The Vega Islands

World Heritage in dramatic nature

Vega has been named one of the world’s top 'undiscovered' island gems.

Vega Islands, Nordland .
Photo: Anton Ligaarden / Visitnorway.com

Fascinating exhibitions and activities at the Vega World Heritage Center show how eider farming led to World Heritage status.

Vega World Heritage Center .
Photo: Torleif Hansen

For hundreds of years, farmers on the islands have created cosy 'houses' for eider ducks.

Lånan in the Vega Islands, Nordland .
Photo: Anton Ligaarden / Visitnorway.com

In return, the ducks provide delightfully warm and soft down, which is used in the world's best duvets!

In the summer, you can join a guided tour of the eider farms.

The Vega Islands, Nordland .
Photo: Anton Ligaarden / Visitnorway.com

Explore the Vega Archipelago's unique atmosphere on two wheels and enjoy stunning panoramic views.

Cycling in the Vega Islands .
Photo: Terje Rakke - Nordic Life / Visit Helgeland

The Vegatrappa path leads from the beach to the top of Mount Ravnfloget, providing breathtaking views of the sea and the islands along the Helgeland coast (and a good workout with its almost 2,000 stairs).

Vega stairs .
Photo: Katrine Sørgård / Nordnorge.com

If you are up for a challenge, you can strap into a harness and join a guided climb up the via ferrata instead.

Climbing via ferrata Ravnfloget .
Photo: Gunnar Almlid

Spend the night at Vega Havhotell, and relax with fine dining while savouring the tranquil surroundings.

Vega Havhotell in The Vega Islands .
Photo: Vega Havhotell

Want to explore beautiful surroundings at your own pace?

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Enjoying the break on a kayaking trip in the Vega islands .
Photo: Opplevelsesferie / Visithelgeland.com

The Vega Archipelago is a group of islands in Nordland county, just south of the Arctic Circle. Hire a kayak and discover beaches, bays and shallow coves. There are more than 6,500 islands, islets and reefs waiting to be explored.

In 2004, the Vega Archipelago (including the Lånan islands) was inscribed in UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage list. This was a tribute to how generations of islanders have maintained a sustainable way of life, centred on their unique eider down harvesting.

Don't miss the Vega Church in Gladstad, a wooden church dating from 1864, and the war memorial at Ylvingen, where you can explore the ruins of bunkers and tunnels from World War II.

For foodies, Vega offers locally-sourced food from the archipelago and other parts of Helgeland. Sample local delicacies like freshly fried cod tongue and Vegagomme (a local porridge dessert made from boiled milk), or enjoy a more conventional (but still delicious) meal.

Get more inspiration at Helgeland’s official website.

visithelgeland.com/

Top things to do

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Getting here and around

Get in-depth travel information on Helgeland’s official website.

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By boat

You can get to Vega by express boat from Brønnøysund or car ferry from Horn, which is a 15-minute drive outside Brønnøysund.

The famous Hurtigruten Coastal Express calls at Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, and Nesna twice a day.

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By car

The Vega Islands are located off the coast of Helgeland. You can reach the islands by the Coastal Route (the Rv17), which runs from Steinkjer to Bodø. There is a car ferry service from Horn, 15 minutes outside Brønnøysund.

If you are taking the E6 motorway, follow the signs to Brønnøysund.

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By plane

There are direct flights from Oslo to Brønnøysund, which is the closest airport. From there, you can take a taxi (6–7 minutes) to the express boat pier, and then an express boat to Vega.

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Seasons and climate

Due to the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream, Vega has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude.

The coastal climate in Vega makes the winters mild and the summers relatively cool.

January and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of -1 °C. July and August are warmest, with an average temperature of 13 °C.

May and June are the driest months, with an average 57 mm of rainfall. October is the wettest month.

You can experience the midnight sun and northern lights in Vega, even though the islands lie south of the Arctic Circle.

Get the latest weather forecast on yr.no.

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The Vega Islands

World Heritage in dramatic nature

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