If you're looking for a destination that offers breathtaking hikes, stunning beaches, and a sense of tranquility, Bodø is the place for you.
In this guide we share our favourite hike, beaches and places to stay.
BONUS: Saltstraumen
Bodø is the largest city in the Nordland county and the second largest in northen Norway and it is located just north of the Arctic Circle.
During the summer (from 2nd of June to the 10th of July) the sun never sets here and you're able to experience the midnight sun. Imagine the sky being as bright in the middle of the night as in the middle of the day.
Bodø is known to be a waypoint to Lofoten but we think that this place is so much more than just that and it is definitely worth spending some time exploring. The nature here is just breathtaking!
This place is magical. It has a big parking-spot that fits a lot of cars and it also have toilets. Which makes it a great place to stay for a night or two.
To reach the beach you have to walk for a couple of minutes which makes this place even more special, it almost feels like you're on an island when you arrive at the beach. And the nature here is just fascinating with the water, the beach and the green grass with wild flowers.
If you want to camp you can do it right on the beach and they also have some fireplaces if you wish to make your food there.
There is also a small hike you can take up on a mountain which will give you an amazing view of the surroundings.
This is definitely one of our favourite places in Bodø.
The hike to Hovdsundet Beach is approximately 8 kilometers long, taking around 80-90 minutes to complete. But let's take it step by step. The trail meanders through a mix of rocky terrain and lush forests, providing a unique and varied hiking experience.
As we trekked along, we were rewarded with stunning views of not one, but four hidden beaches. The contrast of the turquoise water against the surrounding mountains and rocks was simply mesmerizing. It felt like we had stumbled upon a secret paradise.
The hike did have its challenging moments, with steep sections and uneven terrain. But every step was worth it when we reached the top and took in the breathtaking panorama. The tranquility of the scene, with the calm water and majestic mountains, made us feel truly grateful to be there.
Unfortunately, due to the steepness of the cliffs, we couldn't descend to the beach itself. However, the view alone was worth the hike. We decided to head back to the car, eager to cool off and relax at the beautiful white sandy beach we had discovered earlier.
Just when we thought the adventure was over, we encountered another surprise. We came across not only one but 5 sheep's drinking from the salty water nearby. It was a magical moment, reminding us of the incredible wildlife that calls Bodø home.
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This is a bit outside of Bodø, 30 minutes by car but its definitely worth going here if you're in Bodø.
The world's strongest maelstrom. More than 400 million cubic meters of water pass trough the 3 km long and 150 meters wide strait every 6 hours with speeds up to 20 knots.
If you like fishing this is a cool place for it. If not this place is still worth a visit, you will experience how majestic nature really is.
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Bodø truly surprised us with its natural beauty. The combination of stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and the freedom to camp anywhere made our trip unforgettable. It's a place where you can truly connect with nature and appreciate all its wonders.
Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent and clothes for all weathers because the weather forecast can change from day to day. But either way, you won't be disappointed!
Places to stay
Depending on how you travel here there are different options. If you travel with car and are camping they have some camping sites in Bodø.
What's good about Norway is that you are able to free camp almost anywhere as long as it doesn't say no camping or it's too close to someones home.
We loved to stay at Ausvika strand with our van.
But if you prefer a more comfortable stay or are coming by plane here are our best suggestions:
Perfect for families or if you enjoy a more luxurious stay.
This is a fresh hotel with beautiful interior, rooms and excellent service.
The location is great, close to the harbor and the ferry terminal.
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If you want to stay closer to Saltstraumen we recommend these places:
This campsite is perfect for families.
They offer a children's play ground and all cabins have a kitchenette with a microwave.
The surroundings are amazing and you'll have a stunning view.
It's located right next to Saltstraumen.
We live full-time in our self-converted van and are currently exploring Europe one country at the time.
Ida is Swedish🇸🇪 and Yaz is Palestinian🇵🇸
We met five years ago and have been to some amazing places together. We love to travel and explore hidden gems. The best thing we know is to go on adventures and finding new beautiful places we didn't know existed.
A couple of years ago we lived in Australia and loved to explore the country in our self-converted van.
So here you'll fin a lot of adventurous traveling and beautiful destinations.
