Narvik

Narvik is the city where the fjord, the mountains and history are close to each other. Here you can start the day with coffee in the city center, ski on the World Cup trails in Narvik Ski Resort, follow the Ofotbanen railway to the high mountains, dive into the war history, walk straight from the city streets to viewpoints in the mountains and end with dinner, sauna, fjord experiences or northern lights at the water's edge.

In short

Suitable for: first-time visitors, history buffs, skiers, families, foodies, cruise guests, active guests, and travelers who want to use the city as a base

Best season: all year round

Recommended duration: half-day, full-day, or base for the entire stay

Experiences: Ofotbanen, Arctic Train, Narvik War Museum, Narvik Museum, city tours, fjord experiences, RIB, sauna, northern lights, midnight sun, bike, skiing, guided tours and Narvik Ski Resort when the facility is open

Transport: train, bus, car, plane via Evenes and cruise port

Level: from simple urban experiences to challenging mountain, ski, bike and summit activities

Why travel here?

Narvik is located midway between fjord and mountains, with the city facing the harbor and the mountains rising steeply upwards behind the city streets. It's a rare combination: urban enough that you'll find hotels, restaurants, culture, commerce and transport packed together, raw enough that nature begins right outside the door.

The city is shaped by iron ore, harbor and mountains. The Ofot Line connects Narvik with the ore from the northern Swedish mines in Kiruna. The 43-kilometre-long railway line runs from Narvik towards the Swedish border through a dramatic landscape with bridges, tunnels, mountain stations and steep valley sides. With Arctic Train, guests can experience this story from the train window, from the fjord in Narvik and up towards the high mountains at Bjørnfjell.

Narvik also carries a war history of international significance. During World War II, the city and the surrounding fjords became a strategic center in the battle for iron ore. At Narvik War Museum, the story of the Battle of Narvik, the naval battles, the mountain war and the years of occupation that followed, is told. Out in the landscape, the traces can still be found, from bunkers and memorials to shipwrecks and historic routes along the Ofoten Railway.

To understand how the city grew, Narvik Museum is a natural stop. Here the story is about the construction of the Ofot Line, the ore transport on rails, the shipment from the ice-free port and the development of Narvik as an industrial city over more than a hundred years. Together, Narvik Museum, Arctic Train and Narvik War Museum provide a powerful story about why this particular city became so important.

At the same time, Narvik is a city where nature is close to everyday life. From the city center, you can walk along the beach promenade, follow urban paths in Tøttadalen, take short views or visit Brennholtet, where a 5000-year-old rock carving is just a short walk from the city. In Narvik, you don't need a car to get a view of the fjord, harbor and mountains.

The fjord is also an important part of the experience. RIB trips, boat experiences, Northern Lights trips on the water, fishing experiences and floating saunas make the Ofotfjord more than a backdrop. After a day by train, museum, mountains or city walk, you can relax in the Arctic Sauna in Narvik harbor, with heating, sea bathing and a short way back to the city center.

Narvik Ski Resort is one of the city's strongest attractions and an important part of Narvik's identity as a winter city. The facility is located just above the city center, with a view of the Ofotfjord, the harbor, the city and the surrounding mountains. Leading up to the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029, Narvikfjellet is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade with new lifts, a new gondola, improved snow production, new routes and better spectator areas. When the facility reopens, this will strengthen Narvik as one of Northern Norway's most important year-round arenas for skiing, views, mountain experiences, cycling and events.

This is what makes Narvik special

• Mountains, fjords, harbors and city life within short distances.
• The Ofoten Line and the Arctic Train that connect the city to the ore, the high mountains and Sweden.
• Narvik War Museum, war memorials and historical routes of international significance.
• Narvik Museum and the city's strong industrial, railway and port history.
• Walks close to the city, viewpoints and 5000-year-old petroglyphs close to the city center.
• Fjord experiences with RIB, boat, fishing, northern lights and floating sauna.
• Narvik Ski Resort with its spectacular slopes with fjord views and future World Cup arena.
• A growing food, culture and activity life in a compact Arctic city.
• A natural starting point for exploring the entire Narvik region, Lofoten, Tromsø and Swedish Lapland.

Experiences in Narvik

Trains, railways and industrial history
The Ofot Line is one of Narvik's strongest stories. It was built to transport iron ore from Kiruna in northern Sweden to the ice-free port of Narvik, and runs through a landscape where nature, engineering, war history and industry are close to the tracks. Arctic Train provides guests with an accessible way to experience this journey, with views of fjords, mountains, bridges, tunnels, and historic sites along the line.

Narvik Museum gives more context to this story. Here, guests can learn about the construction of the Ofot Railway, the ore transport, the port and the urban development that made Narvik one of Northern Norway's most important industrial communities.

War history and memorials
Narvik has one of Norway's most central war stories. Narvik War Museum provides a strong introduction to the Battle of Narvik, the naval battles, the mountain war and the occupation. Out in the countryside, guests can follow the tracks further through guided tours, bunkers, memorial sites, war history walks and experiences related to historical sites along the Ofotbanen railway and the fjords around the city.

Narvik Ski Resort and fjord view
Narvikfjellet rises just above the city center and gives the city a character of its own. When the facility is open, guests can experience skiing, views, mountain restaurant, gondola, hiking and mountain activities close to the city. In the run-up to the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029, the facility will be converted into a modern arena with new lifts, a new gondola, better capacity and new offers for both locals and visitors.

During the development period, guests should check opening hours and availability before visiting. Even when the gondola and restaurant are closed, there are still hiking opportunities, fjord experiences, museums, train experiences and activities in and around Narvik.

