Visiting Gildeskål’s Historic Church Site
Visit the best-preserved medieval site in Northern Norway!
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 53,000 / 67.2 degrees north
Bodø, Norway
Bodø is a lovely town. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, the city is currently undergoing a huge transformation. It was mostly destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in a functionalist style but is now the European Capital of Culture for 2024. Artists and musicians come to Bodø, and now the city is earning a reputation for being very cool.
About Bodø
Latitude: 67.2 degrees north
Population: 53,000
Sami name: Bådåddjo
Hottest Month: July
Coldest Month: February
Wettest Month: October
Windiest Month: January
Annual Precipitation: 654mm
Bodø Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Bodø
Uniquely Bodø
Here are some things that you must do and try in Bodø
Natural attraction
Saltstraumen
This is amongst the strongest tidal currents in the world, with water speeds reaching 22 knots (41km/h, 25 mph). It is possible to drive there, but I recommend taking a guided zodiac boat there.
Building
Stormen
The new cultural centre Stormen opened in 2014 and contains a library, concert hall and theatre. The building was designed by Daniel Rosbottom and David Howarth from London-based DRDH architects.
Art
Street Art
Bodø is famous for its street art. You’ll see many incredible works around the city.
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Bodø.
Museum
Norwegian Aviation Museum
Bodø is famous for its street art. You’ll see many incredible works around the city.
Museum
Bodø City Museum
The Bodø City Museum has exhibitions on the Lofoten fisheries, a Sami exhibiton, Viking treasures, and an exhibition about Bodø’s history.
Historic Church
Bodin Church
The Bodø City Museum has exhibitions on the Lofoten fisheries, a Sami exhibiton, Viking treasures, and an exhibition about Bodø’s history.
Museum
Norwegian Jekt Trade Museum
The Norwegian Jekt Trade Museum opened in 2019 and is where you can see the Anne Karoline, the last of the trade ‘jekts’ (wide wooden cargo vessels). For centuries these ships carried stockfish to Bergen, and the museum tells this story.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Historic Site
Kjerringøy
Kjerringøy is a small, well-preserved trading village located just outside of Bodø and is a must-see. The village is located 40km north of Bodø and is well-known in Norway for being well-preserved.
Historic Site
Nyholmen Fortress
Nyholmen is a fortress that was built to protect the city’s grain stocks from British warships during the Napoleonic Wars. It is a nice place to walk, but takes about 45 minutes from the city centre.
Hike
Fykantrappa
The hike Fykantrappa is a unique experience. It’s a wooden staircase that was built in 1919 by the ‘Rallare’. The Rallare were lower class Norwegians who’d mostly get work on construction jobs. The staircase was built so they could construct a hydropower station. The staircase has 1129 steps and is 1.7km long, reaching a height of 300 metres.
Zodiac Tour
Saltstraumen & Sea Eagles by Zodiac
The hike Fykantrappa is a unique experience. It’s a wooden staircase that was built in 1919 by the ‘Rallare’. The Rallare were lower class Norwegians who’d mostly get work on construction jobs. The staircase was built so they could construct a hydropower station. The staircase has 1129 steps and is 1.7km long, reaching a height of 300 metres.
Beach
Saltstraumen & Sea Eagles by Zodiac
Hovsundet beach is a famous beach near Bodø. To get there, you need to do a 1.5 hour hike.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Bodø.
Norway's Coastal Tourist Road (Fv17)
The Coastal Road is the longest of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads, and covers the length from Trondheim to Bodø.
Self-Guided Walks
Here are our self-guided walks for Bodø.
Bodø from the Coastal Ferry Self-Guided Walk
Tromsø is one of the most historic cities in Northern Norway, and this self-guided walk will take you past the major attractions including the cathedral, shopping street, hotdog stand, and Polar Museum.
Bodø on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Bodø.
Bodø During the Polar Night
Join me for a walk around Bodø in December around the polar night season. This walk was done during the coastal ferry journey when in port.
Furøy to Bodø on Norway's Coastal Road
Join us on the last stretch of Norway’s famous coastal road.
History of Bodø
In the Viking Age the province was known as Hålogaland, and Bodø was mentioned for the first time in 1663 as a village with a postal service.
