Harstad – at the heart of Northern Norway - Sortland – the blue city
A Taste of Vesterålen
Excursion
Price from €149
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, 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.