The regional capital of the County of Nordland has apparently been reaching for the stars in recent years.

With over 51.000 citizens Bodø is the second largest town in the North of Norway, beaten only by Tromsø. 

Bodø's location has put the town right in pole position when it comes to communication, trade and services. Travellers by air, rail and sea all meet in the heart of this city. This is, however, just one of the things that has made our town one of Norway's most popular locations for events, meetings, conferences and get-togethers of all kinds.

An airborne town

Apart from tourism, the town’s other important key trades are health services, commerce and the Armed Forces, and in particular the Norwegian Air Force.
Bodø can proudly present itself as the country's number one aviation site, boasting a modern airport terminal, Norway's main Air Force station and an active aviation sports community.

For these reasons the Norwegian Parliament decided to locate both the Norwegian Civil Aviation and Military Aviation history in what is now one of the town’s most interesting attractions, the Norwegian Aviation Museum
www.luftfart.museum.no

Science and education

Students also make a great impact on everyday living in Bodø. The University of Nordland www.uin.no is currently home to more than 6000 undergraduate and graduate students. It has developed into a significant institution for higher education and research in Norway.

With the support of the High North Center of Business and Governance at the university, it is expected that an increasing number of Norwegian and International companies and enterprises will develop and expand their commercial interests and activities in the northern region, particularly towards and within Russia.

Cultural diversity

Bodø’s cultural stage is exciting all year round. The town offers close to everything a heart may desire; major music festivals, a vibrant nightlife, art exhibitions, intimate club concerts, and good restaurants - you name it!
Bodø has since 2006 hosted the Park Music Festival www.parkenfestivalen.no. This festival attracts attendances of more than 10,000 every August.

The Nordland Music Festival 

www.nmfu.no
which also takes place during the latter part of the summer holidays, is achieving great fame. These open-air-concerts on the mountains and beaches surrounding the town are getting increasingly famous. The highlight of the Festival is the annual Keiservarden music event, attracting great crowds who join together on a mountain to enjoy a concert overviewing the town and its magnificent surroundings.

Stormen concert hall and Stormen library are important meeting places in the town centre. 

Other major cultural locations include Bodø Cathedral, Bodin Church, Salten Museum, the Nordland Heritage Centre and Nyholm’s Redoubt, all presenting high quality event sites.

The village of Kjerringøy lies just to the north of Bodø - a scenic gem in a well-preserved historical landscape. Amongst the attractions here is the old trading post, from which one of Norway's famous authors, Nobel Prize Winner Knut Hamsun, got the inspiration needed for a number of his famous novels.

Spectacular scenery

Bodø is also Norway's primary town for nature experiences. In December 2012 Bodø was rated among the world´s top twenty destinations by the National Geographic. Located in the heart of what several international tourist organisations have described as the world's most beautiful coastline, the town offers a wide range of spectacular natural experiences – directly at your doorstep.

Scuba diving in the world-famous maelstrom Saltstraumen, hang-gliding from the Keiservarden mountain and a sea eagle safari to the north of the town are other options. 
...or a ski trip to the Erlingbu cabin, a bike ride around the lake Soløyvannet or a summer visit to the white sandy beaches of Mjelle?

The Bodø area hosts a total of 15 nature reserves and areas of considerable scientific interest. It also lies close to two of Nordland County's many national reserves. Among these are Mount Saltfjellet, the glacier Svartisen and the valleys and woods of Sjunkhatten. Svartisen, some 2 ½ hours drive south of Bodø, is in fact the largest glacier in Northern Scandinavia and the second largest in Europe.