In summer 2025, we embarked on a true bucket list adventure to Northern Norway to experience the midnight sun. We’ve always wanted to experience Norway – not in the depths of snowy winter – but when the sun stays high in the sky all day long and the region comes alive with flowers and wildlife.
Our Northern Norway adventure was run as part of our women-only tours, in conjunction with Intrepid Travel, who helped curate the most perfect midnight sun itinerary. This week long tour took us from Tromsø to Lofoten Islands and, finally, to Svalbard: land of the polar bears.
The region isn’t easy to tour alone and knowing where to start with such an itinerary can be tricky. So, to make it easier for those planning a summer adventure to see the midnight sun in Norway, here’s the exact itinerary we did.
Having done it ourselves, we’ve also thrown in some extra learnings along the way to ensure your week runs as smooth as possible, and ensures you squeeze the most out of every second in this beautiful part of the world.
The Ultimate Midnight Sun Itinerary for Norway
Day 1: Fly to Tromsø from the UK (or elsewhere!)
8:00: Flight from London to Tromsø (connecting through Stockholm)
It’s time to start your midnight sun adventure and fly to Tromsø – the largest city in Northern Norway, also known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic.’ Tromsø is a popular destination in winter, for those wanting to spot the Northern Lights but it also serves as a brilliant place to start a week long itinerary in Northern Norway during the summer months too.
Flights to Tromsø from the UK
In order to get to Tromsø, we flew from London Heathrow with Scandinavian Airlines, via Stockholm. A word of warning when booking your connecting flights, please leave a solid amount of time between both flights.
We were booked onto two Scandinavian Airways flights, with just a 30-minute layover between the two flights. Unbeknown to us, this is not enough time given a) the size of the airport and b) the fact we were told to go back through security. Unfortunately, due to the delays, half of our group missed the second flight to Tromsø and, instead, had to fly to Oslo and spend the night there before joining us in Tromsø the next day.
I would, therefore, give yourself at least one-hour between connection times, but perhaps more if you’re a worrier like me. I will never make that mistake again!
4pm: Land in Tromsø and settle into your hotel
Landing in Tromsó is absolutely magical, even in summer. Try to get a window seat if you can, to truly enjoy the snowy mountains as you fly in. The airport is really small and we were through it very fast, ready to continue our onward journey to the city centre.
To get to the city centre, we had a private transfer but there’s a number of easy ways to get to the city.
1. Airport Express Bus (Flybussen)
The airport bus is the easiest way to get to the city centre from Tromsó airport. It runs every 15 minutes and has multiple drops throughout the city.
2. Local City Buses (Numbers 40, 42 and 24)
There are a number of local buses that run between Tromsø airport and the city centre. These are slightly cheaper than the airport bus (and definitely cheaper than a taxi) and also run very frequently.
3. Taxis/Uber
Finally, there are plenty of taxis available 24/7 outside of the airport in Tromsø. A taxi takes around 10 minutes, directly to your hotel but will cost more than the bus. Alternatively, you can order an Uber and opt for a ride share to bring down the price.
There’s no getting around the fact that Norway is extremely expensive and so if you’re looking for a comfortable hotel that won’t break the bank, we highly recommend Hotel Comfort Xpress (3 star). What it lacks in luxury, it makes up for in functionality and budget-friendly room options. The room was clean and comfortable, with a surprisingly excellent breakfast that’s taken in its sister hotel down the road.
7pm: Head out for an evening meal
Once you’re settled into your hotel, it’s time to head out into Tromsø to enjoy a dinner. It was slightly disorientating heading out into the bright sun of the evening, with the sun showing no signs of setting. It was, however, far chillier come the evening – the kind of cold where you want to be wearing a thick coat and possibly a hat, as the wind can be icy cold. It was all very discombobulating!
We can highly recommend Walter and Leonard restaurant, particularly if you enjoy seafood. Although it was (unsurprisingly) expensive, I truly believe I ate the best mussels of my life in that restaurant and they were well worth the money.
