When we got to Alta, locals kept asking us: “Why Alta”?

Indeed, many visitors skip Alta on their way to the North Cape, or just stop in Tromsø. And you know what? They’re missing out. Big time.

Alta might not be plastered all over Instagram, but that’s the beauty of it. And, as you know, our kind of destinations at Penguin Trampoline!

Interestingly for us, Arctic addicts, Alta is considered the northernmost city in the world with a population surpassing 10,000.

So, keep reading to find out why visit Alta, Norway!

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 where to stay, rest, and recharge before heading deeper into the Arctic. And we absolutely love the vibe.

Tucked into the fjords just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø sits in Norway’s Nordland county as a quiet city surrounded by wild nature.

Bodø combines modern comfort with remote landscapes — so you can explore powerful nature, floating saunas, sea eagles, and Northern Lights without the crowds. In our humble opinion, it’s one of the most underrated places in Norway, and it probably won’t last.

If you’ve seen the Lofoten hype and want something a little quieter (especially in summer) — Bodø might just be your perfect stop.

Somewhere between Stockholm’s bustle and the Arctic wilderness, Luleå glows quietly on Sweden’s northern coast. In winter, the sea freezes into an ice road, locals skate to work, and the Northern Lights shimmer above the bay. It’s peaceful, real, and a just the right amount of wild — but with great coffee and cozy beds.

Whether you’re here for the aurora, the architecture, or just a slower pace, here are the best Luleå hotels and nearby Arctic stays.

Svalbard sits halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole — a scatter of icy islands where glaciers meet sea, foxes pad across snowfields, and polar bears outnumber people.

We first arrived by the small prop plane from Tromsø, stepping into that eerie polar stillness that feels less like travel and more like landing on another planet.

This isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel, and it will redefine your idea of Arctic wilderness.

Here’s how to plan your own Svalbard expedition or tour, season by season — with honest notes from our own time on the islands.

Rovaniemi, Finland, isn’t just Santa’s hometown — it’s the gateway to the Arctic, a cozy, snow-dusted city where Northern Lights dance above the rooftops and reindeer wander along frozen rivers.

We’ve stayed here several times in different seasons, and the truth is: there’s no “wrong” place to stay — only how close you want to be to nature, and how much you want to watch the aurora from bed.

That being said, it’s always better to be a bit further from city lights. And, personally, we love to have our own cabin with sauna for a true Nordic experience (you also save on food).

So here’s our handpicked list of the best hotels in Rovaniemi — from luxury spas to dreamy cabins — all with that essential Arctic magic.

There’s cold, and then there’s Lapland cold—the kind that makes the air taste clean and turns silence into music. Well, actually, there’s Svalbard cold, which takes it to another level, but that’s another story. You probably came to Swedish Lapland for the Northern Lights, but you’ll stay for the cabins that smell like pine, the saunas with a view of forever, and the hosts who still cut firewood by hand to prepare a delicious suova (Arctic Food here).

We’ve crossed Swedish Lapland roughly a dozen times, from Luleå’s frozen archipelago to Abisko’s star-soaked skies to find the best stays—those that feel remote yet reachable, wild yet warm.

If you’re yearning for the perfect fall escape, Finnish Lapland is your dream come true. Vast toundra and taiga landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, vivid fall colors, cozy log cabins with crackling fireplaces, warm saunas, cold lakes, and the northern lights dancing overhead.

Whether you’re an intrepid adventurer or someone who just wants to snuggle up with a good book and hot cocoa, Finnish Lapland offers the perfect blend of wild and warm.

So why Nuuk, Greenland? Because it’s not trying to impress you. Nuuk doesn’t show off. It just is. It’s a capital without the stress, and without the tourist groups of Ilulissat. A city that feels like a village — if that village had sushi, mummies, arctic fjords, and some of the most grounded, generous people you’ll ever meet.

We had seen Nuuk in Conan O’Brien Must Go, we knew about the new airport, and we landed here with a few vague expectations about “Arctic vibes.” What we got was something else entirely: a crash course in Greenlandic calm, a boatload of icebergs, and an accidental royal sighting (more on that later). And honestly, we were very surprised on many levels.

Nuuk is not just a place. It’s a reset button. And we can’t shut up about it.

The Lofoten Islands are a stunning playground for hikers. So picture-perfect, in fact, that the first time you’ll go there, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a real place — and not something out of Arendelle!

If you’re physically able to hike, that’s how you’ll breathe and feel the Lofoten Islands. And forever fall in love.

While increasingly popular, these gems are still not crowded with tourists. But hurry, it won’t last long.

So, put on your hiking shoes and follow us on our favorite trails!

Spoiler alert: Anytime is a good time to visit Iceland!

