Here are some tips for you who want a taste of the life of a native Helgelander. That does, of course, mean getting close to the land and the sea, but it also means getting to know the people who have adapted to life here, their culture and their heritage.

Live amongst the Helgelanders

The best way to get a flavour of the life here is to find a place where you can actually live amongst the locals and see what their daily life is like. Here are some suggested accommodation options where you can do just that.

...
Korgen Camping – An idyll by the Røssåga River
...
Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
...
Krambua Café in the coffee roastery at Forvik Old trading post
...
Hattfjelldal Hotell – GoExtreme
...
Falch Old Trading Post, Rødøy
...
Dønnes Gård – Accommodation in historical surroundings
...
Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
...
Nordland Theatre – Magical Moments
...
Myken Handel – local shop and gathering spot
...
The Romantic House on Herøy
...
Aloha Cafe on Træna
...
Vevelstad Gjestegård and Rorbuer
...
Inderdalen Gård – Charming farm stay with rich history
...
Bakarstuo – Year-round guesthouse by Trofors
...
Hemnes open-air museum
...
Guest Houses in the historic area in Mosjøen
...
Idyllic farm retreat on Dønna
...
Sømna Bygdetun – An open-air museum
...
Jacobsenbrygga and the folk museum in Mosjøen
...
3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant
...
Skillevollen Sports Park
...
Galleri Stokland in Mosjøen
...
Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
...
Sijti Jarnge – Center for sami language and culture
...
Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
...
Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
...
Bitteliten Gård – A peaceful island farm experience
...
Festspillene Helgeland
...
Træna Kaffekollektiv – Charming coffee bar in Træna
...
Raus Brewery
...
Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
...
Terråk Gjestegård – Comfortable Accommodation and Good Food in Bindal
...
Seil Norge – Sailing adventures on the Helgeland coast
...
Dønnes Skolestua – Accommodation and RV parking
...
Forvik Old Trading Post
...
The Zahl building and the old sexton´s residence in Nesna
...
Norwegian Aquaculture Centre – A salmon success story
...
Grønsvik coastal fortress, Lurøy
...
Bindal Museum and the old croft at Vassås
...
Sauna in Træna’s Old Boathouse
...
Offersøy Camping Helgeland – Camping, boat and bike rental
...
Hotel Scandic Seven Sisters – Accomodation Sandnessjøen
...
Kulturbadet in Sandnessjøen
...
Bolga Brygge – Sleep to the soothing sound of waves
...
The Sami Way
...
Løkta Museum
...
Velfjordferie – A holiday stay for guests who love fishing!
...
The Petter Dass Museum
...
Restauranthuset Tipperary
...
Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience
...
Augustbryggo – Accommodation on Seløy in Herøy
...
Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
...
Whisky Carthedral at Myken
...
Halibudskole Vandve – A holiday home with boat rental and a nearby glasblowers workshop
...
Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures
...
Tjøtta Gjestegaard – Accommodation and café in historical surroundings
...
Cosy farmhouse stay at Stavseng Gård
...
8770 Træna
...
Hunting the Northern Lights at Støtt
...
Vega World Heritage Center
...
The Mountain Way
...
Savory farm food from Vega
...
Svang Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
...
Bysprinten ski festival
...
Thon Partner Hotel Mo i Rana
...
Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
...
Hildurs Urterarium – Accommodation
...
Kvarøy activity hall
...
Gildevangen Konditori – Lunch, coffee, and cakes
...
An evening wilderness adventure with a taste of Sámi culture
...
Eider ducks, luxurious down and the bird guardians of Lånan
...
Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
...
Exhibition: The Life and Work of Ole Edvart Rølvaag
...
Rana Museum, Stenneset open-air Museum and Bredek Mountain Farm
...
Augustbryggo – Restaurant with Local Food on Seløy
...
Sjokoladebrygga on Dønna
...
Træna Arctic Fishing
...
Herøy Bygdesamling – A rural museum
...
Skolo – an architectural gem in Herøy
...
Gilles Cafe & Restaurant in Mosjøen
...
Adventure Helgeland – dining and accommodation
...
I Ro og Mak at Straumen Farm
...
Hattfjelldal Museum
...
Nerstua Guesthouse- accommodation on Selvær in Træna
...
Arctic Circle Classic Motorcycle museum
...
Grane Museum
...
Local food in Sømna
...
Winter dream at Støtt
...
Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
...
Selsøyvik Trading Post in Rødøy
...
Lyngvågen Café on Gjerdøya in Rødøy
...
Plahtes Eiendommer – Fishing, hunting and wilderness adventures
...
Træna museum
...
Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
...
Bergh-brygga and Gammelskolen in Leirfjord
...
The Coast Coffee
...
Kråkeslottet – Unique woollen design at Hemnesberget
...
Sæterstad Gård
...
Myken bed and soup
...
Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
...
Your own island adventure at Myken Lighthouse
...
Fertility Exhibition at Fallosen on Dønna
...
KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
...
Ristning-Tjaalege, Vevelstad museum and bygdetun
...
Tampen Café on Kvarøy
...
Restaurant Gammelbutikken – authentic local seafood
...
Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna
...
Hotel Sjyen – with fjord and mountain views
...
Sure Hotel by Best Western Ole Tobias
...
Etcetera – botaniske utskeielser
...
To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
...
Tømmerstua – A year-round log house at Strandli Farm
...
Velfjord Museum

Learn our heritage

The natives of Helgeland and the lives they lead are shaped by nature. We come from a long line of fishermen-farmers, who tilled patches of fertile land, kept hardy livestock, rowed out onto the sea to catch fish, and were caretakers of the eider ducks that come to nest each year. Their heritage includes the Sámi reindeer herders who followed their migrating flocks as they roamed the mountains. Our ancestors were boat-builders and iron-workers, sailors and merchants – and some of us still are.

