Plan your trip to Vesterålen

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. 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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Getting to Vesterålen

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Top attractions in Vesterålen

Whale safari with RIB - Whale2Sea

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 Culture - Inga Sami Siida

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

Akvakultur i Vesterålen - Visit a real fish farm

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

ANDØYA SPACE – SPACESHIP AURORA

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

Moose Safari under the northern lights

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

Read more about Northern Norway

Tromsø

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 Vega Islands

The UNESCO-listed Vega Islands have been named one of the world’s top undiscovered island gems. Read more

The Vega Islands

A bird's view of the rugged coastline in Henningsvær in Northern Norway

The Lofoten 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

The North Cape

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

Silhouette of person inside Sorrisniva igloo hotel

Alta

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

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

People in hammocks in front of the Svartisen glacier in Helgeland, Northern Norway

Salten

Experience the cultural hub of Bodø as well as untouched nature, the world’s strongest tidal current, and remarkable, windswept… Read more

Salten

Vesterålen

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

Harstad

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

Snowcovered Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Northern Norway

The Svalbard Islands

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

Helgeland

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

A couple in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer, held by a Sami man

Land of the Sami

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

Narvik

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

Senja and Central Troms

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

Hammerfest

An urban gem on a barren, mostly uninhabited coast, Hammerfest is an Arctic city full of life and outdoor adventure. Read more

Hammerfest

Nordkyn

In Nordkyn, the northernmost region on the European mainland, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, world class fishing, Arctic adventures and… Read more

Nordkyn

Man on a snowmobile under the northern lights

The Lyngenfjord region

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

A bridge connecting Herøy to another island in Helegeland, Northern Norway. In the background, the mountain range The seven sisters.

Kystriksveien – the coastal route

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

Kirkenes

Discover exotic Arctic adventures and stunning nature in Kirkenes, in the far northeast of Norway. Read more

Kirkenes

Varanger

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

Varanger

Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger is 160 kilometres long and travels between Varangerbotn and Hamningberg. Read more

Varanger

Havøysund

Norwegian Scenic Route Havøysund is 67 kilometres long and travels between Kokelv and Havøysund. Read more

Havøysund

Senja

Norwegian Scenic Route Senja is 102 kilometres long and travels between Gryllefjord and Botnhamn. Detours to Mefjordvær and Husøya. Read more

Senja

Andøya

Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya is 58 kilometres long and travels between Bjørnskinn and Andenes. Read more

Andøya

Lofoten

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

Helgelandskysten

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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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

By boat

The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten calls daily at Risøyhamn, Sortland, and Stokmarknes in Vesterålen.

There is a year-round ferry service between Lødingen and Bognes, and between Melbu and Fiskebøl. In summer, there is also a ferry connection between Andenes and Gryllefjord.

For travel to Lofoten, there’s a ferry connection between Melbu and Digermulen.

Ad: Hurtigruten – “The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage”
By road

Vesterålen is connected to the mainland and the E6 with two-lane highways. Several bridges and tunnels link the island group of Vesterålen together.

Note that Norway has a unique traffic culture, in the way that it might be the only country in the world where pedestrians cross roads without paying much attention, expecting cars to slow down or even stop. The same goes for cyclists – they use the roads, but often don’t follow traffic rules. There has been many dangerous situations and accidents between cars driven by tourists and cyclists and pedestrians. For many car tourists, it can be a new experience to share the roads with these groups.

There are daily buses from larger cities in Northern Norway to Sortland, the largest town in Vesterålen.

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By plane

There are frequent and regular flights from all the major cities in Norway to Harstad/Narvik Airport, which is the closest airport to Vesterålen. An airport bus service takes you to Sortland in Vesterålen in about 2 hours.

Other airports in Vesterålen are Stokmarknes Airport and Andøya Airport.

Ad: Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia

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