Arctic Norway

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Winter is the coolest time, the visitors say

Winter is not always the coldest time in the north, but for sure the coolest. Enjoy the Northern Lights, colorful sky and epic scenery. Experience the arctic wildlife, coastal culture and sami culture. Have joyful moments and fun in the snow. Everything under our limitless sky.

Winter is coming, are you? Arctic living is a cool and fairly mild experience along our long coastline. Most destinations of Northern Norway are accessible throughout the winter – start planning your trip to the north today.

The coolest time to see the Northern Lights

The Northern lights are one of mother nature’s greatest light shows. An enigma that draws thousands to the northern polar regions each year, inspiring myth, legend and an incomparable sense of awe! The Northern Lights oval passes over the coast of Northern Norway. This means that Northern Norway has the most Northern Lights on the planet. Check the weather forecast first, and then the solar activity.

  • 01The man from the Sea, at Bø in Vesterålen. Sculpture Artist: Kjell Erik Killi Olsen. Photo: Øystein Lunde Ingvaldsen / nordnorge.com
  • 02Northern Lights over Tranøy lighthouse, Hamarøy. Photo: FlightSeeing.de / nordnorge.com
  • 03Northern Lights at the City of Narvik. Photo: Michael Ulriksen / visitnarvik.com
01: The man from the Sea, at Bø in Vesterålen. Sculpture Artist: Kjell Erik Killi Olsen. Photo: Øystein Lunde Ingvaldsen / nordnorge.com
02: Northern Lights over Tranøy lighthouse, Hamarøy. Photo: FlightSeeing.de / nordnorge.com
03: Northern Lights at the City of Narvik. Photo: Michael Ulriksen / visitnarvik.com

The NORTHERN LIGHTS always captivated my attention, the stunning BEAUTY OF NATURE!

Visitor from Southern Norway
Bodø og Salten

Experience the Fjords and Northern Lights on the same holiday?

Activities
Helgeland

Roam the Helgeland archipelago for a different Northern Lights holiday

Northern Lights
Lofoten

Jann finds Northern Lights in Lofoten behind the next mountain

Northern Lights

The coolest time to see the Colorful Sky

The Arctic Light, winter pastels or glowing sunsets will take your breath away. These wonderful phenomenons have become favorite objects for photographers who would like to capture the ever changing winter light. Even those of us who live here are constantly captivated by the dancing colors in the sky.

  • 01Colorful sky over a romantic couple in Lofoten. Photo: Espen Mortensen / nordnorge.com
  • 02Flakstad church under the mountain. Lofoten in the blue hour. Photo: Bård Løken / nordnorge.com
  • 03A campfire gives you peace of mind. In the blue hour at Kjerringøy. Photo: Martine Johansen Alvestad / nordnorge.com
01: Colorful sky over a romantic couple in Lofoten. Photo: Espen Mortensen / nordnorge.com
02: Flakstad church under the mountain. Lofoten in the blue hour. Photo: Bård Løken / nordnorge.com
03: A campfire gives you peace of mind. In the blue hour at Kjerringøy. Photo: Martine Johansen Alvestad / nordnorge.com

Almost on my way …

Visitor from the Netherlands
Lyngenfjord

Eight ways of enjoying the daylight in Lyngenfjord in winter

Activities

The Cathedral of the Northern Lights is inspired by the nightsky

Architecture

The coolest time to enjoy the Epic Sceneries

Being out in nature a lot, and cultivating the great outdoors, is also deeply rooted in the Norwegian identity. Hiking, biking, kayaking and even relaxing outdoors. It’s about observing the surroundings with both a “macro lens” and a wide-angle perspective. In the north you need both! Norwegian Scenic Routes are selected roads that run through landscapes with unique natural qualities, along coasts and fjords, mountains and waterfalls. Alternatives to the main roads, and the drive itself might be an enjoyable experience.

  • 01Reine, the most beautiful village in Norway, in wintertime. Photo: Bård Løken / nordnorge.com
  • 02Biotope, the Vardø architects, have built the bird shelters along the Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger. Photo: Trine Kanter Zerwekh / Statens vegvesen
  • 03Kleivodden viewpoint at Andøya, the fishing village of Bleik and the iconic Bleiksøya. Photo: Roger Ellingsen / Statens Vegvesen
01: Reine, the most beautiful village in Norway, in wintertime. Photo: Bård Løken / nordnorge.com
02: Biotope, the Vardø architects, have built the bird shelters along the Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger. Photo: Trine Kanter Zerwekh / Statens vegvesen
03: Kleivodden viewpoint at Andøya, the fishing village of Bleik and the iconic Bleiksøya. Photo: Roger Ellingsen / Statens Vegvesen

The most amazing beach! You should visit Bleik, and if the weather is nice, stay and have a picnic. And maybe even go for a swim if you are the tough type!

