Bodø

  • Bodø, Gildeskål, Norway, Ørnes

    Visiting Gildeskål’s Historic Church Site

    Visiting Gildeskål’s Historic Church Site

    The Gildeskål Old Church Site was one of the hidden surprises for me when I was on the Coastal Road from Brønnøysund to Bodø. I love historic sites in Norway, and I was completely unaware of the religious and historic important in this tiny remote settlement just south of Bodø. The location is just so beautiful and the complex itself is very interesting, so I recommend adding this to your coastal road-trip!

    Here is some historic information about Gildeskål to help you plan your visit.

    BodØ Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    In this article...

    Historic Importance of the Gildeskål Church Site

    This complex (Gildeskål kirkested in Norwegian) is incredibly well-preserved and is generally regarded as one of the best preserved church sites in Northern Norway. The complex consists of a medieval stone church from the 1200s, the new church from 1881, the old rectory from the 1800s and two storehouses.

    The site history covers a period of over 1000 years. It is believed that the site was a gathering place in the pagan times. In fact, the ‘Gilde’ in Gildeskål means ‘feast’, so it’s likely that a pagan feast hall was located where the church or farm is today. Objects found here date back to the Viking Age, and the church was likely built by Vikings to crush the old pagan religion.

    Now let’s talk about each of the buildings.

    Gildeskål Old Church

    The highlight is (of course) the medieval stone church called ‘Gildeskål Old Church’, which is generally regarded as the best-preserved of the northern churches built in the Middle Ages.

    It’s believed the first church was built in wood in the 11th century, around the time Norway was becoming Christianised. It was common to build Christian churches on pagan worshipping sites in an attempt to convert the pagans.

    The church was later rebuilt as a stone church. This indicates how important the region of Gildeskål must’ve been, because stone was an incredibly expensive material to build with. Therefore, it was only used for the most important churches. Think of stave churches – they were built in wood and the only surviving ones are in very remote locations, where there was no need to rebuilt them in stone.

    It’s not known exactly when the stone church was built. After all, the church was first mentioned in written sources in 1589. However, the construction techniques on the oldest wall indicate that the church was built between 1130 and 1160. It is believed that the church is one of two stone churches King Øystein (1088-1123) had built when he travelled north in 1114.

    The church is like other stone churches built around the same time. It is built in a simple Romanesque style with arches and walls that are almost 1.5 metres thick.

    There are carved dragons heads on the ridge of the roofs that may have been a way of warding off pagan spirits, as seen on stave churches.

    The church did have a dome, but it was removed in 1890 when it was in danger of falling down.

    Cemetery

    The cemetery wall around the church is very interesting. Both it and the church are built in marble and mica slate that comes from the local area. The cemetery has been expanded many times, most recently in 1888. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people are buried in this cemetery.

    Church Interior

    Because the church was closed in the 1880s to make way for the new church, the interior has been incredibly well-preserved. For example, on three of the benches are the names of the farms in the village painted on them.

    At the far end of the aisle is a narrow bench called “the poor member” and was for church members who didn’t have their own farm.

    Hanging in the church is a ship from 1762. It has the name ‘Josva’ painted on it and is a model of a frigate that was a ship of the line in the Danish/Norwegian fleet.

    New Gildeskål Church

    In the mid-19th century, a law was passed in Norway that churches had to seat 30% of the congregation. Instead of expanded on the old stone church, a new wooden church was built next to it. The church was consecrated in 1881 and is built in a longhouse Gothic style. It sits on a hill overlooking the fjord.

    Inside the new church is the altarpiece from the old church; it dates back to 1713. On the ceiling, artist Harald Sund has painted a starry sky.

    Elias Blix

    The church is also known as the psalm composer Elias Blix’s old church. He was born here in Gildeskål in 1836. Elias Blix was a Norwegian theologian, hymn writer and politician. He wrote many hymns and was responsible for translating the New Testament into Nynorsk. He was a proponent of the Nynorsk language and wrote hymns in the language.

