Discover Vesterålen

Sandy beaches, historic fishing villages, rugged mountain peaks and thousands of small islands shape Vesterålen. The region offers many different reasons to visit: you can experience coastal landscapes and wildlife, hike along marked trails or explore Norway’s coastal history. When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first consider which of these sides of Vesterålen you want your trip to focus on.

Landscapes and seasons

The landscape of Møysalen National Park includes wetlands, a rich variety of berry plants, two glaciers and alpine mountains. Møysalen is the highest mountain in Lofoten and Vesterålen. If you want to hike it, you can do so with a guide. A guided hike is therefore a distinct way to discover the mountain landscape, separate from the coastal and island experiences the region offers.

The changing seasons also offer different experiences: in summer, you can see the midnight sun in Vesterålen, while in winter there are opportunities to see the northern lights. These two natural phenomena can help you decide when to travel. If you want to focus on a particular season, you can also consider which activities to include in your trip.

Coastal routes and active days

The Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya runs for 58 km between Bjørnskinn in the south and the ferry terminal at Andenes in the north. It is relatively easy to cycle and is part of National Cycle Route 1. The route appeals both to travellers who want to explore a longer stretch of coastline and to those who want to experience Vesterålen by bike. The two endpoints and the activities you have planned on Andøya can help guide your choice of where to stay.

Another hiking option is the 9 km coastal trail from Stave to Bleik in Andøy, which leads up to Måtind at an elevation of 408 m. If you are planning a hike, you can include this trail and the Dronningruta as separate destinations in your itinerary: the Dronningruta is a marked trail between the historic fishing villages of Nyksund and Stø in the Vesterålen archipelago. The two names refer to hiking trails in different parts of the island region; choose based on which places and landscapes you want to explore.

Birds, whales and the sea

Bleik is a special stop for nature enthusiasts: Bleik Island is home to the largest puffin colony in Vesterålen. The Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya can be combined with a bird safari to see the 80,000 puffins at Bleik. This safari is available only in summer. Seal and bird safaris are also offered in Vesterålen to the bird sanctuaries of Bleiksøya and Anda Fyr, where hundreds of thousands of seabirds breed.

In summer, whale-watching tours depart several times a day from Stø, on the outer side of Vesterålen, and head out to the deep waters of Bleiksdjupet. Kayaking at sea is also available on Andøya. If you are mainly planning wildlife watching or activities on the water, you can take these specific options into account when choosing when to travel and which places to visit.

Coastal history and special discoveries

In the centre of Stokmarknes, the museum ship MS Finnmarken (1956) stands as a monument to Norway’s coastal history. At the Hurtigruten Museum, visitors can explore the bridge, the old cabins and the exhibitions; there is also a café serving drinks and meals. Stokmarknes focuses on maritime history, while the tours from Stø offer a different way to experience the coastal region.

From Stokmarknes, you can travel by Hurtigruten or Havila through Raftsund to Trollfjord. Vesterålen Tours offers another way to combine nature and culture: the combined tour visits Inga Sami Siida, where visitors meet and hand-feed reindeer and learn about Sámi culture. They then take part in a fjord and wildlife safari.

On Andøya, Atelier Nøss brings art and village life together: it is an artist-run gallery and studio in the small village of Nøss. At the Andøya Space visitor centre, you can learn more about research into the northern lights and the history of Andøya Space, or take a virtual trip to Mars. These experiences complement the region’s natural attractions with art, Sámi culture and the history of space exploration. Choose your holiday rental based on which of these travel interests matter most to you and your fellow travellers.

More places to discover: Sortland, Godfjord, Sigerfjord.

Back to the main travel overview: Sortland.