Bodø – the perfect whirlpool of culture, countryside, and sea

The capital of Nordland county, Bodø lies just north of the Arctic Circle. With few mountains to block the sun from the south, Bodø is the lightest city in the world, based on the number of daylight hours it basks in every year.

Like many places along Norway’s coast, Bodø owes its existence to the sea, especially the unusually abundant stocks of fish and seabirds in the Saltenfjord.

The town was established in 1816 and for many years it was known for its military air base and war heritage. In 1940, German planes destroyed two-thirds of the town’s buildings. Twenty years later, Bodø played a prominent role in one of the most famous events of the Cold War, when an American spy plane stationed here was shot down by the Soviet Union.

In 2022, Bodø Air Station closed after more than 80 years of service, leaving Bodø to reinvent itself – something this Arctic city has become very good at over the centuries.

Since the closure was announced, Bodø has built itself a reputation around its culture. “Bodø is now a cool city with nice restaurants, nice bars, surrounded by beautiful nature,” says Raymond Limstrand Jakobsen, Sales Manager at Wood Hotel and life-long Bodø resident.

For Craig Alibone, an Englishman who moved to Bodø 10 years ago and owner of Craig Alibone Pâtisserie & Champagneria, culture and a sense of togetherness is part of Bodø’s essence. “There's live music on all the time. It's played at different cafés and restaurants all over town, as part of various festivals and events.”

In 2024, Bodø’s cultural status reaches new heights as it takes its place as European Capital of Culture.

Thanks to its contrasting Arctic seasons, that cultural spirit, and a lively student population, Bodø is a dynamic place. Colourful murals decorate the streets. Its café and restaurant scene is thriving, and there’s a wide array of cultural venues.

The surrounding countryside has its charms, too. “My favourite thing to do, like a lot of people in Bodø, is hiking,” says Raymond. “The surrounding mountains and coastline are good for hiking, whether you want something easier or prefer steeper routes. The mountains are very close to the city, which is compact, so you can quickly and easily get into the mountains and woods and feel like you're all alone.”

Lars Lysfjord, 1st Mechanic on Hurtigruten’s MS Kong Harald and secretary of Amcar Bodø, prefers to spend summer days cruising in his Pontiac. “The scenery of mountains, green woods, and waters is just beautiful. The curvy roads make winters a hassle but summers fun!”

“In Bodø, every season has its charms, but I like September, when it’s still warm during the day but getting darker at night,” Raymond tells us. “You can create a cosy atmosphere with candlelight and good wine, it’s warm enough to sit outside at night, and Northern Lights season has started. You get the both the best of both worlds.”

Bodø summers are warm, with the Midnight Sun hanging in the sky from 2 June to 10 July. Or, as Lars jokes: “I love the northern Norwegian summer! It’s the best week of the year!”

In winter, the Northern Lights come out to play. Bodø is directly under the Auroral Oval and on clear nights between September and April, you stand a good chance of watching the Lights dance overhead.

In fact, the aurora appear so frequently here that Craig, tells us, “It's one of those things where you have to give yourself a bit of a slap because you almost get so used to it. But when I do take that minute to go outside and have a look it’s incredible and I’m always amazed.”