Northern Norway
3,500 km of Arctic coastline. The world's densest aurora zone. Midnight sun from May to July. This is where serious Norway travel begins.
Explore Northern Norway
Five regions across the Arctic. Each one distinct. Pick your basecamp.
Aurora Capital: Tromsø
Tromsø sits at 69°N inside the auroral oval. On a G2+ storm night, the sky turns green from horizon to horizon.
Explore Tromsø
Senja & Vesterålen
The same peaks-into-sea scenery as Lofoten without the cruise-ship traffic. Senja for the jagged coast. Vesterålen for sperm whales year-round off Andenes.
Explore Senja & Vesterålen
Lyngen Alps
The most serious alpine terrain in Nord-Norge. Ski-touring peaks rising 1,800 m straight from the fjord. Under two hours from Tromsø airport.
Explore Lyngen
Alta & Sápmi
UNESCO rock carvings 7,000 years old. Sami heartland around Kautokeino and Karasjok. World-class dog sledding. Gateway to Finnmarksvidda.
Explore Alta & Sápmi
North Cape
71°N on the island of Magerøya. Midnight sun from mid-May to late July. 300,000 visitors per year reach this cliff.
Explore North CapeWhen to go
Oct – Mar
Northern Lights
Polar night + clear skies = aurora hunting season
Jun – Aug
Midnight Sun
Hiking, kayaking, fishing in endless daylight
Mar – Apr
Dog sledding & snowmobile
Snow cover reliable, temps manageable
Sep
Photography
First auroras return + autumn foliage
Getting there
Fly to Tromsø (TOS), Bodø (BOO), or Alta (ALF)
SAS and Norwegian fly multiple times daily from Oslo. Tromsø: 2 hours. Bodø: 1h 30m. Widerøe connects smaller airports across Nordland and Troms.
Search flightsHurtigruten coastal express
The Bergen-Kirkenes route stops at 34 ports along the Northern Norwegian coast. Tromsø, Svolvær, Stamsund, Bodø, and Hammerfest are all on the line.
Browse sailingsDrive the E6 northbound
The E6 runs the length of Norway. Trondheim to Bodø: 10 hours. Bodø to Tromsø: 8 hours. Winter driving requires studded tyres by law north of Trondheim from November 1.
Compare car rentalsEvents and festivals
6 events across Northern Norway, from film festivals in polar darkness to Sami cultural gatherings and midnight sun marathons.
Polar Night Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon)
9 Jan
Tromsø’s winter road race runs on 9 January 2027, before the sun returns to the city in mid-January, so you race under street lights. Four distances: the full marathon (42.195 km), the half marathon, Mørketidsmila (10 km) and Mørketidstrimen (5 km). Expect snow and ice on the course and pack traction spikes for your running shoes.
Tromsø city centre
Tromsø International Film Festival (TIFF)
18 Jan – 24 Jan 2027
One of Scandinavia’s leading film festivals, screening 150+ films across venues in Tromsø. TIFF focuses on international cinema, Norwegian premieres, and Arctic-themed documentaries. The 2027 edition runs 18–24 January, as the first sun returns to Tromsø after the polar night. Screenings run from morning to midnight.
Verdensteatret, Fokus Kino, Hålogaland Teater
Sami Week in Tromsø (Samisk uke)
31 Jan – 7 Feb 2027
Sami Week runs in Tromsø from 31 January to 7 February 2027. It takes in Sami National Day on 6 February and ends with the Norwegian Championships in reindeer racing in the city centre, which draws thousands of spectators. You are a guest at a Sami celebration: ask before photographing people, and keep clear of the reindeer and their handlers on race day.
Tromsø city centre
Nordlysfestivalen (Northern Lights Festival)
11 Feb – 20 Feb 2027
A music festival in Tromsø combining classical, jazz, opera, and contemporary performances. Founded in 1988, it runs 11–20 February in 2027, in the dark-season months when Tromsø’s nights are long enough for aurora. Concerts take place in Ishavskatedralen (Arctic Cathedral) and venues across the city.
Ishavskatedralen, Kulturhuset, multiple venues
Finnmarksløpet (sled dog race)
5 Mar
Europe’s longest sled dog race starts from Alta. In 2027 the new FL-300 class starts in Alta city centre on Friday evening, 5 March, alongside the FL-Junior, FL-600 and FL-1200 classes. The start in Alta is the easiest place to see the teams. Check finnmarkslopet.no for each class’s start time and checkpoint schedule.
Alta city centre (start)
Sami Easter Festival (Påskefestivalen)
20 Mar – 29 Mar 2027
The largest annual gathering of Sami culture, held in Kautokeino during Easter week. Includes the Sami Grand Prix (joik competition), reindeer racing on the frozen Kautokeino river, Sami film festival, art exhibitions, and traditional duodji craft markets. This is a Sami-led, Sami-run event. Attend as a respectful guest.
Kautokeino centre, frozen river, cultural venues
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