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Kjerringoy in northern Norway - a hidden gem

Writer: Helena Bergström

Located just north of Bodö, Kjerringoy in northern Norway is a hidden gem. Once upon a time, this small community was more important than Bodö. Today, it is an idyllic retreat where Bodö residents and others like to go in the summer to enjoy the peace and quiet, nature, good food at the hotel or perhaps a cultural event.

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By ferry to Kjerringoy

Kjerringoy, or Kjerringøy, is not really an island, but there are no roads by land, so the only way to get here is by ferry. For this reason, they only charge in one direction. You have to go back anyway ...

When you arrive at Kjerringoy in northern Norway, you're greeted by beautiful roads winding along the coast, high dramatic mountains and countless sheep, who find the road a good place to take a nap....

Lamm — Are you going to drive here? Then you can drive round me ...

READ MORE: Things to do in Bodö - tips for experiences and excursions
READ MORE: Hiking in Northern Norway - among mountains and beaches

Kerringoy trading centre

When you arrive at Kerringoy Trading centre it's hard to believe it's anything special. The only things visible from the road are some old (nice) wooden houses and a sign about a café and museum.

Kjerringoy i Nordndnorge — Kjerringoy Trading centre

The cafe turned out to be really cosy, with quirky furniture and a large painting depicting the hardships of the old days at sea. Here you can eat everything from homemade cakes to traditionally cooked fish.

At Kjerringoy Handelssted you can also get a guided tour of the houses, especially the 18th century mansion. In the past, Kjerringoy was more important than Bodö, and an important merchant settled here to do business. When he passed away, his widow took over the big business, even though it was unusual for women to do big business in those days.

Kjerringoy handelssted omvisning — With original wallpaper from the 18th century, which at that time was extremely expensive and bought abroad.

We got to see both how the "fine" people lived, and how their carers lived. What do you like about the "bathroom solution" in the men's room?

Gammaldags toalett — Sink, vanity unit and 'travel bath' (on the wall)

The best part of the tour was the old shop, which at the time had a reputation for selling 'everything'. Today you can buy souvenirs, crafts and sweets here, and I got to try a caramel that reminded me of the past. Does anyone else remember the 'King of Denmark'?

Butik Kjerringoy — In the shop "that has everything"

Starksprit — 95 per cent alcohol in the old bar ...

READ MORE: Living in a lighthouse - Tranoy lighthouse in Northern Norway
READ MORE: Nobel Prize winner Knut Hamsun - it all started in Hamaroy

Kjerringoy Bryggehotell

If you want to get fancy with a good dinner, you should definitely go to Kjerringoy. Pier hotel. Here we had a three-course dinner consisting of cheese tray, lamb with potato puree and roasted root vegetables and chocolate fondant. So, sooo incredibly good! The cheeses were locally produced and the lamb was as tender as can be.

Ostrbicka Kjerringoy — We started with a cheese plate - soooo good!

Middag Kjerringoy — Lamb, mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables

How is Bryggehotellet located? Absolutely stunningly beautiful by a small boat harbour! Just outside the hotel's restaurant and outdoor seating area is a jetty with small boats and associated popular "lake houses". Beyond, you have a view of the horizon and the mountains. Magical! And yes, there is both camping and free camping at Kjerringoy!

Kjerringoy Norge — Amazing view from our hotel room!

Helena

23 June 2018 6:00

Norway

nature

Helena

Administrator

34 Comments

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Ruth i Virginia says:

I think I'm going to faint! Oh, my God, how incredibly beautiful!
Your photos are fantastic. The last three in particular. I hope
can dream me there tonight. The mirror-like water with
all the cute little sailboats and the mountains in the background.
Looking in this morning too. Good night!

23 June 2018 - 6:46

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Surely it is fantastically beautiful! Grateful to photograph if you say so! 😉
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:19
  
  Reply
Kenneth Risberg says:

What an amazing journey you will have.
Now I'm moving on.

23 June 2018 - 8:00

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Have a nice trip Kenneth! How is the weather with you now? Did it get any better after midsummer?
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:20
  
  Reply
  - Kenneth Risberg says:
    
    Rain all day, from Storuman to Kiruna and it is still raining.
    Standing in a large car park in Kiruna with 3 large Norwegian caravans and a truck.
    Passing Riksgränsen tomorrow after visiting Abisko and Björkliden.
    I'll probably "crack" my last Hanse Sect then.
    
    23 June 2018 - 19:02
    
    Reply
    - Comment by post author
      
      Helena says:
      
      Sad with so much rain... Hope it gets better soon! Here has also rained a lot, although we got some sunshine in Kjerringoy and at least had a break when we fished today! Enjoy the Hanse sect! We have drunk ours, but it was long enough! 🙂
      
      23 June 2018 - 20:38
      
      Reply
Ama de casa says:

WOW!!! What amazing views and what a place! Absolutely incredibly nice 🙂
And of course I remember the "King of Denmark". My grandfather always had candy like that and offered it to me. I also remember that kind of wave 😀.

Have a nice midsummer weekend!

23 June 2018 - 9:33

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Nice that you also remember those caramels 🙂 I don't remember the scale though 😉.
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:21
  
  Reply
Steve says:

I agree with Ruth in Virginia. It is stunningly beautiful and I am completely taken by your pictures. A Midsummer to remember.

