If Tromsø is on the route, Senja is right in the center of the aurora borealis belt. And that, few people know!
Senja is the second largest Norwegian island and is located in Troms County, whose capital is the city of lights: Tromsø. But to see the northern lights it is necessary to leave the city, because the urban lights at night make it impossible to see it clearly.
Tromsø is the best known city to see the northern lights in Norway, so it is very popular with tourism. If on the one hand it is a modern Arctic city that offers a lively nightlife, on the other hand it is an urban center full of tourists. This makes the tours crowded and underused.
But if you are looking for authentic experiences in Norway, the island of Senja can be an amazing option to experience Nordic magic. Especially because, it is easier and more magical to see the northern lights away from civilization and all urban lighting. And best of all: Grasmyr, a small village in the north of the island of Senja (between Finnsnes and Gibostad), was considered by NASA the place with the most northern lights on the planet!
About 160km from Tromsø, the island of Senja is considered by the Norwegian queen to be a “miniature Norway,” due to the diversity of the island’s landscapes that reflect the nature of the whole country. Sonja Haraldsen is a queen who, like any good Norwegian, loves to go for walks in the mountains. And every now and then she appears on the island of Senja to take her summer walks bathed in the midnight sun.
Doing a quick search, we found that the meaning of the name Senja is still unknown, but it may be related to the verb “sundra,” which means “to tear” or “to separate,” possibly because the west coast of the island is torn and divided by numerous small ones fjords. It can also be derived from a proto-Nordic form of the word “sandijōn”, which means “sand (area)” or “sandy island.” In the Sami language, Senja is Sážža.
With approximately 1586 km² and just under eight thousand inhabitants, the second largest Norwegian island is part of the commune that bears the same name: Senja. The city of Finnsnes is the current administrative center of the commune of Senja and has as its landmark the Gisund Bridge (Gisundbrua), the only land connection that the island of Senja has with the rest of Norway. Impressive, isn’t it?
The city is charming. It has approximately 5,500 inhabitants and has some bars, restaurants, pubs, hotels, hypermarkets, banks, offices, an important library, schools, cinema, theater, shopping centers and even a shopping center.
The port of Finnsnes is part of the sea route that connects Tromsø to Harstad, with four daily boats to each city and the most famous and traditional Norwegian cruise ship Hurtigruten that takes the visitor across the Arctic Circle, visiting ports as far south as Bergen and further north to Kirkenes.
Finnsnes began to grow only after the 1960s because of the change of administrative headquarters that previously belonged to Gibostad, the largest and most charming village in the north of the island of Senja 20 km from the Gisund Bridge. After 1960, Gibostad ceased to be a large commercial center and became a historic village whose buildings in the old port area are around 200 years old.
Gibostad has a paradisiacal beach with white sands and crystal-clear waters that reflect the stunning blue of the sky. In the center of the village there is a charming bandstand whose celebrations and annual celebrations take place. Further on, right next to the port there is a small supermarket of various products where the post office is also located and a small pharmacy. Next to the supermarket is a small and lovely pub where they serve the best pizza in the region.
In winter during the day in the lush landscape, the sun illuminates the white snow that covers forests and mountains. But it is at night that the feast of lights enchants our eyes: Senja’s sky is illuminated by the northern lights dancing with its lights in green, yellow, pink, and violet.
In the summer, without dusk, the midnight sun is the main attraction with all its exotic charm painting the skies of the island of Senja with its vibrant yellow-red colors and its magic mirrored in the sea. It is as if a prolonged sunset and sunrise happening at the same time!
Senja has a scenic route along the coast, skirting fjords, imposing mountains, colorful houses and hospitable fishing villages. Its dramatic mountains to the north and west plunge directly into the Atlantic Ocean. To the south, Ånderdalen National Park features a landscape of pine forests and lakes.
This journey is a must! And what are you waiting for to unravel the mysteries and beauties of this magical island? Click here to find out more about the Nordic days that Senja Experience can offer you!
