Hidden gem of Senja, Norway
Latitude: 69,33 ° N
Nordsamisk: Sážžá
8000 inhabitants
First place in Northern Norway equipped with electricity to illuminate the nickel mines in 1880’s
Did you know this about Senja:
It has a lasting history of rich fishery culture, widespread over the island. Gryllefjord in the South West is still an active hub for the export and production of fresh fish products. Other industrial places are converted to musea, cultural centra, and tourist accommodations.
The accessibility of Senja has grown through the past years, by a smart road and tunnel network, making it possible to explore the beautiful fjords, mountain ridges, steep coastlines in the north, and the green forests in the south. One of the 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway is hosted in the North of Senja.
Senja is all in one and a unique location for witnessing the northern midnight sun, colorful sunsets, and even northern lights in late September.
Referred to as ‘The Arctic Caribbean’, we prefer to keep its authenticity: Senja.
It is easy to travel to Senja, no matter where in Norway or in the world you are coming from. Traveling from Oslo takes about 2.5 hours from you sitting on the plane until you are here on the island.
You can also arrive by car, boat, ferry or Hurtigruta from Tromsø and Harstad.
One of Norways most stunning National Tourist Routes is running over the north part of Norway's second biggest island.
By road.
Driving time from Finnsnes to Hamn is around 50 minutes.. From Tromsø and Harstad city around 3 hours.
In the summer season from May to September there are two summer ferries to/from Senja, one from Gryllefjord towards Andenes/Lofoten, and one from Botnhamn to Brensholmen, on the north of Senja, towards Tromsø.
Car ferry Brensholmen – Botnhamn (45min). Only summer (may to september). No car reservations.
Car ferry Gryllefjord-Andenes (1 hour 40 min). Only summer (may to september). No car reservations.
Car rental services in Tromso, Bardufoss and Finnsnes.
By plane.
By planeThe nearest airport is Bardufoss, ca 1,5 hours drive from Hamn. From Oslo, it takes about 1,5 hours in flight time. From the airport you can take the airport shuttle to Finnsnes. Norwegian has daily flights from Oslo Gardermoen. www.norwegian.no
You can also fly to Harstad Evenes or Tromsø with either SAS www.sas.no or Norwegian www.norwegian.no. From both of these cities it goes fastboat and Hurtigruten to Finnsnes, which is Senjas nearest neighbor.
By boat.
You can take the fast boat to Finnsnes from the cities of Harstad and Tromsø. For further route information, see www.tromskortet.no
There are only one route going past Hamn, and only one or two times a day. Buses operating on Senja, click on route 360.
Transfer from Finnsnes to Hamn. We are helpful with arranging transfer to and from Finnsnes.
A trip along the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten is a great experience in itself. Hurtigruten docks at Finnsnes every day all year round. It stops at Finnsnes on the north-going route at 11.00 AM. Great to have a lunch on board on the way to Tromsø. Traveling time 2h 45 min. For route information, see: www.hurtigruten.com.
Pictures credits:
Segla picture/Hofsøya bridge/white house: Tobias Bjørkli