Northern Norway's weather beaten landscape of high mountain peaks, protected inlets, farmland and idyllic fishing villages can only be described as a masterpiece almost untouched by time.
No matter the time of year there is much to experience and discover in the land above the Arctic Circle. It is the region that keeps on giving and will leave you wanting to explore further.
We feature a variety of regions that make up Northern Norway. Those being the Lofoten, Vesteralen, Tromso, Alta, Kautokeion and Kirkenes.
The Loften archipelago encompasses the islands of Hinnøya, Austvågøy, Gimsøya, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøya, Moskenesøya, Væroy and Røst. Renowned for being a nature enthusiasts’ paradise with high mountain peaks, covered bays, idyllic villages and picture worthy wooden houses, beaches and fjords in the north, with sea bird colonies in the south. The perfect backdrop for activities such as hiking, fishing, cycling and sea kayaking.
Along the coast, and neighbour to the Lofoten is the the archipelago of Vesteralen. For those who are interested in Norwegian history and culture Vesteralen has three main attractions. The first is as the birthplace of the Hurtigruten; Stokmarknes on the island of Hadseloya has a small museum dedicated to the company that transported post, cargo and people for over a century. The second is the sculpture landscape Nordland project, compromising of 33 maritime themed sculptures installed across communities. The third, its abundance of wildlife and fresh fish such as salmon or trout, caught from one of the many lakes.
70 degrees north is the university city of Tromso, surrounded by the Lyngen Alps, dense and vast forests, blue fjords and an archipelago of hundreds of islands. A visit here at any time of the year is delightful. During the winter months (November 21 to January 21) you can witness the natural phenomenon of the Polar Night, as well as the spectacular green dancing of the Aurora Borealis (September to April). For two months in the summer (May 21 to July 21) the Midnight Sun is visible.
Alta is where the Sami and their beloved reindeer have lived for centuries, observing the skies and nature around them and using readings to determine migratory routes and seasons. A natural wonder, the Komsafjellet mountain resides in Alta, rising 212m above sea level and offering a dramatic setting to watch the Midnight Sun. Alta is also synonymous with sightings of the Northern Lights thanks to its minimal light pollution.
Norway’s largest flat mountain terrain is located in the traditional Sami villa of Kautokeion - covering an area of more than 22,000km2. You can walk for miles through the pristine natural environment, a testament to Sami tradition and their love and respect for where they live.
Kirkenes is situated 15km from the Russian border and is a truly fascinating place to visit. It’s the furthermost extremity of northeast Europe and so, influences from the east are apparent. It is rich in history and culture, with stories to be told about the Sami people and the town’s bombardment in World War II. We would highly recommend a visit to Andersgrotta (a bomb shelter in the centre of Kirkenes) and the fascinating Frontier Museum, which tells a detailed account of the events during World War II, as well as the history of the region and its people.
Let our team our experts handcraft the perfect holiday to Northern Norway for you, albeit a short stay or a longer touring holiday.