9pm: Visit the Gateway to the Arctic Sculpture and take a walk around the harbour
A great way to start to get to know Tromsø is to take an evening stroll around the harbour and walk up to the beautiful Gateway to the Arctic sculpture. This mosaic filled arch was created by a 90-year old Norwegian artist, named Marit Bockelie, in 2024 and frames the Arctic Cathedral on the other side of the water.
Day two: Tromsø to Lofoten Islands
9.30am: Catch the bus to the Lofoten Islands (or an alternative travel option!)
On day two of your midnight sun itinerary in Northern Norway, it’s time to head to the beautiful Lofoten Islands. Now, there’s a number of ways to get to Lofoten dependent on time, as well as your preference on travel. We travelled by bus, as working with Intrepid Travel – a B Corp – the focus is on more sustainable forms of travel where possible. Although this was very comfortable, and offered an incredible scenic route, it was also an incredibly lengthy journey, taking 8 hours in total (i.e. the whole day).
If you’d rather make more of your time, I would recommend you consider flying from Tromsø with Widerøe. A single flight costs as little as £73 in the summer but there is no direct flights, meaning you will need to transfer once. The quickest time you can get to Lofoten Islands by plane from Tromsø is 2 hours 20 minutes but some connections may have longer stop overs and take more in the region of 3-5 hours.
So, it’s really swings and roundabouts on how you get there – the great thing about the bus is there’s no airport stress and I was able to take long naps, catch up on TV and podcasts and enjoy the out of this world scenery on the way.
How to get to the Lofoten Islands from Tromsø:
1.Bus from Tromsø to Lofoten
As mentioned above, the bus journey from Tromsø to Lofoten is a lengthy but incredibly scenic one. Although the buses are public buses (i.e. there’s a lot of stops) they are really comfy, with charging points and large seats that recline.
2. Fly to Lofoten Islands from Tromsø
You can fly to Lofoten from Tromsø but there are no direct flights. The best way to get there is with one transfer, using Wideróe.
3. Bus and ferry from Tromsø to Lofoten
Our favourite mode of transport moving between Tromsø and Lofoten was the ferry we used on the way back to Tromsø. The ferry leaves from Harstad 3 times a day and take 3 hours. The ferry was £51 for a single return and really helped break up the bus journeys either side.
4. Road trip by hire car
The final option is to hire a car and take a road-trip from Tromsø to Lofoten. This is a great option if you’re keen to see more on the way or more of the islands once you’re on the archipelago.
6-7pm: Arrive on Lofoten Islands and base yourself in Svolvaer
Once you arrive on the Lofoten Islands, it’s time to head to your hotel. We based ourselves just outside of Svolvaer in Kabelvåg, to save money. As we were keeping to a tight budget, we stayed at Lofoten Sommerhotell, which definitely gave a student hall vibe. Although it was perfectly fine and had a lovely view, it wasn’t exactly hotel accommodation, so you might want to look at alternatives nearer the harbour. I was very envious of the traditional fishermen cottages along the harbour that you can also book independently.
On reflection, I’d much rather have based ourselves in Svolvaer and paid the extra money, so we could easily walk into the town.
8pm: Enjoy a dinner and beer under the midnight sun
Once you’re settled into your accommodation, it’s time to head into Svolvaer for a dinner and beer under the sun. We were very lucky with the weather when we were exploring Lofoten Islands, with wall-to-wall sunshine night and day. Eating at 9pm at night, therefore, with the sun beaming across the water was both surreal and delightful and those alfresco dinners are now such treasured memories.
Day 3: Lofoten Islands
On day 3 of your midnight sun adventure to Norway, it’s time to get outside and enjoy all that the islands have to offer, beginning with a Sea Eagle safari.
10am: Trollfjord Cruise and Sea Eagle Safari
One of my absolute highlights of our week-long trip to Norway was the Trollfjord cruise and sea eagle safari. Arriving at the harbour of Svolvaer, we donned our epic looking boiler suits and goggles. As it was unseasonably warm, we were beginning to sweat while we waited for our RIB to be ready but fortunately, as soon as we were out on the water, we cooled down.
