Northern Norway is a spectacular place to explore, with endless fjords, mountains and an abundance of wildlife, it has Iceland vibes but at the same time it’s in a league of its own.
Found in the Arctic Circle, the North of Norway or Nordland, is as dramatic as you would expect, it’s rugged landscape holds immense power and energy. You can feel it in the air, around every corner is stunning scenery to be taken in and wildlife to admire.
We saw moose, reindeer and whales in Northern Norway and that’s just to name a few. It’s truly a nature paradise waiting for you to discover and connect to this magical planet we all call home.
Let’s jump into this guide so you can start planning your trip to one of the most magical places on earth!
Best Time to Visit Northern Norway
Choosing the best time to visit really depends on what you want out of your trip to Northern Norway, as each season offers its own unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes.
If you want to experience the midnight sun, then head over in the summer, giving you days of endless sun and more time to explore and take in the surrounding beauty.
If however you want to go chasing the northern lights, then perhaps heading over during the winter months would be more up your street, be prepared for the harsh arctic elements.
Maybe those two seasons are a bit extreme for you so choosing Spring or Autumn can be a good middle point to ease into your Nordland adventure, you’ll get the in between weather and chances to see northern lights.
Whichever season you pick is going to be the right choice, there’s no bad time to visit Northern Norway and every season is going to put on a spectacular show of beautiful nature.
Weather and Climate
- Spring (March to May): Temperatures range from -5°C to -2°C. During spring you’ll see a gradual increase in Daylight, snow is melting faster in the coastal regions. It can be quite wet during these months, good waterproofs are in order.
- Summer (June to August): Temperatures range from 10°C to 15 °C even reaching mid 20 °C at times. The summer brings the Midnight Sun, 24 hours of daylight. The weather is the warmest and most stable season but it can bring both sunny and rainy days. It is Norway after all!
- Autumn (September to November): In September the temperatures range from 5°C to 10°C but come November it drops to -5°C. Autumn is known for its beautiful autumnal colours and it brings the first snowfall of the winter season.
- Winter (December to February): Along the coast temperatures range from -1°C to -7°C but further north in Finnmark temperatures can drop to as low as -30°C. Winter dominates the land with snow, strong winds and arctic storms. The polar nights are dark and long and along with the extreme weather it brings many opportunities to see the Northern Lights. It’s a magical time of year to explore Northern Norway.
Northern Lights Tip!
Be sure to download a Northern Lights Forecast App to track the activity of the Aurora. You can even set alarms so you never miss a chance to witness the magical display of dancing colours. We personally use the My Aurora App which has always been accurate.
How to Get to Northern Norway
By Air
Catching a flight is the fastest way to get to northern Norway especially if you’re coming from outside of Europe. The major airports in the north are;
- Tromsø Airport (TOS): Known as the “Gateway to the Arctic” Tromsø is a popular starting point for exploring Northern Norway, several airlines such as SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe have direct flights from major European cities like Frankfurt or London.
- Bodø Airport (BOO): Bodø is a hub for travellers wanting to explore Lofoten Islands, be sure to check our Guide to Exploring Lofoten! Bodø has great connections to Norwegian cities like Oslo.
- Kirkenes Airport (KKN): Located close to the Russian border, Kirkenes is ideal if you want to explore the eastern part of northern Norway.
Driving to Northern Norway
Self driving by far gives you the most freedom and flexibility, you can explore at your own pace. The drive is scenic and full of dramatic scenery, from Oslo to Tromsø it’s around 995 miles ( 1,600km), the E6 highway runs all the way up the country to Kirkenes.
You can rent a car from any major city and airport. Be sure to take extra care when driving in the winter, having the correct tires for icy roads is essential, back in the day before we had winter driving experience, we lost control on black ice in Finland and drove the car into a ditch. It’s no joke driving in these conditions.
By Train
The most northern part of Norway you can reach by train is Bodø, the Nordland Line (Nordlandsbanen) has a scenic route from Trondheim to Bodø. It’s a 10 hour journey with stunning views of fjords, mountains and forests. From Bodø you can catch the ferry too Lofoten Islands or continue more north with a rental car.
Hurtigruten Ferry
Not a cheap option but if money isn’t an issue for you then the Hurtigruten voyage starts in Bergen in the south and finishes in Kirkenes in the north, stopping 34 times along the way, including Lofoten and Oslo.
