2-week Norway itinerary: Tromsø, Senja and the Lofoten Islands

Planning a road trip in northern Norway, when it’s your very first trip, isn’t the most straightforward thing. Going only to Tromso, to Senja or to the Lofoten Islands, honestly, isn’t all that complicated to organise because you’ve got the time. But when it comes to combining all of it, you have to make choices, and that’s where things get tricky.

How long to stay in each place, which activities to do, which ones you can skip, the must-see spots and those you can set aside for a future trip (because yes, you always come back to Norway, I’d rather warn you now), and of course all of this depending on the season 🙂

In short, as you can see, there are hundreds of possibilities! That’s why, as it’s quite a common question, and not an easy one at that, I’m suggesting a 2-week itinerary that will show you the essentials of Tromso, the most beautiful landscapes of Senja, or all the must-sees of the Lofoten Islands.

Of course, it’s just a suggestion, everything is adaptable. You won’t go dog sledding in summer (well, by kart perhaps…), but you’ll have plenty of hikes on offer, whereas the whales (visible in several places in Norway) are only visible from November onwards, for example. So take this as a base, it can be done in any season, add a day or two in Senja for example. Anyway, let me explain it all to you, day by day 🙂

Day 1 – Arrival in Tromso

Arriving at Tromso Langnes airport, the first thing to do will be to pick up your car.

To rent your car in Tromso, you absolutely must compare! I compare on DiscoverCars, and Booking.com, two broker comparison sites I find effective (yes yes, I compare the comparison sites!).

If you don’t arrive too late, after checking in you can take a relaxed wander around the town centre and the harbour. If the weather’s nice, you can head up to the cable car for the northern lights. But don’t overdo it on the very first evening because the coming days are going to be busy 🙂

• Night : suggestions for where to sleep in Tromso
  • Radisson Blu for the bedding, the breakfast and the location
  • Ami Hotel for a smaller budget
  • 3ART for sleeping outside Tromso
  • In the following article you can find more places to stay in Tromso

Day 2 – Discovering Grotfjord and Ersfjord

The serious stuff begins! You’re heading to the island of Kvaloya for the day:

• First go to Ersfjord. On the way, stop at the Kaldfjord fjord, several viewpoints
• Ersfjord : stop at the car park up high, then go down to the level of the Bryggejentene café, which is also a shop. You can go down to the water’s edge. You can go further along the shore near the little harbour.
• Road to Grotfjord: several viewpoints along the way. Stop above the village of Grotfjord, you can even go down into it, it’s tiny and lovely
• Then head into the fjord, super impressive. There are very many viewpoints all along the fjord. You can stop right at the far end and go down to the water without any trouble
• Continue to Tromvik. The village is quick to visit, there’s the fishermen’s harbour
• Take the road to Rekvik, stop at the Brosmetinden pass, superb views and the chance for a walk if there’s not too much snow

In the evening, I strongly recommend, if it’s the right season, taking a tour to see the northern lights. Why, when you have a car? To gather all the information at the start of your stay, to learn how the guides do it, to know where to go depending on the weather. Of course you’ll have read this info on the northern lights beforehand, but to give yourself confidence, going with a professional guide isn’t a bad idea at the start of the trip. I suggest the good agencies here.

Day 3 – Discovering the Lyngen Alps

The Lyngen Alps are among the most beautiful landscapes in Norway, no less. A mountain range rising straight out of the sea, that’s not bad. To visit them, I suggest 3 alternatives, with the option of seeing the Signaldalen mountain:

• By car :
  • Option 1 : Head towards Breivikeidet. If you have time before the next ferry, go down to Nakkevatnet and Sjursnes. Then take the ferry from Breivikeidet to Svensby, head up towards the north of Lyngen. Then come back down to Lyngseidet, passing through the superb fjord. You can head north quickly, the road is fast.
    Then go down to the Signaldalen mountain.
    If the weather is good in the evening, then you can have dinner in Nordkjosbotn and come back here to see the northern lights
  • Option 2 : a bit more driving. Head south to Laksvatn, then on to Lakselvbukt, to see the Lyngen from the other side. Then come back down to Nordkjosbotn, go and see the Signaldalen mountain. Then head to Lyngseidet, then the fjord and all the way north.
    To get back, you can take the ferry to avoid doing the whole road all over again, but watch out for the late timetables
• By snowmobile
  • several snowmobile agencies are based in the Lyngen Alps. And it has to be said the setting lends itself pretty well to it! Although there are a huge number of mountains, a little further north you’ll find somewhere flat enough. So you could say it’s an idyllic environment. Among these agencies, you’ll find Camp Troll, which is a benchmark. They pick you up and bring you back to Tromso.
    • find all the snowmobile options in Tromso

