A Guide to Narvik

• Suitable for: first-time visitors, history enthusiasts, skiers, families, food lovers, cruise guests, active travellers and guests who want to use the city as a base
• Best season: year-round
• Recommended duration: half day, full day or as a base for the entire stay
• Experiences: the Ofoten Railway, Arctic Train, Narvik War Museum, Narvik Museum, city-close hikes, fjord experiences, RIB, sauna, northern lights, midnight sun, cycling, skiing, guided tours and Narvik Ski Resort when the resort is open
• Transport: train, bus, car, flight via Evenes and cruise port
• Level: from easy city-close experiences to challenging mountain, ski, cycling and ski touring activities

Narvik lies between fjord and mountain, with the city facing the harbour and the mountains rising steeply behind the streets. It is a rare combination: urban enough to offer hotels, restaurants, culture, shopping and transport within a compact area, yet raw enough for nature to begin just outside the door.

The city is shaped by iron ore, harbour and mountains. The Ofoten Railway connects Narvik with the iron ore from the mines in Kiruna in northern Sweden. The 43-kilometre railway runs from Narvik towards the Swedish border through a dramatic landscape of 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 up towards the high mountains at Bjørnfjell.

Narvik also carries war history of international importance. During the Second World War, the city and the surrounding fjords became a strategic centre in the fight for iron ore. At Narvik War Museum, the story is told through the Battle of Narvik, the naval battles, the mountain war and the occupation years that followed. Out in the landscape, traces still remain, from bunkers and memorial sites to shipwrecks and historic routes along the Ofoten Railway.

To understand how the city developed, Narvik Museum is a natural stop. Here, the story is about the construction of the Ofoten Railway, the transport of iron ore by rail, shipping from the ice-free harbour and the development of Narvik as an industrial city for more than a century. Together, Narvik Museum, Arctic Train and Narvik War Museum tell a strong story of why this particular city became so important.

At the same time, Narvik is a city where nature is part of everyday life. From the city centre, you can walk along the seafront promenade, follow nearby trails in Tøttadalen, take short hikes to viewpoints or visit Brennholtet, where 5,000-year-old rock carvings are found just a short walk from town. In Narvik, you do not need a car to get views of fjord, harbour and mountains.

The fjord is also an important part of the experience. RIB tours, boat trips, northern lights tours on the water, fishing experiences and a floating sauna make Ofotfjorden more than a backdrop. After a day of train journeys, museums, mountains or city walks, you can slow down at Arctic Sauna in Narvik harbour, with heat, sea bathing and a short walk back to the city centre.

Narvik Ski Resort is one of the city’s strongest attractions and an important part of Narvik’s identity as a winter city. The resort lies directly above the city centre, with views towards Ofotfjorden, the harbour, the city and the surrounding mountains. Ahead of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029, Narvikfjellet is undergoing major upgrades, including new lifts, a new gondola, improved snow production, new slopes and better spectator areas. When the resort reopens, this will strengthen Narvik as one of Northern Norway’s most important year-round arenas for skiing, views, mountain experiences, cycling and events.

Note: Narvikfjellet, the gondola and Fjellheisrestauranten are being upgraded ahead of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029. The gondola and restaurant are planned to be closed during the construction period until January 2027. Always check current opening hours before your visit.

Narvik is also a natural starting point for larger experiences in the region. From here, you can travel onwards to Skjomen, Efjord, Ballangen, Kjøpsvik, Bjerkvik, Lavangen, Gratangen, Riksgränsen, Björkliden and Swedish Lapland. You can use the city as a base for fjord trips, summit hikes, cycling experiences, guided day tours, northern lights hunts, Arctic light, cultural evenings and encounters with a raw landscape that changes character quickly.

Narvik is therefore not just a stop on the journey. It is a place where history, infrastructure and nature meet in a way few other Arctic cities can offer. Here, you can stand in the middle of the city and still be close to fjord, mountains, railway, war history, northern lights, midnight sun and the road onwards into the whole Narvik region.

• Mountains, fjord, harbour and city life within short distances.
• The Ofoten Railway and Arctic Train, connecting the city to iron ore, the high mountains and Sweden.
• Narvik War Museum, war memorials and historic routes of international importance.
• Narvik Museum and the city’s strong industrial, railway and harbour history.
• City-close hikes, viewpoints and 5,000-year-old rock carvings near the city centre.
• Fjord experiences with RIB, boat trips, fishing, northern lights and floating sauna.
• Narvik Ski Resort, with its spectacular slopes and fjord views, and its future role as a World Championship arena.
• A growing food, culture and activity scene in a compact Arctic city.
• A natural base for exploring the entire Narvik region, Lofoten, Tromsø and Swedish Lapland.

Train, railway and industrial history

The Ofoten Railway is one of Narvik’s strongest stories. It was built to transport iron ore from Kiruna in northern Sweden to the ice-free harbour in Narvik, and runs through a landscape where nature, engineering, war history and industry sit close to the tracks. Arctic Train gives guests an accessible way to experience this journey, with views of fjords, mountains, bridges, tunnels and historic sites along the line.

Narvik Museum adds further context to this story. Here, guests can learn about the construction of the Ofoten Railway, the iron ore transport, the harbour and the urban development that made Narvik one of Northern Norway’s most important industrial communities.

War history and memorial sites

Narvik has one of Norway’s most central war histories. Narvik War Museum gives a strong introduction to the Battle of Narvik, the naval battles, the mountain war and the occupation. Out in the landscape, guests can follow the traces further through guided tours, bunkers, memorial sites, war-historical walks and experiences connected to historic places along the Ofoten Railway and the fjords around the city.

