The North in brief
The North section on OndaTravel brings together guides to Iceland, Norway, Lofoten, Tromso, Senja, Narvik, the fjords and the aurora. It is a hub for anyone who wants to pick a first northern destination, compare routes and move on to ready-made trip plans or live tools.
What you will find on this page
Below is a map of the whole page — jump straight to the section you need.
- North: Iceland, Norway, the northern lights and routes worth starting with
- Best starting points for the North on OndaTravel
- Iceland: road trips, waterfalls, Reykjavík and ready-made plans
- Norway: fjords, Lofoten, the north and places for the aurora
- When should you travel north?
- OndaTravel tools for planning the North
- How to choose your first northern destination?
- Go to the most important OndaTravel sections
North: Iceland, Norway, the northern lights and routes worth starting with
In short: North on OndaTravel.pl is a starting page for planning Iceland, Norway, Lofoten, fjords, waterfalls, a trip under the northern lights or a short getaway from Gdańsk into a cooler, wilder climate. Instead of searching through the whole blog, start here and choose the right path: Iceland, Norway, aurora radar, ready-made routes or night-sky planning tools.
This is not a travel offer or a catalogue of tours. It is a map of OndaTravel.pl guides, routes, inspiration and tools: from a first road trip around Iceland, through fjords and northern Norway, to checking weather, aurora activity, seismic activity and the best dates for observing the night sky.
NORTH TO START
Best starting points for the North on OndaTravel
If you are just beginning, choose one of the main paths. Iceland gives the strongest “wow” effect for a first road trip, Norway leads toward fjords and Lofoten, and the aurora radar helps you check when it is worth looking at the sky.
Iceland: guides, routes and first-trip plans
The best entry into the Iceland section: ready-made routes, regions, waterfalls, Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the south coast.
Open guide
Norway: fjords, Lofoten, the north and aurora
Start with Norwegian guides: Bergen, Oslo, Lofoten, fjords, northern Norway and places that work well for aurora watching.
See Norway
Aurora radar
Conditions, locations and quick access to forecasts for Iceland, Norway, Lofoten, Tromsø, Senja, Abisko, Rovaniemi and Svalbard.
Check aurora
Sky phenomena
Calendars, meteor showers, Moon phases, eclipses, supermoons and practical night-sky observing guides.
Open calendar
ICELAND
Iceland: road trips, waterfalls, Reykjavík and ready-made plans
Iceland is the strongest destination for a first encounter with the North: short distances full of landscapes, black beaches, waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs and places that are easy to combine into a logical route.
Iceland starter guide
The main page for planning Iceland: regions, routes, ready-made plans and the most important guides in one place.
Start with Iceland
Reykjavík
The capital of Iceland, geothermal pools, a city walk and a good base for your first trips outside the city.
See Reykjavík
Golden Circle
Þingvellir, geysers and Gullfoss — a classic route that is easy to fit into a first short stay.
Open route
South Coast of Iceland
Waterfalls, black beaches, glaciers and strong viewpoints on one of the best sections of a first road trip.
See south coast
The most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland
A practical list of waterfalls to add to a route instead of driving between random pins on the map.
See waterfalls
Glymur waterfall
A stronger trail near Reykjavík: canyon, Botnsá river and a fuller route for those who want more than a viewpoint by a car park.
Open Glymur
Iceland in 4 days
A short and logical plan for travellers who want to see a lot without overloading the first trip.
See plan
Iceland in 7 days
More weather buffer, shorter driving days and a better rhythm for a first longer route.
Open itinerary
NORWAY AND AURORA
Norway: fjords, Lofoten, the north and places for the aurora
Norway is logistically more spread out than Iceland, so it is worth starting with the right region. Fjords, Bergen and Oslo are easier for a short trip, while northern Norway, Lofoten, Senja and Tromsø fit better into a longer plan or an aurora-focused journey.
Norway: guides and routes
The main entry into the Norway section: fjords, Lofoten, cities, the far north and practical planning links.
Start Norway
Norway — live aurora radar
Quick access to aurora conditions for Norway and further locations in the northern part of the country.
Check Norway
Senja — live aurora radar
An island with a strong northern atmosphere, views and good aurora potential when the weather cooperates.
