Must-see attractions in Vesterålen

  • Top Choice
    Spaceship Aurora

    Around 1km south of the town entrance along the road to Bleik, this innovative space centre has a widescreen 16-minute movie and other exhibits about the…

  • Andenes Fyr

    The town's landmark red lighthouse, automated for many years, opened in 1859 and still shines on. To climb its 40m and 148 steps, arrange a guided tour…

  • Nyksund Museum

    Nyksund's small museum contains a number of local artefacts and before-and-after photos that chart the village's transformation. Then again, the whole…

  • Trondenes Kirke

    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…

  • Hvalsenteret

    The whale centre provides a perspective for whale-watchers, with displays on whale research, hunting and the life cycle of these gentle giants. Most…

  • Museum Nord

    The quaint, Arctic- and polar-themed Museum Nord has displays on local hunting and fishing traditions. There's extensive coverage of the 38 winter hunting…

  • Hurtigrutemuseet

    The Hurtigruten Museum portrays the history of the coastal-ferry line in text and image. Hitched to the quayside is the retired ship MS Finnmarken,…

  • Trondenes Historiske Senter

    Trondenes Historical Centre, just south of the church, has well-mounted and equally well-documented displays and artefacts illustrating the social history…

  • Fargeklatten Galleries

    This complex of historical buildings now includes a couple of small galleries displaying the art and crafts of northern Norway, with visiting exhibitions…

  • Adolfkanonen

    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…

  • Norwegian Fishing Industry Museum

    In an abandoned herring-oil factory (romantically named Neptune despite its stark functionality), this museum traces the life of a fish from the deep sea…

  • Andenes Kirke

    It only opens for a month, and even then just three days a week so take advantage if you happen to be in town. It's a typically austere northern Norwegian…

  • Turf Museum

    This small turf museum is part of the historic Fargeklatten complex of restored buildings.