Things to see and do Nord-Norge

The majestic Finnkirka cliff comes into view as you enter the Kjøllefjord. It's often compared to a cathedral, because it certainly looks like one. This imposing work of nature has withstood the test of time, cold and waves. For many years, it served as a sacred site for the Sami people. The lucky ones can discover it at night, when it is illuminated. Others can try their hand at climbing. One thing's for sure: from up there, the view is breathtaking. Don't forget your equipment.

This 3,560 km² national park was established in 1973 and covers the north-western part of the island of Spitsbergen. It is home to Svalbard reindeer (a smaller species than in Norway), walrus and numerous colonies of pelagic birds. The park also includes the island of Magdalenfjord. Virgohamna, on Danes Island, was the starting point for engineer S. A. Andrée's (failed) 1897 expedition to reach the North Pole in a hydrogen balloon.

In November 2008, the North Pole Expedition Museum opened its doors. It highlights the heroic efforts made by the men, pioneers of aviation, to reach the North Pole. A museum rich in documentation (films, photos, voice recordings and aviation equipment). You will also find a small souvenir shop with many items related to the Far North. A café welcomes you with hot drinks, so try the chai latte!

A small museum explaining the history of the Russian town, its geological appeal and, more generally, the discovery of Svalbard. Please note that the visit is in Russian only! Although the museum is located on Norwegian territory, it belongs to Russia, which built it in 1963. In fact, the place was sold to the Soviet Union by the Dutch in 1932, which is why it is still run by Russia today. The museum was founded to trace the history of the Pomors, the original Russian settlers who lived here and explored the area.

Mount Wallenberg (or Wallenbergfjellet) is a 375 metre summit. He owes his name to Knut Agathon Wallenberg, a Swedish politician who contributed to the expeditions in Svalbard.

In Hamsund, you can see the small peat-roofed farmhouse where the future great writer spent his childhood. In the family photo album, you can follow Knut Hamsun's life from cradle to grave. All his works are on display, along with numerous personal objects. The barn also houses an exhibition of images taken from the films inspired by his books. A must-see is the Hamsun Museum, a superb modern-architecture building in the midst of nature and rich in content. There's also a small café.

In 1940, as a strategic air base, Bardufoss was the scene of a major battle between Norwegian and German forces. Operation Narvik was launched by the Norwegians in an attempt to regain control of the region. The Narvik 1940 Memorial Park was created to honor the Norwegian soldiers who took part in this conflict. It is located near the former Bardufoss airport airstrip, close to the Andselva River.

Departure from the Tourist Information Centre. This excursion by river boat (a beautiful piece of wood) to the Russian border near Boris Gleb focuses on discovering (in German and English) the history and culture of the region. Other excursions are also offered throughout the region, as far as Finland, along the Russian border, for example by snowmobile. Beautiful adventures that allow you to discover the fascinating landscapes of the Far North in all seasons while having fun.

This small local museum provides information on the culture of a fishing civilization, its evolution and the special construction techniques used to build the breakwaters of the Svartoksmoloen harbor jetty. Numerous attempts to secure the harbour had all ended in failure, until a French solution involving the use of concrete tetrapods finally proved reliable. To be combined with the other museums on the coast.

The museum is housed in the former stockfish warehouse of the whaling station Brotkorbbruket. Through several exhibits, the museum presents Gamvik and its surroundings from every angle. From prehistory to the history of the coastal fishing villages, through the Second World War. A visit that is good for the family and that allows you to learn a lot about the history of local fishing and in general. A rich and well documented museum.

This archipelago of about 100 islands and rocky islets is home to huge colonies of breeding birds, including one of the largest colonies of Atlantic Puffins in Northern Norway. These birds coexist with other species such as gannets, white-tailed eagles, razorbills, eiders, great cormorants, fulmars and parasitic jaegers. The breeding bird population on these islands is estimated at some 3 million individuals.