    Storehouses at the Rectory

    Rectory

    In the old rectory we find Gildeskål’s collection of relics from the old settlement. The main building is a 33m longhouse built in the 18th century. All the old buildings are listed. It is still used as a service residence for the parish priest.

    The two stone houses adjacent to the building are from the middle of the 18th century.

    Memorials on the cultural trail, plus the incredible view!

    Walk the Cultural Trail

    There is a short cultural trail that goes from the old church down to the waterfront. Along the way, you can see burial mounds, old stone cairns, and the old path that people would take from the piers up to the church. The flora in the area is known for being unique for this far north; there are a number of orchid species here.

    The view from the new church is lovely – you can see islands and even shipwrecks!

    Gildeskål Cultural Trail

    1. Gildeskål Old Church
    2. Gildeskål Main church
    3. Gildeskål Rectory
    4. Gildeskål Village meeting place
    5. Old Church Stone pathway towards Inndyr
    6. Burial Mounds
    7. Boat piers
    8. Jetty
    9. Stone Pier
    10. Eider House

    A very detailed website for the cultural trail has been made, which you can view here: https://gildeskal.vandringen.no/no

    The Village Inndyr

    The Gildeskål Church Site is located just north of the village Inndyr. Inndyr was historically an important shipping port. It is located on the old shipping channel and has a shipyard with a slipway for larger boats, a mechanical workshop, concrete mixing plant and several small businesses.

    It is known that Inndyr has been a lively community since the Middle Ages. The Inndyr Homestead is of great importance for the village as it was both a residence for the nobility as well as a productive farm.

    Another building of interest is Angellgården, which is in the centre of the village. The house is gorgeous; it dates from 1590 and was originally built as a dowager house. The building was moved to its present location in 1760 and it was extended.

    You can find more information about the unique architecture of Angellgården here: https://arkitekturguide.uit.no/items/show/1085

    You’ll pass it on the road to Gildeskål Church, but note that the building is now painted red (in the pictures it’s yellow).

    The Church Site Today

    Today the Gildeskål Church Site is managed by the Nordlands Museum, which opens the properties during the summer months for visitors.

    Visiting Gildeskål

    The site is located approximately 3km (2 miles) north of Inndyr. It is about 10km (6 miles) off the Fv17, which is the Coastal Tourist Road running from Brønnøysund to Bodø. Signs on the highway indicate when to turn left and make your way towards Gildeskål.

    The complex is open from mid-June to mid-August daily from around 11am to 4pm.

    You can visit the museum site here: https://nordlandsmuseet.no/no/museumsanlegg/gildeskaal

    If you want to spend some time in Gildeskål, here are some places that you can visit: https://kystriksveien.no/places/gildeskaal/highlights/?lang=en

    There is a parking lot on the property close to the old church.

    BodØ Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide
  • Bodø, Lofoten Islands, Practical Tips

    Getting to the Lofoten Islands with the Bodø to Moskenes Ferry

    Getting to the Lofoten Islands with the Bodø to Moskenes Ferry

    Back in 2021 Sean and I did a road-trip around Northern Norway, beginning and ending in Trondheim. When it came time to plan the section for the Lofoten Islands, I knew I wanted to take the ferry. I’d heard about the Bodø to Moskenes Ferry and decided to do that ferry.

    It was such a beautiful journey! Originally I was apprehensive to take ferries in Norway because I feel they slow down the road-trip and I struggled figuring out how they work. This road-trip was great for me because we were taking 2-3 ferries a day, so now I feel like I’m an expect on ferries.

    Earlier this year I got to fly into the Lofoten Islands for the first time, and while the flight from Bodø to Svolvær is short (20 minutes!) I still can’t get behind flying there. So, I’ve written this overview of how the ferry works to try and encourage you to do the same!

    In this article...

