Ofoten travel planning
A year-round destination — particularly strong in winter.
Ofoten, centered around Narvik, functions differently from its neighboring regions. It is not a coastal island destination, but a compact, activity-rich region with reliable access, strong winter appeal, and a clear urban center. For many travelers, Ofoten works as a primary destination rather than a connector.
Is Ofoten right for your trip?
✓ Ofoten works well if:
• You want a winter-focused destination with reliable activities
• You prefer easy logistics and short distances
• You value museums, cafés, and restaurants alongside nature
• You want a base with services rather than scattered villages
✕ Ofoten may disappoint if:
• You want iconic coastal fishing villages
• You expect dramatic scenery at every roadside stop
• You are traveling only for summer landscapes
• You want remote or low-infrastructure settings
Where to stay in Ofoten
Narvik is the natural base for almost all trips.
Narvik
Urban hub · Winter base · Transport access
Narvik is compact, well connected, and functions as both a transport hub and activity base. Accommodation standards are solid, and most attractions are within short driving or walking distance.
Narvik works well as:
• A multi-day base
• A winter destination
• A stop combining culture, food, and outdoor activities
Typical accommodation options include:
→ Scandic Narvik (modern, centrally located)
→ Quality Hotel Grand Royal (near the train station and waterfront)
→ Thon Partner Hotel Narvik (practical mid-range option)
The map below shows how accommodation options are distributed across the bases described above.
How to get to Ofoten
Ofoten is one of the most accessible regions in Northern Norway.
Flying to Ofoten
Via Harstad/Narvik Airport (EVE)
Evenes is the main airport for Ofoten, with frequent year-round flights from Oslo and other Norwegian cities. Narvik is easily reached by road from the airport.
Evenes offers:
• Reliable winter access
• Flexible onward travel
• Easy connections to neighboring regions
Train access
The Arctic Train (Ofotbanen) connects Narvik with Sweden and the European rail network via Kiruna. This route is an attraction in itself, especially in winter, and offers a rare rail-based Arctic arrival.
The train works best if:
• You are traveling from northern Sweden
• You want a scenic, low-stress arrival
• You are building a winter itinerary
Bus connections
Best Arctic operates a seasonal bus route between Tromsø and Narvik. Travel times are long, but it can work for travelers avoiding flights.
Getting around in Ofoten
A car provides flexibility but is not necessary if you stay in or near Narvik.
Renting a car
Renting a car is useful if:
• You plan day trips beyond town
• You are traveling outside winter
Local transport
Narvik’s compact size means:
• Many attractions are walkable
• Short taxi rides cover most needs
• Public transport is sufficient for town-based stays
This makes Ofoten easier to navigate than most neighboring regions.
Guided experiences
Guided tours in Ofoten function less as transport solutions and more as structured access to specific experiences. Because Narvik serves as a compact base and many attractions are close by, guided options are most useful when conditions, equipment, or local knowledge matter.
Guided tours are particularly relevant for:
• Winter activities, such as Northern Lights outings and alpine experiences
• Arctic Train excursions, where timing and logistics are fixed
• Nature and wildlife visits, including trips to Polar Park
These experiences trade flexibility for reliability and ease, especially during winter months when conditions can change quickly.
→ Browse guided tours and winter experiences in Ofoten (GetYourGuide)
→ Browse guided tours and winter experiences in Ofoten (Tripadvisor)
What you can realistically do in Ofoten
Ofoten offers a higher activity density than most nearby regions, particularly in winter.
Winter activities (December–March)
Winter is Ofoten’s strongest season.
Typical experiences include:
• Skiing at Narvikfjellet, directly above town
• Northern Lights viewing with easy access from urban bases
• Arctic Train journeys in snow-covered landscapes
Winter conditions are reliable, and infrastructure is designed for cold weather.
→ Browse guided tours and winter experiences in Ofoten (GetYourGuide)
→ Browse guided tours and winter experiences in Ofoten (Tripadvisor)
Cultural and historical sites
Ofoten has some of Northern Norway’s most substantial cultural attractions.
Key sites include:
• Narvik War Museum, offering deep historical context
• Town museums and memorials
• Cafés and restaurants reflecting a working Arctic town
These experiences add depth beyond nature-based travel.
Nature and wildlife
Outside winter, Ofoten offers:
• Mountain landscapes rather than coastal scenery
• Access to Polar Park, one of Europe’s northernmost wildlife parks
• Short hikes and viewpoints near Narvik
Nature here is structured and accessible rather than remote.
→ Browse guided tours and winter experiences in Ofoten (GetYourGuide)
→ Browse guided tours and winter experiences in Ofoten (Tripadvisor)
When to visit Ofoten
Winter (December–March)
The prime season.
• Reliable snow conditions
• Northern Lights opportunities
• Full activity availability
Best for travelers planning a winter-focused trip.
Summer (June–August)
A secondary season.
• Long daylight
• Hiking and sightseeing
• Fewer signature experiences than winter
Summer works best as part of a broader regional itinerary.
Shoulder seasons
Quieter and less activity-driven.
• Fewer visitors
• Reduced offerings
• More limited appeal
What many visitors underestimate
• How strong Ofoten is as a winter destination
• How compact and practical Narvik is
• How different the experience feels compared to island regions
Ofoten works best when treated as a destination in its own right, not a substitute for Lofoten.
→ Compare with alternative regions
→ Winter travel planning
Compare regions and plan next steps
When Ofoten makes the most sense
• You are planning a winter trip
• You want activities, culture, and food in one place
• You prefer easy access and short travel times
When to consider alternatives
• For coastal scenery → Lofoten
• For wildlife and calm pace → Vesterålen
• For urban Arctic life → Tromsø
Explore nearby regions
→ Compare Lofoten vs Vesterålen
→ Compare Lofoten vs Senja
→ Explore Vesterålen travel planning
→ Explore Sør-Troms travel planning
These comparisons focus on trade-offs rather than rankings.
Continue planning
→ Accommodation planning by base
Good trips in Northern Norway are shaped as much by realistic choices as by scenery.
Lofoten
Dramatic landscapes, high demand, strong summer appeal.
When it makes sense — and when it doesn’t.
→ Lofoten travel planning
Vesterålen
More space, darker skies, easier winter logistics.
A practical alternative to Lofoten
→ Vesterålen travel planning
Ofoten & Narvik
Mountain terrain, rail access, year-round transport hub.
Best for winter access and mixed itineraries.
→ Ofoten & Narvik planning
Sør-Troms & Harstad
Sør-Troms & Harstad
Coastal landscapes, good airport access, fewer crowds.
→ Sør-Troms & Harstad planning
Arctic Norway Planner
Arctic Northern Norway rewards informed planning more than spontaneity.
Distances, seasons, light conditions and access vary significantly — even within the same region.
This site is designed to help you understand those differences before you commit to routes, bases, or experiences. Use it to compare options, set realistic expectations, and choose what fits your trip — not what looks best on a map.
Arctic Norway Planner is an independent travel planning resource focused on logistics, seasonality, and regional trade-offs in Northern Norway.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you choose to book through them, we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you.
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Independent travel planning resource based in Northern Norway.
Created and maintained by local contributors, last updated February 2026.
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Arctic Norway Planner