We have seen many summer nights lit by the midnight sun, but also cold dark winter days when the sun scarcely rose up to the horizon. Use your imagination; how do you think this has shaped life in Helgeland? How did we live in centuries past? And how are our lives and identities formed today?

Dine with the Helgelanders

One of the best ways to know the locals is to eat with them and take part in the conversation that flows naturally over a hearty meal. Listen to the music of our dialects, and how they might be subtly different from those of the neighbouring table, people who might be from another village, the next valley over, or perhaps a different island. In Helgeland there are many vibrant local communities, each of them distinct. To share a meal with us is to taste the local culture!

...
Tampen Café on Kvarøy
...
Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
...
To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
...
Hotel Scandic Seven Sisters – Accomodation Sandnessjøen
...
Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
...
Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna
...
Gildevangen Konditori – Lunch, coffee, and cakes
...
Lyngvågen Café on Gjerdøya in Rødøy
...
Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
...
Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
...
Krambua Café in the coffee roastery at Forvik Old trading post
...
Skolo – an architectural gem in Herøy
...
Dønnes Gård – Accommodation in historical surroundings
...
Selsøyvik Trading Post in Rødøy
...
Gilles Cafe & Restaurant in Mosjøen
...
Whisky Carthedral at Myken
...
Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
...
Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
...
Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
...
Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
...
Svang Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
...
Træna Kaffekollektiv – Charming coffee bar in Træna
...
Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
...
Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience
...
Augustbryggo – Restaurant with Local Food on Seløy
...
Terråk Gjestegård – Comfortable Accommodation and Good Food in Bindal
...
KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
...
Forvik Old Trading Post
...
Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures
...
Vega World Heritage Center
...
Aloha Cafe on Træna
...
Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
...
Restauranthuset Tipperary
...
Sjokoladebrygga on Dønna
...
Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
...
Tjøtta Gjestegaard – Accommodation and café in historical surroundings
...
Restaurant Gammelbutikken – authentic local seafood
...
Savory farm food from Vega
...
Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
...
The Coast Coffee
...
3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant

Join the locals on an excursion

You are, of course, free to explore Helgeland on your own. But a knowledgeable local guide can greatly enrich the voyage. They can teach you about the history and heritage of the places you visit, give you good advice and, if you are lucky, show you some hidden gems.

Kayaking Around Sandnessjøen and Herøy – Courses and Guided Tours

Explore stunning nature and vibrant coastal culture with Tømmervika Opplevelsessenter around Sandnessjøen, Tjøtta, and Offersøya. Join family-friendly day trips or exciting multi-day tours in Herøy and the Vega islands—and wrap it up with a fun game of football golf.

A weekend of high adventure on the lofty peaks!

The picturesque Meløy Alps offers some of the wildest off-piste skiing in Northern Norway!

A glacier trek on Svartisen

Join us for an exotic adventure: a guided glacier trek on Engabreen. The experienced guides from Meløy Adventure will ensure that this is a safe and unforgettable adventure.

RIB sea rafting trips with Meløy Adventure

You are invited to join Meløy Adventure on a RIB sea-rafting adventure to the island of Rødøya and Rødøyløva (443 m). Other great options include a sea-rafting safari to explore the scenic Nordfjord, the spectacular island of Træna, or a visit to the remote island of Myken with a tour of its whisky distillery. These excursions start from Ørnes in Meløy municipality – but for your convenience you can request to be picked up elsewhere en route.

Kayaking the waters around Ylvingen

Based on the island of Ylvingen, Himmelblå Brygge offers introductory and more advanced kayaking courses, kayak rentals, and guided kayaking trips on the nearby waters. Their beautiful island is situated just south of Vega.

Sailing trips to Vega, Lånan and Torghatten

You are invited on an unforgettable sailing trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Area of the islands of Vega and the eider duck nesting site, Lånan, that for many generations has been protected by the islanders. Or choose a voyage to the legendary mountain with a hole through it, Torghatten.

Tailored boat trips with Sea Adventure Helgeland

How would you like a cruise along the Helgeland coast, designed to show you and your friends the very best the scenic region has to offer? Or how about a shuttle boat that quickly takes you where you want, exactly when you want? Sea Adventure Helgeland offers you boat trips tailored to your needs and wishes.

An exciting half-day rafting adventure at Trofors with RiverNorth

RiverNorth’s most popular excursion is the Half-Day Rafting Adventure. You get to challenge big waves – and see if you’re brave enough to dive from a cliff!

Visit the recreated Viking chiefdom seat in Sandnessjøen

You are invited to an authentic Viking experience! Bring your family or friends and see the clothes and customs, partake in activities, and enjoy a Viking banquet.

Winter dream at Støtt

Do you dream of going from the hustle of the big city to “winter world” where the polar lights and the northern lights create magic? Visit the island Støtt and be close to nature, culture and history.

Explore more