It is the northernmost point in Europe (71º 11' 08"), the true North Cape. But it is true that this point has a much less dramatic appearance! With its marked path of 18 km round trip starting from the E69 road, it is an excellent point of view to admire the cliffs of the North Cape, and avoid the crowd! However, Magerøya remains an island connected to the mainland by a road. The Nordkinn Cape near Mehamn is actually the northernmost point of the European continent.

At the entrance to the town, this modern museum has a permanent exhibition on the history of World War II and the mining company A/S Sydvaranger. The staging is impressive and very clear. There are many documents. The part dedicated to Lappish history is fascinating to understand this different history, ignoring borders. The network of museums in Norwegian Lapland provides a better understanding of the northern communities.

Hamningberg(Hámmanbirgi in Saami) is a small fishing hamlet exposed to the fury of the icy Arctic Ocean. It still had 250 inhabitants in 1900, was spared during the Second World War and was finally abandoned by its inhabitants in the 1960s. This village is located at the eastern end of Norway, at the very end of the Varanger Peninsula, on the edge of the Barents Sea. The fauna and flora are nevertheless quite rich and you can see birds, red foxes, and other species typical of these latitudes.

The city has several museums that trace the significant events in the history of the region. The different exhibitions are spread out over the buildings of the city. We find for example: the museum of the Russian Pomors, the memorial of Steilneset or the monument to the witches burned during the XVIIth century, the fortress of the city which dates from the beginning of the XVIIIth century, Tuomainengården a traditional kvène dwelling, and many others! For the more curious, there are many monuments to visit to learn about the rich and little-known history of the region.

Inaugurated in 1988, this museum of Northern Norwegian art is dedicated to exhibiting works related to the culture of the Far North. These include romantic landscapes by Dahl, Tidemand and Gude and, of course, seascapes by Peder Balke. It also exhibits international artists on a variety of themes, from the political to the purely artistic, from social to ideological. The museum has a café and a store dedicated to Saami art.

This museum traces the history of this place which, during the Second World War, was the main maritime base for German soldiers, where the warships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst were stationed. Exhibition dedicated to these ships, many of which are illustrated with photographs. A museum in a beautiful location, rich in exhibits. It is an almost obligatory stop for lovers of local history and for the curious who wish to know more about the significant events that took place in the region during the Second World War.

According to Unesco's description, the Struve Arc stretches from Hammerfest to the Black Sea, crossing 10 countries over a distance of 2,820 km. The project was originally carried out by Friedrich Georg Wilhelm, and represents the first accurate measurement of a long meridian segment, helping to define and measure the exact size and shape of the Earth, and playing a key role in the development of Earth sciences and accurate topographical maps.

For more information, see the UNESCO website.

Isbjørnklubben, or literally the polar bear club, is dedicated to the preservation of history and culture at Hammerfest, including Arctic fishing, hunting and polar expeditions. You will learn how the people of the region have adapted to the changes the town has faced over the course of its history. You can also become a member of this world-famous club and receive the polar bear badge as a souvenir!

Exhibition devoted to post-war reconstruction, a time when everything had to be rebuilt after the almost total destruction of cities. We learn about the evacuation and living conditions in the region during the Second World War. This museum gives an idea of what life was like for refugees and people who had to rebuild their homes after the dramatic and forced evacuation of the population during the Second World War. Authentic rooms are displayed.

It is a building that houses the only state-sponsored Sami theater. The research center of the Sami Nordic Institute is also located here. The building is to be admired for its original architecture, which was awarded the Northern Norway Prize in 1987. It is one of the first buildings to be designed to fit in with Saami culture and climate conditions. There is also a library, a café and a cinema.

The exhibits in this small eco-museum give an insight into the way of life of the Kautokeino people, past and present. The museum includes a small same farm, with a reindeer corral. Traditional architecture is on display. An exhibition tells us about the River Saami, who live from freshwater fishing and hunting. A pleasant place to linger and discover the local culture. In summer, take advantage of the sale of typical dishes to eat in or take away. You'll also find a souvenir store.