Day 4 – Dog sledding excursion

Perhaps the flagship activity in Tromso when there’s snow. Dog sledding really is a great time, for several reasons. First of all to see the enthusiasm of the dogs, who absolutely looove running in the snow! They’re so excited! We’ll obviously give them a proper fuss. But the activity itself is also great fun. It’s sporty, it’s lively, it goes fairly fast, it’s really enjoyable.

There are numerous dog sledding agencies in Tromso, so it’s not easy to choose. Without a car, they pick you up and bring you back. So here I’d recommend for example Arctic Resorts in Breivikeidet because you face the Lyngen Alps, and the setting is once again magnificent 🙂

If you want to go there under your own steam, then why not go to Into Nature, a smaller, family-run kennel ?

Anyway, you won’t regret it, but you REALLY must book several weeks (even two months) in advance to be sure of getting a place.

Night : if you haven’t already been, and the weather is good, head to the Fjellheisen cable car for the sunset or the northern lights

Day 5 – Discovering Sommaroy

Here, the idea is to do another very beautiful drive around Tromso, but above all to get you closer to Senja. So you’re going to set off for Sommaroy. A superb archipelago, with crystal-clear waters, beaches, mountains, and you often come across reindeer. Not bad, eh?

The journey is really superb and deserves taking several hours to complete, even if it’s “only” 60km from Tromso.

By sleeping in Sommaroy, you’re very close to the ferry to head off to Senja the next day. So you can spend the evening on the archipelago without any worry, the setting is really beautiful.

Night : you’ll sleep at the Sommaroy Arctic Hotel, ideal for getting off to a good start the next morning

Day 6 – Road to Senja and its fjords

Ferry: as you slept nearby, you can take the first ferry to Senja. It’s at Brensholmen, just to the south. Arrive a little early, you pay automatically with the autopass. The crossing takes 45 min

Once there, I recommend doing the following route:

• the fishermen’s island of Husoy, surprising with a superb view from above
• the village of Fjordgard facing it
• take the road back to Tungeneset passing through 2 lovely fjords. Superb view, be careful because it’s very slippery!
• then head to the Bergsbotn platform and its view over the fjord

Night : you can sleep at Hamn i Senja and its superb peninsula. Otherwise in Skaland there are good places to stay too.

4 recommended places to stay in Senja

Find your dream accommodationOn Senja!

Day 7 – Visiting western Senja

A new day in Senja! Set off from your accommodation to head west:

• the fishing village with a very special atmosphere of Gryllefjord. Nestled in its fjord, there’s an end-of-the-world feel.
• then quickly continue to Torsken, it’s the end of the road
• Take the road back to Sifjord, quite simply the most beautiful view on the island.
• You can continue on to Flakstadvag

Night : to save a bit of time for the next day’s drive, I recommend sleeping in the south of Senja. For example at the lovely Furoy Fishing Camp.

Day 8 – Off to the Lofoten Islands

Today, the idea is to head to Svolvaer, in the Lofoten Islands. It doesn’t look like it, but the journey between Senja and the Lofoten is a long one! That’s why you slept a bit further south. But rather than only driving, I suggest making a stop at the Polar Park, next to Bardufoss. There you’ll be able to see Arctic wildlife in an environment resembling semi-freedom. Bears, lynx, foxes… very nice! Do watch the opening hours though, as it closes early.

On the road to Svolvaer, I’d say there’s no iconic spot to stop at. On the other hand it’s really pretty so you’ll make plenty of photo stops, I can guarantee it. That’s also why this journey takes ages.

Night : sleep in Svolvaer, for example at the Anker Brygge, the Svinoya Rorbuer or, for smaller budgets, the FastHotel.

4 recommended places to stay in the Lofoten

Find your dream accommodationIn the Lofoten Islands!

