The Vega Islands

There are more than 6,500 reasons why you should visit the Vega archipelago in the county of Nordland. This is in fact the number of islands, islets and reefs waiting to be explored.

For the bird-watching enthusiasts the Vega archipelago is simply a true gem, as the area has more than 230 species of birds. Chief among the bird population are eider ducks, raised for their feathers. The houses built for them to nest in can still be seen, alongside lighthouses, fishing villages, and dramatic landscapes.

In 2004, the archipelago’s cultural landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Natural and Cultural Heritage as representative of “the way generations of fishermen and farmers have, over the past 1,500 years, maintained a sustainable living in an inhospitable seascape near the Arctic Circle, based on the now unique practice of eiderdown harvesting”. In the Vega world heritage centre on the Gardsøya island, you can learn about life on the islands and the world heritage status through exhibitions and activities.

Many locals would claim that spending time in Vega means to “live your life slowly”. This is the place to relax in beautiful surroundings. It doesn’t mean that nothing happens, but you control your own pace.