DESTINATIONS SHORT BREAKS |NORWAY


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OF THE BEST


PLACES TO EAT IN BODØ


Lystpå in central Bodø showcases all that is brilliant about Norwegian cuisine. Its food is modern Nordic meets tradition – reindeer and dried cod from the nearby Lofoten Islands is on the menu, as is fish soup made with Norwegian shrimps, carrots, fennel, leek and the catch of the day. Attention is paid to presentation too, with beautiful bowls and stylish crockery. Plus, there’s a large patio for hearty burgers and beers on a sunny afternoon. lystpa.no


Craig Alibone Pâtisserie & Champagneria in the heart of Bodø is Scandi style meets French culinary passion. Craig, originally from Leicester, learnt his trade in France and makes the most delicious chocolates and macarons using local produce including seasonal berries and the Norwegian speciality brunost (brown cheese). He even has a brown-cheese ice cream, which tastes very much like caramel. It’s the perfect place to sit with friends and sip a glass of his perfectly selected champagnes. craigalibone.com


One of the big social hubs in Bodø is Ohma, right on the harbourfront and opposite the city’s impressive Stormen library. It offers a huge range of Asian dishes intended for sharing, from gyoza (dumplings) to crispy duck and lobster tacos to sushi, making the most of the area’s fresh fish. There’s a real buzz and sense of occasion – the lively bar is a great place for people watching. ohma-asian.no


top tip top tip


P&O Cruises has added Bodø as a port of call on its northern lights sailings from 2025


of Bodø’s newest attractions. Participants, kitted out with safety equipment and helmets, walk across a rope bridge over open water before scaling a rock face, from which they get incredible views of the Vest Fjord and Landegode island. No previous climbing experience is needed, but you will definitely need a good pair of boots and a strong stomach.


GLIMPSE OF A GOLDEN AGE Bodø serves as a gateway to the Lofoten archipelago, and a trip to Kjerringøy gives us the chance to glimpse the islands in the distance, as well as prettily painted huts and boats gently swaying in the breeze. The charming Kjerringøy Trading Post provides an insight into Norway’s golden age of fishing in the 19th century, when the nobility and fishermen worked side by side.


BOOK IT


Best Served Scandinavia offers a seven-day self-drive tailor-made trip to Bodø and the Lofoten Islands from £1,960, including accommodation, flights and a rental car. The trip can be personalised with activities such as a visit to the maelstrom at Saltstraumen and kayaking. best-served.co.uk


Return flights from Heathrow to Bodø (via Helsinki) with Finnair start at £379. Finnair also flies to Helsinki from Manchester and Edinburgh. finnair.com


For more about Bodø, go to visitbodo.com/en 34 22 FEBRUARY 2024 travelweekly.co.uk


Back to the present day and there’s a real sense of pride about being the 2024 European Capital of Culture, with celebrations having kicked off with a huge opening ceremony from a floating stage. About 1,000 events are planned throughout this year, including a light festival, a concert in a submerged cave and a celebration of Sámi culture. Mike Mlynarczyk, from the restaurant


Lystpå, tells us: “There is so much that we are looking forward to showing people – what we do here and what we are about.” Chocolatier Craig Alibone, who is originally


from the UK but moved to Bodø with his Norwegian partner, says living so far north makes a difference to people’s temperament and attitude to life – and it’s one he relishes. “It’s a community that really pulls together,” he says. “We all help each other.”


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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Music festival, Bodø; local fare; rib boat excursion


PICTURES: Visit Bodø/karalineoapettersen; Bjørn Erik Olsen; Kontrafei


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