Bodø is a major hub for the northern half of Norway. It stands surrounded by sea, on a peninsular just inside the Arctic Circle, 34 miles south of Tromsø, 87 miles north of Bergen. Hire a car in Bodø to tour the unspoilt surrounding area of fjords, lakes, forests, mountains and islands. There are plenty of lighthouses and bridges to see. Other highlights include the pretty old waterside village of Kjerringøy, the wildlife and landscapes of Sjunkhatten National Park and the Nordland University, which is six miles to the east. The narrows at Saltstraumen, 2 miles south, create the world's strongest tidal currents with spectacular whirlpools and powerful water flows.
The town was destroyed by German bombing during the war and has been completely rebuilt, including its modern cathedral. Bodø is now a compact town filling the end of a narrow headland with its harbour, railway terminal and airport all within walking distance. Visitors who hire a car however, can easily tour all the attractions of the area, including the beaches at Mjelle and Paradise Bay, the regional City Nord shopping centre and impressive museums of aviation and local history. The historic 13th-century Bodin church on the outskirts is a rare glimpse of old Bodø.
