Bodo Attractions
Post code: N-8000
Telephone code: 081
The Norwegian port of Bodø, chief town of Nordland county, lies in the Saltfjord, north of the Arctic Circle. From the beginning of June to the middle of July the sun never sets here. The attraction of the Midnight Sun draws many tourists during this one month stretch. The nearby Lofoten Islands are home to sea eagles, which is another notable interest for visitors to Bodø. The town received its municipal charter in 1816, but its development was slow until the second half of the 19th century, when the herring fisheries gave it a boost.
During the Second World War Bodø suffered heavy damage in the fighting of May 1940, when almost the whole town center was destroyed by fire. Rebuilt in modern style, it is now a lively commercial town, with a number of factories, a shipyard and several technical colleges.
In addition to its commercial harbor, which is busy throughout the year, Bodø has a large pleasure harbor which has contributed to the international atmosphere of the town. It also prides itself on being the musical capital of northern Norway.
Communications
Bodø is linked with the important European highway E 6 by a road to Fauske; there are two trains daily from Trondheim on the Nordland line, which was extended to Bodø in 1962; the fast ships of the Hurtigrute from Bergen to Kirkenes call in here; and there is now an airstrip linking the town with the network of Scandinavian air services. There are air and ferry services from Bodø to the Lofoten Islands.
Telephone code: 081
The Norwegian port of Bodø, chief town of Nordland county, lies in the Saltfjord, north of the Arctic Circle. From the beginning of June to the middle of July the sun never sets here. The attraction of the Midnight Sun draws many tourists during this one month stretch. The nearby Lofoten Islands are home to sea eagles, which is another notable interest for visitors to Bodø. The town received its municipal charter in 1816, but its development was slow until the second half of the 19th century, when the herring fisheries gave it a boost.
During the Second World War Bodø suffered heavy damage in the fighting of May 1940, when almost the whole town center was destroyed by fire. Rebuilt in modern style, it is now a lively commercial town, with a number of factories, a shipyard and several technical colleges.
In addition to its commercial harbor, which is busy throughout the year, Bodø has a large pleasure harbor which has contributed to the international atmosphere of the town. It also prides itself on being the musical capital of northern Norway.
Communications
Bodø is linked with the important European highway E 6 by a road to Fauske; there are two trains daily from Trondheim on the Nordland line, which was extended to Bodø in 1962; the fast ships of the Hurtigrute from Bergen to Kirkenes call in here; and there is now an airstrip linking the town with the network of Scandinavian air services. There are air and ferry services from Bodø to the Lofoten Islands.
Kjerringoy, Norway
(Near Bodo)
40km/25mi north of Bodø is Kjerringøy, an old trading town which until the 19th century was one of the most important in northern Norway. Its open-air museum, with 15 old buildings, gives a fascinating picture of life and trade in a Norwegian coastal settlement.
Kjerringøy is noted for its beautiful scenery, fishing opportunities and other outdoor activities.
Kjerringøy is noted for its beautiful scenery, fishing opportunities and other outdoor activities.
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Saltstraumen
This strait, between the islands of Straumen and Straumøy is an area of whirlpools and turbulent waters as the tide flows in and out.
Bodin Church
3km/2mi east of the center of Bodø stands the old stone church of Bodin (12th C.), which has a Baroque altarpiece of 1670. Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orleans and later king of France (1830-48), stayed in the pastor's house on a journey to the North Cape.
Bodø Cathedral
Close by the Bodø Town Hall is the Cathedral (1956; fine stained glass by Aagen Storstein), with a separate belfry.
County Museum
To the south of the Bodø Cathedral is the Nordland County Museum (Nordlandfylkesmuseum), with sections devoted to agriculture, local crafts and fisheries, together with a collection of prehistoric and medieval material.
Geitvågen
From Bodø, Road 834 runs north to Geitvågen, the finest sandy beach north of the Arctic Circle. A visit to Geitvågen on midsummer night is one of the high spots of the year for many inhabitants of Bodø.
National Norwegian Aviation Museum
The National Norwegian Aviation Museum is the museum for the Norwegian Air Force previously located just outside Oslo. It has a fine collection of aircraft used by the Royal Norwegian Air Force form the 1920s onward. It also houses aircraft of British and German wartime types that were recovered and restored.
Hours
January 23 to June 12
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
June 13 to August 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Norwegian National Day (May 17)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Norwegian National Day (May 17)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Rønvikfjell
4km/2.5mi north of Bodø is the Rønvikfjell (155m/509ft; mountain hut), from which there are panoramic views. From here it is a two hours' walk on a waymarked path to the summit of the Løpsfjell (603m/1,978ft), with a view extending to the Lofotens, 100m/60mi away; to the east can be seen the glacier-covered Sulitjelma 90km/55mi away on the Swedish frontier, and to the left of this the Blåmannsis, with its snowfields rising to 1,571m/5,154ft.
Town Hall
In Rådhusplassen is the Bodø Town Hall (1959), with a tower from which there are extensive views.
