Nature, art, culture and excellent food at the Arctic Circle. All this is the lively Norwegian city of Bodø, European Capital of Culture 2024.
9 a.m.
As the sun begins to colour the sky with its warm light over the city, start your day in Bodø with a stroll along the picturesque harbour. Grab a cup of coffee at a local cafe and soak in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and fjords.
10 a.m.
Embrace the Scandinavian summer by going snorkelling in Saltstraumen. The tour follows the shoreline in search of schools of colourful fish hiding in the seaweed beds. All the gear is provided by your accompanying guide, who knows the area and its marine life.
Alternatively, delve into the earth at the century-old Sulitjelma Visitor Mine, where an original mining locomotive carries you deep into the mountain while guides present the region’s thrilling mining history.
1 p.m.
Head back to the city centre for a delightful lunch at one of Bodø’s charming local eateries. Ramsalt is a popular waterfront spot famed for its Italian classics and views towards the Lofoten Islands, or indulge in traditional Norwegian dishes, such as lutefisk or klippfisk at LystPå Restaurant, a modern Nordic bistro.
Post-lunch, explore the Jekt Trade Museum, the city’s newest national museum where you can learn about Norwegian coastal history and the importance of the fish trade for Norway. You get close to the main attraction: the big yacht Anna Karoline.
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4 p.m.
Discover the heart of Bodø by strolling through its city centre and immersing yourself in the captivating street art that adorns prominent buildings throughout the urban landscape. Encounter a myriad of graffiti masterpieces and be sure to explore the intriguing NorlandiART project, where diverse artists have showcased their creations on exterior surfaces across the city. Despite its compact size, Bodø’s city centre offers a wealth of artistic expression, allowing you to absorb a rich cultural experience in just one hour. Take your time to appreciate the vibrant creativity that brings these city walls to life.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a beer tasting at Bådin Bryggeri, which was founded in 2012 by an eclectic group of friends, including an engineer, a doctor, a librarian, a designer and an economist. Great drops to try are the Citrus Kaleidoscope, an India Pale Ale well hopped with Citra and mosaic for a fruity and tropical taste and aroma; and Walking on the Sun, a fresh sour ale made in collaboration with Bierlab Zürich.
7 p.m.
For dinner, sample local specialities at Bryggerikaia, one of Bodø’s leading waterfront restaurants. Enjoy a meal laced with coastal ingredients while watching the sun dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Arctic landscape. Favourites include the city’s best mussels, authentic North Norwegian fish soup, grilled stockfish and the freshest shrimp.
9 p.m.
If you’re visiting between September to April, then make the most of Bodø’s thrilling Northern Lights viewing. The Aurora Borealis always fascinates, but to see them at their maximum splendour, you’ll have to move away from the city lights. Take a 3–6-hour Northern Lights safari organised directly from the centre of Bodø.
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10 a.m.
For Bodo’s most thrilling activity, take a high-speed RIB boat safari to Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom, which is created with the rapid changing of the tides in this narrow waterway.
Every six hours almost 400 million cubic meters of water pass through a 3 km long and 150-meter wide strait between Saltfjorden and Skjerstadfjord at speeds of up to 20 knots or about 10 meters per second. The RIB boats have the power to resist the current, giving travellers an action-packed chance to see the whirlpool up close. Along the route, you’ll also spy abundant birdlife and stone age settlements on both banks.
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