Northern Norway compromises three counties: Nordland, Troms and Finnmark.

In the middle of winter, on the other hand, the lights at dawn turns to dusk without ever becoming daylight. That is when you can see the Aurora Borealis sending cascading light and flames across the heavens for up to 20 hours per day. Regardless of the season, it is certainly its extreme light conditions that fascinate about this region and make it such an exciting place to visit.

Northern nature is very diverse. While the coastal landscape of Finnmark is stark with mountain plateaus tipping down towards the sea, there are also forested valleys with lush river banks and small farms. The coastline of Troms and Nordland is livelier and more vegetated, but the mountains seem more unapproachable. The entire coast from the Arctic Circle to east Finnmark is called «bird rock channel», because there are thousands of birds of all species in the air, in the sea, on the islands and in the mountains. Part of this channel, the island archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen is a remarkably beautiful place to visit.

Finnmark was the site of one of the oldest settlements in Norway, the Komsa culture, which seems to date back to 8000 BC. The Sami live mainly in Finnmark, although their settlements extend as far south as Mid-Norway.

Fishing and farming have been the region's principle industries and have formed people's way of being and their outlook on life. They are typically open, direct and hospitable with a lusty sense of humour that most certainly has been an asset when the going gets rough. North Norway has many cities, some of which bare the mark of reconstruction after WW II. Tromsø, the region's largest city, is very charming and absolutely worth a visit.

The region offers many challenges to outdoor lovers - summer, winter, land or sea. Choices include sea or inland fishing, whale safaris and scuba diving. If you want to move under your own power, there is more than just mountain climbing; there are plenty of hiking opportunities in gentle terrain too. As for accommodation, the choice includes everything from first-class hotels to youth and family hostels to the very unique experience of staying in a fisherman's cabin or rorbu with a rowboat moored right outside your door.

The Coastal Express Voyage has been called the world's most beautiful sea voyage. You can cruise the entire coast on an express boat from Bergen to Kirkenes in Finnmark. You may also extend the trip to Svalbard by air or by boat.

This Arctic island archipelago is under Norwegian sovereignty, but there are both Norwegian and Russian settlements there. Mining and research are the primary activities, in addition to tourism on a small scale. Since the tundra climate makes the natural balance of Svalbard extremely vulnerable, there are strict limits on what people are allowed to do. Activities include hiking, glacier walking, dog sledding and snow scooter safaris.