbyen in Svalbard is much farther north). Most visitors arrive on the Hurtigruten ferry and spend two hours in town before leaving again, other visitors come here by bus and use the town as a base to make the trip to Honningsvåg and Nordkapp - Europe's most northerly point.

Coming and Going

There are buses connecting Hammerfest to Alta, where you can transfer to buses to other destinations.

Honningsvåg is located on the island of Magerøy, which is accessible by a three-hour ferry trip from Hammerfest. When you arrive in Honningsvåg, a bus will take you the remaining 34km to Nordkapp.

After travelling this far north, most travellers make the trip to Nordkapp. When you get here you'll find a tourist complex (admission NOK 175) with a post office, exhibits and restaurants.