Hotels in Bodø, Norway — Where the Fjords Meet the Northern Lights (and the Road to Lofoten)
Our favorite stays, including the ones we stayed that, in one of Northern Norway’s more underrated cities.
View from the Radisson Blu Bodø
Last update: August 2026
Bodø doesn’t shout the way Tromsø or Lofoten do — it whispers. The Arctic city sits between mountains and sea, where the light changes by the minute and ferries glide toward the islands like floating postcards.
It’s easy to think of Bodø as a stopover, but spend a night or two and it becomes something more: a place where the Northern Lights dance over modern hotels, and where fjord air seeps into every plan.
Here’s our selection of the best hotels in Bødo to rest, and recharge before heading deeper into the Arctic. We stayed there and absolutely love the vibe.
🛌 Where to stay:
• Radisson Blu Hotel Bodø — our go-to. We've stayed here twice and the staff actually remembered us on the second visit and gave us a free upgrade. Ask for a high-floor sea-view room and you might catch the aurora in your slippers
• Thon Hotel Nordlys — set right on the marina with panoramic windows and a breakfast worth waking up for. The reindeer sausage and pastries alone deserve a review
• Saltstraumen Hotel — cosy cabins and hot saunas next to the world's strongest tidal current. If you want nature on your doorstep rather than the city, this is the one
• Wood Hotel Bodø — sustainable, timber-clad boutique right in the heart of Bodø. Sleek and calm, perfect for couples or anyone who wants design without fuss
🇳🇴 Top experiences:
• Northern lights tour from Bodø — Bodø sits right inside the auroral oval, so this is a real option. A local guide takes the forecast stress out of the equation
• Saltstraumen RIB boat tour — 400 million cubic meters of seawater rushing through a narrow strait every six hours, and you zip right through it. Intense, humbling, and one of the coolest natural sights in Norway
🚗 Heading to Lofoten? Rent your car in Bodø — it's significantly cheaper than picking one up on the islands, and the ferry crossing with your own wheels opens up the whole archipelago.
Best Bodø hotels
Bodø’s harbor
Radisson Blu Hotel Bodø (we stayed there)
Our go-to stay — we’ve been here twice (booked it for a steal in October), and the staff remembered us and gave us a free upgrade. Takk!!! The breakfast buffet is legendary and totally worth it considering high prices in the Nordics — That’s actually one of our tips tips to save when traveling up North! Ask for a high-floor sea-view room, and you might catch the Northern Lights in your slippers.
👉 Book it here
Smarthotel Bodø
Compact, modern, and efficient — like Norway itself. It’s perfect if you’re catching early tours or ferries. Rooms are small but cleverly designed, and the beds? Like clouds that never freeze.
👉 Book it here
Thon Hotel Nordlys
Set right on the marina, with panoramic windows and hearty breakfasts that feel like a warm hug. Their reindeer sausage and pastries deserve their own review. Ideal for travellers who want style without fuss.
👉 Book it here
Saltstraumen Hotel & Camping
Want to wake up by the world’s strongest tidal current? This spot sits near Saltstraumen, where ocean and fjord twist into roaring whirlpools. You’ll find cosy cabins, hot saunas, and views that belong on a desktop wallpaper.
👉 Book it here
Scandic Havet
Modern, contemporary decor, stunning water views and a delicious buffet.
👉 Book it here
Wood Hotel Bodø
Sleek, sustainable, and right in the heart of Bodø — this timber-clad boutique stay is all northern calm and clean design. Perfect base for fjord views, island hopping, or a quick dash to the Northern Lights. We actually included it in our guide to the northern lights in Bodø.
👉 Book it here
All of these options are convenient, and offer a fantastic base to explore the region. If you’re trying to chase the northern lights, here are a few more options outside of Bodø:
Kjerringøy Rorbusenter, traditional rorbu cabins (we love rorbuer!!) on the Kjerringøy peninsula, about 40 minutes north.
Kjerringøy Bryggehotell, a waterfront hotel a few minutes from the Rorbusenter on the same peninsula.
Steigen Lodge Sjøhytter, sea cabins on Engeløya, low-light-pollution and absolutely dreamy.
For more hotels & cabins, zoom in and out on the map below:
Bodø, gateway to the Lofoten Islands
Sitting on top of the world at Mt Ryten, one of our favorite hikes
Bodø isn’t just a destination — it’s the gateway to the Lofoten Islands. The ferry to Moskenes leaves right from the harbour, crossing one of Norway’s most cinematic stretches of sea.
It’s worth spending a night here before or after — you’ll board rested, full of waffles, and maybe a few aurora photos richer.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
If you’re traveling to the Lofoten Islands, it’s usually cheaper to rent a car in Bodø and drive or take the ferry to the islands. You can read our guide to a Rental Car in Bodø here.
If you’re heading that way, don’t miss our guides: Things to Do in Lofoten, Hiking in Lofoten, Best Time to Visit Lofoten, Northern Lights in Lofoten, Where to Stay in Lofoten by Area, and Best Hotels & Rorbuer in Lofoten.
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FAQ: Staying in Bodø
We got so excited to walk to our hotel from the airport in just 15 min!
Is Bodø worth visiting in winter?
Yes — it’s less popular than Tromsø or Lofoten and is one of Norway’s most underrated Arctic cities. Between the Northern Lights, floating saunas, and whale-filled fjords, it’s pure magic without the crowds.
Do I need travel insurance?
Absolutely. Winter weather can delay ferries or cancel flights in a blink. We use Heymondo, which covers cancellations and outdoor activities — totally worth it for Arctic trips.
Can I see the Northern Lights from town?
Yes! The best spots are Rønvikfjellet lookout, the city pier, or any dark corner along the waterfront after 9 p.m.
How to get to Bodø?
You can fly directly from Oslo in about 1.5 hours or take the train north through the Arctic Circle. Ferries also connect the Lofoten Islands to Bodø.
Did you know?
Get some cheap outdoor gear at Sport Outlet Bodø. You’d expect Norway to be pricey, but Norwegians live and breathe nature — and some brands are even cheaper here than in southern Europe. Bonus: some stores have second-hand racks full of barely used gear at half price.
Pic: I got this awesome wool sweater for less than 30€ in Bodø!
Bodø feels like Norway in miniature — mountains, sea, northern skies, and really kind people.
It’s not flashy, it’s real. You can spot whales at breakfast, sweat it out in a floating sauna, and watch the aurora flicker over the harbor lights.
Spend one night and you’ll understand why we keep coming back.
You can also read our favorite things to do in Bodø, or explore all our Arctic Norway Travel Guides here.
