Tromso and Lofoten Photography with the family

Introduction

This is an overview of an exciting photography trip through Northern Norway, visiting some of the country's most beautiful and iconic landscapes. The itinerary starts in the city of Tromsø, before heading to the Arctic Polar Park and then making our way through the scenic Lofoten Islands and Senja.

The goal of the trip is to have a great family holliday  and capture stunning photographs of Norway's dramatic fjords, rugged mountains, fishing villages, and hopefully the dazzling Northern Lights. As an photographer traveling with my family, I planned this itinerary to showcase the best Norway has to offer.

We will roadtrip through some of Norway's most photogenic landscapes, taking time to hike and explore along the way. Our route brings us along coastal roads, across fjords, and through charming towns dotted with traditional rorbu cabins. There are also opportunities to visit museums, learn about the Northern Lights, and see wildlife like reindeers, moose, and arctic foxes.

With careful planning to maximise our time, this promises to be an unforgettable photography adventure through the north of Norway. The variety of locations and activities will provide amazing subjects to photograph along with lifelong memories.

The Itinerary 10 Days

• Tromsø (3 Days)
• Start in Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic.
• Visit the Arctic Cathedral, featuring large stained-glass mosaics.
• Explore Polaria, an interactive Arctic Museum.
• Ride the Fjellheisen Cable Car for panoramic views.
• Join whale watching tours (May through October).
• Experience Sami culture at the Sami Cultural Centre.

• Drive from Tromsø to Polar Park
• Scenic drive along the E8 highway with views of fjords and mountains.
• Stop to take in views and photograph the dramatic landscapes.
• Arrive at Polar Park, a highlight for viewing Arctic wildlife.

• Polar Park
• Visit Arctic wolves, brown bears, lynx, moose, reindeer, and arctic foxes.
• Large natural enclosures and informative wildlife demonstrations.

• Drive from Polar Park to Ramberg
• Drive through stunning northern landscapes to the Lofoten Islands.
• Frequent stops for photography and to let kids play.
• Cross the Raftsund Bridge to the main island of Austvågøya.

• Ramberg & Lofoten (4 Days)
• Base in Ramberg to explore the Lofoten Islands.
• Visit Henningsvær and Å for traditional rorbuer cabins and rugged scenery.
• Take a boat tour for close-up views of cliffs and wildlife.
• Learn about the Northern Lights at the Northern Lights Planetarium.
• Lofoten Aquarium
• Visit in Stamsund to see local marine life.
• Features include seal pool, touch pools, cod fishing exhibits, and a jellyfish room.

• Drive from Lofoten to Senja
• Option to take a scenic ferry from Svolvær to Senja via Andenes.
• Ferry ride offers chances to spot whales and seabirds.
• Enjoy stunning views of Norway’s rugged northern coastline.

• Senja  (3 Days)
• Explore traditional fishing villages like Mefjordvær, Hamn, and Husøy.
• Drive the National Tourist Route with impressive sea cliffs and views.
• Numerous hiking opportunities across the island’s diverse terrain.

 

Tromsø

Tromsø is a beautiful city located in northern Norway that serves as a great starting point for exploring the Arctic region. Some of the top sights and activities in Tromsø include: 

Arctic Cathedral - This striking church features stunning architecture and large stained glass mosaics. The cathedral offers daily concerts during the summer.

Polaria - An interactive museum focused on the Arctic environment and wildlife. Features seals, penguins, and an underwater tunnel.

Fjellheisen Cable Car - Take a cable car ride up the mountain for panoramic views over Tromsø and the surrounding islands and fjords. The top has a cafe and hiking trails.

Whale Watching - Join a whale watching cruise to spot some of the large marine mammals that inhabit the Arctic waters around Tromsø, like orca, humpback, and minke whales. Tours generally run May through October.

Sami Cultural Centre - Learn about the indigenous Sami people of northern Scandinavia through exhibits and art. Traditional handicrafts and foods available.

In addition to the sights, Tromsø has a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene, interesting museums like the Polar Museum, and a happening nightlife district. It's a great place to spend a few days exploring before heading deeper into the Arctic region.

 

Drive from Tromso to Polar Park

The drive from Tromso to Polar Park is incredibly scenic, taking you through Norway's rugged northern landscape. From Tromso, head south on the E8 highway, which hugs the coastline and offers stunning views of the fjords, snow-capped mountains, and tiny fishing villages along the way.