Bodø was established as a town in 1816 to promote trade and fishing in the region.
Most of Bodø was destroyed during a Luftwaffe attack on the 27th of May 1940. Over half of the population lost their homes during the attack, so the Swedish government helped built 107 apartments in winter 1941. These houses are still located in Bodø. The town was subsequently built after the war.
Bodø Today
Bodø has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2024.
Bodø has a football club, Bodø/Glimt, which is also the northernmost club to win a European national league competition.
Bodø has a university, the Nord University, with 12,000 students attending. Bodø is also the location of the only police academy outside of Oslo in Norway. The Norwegian Armed Forces headquarters for Northern Norway is located just outside the city. There is also a major hospital here.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Bodø Airport is a well-connected airport.
Drive: Bergen is located on the two major European highways – the E16 and the E39 – that run through Norway.
Train: Bodø is the northern terminus of the Nordland Line, which connects the city to Trondheim.
Ferry: Bodø is a port of call for the coastal ferry, which stops here for 2 hours on the northbound journey. Ferries connect Bodø to the Lofoten Islands. You can read my guide for taking the ferry via the link below.
Getting Around
Bodø is a walkable city.
Shops
Gundersons is one of my favourite print shops in Norway. Here you can buy beautiful prints of Northern Norway.
The clothing brand Gøril and Frøydis is a locally designed clothing brand – you can check it out at the store O´Johanson (Storgata 28).
Bådin Brewery is a little bit out of town (Tolder Holmers vei 6) but is Bodø’s local microbrewery. You can buy beer there or at some grocery stores in town.
Studio EBN uses salmon leather to created designer bags and accessories – they have been featured in magazines like Vogue, and you can buy them at Storgata 8.
Lastly, you can buy handmade chocolate and macaroons from Craig Alibone in the city centre.
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Craig Alibone – patisserie by day and champagne bar by night, this chic café has decadent artisan cakes, truffles and macarons.
Quick Bites
Kafe Kjelen – this café serves Møsbrømetse – flatbread with brown cheese, sugar and melted butter.
Reasonable Restaurants
Hundholmen Brygghus – huge menu of beers at this inviting, dimly lit gastropub that serves classic pub meals and Norwegian dishes.
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Campgrounds & Hostels
Bodø Hostel is great for those who want to save money but still be in a great location.
Guesthouses & BnBs
Chains & Mid-Range
Clarion Hotel Grand is where I have stayed in town, and it was one of my favourite places on a road-trip around Northern Norway. There’s parking outside and they serve a free light meal at 5pm.
Click here to view rates & book
Smart Hotel Bodø is an affordable hotel in the city centre.
Click here to view rates & book
The Radisson Blu is a popular chain and they have a hotel in Bodø.
High End & Unique Properties
Located out of Bodø, Kjerringøy Bryggehotell is a unique property that is perfect for those who’d rather be out in nature.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 10:19am
Sunset: 2:04pm
Average Temperature: -1C (30F)
February
Sunrise: 8:16am
Sunset: 4:17pm
Average Temperature: 2C (30.2F)
March
Sunrise: 6:24am
Sunset: 6pm
Average Temperature: 0C (32F)
April
Sunrise: 5:17am
Sunset: 8:50pm
Average Temperature: 3C (37F)
May
Sunrise: 3:05am
Sunset: 10:56pm
Average Temperature: 7C (45F)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 10C (50F)
July
Midnight sun until 13 July
Sunrise: 1:47am
Sunset: 12:30am
Average Temperature: 13C (55F)
August
Sunrise: 4:27am
Sunset: 9:43pm
Average Temperature: 13C (55F)
September
Sunrise: 6:19am
Sunset: 7:34pm
Average Temperature: 10C (50F)
October
Sunrise: 8:02am
Sunset: 5:33pm
Average Temperature: 6C (43F)
November
Sunrise:9:03am
Sunset: 2:29pm
Average Temperature: 2C (36F)
December
Sunrise: 11:18am
Sunset: 12:49pm
Average Temperature: 0C (32F)
All Posts About Bodø
Getting to the Lofoten Islands with the Bodø to Moskenes Ferry
The Bodo to Moskenes ferry is the most cost-effective and scenic way to get to the Lofoten Islands.
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
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