Things to see and do Nord-Norge

The museum opened in 1991, on the edge of an area excavated for rock engravings discovered in 1973. This is the largest area of its kind in Northern Europe, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was quickly voted best European museum in 1993, with 3,000 open-air engravings dating from 2,500 to 7,000 years ago. Inside the building, the museum features exhibitions on Finnmark's prehistory, Saami culture and the mysterious Komsa culture, named after the nearby mountain (viewpoint of the midnight sun). Superb.

Wandering Owl is one of the best guide companies. Their guides are all professional photographers and certified nature guides. All activities will be done in small groups (or even privately), which increases the chances of seeing animals and doing your hike in peace. You can book activities such as Northern Lights hunting in winter on clear nights or kayaking in the fjords in summer! A sporty and friendly outing in perspective

Only a ten-minute walk from the cathedral, a cable car takes you up to the top of Storsteinene, from where you have a spectacular view of the city and its surroundings. Once up there, you can enjoy a meal or take a walk along the small paths to enjoy the peace and quiet for longer. Tip: buy a small pastry in the town centre and enjoy it up there, sitting on the mountain overlooking the town.

At the end of the cliff of the North Cape was once a place of Sami ritual sacrifices. Today, only a large parking lot remains, a compulsory passage to access the tourist center hidden in the cliff and inaugurated in 1988. No way to avoid paying, the road is surrounded by barriers. Otherwise, you should know that an entry is valid for 24 hours. Many clever people come to pitch their tent in the park. A good way to benefit from an amazing place, a radically different environment, and to save a night in a hotel with a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset on the cape! However, you will have to deal with the incessant humming of the coaches which undeniably detracts from the majesty of the place. Anyway, the place has that magic touch because you know you are at the northernmost point, at the end of Europe, and this thought is enough. The road that leads to the North Cape has a lot to do with this. A slow progression, the aridity of the landscapes, everything contributes to make the cape a place apart. If the end of the world is fascinating, the road that leads to it is no less so.

Apart from the view towards a blue horizon, the vast tourist structure carved into the cliffs houses a modern complex of shops, cafeterias and restaurants (where prices are correct). A small museum is dedicated to the first personalities who came to the North Cape. The Italian explorer-priest Pietro Negri, in search of the end of the world, was one of the first tourists to visit the North Cape in 1664. This was followed in 1873 by Oscar II, King of Sweden-Norway, and Louis-Philippe, who had been chased out of France in 1795 and disguised as an ordinary visitor. At the time, the only way to approach the cliffs of the North Cape was by boat, and then climb the 300 m to the top, as the carriage road across the plateau was not opened until 1956. This road will soon be opened again and the physical test will give access to a sumptuous view of this cape.
Inside the hall, a "champagne bar" has been set up facing a panoramic bay with a superb view of the midnight sun which lasts from 16 May to 28 July (when there is no fog). A small outdoor terrace is hung over a 300m precipice overlooking the icy Arctic Ocean. Fog often rises from the ocean, enveloping the tip of the North Cape, which then seems to float between sky and sea. This is the end of the world! Do it if you can.

The northernmost wildlife park in the world, where you can observe Arctic animals in their natural environment. The park is home to species from the far north, including 4 large predators: brown bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. Very pleasant and amazing for children. And those who have remained so. Allow time (minimum 2 hours) because the animals are sometimes hidden and you must be patient to observe them. It is possible to book a guided tour with a zookeeper who will bring food to the predators to attract them.

Building housing the democratically-elected Sami delegation to Norway's general elections. The president is Silje Karine Muotka. Guided tour every hour. The Saami delegation is elected every four years. Superb architecture, well worth a visit, and don't hesitate to enter if you can, as the wooden balustrades, lamps and large windows overlooking the forest give quite a magical impression, especially for such a public place! Library containing books in all Sami languages.

From Fredvang, several trails lead to the same place: Kvalvika. It's about a 30-minute climb to the summit (with a superb view of the beach) and about a 30-minute descent to the beach. Welcome to one of Lofoten's most beautiful treasures. Take the E10 towards Fredvang, after leaving the E10 and crossing the bridge, drive through the village for about 3 km. You'll see a boathouse with a parking lot, where you can park.