23 June 2018 - 9:52

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fantastic midsummer! (Though they don't celebrate Midsummer here but St Hans, a day later 😉 ).
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:22
  
  Reply
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Northern Norway is so incredibly beautiful that there are hardly any words to describe it.
Just to enjoy. We'll probably have to plan another motorhome trip when I get 52 weeks of holiday......
(How much more beautiful everything is with a blue sky as a background).

23 June 2018 - 10:25

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Sounds like a good plan! 🙂 And of course it is more beautiful with blue sky! It has been raining quite a lot here, but the weather changes quickly and we have also had sun and blue skies 🙂 ).
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:37
  
  Reply
Johnny Friskilä says:

I have been there once. But it was a very long time ago. A friend of mine and her family had a summer house there. Very nice!

23 June 2018 - 13:53

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fantastically nice place! Can only agree! Glad you've been there 🙂
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:50
  
  Reply
BP says:

I too agree with Ruth! But I just love the header image too. The Norwegian fjords are something special. WOW! Oh the further down the post you get the sunnier it gets too. Great. The food was a work of art. Almost a shame to eat up;-)

23 June 2018 - 16:44

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you like the header picture too! It is Peter's drone that has had to work a little 🙂 And yes, after rain, there was sunshine 🙂.
  
  23 June 2018 - 17:52
  
  Reply
  - Kenneth Risberg says:
    
    Great drone image!!!
    
    23 June 2018 - 19:06
    
    Reply
    - Comment by post author
      
      Helena says:
      
      Glad you like it Kenneth! I also think it turned out really well 🙂 .
      
      23 June 2018 - 20:47
      
      Reply
Daniela / Discovering The Planet says:

That's Norway!!! Incredibly beautiful views.

23 June 2018 - 19:42

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Can only agree! 🙂
  
  23 June 2018 - 20:48
  
  Reply
Liniz Travel says:

Oh it looks absolutely magically beautiful! Have a cosy weekend, hugs

23 June 2018 - 19:53

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much Lina! Yes, really beautiful here 🙂
  
  23 June 2018 - 20:48
  
  Reply
åsa i åsele says:

I just want to be a little nasty and say that that picture of the lamb was absolutely wonderful <3

How do you think whale tastes?
We ate whale - we always grilled whale in the summer - back when my sister's husband worked on a whale boat in the summer....

23 June 2018 - 21:45

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The lamb is soooo cute 🙂 And sometimes lies in the middle of the road ... 😉 We have eaten smoked whale here and it was very good! Have not tried grilled whale. Is it good?
  
  24 June 2018 - 10:00
  
  Reply
Ann-Louise says:

So incredibly beautiful! And the little lamb was very cute. 🙂

23 June 2018 - 22:43

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Amazingly beautiful here! 🙂
  
  24 June 2018 - 10:01
  
  Reply
Laila MA - Rundt Ekvator says:

Incredibly beautiful. I who live in Norway should probably prioritise northern Norway more 🙂 It is easy to travel abroad instead, unfortunately. But next year it will be a rorbu holiday for us 🙂.

24 June 2018 - 10:24

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I understand what you mean! We also miss things in Sweden sometimes .... Rorbu holiday sounds cosy! 🙂
  
  25 June 2018 - 6:16
  
  Reply
åsa i åsele says:

Answer Yes we thought the grilled whale was good, more reminiscent of moose than fish.

Thinking about that business picture with, among other things, the scale that you Helena did not see and that Ama remembers ... such a scale I have actually seen in the present, I will check if I get where it is and I will take photos and make a blog post for you 🙂

24 June 2018 - 11:49

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I can imagine that grilled whale is very "meaty"! Sounds interesting! 🙂 And yes, please photograph the scale! I look forward to that! 🙂
  
  25 June 2018 - 6:18
  
  Reply
Tamy says:

Wonderful pictures. Northern Norway is really one big postcard. We have many clients and friends from northern Norway and visit Bodö, Alta, Tromsö and Finnmark more or less every year and can hardly wait to come back again next time.
I also hope you had a really lovely midsummer:).

24 June 2018 - 23:35

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Can only agree, fantastically beautiful! Understand that you choose to come back to this area!
  
  25 June 2018 - 6:40
  
  Reply
Lena - gott för själen says:

Ojojoj so beautiful! And interesting about the widow who took over the business! Fun to take part in historical environments.

Hug Lena

26 June 2018 - 9:25

Reply
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

How beautiful!!!!!!!

29 June 2018 - 19:05

Reply

Kjerringoy in northern Norway - a hidden gem

Writer: Helena Bergström

By ferry to Kjerringoy

Kerringoy trading centre

Kjerringoy Bryggehotell

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34 Comments

Ruth i Virginia says:

Helena says:

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Steve says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Johnny Friskilä says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Kenneth Risberg says:

Helena says:

Daniela / Discovering The Planet says:

Helena says:

Liniz Travel says:

Helena says:

åsa i åsele says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise says:

Helena says:

Laila MA - Rundt Ekvator says:

Helena says:

åsa i åsele says:

Helena says:

Tamy says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

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