FOGG's guide to Bodø & Salten
Light, landscape and a new cultural north.
Just above the Arctic Circle lies Bodø – one of the world’s lightest cities, where golden midnight sun and winter twilight transform sea and sky into something otherworldly. But light isn’t the only thing drawing people north.
In 2024, Bodø became the first European Capital of Culture above the Arctic Circle, spotlighting a region where art, architecture and food are deeply connected to place. Beyond the city, Salten stretches into wild, open landscapes – alpine peaks, sculptural beaches and hidden valleys – offering the scale and beauty of Lofoten, but with space to breathe.
For FOGG, this is the landscape that shapes us. Here's our slow, curated guide to the places we love most – where culture, nature and design come together.
Eat & Drink
A region shaped by sea, salt and seasons – Salten offers a growing food scene where tradition meets innovation.
Craig Alibone Pâtisserie (Bodø)
Elegant, minimal, and deeply indulgent – this pâtisserie and chocolate lab is a must for lovers of design and dessert.
🔗 https://craigalibone.com/no
OMHA Sushi (Bodø)
Arctic-fresh fish and Japanese precision meet in this quiet, high-quality sushi restaurant tucked away in the city.
🔗 https://www.omha.no/
Bjørk Restaurant (Bodø)
A warm, wood-clad brasserie with local twists – try their take on traditional tørrfisk (stockfish), one of Northern Norway’s culinary cornerstones.
🔗 https://www.restaurantbjork.no/
Maloka Plant-Based (Bodø)
A soulful vegan spot bringing South American warmth to the Arctic north. For conscious food with a creative edge.
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/maloca_coffee/
Tranøy Fyr Café (Hamarøy)
Have fresh shrimp and coffee with the sea all around you at this working lighthouse turned cultural destination.
🔗 https://tranoyfyr.no/
Photo: Reid Per Fiskerstrand
Han Sylte (Valnesfjord, Fauske)
A quiet, design-forward retreat focused on organic food, seasonal ingredients and slow dining in a beautifully restored farmhouse.
🔗 https://hansylte.no/
Where to Stay
From sea cabins to historic villas and design-forward retreats – these are our top places to stay in Salten.
The Arctic Hideaway (Fleinvær, Gildeskål)
An off-grid cluster of minimalist cabins on a tiny island – ideal for deep rest, creative retreat and a total break from time.
🔗 https://www.thearctichideaway.com/
Photo: Julie Luneborg
Tranøy Fyr (Hamarøy)
Sleep where land ends – this iconic lighthouse offers cozy rooms, wide views and rich cultural programming in summer.
🔗 https://tranoyfyr.no/
Villa Haugen (Steigen)
A historic manor turned boutique hotel, surrounded by mountains and water. Quiet luxury in dramatic nature.
🔗 https://villahaugen.com/
Manshausen (Steigen)
A world-renowned destination for architecture lovers. These glass-fronted sea cabins balance wilderness with precision.
🔗 https://www.manshausen.no/
Scandic Ramsalt (Bodø)
A stylish, centrally located hotel in Bodø’s new harbour district – with design-conscious rooms, good dining and walking distance to culture, sea and shopping.
🔗 https://www.strawberry.no/hotell/norge/bodo/quality-hotel-ramsalt
Han Sylte (Valnesfjord, Fauske)
Stay in soulful, minimal cabins surrounded by forest and fjord. Perfect for those seeking calm, closeness to nature and thoughtful design.
🔗 https://hansylte.no/
Culture & History
From Sámi storytelling to modern concert halls, Salten offers powerful cultural contrasts rooted in place and people.
Stormen Concert Hall (Bodø)
Award-winning architecture, world-class acoustics and a bold program make Stormen one of Norway’s most important cultural buildings.
🔗 https://stormen.no/
Saltfjell Sámi Adventure (Bodø)
An intimate gateway into Sámi culture, hosted by a local family in the dramatic Saltfjellet mountains. Share stories, joik, traditional food and reindeer moments in a setting shaped by snow, silence and deep cultural roots.
🔗 https://www.saltfjellsami.com/
Nordland National Park Centre (Saltdal)
A unique cultural and nature experience centre combining art, science and architecture – a gateway to multiple national parks.
