Activity: Fjord Tour to Senja, from Tromsø
Provided by:
Arctic Route by Best Arctic
Welcome to your tour to discover the majestic fjords and mountains of magical Senja. Here you will find the different points and stories, which will guide you through your day trip to Senja. Following along, by listening to the points in the listed order. Enjoy your adventure on the Arctic Route Sightseeing bus, the ferry, the national Scenic Route, all the way to the fishing resort of Hamn i Senja, where a lunch is waiting for you.
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Points of interest
#1
Departure from Tromsø
Arctic Route bus stop: At the big parking lot 50 meters from Scandic Ishavshotel at 08:30 (am) - departure 08:45 (am) Congratulations on choosing this awesome and spectacular activity! We start in Tromsø and head for Senja – the fairytale island! There will be several photo stops in beautiful places, a scenic ferry crossing in both directions, a stunning drive along a Norwegian Scenic Route and a delicious lunch platter at the idyllic Hamn resort. Get your camera ready! My name is Ragnar. I will be your guide during this adventure! So stay tuned and you will hear about the different places we pass or visit today! The next stop is the ferry crossing from Brensholmen on Kvaløya to Botnhamn on Senja! When we are onboard, hop off the bus and use the time to stretch your legs, use the toilet facilities and buy a coffee if you like. I recommend finding a spot to sit and enjoy the Senja skyline appearing. Head out onto the deck and try to spot the wildlife! Get ready for a day full of excitement, adventure, memories, beautiful nature and delicious local food!
#2
Leaving Hamn i Senja
Departure from Hamn i Senja at 15:30 (3.30pm) - you will be back in Tromsø at 20:25 (8.25pm). We are now leaving Hamn i Senja! If you see new faces on board, it’s probably passengers who have been whale watching in Andenes and are now heading to Tromsø with us! The world’s largest troll statue was just a five-minute drive from Hamn. Unfortunately, the Senja Troll was destroyed by fire in 2019. For more than 25 years, local children brought their pacifiers (or dummies) here to hang on a wall as a sign that they were growing up. Baby trolls needed pacifiers too! A song was even written about the troll: Tråillet I Senja. It’s in Norwegian, but you’ll find it on Spotify and Youtube! One of the unique highlights of the North Norwegian summer is the Midnight Sun. You can enjoy activities like hiking, kayaking and fishing in the middle of the night. There is a warm golden glow on the mountains and fjords and no need for artificial light. We will return to Tromsø via the same route as this morning. Keep your eyes open and your camera close by! You will notice the nature is different. You will discover a new and exciting perspective! Do you understand why this is called the “fairytale island”?
#3
Brensholmen & Sommarøy
Arctic Route makes a hop-on/hop-off-stop at Sommarøy Htel and continues to the ferry of Brenshomen, where we wait until the ferry arrives. The bus will join on the ferry, to Senja. The village of Brensholmen on the island of Kvaløya is characterised by fishing and agriculture. It’s believed that agriculture has been practiced here since the Iron Age. Farmers regularly find objects of archaeological value while plowing. Brensholmen is connected to Botnhamn in Senja by ferry. It’s also just a 10-minute drive from Brensholmen to the beautiful time-free island of Sommarøy! People living at Sommarøy want to escape the clock because they know that when the sun rises on 18 May it will not set again until 26 July. Days become so drawn out that few people pay attention to time here. The locals often play football, go hiking and kayaking or mow their lawn in what the rest of the world would call the middle of the night. The New York Times even wrote an article about the Norwegian island that wants to go “time free”. This generated worldwide publicity. To be clear, there are ways to know when it’s the evening or middle of the day without clocks. The locals use the position and changing colour of the sun: A burnt orange sun hovering near the horizon indicates night while the sun high in the sky is day.
