The lesser-known Pearl of the North
Senja
Senja is still quite an unknown destination and yet it’s Norway’s second largest island! Visit this Arctic gem and avoid the crowds! Senja Island offers great nature-based experiences and tours in an unspoilt and dramatic scenery.
Senja, a miniature Norway
Senja has earned the nickname “a Norway in miniature” because the island encompasses the best landscapes Norway has to offer, from fjords and rugged mountains to rolling hills and turquoise waters.
Senja is also home to lovely, lush forests in the Ånderdalen National Park located in the southern part of the island.
The gorgeous island of Senja is an outdoor paradise. There is an adventure for everyone: hiking (to the famous Segla for instance!), climbing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving or ski touring. Boat trips and bird watching excursions are another exciting way to discover the island.
Senja also offers the perfect background and quiet environment for cycling, especially under the Midnight Sun from mid-May to late July, when the sun never sets. And if you visit Senja from September to April, find a good spot on one of the white sandy beaches and wait for the aurora borealis to light up the sky in tones of green, purple or red!
Senja, a miniature Norway
Senja has earned the nickname “a Norway in miniature” because the island encompasses the best landscapes Norway has to offer, from fjords and rugged mountains to rolling hills and turquoise waters. Senja is also home to lovely, lush forests in the Ånderdalen National Park located in the southern part of the island.
The gorgeous island of Senja is an outdoor paradise. There is an adventure for everyone: hiking (to the famous Segla for instance!), climbing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving or ski touring. Boat trips and bird watching excursions are another exciting way to discover the island. Senja also offers the perfect background and quiet environment for cycling, especially under the Midnight Sun from mid-May to late July, when the sun never sets. And if you visit Senja from September to April, find a good spot on one of the white sandy beaches and wait for the aurora borealis to light up the sky in tones of green, purple or red!
Rich and lasting fishing culture
The island is dotted with authentic fishing villages like Gryllefjord, which is still an active hub for the export and production of fresh fish goods. The advantage when travelling to Senja is that it’s not as crowded as in Lofoten so you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes peacefully.
How to get to Senja?
Senja is ideally located between Tromsø, Vesterålen and Lofoten.
There are several options to get to Senja by car: you can take the road and cross the bridge in Finnsnes or take a ferry.
A ferry runs between Brensholmen (an hour’s drive from Tromsø) and Botnhamn (in Senja) year-round.
In summer, there’s a ferry connection between Andenes in Vesterålen and Gryllefjord in Senja. You may even be lucky enough to spot whales during the crossing!
There are also some bus and express boat connections to Senja.
We also recommend travelling one of Norway’s 18 National Scenic Routes along the stunning western coast of Senja between fjords and mountains.
This scenic route is packed with amazing views and viewpoints. Don’t forget to make a stop at Bergsbotn and Tungeneset, where you can admire the dramatic mountain peaks of Okshornan rising up from the sea.
You can also make a detour to the tiny island of Husøy where the locals keep alive an old tradition imported from Spain: the siesta!
From summer 2023, tourists will be able to travel on board the Arctic Route buses from Tromsø to Lofoten via Senja and Vesterålen.
How to get to Senja?
Senja is ideally located between Tromsø, Vesterålen and Lofoten. There are several options to get to Senja by car: you can take the road and cross the bridge in Finnsnes or take a ferry. A ferry runs between Brensholmen (an hour’s drive from Tromsø) and Botnhamn (in Senja) year-round. In summer, there’s a ferry connection between Andenes in Vesterålen and Gryllefjord in Senja. You may even be lucky enough to spot whales during the crossing! There are also some bus and express boat connections to Senja.
We also recommend travelling one of Norway’s 18 National Scenic Routes along the stunning western coast of Senja between fjords and mountains. This scenic route is packed with amazing views and viewpoints. Don’t forget to make a stop at Bergsbotn and Tungeneset, where you can admire the dramatic mountain peaks of Okshornan rising up from the sea. You can also make a detour to the tiny island of Husøy where the locals keep alive an old tradition imported from Spain: the siesta! From summer 2023, tourists will be able to travel on board the Arctic Route buses from Tromsø to Lofoten via Senja and Vesterålen.