And it’s because Iceland isn’t just another travel destination; it’s like visiting an entirely different world — or even planet. I (Eli) had always dreamed of venturing through its surreal landscapes, and after experiencing it twice, I’m convinced Iceland is a place everyone should see at least once.

From surreal black-sand beaches to incredibly blue glaciers, every turn will leave you in awe. Keep reading to know more!

Norway is one of the best places on Earth to chase the Northern Lights and enjoy breathtaking landscapes — but when you zoom into the map, the Arctic north gives you two tempting main bases: Tromsø and Alta.

Both towns promise aurora magic, Arctic adventures, and that raw, snow-dusted beauty. But which is the right one for your trip in 2026? We’ve been to both — frozen toes included — and here’s the breakdown.

👉 This article is part of our Arctic Travel Hub, where we gather all our insider tips, destinations, and stories. If you’re chasing the northern lights, also check out our Northern Lights Hub.

Spoiler alert: We have a personal favorite, but both are absolutely worth a visit.

If you’ve been reading us for a while, you know we’re in love with Arctic regions. And a lot of people turn to us for advice, and even want us to go with them on an Arctic trip!.

We’ve been there. We’ve hiked across frozen tundras, stood under the shimmering Northern Lights in absolute silence, and yes, once questioned our life choices while knee-deep in snow, miles from civilization.

The Arctic isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling, a test of resilience, and a reward for those who seek the extraordinary. So, this guide is for you, adventurous penguins, and all of our friends and relatives who keep asking us stuff (we love you)!

We were looking for a nature destination with whimsical, dramatic landscapes for our unofficial wedding. Iceland had gotten way too popular, and the Lofoten Islands seemed to be next…

We found the perfect Faroese photographer, so we decided to travel to the Faroe Islands to symbolically get married, and, of course, explore this one-of-a-kind destination!

Will you join us on an unforgettable trip to the Faroe Islands?

Spoiler alert: A very famous character died there!

Packing for Greenland is like dressing for mood swings — sunshine, snow, wind, and rain all before lunch. We’ve lived it, felt it, and nearly froze our eyelashes off. Take this as your Arctic survival script (with a side of style… or not).

And yes, read our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide for even more cherry-picked wisdom!

Svalbard had been on our bucket list for a long time. And we finally took the leap… with a little help from a Black Friday offer on flights!

Remote… Freezing… Empty… Dark… Everyone asked us why on earth we decided to go there.

Well, because it’s the northernmost place you can go without an expedition, which means flights are actually affordable.

Yep, the northernmost, so close to the North Pole… How could we NOT want to go there? And in the heart of the winter, of course!

here’s something quietly radical about sailing down the coast of Greenland. In a world obsessed with faster, flashier, and flatter, boarding the Sarfaq Ittuk ferry from Ilulissat to Nuuk felt like a deliberate act of slowing down. Like trading in your high-speed train for a wandering polar bear. Or, say, skipping the flight in favor of a three-day odyssey past glaciers, fishing villages, and the kind of endless horizon that recalibrates your sense of scale.

We hate cruises. This has nothing to do with one. Welcome aboard!

Icebergs that groan and crack like thunder. Midnight suns that never set. Sled dogs howling across the frozen fjord. Welcome to Ilulissat: Greenland’s jaw-dropping, iceberg-studded west coast town where nature doesn’t just whisper—it roars.

Nuuk might be Greenland’s capital. But Ilulissat? Ilulissat is the showstopper. The drama queen. The main event. It’s the number 1 tourist destination in Greenland, and there’s a good reason for that.

At a young age, I (Eli) saw a documentary about Disko Bay and always remembered. So, seeing these icy giants 3 decades later was a dream come true. And there’s no word to describe a feeling like that, but we will try our best.

Greenland was a childhood dream for us, and the only Arctic destination we hadn’t explored (with the exception of Siberia, but not happening right now). So, when we heard about Nuuk’s new international airport and direct flights from the US, we HAD to go before everyone else does.

We just came back from Nuuk and Ilulissat — with a ferry ride in between — and we’re still thawing out emotionally. If you’re even slightly tempted to go, this is your sign. Here’s everything that might be useful if Greenland is on your bucket list (don’t worry, we’ll leave a few surprises). Adventure ahead!

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Arctic adventures, it’s that human stubbornness knows no latitude. Where most creatures call it quits, slap on some fur, and hibernate, humans build bars, churches, and—of course — saunas. Because what’s a little darkness, ice, and bone-snapping wind when there’s beer to drink, sins to confess, and steam to sweat out?

We’ve been there, frozen that — from sipping local brews in Svalbard to sweating it out in a sauna shaped like a golden egg in Sweden. So here’s our firsthand guide to the northernmost everythings—places so absurdly remote that you’ll question why (and how) they even exist.