Small wooden church. Built in 1974 to replace the one built in 1807 which had become too small. It is one of the oldest in Norwegian Lapland, and also the only monument that was not destroyed by the Germans during the Second World War. It is worth a visit if you are in the area. The church is still in operation and you can, if you wish, hear a mass in Norwegian or Sami. There is also singing from time to time. The shape of this church is unusual!

This park dedicated to Sami culture opens with a 25-minute film on the history of the Sami people, followed by a tour of several buildings that recreate the Sami way of life during the summer (traditional tents or lavvu, food shelters, a reindeer pen). The premises aren't very big, and you quickly get the hang of it, unlike the store, which is huge. All the staff are dressed in traditional costume. An opportunity to discover a little more about Saami culture, the original people of these northern lands.

Founded in 1972, this museum is Norway's first Saami cultural institution. Dedicated to Saami culture, it is both an open-air museum and a gallery with several collections. It includes a "river house" and a model reindeer herders' camp. It exhibits some 5,000 traditional objects of all kinds: traditional costumes, handicrafts... It's the ideal place to discover or deepen your knowledge of this people.

Off the coast of Andøya stands this bird rock, one of the most famous in the country. A local fishing boat goes to this island every day, where a large number of species can be seen. Between 70,000 and 80,000 pairs of puffins, over 4,000 pairs of kittiwakes and hundreds of cormorants, guillemots, petrels and other seabirds nest here. Remember to take your binoculars and why not a sketchbook for yourself or to draw your own postcards. A very beautiful place.

Since 2003, Lofoten has had its own ice palace. But here, the play on reflections and lights has nothing to do with Versailles. It is about sculptures of boats, animals, everything that makes the regional culture, but especially the Icebar in ice! An icy and unique universe which is worth the detour, if only to appreciate the talent of the ice sculptors! Fairy-like. It is also a bar, and you will certainly not often have the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail in such a setting. An extraordinary place not to be missed!

Øvre Pasvik National Park, located in a Norwegian enclave between Finland and Russia, is home to a fragile and highly specific flora and fauna. From Hoyde Tower 96, a former military watchtower dating back to the Cold War, you'll be able to contemplate the different landscapes perfectly! Every year in the vicinity of the tower, we witness the presence of bears and some unusual bird species. The Park Visitor Centre is open in summer only. Many other experiences are available all year round!

This lighthouse, which has not been inhabited since 1970, is a popular place for painters and writers. A pedestrian bridge links the lighthouse rock to the mainland. The only inhabitants of the place are about twenty eiders that come here to nest. Beware, the weather can change very quickly! At any moment, the elements can rage around this lighthouse isolated in the sea, so watch the weather forecast. In the summer, you will find a charming little restaurant that serves breakfasts with fresh homemade bread. Lunch and dinner.

Located about 40 kilometers north of Bodø, this charming little mountainous peninsula is home to a fishermen's hamlet, a former trading post that has now been transformed into an open-air museum. It was the last port for seasonal fishermen before the Lofoten archipelago, at the time of Victor Hugo's Workers of the Sea. At the end of the last century, hundreds of small boats gathered here to wait for favorable winds to cross the dangerous waters of the Vestfjord. The most famous local figure was Erasmus Zahl, owner of the whole hamlet, and the first person to help Knut Hamsun (Nobel Prize for Literature in 1920) in his difficult beginnings.

The house in Sirilund is indeed the same as the one described in his novel Benoni and Rosa. Their television version as well as the film, taken from his work Pan, were shot on this island. Since then, many film shoots have taken place there (including the film Dina, starring Gérard Depardieu), the place benefiting from a magnificent light, which allows today a beautiful exhibition on the films shot on the island. With a bit of humor and a lot of willpower, the inhabitants of the island define themselves as living in the Hollywood of Norway. There is a café and souvenir store in the new stable (Nyfjøsen). A recommended visit to get a closer look at the atmosphere of deepest Norway and to take in the sights!