    BodØ Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    Flying is Expensive

    Well, I should begin by saying all options to the Lofoten Islands are expensive, including the ferry. However, flying is the most expensive option. While there are airports at Svolvær and Leknes, they are operated by the regional airline Widerøe and have few departures. The small planes plus few departures drives the price up. Also, if the wind is too strong the planes can’t fly at all.

    This makes Bodø an excellent alternative. Bodø is a major airport with Widerøe, SAS and Norwegian all flying there. Bodø has direct connections to Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø and other cities, so it’s easy to get to. At the airport you’ll find all the major rental companies for cars.

    Why Should I Go to Moskenes?

    If you are road-tripping in Lofoten, it’s likely that you’ll be doing the Lofoten Tourist Road. This is one of the 18 national tourist roads in Norway, and arguably the most scenic.

    The tourist road begins at the southern tip in Å and ends in the north in the Vesterålen region.

    Moskenes is located about a 10 minute drive north of Å, so if you take the ferry to Moskenes, you arrive practically at the beginning of the tourist road. This makes it easy to then take the tourist road north. You can choose to spend the night in Å, or if you drive 10 minutes north of Moskenes you’ll be in one of the most famous villages in Lofoten: Reine.

    Our road-trip guides:

    Compared to flying, you’ll have to drive about two hours south from Svolvær to get to Reine or Å, and then drive back on the same road. It gets a little repetitive, and your time is best spent doing the trip one way.

    Are there other ferries?

    There is one other car ferry that will take you to the Lofoten Islands, and that is the Hurtigruten. The Hurtigruten departs Bodø at 3:10pm and arrives in Stamsund around 7pm. Stamsund is located midway between Moskenes and Svolvaer.

    Hurtigruten can be an expensive alternative, and if you are travelling in the high season (or middle of winter) it’s likely that their limited car spaces will be full.

    What if I'm travelling without a vehicle?

    If you don’t have a vehicle, it is possible to take an express ferry from Bodø to Svolvær. Svolvær is the largest town in the Lofoten Islands so it has the best public transport connections. From here, you’ll be able to take a bus to most other major villages in the islands.

    Moskenes

    Views along the way

    The ferry isn’t especially fast, but the journey is very scenic. We were fortunate to take the ferry on a clear and calm day, so for the first half of the journey were could see the Norwegian mainland. As you leave Bodø, you get an excellent view of the Bodø skyline and the mountains behind it.

    You can start seeing the Lofoten Islands about halfway into the journey. It was so clear for us that we could see where the Lofoten Islands and the mainland meet!

    The approach into Lofoten is spectacular, of course.

    The Onboard Experience

    The ferry is a little dated and basic (the company has recently announced they have signed the contract for new ferries to be built), but it has everything you need for the journey.

    There is a large seating area with chairs and tables as well as a cafeteria serving coffee, sandwiches, hot dogs, and snacks. If you have been on a Norwegian ferry before, it’s very much the same time of food.

    A highlight of the ferry is that you have a lot of open space to walk around. On the smaller express ferries, you often can’t go outside at all. We spent a lot of our time outside taking pictures.

    Moskenes

    Ferry Timetable

    The ferry timetable can be found on their website: http://ruteinfo.thn.no/en/default.aspx?rnr=86

    Booking Tickets

    I strongly recommend booking your ferry ticket in advance. In 2019, the ferry made headlines for selling out and for people being unable to get on board. In summer it is likely the ferry will sell out. It is possible to also buy tickets at the ferry, but you can’t be guaranteed that the ferry hasn’t sold out. Additionally, those who have prepaid board the ferry first, which means you’ll be able to leave first.

    You can book tickets on the Torghatten-Nord website: https://www.torghatten-nord.no/

    On the top left side, you’ll see an option to change the language to English.

    There is an option to search for ticket prices. Put that in and add a car + passenger. You’ll have to select the size of your vehicle plus how many passengers you have. After that, you’ll be able to choose a time.

