Senja, oh Senja
After driving straight across Sweden for five days, we finally reached Senja, Norway's 2nd largest island, often lovingly called "Little Norway." And let me tell you – it was love at first sight.
We'd heard so many wonderful things about the island, but nothing could have prepared us for just how breathtaking it really is. Before crossing the bridge to Senja, we made one last pit stop in Finnsnes, the final proper town before the island. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea, because the supermarket was buzzing with fellow travellers stocking up on supplies before heading into the wild.
As soon as we crossed the bridge, it felt like entering another world. Towering mountains rose straight out of turquoise fjords, and winding roads revealed one jaw-dropping view after another. Senja's nickname "Little Norway" makes perfect sense – the island captures everything Norway is known for in one place: dramatic peaks, deep-blue fjords, lush valleys and white-sand beaches that look like they belong in the Caribbean.
Yes, you read that right – Caribbean! The beaches here are unreal. The sand is soft and white like powdered sugar, and when the sun hits the clear, icy-blue water just right, it could easily pass for the tropics. Of course, the moment you dip a toe in, you're quickly reminded you're still in Norway 😄. But the contrast of alpine peaks and turquoise bays is something truly magical.
We found incredible campsites with jaw-dropping views, hiking trails that led straight into untouched nature and scenic viewpoints that made every stop feel like a postcard.
Our first destination was Gryllefjord, a small fishing village that looked like something out of a watercolor painting – boats gently bobbing in the harbour, colourful wooden houses, and a cosy little café where we stopped for coffee and waffles. Life slows down here; everything feels simple and real.
Of course, we laced up our hiking boots. Because, as every traveller in Norway knows, the best way to experience its magic is on foot.
The hikes in Husfjellet and Hesten/Segla are our favourites. The views from the top were nothing short of breathtaking: jagged peaks piercing the sky, deep-blue fjords stretching endlessly below, and a sense of total freedom that's hard to describe.
Segla, the island's most famous mountain, rises like a giant shark fin out of the fjord and is one of Norway's most photographed spots and for good reason.
Senja might be less famous than the Lofoten Islands, but that's part of its charm. It's just as stunning, only more quiet and more relaxed. Fewer crowds, more space, and that rare feeling of being surrounded by untouched wilderness.
As Gary Snyder once said, "Nature isn't a place to visit. It's home."
And that's exactly how we felt on Senja – at home. Grateful, grounded and completely in awe of this wild and wonderful corner of Norway.
Senja truly stole our hearts. ❤️