After our trip to Bodö, we can really recommend this beautiful place! In addition, we have become keen to see more of Northern Norway ourselves. Here is our guide to Bodö, where we have collected tips on things to do, excursions and places to stay. If you want to get here, you can drive by car or motorhome - or fly directly from Stockholm in 1.5 hours.
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Things to do in Bodö
Bodö is located in northern Norway, just south of the more famous Lofoten. The advantage of this location, especially in the summer, can be that it's not as crowded as Lofoten. So, what can you do in Bodö? Yes, we have experienced a lot. Here are our tips!
1. strolling in the harbour
When we arrive in a coastal town, we are almost automatically drawn to the sea. Just below the big hotels in town is a charming harbour full of different kinds of boats. It's cosy just to stroll around!
2. Test flight simulator
If you haven't tried flying in a flight simulator before, you can try your hand at Newton Flight Academy. Flying in the simulator is just like flying for real (except for the small detail that you are always safely on the ground). Taking off was quite easy, but landing was more difficult. Luckily we got some guidance so we came down safely (albeit a bit bumpy and crooked...).
3. visit the aviation museum
Right next to the flight simulator is the Norwegian Aviation Museum. This is a large and fine museum, with a section for wartime aviation and a section for civilian aviation. Here we found films about early flights to Antarctica and old photos of zeppelins. There are also many well-preserved aircraft from different times in history.
4. ride a rib boat
Down in the harbour in Bodö you will find the company Explore Saltenwhich offers tours by rib boat into the Salt Stream. In addition to seeing the world's strongest tidal current, you can see sea eagles and special rock formations. Wet, fast-paced and a lot of fun!
5. go on a boat trip around islands
Outside Bodö there are many small islands, where you can go by Hurtigbåt. We went one day to Arnoy to stay at a fishing camp, but you can also take a trip just to look around. Many of the islands are supposed to be really charming, such as the island of Givær, with its 15 permanent inhabitants. The timetables (which are not easy to read) can be found at thn.no.
6. Check out street art
Bodö is unexpectedly full of street art! The travelling festival UpNorth has left its mark on the houses in the town centre, and if you want to check out the street art you can follow a digital map of the artworks.
7. visit the Heart Room café
If you want a nice break in a cosy café, feel free to head to Café Hjerterommet, located at the Nordland Cultural Centre. Here you can eat homemade cakes in a cosy environment with odd tables and chairs from grandma's time. We were hungry ourselves and ate cheese and ham pie!
Six excursions around Bodö
When travelling to Bodö, it is probably not only the town that attracts you, but perhaps above all the magnificent nature around it. Here are tips on six exciting excursions. We have written about them before, so click on the links if you want to read more!
Hiking
Around Bodö, there are good opportunities for hiking, whether you prefer a short hike to a beach or if you are looking for challenges in the form of peak climbing or cave exploration.
Salt currents
Just south of Bodö you will find the world's strongest tidal current. It is an experience to watch the strong currents, and there are also opportunities for fishing and guided tours.
Kjerringøy
Kjerringøy is located just north of Bodö and can be said to be a little gem. In addition to beautiful nature, you will find an interesting shopping centre and a nice hotel with good food.
Fishing at Arnøy Brygge
If you're curious about sea fishing, book yourself into the Arnoy Brygge fishing camp on Arnøy outside Bodö. Here you can fish for halibut, and see seals and sea eagles.
Hamarøy with the Hamsun Centre
Located between Bodö and Lofoten, Hamarøy is where Norwegian author Knut Hamsun grew up. Today you can visit both the Hamsun Centre and the author's childhood home.
Tranøy
Tranøy is located south of Lofoten, not far from the Hamsun Centre. Here you can stay in the charming Tranoy lighthouse and perhaps visit the art exhibition by the sea.
Living in Bodö
Where to stay in Bodö? In the town centre, right next to the harbour, there are several large hotels, including the Scandic Havet (which we stayed at) and the Grand Hotel. Another option is to stay a little outside of town. We stayed one night in Tuvsjyen, not far from Saltströmmen.
Scandic Havet
Scandic Havet is a tall white hotel that rises above everything else in Bodö. There are also great views of the harbour from the rooftop bar. The hotel may not feel very personal, but the rooms are excellent and there is a huge breakfast with everything you could want, including salmon, mackerel, pancakes and a wide range of gluten-free products.
Tuvjan
I Tuvjan we stayed really cosy in the apartment Frøya, in a house by the sea. It felt really luxurious to wake up in the morning with a view of the sea, and enjoy a cosy breakfast in the kitchen. We did not have time to see more of Tuvsjyen than this, but afterwards we were told that you can also experience Stone Age meals in Stone Age huts by the sea.
Travelling to Bodö?
By air. SAS has just started flying directly from Stockholm to Bodö three times a week. The route will initially operate during the summer, and the flight takes only 1.5 hours.
By car or motorhome. Another option for travelling to Bodö is of course to bring your car or camper van. The fastest route from Stockholm takes about 14 hours, according to Google.
Travelling around Bodö
If you do not have your own car/camper, you can of course rent a car. The roads around Bodö are very nice, and wind around in beautiful environments. Curvy roads combined with low speed limits mean that it is good if you are not in too much of a hurry ...
If you drive a motorhome or take a caravan with you, you can be prepared to find plenty of campsites. Free camping is also allowed in Norway, as long as you respect local rules. If you prefer to travel around by bus and boat, you can get the following Travel Pass Nordland, which is a card valid on all buses and Hurtig boats.
Would you like to travel to Bodö? Or maybe you've been to or around Bodö and have even more tips to share?
