Luxury holidays to Northern Norway

Luxury holidays to Northern Norway: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

This northernmost region of the country, with the large part of it sitting within the Arctic Circle, is one that conjures up much of the magic for the visitor to Norway. This is the land of snow and ice, endless tundra, red-painted houses of fishing villages, the land of the midnight sun and the eerily mystical Northern Lights. Perched on the coast near Narvik are the idyllic Lofoten Islands, with craggy peaks, inlets and fjords, fishing villages and farms. Svolvaer is the gateway to the Lofoten Islands and from here you can visit the charming villages of Reine, Stramsund, Ballstad and Nusfjord. The main town of the region is Tromsø, situated about 186 miles inside the Arctic Circle and the place from where Amundsen started his polar expedition. The town is a popular place for viewing the Northern Lights. Other places you might visit depending on how you travel through this region are Mo I Rana, Bodø and Narvik. From Narvik you can take the train to Kiruna in Sweden and on to Stockholm (by sleeper train).


 

Frequently Asked Questions

Northern Norway is the part of the country lying largely north of the Arctic Circle, made up of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. It includes the Helgeland coast, Bodø and the Saltstraumen maelstrom, the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands, the island of Senja, the city of Tromsø, the Lyngen peninsula, Alta and Kirkenes near the Russian border. The region combines fishing villages and red wooden rorbuer cabins with mountains rising directly from the sea, open tundra and the homeland of the Sami people.
The Northern Lights season in Northern Norway runs from late September to late March, when the nights are dark enough for the aurora to be seen. Tromsø, the Lyngen peninsula, Senja and Alta all lie beneath the auroral oval, where activity is frequent. Clear skies matter as much as solar activity, so staying three or more nights, away from city lights, improves the chances. Sightings can never be guaranteed, which is why Expressions holidays combine evening aurora excursions with daytime activities such as husky sledding, fjord cruises and Sami experiences.
The Midnight Sun is visible across Northern Norway in early summer, when the sun stays above the horizon throughout the night. In Tromsø this lasts from around late May to late July, with a slightly shorter period further south in Bodø and the Lofoten Islands. The long light makes summer well suited to walking, sea kayaking, fishing trips and evening boat excursions, and to touring at an unhurried pace, as there is no pressure to reach a destination before dark.
Most clients fly from the UK to Oslo and connect on domestic flights to Bodø, Tromsø, Harstad/Narvik, Alta or Kirkenes; some seasonal direct flights also operate from the UK to Tromsø. The Nordland railway runs from Trondheim to Bodø in about ten hours, and from Narvik a train crosses into Sweden via Kiruna towards Stockholm. The Hurtigruten and Havila coastal ships sail the length of the coast, a fast ferry links Bodø with Svolvær, and a hire car suits Lofoten and Senja. Itineraries are planned to avoid costly one-way car hire charges.
The Lofoten Islands are reached by fast ferry from Bodø to Svolvær, by coastal ship, or by domestic flight, and are then explored by hire car along the road that links the islands by bridges and tunnels. Staying in two bases, such as Svolvær in the east and the fishing village of Nusfjord in the west, allows time for villages such as Henningsvær and Reine, the Lofotr Viking Museum, galleries and sea excursions to the Trollfjord. Many clients sleep in converted rorbuer, the traditional fishermen's cabins built over the water.
Expressions Holidays offers a range of hotels across Northern Norway, from city hotels to small coastal and wilderness properties. In Lofoten, these include Nusfjord Arctic Resort, Svinøya Rorbuer near Svolvær and Skårungen, while Kvitnes Gård is a working organic farm known for its tasting menus. Hamn i Senja and Senja Fjordhotell sit on the island of Senja, Malangen Resort and Lyngen Experience suit Northern Lights stays near Tromsø, and Top of Helgeland occupies a former trading post. Sorrisniva near Alta and Snowhotel Kirkenes offer the chance to spend a night in a room carved from snow and ice.
Northern Norway's cooking centres on fish and seafood from the cold Arctic waters. Signature dishes include stockfish, the dried cod for which Lofoten is known, and skrei, the migrating Atlantic cod caught in late winter. King crab, halibut, herring and mussels appear on most menus, alongside reindeer, lamb raised on Lofoten and the Lyngen peninsula, and cloudberries served with cream or in desserts. In Tromsø, the Mack brewery has been producing beer since 1877. Several of the region's hotels, including Kvitnes Gård and Top of Helgeland, base their menus on local produce.
Each Northern Norway holiday is planned around your dates, interests and the season you want to travel. Examples include a three-night Northern Lights stay in Tromsø with husky sledding from £2,340 per person, the nine-night Lofoten Islands touring holiday from £3,300 per person, and the fifteen-night Grand Arctic Norway Tour by train, boat and car from £4,310 per person. One specialist consultant looks after the arrangements from first enquiry to your return. Every holiday includes a concierge service and Expressions Helpful Hints with practical local information.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Fly to Oslo and then on to Bodø, Narvik, Tromsø and other regional airports and then use a mixture of transport
● Rail to Oslo via Copenhagen possible, then on via Trondheim to Bodø
● Mixture of transport includes flights, hire-car, trains, ferries