#4
Photo stop Ersfjord Beach
Photo stop / duration: around 15 minutes. Ersfjordstranda is recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Senja and in Northern Norway. See the Okshornan mountains on your right. It’s often referred to as “The Devil’s Jaw”, which is funny since the actual name translates to “The Bull’s Horn”. This is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. You can sunbathe on the beach or stroll along the coast. On a fine summer’s day, the water is relatively warm here, making it a great place for swimming or water activities. There are also many excellent hiking trails in the area that offer wonderful views of the mountains and the sea. As well as the spectacular nature, and beautiful wonderful views, Erfjordstranda has another attraction: Gulldoen, which means “The Golden Toilet”. Despite a price tag of 3.75 million Norwegian kroner, the architecturally designed facility houses a single toilet that is only open during the summer! Hop off the bus, run to the beach, feel the pure Arctic air, and relax. This is a bucket list photo stop that you simply can’t miss. If nature calls, you can even test out the famous golden toilet!
#5
Skaland
Although Skaland is a small place, it has a shop, pub, church, restaurant, lodge, camping site and even a mining museum. Berg Church in Skaland is the starting point for the popular mountain hike up to Husfjellet. The hike from the white stone church up to the summit and back takes around 3 hours. At the Skagi coffee shop, you can buy drinks and food for your stay in Skaland or your journey on the Arctic Route. Hop in and buy one of Skagi’s delicious homemade cakes. Keen to try sea kayaking in this pure Arctic archipelago? Join Senja Wild on a kayaking trip during the daytime or later in the evening under the golden rays of the Midnight Sun. One special spot with a gorgeous view is Kråkeslottet, known in English as the “Crow’s Castle”. It’s situated at Bøvær Beach at the end of the road, which is a one-hour walk from the centre of Skaland. This fascinating house literally stands on stilts in the Arctic Sea – and you can enjoy the spectacular sight of the Midnight Sun from your bed.
#6
Arriving back in Tromsø
You will soon be back in Tromsø where this adventure started (at 20:25 / 8.25pm) I hope you have had a wonderful trip. Let’s take a moment to sum up: We have had two ferry crossings between Brensholmen and Botnhamn, travelled on the Norwegian Scenic Route on the fairytale island of Senja and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Hamn i Senja. Did you taste the beer? Did you admire the view from the lighthouse? Is your camera full of memories? If you are hungry after your exciting day, Tromsø has a wide range of restaurants to satisfy every taste! We have an expression in Norwegian to describe the feeling of really looking forward to something. The rough English translation is “I’m so excited, I have butterflies in my stomach!” I hope you felt butterflies in your stomach today! Now it’s time for me to wish you all a pleasant evening! It has been an honour to guide you today! If you are looking to experience more of what Tromsø has to offer, please check out our other activities!
#7
Arriving at the fishing resort
Attention: Start your lunch as soon as possible and don't forget to ask your food bag for the way back. Departure back to Tromsø is 15:30. Be back 5 minutes before on the bus - the bus leaves punctual 15:30 to catch the ferry back to Tromsø. We will soon arrive at Hamn i Senja! This is a hidden gem, so get your camera ready! Welcome to Hamn i Senja! We have reserved a table for you in the cosy restaurant! A tasty local fish platter is on the menu, or a vegetarian option if you selected this, followed by coffee. We have one hour here at Hamn, so make your way to the table for your lunch, and afterward, drink your coffee on the go and explore the area around the resort. Walk to the lighthouse for a stunning view and find the platform where people get married! Can you imagine getting married here? What a fairytale! The sea is so clear and, depending on the weather, it’s a mix of blue and green. If you are interested in beer, you can add a beer tasting during lunch! Senja Handbryggeri started up in 2014 and is Senja’s own microbrewery. You can buy beer from Senja Handbryggeri in local shops and restaurants here on Senja. Around 55-65 minutes after we arrive at Hamn i Senja, it will be time to hop back on the bus! Please make sure you are on time. On your way back you will receive a food bag.
#8
Hamn i Senja - Information
Arctic Route Bus Stop: at the small bridge, 150 meters from the entrance. Hamn i Senja is a true gem. Since 1994, this historical fishing station has established itself as a well-known holiday resort offering a wide range of activities. It’s also a desirable conference destination. This place burned down in 2005, but they managed to save one of the historical buildings that is still standing. Can you spot the cute little white and blue mini house during your stroll? The name “hamn” means harbour. Hamn i Senja has been a safe harbour for many a fisherman for several centuries. The hundreds of islands and islets in the azure sea beyond now serve as an adventure destination for visitors from all over the world. Can you spot kayakers and small boats in the sea? (further audio doesn't apply for this tour)