Lofoten and Nordland

Staggering peaks, glittering fjords, authentic fishing villages, and picture-perfect beaches. Not to mention northern lights and midnight sun! You have probably seen jaw-dropping images of Lofoten and Vesterålen (the kingdom of whales!) on Instagram. A hot tip is to visit these places outside of the summer season when the crowds are gone.

Next-level outdoor adventures also await in the skiing, biking and hiking paradise Narvik, and a lesser-known gem is Helgeland a little further south. Here, you can drive The Coastal Route between Trøndelag and Bodø, voted one of the world’s most scenic drives.

The lively coastal town of Bodø is the largest city in the county of Nordland and offers plenty of outdoor fun in the nearby Salten region as well as a booming cultural scene. In fact, Bodø will be the European Capital of Culture in 2024.