Our special interest holidays to Norway

● Cultural tours for individuals
● Walking holidays
● Private guided sightseeing
● City breaks
● Ski breaks - downhill and cross-country
● Family holidays
● Hiking
● Biking
● Activities on water such as kayaking, fishing
● Northern Lights hunting
● Sami culture experiences
● Stay in snow hotels

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of Northern Norway

Places of interest include the Lofoten Aquarium, the Lofotr Vikingmuseum, farm visits and visits to meet the locals. You can experience the Midnight Sun in summer and undertake many activities such as climbing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, sea safaris to visit Trollfjord and watch for sea eagles, fishing trips. There are scenic routes around the Lofoten Island affording ample photo opportunities and the chance to see striking artwork set amongst the natural landscape and near the viewing points. There are several art galleries on the Lofoten Islands displaying not only paintings and prints, but also glasswork and Lofoten woollen goods. From Bodø there are numerous hiking trails near the hotel, with the hotel recommending the Ramnfloget, Keiservarden, Ørnkloa, Bestefarvarden, and Finnkonnakken. There are also RIB excursions available nearby, and the area is home to the famous Saltstraumen maelstrom. Bodø is a short distance away, with restaurants, bars, shops, and museums, such as the Norwegian Aviation Museum. Mjelle Beach is further up the coast, known for its red sand, infused with garnet. Tromsø recommended highlights: Arctic Cathedral, Storsteinen mountain ledge, Polar Museum, Tromsø Museum, dolphin safaris, fjord cruises, Northern Light searches.

Cultural highlights of Northern Norway

Tromsø is home to a number of museums including the Polar Museum and the Tromsø museum. Svolvaer has its own local history museum and on Lofoten there is a Viking long house and museum. Near Bodø is the Kjerringoy trading post and the Bunkermuseum. Northern Norway is home to the Sami people and you can experience the Sami culture in a number of locations: reindeer herding, joik (Sami folk music), silver working, Sami clothing and ceramics.

Festivals of Northern Norway

Northern Lights festival in Tromsø held at the end of January, the Arctic Arts Festival in Harstad during the summer solstice in June and the Lofoten International Art Festival, which takes place alternate years and features contemporary art. Tromsø holds a jazz festival in the summer.

Gastronomy of Northern Norway

Stockfish is one of the signature dishes (dried cod served with carrots, bacon and scrambled eggs). All manner of fish and seafood: halibut, cod, herring, haddock, mussels, prawns and lobsters. Skrei is the wandering Atlantic cod, and one of the most protected and sustainable fish stocks in the world. Seaweed is harvested in the Lofoten islands and King crab is a delicacy in the region. Herring is served in a variety of ways: fresh, smoked, salted and pickled. Reindeer is a delicacy in northern Norway and is often roasted or cooked in stews. Lamb are reared locally on the Lofoten islands and on the Lyngen peninsula. Cloudberries are picked to make jam and desserts. The Mack brewery is based in Tromsø and produces popular local beers.

Northern Norway travel information

Access to Northern Norway is really either by air or by the coastal ferry. There are several regional airports with flights from Oslo and with connections between each other.

By air

You can fly to Oslo and then connect to airports in Northern Norway by internal flight. However, there are also some direct flights to Tromsø from UK airports which may be seasonal.

By rail

There is a train from Trondheim to Bodø which takes about 10 hours and the scenic Nordland train. From Narvik you can also take a sleeper train through Kiruna to Stockholm.

By hire-car

A hire-car is recommended for getting into the countryside and for touring. One-way drop-off charges can be expensive as it is costly to reposition the car locally, but we can arrange touring holidays that combine more than one hire-car perhaps or making sure the itinerary works so that you return the car to the original location.

