Narvik, Norway- A Unique Vacation for Every Season
Mountainous surroundings and war history.
It’s wild, it’s dramatic – and it’s most certainly a genuine nature experience. If you’re searching for an active holiday, Narvik is the place for you.
The city of Narvik is surrounded by majestic mountains and is perfect for both mountaineering and skiing. Narvik’s ski resort Narvikfjellet offers some of the best extreme and alpine skiing in Norway. It has one of Scandinavia’s largest drop heights and offers excellent conditions for off-piste skiing. From Narvikfjellet you can enjoy scenic views over the Ofotfjord – from the top it actually seems like you’ll be skiing right into the fjord.
Narvik is in the process of being certified as a Sustainable Destination, a seal of approval given to destinations that work systematically to reduce the negative impact of tourism. In addition to providing visitors with enjoyable experiences, Narvik wishes to preserve the local nature, culture and environment, strengthen social values, and be economically viable. The municipality and the travel industry cooperate closely to assure that the destination is a great place both to live in and to visit.
The skies in Narvik are especially clear and great for observing the northern lights in the late autumn, winter and early spring. From the end of May to the end of July you can experience the midnight sun.
Narvik is an important industrial town in Norway because of its ice-free port. The need for access to an open harbour to export iron from Sweden led to the construction of the Ofotbanen Railway Line, and to the development of the modern town of Narvik. Today, there are several options for getting to Narvik and around.
During World War II, the port of Narvik proved to be strategically valuable for both sides. This dramatic part of the town’s modern history is still important to the region and its inhabitants.
Find activities and attractions
Whether you’re going on a trip with your family, partner, or friends, you’ll find plenty of things to do here.
Narvik offers activities in majestic surroundings: Go fishing in Ofotfjorden, enjoy skiing or hiking in the mountains, or take the scenic Ofotbanen Railway to Sweden.
There are no clear boundaries between one day and the next in the far north during summer. These are the best places to see the midnight sun in Norway.
Narvik in Northern Norway is the ideal winter holiday destination if you are interested in Arctic nature, snow-based activities, Sami culture, and history.
More and more dedicated divers put Norway on their top lists, because of the rich biodiversity, contrasting locations and experiences you are most likely to only find here.
Getting here and around
Get additional travel information on Narvik's official website.
By train: There are daily train departures to Narvik from Boden in Sweden. Travel time is around 5 hours, with an additional 17 if you are taking the train from Gothenburg or Stockholm to Boden.
From Narvik there are also trains to and from Kiruna in Sweden, a trip which takes 2,5 hours.
Within Norway, you can take the train from Oslo to Fauske and change to a bus for the last 4 hours to Narvik.
By bus :Express bus routes serve Narvik from the other regional hubs in Northern Norway.
Almost all of the major islands in Lofoten are connected to the mainland by road, and there are a variety of buses connecting Narvik to the settlements on the islands.
Travel time from Narvik to Svolvær in Lofoten is approximately 3,5 hours by bus. To Harstad, travel time is about 2 hours.
By car :Narvik is described as the gate to Northern Norway. The E6 runs straight through Narvik.
The main north-south artery has one single ferry crossing, between Bognes and Skarberget, with numerous departures.
By boat: The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten cruises the Norwegian coastline and calls at Svolvær and Harstad, both of which are connected to Narvik by road.
By plane: Harstad/Narvik Airport lies less than 1,5 hours from Narvik by road. The airport has connections to Andenes, Bodø, Oslo, Tromsø, and Trondheim.
Seasons and climate
Narvik is one of the least windy places in Norway, positioned at the end of Ofotfjorden with surrounding mountains.
Due to the Gulf Stream, Narvik has a relatively mild climate despite its northern location.
Because of the mountains the sun is gone somewhat longer than what the geographical location would suggest (mainly from November 22 to February 6).
The dense and steep mountains of Skjomen, 50 kilometres south of the city, gives hot temperatures in the summer.
January and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of -3°C. July and August are warmest with an average temperature of 13°C.