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

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Vesterålen

If you're spending some time in Vesterålen, Sortland Museum is a top sight worth visiting.

Vesterålen
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso
3 out of 5
Gronnegata 35, Tromsø
The price is AU$392 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
AU$392
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb
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! (1,101 reviews)
"Staff was very accommodating, I needed laundry, food, and coffee. Room extremely comfortable"

Reviewed on 28 Jan. 2025

Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
4 out of 5
Sjogata 7, Tromsø
The price is AU$586 per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
AU$586
includes taxes & fees
7 Feb - 8 Feb
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Tromsø. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"It was clean and reasonably priced."

Reviewed on 29 Jan. 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
Clarion Hotel The Edge
Clarion Hotel The Edge
4 out of 5
Kaigata 6, Tromsø
The price is AU$573 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
AU$573
includes taxes & fees
16 Feb - 17 Feb
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! (1,131 reviews)
"Andy, the night shift concierge did his best to accomodate all our requests, he's been super kind and professional! We expected a bit more from the staff at the breakfast area, the vegan/vegetarian options were there but the signs were difficult to understand. Plenty of non-dairy options but no chance ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jan. 2025

Clarion Hotel The Edge
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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