See Senja
Lofoten — live aurora radar
Fishing villages, mountains, beaches and one of the most recognisable landscapes of northern Norway.
See Lofoten
Tromsø — live aurora radar
The easiest city gateway to northern Norway when the goal is aurora, logistics and a winter atmosphere.
See Tromsø
Bergen from Gdańsk
A city between mountains and fjords: a good entry into Norway without starting with a large road trip.
See Bergen
Oslo from Gdańsk
The simplest city version of Norway: museums, waterfront, architecture, sauna and a plan without a car.
See Oslo
Stockholm and Copenhagen as northern city breaks
A good choice if you want a northern feel without a long road trip and complicated logistics.
See city breaksWhen should you travel north?
The simplest split is this: winter gives a chance for the northern lights, snow and the rawest atmosphere, but it requires flexibility with weather and short days. Spring is good for waterfalls, fewer people and first road trips. Summer gives long days, white nights, easier roads and the most freedom when planning routes. Autumn is a strong compromise: fewer crowds, deeper colours, lower prices outside peak season and the return of the aurora season.
For your first trip, do not start by trying to see everything. Choose one pillar: Iceland and the south coast, Norway and the fjords, Lofoten and the far north, or a short city break from Gdańsk. The North rewards a simple plan, a weather buffer and fewer stops each day.
TOOLS
OndaTravel tools for planning the North
For northern destinations, attractions alone are not enough. Weather, aurora activity, light, the Moon, the season and current conditions can completely change the plan for the day.
Aurora radar
Check conditions, locations and forecasts before you go to a dark place outside the city.
Open radar
Iceland — aurora radar
Quick access to conditions for Iceland when planning a winter trip or a northern lights hunt.
Check IcelandNorway — aurora radar
Conditions for Norway and northern locations: Lofoten, Tromsø, Senja and further observing spots.
Check Norway
Live earthquake map
Especially useful for Iceland, Reykjanes and regions where seismic activity may affect your plan.
Open map
Astronomical events calendar
Dates worth watching when planning trips for night skies, meteors, the Moon and eclipses.
Open calendar
How to photograph the night sky
A practical starting point if you want to return from the North not only with memories, but also with strong frames.
Read guide
How to choose your first northern destination?
- Choose Iceland if you want to quickly feel the intensity of the landscape: waterfalls, black beaches, geothermal areas, glaciers and a route that is easy to arrange in 4–7 days.
- Choose Norway if fjords, mountains, longer drives, ferries, viewpoints and region-based planning attract you more.
- Choose Lofoten, Tromsø or Senja if your main goal is a northern atmosphere, winter light, mountains, fishing villages and a chance for the aurora.
- Choose a city break from Gdańsk if you want easier logistics to start with: Bergen, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen or Iceland for a short, focused trip.
READ ALSO / NEXT
Go to the most important OndaTravel sections
At the end, I leave the most important entry points into the travel architecture. This way the North page strengthens the right tree: Travel → North → Iceland / Norway / aurora / tools.
Travel
The main map of OndaTravel.pl guides, destinations, routes and tools.
Open TravelCity breaks from Gdańsk
Directions for 2–3 days, car-free cities, flights from Gdańsk and ready-made sightseeing plans.
See city breaks
Warm destinations
Vietnam, Thailand, Cyprus and winter sun — a good alternative when you want warmth instead of the North.
See warm places
Film tourism
Places known from films and series, filming locations and journeys inspired by the screen.
Open film tourismFrequently Asked Questions
Trips to Northern Europe are best planned with a generous margin for weather, daylight, distances, and the seasonality of attractions.
What does a trip to Northern Europe mean?
It usually means destinations like Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Svalbard, Lofoten, Senja, or regions associated with the northern lights.
When is the best time to go north?
It depends on your goal. Auroras need dark nights, summer offers long days, and autumn and winter suit the Arctic climate better.
Is the north expensive?
Often yes, so it’s worth calculating accommodation, car, fuel, food, ferries, and guided tours in advance.
How should I plan the route?
It’s best to plan fewer stops per day, since distances, weather, and daylight can significantly slow down travel.
What matters most when packing?
Layered clothing, protection from wind and rain, comfortable shoes, chargers, and preparation for changeable weather.