As you continue south, wind through mountain passes and along cliffs overlooking the Lyngen Alps. Stop frequently to take in the dramatic panoramas and snap photos of the crystal blue fjords cutting through the mountains.

After about 2.5 hours, you'll arrive at Polar Park, located just outside of Narvik. We spend around 4 hours in the park. Get ready to explore Norway's only wildlife park located within the Arctic circle! The scenic drive from Tromso perfectly sets the stage for your upcoming polar animal encounters.

Polar Park

Polar Park was the highlights of our trip for the kids through northern Norway. Located about 2.5 hours outside of Tromso, this arctic zoo is home to a wide variety of animals that thrive in the cold northern climates.

As soon as you enter the park, you'll be greeted by a pack of lively arctic wolves. It's fascinating to see these majestic animals up close and observe their pack behaviour and social dynamics. The park has large, natural enclosures that give the wolves plenty of space to roam and be active.

Another key attraction is the brown bear exhibit. You can safely view the bears from an elevated boardwalk as they forage, play, and lounge around. Watching the cubs tumble around is especially entertaining. The park staff are very knowledgeable about the bears and will provide interesting facts during feeding times and demonstrations.

In addition to wolves and bears, Polar Park houses a variety of other arctic animals. There are several lynx enclosures where you may catch sight of these elusive wild cats napping in the sun. The moose habitat showcases Norway's largest land mammal grazing on shrubs and wading in ponds. And the reindeer exhibit demonstrates how reindeer are adapted to survive frigid winters.

The kids love the encounter with the arctic foxes if you ask them what was the best part of the trip they would say definitely the Arctic Foxes.

With its natural habitats and focus on arctic fauna, Polar Park offers an immersive experience that showcases Norway's unique northern wildlife. It's an excellent family-friendly activity and a highlight of any trip to northern Norway.

 

Drive from Polar Park to Ramberg

After exploring the Arctic animals at Polar Park, we embarked on the 5 hour drive from Strand to Ramberg in the Lofoten Islands. This scenic road trip takes you through some of the most dramatic landscapes in northern Norway.

Leaving the mainland behind, we crossed bridges over fjords and inlets, getting tantalising glimpses of the islands ahead. Snow dusted jagged peaks rose steeply from the dark blue waters on either side of us. Though long, the drive went quickly as there was so much natural beauty to take in around each bend.

We stopped frequently to appreciate the views, take photos, and let the kids run around. The fresh, crisp air felt revitalising after being indoors at the zoo. One highlight was pulling over to watch a sea eagle circling majestically over a glassy fjord.

The final stretch of road took us over the Raftsund Bridge onto the main island of Austvågøya. Rolling green hills and colourful fishing villages came into view as we approached our destination of Ramberg. We were excited to continue exploring these magical islands over the coming days.

Ramberg & Lofoten

After a long drive from Polar Park, we arrived in the picturesque fishing village of Ramberg, our gateway to exploring the Lofoten Islands. This archipelago in northern Norway is known for its rugged natural beauty, quaint villages, and thriving fishing culture.

We started our time in Lofoten with a visit to Henningsvær, a colorful fishing village spread across several small islands connected by bridges and walkways. The red, white, and green rorbuer cabins sitting over the water on stilts made for incredible photos at sunset. We also stopped in Å, pronounced "oh", one of Lofoten's main villages. Compared to Henningsvær, Å has more of a remote, end-of-the-world feel with its rugged landscape.

To fully take in Lofoten's dramatic scenery of sheer cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal blue waters, we booked a boat tour. The four-hour tour took us around the southern tip of the islands, sailing past rocky outcrops jutting out of the sea and by secluded coves accessible only by boat. Our guide pointed out sea eagles circling overhead and colonies of puffins nesting on the cliffs. The scale of the mountains rising straight out of the sea was breathtaking.

No trip to Lofoten is complete without learning about the Northern Lights, so we spent an evening at the Northern Lights Planetarium. The 360-degree film transported us through a stunning Aurora Borealis display while the presenter explained the science behind this incredible natural phenomenon. I left with a new understanding of the forces that create those magical glowing lights.

 

Lofoten Aquarium

The Lofoten Aquarium is one of the top attractions on the islands. Located in Stamsund, the aquarium showcases the rich marine life found in the waters around Lofoten.