We used XXLofoten for our trip and I highly recommend them. Our excursion lasted 1.5 hours and took us on a beautiful boat ride around the Trollfjord Fjord, as well as coming incredibly close to the beautiful sea eagles. I can’t actually believe how many sea eagles we saw and how close we got to them – it was such a unique, memorable experience.
If you’re worried about sea sickness, I’d probably recommend taking a seasickness tablet ahead of the trip. There were a few girls in our group who do get seasick and said they were glad they took the tablets because when we were going fast, it was quite bumpy. Personally, I loved it and wanted our RIB to go faster.
3pm: Hike to Lineken Peak
After your exhilarating morning on the water, it’s time to head inland for a hike. We opted for the fairly tame (although quite steep in places) Lineken Peak hike. This is a 3.8km hike that takes you high up the hilly terrain for beautiful views out over Svolvær and Kabelvåg. If you’re looking for a longer hike, this hike also acts as a gateway to a longer trail to Tjeldbergtinden.
Note: you will want to dress in appropriate clothing and walking or hiking shoes. When we visited Lofoten, we did experience unseasonably warm weather and were just wearing leggings and t-shirts. Unfortunately, the weather is usually a lot more variable, so make sure you pack a light weight waterproof if it does rain and plenty of layers.
5pm: Pick up some gifts/keep sakes in Svolvær
There’s a surprising amount of brilliant shops along the harbour of Svolvær that are a great for picking up a gift or a keepsake. If you enjoy a mooch around a shop, make sure you carve out a bit of time to have a look around, or grab an ice cream along the waterfront. I really wish I had picked up one of these t-shirts when I had a chance, they’re a real flex to wear back at home.
7pm: Dinner under the midnight sun
It’s time for another dinner under the midnight sun on the harbour of Svolvaer. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from here, but we recommend Bacalao.
Here, funnily enough, you can eat the traditional Bacalao dish, which is actually a Portuguese/Spanish dish of salted cod stew. It was delicious and perfectly warming as the chillier nights rolled in across Lofoten.
8pm: Evening walk to enjoy the midnight sun
To end your time on Lofoten, it’s time to take a late night walk of Svolvær under the glorious midnight sun. This was actually one of my highlights on Lofoten, strolling the warm summer night as the sun sparkled over the sea and wild flowers swayed in the breeze.
The Lofoten Islands really do feel like an escape from the rest of the world, and as we walked around the island, I felt complete awe at our surroundings. This archipelago is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
Got more time? Consider adding on a couple of extra days to explore to Lofoten Islands
Although we felt like we packed a lot into our time on Lofoten, I do wish we had, had an extra couple of days to explore more of the archipelago. From horse back riding on the island of Gimsóy, snorkelling near Ballstad and rock climbing on Austvågøy, we really just got a brief taste of all that these islands have to offer.
So, if you can squeeze in a couple more days to explore Lofoten, we’d highly, highly recommend.
Day 4: Lofoten Islands back to Tromsø
On day 4 of your midnight sun itinerary, it’s time to head back to Tromsø. As mentioned above, we actually headed back a different way to the way we come, which I would absolutely recommend.
We firstly took a bus to Harstad, where we were able to enjoy lunch and a stroll around. Harstad is the second largest town after Tromsø (in the region) and has plenty to see and do. If you love shopping, be warned, there’s a lot of brilliant clothes shops that carry a hefty price tag! We were only here for a couple of hours, before boarding a ferry that would take us back to Tromsø.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the ferry but it turned out to be an incredibly luxurious ride back, with huge seating areas for us to relax in as we enjoyed the scenery gliding past. If you can, therefore, I would recommend booking the ferry over multiple buses to and from Tromsø to Lofoten. The main provider is Svipper, and runs three ferries a day between the two destinations.
4pm: Explore more of Tromsø
After settling back into your hotel, the afternoon is yours to explore more of Tromsø. There’s plenty to see and do and our group of 17 women split up to do a variety of activities. I must admit, my favourite pastime in Tromsø was to simply sit in one of its many, many cosy cafes but there’s actually so much to see if you can escape an armchair.
