Perched on the southern shore of Ofotfjord, Narvik is a small city in northern Norway, not far from the border with Sweden. It was founded in 1902 as an ice-free port for Swedish iron ore exports and famously hosted several battles between Allied and German forces during World War II.
Things to do in Narvik
Learn about the events that took place in 1940 at the Narvik War Museum, which occupies a modern facility overlooking Narvik Square. Its interactive exhibits explore the German attack on Norway and the five years of Nazi occupation that followed, as well as touching on universal issues related to global conflicts and human rights. Films, audio clips and cutting-edge technology are all used to bring this tumultuous period of Norwegian history to life.
For sweeping views across Narvik and the Ofotfjord, ride the cable car to the peak of Fagernesfjellet, which serves as a launching point for hang gliders and paragliders. Skiing and snowboarding trails descend the mountain slopes, with a growing number of “Telemark skiers” seen in Narvik exhibiting this distinctly Norwegian technique.
Scuba divers are in for a treat in the waters of the Ofotfjord, where several warships were sunk during the battles of 1940. Venture below the water’s surface to explore some of the huge destroyers, such as the Jager Z2 Georg Thiele, then continue to Rombaksbrua to dive the wreck of the Dornier 26 Seeadler seaplane.
Getting there
Harstad-Narvik Airport is around an hour’s drive from the centre of Narvik and has regular flights to destinations across Norway. Trains connect from Narvik to northern Sweden while buses are the main means of travelling to towns and villages in the surrounding region. The centre of Narvik is compact enough to explore on foot.