It consists of two perfect coves of very white and fine sand. As in the novels of the last century, imagining mysterious islands, Haukland shows you here that the reality is at least as amazing. At the foot of the steep mountain, the pastures where sheep graze add an unexpected note. Don't forget to bring your picnic, there is not a single shop within a dozen kilometres. One of those places at the end of the world where you feel marvellously far from any civilisation.

It can be reached from Longyearbyen, after a three-hour navigation. The glacier is 5 km wide, 30 km long and almost 50 m high, so it is very impressive, especially when you approach it by kayak. The name of the glacier comes from an old name of Sweden. Of course, one does not venture there without a guide, except for extreme adventurers, in which case you may not have this guide in your hands! Don't get too close because of the frequent ice falls. You will be surprised by the noise that a glacier makes!

The Svalbard Museum is a museum of natural and cultural history. Of educational interest, its purpose is to present the Arctic, as well as to highlight its history, beauty and the environmental problems that it faces today. The museum therefore presents several themes, from the discovery of the territory to its mining, until the arrival of current tourism. In 2008, the Svalbard Museum received the prize of the Council of Europe Museum for the best European museum. You are strongly recommended!

It was designed by Jan Inge Hovig, and built mainly of concrete. Its architecture symbolizes the summer light and the winter night. It is one of Tromsø's proudest achievements and can be seen from the fjord when you arrive by boat. The large 23 m high glass mosaic is the work of Victor Sparre. The ishavskatedralen is not strictly speaking a cathedral, but a parish church. Tromsø Cathedral is the only wooden cathedral in the country.

The Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš Museum specializes in the exhibition and sale of Sami art and crafts. The center, established in 1986, is one of the most important channels for the dissemination of contemporary Sami art. The museum is a meeting place for visitors and contemporary artists. The museum has several permanent exhibitions as well as temporary exhibitions on various themes. A mandatory stop for all art lovers who wish to discover the work of Saami artists, local or not.

The centre offers exhibitions on whales and reports on the research carried out by Norwegian scientists on these fascinating mammals. This is where you can book the 2-hour guided birdwatching tours to the Bird Rock in the Andenes Archipelago (season from¹ June to 20 August). A local fishing boat travels daily to this island where puffins, black-legged kittiwakes and many other seabirds can be seen!

The site of Lofotr delivered the most important remains Vikings, discovered in recent years. Thus, the site is the largest farm village Viking ever unearthed. The new museum Viking is built around the excavation of the public house, long of 83 m. Tassée and collected on itself, it is both ingenious, practical, impressive and perfectly demonstrative of the political and economic structures. Exhibitions of objects found during the excavations, the Vikings boats of 23 and 30 m which take on board volunteers, the plays and meals, all are made to immerse yourself in the heroic times. Fantastic.

In a listed customs house, there are exhibitions on hunting and scientific research in the polar regions, as well as photos of Amundsen's expeditions. In the summer many activities for children are organized. Go to their website to plan your visit and book places. Permanent exhibition on what Svalbard was like in the 17th and 18th centuries. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions.

A comprehensive tourist office at the level of brochures, on-site information, possibility to purchase tickets for excursions, good information in English. Very practical. Possibility to download the tromso visit application.

This Museum of Perspective aims to be provocative and full of humanism, respect and open-mindedness through its collections and exhibitions. It offers temporary photo exhibitions on the history of the city of Tromsø, as well as exhibitions of contemporary art, with the aim of presenting history from different angles. Anyone who loves photography will be satisfied. A beautiful black and white exhibition takes you back to Tromsø and Norway in the 1960s. A good introduction to the city, its region and its people, quick and free.

One can follow step by step the destruction of Narvik, the Allied landings, life under German occupation until the end of the Second World War. The museum has recently moved, modernised and is now located in the centre of Narvik, at Kongens Gate, in the same hall as the Library and Tourist Office. The museum is very well detailed and provides a better understanding of the history of the town. There are regular temporary exhibitions...

Big sister of Haukland Beach, Uttakleiv is less known but no less beautiful. There are two ways to get there, by road, take the tunnel and follow the signs from Haukland Beach, or by the coastal path that starts from Haukland. The path makes the arrival on Uttakleiv more spectacular than ever. It is the most photographed beach in Norway. In summer, it is one of Norway's favourite destinations for watching the midnight sun, for campfires and camping, on the beach or on the dunes!