    The website will ask for a registration plate for the car, but if you are renting a car just write ‘rental car’.

    As you’ll see, the tickets are quite expensive! 950 NOK – 1250 NOK. However, it can cost over 2000 NOK to fly into Svolvær, and when I tried looking for prices on Hurtigruten nothing was available. So, it seems like it is the cheapest option of them all.

    You might be saying “well, I can just drive to the bottom and then drive back up”, but remember fuel in Norway is quite expensive and you would pay about 900 NOK just to drive from the top of Lofoten to the bottom anyway.

    How long does the ferry take?

    The ferry journey takes around three and a half hours. You’ll notice there are different durations corresponding to different departures on the website. Thisis because sometimes the ferry makes some stops along the way, especially to the small islands of Røst and Værøy. Ideally, you’d like to leave early in the day so you have extra time to explore Lofoten.

    Røst & Værøy

    These are two small little isolated islands off the coast of Lofoten. While it is possible to fly to them, it would be such an amazing experience to take the ferry there as well. You can add them to your Lofoten road-trip. I have never been, but am hoping to get there some day.

    Recently the government passed a new law making some vital ferry services free, and this includes the ferry to Røst & Værøy. So now you can travel there for free!

    Tell Me What You Think!

    If you have taken the ferry, or have any questions, please use the comment section below.

    BodØ Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide
  • Bodø, Norway's Coastal Road, Road-trips, World War II

    Drive it Yourself: The Coastal Road Day 5 – Forøy to Bodø

    Drive it Yourself: The Coastal Road Day 5 – Forøy to Bodø

    The Coastal Road that runs from Brønnøysund to Bodø is one of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads. At 433km (269 mi), it is also the longest of all the tourist roads. You can’t do it in one day: some websites will recommend up to a week. In June 2021 Sean (the husband) and I did the coastal road in three days. It definitely felt quick and we couldn’t make all the detours we wanted, but we did it!

    I’ve put together a guide breaking down the coastal road. My guide includes the history & everyday life of the region, plus options for your own customisations. 

    Kystriksveien vs. Helgelandskysten

    The road has two names, and this can be pretty confusing. Kystriksveien begins in Steinkjer just outside Trondheim and provides more options for detours to the islands. 

    On the other hand, Helgelandskysten begins in Holm just south of Brønnøysund, where my guide begins. It features more-so on the one highway, known as the Fv17. 

    When driving the road, the brown tourist signs will follow the path of the Helgelandskysten national tourist road, which is on the Fv17. However, you can get a free guide online for the Kystriksveien. 

    Both roads end in Bodø. 

    Highlights of today’s section

    • This stretch of road is probably the most scenic part of the whole drive. We’ll pass steep snowy mountains, a glacier, and beautiful fjords
    • There is plenty to see on this road – Svartisen glacier, Gildeskål historic site, and Salstraumen maelstrom.

    In this article...

    Download this Guide

    All of our guides can be downloaded via our online store. 

    We offer downloadable versions of our self-guided drives on our online store. 

    Coming soon.

    View on Store

    Online Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the neighbourhood
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Information about facilities along the way

    Downloadable Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the region & towns
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Facilities including supermarkets, toilets, petrol, hotels, cafes, restaurants with addresses.

    Watch on Youtube

    All of our roadtrips are available on YouTube to watch. They include information about the area provided in text and voiceover form, plus they show the drive in full (sped up in some spots!) so you can get an idea what the drive is like. 

    Visit Our YouTube Channel

    The drive: Forøy to Bodø

    Forøy

    Village

    Forøy is a small village with several camping grounds and cabins for rent. It’s on the Fv17, making it a convenient place to begin today’s drive!

    You may or may not be staying in this area – we found it to be the easiest place to split the drive! You’re close to Svartisen glacier and some lovely hiking trails. Otherwise, Ørnes is another popular spot to spend the night. 

