Vesterålen
The best places to see the Northern Lights in Vesterålen
- On one of the long, white beaches, for example, Bleik beach at Andøya.
- Nyksund fishing village.
- Uværshula (The Storm Cave), on Hadseløya.
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 travel closer to the northern lights in a virtual spaceship at Andøya Space visitor's 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.
Winter in Northern Norway
Did you know that you can experience the northern lights as early as late September until late March?
4-day tour including a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities including dog sledding and northern lights excursions.
Price from NOK 7 080Book Now
6-day tour, including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling.
Price from NOK 12 030Book Now
Join a northern lights cruise and enjoy delicious arctic tapas from our partner in Tromsø, while hunting for the northern lights!
Price from NOK 1 790Book Now
Spend 5 days in Alta at an Arctic wilderness resort, a forest chalet and an igloo-style dome. Enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling, and ice-fishing.
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4-day winter break to Tromsø, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added.
Price from NOK 9 060Book Now
4-day break to Tromsø with a cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one free day, you can add winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more.
Price from NOK 7 690Book Now
This 6-day tour includes a guided day tour of Tromsø, sea kayaking, and a sea eagle safari. Stay in a small fishing village and learn how to capture the northern lights on camera.
Price from NOK 16 275Book Now
4-day trip with an aurora-chase guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin.
Price from NOK 9 498Book Now
6-day winter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city of Tromsø. Winter activities like dog sledding, a northern lights safari, and much more can be added.
Price from NOK 8 490Book Now
Explore the Tromsø fjords on a hybrid-electric boat with panoramic windows, while savouring a delicious dinner and keeping an eye out for the magical northern lights.
Price from NOK 1 590Book Now
Join a 6-day northern lights round trip. Fly from Oslo to Tromsø and experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights.
Price from NOK 27 995Book Now
6-night round trip from Oslo. Stay at an ice hotel, go on a king crab safari, take a reindeer sleigh ride, and enjoy an Arctic gourmet dinner.
Price from NOK 31 595Book Now
Round trip from Oslo including a scenic train ride to Trondheim, two nights onboard a cruise ship, a visit to Bodø, Tromsø, and a Viking feast on the Lofoten Islands.
Price from NOK 24 350Book Now
Fly from Oslo to Kirkenes and stay overnight at a snow hotel, then go wilderness dog sledding before taking a 5-night cruise to Bergen. Visit Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral and Lofoten along the way.
Price from NOK 34 510Book Now
Join a 7-day adventure through Norway. Chase the northern lights, go on a king crab safari, experience dog sledding, and explore Flåm and the UNESCO fjords.
Price from NOK 26 890Book Now
7-hour trip. Your guide will choose the camp location with the highest chance of seeing the northern lights. All camps have shelters, toilets, campfires, and benches outside.
Price from NOK 1 590Book Now
Combine a northern lights experience with comfort and luxury. These once-in-a-lifetime stays are in prime locations for optimal aurora borealis viewing.
Price from NOK 3 000Book now
Hunt the northern lights along Norway's entire coastal route with 34 ports, 1,000 mountains, and more than 100 fjords. Enjoy insightful lectures from astronomers during the voyage.
Price from NOK 28 048Book Now
Spend a night in a private crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. Learn how to photograph the aurora and try snowshoeing. Return transfers, lunch, dinner, and breakfast are also included.
Price from NOK 3 390Book Now
Enjoy two nights in central Tromsø , including a northern lights tour. Stay in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps, with a view of the auroras. Local transfers, activities and meals included.
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Try reindeer sledding, spend the night in a traditional Sami tent, feed reindeer, and enjoy Arctic landscapes. With some luck, the northern lights might appear!
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Experience Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic and a great place to witness the spectacular northern lights! This holiday package includes two nights stay in a cosy hotel and two unforgettable tours that maximise your chance of seeing the mighty aurora borealis.
Price from NOK 6 790Book nowWhat to do
Where to stay
Where to eat
Getting There
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.
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.
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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.