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Inga Magnusson says:
Rib boats are real speed monsters, not for the faint-hearted!
29 June 2018 - 7:38
Helena says:
Fast and furious 🙂
29 June 2018 - 8:23
Reiselinda says:
What a lot you have experienced! We hope to travel north this summer, let's see if we test some of the tips.
29 June 2018 - 7:47
Helena says:
Glad that you are planning to travel north next summer! 🙂
29 June 2018 - 8:24
Kenneth Risberg says:
Now I have also experienced the Salt Stream and also fished in it, even caught fish, saithe.
What I can miss now after your description of sights in Bodö, where do I take the road and can park/stand during the day with the motorhome?
Now I'm standing under the bridge at Saltströmmen and a long way into Bodö.
Maybe not so easy to drive around looking for space in the city?
You have had a wonderful trip and many great experiences. Yesterday I saw several rib boats going back and forth in the "stream"?
29 June 2018 - 8:11
Helena says:
How nice that you are there Kenneth! And glad you got the bite! 🙂 If you just want a parking lot for the day, it is probably perfectly possible to drive into town with the motorhome. Bodö is not that big 😉 Drive towards the centre, and then towards the harbour (towards the high crane). There are parking spaces everywhere, you just have to make sure to pay for yourself 😉.
29 June 2018 - 8:23
Kenneth Risberg says:
Sounds good.
29 June 2018 - 10:18
Across the board says:
It is certainly beautiful in our neighbouring country. It was a great experience trip you had the opportunity to make!
29 June 2018 - 8:45
Helena says:
Very beautiful! And yes, a lot of experiences in a short time 🙂 .
29 June 2018 - 21:13
Eva - People in the Street says:
What a wonderful trip! I still have Bodö and became more attracted now after your nice post. Have a wonderful Friday!
29 June 2018 - 8:48
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
We have also talked about northern Norway (and possibly North Cape) next year when I don't have to count holiday weeks. It is a long way to go, but now we have received some more tips on wonderful sights.
29 June 2018 - 11:58
Helena says:
Perfect to travel north when you have a little more time! Then it does not matter so much that it is a bit to drive ðŸ™'
29 June 2018 - 21:13
Veiken says:
Heaven and pancake, when I read your post I suddenly realised that I know someone who comes from Bodö--something to spin on I think! 🙂
29 June 2018 - 12:26
Helena says:
Do you, what fun! Perfect to take the opportunity to visit then! 🙂
29 June 2018 - 21:15
Mr Steve says:
Your captivating posts will surely attract many to northern Norway where there is plenty to experience.
29 June 2018 - 14:33
Helena says:
We ourselves were attracted to see more of Northern Norway 🙂 .
29 June 2018 - 21:16
Tamy says:
I find myself going in here with you again and again and sometimes just to enjoy the pictures. Northern Norway, what a paradise, almost like living/being in a postcard 🙂.
29 June 2018 - 16:05
Helena says:
Thank you, what a nice comment! Good description also of Norway as a postcard 🙂 .
29 June 2018 - 21:17
Ditte says:
Bodö is very nice and so is the nature around it. And Norway is definitely worth many visits. The only disadvantage in my opinion is that it is expensive. Both hotels, runs and cottages as well as restaurant prices and all the excursions you want to do on site pulls away the travel cash a lot. On the other hand, the experience is so nice.
So much you managed in a short time and good that some was planned before so fi could focus on seeing and experiencing. Lovely pictures and many good tips.
29 June 2018 - 16:30
Helena says:
Norway is not a cheap country, we can agree on that. But fantastically nice! 🙂
29 June 2018 - 21:19
Renate's travels says:
Nice post about Bodø! 😀 Too bad I wasn't home when you were here! Would have loved to meet you 🙂 But a small question, did you get the opportunity to taste møsbrømlefse? A strange but delicious local speciality that I recommend everyone travelling here to try. 🙂
29 June 2018 - 16:35
Helena says:
Glad you like our post Renate! It is the best grade! 🙂 Yes, too bad we could not meet ... we would have liked that! Hope we soon get the opportunity to meet elsewhere! No, we have not tasted møsbrømlefse, and never heard of it ... I immediately had to google! 😉 Peter says he tasted something similar in Norrland in Sweden, but with messmör instead of brown cheese. Looks exotic to me, hope for another opportunity to test! 🙂
29 June 2018 - 21:21
Lena - good for the soul says:
Damn, how clear the strong currents were in the film! Scary to go so close, isn't it?
And damn what a great film! The best commercial film ever! Well done!
Have a nice Friday evening!
Hug Lena
29 June 2018 - 17:35
BP says:
What a perfect film with the funniest ending ever! Peter and his drone really filmed the gems of Bodö. Incredibly well done!
And the facade paintings - so cool:-) And the seafood platter - drool, drool.
29 June 2018 - 21:18
Conny says:
Lovely pictures and descriptions of what you can do. I have a friend who lives there and who said we could visit but it has not happened. Soon it must happen.
30 June 2018 - 6:23
Liniz Travel says:
It looks absolutely magically beautiful 🙂 hugs
30 June 2018 - 7:35
Ms Laila Nilsson says:
The world's most beautiful place...Bodö in my heart, I was born and raised there...was in Bodö last week...can recommend a trip to Turisthytta which is located on rönviksfjället, feel free to go up there and look at the midnight sun...then you can go on from there up to Keiservarden where you have a view of the whole of Bodö and its surroundings...there is a stone staircase up there that is built by the Sherpas from Peru....)
05 July 2018 - 18:38