🔗 https://www.nordlandsnaturen.no/
Hamsun Centre (Hamarøy)
A poetic, angular museum dedicated to the life and work of Knut Hamsun. Designed by architect Steven Holl, it’s as much sculpture as building.
🔗 https://hamsunsenteret.no/
Jektefart Museum (Bodø)
Step aboard a restored 18th-century cargo vessel and explore Norway’s rich coastal trade history in a stunning fjord-side museum.
🔗 https://www.nordlandsmuseet.no/jektefartsmuseet
Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum (Bodø)
A new satellite of the Tromsø-based museum, NNKM Bodø explores contemporary art rooted in the north – with changing exhibitions, bold perspectives and strong Sámi presence.
🔗 https://nnkm.no/
Sulitjelma (Fauske)
A former mining town turned heritage site and hiking base. Visit for industrial history, vast landscapes – and deep contrast.
🔗 https://www.nordlandsmuseet.no/sulitjelma-besoksgruve
Nature & Outdoors
It’s really difficult to pick just a few places from this spectacular landscape – stretching from alpine peaks and vast national parks to arctic beaches and sculptural fjords. Here are some of our favourites.
Saltstraumen (Bodø, Saltstraumen)
One of the strongest tidal currents in the world – a dramatic natural phenomenon and a paradise for divers, photographers and boat-lovers. Or you can watch it from the shore.
🔗 https://visitbodo.com/reisemal/saltstraumen/
Keiservarden (Bodø)
An easy walk to one of Bodø’s best viewpoints. From the top, you get a full panorama of city, sea, islands and the Lofoten wall in the distance.
🔗 https://visitbodo.com/guide/turmal/keiservarden/
Rampen Via Ferrata (Bodø)
Climb above the fjords on this scenic and safe steel cable route. Designed for adventure – and aesthetics.
🔗 https://rampen.com/
RIB Safari or Boat Trip
The best way to feel the scale of the coastline. Head out by boat to remote beaches, abandoned islands or dramatic sea cliffs – where architecture is all natural.
🔗 https://visitbodo.booking.holibob.tech/en
Sandhornet (Gildeskål, Sandhornøy)
An iconic mountain rising straight from the sea – climb it for panoramic views over the Salten coast and Lofoten horizon. Demanding, but unforgettable.
🔗 https://visitbodo.com/guide/turmal/sandhornet/
Photo: Salten friluftsråd
Bringslifossen (Fauske, Valnesfjord)
A powerful, little-known waterfall thundering through a narrow canyon near Sulitjelma. Raw and dramatic – especially in spring or after heavy rain.
🔗 https://www.visitfauske.no/bringslifossen
Shop Local
Design, craftsmanship and local flavor – from beer to outerwear.
FOGG at O. Johanssons (Bodø)
Shop FOGG’s Arctic inspired garments in Norway’s oldest clothing store, right in the heart of Bodø. A curated shop-in-shop with timeless pieces from the north.
🔗 https://fogg.no/pages/bodo-shop-in-shop
Bådin (Bodø)
Locally brewed beer with Arctic character – visit their taproom or find select bottles around the region.
🔗 https://baadin.com/
HØST Matverksted (Steigen)
Part deli, part dining – this creative food studio offers locally sourced ingredients and meals to go, made with care.
🔗 https://www.lokalmat.no/produsenter/hoest-matverksted/
Studio EBN (Bodø)
A small design and textile studio producing beautiful pieces made from fish leather, with deep local ties and tactile soul.
🔗 https://studioebn.com/
Plan Your Trip
Bodø & Salten are not just a destination – they’re a living part of what shapes FOGG. From remote hideaways to contemporary culture, this region offers both energy and calm, contrast and connection.
Whether you come to explore, reflect, or just breathe – we hope you’ll experience this landscape the way we do: with quiet awe and lasting inspiration.
Please note that opening hours, seasonal availability and services may vary. We recommend checking directly with each provider before visiting. FOGG is not responsible for any changes to access, operations or offerings described in this guide.
👉 Also see FOGG’s guide to Gildeskål – our place of origin and inspiration.
