Vesterålen
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Vesterålen is not only situated right beneath the auroral oval, it's also the kingdom of the whales! The nature here is pure and pristine, with long, white sand beaches.
Spending time in Vesterålen feels therapeutic to the modern traveller. Shoreline islets and open seas, alpine mountains and endless moors, gentle beaches and vast fjords all invite you to take a deep breath and relax.
Ski down a snow-clad mountain one day and go on a whale safari in Andenes the next. Since Vesterålen with its rugged peaks is located at the edge of the continental shelf, the nutrient-rich waters are the primary feeding ground for humpback whales, sperm whales, and killer whales.
In Andenes you can also explore the northern lights in the modern Spaceship Aurora visitor's centre at Andøya Space Centre. You can even travel to Mars!
Experience Sami culture
The northern lights often illuminate Vesterålen’s polar night. This natural phenomenon is difficult to catch on camera, but if you join a northern lights safari, local guides will teach you how to capture the moment.
A visit to a native Sami family to learn about their culture, the polar night, and the starry sky, is also a must when you are in the region. Foodies should head to Kvitnes Gård, which offers both a farmhouse restaurant and accommodation. Expect an amazing culinary experience... could a Michelin star be next?
A detour to the small and very unique fishing village of Nyksund is also highly recommended.
Active holiday
Vesterålen is a paradise for outdoor activities during the autumn and winter season. Try dog sledding or go on a seal and bird safari in the daytime, and explore the northern lights at night. Here, you will find signposted hiking trails all over the island, and you can even observe the northern lights from a mountaintop.
The mountains are especially inviting to ski tourers as the white peaks are great for venturing off-trail to create your own.
If you prefer cross-country skiing, you can choose between several well-prepared tracks. You can also explore the pristine landscape on snowshoes.
The best places to see it
- On one of the long, white beaches, for example, Bleik beach at Andøya.
- Nyksund fishing village.
- Uværshula (The Storm Cave), on Hadseløya.
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.
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.
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.