Visitor from USA
Helgeland

The Norwegian Scenic Route in Helgeland is a journey across the islands in the west and along ice capped mountains to the east

Norwegian Scenic Routes
Hammerfest

The Norwegian Scenic Route to Havøysund takes you from birch forests to the open ocean

Norwegian Scenic Routes
Vesterålen

See the midnight sun, whales and imposing landscapes during your journey along the Norwegian Scenic Route on Andøya

Norwegian Scenic Routes

The coolest time to experience the Arctic Wildlife

Northern Norway has many beautiful wildlife species. Sea eagles, polar bears, reindeer, whales, dolphins, and puffins are just some of them. Some of the biggest nesting cliffs in Europe are found by the bountiful sea here. Whale species including orcas, harbour porpoises, dolphins and humpback whale can often be seen along the coast. It is not difficult to spot reindeer anywhere in Northern Norway and Svalbard. Elk is often seen also, usually near settlements in Nordland and Troms. 

  • 01Whale outside Vesterålen. © Marten Bril / nordnorge.com
  • 02Reindeer and the mountain Trolltind at Kjerringøy, Bodø. Photo: Roger Johansen / nordnorge.com
  • 03Kissing the wolf at Polar Park, Bardu. Photo: Roger Johansen / nordnorge.com
01: Whale outside Vesterålen. © Marten Bril / nordnorge.com
02: Reindeer and the mountain Trolltind at Kjerringøy, Bodø. Photo: Roger Johansen / nordnorge.com
03: Kissing the wolf at Polar Park, Bardu. Photo: Roger Johansen / nordnorge.com

To see the orcas and the humpbacks in the Skjervøy fjord was one of the most intense, charming and beautiful experience I’ve had!

Visitor from Germany
Lyngenfjord

Winter’s most spectacular adventure is a Whale Safari off Skjervøy

Activities
Varanger

Varanger is birdwatching heaven

Birdwatching

The coolest time to experience the Coastal Culture

The world’s richest cod-fishing takes place every winter here. For nearly 1000 years, dried fish has been exported to Europe. This has shaped daily life, as well as the history of the people along our coastline. Learn more about this important heritage, stay in the traditional rorbu cabins, go fishing and take stroll though the historical environment between the arctic seawater and steep mountains.

  • 01Stockfish hanging over the free ski riders. Photo: Espen Mortensen / nordnorge.com
  • 02Happy fishermen at the Lofoten fishery with their traditional Nordlandsbåt. Foto: Ernst Furuhatt / nordnorge.com
  • 03Great discoveries along the shoreline behind the rorbu cabins. Photo: Vegeir Selboe / visitlofoten.com
01: Stockfish hanging over the free ski riders. Photo: Espen Mortensen / nordnorge.com
02: Happy fishermen at the Lofoten fishery with their traditional Nordlandsbåt. Foto: Ernst Furuhatt / nordnorge.com
03: Great discoveries along the shoreline behind the rorbu cabins. Photo: Vegeir Selboe / visitlofoten.com

Fantastic place to learn about cod fishing.

Visitor from Switzerland
Lofoten

The Lofoten Fishery is the richest in the world

Coastal Culture
Helgeland

Northern Norwegian coastal culture has a 1000 year old trading history

Culture and history

What is the origin of the iconic Rorbu cabin

Eat and stay

Galleri Espolin shows the harsh reality of life in Lofoten before the holiday destination

Lofoten

Henningsvær is the pulse of the Lofoten fishing

Natural highlights
Varanger

Kongsfjord is a historic fishing village in the far north

Coastal Culture

The coolest time to experience the Sami Culture

In the far north of Europe, ancient sounds, unique craftwork traditions, and a particular language live side by side with modern technology. The Sami culture is the oldest culture in large areas of Northern Norway and is currently experiencing a strong renaissance. Around 2,600 Sami people in Norway make their living from herding reindeer, and the majority of the region of Northern Norway is actually used for raising reindeer. Traditionally, most Sami people have been fishing, livestock farming, and hunting, along the coast, on the fjords and alongside the large rivers farther inland. Today, a large proportion of the Sami people live have moved into the towns. Even more, they still live in traditional Sami settlement areas, but living a more modern lifestyle.

