Bø
Municipality · Nordland
About Bø
The hat-shaped Nykan islands off the fishing village of Nykvåg, Iron Age burial mounds on Svinøya, and the iron 'Man from the Sea' at Vinje.
What to do and where to stay in Bø
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Nykan bird cliffs and NykvågNature
Hat-shaped rock stacks off the fishing village of Nykvåg, a nature reserve since 2002 where puffins, razorbills and great cormorants breed.
Nykvåg, northwest Bø (Langøya) · 30–60 min · seabirds roughly May–August; village all-year
2The Man from the Sea (Mannen fra havet)Local oddity
A 4.3 m cast-iron man by Kjell Erik Killi Olsen holding a rock-crystal staff, staring out to sea from Vinjesjøen; locals call him 'Skabelonen'.
Vinjesjøen, by Bø Museum, Vinje · 15–30 min · all-year
3Hovden fishing village and Ræk IIILocal oddity
A fishing village at the road's end on Langøya's tip, with fish-drying racks, puffin island Frugga 1 km offshore and Harald Oredam's basalt-and-driftwood work Ræk III.
Hovden, end of the county road, northwest Bø · 45–60 min · all-year; midnight sun late May–late July
4SinahulaHistory & culture
A cave of huge boulders, reached on a signed path and steps, where the writer Regine Normann went to write because her husband disliked her writing.
Near Bø, Langøya · 30–45 min · all year
5Nyke/Tussen boulder beachNature
A nature reserve between Nykvåg and Hovden protecting one of Nordland's largest boulder beaches, with an Ice Age moraine and Iron Age graves; leave the stones.
Between Nykvåg and Hovden, northwest Bø · all year; midnight sun late May–late July
6Vetten (467 m)Hike
A family-friendly 7.8 km round trip with about 410 m of climbing, past the Losjehytta cabin, to a top over the sea towards Gaukværøy and Litløya, popular for midnight sun.
Above Steine/Bø, outer Langøya · 3 h (7.8 km return) · June–September; midnight sun late May–mid July
7Bø Museum (Parkvoll)History & culture
The old bailiff's farm at Vinjesjøen, now a museum on fisher-farmers and fairytale author Regine Normann, with a rorbu, boathouse and children's fairytale forest.
Vinjesjøveien 31, Vinje · 1 h · Summer (new exhibitions each summer); check opening hours before you go
8Lynghaugtinden (504 m)Hike
A 10 km return climb of about 650 m from Fjærvoll, with steep stretches near 20 per cent, to a 504 m top over Langøya's lakes and mountains.
Near Fjærvoll, Bø · 4 h (10.1 km return) · June–September
9Bø ChurchHistory & culture
A red timber cross church consecrated in 1824, with a pulpit and altarpiece from 1762 and five late-medieval Lübeck sculptures, plus a view to the Lofoten wall.
Bø village, far south of the municipality · 20–30 min · viewpoint all-year; interior irregular hours
10Ringstad Resort restaurantFood & drink
The à la carte restaurant at Ringstad Resort on Bø's south-western tip, using local ingredients, with views over the sea; call ahead if you are not staying.
Ringstadveien 28, Ringstad (Straumsjøen), Bø · 1–1.5 h
Book something local
boat / wildlife
Sea eagle safari from Ringstad ↗
A three-hour guided boat trip from Ringstad harbour into the fjords and open sea, where sea eagles may come close to the boat.
Ringstad Resort · Ringstad harbour, Ringstadveien 28, Bø