Narvik Ski Resort and views over the fjord

Narvikfjellet rises directly above the city centre and gives Narvik a character of its own. When the resort is open, guests can experience skiing, views, a mountain restaurant, gondola, hiking and mountain activities close to the city. Ahead of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029, the resort is being transformed into a modern arena with new lifts, a new gondola, better capacity and new experiences for both locals and visitors.

During the construction period, guests should check opening hours and availability before visiting. Even when the gondola and restaurant are closed, Narvik still offers city-close hikes, fjord experiences, museums, train journeys and activities in and around the city.

Hiking and viewpoints

Narvik is well suited for guests who want to experience the mountains without long transport stages. From the city centre, you will find easy promenades, hikes of varying difficulty in the outdoor area of Tøttadalen, striking viewpoints such as Vannsøylen and more demanding hikes towards the peaks around the city. For many, this is one of Narvik’s most distinctive qualities: you can move from city life to mountain hiking in a short time.

Fjord, sauna and sea experiences

Ofotfjorden gives Narvik a wide range of fjord experiences. Guests can join RIB tours, boat trips with an underwater drone, fishing experiences, northern lights tours on the fjord or quiet experiences by the water. Arctic Sauna in Narvik harbour offers a simple and refreshing way to combine city life, heat and fjord, especially after a day outdoors.

Northern lights, Arctic light and guided experiences

Narvik has a growing range 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 storytelling. In summer, the midnight sun and long bright evenings create memorable settings for fjord, mountain, photography, cycling and quiet evenings outdoors.

Cycling, skiing and active experiences

For active guests, Narvik can be the starting point for everything from city-close cycling and e-bike trips to more demanding downhill cycling on granite slabs, guided mountain hikes, ski touring, glacier hiking and climbing on Norway’s national mountain, Stetind. Indoors, you will also find activities such as climbing, bowling, play centres and a vehicle history museum, offering alternatives on days with poor weather or for families seeking variety.

Food and drink

Narvik has a growing food and dining scene that makes the city a good base after days outdoors. Here you will find cafés, bakeries, restaurants, pubs, seafood, local flavours, a mountain restaurant when Narvik Ski Resort is open, and food 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 in the city centre, near the harbour, close to Narvik Ski Resort or with views towards fjord and mountains. The compact city makes it easy to combine accommodation with train journeys, museums, restaurants, activities, transport and further travel into the region.

In 3–4 hours

Start in the city centre and visit Narvik War Museum or Narvik Museum. Take a short walk along the seafront promenade or up towards a city-close viewpoint, and end with coffee, lunch or a quiet pause in the centre. Consider adding a stop at the Sailors’ Church along the way and experience the visual show Narvik by Light. If Narvik Ski Resort is open, the gondola and mountain views can replace or supplement the city walk.

A full day in Narvik

Take Arctic Train along the Ofoten Railway in the morning and spend the afternoon at Narvik War Museum, on city-close hikes or with fjord experiences. End the day with dinner in the city, sauna in the harbour or a northern lights hunt if the season and weather allow.

A day with fjord and history

Start at Narvik Museum to understand the railway and industrial history, continue to Narvik War Museum and add a fjord experience in the afternoon. Choose RIB, sauna, boat trip or a quiet walk by the sea, depending on season and availability.

An active summer day

Take a city-close hike in Tøttadalen, visit the rock carvings at Brennholtet, rent a bike or join a guided fjord or mountain experience. In the evening, enjoy the long bright hours by the fjord, visit the sauna or use Narvik as a starting point for further travel towards Skjomen, Stetind, Efjord or Sweden.

A winter day

Spend the day at Narvik War Museum, on Arctic Train, with northern lights experiences, sauna or guided winter activities. When Narvik Ski Resort is open, the day can also be spent alpine skiing, visiting the mountain restaurant and enjoying views over Ofotfjorden. During construction periods, guests must check opening hours and availability in advance.

A Narvik 2029 experience

For guests curious about Narvik as a World Championship city, the stay can be built around Narvik Ski Resort, the city centre, the harbour and the history that has shaped the city. See how the mountain, city and fjord sit close together, and get a glimpse of why Narvik will become one of the world’s most spectacular alpine arenas when the World Championships arrive in 2029.

Narvik as a base

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

Summer: city-close hikes, Arctic Train, the Ofoten Railway, fjord experiences, RIB, sauna, cycling, museums, rock carvings, midnight sun and long bright evenings.

Autumn: clear colours, a calmer pace, museum visits, food experiences, fjord views, city-close hikes, 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 being upgraded ahead of the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029. The gondola, lifts, slopes and Fjellheisrestauranten may be affected by construction. Always check opening hours and current information before planning your visit.

Year-round: Narvik works as a base for the entire region, with short onward journeys towards fjords, mountains, Lofoten, Tromsø and Sweden.

Narvik is a natural hub in the region. You can arrive by train from Sweden, by bus from places including Tromsø, Lofoten and Bodø, by car via the E6/E10, by air via Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes or by sea as a cruise guest.

From the city centre, there is a short distance to the railway station, bus terminal, harbour, museums, restaurants, hotels and many of the city’s experiences. For onward travel in the region, Entur and relevant public transport apps are recommended, especially because the Narvik region stretches across county borders.

Narvik has easily accessible nature, but the mountains are still Arctic. Check weather and conditions, choose hikes according to your level, wear good shoes and follow marked routes where they exist. Be aware of rapid weather changes, slippery surfaces, snow conditions and the polar night.

Show respect at memorial sites, shipwrecks, bunkers, rock carvings and other cultural heritage sites. Follow local advice, park considerately, bring waste home and respect nature, local work and historic areas. For fjord activities, sauna, RIB, skiing and guided tours, always follow the instructions from hosts and guides.