Top things to do in Hinnøya

Umami is the work of Kim-Havard Larsen and Sigrid Rafaelsem, both of whom have worked in some of Norway's best restaurants. Umami means 'pleasant and savoury' in Japanese and the cooking here is creative, assured an…

This trim place is a candidate for the title of Harstad's best dining experience. Highlights include juniper-perfumed reindeer in a port-wine glaze. It also does a particularly rich and creamy fish soup.

Trondenes Church was built by King Øystein around 1150. For ages it was the northernmost church in Christendom, and still lays claim to being Norway's northernmost medieval stone church. Originally of wood, the curr…

On one floor, the Four Roses is a buzzing cafe that offers sandwiches, pasta, burgers and salads and a trio of daily lunch specials. Portions are large. Above the cafe, in more intimate surroundings, the restaurant …

Trondenes Historical Centre, just south of the church, has well-mounted and equally well-documented displays and artefacts illustrating the social history of the area from Viking days to the present.

Harstad's Arctic Arts Festival, formerly the Festival of North Norway and approaching its 50th incarnation, is a full week of music, theatre and dance in the second half of June.

Here's a biggest/furthest claim for Harstad: this formidable WWII weapon is the world's largest land-based big gun, with a calibre of more than 40cm and a recoil force of 635 tonnes. Because it's in a military area,…