Boats

The region can be visited on board the Hurtigruten and Havila coastal ferries, with daytime and overnight journeys. There is a fast ferry from Bodø to Svolvaer in the Lofoten Islands. There are local car ferries from Lofoten to Senja and from the mainland near Tromsø to Senja and other islands in the region.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Fly to Oslo and then on to Bodø, Narvik, Tromsø and other regional airports and then use a mixture of transport
● Rail to Oslo via Copenhagen possible, then on via Trondheim to Bodø
● Mixture of transport includes flights, hire-car, trains, ferries

Our special interest holidays to Norway

● Cultural tours for individuals
● Walking holidays
● Private guided sightseeing
● City breaks
● Ski breaks - downhill and cross-country
● Family holidays
● Hiking
● Biking
● Activities on water such as kayaking, fishing
● Northern Lights hunting
● Sami culture experiences
● Stay in snow hotels

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Northern Norway showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Fly to Oslo and then on to Bodø, Narvik, Tromsø and other regional airports and then use a mixture of transport
● Rail to Oslo via Copenhagen possible, then on via Trondheim to Bodø
● Mixture of transport includes flights, hire-car, trains, ferries

Our special interest holidays to Norway

● Cultural tours for individuals
● Walking holidays
● Private guided sightseeing
● City breaks
● Ski breaks - downhill and cross-country
● Family holidays
● Hiking
● Biking
● Activities on water such as kayaking, fishing
● Northern Lights hunting
● Sami culture experiences
● Stay in snow hotels

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Fishing village by water with mountains behind Henningsvaer Lofoten

ACROSS NORWAY’S ARCTIC CIRCLE BY TRAIN AND BOAT

FLY-RAIL. 9-night luxury touring holiday by train and boat visiting Trondheim and into Norway’s Arctic Circle to Bodø, the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø. From £3,280 per person.
Sunset with water and boat Bodo

GRAND ARCTIC NORWAY TOUR

FLY-RAIL-DRIVE. 15-night luxury touring holiday of Norway's Arctic by train, boat and car visiting the cities of Trondheim, Bodø, Kirkenes and Tromsø and exploring the regions of Senja and the Lofoten Islands. From £4,310 per person.
Train in country with red houses Flam to Myrdal

GRAND RAIL TOUR OF NORWAY

FLY-RAIL. 14-night grand tour of Norway including the Flam railway, the Dovre line and the Nordland railway. From £4,280 per person.
Pink sky at Bodo with snow on mountains

NORWAY’S FJORDS TO ARCTIC CIRCLE BY NORDLAND RAILWAY HOLIDAY

FLY-RAIL. 6-night luxury two-centre holiday combines the cultural, fjord city of Trondheim and Bodø, in the Arctic Circle, with a 10-hour scenic journey on the Nordland Railway. From £2,200 per person.
Red wooden houses on stilts over water at Nusfjord Lofoten

THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS TOURING HOLIDAY

FLY-DRIVE-BOAT. 9-night luxury touring holiday of the Lofoten Islands inside Norway’s Arctic Circle staying in the Lofoten fishing towns of Nusfjord and Svolvaer with two nights in Bodø en route. From £3,300 per person.
Lyngen Experience

CHRISTMAS IN NORWAY AT LYNGEN EXPERIENCE

Christmas in Norway’s Arctic at Lyngen experience. Full board and four different activities including Northern Lights chasing are included. Departure on 23 December 2026. From £6,200 per person.
Lyngen Experience

LYNGEN NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE IN NORWAY

Northern Lights experience with 4 nights at Lyngen Experience on the Lyngenfjord in Norway’s Arctic Circle and one night in Tromsø. Four different activities including Northern Lights chasing included. November to February. From £4,920 per person.
Tromso Norway in winter snow

NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE IN NORWAY

Northern Lights experience with 3 nights in Norway’s Arctic town of Tromsø including a northern lights dinner cruise and a full-day husky dog sledding experience. From £2,340 per person.
Norway in winter

CLARION HOTEL THE EDGE Tromsø

Clarion Hotel The Edge is situated by the water in the central Tromsø with 290 rooms, a breakfast buffet, bars, and a gym.
Fru Haugans Hotel Exterior on the riverside with mountains behind

