Northern Norway Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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

Default Image

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 NZ$275 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$275
6 July - 7 July
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! (1,227 reviews)
"Excellent property, the room was quiet and very comfortable. There is a great range of food for breakfast. The hotel is ideally situated to walk around Tromso. There is only a short stay parking area to unload the cases. Cat parking is a 5 minute walk away."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

Clarion Hotel The Edge
Smarthotel Bodø
Smarthotel Bodø
3 out of 5
Sjøgata 30, Bodo
The price is NZ$171 per night from 22 June to 23 June
NZ$171
22 June - 23 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Bodo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (718 reviews)
"I liked the hotel including the location, their spread on breakfast and the comfort of their bed and general amenities"

Reviewed on 11 Jun. 2025

Smarthotel Bodø
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso
3 out of 5
Gronnegata 35, Tromsø
The price is NZ$115 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$115
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star 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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,266 reviews)
"Great spot in the middle of Tromso, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 31 May 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.
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 Catholic Church Var Frue Kirke and Perspektivet ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (148 reviews)
"Great mordern , new apartment in a lovely location."

Reviewed on 8 Jun. 2025

TotalApartments Vervet Gjøa
F2 Hotel Harstad
F2 Hotel Harstad
3 out of 5
Fjordgata 2, Harstad
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Harstad. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions The Archipelago by Bike and The Troll's Church are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (622 reviews)
"When I first arrived mid May 2025 stayed for 2 nights then decided to return and stayed a further 4 nights, comfortably so."

Reviewed on 1 Jun. 2025

F2 Hotel Harstad
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! (195 reviews)
"Everything was perfect as we expected."

Reviewed on 5 Jun. 2025

Lofoten Basecamp
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.

Popular places to visit

Activities