    Braset Picnic Area

    Scenic Overlook

    We are at the Braset picnic area, which is one of the best places to get a photo of Svartisen glacier. Svartisen is Norway’s second largest glacier, covering around 370km2. It used to be one continuous glacier, but from the 18th century it has been split in two: we are seeing the western glacier. The part of Svartisen you can see from here is Engabreen, one of the tongues of Svartisen glacier. Engabreen ends at the lowest point of any glacier on the European mainland, at 20m (66ft) above sea level.

    In 1992, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate established a glacier laboratory, the ‘Svartisen subglacial laboratory’ the only one of its kind in the world. It is in a tunnel under Engabreen, and the researchers can see the underside of glacier. They take samples of the old ice and can get an understanding of how glaciers move. To access the underside of the glacier, researchers use hot water to melt a cave to get into the ice. The ice contracts quickly – in about 24 hours it’ll be cover.

    Svartisen is being affected by climate change. From 1930 to 1960 Engabreen retreated by about two kilometres in length and lost about 200m of thickness. It increased again between the 1970s and 1990s. As of 2010, the glacier arm has retreated over 100m. In total, over the last 100 years Svartisen has largely diminished. This has led to the emergence of land and water that has been under ice for thousands of years. Life forms have been established here.

    Near here is a ferry that will take you right up to the glacier in the summer months. You’ll see signs shortly after leaving this parking spot. On the other side, it is possible to go regular hiking or glacial hiking with a guide. Bikes can also be rented from the ferry pier.

    For information on ferry times, click here: https://www.engenbreenskyss.no/ruteinformasjon/

    Svartisen Tunnel (7.4km)

    Tunnel

    The tunnel is from 1986; before then, there was a ferry to take you to Ørnes. At the time when it opened, it was Norway’s longest tunnel. Today, it is the fourth-longest tunnel in Nordland county. It was also the first in Norway to be made with the use of a tunnel boring machine – the tunnel doesn’t have a centre line as it is rather narrow.

    Glomfjord

    Town

    Glomfjord is an industrial village located at the end of the Glomfjorden. The village is based around the Glomfjord hydroelectric power plant. Norsk Hydro began construction for fertilizer production here in 1912, with power production beginning in 1920. The facilities were bought by the state in 1918 but leased to Hydro in 1947. Today there is a large industrial park here with many industries.

    During World War II, the area was of importance to the occupying German forces due to the production of heavy water. The sabotage operation Operation Muskedunder took place here. Twelve commandos from England, Canada and Norway came ashore and carried out a sabotage operation against Glomfjord Kraftverk’s turbine hall. After the operation, the Germans gave up the development of an aluminium plant here. Eight of the saboteurs were arrested during the operation; the other four made it over the mountains to Sweden.

    The Glomfjorden is 21km (13 mi) long and varies from 1km to 3km (0.6 – 1.8 mi) wide.

    Neverdal

    Village

    Neverdal is a small village just outside Ørnes. The village has a supermarket, café, kindergarten, and a boating association. Some of the ladies in the village have started a shop for their handicrafts, called Krambua.The Neverdal School closed in 2019 and the pupils then had to travel to school in Ørnes. There is a private school in Neverdal. There are a lot of sport activities in Neverdal. Every May, the village hosts the Neverdal tournament, where around 50 teams register and play over one weekend.

    During World War II, there was a prison camp here with around 120 prisoners, mostly Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war. There are bunker facilities in Neverdal as well as cannon positions. The students at the old Neverdal School wrote a book about Neverdal during World War II. 