It’s been described as one of the most beautiful sea voyages in the world, you’ll experience the Norwegian coastline, fjords and small coastal communities. It would certainly be an adventure to remember, it takes about 12 days and you can hop on and off at different ports.
Where to Stay in Northern Norway
There are many types of accommodations to choose from in Northern Norway, hotels and guest houses are in abundance. Airbnb is always a good shout to have your own kitchen facilities, check out our article on Airbnb Hacks to save some money. And booking.com also has an array of listings.
Perhaps you fancy staying somewhere a little unique, you can find igloos, ice hotels or rorbuer the converted fisherman cabins. In Northern Norway anything is possible.
Things to See & Do
Tromsø
Tromsø, also known as the northern lights capital of the world is a Norwegian city located in the arctic circle, thus making it a top hot spot for travellers desperate to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
The city and the surrounding areas have fantastic opportunities to experience many activities such as Dog sledding, this gives you a unique way of exploring the arctic wilderness and is very popular in the winter season.
Tromsø is also a great place to hop on a whale watching tour, you may be lucky enough to spot some Orcas, humpback whales or an abundance of other marine life that live in these waters.
You’ll also spot reindeer in and around Tromsø, we had to stop a few times to let reindeer cross the road. They are adorable creatures and it was mad just seeing them walking on the pavements in town!
Depending on what season you visit, the northern lights are on most peoples bucket list and Tromsø has some of the best Northern light displays in the world! Let’s not forget about summer though, as this brings in the midnight sun, where you can bask in the 24 hour rays during the months of June-August
Nordkapp/ North Cape
Ever fancied visiting one of the most northern parts of the world? Nordkapp is the most northern part of Europe that you can reach by car. Found way above the arctic circle, the landscape is rugged and beautifully dramatic.
You will find a visitor centre called Nordkapphallen/North Cape Hall, here you can watch a film in the panoramic cinema about the local area, they have a restaurant and a chapel, that’s right people a chapel!
People have tied the knot here and I think it’s utterly romantic, under the northern lights with the vast ocean on the northern edge of the world, it doesn’t get much wilder than that!
The region is inhabited by the Sami people, their rich cultural ties to the lands are deep and spiritual, it would be worth learning more about their way of life. Many Sami families have opened their homes to the public for tours and experiences, so you can learn how they live close to the land, herd reindeers and keep their traditions alive.
Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands are a must when visiting northern Norway, the Islands are made up of rugged mountains, charming fishing villages and deep fjords.
You’ll find endless hiking opportunities around the islands and beaches with crystal clear waters, the nature and wildlife found on these islands are insane, it’s a place that will take your breath away and steal your heart.
Once you start exploring Lofoten you won’t want to leave. With endless activities to enjoy such as kayaking, whale watching, surfing, hiking, swimming in the arctic waters. You’ll make memories to last a lifetime. Be sure to check out our guide to exploring the Lofoten Islands!
Senja
If you’re looking for another island to explore aside from lofoten islands then look no further! Senja is the second largest island in Norway and is renowned for its dramatic, rugged landscapes and is a hiking dream for every explorer.
If you’re lucky enough to have a car or camper van, then this island is an absolute epic drive, picture towering mountains and dramatic fjords and many viewpoints to stop and enjoy these jaw dropping sights.
All of the surrounding villages are so cute and quaint, grab yourself a hot drink and just gaze out at the vast dramatic landscape. Get out there and enjoy one of the many hikes the area has to offer, with uninterrupted paramedic views!
Alta
Alta is a stunning town, situated in the Finnmark region of Norway. Many explorers come here to see the Alta Rock carvings which are UNESCO-World- Heritage listed, the museum of Alta displays ancient petroglyphs dating back to 6,000 years ago!
How about checking out one of Europes largest Canyons, which spans over 7KM in length, blimey they’re big! Alton Canyon is breathtaking, and it’s definitely worth the hike if you’re lucky enough to be in the area.
Alta is home to The Northern Lights Church, the unique architecture is certainly different, inside the church it is beautifully designed with lots of lights.
Of course the northern lights are on everyone’s bucket list and with the areas low light pollution and dark skies, this makes it a perfect place to potentially witness this fantastic natural phenomenon.
Be sure to check out our Northern lights tips to make your chances of seeing these colourful spectacles a reality!