One Day in Senja Norway: The Ultimate Summer Itinerary And Guide

Are you planning a Northern Norway road trip and unsure if Senja Island should be part of your summer travel itinerary? This one-day itinerary and guide has you covered!

Senja is Norway's second-largest island and an ideal destination for travellers seeking stunning scenery and abundant outdoor activities when travelling between Tromso and the Lofoten Islands.

Traditional villages engulfed by mighty mountains are waiting to be explored, and fabulous Senja hikes and quiet golden beaches offer the chance to discover Senja Island at your own pace.

In this post, I have highlighted a selection of activities in Senja you can do in 24 hours, including hiking in Anderdalen National Park, relaxing on Ersfjord Beach, and taking in the natural beauty of Senja from the Bergsbotn viewing platform. You'll also find out what it was like for me to experience the Midnight Sun in Senja, when the sky never went dark.

This travel guide may contain affiliate links – please read my disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.

Is Senja worth visiting for a 24-hour stay in summer?

The answer is a unanimous yes! Senja is a beautiful place to visit and one of Norway's hidden gems. Summer is the perfect season to experience Senja's great outdoors with incredible landscapes, stunning beaches, great camping spots, and numerous hiking trails.

When you visit Senja in summer, the Midnight Sun awaits you, a phenomenon not to be missed, and in 24 hours, you can sample some of the best things to do in Senja, just as I did on my visit to the island.

Senja is a perfect add-on to a Lofoten Islands road trip and is home to one of Norway's most scenic driving routes, running along its west coast.

What you’ll find in this guide:

• The Scenic Route: A step-by-step look at the most beautiful coastal drives.
• Top Sights: Why you shouldn’t miss the Bergsbotn viewing platform and Ersfjord Beach.
• The Midnight Sun Experience: Tips for hiking and exploring when the sun never sets.
• Helpful Advice: Where to stay—including my lighthouse stay—and how to avoid summer horseflies.

Getting to Senja by road or sea

I recommend hiring a car to travel to Senja and around Northern Norway, as it is remote and distances between towns can be long. If you are starting a road trip from Tromso, you can hire a car from the port or the city centre.

From Tromso, you can drive to Senja via the E8, then change to the E6 at Nordkjosbotn and then the 86 at Bardufoss. The drive will take about 2.5 hours.

The bonus of road-tripping from Tromso to Senja is that the scenery you'll see on the way is magical.

During the summer, you can also drive from Tromso to Brensholmen and then take the car ferry from Brensholmen to Botnhamn in Senja.

I decided this wasn't the best idea for us. I had read that there can be long waits to board the ferry during the peak summer season, and I didn't want to risk missing the ferry, as we were on a tight schedule.

Departures are as detailed below:

Tromsø - Finnsnes – Harstad: 2-4 daily departures.

Tromsø-Skjervøy: One daily departure, except Saturdays.

Tromsø – Lysnes (Senja): 1-2 departures Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Getting to Senja by air

The nearest airport is Bardufoss. The flight from Oslo takes just under 2 hours, followed by an hour's drive to reach the Senja region.

Immerse yourself in the incredible Senja scenery

Driving on Senja Island is the first glimpse of the extraordinary landscapes awaiting discovery on a road trip in Northern Norway and the Lofoten islands.

We loved seeing traditional farm holdings painted in red and white that wouldn't look out of place in a painting.

And we were open-mouthed, marvelling at the steep mountains plunging straight out of the earth and towering above deep fjords and mirror-like glacial lakes.

Senja reminded us of places we had visited in Iceland. The beauty and power of nature are almost too hard to comprehend. Senja is definitely a unique Norwegian destination to visit.

See the stunning Bergsfjord from the Bergsbotn Viewing Platform

One of the top tourist attractions in Senja is the Bergsbotn viewing platform. It sits on the island's northwestern edge and was a Senja landmark I had to see

It is a 44m wooden walkway with outstanding views of the sea, the Bergsbotn mountain range, and the tiny village of Bergsbotn, home to only 60 residents. You can see why the Norwegians built the viewing platform here; the scenery is incredible.

We arrived at the viewpoint at 7:00 pm and took photos with the sun high in the sky before continuing along the coastal highway to explore more of Senja.

We returned past the Bergsbotn viewpoint at 10:30 pm to take more images and were delighted to see it swathed in the golden rays of the midnight sun.

The Bergsbotn viewing platform is a must-see when visiting Senja.

Enjoy wine and a view at The Fat Cod in Steinsfjord

Colourful fishing villages are dotted along the coast and accessible by scenic roads with panoramic views.

We stumbled upon this tiny hamlet and found the delightful, oddly named Fat Cod restaurant at its hub, serving fresh fish dishes, wine, and spectacular fjord views.

We loved watching the fishing boats bob on Steinsfjord's indigo waters, framed by the traditional red-and-white houses lining the waterfront.

If you are after an idyllic evening spot in summer, you've found it, and if you happen to be looking for a place to stay, then Camp Steisfjord is the perfect place to see the midnight sun.