  • 01Sami girl outside of the Sami Parliament, Karasjok. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen / nordnorge.com
  • 02Sami family at Davvi Siida. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen / nordnorge.com
  • 03Sami family at Siida. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen / nordnorge.com
01: Sami girl outside of the Sami Parliament, Karasjok. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen / nordnorge.com
02: Sami family at Davvi Siida. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen / nordnorge.com
03: Sami family at Siida. Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen / nordnorge.com

Still so grateful for the help two Sámi guys offered me when I got off the road, with my car on a lonesome road high up at the very end of Norway! Such kind people!! …

Visitor from Belgium
Finnmarksvidda

Follow Marit Helene’s year as a Sami reindeer herder

Culture and history
Finnmarksvidda

The Sami Parliament at Karasjok

Sami Culture

The coolest time to have Joyful Moments

During winter, large parts of Northern Norway is often transformed into a snow-covered haven. It’s no secret that skiing is deeply rooted in our traditions, and it’s still a big part of the Norwegian lifestyle. However, there are many other fun things to do that don’t require skis, whether you’re travelling in the mountains, in a city, or along the coast.

  • 01In the mountains of Storfjord, the innermost of the Lyngenfjord area © Petr Pavlíček / Visit Lyngenfjord
  • 02Joyful moments with friends and family in the sami lavoo. Photo: Marie Louise Somby / nordnorge.com
  • 03Stay the night. in a snow hotel © Kirkenes Snow Hotel
01: In the mountains of Storfjord, the innermost of the Lyngenfjord area © Petr Pavlíček / Visit Lyngenfjord
02: Joyful moments with friends and family in the sami lavoo. Photo: Marie Louise Somby / nordnorge.com
03: Stay the night. in a snow hotel © Kirkenes Snow Hotel

Did the dog sledding in Tromsø last year. Fell more times than I would like to admit … But I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

Visitor from Great Britain
Alta

Alta is dog sledding central

Dog sledding

The coolest time to have fun in the Snow

Small, glittering crystals fill the air, covering the trees, hills and mountains. Are you as excited as we are? Soon, the ground will be blanketed in white, powdery snow. Ready for you to play!

  • 01Have fun in Narvikfjellet. Foto: Kjetil Janson / visitnarvik.com
  • 02Alpine fun for the arctic kids in Narvikfjellet. Photo: Rune Dahl / visitnarvik.com
  • 03Snow fun in Narvikfjellet. Photo: Rune Dahl / visitnarvik.com
01: Have fun in Narvikfjellet. Foto: Kjetil Janson / visitnarvik.com
02: Alpine fun for the arctic kids in Narvikfjellet. Photo: Rune Dahl / visitnarvik.com
03: Snow fun in Narvikfjellet. Photo: Rune Dahl / visitnarvik.com

Beautiful place, been walking there from Alta over to Porsanger, in Winter on Ski.

Visitor from Netherland
Lofoten

Lofoten might be the greatest ski-touring experience ever

Activities
Harstad

Ski touring around Narvik and Harstad

Ski Touring

The coolest time to just being under our Limitless Sky

Our nature is a haven for mindfulness and the perfect place for a relaxing holiday or a real digital detox. Reconnect with yourself, the people around you, and mother nature herself. The beauty of nature has a unique way of making us feel at ease.

  • 01Is there anybody out there? Northern Lights over Lofoten. Photo: Christian Ringer / nordnorge.com
  • 02"Making angels in the snow" under the Northern Lights. Photo: Rune Dahl / visitnarvik.com
  • 03"The Rocket" is a fun place in the Main street of Tromsø. Foto: Bjørn-Owe Holmberg / nordnorge.com
01: Is there anybody out there? Northern Lights over Lofoten. Photo: Christian Ringer / nordnorge.com
02: "Making angels in the snow" under the Northern Lights. Photo: Rune Dahl / visitnarvik.com
03: "The Rocket" is a fun place in the Main street of Tromsø. Foto: Bjørn-Owe Holmberg / nordnorge.com

I visited Northern Norway years BACK. Beautiful! Would enjoy to spend a white winter there again!!

Visitor from the UK
Vesterålen

Vesterålen are the tasty islands

Eat and stay
Northern Norway

The food is half the journey

Food in Northern Norway

Where do you want to go?

Learn more about the destinations and icons of the North
Written by Roger Johansen
September 28, 2023
Last updated August 19, 2026
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