Some of the highlights and exhibits at the Lofoten Aquarium include:

• The main aquarium tank, which contains over 100 species of fish found locally. You can see fish like cod, wolffish, halibut and more swimming around reefs modeled after the local environment.

• The seal pool, where you can watch seals swim and play. Feeding times allow you to see the seals up close as they grab fish thrown into the water.

• Touch pools containing starfish, sea urchins and other creatures. You can gently pick up some of the animals to examine them up close before placing them back into the water.

• An exhibit on the key role cod fishing has played in Lofoten's culture and development over the centuries. Historical fishing gear and boats are displayed.

• A jellyfish room illuminated with colorful lighting. It's mesmerizing to watch the jellyfish pulse through the water.

• An octopus tank housing a giant pacific octopus. These intelligent creatures are fascinating to observe.

• A seabird exhibit with live birds like puffins, cormorants and seagulls. You can learn about the different species and their adaptations.

With its excellent exhibits, the Lofoten Aquarium is a great way to learn more about northern Norway's unique marine ecosystems. It's an entertaining and educational stop, especially for families traveling with kids.

Drive from Lofoten to Senja

One option for getting from the Lofoten Islands to Senja is to take the scenic ferry ride that passes by Andenes along the way. This 7 hour journey takes you along Norway's rugged northern coastline, offering breathtaking views of the sea, islands, and small fishing villages dotted along the route.

The ferry departs from Svolvær, one of Lofoten's main towns, and sails north towards the island of Andenes. This leg of the trip takes around 3 hours, giving you a chance to admire the scenery and spot wildlife like whales, seabirds, and seals. As the ferry approaches Andenes, you'll get great views of the island's towering cliffs and rocky shores.

After a short stop in Andenes, the ferry continues onwards to Finnsnes on the island of Senja. The last 4 hours pass by coastal landscapes, open ocean, and more quaint fishing villages. Throughout the journey, the ferry has large viewing decks and panoramic windows so passengers can fully experience Norway's dramatic northern vistas.

Opting to take the ferry allows you to see a part of coastal Norway that would otherwise be missed on the drive. And by avoiding long hours behind the wheel, you can relax and enjoy the cruise between these two scenic destinations. It's a great way to travel between Lofoten and Senja.

Senja

Senja is the second largest island in Norway and is known for its breathtaking natural scenery. It's a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

Charming Fishing Villages

Some of the best places to experience Senja's traditional fishing culture are in picturesque villages like Mefjordvær, Hamn, and Husøy. These small communities are beautifully situated along the coastline, with colorful wooden houses and fishing boats dotting the harbors. Wandering the docks and narrow lanes is like stepping back in time. Be sure to sample the ultra-fresh seafood that's caught daily by local fishermen.

Scenic Drives

One of the best ways to experience Senja's stunning vistas is by driving along the scenic routes that hug the island's rugged coastline. The National Tourist Route is particularly impressive, with lookouts and viewpoints perched atop sheer sea cliffs. Glimpse massive rock formations, distant peaks, and the steely blue Norwegian Sea as you cruise from one jaw-dropping scene to the next.

Hiking

With its craggy mountains, sweeping valleys, and more than 100 miles of hiking trails, Senja is a hiker's paradise. Trails range from easy coastal paths to challenging mountain treks with staggering views. Consult locals before setting out to get route recommendations tailored to your abilities. After a revitalizing hike, refuel with a hearty meal at one of Senja's cozy cafes or restaurants.

Conclusion

This trip through northern Norway offered an incredible opportunity to experience the beautiful landscapes and fascinating culture of the Arctic region. From the vibrant city of Tromso to the rugged coastlines and fishing villages of Lofoten and Senja, each destination provided stunning vistas and outdoor adventures.

Highlights of the trip included seeing the Northern Lights shimmering overhead, exploring the Polar Park and learning about Arctic wildlife, hiking trails with views of majestic mountains and fjords, and gaining an appreciation for the traditional fishing culture. The long drives between destinations, while tiring, offered the chance to take in the dramatic scenery of northern Norway's roads and villages.

After this unforgettable journey through the land of the midnight sun, I have a newfound awe for the breathtaking beauty of the Arctic. The memories of gazing at the aurora borealis, watching whales breach the sea, and witnessing the rustic charm of small fishing towns will stay with me forever. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to experience the magic of northern Norway. Here is a link for my collection of photos of Norway