    Ørnes Travel Guide

    Ørnes was originally a homestead and farm. In 1794, the then owner Elling Pedersen, received a permit to run an inn on the site. The homestead grew into a trading place and eventually a market town. Some of the buildings from the 1800s remain, including several dwellings, fisherman’s cabins, boathouses, and barns. You can find them in the town centre: the old homestead is a museum called Ørnes handelsted. You can learn more about the museum on their website: https://nordlandsmuseet.no/ornes-handelssted

    Today Ørnes is one of the stops for Hurtigruten, and it is often named the most beautiful approach to port on the entire Hurtigruten journey. If travelling north, Ørnes is the port where they begin the Arctic circle ceremony. 

    Ørnes Travel Guide

    Reipa

    Village

    Reipå is the largest fishing harbour in Meløy municipality. Agriculture also takes place in the village. The local church, Fore Church, is from 1909 and is built in a neo-gothic, long church style. The church is a concert venue during the ‘Summer Day’ festival in Meløy.

    The village has a huge focus on being environmentally friendly, and the local school was received a Green Badge for its efforts to better the environment.

    Gildeskål Municipality

    Gildeskål Municipality is part of the Bodø region and the traditional district of Salten. The name comes from an old farm called Gildeskål, which is a famous historic site. We’ll go there on this drive.

    The municipality is primarily an agricultural and fishing municipality, and aquaculture is the largest industry.

    Ureddplassen

    Photo stop

    This is a scenic photostop and rest place with a view over the fjord towards the open sea. On a very clear day, you can see the Lofoten Wall on the horizon. Ureddplassen is also a memorial place, and there’s a monument here for those who left their lives when the submarine ‘Uredd’ hit a mine during World War II.

    You’ll find some public restrooms and a picnic bench here.

    Storvik

    Photo stop

    We are passing the rest stop Storvika. At Storvika you’ll see a stone vault bridge that connects the rest area with a sandy beach. It’s a nice spot to stop for photos.

    https://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/routes/helgelandskysten?attraction=Storvika

    Gildeskål

    Town/Detour

    The churchyard consists of a medieval church of stone from the 12th century, the Gildeskål main church from 1881, the old rectory from the 18th century and two old storehouses.

    There have been people here for at least 1,000 years. The church was historically in the centre of the village. Based on the farm name and finds of objects and burial mounds from the Viking Age, it has been assumed that the church may have been a gathering place in pre-Christian times. The name Gildeskål can also refer to a meeting house or a guild hall. It is not known how old the church really is.

    The property today is maintained by the Nordland Museum. There are exhibitions about the place’s history, religious life, church customs and folk life. The white and red wooden buildings are the Gildeskål vicarage. These buildings are from around 1750.

    The Gildeskål Main Church is built in a neo-Gothic style from 1881. The old Gildeskål church is a medieval building in stone. It’s believed to be from the 12th century, though it is first mentioned in written sources from 1589.

    The cultural landscape around the churchyard is untouched by recent development. Burial mounds, old stone mounds and the old church path are examples of what has been preserved in the area. From the church hill there is an excellent view of the islands, shipping lanes, and flora in the area.  

    Visiting Gildeskål

    Bodø Municipality

    Bodø Municipality is the county capital for Nordland. Most of the population for the municipality lives around Bodø city as well as Saltstraumen, two places we’ll visit on this drive. The coat-of-arms reflects the midnight sun and is based on an old coat-of-arms from 1889.

    Saltstraumen

    Tidal Current

    Salstraumen is one of the strongest tidal currents in the world.

    I cover Saltstraumen in a separate article. 

    Godøystraumen

    Tidal Current

    Godøystraumen is a lesser known maelstrom near Saltstraumen. There is a carpark to the left of the road if you want to stop and take photos. A lot of people come here to go fishing. 

    Bodø

    We have arrived at our final destination, Bodø. You can find a comprehensive overview of Bodø on my dedicated travel guide page. 

    Bodø Travel Guide

    Continue the drive

    Lofoten Islands: Å to Svolvær

    After finishing the coastal road, why not take the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes and do the Lofoten Tourist Road?

