Culture and adventure in the Arctic Circle. Bodø is the gateway to the Lofoten islands, set amongst magnificent coastal nature. Wooden hotels, raging whirlpools, floating saunas and a rocking music scene – Bodø is a gem for incentive travel events.

In our connected world, it’s a challenge to find the extraordinary. Bodø, though, is just that - a town where the Arctic's pristine and frigid nature borders the thriving cultural and adrenaline action at the town limits. It is authentic, unspoilt, mesmerising, and an adventure in every sense of the word.

Event activities range from chasing the Northern Lights to plunging into the icy, crystal-clear waters of the harbour or flipping around in a RIB boat atop of churning giant whirlpools in the world’s most powerful tidal flow. Sea eagles soar overhead while, via Ferrata routes, cling impossibly to the coast.

The 2024 European City of Culture, Bodø is superb for incentive events with its thriving music and arts scene. Oil money has been spent overhauling much of the quayside, and the city hosts concerts and music festivals in plush, stylish venues.

The airport is just 5 minutes from the centre of Bodø. Electric buses hum through the streets whilst ferries depart from the harbour to the fairytale Lofoten islands. Mercifully under the radar, Bodø locals radiate a genuine welcome for visitors venturing to this town in the Arctic circle.

3 reasons for an incentive travel trip to Bodø

Rib boat riding through whirlpools

Unique activities

Ride across churning whirlpools, generated by the world's most powerful tidal flow.

People dancing in a music concert

Nightlife

The regional capital, Bodø hosts music concerts and festivals throughout the year.

Local islands

The Lofoten Islands and Kjerringøy are linked by ferry for an escape to another world.

Bodø city

Stepping into the centre of Bodø, the sensation is unmistakably Nordic. The redeveloped waterfront, the vast sky, the marvellous design, and the pure air all feel so refreshingly unfamiliar, almost film-set-like. But Bodø is as authentic as they come, with a bustling harbour, thriving local arts scene and fantastic outdoor lifestyle. In Bodø, you will meet engaging, authentic Norwegians who want to learn how you ended up in Arctic Norway.

The train line north ends at Bodø, and while the road continues, Bodø has the feel of a frontier town, a place of real geographic significance. The waterfront reveals itself along the town streets, and the views over the skyline are wonderful, with frozen peaks all around.

Bodø is pure Norway - the water and air are unimaginably clean, and the culture wonderfully undiluted. The town's proximity to nature is magical, and the crystal-clear waters of the harbour are breathtaking. The jagged peaks on the horizon are jaw-dropping. The town is in the process of being nationally certified as a sustainable destination, and the 2024 European City of Culture only enhanced its cultural stock.

The concert hall is an architectural masterpiece that hosts regional performances. The annual music festival features performances in the town centre square, its venues, and the surrounding mountains. Bodø is served by an airport, just 5 minutes from the town centre, and so compact that visitors are in and out in no time at all.

Activities in Bodø

Bodø is located between the ocean and the mountains, and much of the local event activities are water-based. In addition to the adrenalin-filled RIB rides over the whirlpools of the largest tidal flow in the world, more sedate boat tours and sailing are possible. 

Stand-up paddling and sea kayaking are popular pursuits in Bodø and the nearby Lofoten islands. Additionally, the Lofoten Islands have some great surf spots where you can learn the finest of all sports.

Adventure Trekking in the coastal mountains is an inclusive event activity as are mountain bike and e-biking tours. For those event planners looking for some thrill-seeking event activities for the brave attendees, a Via Ferrata route hangs high over the ocean.

Culture is abundant in Bodø. The stunning concert hall and numerous music venues and festivals make Bodø a fascinating place to host an event.

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Bodø dining

Norway is super stylish, and Bodø is no different. There are some fantastic restaurants throughout the town, offering contemporary, traditional, and fusion cuisine. Wine, mostly imported and paired with seasonal menus, is widely served to accompany the menus, while Norwegian cider is a popular choice.

For those looking for a truly authentic Norwegian dining experience, there are restaurants unique to the region, whose menus are unlikely to be found outside of the country.

Bodø was a town built on fish. Its cod hauls were the stuff of legend, and fish still play a central role in its regional cuisine. There are some wonderful fish restaurants serving local catches, including cod and salmon. Reindeer meat, herded by the Sami people of the Arctic, is another local speciality.

Non-meat eaters can discover some wonderful menus with crops produced during the short Arctic growing season. Seaweed is another local delicacy.

Bodø nightlife

The compact centre of Bodø offers a range of bars to enjoy, from private lounge venues to bustling bars filled with locals. Sky bars overlook the harbour and cafés and bars on the waterfront. Drink prices tend to be high in Norway, although Bodø is known to be one of the more affordable destinations.

The newly built concert hall is both an architectural marvel and a cultural hub in the town. The hall hosts a variety of bands and concerts, and in the summer, a music festival dominates the town, with performances in the concert hall, town centre, and local mountains.

Alternatives to Bodø

View over the Lofoten islands

Other incentive travel options in Norway

Norway remains under the radar of many event planners. Costs are a principal barrier for many, but while alcohol prices are high, most other elements of an incentive event aren't. In addition to being a true paradise, Norway is actually reasonably priced.

Person diving into the arctic waters from a floating sauna

Alternatives to Bodø - Tromsø

Further north in the Arctic Circle is Tromsø - an island city amongst vast swathes of wilderness. Similar to Bodø, Tromsø is surrounded by water and peaks. There is an airport just minutes from the city centre. It has excellent nightlife and a floating sauna!