natural wonder
Saltstraumen
The world's strongest tidal maelstrom, where churning whirlpools roar under a coastal bridge near Bodo.
12 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeNorwayNordland
Bodø
Nordland, Norway · Europe
About Bodø
Bodø is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Løpsmarka, 12km from Saltstraumen.
Bodø is in Nordland, Norway, with about 34,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Løpsmarka, about 5 km away.
Bodø (Lule Sami: Bådåddjo, Swedish: Bodö) is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Salten. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Bodø (which is also the capital of Nordland county). Some of the notable villages in Bodø include Misvær, Skjerstad,Read more
Saltstraumen, Løding, Løpsmarka, Kjerringøy, Sørvær, and Fenes.
The 1,395-square-kilometre (539 sq mi) municipality is the 66th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Bodø Municipality is the 19th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 53,712. The municipality's population density is 38.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (100/sq mi) and its population has increased by 8% over the previous 10-year period. The municipality of Bodø is located just north of the Arctic Circle and the town of Bodø (population: 42,831; about 80% of the residents of the municipality), is the largest urban area and town in Nordland county, and the second largest town in North Norway.
Bodø was named one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2024. It is also home to football club Bodø/Glimt, the northernmost club to win a European national league competition (namely Eliteserien, the championship of Norway).
Where to Stay in Bodø
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Bodø?
Within an hour or so of Bodø: Saltstraumen (12 km).
Are there any good drives near Bodø?
The nearest famous roads are E10 Lofoten (King Olav's Road).
Where is Bodø?
Bodø is in Nordland, Norway, about 5 km from Løpsmarka.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 34,073
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Norway
- Region
- Nordland
- Timezone
- Europe/Oslo
- Coordinates
- 67.2827, 14.3751
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Norway
Many toll roads use automatic plate recognition (AutoPASS). Headlights required at all times.
Full driving guide for NorwayTags
Worth the detour from Bodø
1 notable place within an hour's drive.
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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