    Lofoten Tourist Road

    Previous Route

    Norway's Coastal Road Part 4: Sandnessjøen to Forøy

    The previous day, we drove from Sandnessjøen to Forøy on Norway’s Coastal Road. 

    Sandnessjøen to Forøy

    This drive is part of the multi-day series “From Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands & Back Again”, where we travel from Trondheim to Lofoten via the Coastal Road, and then take the E6 back south to Trondheim. You can view the entire drive below. 

    From Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands

    If you liked this drive, or if you have any travel tips, please leave a comment in the section below!

  • Bodø, Hurtigruten, Walking Guides

    From World War II to Street Art: Bodø Self-Guided Walking Tour

    From World War II to Street Art: Bodø Self-Guided Walking Tour

    Located just above the Arctic circle, Bodø is a city of transformation. Built up in the late 19th century, this important fishing harbour was completely ravaged from bombing in the early days of the German occupation during World War II. Following the war, the city was rebuilt into a functionalist style. While not the most attractive architectural style by modern standards, Bodø is a fascinating city to walk around. The last ten years have brought huge growth and new modern structures to this mini metropolis, and Bodø has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2024. Explore the fascinating city of Bodø!

    In this article...

    Bodø Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide

    Downloadable Version of This Guide

    We offer downloadable versions of our self-guided walks on our online store. 

    View at the Store

    Online Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the neighbourhood
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Information about facilities along the way

    Downloadable Guide

    • Information about points of interest
    • Images of each point of interest
    • Historic overview of the region & towns
    • Directions between points
    • Historic photos
    • Facilities including supermarkets, toilets, petrol, hotels, cafes, restaurants with addresses.
    • Link to a map you can load into your phone

    Bodø Self-Guided Walk

    Hurtigruten Terminal

    This tour begins at the Hurtigruten terminal, which is where many people arrive in the afternoon to explore Bodø for a few hours with the Hurtigruten.

    The Hurtigruten is a coastal ferry that goes from Bergen to Kirkenes and back again, stopping in 32 ports along the way.

    The next terminal you’ll pass is where the car ferries go to Røst to Værøy as well as Moskenes in Lofoten. The ferry to Moskenes takes around 2.5 hours.

    Bodø Station

    Bodø Station is the terminus of the Nordland Line that was completed in 1961. The station is served by day and night trains to Trondheim (728km away), plus commuter trains to Rognan and Fauske. The trip to Trondheim takes 9 hours and 50 minutes and it is not electrified.

    The decision to build the railway to Bodø was made in 1923, but it was not completed until the 1960s due to lack of funds and World War II. The railway is also used by freight traffic.

    Kirkens Bymisjon

    On your left is Kirkens Bymisjon (Church City Mission), an organisation that conducts social work in Norway on a Christian humanistic basis. They focus on substance abuse, mental health, child welfare, elderly care, prostitution measures and church activities. The building on the left is where you can get assistance from the church, plus they also sell items second hand to raise funds for their services. It’s a great place if you love vintage shopping, or just want some unique souvenirs from Norway.

    Orestad Park

    The park is named after Ivar Orestad, a violinist who lived here.

    In 2021, it was renamed to Sissel Bjugns Park. Sissel Bjugn (1947 – 2011) was a Norwegian poet and children’s writer who lived in Bodø for a large part of her adult life (she was originally born in Bardu)

    After School

    Bodø is famous for its street art. In 2015, the first UpNorth festival was held here, where international and national artists were given the freedom to paint on some of Bodø’s walls.

    This artwork is titled After School and is by the Russian artist Rustam QBic. His paintings are known for being saturated with bright colours and a playful sense of the absurd.

    We’ll see a couple works on this tour, but if you are interested in seeing more Bodø tourist board has made a map of all the big artworks. You can view it here

    Bodø Town Hall

    Bodø Town Hall is the main municipal building in Bodø with the municipality’s political and administrative headquarters. The building was built after the war, and it was designed by Gudolf Blakstad and Herman Munthe-Kaas, who gave it a functionalist style.

