Harstad – at the heart of Northern Norway - Sortland – the blue city
A Taste of Vesterålen
Excursion
Price from $175
Difficulty level
Easy
Booking code
HR-HRD9A
Duration
4h 15min
Notes
Read the practical information below
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town of Harstad
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.
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, the offshore oil industry.
On a clear day, you'll be able to spot the Trondenes Peninsula north of town. Here, you'll visit a white 13th-century medieval stone church, the northernmost church of its kind in the world. You'll also have time to explore the Trondenes Historical Centre, which features artifacts spanning from the early Stone Age and Viking Age to the Middle Ages and modern times. The museum also includes a reconstructed farmstead dating to around 1200, complete with a granary, forge, and stave church.
From Trondenes, a scenic drive across Hinnøya Island takes you to Gullesfjord, where you'll board a ferry for a relaxing crossing. Enjoy a hot drink, freshly made waffles, and lefse (traditional Norwegian flatbread) as you take in the views.
Once ashore, you'll continue by coach along Sigerfjord to Sortland, where you'll rejoin your ship.