1. Troll Museum, Tromsø
I saw lots of troll signs for this museum and was incredibly intrigued. Although a little creepy looking, this small but perfectly formed museum offers visitors two halls, telling traditional troll stories through the use of AR. An ideal stop if you’re travelling through Tromsø with kids.
2. Fjellheisen Cable Car
A few of our group decided to try out the Fjellheisen Cable Car, which is probably one of the most popular activities in Tromsø. There are a few ticket options, including one that will also provide a shuttle bus to and from your hotel, as the cable car is a bit of a walk. This is a popular spot in winter to see the Northern Lights but also has a great cafe at the top, to enjoy summer views out of.
It is, however, on the pricey side (£32!) and feedback from our group was that although it was OK, they’re not really sure it’s worth the price.
3. Arctic Cathedral
The Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø soars over the skyline of the city. Modern in design, the Cathedral is worth a quick 15-30 minute visit. In the summer, the Cathedral also offer midnight sun concerts; which I really wish we had, had the opportunity to visit.
Read more about things to do in Tromso with our guide: Is Tromsø worth visiting in summer?
8pm: Dinner in Tromsø and visit Mack Brewery
If you’re a seafood lover, you won’t be short of delicious restaurants and bistros to try in Tromsø. If you prefer a cosy vibe (like us) we highly recommend Bardus Bistro, which serves delicious French-Norwegian dishes. Once you’ve filled your bellies, continue on to Mack Brewery – the world’s northernmost brewery! You can find Mack beers and other Norwegian beers inside the world’s oldest pub Ølhallen, which opened in 1928.
Day 5: Fly Tromsø to Svalbard
9.30am: Enjoy a sauna at Pust Sauna
On your final morning in Tromsø, it’s time to enjoy a traditional cold and hot experience on the harbour of Tromsø at Pust Sauna. Bracing for the cold, we set off after breakfast to the harbour, where we were greeted with a floating wooden sauna, cold showers and opportunity to swim in the harbour water.
We did it all.
Was it cold? Absolutely, but it felt incredible and was a really unique way to end our time in Tromsø. You have the option of either booking out the whole of the sauna or individual slots. As we were a large group, we had the place to ourselves, aside from one poor lone male tourist but I think he enjoyed listening to our screams.
2pm: Fly to Svalbard from Tromsø
It’s time to catch your long-awaited flight to the mysterious Svalbard. We flew from Tromsø to Svalbard with SAS and the flight was approximately 90 minutes. It was a surreal experience flying to (essentially) the top of the world, with snow still scattered across the mountain tops in July.
As expected, the airport on Svalbard is very small and easy to navigate. Make you look out for the very cool sign outside the airport pointing to different parts of the world, as well as the first polar bear sign (picture above!)
Where to stay on Svalbard: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
When staying on Svalbard, you’ll be basing yourself in Longyearbyen. This is the main settlement on Svalbard and geared up for tourists, with plenty of accommodation and shops. I highly recommend the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel in Longyearbyen (also known as Spitsbergen), which was probably the most “luxurious” accommodation we stayed in during our midnight sun itinerary.
Book Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
5pm: Enjoy a drink in the northern most pub in the world
Another reason to stay at the Radisson Blue Polar Hotel is the fact it boasts the northern most pub in the world. We adored coming here at night to enjoy some food and drink and also the company of a completely eclectic mix of visitors/residents from around the world.
At nights, as people piled in – it truly felt like we had all escaped the rest of the world and were in a secret portal full of mystery and beauty.
Day 6: Time to explore Svalbard
10am: Walrus Safari and Glacier Adventure
On your first full day on Svalbard, it’s time to take to the sea on a walrus safari. I was so excited about this trip and it totally lived up to every expectation.
We booked the activity through Hurtigruten Svalbard who were a brilliant team of captain and knowledgable guide. The initial boat ride out to the colony of walruses was around 40 minutes and definitely very choppy. Fortunately, to distract yourself from the bumps, there’s plenty to look at – with plenty of seabirds, including the ridiculously cute puffin. I wasn’t expecting to see these beautiful little birds on our trip over and I was so happy I got to see them.