    A new extension has been built at the town hall. It is designed by the Danish studio ALL (Atelier Lorentzen Langkilde). The façade geometry is designed to capture the changing light conditions in the Arctic. The building links together the older buildings from the 1960s, which will still be in use.

    About the extension: https://www.archdaily.com/931586/bodo-town-hall-atelier-lorentzen-langkilde

    Rådhusparken

    A brand-new park has been constructed across from the town hall. There’s Rådhusparken, the one we see, and directly behind it is Solparken. These are lovely open spaces with fun games for kids and nice places to sit as well.

    In the park you’ll find a monolith with a sign next to it. The monolith is from the Iron Age and was originally located close to the airport. There were at least five monoliths and several burials on the site, but it was moved here in 1952 to be closer to the museum.

    Bodø Cathedral

    The original church was built in 1888. It was yellow, wooden, and neo-Gothic. The church was destroyed during the bombing on 27 May 1940. In 1946, an architectural competition was held for the design of the new church. The new church was finished in 1956.

    The stained-glass window is 40 feet high, and it has a beautiful 5,000 pipe German-style organ.

    The church is built of concrete and has a basilica design. There is an external sculpture depicting Petter Dass. The church seats 890 people.

    The church has a 36m (118ft) tall free-standing clock tower with three bells. There is a memorial to those who died in World War II.

    Outside the city is Bodin Church, a stone church built in 1240.

    Nordlandsmuseet

    Recounting the short history of Bodø, this gem of a museum has an entertaining and informative 25-minute film with English subtitles on the town’s development. Highlights include a mock-up of the fishermans rorbuer, a section on Sami culture complete with sod hut and ritual drum, regalia related to the towns fishing heritage and a small hoard of 9th century Viking treasure that was discovered in 1919.

    The building is from 1903 and housed the city’s fisheries museum.

    Information on the museum can be found here: https://nordlandsmuseet.no/en/citymuseum

    Svenskebyen

    Due to a lack of housing from the bombing of World War II, the Swedish government helped build 107 apartments in the winter of 1941. These houses were tightly built together just outside of town. The area today is called The Swedish Town.

    A Kiss Between Cultures

    The motif shows two children playing together. One child is of Sami origin and the other comes from the indigenous population in the Andes. The artwork represents two different indigenous groups. The latter is part of the artwork and symbolises a bridge between the cultures.

    Note – unfortunately from 2022 the artwork has been removed to make way for new building construction. 

    Bodø Library & Concert Hall

    These buildings are a welcome modern addition to the city’s post-war architecture. Plans for a library began in 2009, when an international competition was held to design the library. The plan was to build a new, modern cultural quarter in Bodø. The building is designed to be open towards the city and the harbour, and the white marble is to capture the changing light of the Arctic.

    The interior is bright and airy, and it’s great to sit in the reading room on the first floor and admire the views. The concert hall is not always open to the public, but it is like the library inside.

    Bodø Harbour

    At the ferry pier you can see some lovely old fishing boats, and here you get a true feel for Bodø’s past. This is where you can take tours by boat to Saltstraumen.

    Old Customs House

    The customs house is one of the few buildings to survive the war. It was built in 1912 and was designed with art nouveau influences by Søren Wiese-Opsahl.

    Clarion Hotel Grand Bodø

    This hotel has items and images inside from before World War II. The hotel is a preserved building in post-war architecture. The history of the hotel goes back to 1850, when a hotel was established on this site. The hotel became known for social groups and businesses. The well-known writer Knut Hamsun is among the hotel’s most famous guests; he wrote the book ‘Segelfoss by’ in one of its rooms.

    The Main Square

    This is the main shopping square of Bodø. Here’ll you’ll find some fun places to eat and some great shops as well. You can find restaurant and shopping suggestions on the Bodø travel guide page.

    Bodø Travel Guide
    Norway Travel Guide