Hikes and viewpoints
Narvik is well suited for guests who want to experience mountains without long transport stages. From the city center there are easy promenades, walks of varying difficulty in the outdoor area in Tøttadalen, spectacular viewpoints such as the Water Column and more demanding hikes towards the peaks around the city. For many, this is one of the most distinctive things about Narvik: you can go from city life to mountain hiking in a short time.

Fjord, sauna and sea experiences
The Ofotfjord gives Narvik a wide range of fjord experiences. Guests can join RIB trips, boat trips with underwater drones, fishing experiences, Northern Lights trips on the fjord or quiet experiences at the water's edge. Arctic Sauna in Narvik harbor provides an easy and refreshing way to combine city life, warmth and fjord, especially after a day out.

Northern Lights, Arctic light and guided experiences
Narvik has a growing offer of Northern Lights experiences, from small group tours and campfire experiences to larger Northern Lights hunts, boat trips and evening experiences with local food and stories. In the summer, the midnight sun and the long bright evenings provide an unforgettable setting for fjords, mountains, photography, cycling and quiet evenings outside.

Cycling, skiing and active experiences
For active guests, Narvik can be a starting point for everything from urban cycling and e-biking to more demanding downhill biking on rocks, guided mountain hikes, summit hikes, glacier hiking in and climbing the national mountain Stetind. Indoors, there are also activities such as climbing, bowling, a playground and a vehicle history museum, which provide options on days with bad weather or for families looking for variety.

Food and drink
Narvik has a growing food and dining offer that makes the city a good base after days out. Here you will find cafés, bakeries, restaurants, pub environment, seafood, local flavors, a mountain restaurant when Narvik Ski Resort is open, and dining experiences that can be combined with culture, history, northern lights or fjord views.

Accommodation
Narvik works well as a base for several days. You can stay right in the city center, close to the harbor, close to Narvik Ski Resort or with a view of the fjord and mountains. The compact city makes it easy to combine accommodation with trains, museums, restaurants, activities, transport and further travel out into the region.

This is how you can experience Narvik

In 3-4 hours
Start in the city center and visit Narvik War Museum or Narvik Museum. Take a short walk along the seafront or up to an urban viewpoint, and finish with coffee, lunch or a quiet break in the city centre. Feel free to make a stop at the Seamen's Church on the trip and catch the slideshow Narvik by Light. If Narvik Ski Resort is open, the gondola and views from the mountains can replace or supplement the city walk.

A whole day in Narvik
Take the Arctic Train along the Ofoten Line in the morning and spend the afternoon at the Narvik War Museum, city trips or fjord experiences. End the day with dinner in the city, sauna in the harbor or Northern Lights hunting if the season and weather are right.

A day of fjord and history
Start with Narvik Museum to understand the railway and industrial history, continue with Narvik War Museum and add a fjord experience in the afternoon. Choose a RIB, sauna, boat trip or a leisurely walk along the sea, depending on the season and availability.

An active summer day
Go for a walk close to the city in Tøttadalen, visit the rock carvings at Brennholtet, rent a bike or join a guided fjord or mountain experience. In the evening, you can enjoy long hours of light by the fjord, take a sauna or use Narvik as a starting point for further travel towards Skjomen, Stetind, Efjord or Sweden.

A winter's day
Spend the day at Narvik War Museum, Arctic Train, Northern Lights experiences, sauna or guided winter activities. When Narvik Ski Resort is open, the day can also be added to alpine skiing, mountain restaurant, skiing and a view of the Ofotfjord. During periods of development, guests must check opening hours and availability in advance.

A Narvik 2029 experience
For guests who are curious about the World Cup city of Narvik, the stay can be arranged around Narvik Ski Resort, the city center, the harbor and the history that has shaped the city. See how the mountains, the city and the fjord are close together, and get a taste of why Narvik will be one of the most spectacular alpine arenas in the world when the World Championships come here in 2029.

Narvik as a base
Live in Narvik and use the city as a starting point for the entire region. In just a few days you can combine Arctic Train, war history, fjord sauna, RIB, city tours, Skjomen, Stetind, Ballangen, Bjerkvik, Lavangen, Gratangen, Evenes, Riksgränsen and Björkliden.

Season

Summer: trips close to the city, Arctic Train, Ofotbanen, fjord experiences, RIB, sauna, cycling, museums, rock carvings, midnight sun and long bright evenings.

Autumn: bright colours, slower pace, museum visits, food experiences, fjord views, walks close to the city, Arctic Train and good photo opportunities.

Winter: Northern Lights, Arctic Train, Narvik War Museum, sauna, winter activities, guided experiences and alpine skiing.
Winter 2026/2027 and towards 2029: Narvikfjellet is upgraded to the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029. Gondola, lifts, slopes and a cable car restaurant may be affected by development. Always check opening hours and current information before planning your visit.

Full year: Narvik serves as a base for the entire region, with a short distance to fjords, mountains, Lofoten, Tromsø and Sweden.

How to travel to Narvik

Narvik is a natural hub in the region. You can get here by train from Sweden, bus from Tromsø, Lofoten and Bodø, car via E6/E10, fly via Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes or by sea by cruise.

From the city center, it is a short distance to the train station, bus terminal, harbor, museums, restaurants, hotels and many of the city's experiences. For further travel in the region, Entur and relevant public transport apps are recommended, especially because the Narvik region stretches across county borders.

Visiting sweat

Narvik has easily accessible nature, but the mountains are still arctic. Check the weather and conditions, choose a trip according to level, wear good shoes and stick to marked routes where they are available. Be aware of rapid weather changes, slippery surfaces, snow conditions and polar nights.

Show consideration for memorials, shipwrecks, bunkers, petroglyphs and other cultural monuments. Follow local advice, park considerately, bring waste home and respect both nature, local work and historical areas. For fjord activities, sauna, RIB, skiing and guided tours, you should always follow the instructions of the hosts and guides.