Day 9 – Visiting Henningsvaer and the Viking museum

Today, we head west of Svolvaer:

• A morning discovery of Henningsvaer, passing by the mini beach of Rørvikstranda. The little harbour is cute, the village nice. There’s the football pitch right at the far end. The visit is done fairly quickly
• Then head to the Lofotr Museum, a reconstruction of a Viking village (watch the opening hours!). It’s worth a visit, it’s not just folklore, it’s interesting 🙂
• Go to Unstad beach where there are several not-so-shy surfers, and have a wonderful kannelbolle at the Unstad Arctic Surf

Night: sleep in Ballstad, a lovely little town in a superb setting, for example at the Solsiden Brygge Rorbuer or the Hattvika (more expensive)

Day 10 – Discovering the beaches and Nusfjord

One of the must-dos of the Lofoten Islands is its heavenly beaches. Yes yes! numerous fine-sand beaches, turquoise water, all surrounded by fantastic mountains. And with water at 5-10 degrees, of course 😀

These beaches are generally located on the north coast of the island of Vestvagoy, a bit above Leknes. The best known are: Uttakleiv of course, where you should get a little away from the crowds, the setting is magnificent. But also, before it, Vik and Haukland, lovely for the sunset.

Then set off to discover the village of Nusfjord. Tiny, tucked away between mountains, it’s really pretty. They recently developed it to make it a bit more interesting, with various cabins depicting life in the old days, the fishermen.

Night : you can sleep there, notably at the very lovely Nusfjord Arctic Resort, to make the most of the evening here. Otherwise head to Ramberg, with the Ramberg Gjestegard which is located right by the famous beach. Not bad!

Day 11 – Flakstad, Fredvang and Ramberg

For this day, start with the beach of Ramberg with its famous red cabin but a truly top setting. When the sky is kind, the water is crystal clear.

Go back and enjoy Flakstad with its surfers’ beach. A setting I really love.

Then cross the bridges that lead to Fredvang. The bridges are typical and, above all, on the other side you can see the famous leaning mountain.

But don’t stop there! Almost nobody goes, but take the road from Fredvang towards the south-west, towards Selfjord. It’s truly superb. On the way, if the snow and weather allow, you can do one of the 3 hikes that lead to Kvalvika. The starting points are around here, the 3 are of different levels, be careful!

Night : spend the next 2 nights in a superb setting, facing the famous mountains of Hamnoy, at the Eliassen Rorbuer. Great cabins and waking up here facing these mountains, I loved it!

Day 12 – Visiting the small villages of the Lofoten

Today, little driving and you’ll devote yourself to the small villages nearby:

• Hamnoy, where you slept. Naturally you’ll go onto the bridge to take the famous photo, in the mini harbour right next to it. It’s tiny but very lovely
• Sakrisoy, another teeny village known for its yellow houses (whereas the ones next door are red) which is literally on the other side of the bridge and has a very good fish restaurant
• Reine, the great classic, the exceptional views notably from the bridge but not only. Go to the far end, towards the harbour, towards the red houses, it’s magnificent

Still the night in Hamnoy, at the Eliassen Rorbuer as it’s handy and central

Day 13 – Back to Tromso

The road from here to Tromso is long. But before setting off, absolutely go and visit the village of A i Lofoten, the village at the end of the world. You can see it beforehand if you have time, but here, without rushing, take a couple of little hours to wander around it in the morning. It’s really super lovely, more authentic than the previous ones I find. Apparently there’s a bakery that makes incredible kannelbolle.

Then, unfortunately, you have to set off back to Tromso. From there, you’ll need a good 8h so don’t set off too late. Generally I leave in the afternoon, but around midday means you arrive in time for dinner.

If it’s not your last night, then you can sleep a bit before Tromso, out in nature. The lovely setting of the Malangen Resort lends itself very well to it!

If you have to sleep near the airport, the new Moxy is very handy, plus it has parking included.

Day 14 – Visiting Tromso and souvenirs

If you have one last day to spend in Tromso, then it’ll be devoted notably to the last bits of shopping but not only:

• Visit the Polarmuseet, an interesting museum
• Enjoy the lovely town centre and the harbour
• Grab a hotdog at the Raketten Bar & Pølse, the smallest bar in the world! And they also do mulled wine or hot chocolate.
• Buy your souvenirs at the Tromsø Gift & Souvenir Shop (yellow façade), there’s plenty of choice, I feel less taken for a ride than at the ones on the main street

Practical information about this itinerary

What season can you do it in

Easy, you really can do it any time, in any season. The sights can be seen in winter as well as in summer. The difference will be in the activities. In winter, there’s everything to do with snow (dog sledding, snowmobiling, whales too), whereas you can hike and enjoy the landscapes more in summer and autumn for example.