In the middle of the town, petroglyphs have been identified. The outlines and figures of Brennholtet, mainly reindeer, are estimated to be about 5,000 years old. Were they drawn in the hope of a good hunt? Or to leave a trace for future generations? As a ritual? Or simply for the pleasure of art? Archaeologists obviously can not know and only hypotheses are issued more or less likely. That of art is quite nice, isn't it?

The railroad was built in 1902 in spite of Mother Nature's wrath, with the sole aim of transporting ore, and sometimes a few passengers - today, tourists! In Kiruna, you can visit the mine and learn more about its origin, operation and importance. It's so productive that it's responsible for moving the entire town of Kiruna!

Itinerary: Narvik - Riskgränsen (Sweden) - Kiruna - Luleå. From the border onwards, the line is connected to the Swedish network and takes the name Malmbanan.

Objects of all kinds are made in this shop, but the interest resides in the glass shop. The artisan works in front of customers. Very nice collection of paintings from local artists and ceramics.

A very beautiful place which presents different works, objects, paintings and furniture. A luxury and artistic audacity which can surprise in a somewhat remote place... Temporary exhibitions of mainly Norwegian or Scandinavian artists. It is a non-profit association whose aim is to promote art and culture in all its forms. Many events are organized in addition to the exhibitions. Programmation on line or by email.

Created by the artist Oscar Bodøgaard and his son Harald Bodøgaard in 1985. Officially opened to the public in 1989, it welcomed no less than 1,200 people on its opening day! This gallery, located at 2,5 km from the city center, is one of the most important in the north of Norway. It houses millions of art and craft objects, some of which belonged to the Russian Tsars. It also hosts events such as concerts that usually accompany the opening of temporary exhibitions. A nice place that moves!

Located 8 km from the center of Bodø, this old farmhouse, managed by the Nordland Museum, has been completely restored. The wooden furniture and buildings are a perfect illustration of the buildings of the time. Some parts of the building are hundreds of years old. The farmhouse has been occupied on several occasions by members of the government, as well as skippers from ships calling at Bodø. A guided tour in English is available, by reservation only. We advise you to check the timetable before you go.

Former presbytery, this room is today in the cultural centre of Nordland. It welcomed louis-philippe of Orléans in 1795, future king of France, when it when the Revolution. Remain today to admire the frescoes of 1754 painted by Gottfried Ezekiel in rococo style, probably the oldest in the country.

Thanks to the work of volunteers, this fort, a symbol of the town's resistance to the English navy, has been completely restored. The site was chosen as a millennium site. Completed in 1810, this military edifice was intended to defend the Norwegian coast against the English navy, and to protect grain imported from Russia despite the blockade to which the Norwegians were subjected. The fort never saw battle.

The museum building, shaped like a helix, covers more than 10,000 m². Two large exhibition areas are devoted to the civilian and military collections. On the program: the history of aeronautics, the discovery of many aircraft (Junkers, Ju-52, Mosquito) and flight simulators to put yourself in the shoes of pilots. An interesting and complete visit to enter the Norwegian history through aviation.

Just a few minutes from Reine is the only museum of its kind in Norway. It opened in 1992 on a personal initiative. The museum exhibits a collection of over 1,500 dolls and toys dating from 1860 to 1965. It's a museum that brings back many memories for older visitors, and often astonishes even the youngest. The second floor features an antique and souvenir store. Coffee and Norwegian-style waffles for sale.

Welcome to one of Norway's best-preserved fishing villages! The Fiskevaersmuseum tells the story of daily life in a fishing village between 1840 and 1960, and the evolution of fishing in Lofoten over the last 250 years. A number of exhibits explain, among other things, how cod liver oil is made and how delicious Norwegian pastries are made. In the village store, stock up on local products!

