Before arriving in Bodø I didn’t really know what to expect, it’s not commonly written about like Oslo, Bergen or Tromsø. However, I love Norway, and had good faith that Bodø would at the very least offer a picturesque landscape of nature, fjords, and mountains.
All I really knew about Bodø is that it’s the last and most northerly stopping point of all trains in Norway after crossing the Arctic Circle. Most people also see it as the gateway to the Lofoten Islands. Essentially, it has good transport links, but that’s not really the kind of fact that would get anyone screaming to go.
Now that I’ve visited several times, I can certainly attest to the beauty of the surrounding nature, but there are some gems to discover in the city too. It deserves more attention as merely a stopping point to get from A to B, so let me share some of the best things you can do in this far north, coastal city.
1. RIB Boat Safari Across Saltstraumen
If you want to see Bodø’s most adventurous side, take a trip to Saltstraumen. I would go as far as saying no trip to Bodø is complete without visiting this natural wonder – the world’s strongest tidal current.
But don’t just stop at looking at it from a distance, the really exciting part of Saltstraumen happens when you take a RIB boat safari trip across it!
The force of the maelstrom wasn’t as powerful as I thought it would be. In my mind, I thought we might get eating up by the sea, but that was far from the case.
The best bit of the safari was exploring the Arctic landscape from the water. The sky changed from gold, to pink and violet.
You can read more about my experience here.
2. Search for Street Art
Street Art isn’t something you really expect to find in the Arctic, but Bodø has a surprising amount to discover. As soon as I pulled up to the Scandic Hotel Bodø, I was startled by a huge wall mural created by UK-born street artist Phlegm. The idea of him travelling this far North, to such a relatively unknown place, always makes me smile when I think about it.
If you have time to explore the town you’ll find other great pieces of street art, so keep your eyes carefully peeled. Though the one of the eagle by Dzia is right outside the Information Centre so you don’t need to look too hard to find that one.
3. Dama Di Bar
When I asked where the best bar in town was, everyone said Dama Di. To be honest, my expectations were not very high given Bodø isn’t a very big city so I questioned what the atmosphere would be like – but I was wrong to be skeptical. It’s super cool and wouldn’t be out of place in somewhere like Berlin. The crowd is an eclectic mix of people from all age groups just out to relax and enjoy music, drinks and left-field artwork which the bar gives prominence to. Check their Facebook page for updates on live gigs and shows.
Dama Di Bar is located at Sjøgata 18 in Bodø. However, just look out for the big wall mural by Phelgm which I spoke about above because it’s tucked away right beside it!
4. Bodøgaard Art and Culture gallery
If you want to delve further into Bodø’s arty side then Bodøgaard Art and Culture Gallery is the place to go. It’s the largest private collection of art and cultural artefacts in Northern Norway, and is listed as Norwegian Cultural Heritage.
It’s unlike any other art gallery I’ve been to before and certainly one of the quirkiest, so for this reason I wouldn’t just recommend this place to people who have a penchant for museums but for anyone who enjoys rummaging through unusual artefacts.
As well as art by Oskar K. Bodøgaard (1923 – 2011), this museum has two other main attractions – a religious shrine and an extremely expansive ethnographical exhibition which allows you to explore Northern Norway through the ages. It basically looks like a basement overflowing with vintage paraphernalia.
You’ll be amazed once you clap eyes on the shrine of religious artefacts (you really don’t have to be religious to enjoy the spectacle) because the sheer volume of objects look, well, quite bizarre and a bit trippy – and that’s exactly why I loved it!
5. Norwegian Aviation Museum
I was a bit skeptical about this museum at first – I mean, how interesting can an Aviation museum be to someone who isn’t interested in planes?
Well… I guess the test of a great museum is it makes you interested in things you had no idea you’d find interesting, right? This place deserves its no.1 place on Tripadvisor when you see the effort that has gone into curating this impressive collection of aviation history.
This museum holds the biggest collection of military and civil aviation history. It goes into amazing historical depth of Norway during WW2 and showcases some fascinating and rather spectacular looking aircrafts. It opened in 1994 and the huge building is shaped like a propeller. That alone will make you want to visit.
Visit their website for more information: www.norwegianaviationmuseum.com.
6. Red Beach at Mjelle
On a summer’s day, take the 20-minute drive out of the city to Mjelle Beach and see its unusual colours whilst taking time out for a spot of scenic swimming or sun-bathing. It’s the perfect place to go to soaking up the golden hues Midnight Sun.
The beach is made up of both red and white sand. The beach contains Garnet infiltrations which gives it a red appearance. The hues along the shore vary depending on the movement of recent winds and tides. I was told after a strong storm that red prevails afterwards and can look so deep and heavily the beach almost looks purple!
7. Kjerringøy Trading Post
Either way, you’re winning. A visit here takes you back in time when this trading post provided the fishing community with supplies in exchange for catch. Many of the old buildings of this ex-central trading point are still standing so take a guided tour to learn all about what daily life during the 19th century was like. The location is with its mountainous backdrop is absolutely stunning too.
8. 360° Rooftop Bar at Scandic Havet Hotel
9. Go Hiking and explore the wilderness
Where to stay in Bodø
I’ve visited Bodø a few times, and my favourite hotel is Scandic Havet in terms of location, comfort and food (the buffet break is amaaazing). It’s quite a big hotel but still manages to maintain a personal and cosy atmosphere. Ameneties include a wellness centre, restaurant and a 360 rooftop bar which boasts some of the best views across the city. atmosphere.