Walk or swim on Senja Beach in the warmer months

The beaches in Senja are excellent, though often overlooked in favour of the even better beaches in Lofoten. Nevertheless, the golden swathes of sand, dramatic mountains and crystal-clear waters are a delight to experience.

Ersfjordstranda, known as Senja Beach, is the largest and one of the best beaches in Senja. The peaks of both the Okshornan and Tungeneset mountains eclipse it, and it has designated camping and campfire areas. And the all-important public conveniences!

To say the least, the sea is exhilarating, but plunging into the Norwegian waters is a must. And as summer in Senja means 24 hours of daylight, going for a midnight swim is not uncommon!

Wild camping is allowed on public land throughout Norway, and many campers set up at some beach areas with their BBQs and camping gear to enjoy the outdoors. It is worth checking the official Visit Norway site to understand any restrictions regarding overnight camping.

We stopped at Ersfjord Beach to stretch our legs and saw many camper vans lined up for the evening. What a great place to wake up in!!

Hike Anderdalen National Park in the twilight

As the temperatures during the night in Senja were in the high 20s, we, unfortunately, found it too hot to sleep in our Norwegian Wild Lighthouse. Hence, we decided to go for a hike in nearby Anderdalen National Park.

We set off at 12:30 AM (yes, 24 hours of summer daylight is great for many things!) and headed on the trail into the Anderdalen.

The national park has several trails of differing lengths. We took the 12km trail to Åndervatnet Lake. This medium-level hike takes you into the heart of Senja’s only national park with its untouched birch and pine forests. 

Sadly, we had to cut our hike short due to the number of flies attacking us. Yes, summer in Norway can see an annoyingly large amount of horseflies, and even during the night, they were relentless!

Nevertheless, it was nice to experience a Senja activity in the middle of the night, in what felt like the middle of the day!

Experience the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun

The midnight sun on Senja Island appears from mid-May to the end of July. During this period, the sun never sets, providing 24 hours of light. I had experienced White Nights in Russia years earlier, so experiencing them again in Norway was magical.

Like Norway's northern lights, visible in the winter, the midnight sun in summer is caused by the Earth's tilt. Both are only visible in the northern regions of Norway.

Because of this phenomenon, you can enjoy Senja's beautiful outdoor spaces from early morning to late evening, whenever suits you best.

We were fascinated to watch the sky change from blue to yellow and finally pink throughout the night. It is a surreal sight, like something from a fantasy film. At 2:00 AM, we looked out to see a man fishing and a couple in deckchairs enjoying wine by the lake.

Seeing the midnight sun is definitely one of the best reasons to visit Senja in the summer.

Where to stay in Senja

Accommodation for my one night in Senja was at Norwegian Wild.

I chose to stay in the lighthouse, right on the water. It offers incredible views, especially of the midnight sun with its pastel hues.

A deck runs around the lighthouse, with two chairs for sitting and enjoying the view. Sadly, we were inundated with horseflies, and they bite, so bring a can of insect repellent; otherwise, you will be continually pestered!

As you may expect, the lighthouse has a nautical theme. Fishing nets hang on the wall, oars serve as towel rails, and boat blades are reused as candle holders.

The ground floor has a fully fitted kitchen, table, chairs, and a huge bathroom.

Upstairs is a canopied master bed. It is surrounded by blackout curtains to allow you to sleep during the summer when the midnight sun streams through the windows. My tip is to wear an eye mask as the light is bright!

Panoramic wrap-around windows have voiles against several of them. There is a floor-standing fan, a cosy seating area and the all-important telescope to glimpse Northern Norway's wildlife.

Summer Heat in the Lighthouse

One thing to know about the lighthouse is that only two tiny top windows open. We arrived in summer on an exceptionally hot day, so the lighthouse had become a greenhouse/sauna and was unbearable.

We had no way of cooling it down other than to hope that as the sun's heat passed behind the mountain, the lighthouse would cool down slightly.

It never cooled down, and sleeping was uncomfortable; however, it was a travel experience we will never forget, and we fulfilled our wish to stay in a traditional Norwegian lighthouse!

HEADING TO NORWAY? PLEASE CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL GUIDES ↓

Lofoten Travel Guides

16 Great Reasons Why Tromso in Summer Is Worth Visiting

What To See In Tromso’s Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden in Summer

Nusfjord Arctic Resort: My Unique Stay in a Norwegian Rorbu in Lofoten

Most Beautiful Lofoten Beaches In Northern Norway

What To Do In Å: Lofoten’s Most Remote Preserved Fishing Village

Lofoten Links: Lodges and Golf in the Arctic Circle

Oslo Travel Guides

Is Oslo Worth Visiting? 16 Great Things To Do In Norway’s Capital

How to Visit the Oslo Fjord Islands in Norway: the Perfect Island Hopping Guide

Damstredet: Prettiest Street in The Heart of Oslo

Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo: Norway’s Most Unusual Tourist Attraction

10 Best Things to Do in Grünerløkka: Oslo’s Quirky Neighbourhood

8 Best Things to See in Tjuvholmen: Oslo’s Modern Art Neighbourhood