At the end of the museum parking lot is a memorial to the many Yugoslav, Russian and Polish prisoners who died here between 1942 and 1945. Northern Norway was a strategic point for the Germans. The many ice-free harbours in the winter allowed them to hide their submarines and other warships. The Nazis built the railway to Bodø at great human cost.

In these harsh lands, especially in winter, there was little need for gas ovens to exterminate prisoners. In Saltdal, there were about fifteen camps with about 30 000 prisoners. The war memorial at the Arctic Circle is very moving, especially when you look at the railway tracks on the other side of the E6. Looking at this desolate landscape, one can only imagine the inhuman conditions under which the prisoners worked. The icy wind coming down from the black mountain opposite, passing by the two big rocks of the Lappish sacrifice at the bottom, is chilling, literally and figuratively.

An impressive number of these war memorials and "blood roads" mark the area. The Nazis practised scorched earth tactics at the end of the war, and almost all the houses in Northern Norway were wiped off the map. The monument is open air and free to visit at any time of the year. A recommended memorial stop.

The small museum exhibits naturalized Arctic animals, including a huge polar bear. On the second floor are some typical northern fishing boats. The hourly slide show of Norway's landscapes and seasons is the same as the free one at the Oslo tourist office. There's also a mailbox for postcards from the Arctic Circle. Souvenir store, cafeteria serving hot dishes and a few northern specialties. The children's menu is half-price, and includes an ice cream.

Qualified and friendly guides offer a variety of options for different levels of experience, from simple hiking to sport trips (climbing, caving, safari, bungee jumping). Some examples: day trip in a canoe, day climbing trip on the Hamarøyskaftet, 6-hour hike to Hovdsundet, a beautiful beach, day ice hike on the Svartisen, or a ride with sled dogs, either as a passenger or with your own sled! There is something for everyone! Have fun!

Several types of excursions are proposed: The visit of the city centre in summer, the visit to the Trollstigen Maelstrom every day, the discovery of the midnight sun on the Rønvik Hill, 3 km away, for the beautiful view of the mountains that form the Lofoten wall and the islands of Voerøy and Røst. It is essential to book at the tourist office or directly in Bodo Sightseeing.

The building has a modern architecture, is imposing, very spacious and pleasant. The view of the harbour from inside is beautiful. The Stormen houses both the magnificent library and three concert halls of very different styles. If the project was ambitious, it was successfully carried out by the English architects DRDH, known all over the world. Bodø thus places itself more and more on the national and international scene. A great success!

Bodø, a city located in Norway, offers a unique blend of culture and nature. As the future European Capital of Culture in 2024, Bodø is already booming with exciting cultural experiences. The town is surrounded by magnificent natural gems such as the world's strongest whirlpool, Saltstraumen, Europe's most accessible glacier, Svartisen, the northern lights, the midnight sun and renowned national parks. Here, you can enjoy spectacular nature without queuing.

Area: 2,105 km². The park and the four adjacent protected areas extend from the Norwegian coast and the Melfjord in the west to the mountain range along the Swedish border, covered by the Svartisen glacier. The Svartisen Glacier is the largest glacier in northern Scandinavia, covering 370 km². The birch forests are home to a surprisingly rich flora for the latitude, and such rare species as the Arctic rhododendron grow on the limestone areas.

Although Møysalen National Park is not directly located in Stokmarknes, it is nearby and worth a visit if you love nature and hiking. The park is dominated by the majestic Møysalen mountain and offers beautiful scenery, well-marked hiking trails for motivated walkers and a rich birdlife. You don't have to walk far to experience the majesty and solitude of the mountain and lakes!

Namdalsmuseet was founded in 1914 and is considered one of Norway's oldest museums. It is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the region's history, culture and nature. The museum houses a vast collection of objects and artifacts that trace the history of Namdalen. The collections include archaeological objects, traditional costumes, tools and handicrafts, photographs... This open-air museum is also a great place to take a walk and regularly organizes events.