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Northern lights over the fishing village Nyksund in Vesterålen, Northern Norway
Northern lights over Nyksund in Vesterålen.
Photo: Tor Ynvge Andreassen

Vesterålen’s islands have everything from white sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages to jagged mountain peaks that rise straight out of the sea. But the largest attraction – in every sense of the word – is the whales!

Vesterålen is the only place in Norway where you can go whale watching any time of year. The reason is that the continental shelf is closer to the mainland up here compared to the rest of the Norwegian coast. Even on short trips, you are almost guaranteed to see whales.

The 1,330 large and small islands in the northern part of the Nordland region offer great experiences on land too. Walk along chalk-white beaches and continue up steep mountains, or cycle the stunning Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya. Winter adventures include snowshoe hiking and ski touring.

Visit Norway's only permanent rocket range, Andøya Space at Andøya island. Travel closer to the northern lights in their virtual spaceship and have fun with lots of interactive exhibitions.

Along the coast, you’ll see old fishing villages with colourful cabins (“rorbuer”) that have housed fishermen and traders for centuries. One of the most well-known is Nyksund, where the houses are now filled with artists, galleries, museums, and quality restaurants.

In the summertime, you can enjoy the magnificent nature around the clock under the midnight sun, while winter offers optimal conditions for the northern lights.

Vesterålen has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is sustainable, it does mean that it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.

Find more inspiration and information at Vesterålen’s official website.

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Things to do | Where to stay | Food and drink | Getting here and around

Top things to do in Vesterålen

Don't miss these highlights.

Where to stay

From comfy hotels to cosy cabins. Find your home away from home in Vesterålen.

Food and drink

From local food gems to high-end restaurants. Get a taste of what Vesterålen offers.

Andøya Scenic Route

This island offers wow moments around every turn!

Getting to Vesterålen

Get in-depth travel information on Vesterålen’s official website.
Plan your trip to Vesterålen with Entur.

Top attractions in Vesterålen
Now you can experience whale watching even closer to sea level from a RIB boat (rigid inflatable boat). Read more
Whale safari with RIB - Whale2Sea
Sami adventures We offer our guests a unique experience of pure and authentic local Sami culture. Participate in our work with the reindeer and become… Read more
Sami Culture - Inga Sami Siida
Are you curious about Norwegian food production? Do you want to learn about our coastal history and the industrial revolution of the Norwegian fishing… Read more
Akvakultur i Vesterålen - Visit a real fish farm
Bring out your inner explorer at Andøya Space in Vesterålen! Located on Norway’s most scenic coastline you can join one of our virtual space missions,… Read more
ANDØYA SPACE – SPACESHIP AURORA
A moose in it self is majestic sight, but to see it under the northern lights in moonlight is magical. Read more
Moose Safari under the northern lights
Destinations in Northern Norway
From local food and mountains soaring above deep blue fjords to the midnight sun and the northern lights – discover the Arctic capital,… Read more
Tromsø
The UNESCO-listed Vega Islands have been named one of the world’s top undiscovered island gems. Read more
The Vega Islands
Lofoten is known for excellent fishing, nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, and small villages off the beaten track.… Read more
The Lofoten Islands
Far above the Arctic Circle, the North Cape offers arctic adventures like dog sledding under the northern lights, and never-ending daylight in the… Read more
The North Cape
In the city of Alta you can experience Sami culture up close, see UNESCO protected rock carvings, sleep in a ice hotel or hunt for the northern light. Read more
Alta
Bodø is home to the world’s strongest maelstrom, Saltstraumen. The largest city in Nordland is also just a boat ride away from the old… Read more
Bodø
Experience the cultural hub of Bodø as well as untouched nature, the world’s strongest tidal current, and remarkable, windswept… Read more
Salten
Get ready for an Arctic adventure with whale watching, cool museums, hiking and snowshoeing. In Vesterålen, you can combine wow experiences with… Read more
Vesterålen
Go hiking in the mountains, explore the archipelago in a kayak or RIB, and join exciting cultural events. Harstad is the perfect base for a holiday in… Read more
Harstad
The Svalbard Islands are located in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Here, you will find untouched arctic wilderness and… Read more
The Svalbard Islands
In Helgeland, you can paddle around the UNESCO-protected Vega islands and climb mountains like Torghatteen and The Seven Sisters. Or try the… Read more
Helgeland
Join a dogsled expedition, learn to throw a lasso, and experience the Sami culture first hand in Karasjok and Kautokeino. Read more
Land of the Sami
Discover Narvik, a town above the Arctic Circle where nature is your playground. Go hiking, skiing or climbing and experience the midnight sun in… Read more
Narvik
Go hiking and kayaking under the midnight sun, or skiing and dog sledding under the northern lights. Or simply kick back and enjoy some of the most… Read more
Senja and Central Troms
An urban gem on a barren, mostly uninhabited coast, Hammerfest is an Arctic city full of life and outdoor adventure. Read more
Hammerfest
In Nordkyn, the northernmost region on the European mainland, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, world class fishing, Arctic adventures and… Read more
Nordkyn
Lyngenfjord and the Lyngsalpene mountain range are an Arctic area full of exotic and family-friendly outdoor activities that offer pure,… Read more
The Lyngenfjord region
Kystriksveien is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Climb the Torghatten and De syv søstre mountains, visit the Vega Islands and… Read more
Kystriksveien – the coastal route
Discover exotic Arctic adventures and stunning nature in Kirkenes, in the far northeast of Norway. Read more
Kirkenes
In the northeastern most corner of Norway, birds cling to the rocky coastline in a dramatic Arctic landscape. Welcome to wild and rare nature,… Read more
Varanger
Norwegian Scenic Routes in Northern Norway
Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger is 160 kilometres long and travels between Varangerbotn and Hamningberg. Read more
Varanger
Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund is 67 kilometres long and travels between Kokelv and Havøysund. Read more
Havøysund
Norwegian Scenic Route Senja is 102 kilometres long and travels between Gryllefjord and Botnhamn. Detours to Mefjordvær and Husøya. Read more
Senja
Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya is 58 kilometres long and travels between Bjørnskinn and Andenes. Read more
Andøya
Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten is 230 kilometres long and travels between Å and Raftsundet. Detours to Nusfjord, Vikten, Utakleiv, Unstad, Eggum, and… Read more
Lofoten
Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten is 433 kilometres long and travels between Holm and Godøystraumen, with a detour to Torghatten. Read more
Helgelandskysten
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