There’s ALWAYS something to see and do, it’s really lovely 🙂 In fact in the following article I explain to you why autumn is a great season.

And if you’re looking for ideas, I suggest the best itineraries for visiting Norway in summer!

Is this itinerary adaptable

Ah well yes, very easily adaptable. While I’m at it, if you like, here’s a one-week itinerary in Tromso. But you can, for example, adapt it in the following way:

• +/- 1 day in Tromso and Senja
• See all the villages in one go in the Lofoten, or even stay a week to do more hikes
• if the days are short, don’t overload them
• You can also do the loop from Bodo by taking the ferry to come back down once in Tromso
  • in fact in the following article I tell you all about the ways to get to the Lofoten Islands

That said, is it doable in 10 days? yes, by removing 2 days in Tromso, 1 in Senja and 1 in the Lofoten. It’s a rush, but it can be done.

In one week? some people do it, but they really spend their whole week on the road, and I find that a shame. But it’s doable, it makes 4 full days of driving all the same.

Do you need to book well in advance

It depends!

In high season (from November to mid-March), yes yes yes. Flights, excursions, accommodation especially in December and February. It’s getting quite touristy so in the very high season, everything goes several weeks (even months for the most popular) in advance.
In summer, July and August it’s the same, book your accommodation in advance otherwise you’ll pay a small fortune. You can do it day by day but it costs more. In winter, doing it day by day will be possible in Senja and Lofoten, but not in Tromso.

In low season, you can leave it later because there are far fewer people. It’s very pleasant.

Can you organise this itinerary yourself

Absolutely! and it’s very easy 🙂

I’ve given you all the links to be able to book, to check the timetables, to know where to go.
It’s a turnkey itinerary, but you first need to:

• decide on the period by asking yourself when to go to Tromso, Senja and Lofoten depending on what you want to see (northern lights, midnight sun, snow, hikes, whales…)
• then you can book your plane tickets and rent the car
• choose the activities you’d like to do, line them up against the dates
  • in fact here I give you all the activities it’s possible to do in Tromso!
• and now that you know roughly how long you’re going to stay in each place, you can make the hotel bookings

Or, you don’t bother and you just follow this guide step by step, and there you go!

You can also rely on the map of Tromso to see where the not-to-be-missed spots are, to build your itinerary 🙂

Maps of Norway

To help you get organised, I’ve made several maps that bring together loads of info:

• most beautiful spots
• where to see the northern lights
• the various providers
• the accommodation
• the hikes
• in short, all the useful info!

And you can find the maps for Tromso, Senja and the Lofoten Islands.

If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask me by clicking here 🙂How can I help you ?

Conclusion

There we go! So yes, it seems complicated at first with so many things to see, so many places to go, but in the end I hope I’ve pointed you in the right direction for a successful trip.

I tried to balance this itinerary well by not cramming the days too much, by not overloading things. Otherwise I think there’s less enjoyment. Be careful because there can be quite a lot of driving, so depending on the period, you’ll have less visibility (like in December).

To help you with your itineraries, I’ve started making maps that bring together all the information for each place:

• Map of Tromso with all the spots, the activities, the northern lights
• Map of Senja with the most beautiful spots and the essential info

But to find out more, to define your itinerary even better, don’t hesitate to check out the following resources:

• Everything you need to know about Tromso
• Things to do in Tromso in winter
• The best places to sleep in Tromso
• Which agency to rent your car from in Tromso
• Discover Senja
• What to see in the Lofoten Islands
• The best activities in the Lofoten Islands
• 3 itineraries for visiting the Lofoten Islands (3, 5 or 7 days)

And depending on the period, it can be great for seeing the northern lights. Don’t forget to check these articles which can also give you information:

• the guides for seeing the northern lights in Tromso
• the best places to see the northern lights in Tromso
• seeing the northern lights in Senja
• seeing the northern lights in the Lofoten Islands

A few general articles on Norway:

• How to organise your tour in Norway
• Which is the best region for a trip to Norway in summer
• Order the badge to pay tolls and ferries in Norway
• How to pay in Norway?