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Discover the layers of Harstad's remarkable history on a guided bus tour of one of Northern Norway's most characterful towns.

Highlights

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town of

Visit the medieval church and the historical centre of Trondenes

Take in the view of fjords, steep mountains, and idyllic agricultural landscapes

Enjoy a piece of freshly baked waffle, lefse and a cup of coffee as you cross the fjord.

How it works

Your tour begins with a short drive through Harstad, the third-largest community in Northern Norway, with a history rooted in herring fishing, the military and, more recently, offshore oil.

On a clear day, you should be able to spot Trondenes peninsula to the north of the town. Here, you’ll visit a white 13th-century medieval stone church, the northernmost of its kind in the world. You'll also have time to explore the Trondenes Historical Centre, with objects from the early Stone Age through to Viking times, the Middle Ages and the present day. The museum also has a reconstructed farmstead dating from around 1200 with a granary, forge and stave church.

From Trondenes, a scenic drive across Hinnøya Island leads to Gullesfjord, where you'll board a ferry for a relaxed crossing with a hot drink, freshly made waffles and lefse (Norwegian flatbread). Once ashore, you’ll continue by bus along Sigerfjord to Sortland to rejoin the ship.

Before you book

Activity level

Easy: Suitable for most people

Group size

Groups up to 129 guests

Availability

Year-round

Transport

Bus with guide

Food & drink

Coffee / Tea, Pastry / Cake / Chocolate

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, warm and windproof clothing

Voyages with this excursion

This excursion is available on select Hurtigruten voyages along the Norwegian coast. Explore all voyages.

Available: Year-round

Hurtigruten's MS Finnmarken — identifiable by its red hull and illuminated white superstructure — sails through a calm Norwegian fjord at night beneath a spectacular aurora borealis display. Sweeping curtains of green northern lights radiate across a star-filled sky, while snow-covered mountains rise steeply from the water's edge in the background. The ship's warm lights and the aurora reflect in the glassy surface of the fjord below.

Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen

The Coastal Express

The original Norwegian coastal voyage – connecting fjords, towns & people since 1893

  • Regular departures
  • 12 days
  • 34 Ports
  • Full board
MS Richard With sailing through Raftsundet, a 25-mile strait in Norway’s Nordland county

Kirkenes – Bergen

The Coastal Express – South

The southbound leg on our classic coastal voyage, exploring beautiful archipelagos & fjordlands

  • Regular departures
  • 6 days
  • 33 Ports
  • Full board
ms-richard-with-northern-lights-122378

Bergen - Kirkenes - Bergen

The Coastal Express - Northern Lights

Our classic route during aurora season, including direct flights from regional UK airports

  • October 2026 - January 2027
  • 12 days
  • 34 Ports
  • Full board

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions our guests ask most often

If an excursion is not fully booked, any remaining slots will be available for purchase on board through your Expedition Team. These will be charged in Norwegian Kroner at your ship’s exchange rate.  

However, to ensure yourself a spot, we recommend booking in advance.

You will be able to view them all by logging into your booking here.

If you booked through a travel agent, you can reach out to them for this information.

Yes, you will get a full refund to your original payment method. If that's not possible, we will reach out to check your payment details.

Each of our excursions has a rating to illustrate the level of fitness required. There are four categories, with 1 being the easiest and 4 the most difficult.

Level 1 = Easy: suitable for most

Excursions at this level are physically undemanding and suitable for most people. Level 2 = Moderate: some mobility needed

Excursions in this category involve a small amount of physical activity, but on easy terrain with few major challenges. Level 3 = Active: good mobility needed

Excursions in this category are more active and involve outdoor pursuits that require a decent level of fitness. You may be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. They are not suitable for those with limited mobility.

Level 4 = Challenging: good mobility and fitness needed 

These are our most challenging excursions, and require a good level of fitness. They may involve hiking or biking on uneven terrain and may also require specialist equipment. You would be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. Excursions in this category are not suitable for those with limited mobility. 

Prices can vary depending on the season you travel. Costs such as exchange rates and local prices may change from year to year, so we show a “starting from” price as a guide. The exact price will be confirmed when you book.