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.

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

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!

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

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.

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