The 10 Best Things to do in Harstad, Northern Norway

Valhall is an adventure centre on Krottoy in the municipality of Harstad just outside Harstad. Here you will be able to experience nature up-close in the most northerly habited archipelago, a natural pearl with sandy white beaches and a total of 365 islands. Krottoy was once part of Tore Hund’s kingdom. Here are ancient viking monuments. The island is lush and can boast a variety of plants, animals and birds. From the top of the island, you can get a 360-degree panoramic view. Here you can also quickly find the best fishing grounds. You can hire a fishing boat and try your luck at fishing. A boat trip onboard a rigid inflatable boat (RiB) in this archipelago is a fantastic experience with many birds and animals (white-tailed eagle safari). Here is a local family of seals, and you can visit the birdrock on Helloy with over 6000 nesting birds. Steinavaer further out in Andfjorden is a group of islands once populated by 127 people in the early 1900s. Here are traces of old habitation, and we can take you on a guided tour telling stories about what life was like. The archipelago is ideal for canoeing and diving in clean and clear water. Krottoy is a great place to see the Northern Lights in all its glory without the disturbing ground lights. From the top of Krottoykollen there is a full 360-degree panoramic view of the sky and free sight in the direction of the North Pole.

Activity supplier in the Harstad region, offers hiking, biking, kayak, sightseeing, Adolf Gun, Trondenes peninsula. Contact us for information and booking

We share our love for Northern Norway and its Arctic Waters with everyone thats ready for an unforgettable adventure. We are located in Harstad and offer private boat trips for family and friends. We offer everything from fishing trips to sightseeing tours, boat taxi, remote island camping and much more.

Distance: approx 15km there and back. Estimated time to the summit: 4 – 5 hours Suitable for: The physical fit. The last part to the top is a little demanding. Start and finish: Go south from Harstad, past Tjeldsund Bridge and towards Lodingen. Park at Sandtorg sportsground (signposted in arbogen). Necessary equipment: None, but good shoes are recommended due to rocky parts at the end. Map: Walking map of Vesteralen-Hinnoya (Statens kartverk 1:100 000) Marked trail: No. Good path. Visible peak from starting point. Drinking water: Intermittent before the final ascent to the top. Route description: Follow path/road through the gate from the football pitch. There is a road heading to arbogvatnet 258m. (Alternatively, you can follow the path on the west side of arbogelva). Continue from the lake a short distance south to the ridge, where you will find a cabin (book). From here, follow the posts to the top. Follow the same route going back. If you descend along the road on the north side of the river, make sure that you continue straight on where the paths meet on the plain close to the sportsground. If you don’t, you will end up on the north side of the river and have to follow the road all the way down to E-10 and then head south and back up again to the sportsground.

Meløyvær fortress is a coastal fortress in Norway on Krøttøya in Troms. The construction was of strategic importance to NATO and northern Norway's role during the Cold War. Meløyvær fortress was the last of the fortresses with the 120 mm Bofors guns to be built in Norway. It is a complete construction, authentic and in good condition. Transportation: Speedboat Harstad - Krøttøy or Skrolsvik (Senja) - Krøttøy, 2xdaily, travel time 1h Nearest Airport - Evenes (Harstad/Narvik)

There lies a yellow pearl by the sea at Hemmestad. Time has stood still here for almost 200 years. History is everywhere. The store, the cod liver barrel and the nordlandsboat that bathe in the sun on the pebble beach, help to create a magical feeling from days gone by. Today the trading post is a museum where the old building on the wharf stands intact with shop, post office, store and museum exhibitions. Opening hours 23.06.-14.06.2011: Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 – 16:00 Saturday and Sunday 11:00 – 17:00 Off-season by appointment.

The world`s northernmost stone church, dating back to the late Middle Ages (1250). The church is set in scenic surroundings and boasts several treasures and a beautiful interior. Guided tours by appointment available year-round.

Listed building from 1770 with a richly decorated interior comprising over 3000 registered artifacts. Barn with traditional agricultural tools and machinery. Boats, fishing eqipment and nets, as well as a fishing hut.

Old trading post and guesthouse dating back to the 16th century. The property has been in the same family for 10 generations, since 1673. The gallery in the former barn is venue for an exhibition by the Harr siblings. Sale of crafts from local producers on Lavebrua. Beautiful setting for lunch, dinner, meetings, weddings and other events, either in the main house from 1750 or the converted cow-shed from 1899. Accommodation in the 16th century farm storehouse. There is a 9-hole golfcourse on the property. Restaurant and café open daily during summer from beginning of June to late August. Open Sundays throughout the year, otherwise by appointment. Welcome.!

The Centre is located alongside Trondenes church on the Trondenes peninsula, a cultural heritage landscape marked by the Viking era, Middle Ages and Word War II. The exhibitiion provides an exiting insight into the history of Harstad from Stone Age to the 1950s. The story is told through a unique multimedia show, featuring vision, music, light and smells. In addition to the pernanent historical exhibitions you are invited to visit Trondenes Medieval Farm. The farm shows the daily life of the farmers during the early 1200s.