Once over to the glacier, the water became a lot smoother and we quickly spotted the colony of walruses we had come to see. They were even bigger in real life, and we were treated to watching some of the larger males in the water play fighting, with the females lolling on the shore.
After we had got our fix of the walruses we headed closer to the glacier, (one of many in the area), to enjoy the gentle “popping” sound of the ice, as we drank warm berry tea and delicious cinnamon buns. I’d say that moment in particular was one of my favourite memories of our trip to see the midnight sun in Norway.
Note: if you do get seasick, we highly recommend taking a tablet before the trip. A few of the girls on our tour did find the crossing very nauseating.
2pm: Explore Longyearbyen
Once back on the solid ground of Longyearbyen, it’s time to explore a little more of the settlement. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Longyearbyen but it actually had far more to offer than I expected, including a lovely café with delicious homemade chocolates, plenty of lovely souvenir shops, a Huskey café (!), an art gallery and Svalbard Museum.
7.30pm: Wilderness Evening
After a day of exploring the sea and coast, it’s time to head inland for a Wilderness Evening at Camp Barentz. When our guide told us we were heading to a traditional cabin, to enjoy a power point presentation on polar bears and eat a traditional stew, I was a little dubious. As it turns out, it was a brilliant evening full of fascinating information on the polar bear and the “King of the Arctic” William Barentz, all while cosied up with a roaring fire, reindeer stew and a few drinks.
A bus collects and returns you from your hotel and your guide will be carrying a gun, as necessary by law, as you’ll be travelling outside of a main settlement.
Day 7: Svalbard
10am: Fossil Hunting
On your penultimate midnight sun itinerary for Norway, it’s time to head out for a fossil hunting adventure. We were so excited for this particular activity – all agreeing it’s definitely one of the quirkiest experiences we’ve had travelling. Again, we booked the tour through Hurtigruten Svalbard, and were looked after by an extremely knowledgeable guide. During the hike, we were given walking poles and a hammer ready for the smashing of rocks once we arrived at our destination.
Fascinatingly, although Svalbard doesn’t have a single tree on it, it was actually once a rainforest. This means the island is covered in plant and vegetation fossils and we discovered so many fossils; many of which had the imprints of huge leaves from trees that once stood on the island. This was such a memorable experience, made even better by even more berry tea and cinnamon buns.
4pm: Sauna
To end our midnight sun itinerary for Norway, we decided to book into the very unassuming yet brilliant SvalBad. Svalbad is a floating sauna located just outside of Longyearbyen (we walked to it from our hotel). As you’ll see from the photograph below, it’s very small and we filled the whole sauna – which enjoys floor to ceiling windows out over the water.
Although it’s very modest in size, and perhaps doesn’t offer the most “beautiful” of views during the summer months, we LOVED this experience. Just like in Tromsø, we spent a glorious hour going between the hot sauna and jumping into the cold waters of Svalbard. We were even cheered on by the passengers of an arctic cruise liner that was getting ready to set sale.
7.30pm: Final Dinner at Restaurant Polfaren
To end your epic midnight sun itinerary in Norway, it’s time to go out with a bang. Surprisingly, Svalbard actually offers a number of high dining restaurants and we decided to treat ourselves to one on our final night. We ate at Restaurant Polfaren and it was a real treat, with the staff taking so much time to help us pair our food with wines.
Note: it’s very common in restaurants and shops to have to take your shoes off and replace with a pair of slippers. This harks back to the traditional mining days, where people wanted to avoid guests trudging coal and mud through the buildings.
Day 8: Time to head home
It’s the final day of your tour to Norway to enjoy the midnight sun, and sadly it’s time to fly home. We flew home to London Heathrow, via a brief stop in Oslo airport. Fortunately, this time, we all made our flights and the journey home was perfectly smooth.
I must say, it was very strange seeing our first sunset once we were back in the UK, after a week of endless sun. Our week away was almost like a magical dream – one filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, endlessly blue skies and some of the most unique experiences we’ve had the pleasure of adding to our memory bank.
So, if you’re considering completing a midnight sun adventure in Northern Norway we would say “go!” It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip and although pricey, one you’ll never forget.
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