FRU HAUGANS HOTEL Mosjoen

Northern Norway’s oldest hotel since 1794, with 129 riverside rooms in Mosjøen, fine dining at Restaurant Ellen, and access to the dramatic Helgeland coast.
Hamn i Senja

HAMN I SENJA Senja

Hamn i Senja is a resort with 19 rooms located on the island of Senja, in Northern Norway. Find marvellous views, traditional cuisine, and numerous outdoor activities.
Kvitnes Gard white farmhouse entrance with the sea and cliffs behind

KVITNES GåRD Nordland

A working organic farm and celebrated fine-dining destination in remote Northern Norway, with 15 rooms, a multi-course Arctic tasting menu, and views of the Lofoten Wall.
Lyngen Experience

LYNGEN EXPERIENCE Lyngen Peninsula

The Lyngen Experience is a hotel on the Lyngen peninsula, with 9 rooms, 6 apartments, and the Aurora Hut. It offers numerous activities and traditional cuisine.
Red huts and cabins in snow on side of water

MALANGEN RESORT Northern Norway

Luxurious yet authentic Arctic resort. Range of activities including dog-sledding and Northern Lights watching in a beautiful rural location one hour's drive south of Tromsø. Choice of hotel rooms, cabins or apartments, restaurant and bar.
Nusfjord Arctic Resort Lofoten

NUSFJORD ARCTIC RESORT Lofoten Islands, Norway

This is a charming boutique hotel with a range of accommodation in an authentic Lofoten islands fishing village. Stay in fishermen’s cabins. Lots of water-based activities.
Senja Fjordhotell view of hotel buildings white and red with snowy mountains behind

SENJA FJORDHOTELL Stonglandseidet, Northern Norway

This is a small, family-run hotel with 17 rooms in Northern Norway offering idyllic fjord and mountain views and excellent fishing and exploration opportunities. Rooms are minimalistic yet comfortable, with modern amenities and wooden furnishings.
Skarungen Waterfront Cabins

SKARUNGEN Ørsvågvær, Lofoten archipelago

Skårungen is a hotel situated in Ørsvågvær, in the Lofoten archipelago of Northern Norway. It has 16 rooms in the main building, and numerous cabins of differing styles nearby.
Snowhotel Kirkenes wooden cabins in the snow

SNOWHOTEL KIRKENES Kirkenes, Northern Norway

This is a year-round snow hotel in Norway's Arctic Circle with 14 rooms carved by ice sculptors as well as traditional wooden cabins. Spend a night in the ice room and then a few nights in a cabin. Wide range of outdoor Arctic activities available.
Sorrisniva

SORRISNIVA near Alta

Sorrisniva is a resort on the banks of the Alta River in Northern Norway, providing excellent cuisine and numerous activities. The Wilderness Lodge has 24 rooms, and there are three types of accommodation in the Igloo Hotel.
Svinoya Rorbuer red houses built over water

SVINøYA RORBUER Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway

This is unique accommodation, typifying the history and traditions of the Lofoten Islands. Stay in the fishermen’s rorbuer on the wharf near Svolvaer. Dine on local fish specialities and visit the Gunnar Berg art gallery.
Thon Hotel Harstad snow scene outside the modern hotel building

THON HOTEL HARSTAD Harstad, Northern Norway

A modern, design hotel, 4-star, with 142 rooms next to Harstad harbour in Northern Norway. Closely located to Harstad Concert Hall and city centre. Restaurant, bar, gym.
Thon Hotel Nordlys room with northern lights wall picture and twin beds with white cover

THON HOTEL NORDLYS Bodo, Northern Norway

A modern, 4-star hotel next to the marina in Bodø, offering excellent views of the waterfront and mountains. Bright furnishings. Restaurant and bar.
Thon Hotel Polar bedroom with polar scene on the walls

THON HOTEL POLAR Tromso, Northern Norway

A contemporary 4-star hotel with 131 rooms in downtown Tromsø within easy walking distance of the city’s major sights. Bright furnishings. Restaurant and gym.
Top of Helgeland

TOP OF HELGELAND Støtt, Norway

Top of Helgeland was once the Støtt Old Trading Post, dating to the 19th century, and is now a high-quality hotel providing authentic hospitality, gastronomic delights, and adventure. It has 10 rooms and suites.
Wood Hotel

WOOD HOTEL Bodø, Northern Norway

The Wood Hotel is an outdoor resort with 177 rooms, just 7 minutes away from the centre of Bodø. Cosy rooms with stunning views, plus traditional cuisine with a twist.