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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Gildevangen Konditori – Lunch, coffee, and cakes
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Hotel Scandic Seven Sisters – Accomodation Sandnessjøen
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Etcetera – botaniske utskeielser
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Galleri Stokland in Mosjøen
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Herøy Bygdesamling – A rural museum
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8770 Træna
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Audio guide Brønnøysund – a walk through 10,000 years of history
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Grønsvik coastal fortress, Lurøy
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Whisky Carthedral at Myken
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Idyllic farm retreat on Dønna
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Lyngvågen Café on Gjerdøya in Rødøy
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Velfjord Museum
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Sømna Bygdetun – An open-air museum
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Korgen Camping – An idyll by the Røssåga River
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Aloha Cafe on Træna
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Tampen Café on Kvarøy
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Hildurs Urterarium – Accommodation
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Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna
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Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
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The Romantic House on Herøy
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Plahtes Eiendommer – Fishing, hunting and wilderness adventures
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Krambua Café in the coffee roastery at Forvik Old trading post
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Gilles Cafe & Restaurant in Mosjøen
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Tjøtta Gjestegaard – Accommodation and café in historical surroundings
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I Ro og Mak at Straumen Farm
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Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
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Velfjordferie – A holiday stay for guests who love fishing!
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Kråkeslottet – Unique woollen design at Hemnesberget
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Skillevollen Sports Park
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Inderdalen Gård – Charming farm stay with rich history
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To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
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Svang Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
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Vevelstad Gjestegård and Rorbuer
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Seil Norge – Sailing adventures on the Helgeland coast
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Fertility Exhibition at Fallosen on Dønna
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Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
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Savory farm food from Vega
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Myken Handel – local shop and gathering spot
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Forvik Old Trading Post
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Terråk Gjestegård – Comfortable Accommodation and Good Food in Bindal
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Falch Old Trading Post, Rødøy
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Restaurant Gammelbutikken – authentic local seafood
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Cosy farmhouse stay at Stavseng Gård
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Hotel Sjyen – with fjord and mountain views
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Your own island adventure at Myken Lighthouse
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An evening wilderness adventure with a taste of Sámi culture
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Træna museum
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Selsøyvik Trading Post in Rødøy
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Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
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The Coast Coffee
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Offersøy Camping Helgeland – Camping, boat and bike rental
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Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
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Løkta Museum
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Sauna in Træna’s Old Boathouse
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Grane Museum
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Tømmerstua – A year-round log house at Strandli Farm
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Sjokoladebrygga on Dønna
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Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
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Arctic Circle Classic Motorcycle museum
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Træna Kaffekollektiv – Charming coffee bar in Træna
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Augustbryggo – Accommodation on Seløy in Herøy
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Dønnes Gård – Accommodation in historical surroundings
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Exhibition: The Life and Work of Ole Edvart Rølvaag
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Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
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Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures
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Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
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Bindal Museum and the old croft at Vassås
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Halibudskole Vandve – A holiday home with boat rental and a nearby glasblowers workshop
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Vega World Heritage Center
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The Sami Way
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Eider ducks, luxurious down and the bird guardians of Lånan
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Nerstua Guesthouse- accommodation on Selvær in Træna
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Nordland Theatre – Magical Moments
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Adventure Helgeland – dining and accommodation
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Ristning-Tjaalege, Vevelstad museum and bygdetun
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Kvarøy activity hall
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The Mountain Way
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Local food in Sømna
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Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
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Dønnes Skolestua – Accommodation and RV parking
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Augustbryggo – Restaurant with Local Food on Seløy
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The Petter Dass Museum
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Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
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Raus Brewery
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Sijti Jarnge – Center for sami language and culture
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Bitteliten Gård – A peaceful island farm experience
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Hattfjelldal Museum
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Skolo – an architectural gem in Herøy
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Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience
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Bergh-brygga and Gammelskolen in Leirfjord
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Jacobsenbrygga and the folk museum in Mosjøen
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Winter dream at Støtt
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Hattfjelldal Hotell – GoExtreme
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Myken bed and soup
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Festspillene Helgeland
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Onkel Oskar – Pub, Food, and Beer Tasting
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Bysprinten ski festival
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Hemnes open-air museum
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Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
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Hunting the Northern Lights at Støtt
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Sæterstad Gård
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Kulturbadet in Sandnessjøen
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Bakarstuo – Year-round guesthouse by Trofors
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Træna Arctic Fishing
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The Zahl building and the old sexton´s residence in Nesna
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3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant
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Terråk Guesthouse
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KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
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Guest Houses in the historic area in Mosjøen
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Restauranthuset Tipperary
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Rana Museum, Stenneset open-air Museum and Bredek Mountain Farm
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Sure Hotel by Best Western Ole Tobias
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Norwegian Aquaculture Centre – A salmon success story
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Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
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Bolga Brygge – Sleep to the soothing sound of waves
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Thon Partner Hotel Mo i Rana

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