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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SVANG Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
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Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland
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Dønnes Gård – Accommodation in historical surroundings
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Hildurs Urterarium – Accommodation
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Sømna Bygdetun – An open-air museum
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3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant
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Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures
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Hemnes open-air museum
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Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience
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Vega World Heritage Center
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Bolga Brygge – Sleep to the soothing sound of waves
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The Petter Dass Museum at Alstahaug
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Sure Hotel by Best Western Ole Tobias
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To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
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Plahtes Eiendommer – Fishing, hunting and wilderness adventures
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Seil Norge – Sailing adventures on the Helgeland coast
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Christmas weekend in Mosjøen 
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Vevelstad Bygdetun – A folk museum
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Merete Mattson, goldsmith
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Villa Våg – historic accommodation at Tjøtta
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Myken Seng & Suppe (Myken Bed & Soup)
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Restaurant Ellen
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Falch Old Trading Post, Rødøy
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Hotel Scandic Seven Sisters – Accomodation Sandnessjøen
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Træna Arctic Fishing
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Halibudskole Vandve – A holiday home with boat rental and a nearby glasblowers workshop
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The Romantic House on Herøy
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Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
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Restauranthuset Tipperary
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Grønsvik coastal fortress, Lurøy
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Savory farm food from Vega
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Sæterstad Gård
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Grane Museum
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Guest Houses in the historic area in Mosjøen
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Nordland Theatre – Magical Moments
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Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
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Kvarøy Sjøhus – A holiday stay in rorbu cabin
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Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
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Velfjordferie – A holiday stay for guests who love fishing!
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Helgeland Opplevelser – Exciting adventures in Herøy
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Bindal Museum and the old croft at Vassås
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Heidis Sjokoladedrøm – Divine handmade chocolate
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Jacobsenbrygga and the folk museum in Mosjøen
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Park 22 – Food and culture in the heart of Mo i Rana
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Augustbryggo – Accommodation and dining in Herøy
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Tjøtta Gjestegård – Accommodation and dining in historical surroundings
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Herøy Bygdesamling – A rural museum
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A guided ice fishing trip with Hi North 
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Forvik Old Trading Post
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Gilles Café & Music
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Velfjord-Brønnøy Museum
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Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
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Hunting the Northern Lights at Støtt
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Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
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Accommodation at Glomfjord Overnatting
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Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
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Winter dream at Støtt
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Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
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Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
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Norwegian Aquaculture Centre – A salmon success story
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Eider ducks, luxurious down and the bird guardians of Lånan
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Hattfjelldal Hotell – GoExtreme
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Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
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Træna museum
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Træna Rorbuferie
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A stay at Straumen Farm
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KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
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Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
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Hattfjelldal Museum
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Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
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The Zahl building and the old sexton's residence in Nesna
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Træna overnatting (Accommodation)
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An evening wilderness adventure with a taste of Sámi culture
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Inderdalen Gård – Charming Farm Stay with Rich History
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Rana Museum, Stenneset open-air Museum and Bredek Mountain Farm
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Galleri Stokland in Mosjøen
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Offersøy Camping – Accommodation with boat and bike rental
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Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna

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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Hildurs Urterarium – Culinary adventures
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Himmelblå Brygge: Dining and accommodation at Ylvingen
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Forvik Old Trading Post
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Laksforsen – Generations of tratidional food
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Torghatten Strandrestaurant – A dining close to the ingredients
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Restauranthuset Tipperary
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Savory farm food from Vega
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Gilles Café & Music
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Park 22 – Food and culture in the heart of Mo i Rana
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KRED Pub & Café in Brønnøysund
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Dønnesfjellstua – Dining on a mountain top overlooking the Helgeland coast!
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To Elise from Marius – From farm to table
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Hildurs Urterarium – Accommodation
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Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen
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Torghatten Camping – Fishing, dining and much more
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Kulturverkstedet Mosjøen – A cultural workshop
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Storli Camping and Aernie – Accommodation and a sámi experience
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Nordvika Old Trading Post, on Dønna
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Oscarbrygga – Accommodation and dining
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SVANG Restaurant & Wine Bar – In the heart of Brønnøysund
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Fiskebruket Restaurant – A dining adventure at Myken
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Restaurant Ellen
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3 Kalver – Hearty dining at a farm restaurant
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Blomsterbua Food & Wine in Mosjøen
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Tjøtta Gjestegård – Accommodation and dining in historical surroundings
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Dønna Rorbuer Bøteriet – A charming restaurant and accommodation
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Støtt in Meløy – Top of Helgeland

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.

A ski trek in the Børgefjell National Park

Put on your skis and join us for a truly challenging wilderness adventure. We invite you on a very special cross-country ski expedition in the Børgefjell National Park!

A guided ice fishing trip with Hi North 

Hi North knows where you’ll find the lakes that offer the best fishing in Helgeland. All you have to bring is warm winter clothes, patience and a positive attitude; combined with our expert guide’s detailed local knowledge, a good catch is almost guaranteed!

A weekend of high adventure on the lofty peaks!

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

Kayaking courses, guided kayaking trips and kayak rentals in Mo i Rana

You can join a guided kayaking excursion on the beautiful lake of Langvatnet. Helgeland Kajakk also offers kayak rental and courses designed to help you master good techniques and enjoy safe kayaking adventures

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 whiskey distillery. These excursions start from Ørnes in Meløy municipality – but for your convenience you can request to be picked up elsewhere en route.

Guided RIB sea-rafting trips with Seløy Kystferie

You are invited to join a memorable RIB trip sea-rafting adventure amongst the islands and islets of Helgeland. Feel the powerful forces of the open sea, visit picturesque fishing villages, listen to stories about the tough life of the fisherman-farmer families, and gain fascinating insights into the colourful coastal culture and heritage.

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.

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