After several years of growth, Northern Norway recorded a 3.2 percent decline in commercial overnight stays during summer 2026. However, international tourism remains well above pre-2025 levels, with overnight stays by foreign visitors up 28.8 percent compared with 2022.
Northern Norway has emerged as one of the world’s most sought-after locations to experience the northern lights. Once an exclusive natural wonder witnessed only by locals and explorers, the aurora borealis and its greens, purples and reds, now draw visitors from around the world seeking the wonders of the Arctic sky.
Northern Norway is gaining attention with new developments, including a remote hotel on Træna and the region's first Michelin-starred restaurant in Vesterålen. Improved air connections from Europe enhance accessibility, positioning Bodø as a convenient gateway to explore these attractions.
Helgeland offers an enriching travel experience through island hopping, showcasing its friendly residents and stunning nature. The Nordland Express provides a flexible 6-day itinerary, connecting Bodø with charming islands, each rich in culture, history, and authentic Norwegian hospitality.
Northern Norway has set a new tourism record, with 2.37 million overnight stays from June to August 2025, driven by international visitors, particularly from Germany and the US. Focus on sustainable growth ensures lasting benefits for local communities and nature.
Discover Airlines will launch a direct flight from Frankfurt to Alta, Norway, operating twice weekly from December 2025 to April 2026. This route facilitates access to Arctic experiences like northern lights, whale watching, and Sámi culture, enhancing winter travel options.
The press release highlights a journey through Finnmark, Norway's far northeast, offering a unique blend of history, landscapes, and local encounters. Visitors experience the warmth of the region's communities, diverse traditions, and authentic northern life across a five-day itinerary.
Bodø and the Nordland region have made history as the first area north of the Arctic Circle to be designated a European Capital of Culture in 2024. A new analysis reveals that the Bodø2024 initiative has generated over 4,500 international media features, with an estimated advertising value of NOK 599 million.
A cool breeze moves through Henningsvær this morning. The sun breaks gently through the clouds as I stand outside a large, mustard-yellow building in the centre of town. A dog darts past me, nose to the ground, before its owner, Mats Alfsen, appears, a wool hat pulled down over his ears and his cheeks pink from the cold. We exchange greetings and step into the warmth of Trevarefabrikken.
Imagine a world where the sun never sets, where golden light seeps through your curtains 24 hours a day, and where time itself seems to stand still. Sounds unbelievable? Welcome to Northern Norway, one of the best places on the globe to experience the midnight sun!
The Northern Norway Tourism Board takes great pride in seeing Lofoten globally recognised as one of The Best Places to Eat in 2025 by Condé Nast. This prestigious mention highlights the region’s world-class culinary scene where sustainable, locally sourced ingredients meet wild landscapes, together defining a one of a kind dining experience.
Norway’s outermost luxury boutique hotel, Ytri, will open in spring 2026 on Træna. One of the most remote island communities along the Helgeland coast. What began as a vision for a unique hotel has evolved into a landmark project that will be part of transforming Træna’s tourism, infrastructure, and development.
The regions of Northern Norway and Vestland are representing Norway at the international food and tourism fair Grüne Woche (IGW) in Berlin 17. -26. January 2025.
Kvitnes Gård, a renowned farm-to-table restaurant in Vesterålen, has been recognised with several prestigious awards in 2024, confirming its place as one of Nordic's top food destinations.
Bodø Airport will expand its international connections with the introduction of three new direct flights from Stockholm, Copenhagen and Munich in 2025. Operated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), these services will make Bodø’s beauty and cultural attractions even more accessible to travelers from Europe.
Starting in April 2025, Finnair will introduce a new route to Northern Norway, connecting Helsinki with the town of Kirkenes via Ivalo. This service will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. As Finnair’s northernmost destination, Kirkenes joins Tromsø and Bodø in the airline’s Northern Norway network, which already connects to both Rovaniemi and Helsinki.
From the midnight sun in the north to the dramatic fjords of the west, few places on earth offer such diverse landscapes as in Norway. Northern Norway Tourism Board and Fjord Norway combine dramatic scenery, coastal history, and northern adventure for an unforgettable experience.
Beginning November 2, travellers from the UK can enjoy direct access to Northern Norway’s Arctic landscapes with a new weekly flight from London Gatwick to Harstad-Narvik Airport in Evenes. This winter route will be joined on December 23 by another direct flight from Milan Bergamo, Italy, opening a gateway to the unique winter experiences of Lofoten, Vesterålen, and Narvik.
The Northern Norway Tourism Board is thrilled to announce a record-breaking summer for the region, with a remarkable 2.3 million overnight stays recorded between June and August 2024. Among these, 1.1 million were international visitors, representing a 9 percent increase in international traffic compared to the previous year, reflecting the region's growing popularity among foreign travellers.
Starting this winter, travellers from central Europe will have a new, convenient way to explore the Arctic. From December 2024 to April 2025, Discover Airlines (part of the Lufthansa Group) will offer a direct route from Frankfurt to Alta, operating twice a week.
