Vesterålen is like Lofoten really, but without all the tourists. The whole of Vesterålen is packed with nature experiences in the mountains and at sea. Midnight sun in summer, northern lights in winter. Lots of chalk-white beaches and charming little villages.

BLACKLAND

Sortland is located in the middle of Vesterålen, is a trading center and a good place to stop to do your shopping before heading further out into Vesterålen. Sortland municipality is also home to Sigerfjord, the world's most beautiful place, according to Halvar (possibly because that's where he's from).

The firehouse bakery
Are you hungry for the world's best cardamom knots? Then you need to stop by Eldhusbakeriet, just outside Sortland. Marit fires up her wood-fired oven on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so it's definitely worth a visit, but get there early as she often sells out.

Naustet in Sigerfjord
During the summer and almost every Sunday throughout the year, there is a café at Naustet in Sigerfjord. Very cozy place with good cakes and good service.

Lihallen cultural center
In the summer there is a café at Lihallen, combine it with looking at art by hostess and visual artist Tove Hov Jacobsen. Lihallen is an old tuberculosis home in the middle of the mountainside in Sigerfjord. The view is worth the trip, throw in some cake and art, and you have 3 good reasons to stop by.

Miscela coffee shop
In Sortland shopping center, you'll find a coffee shop that makes really great coffee! Wanja worked here for 10 years before joining Kvitnes, so don't be surprised if you meet someone from Kvitnes in the coffee queue.

CHORUS

Øksnes really is where the fish you eat comes from. In Øksnes you'll find Myre, Norway's largest fishing port. In winter, during the cod fishing season, the port is bustling with people. In the summer, Nyksund and tourism are the order of the day. Klo and Stø are also two charming fishing villages that are well worth a visit.

Nyksund
A visit to Nyksund is a must if you're in Vesterålen. An old fishing village that for a time was completely deserted. Now several people have settled in the small fishing village and filled it with life, where you'll find nice little galleries, second-hand shops and cafés. Even the drive out to Nyksund is spectacular. A visit to Nyksund can be combined with walking the Queen's Route, where Nyksund can either be the start or end point of the trip.

The expedition
The expedition is run by Ringo and Monja Haupt. Here you'll be served solid, tasty and down-to-earth food, made from local and good ingredients. In the summer, it's a good idea to book a table, as both Nyksund and Ekspedisjonen can be very busy. You can also spend the night here if you wish.

Skåltofta
Just outside Nyksund is Skåltofta, a fantastic house with a view straight out to sea. Here you can sit and watch the storm.

Archipelago - Vestbygd in Øksnes
A little island hopping in the Øksnes archipelago is recommended. The speedboat runs all year round and you can hop on and off as you please, just check the boat's routes. Hop off in Tinden, a disused trading post, now a small museum. From here you can continue on foot to Skipnes, a small, abandoned fishing village. Here you can spend the night and have a bite to eat before taking the boat on to Skogsøya.

BØ IN VESTERÅLEN

Perhaps the finest municipality in Vesterålen, where nature meets you head on, beautiful and raw. Also known as Norway's Monaco because it was the first municipality to reduce its wealth tax.

Airbnb
These two are located right next to each other at Vinje in Bø, both houses are relatively new and have a very high standard. Book early if you hope to stay in one of these houses.
https://abnb.me/2xM7iPWLAcb
https://abnb.me/luNrU8dLAcb

Litløy Lighthouse
On the outer side of Litløy you'll find Litløy Lighthouse, perhaps one of the most spectacular places to stay in Norway. Here you'll find peace and quiet, with no other people around. All you can see is the sea and the Lofoten Wall in the distance.

Gimstad farm
This is where we buy the butter, cheese and cream that we serve at Kvitnes. Give us a call if you're in the area and pick up some delicious dairy products.

Storhavet Café
Storhavet café is located exactly where the name suggests, right by the sea on the outskirts of Bø. Here you can eat delicious traditional northern Norwegian food and cakes. In the summer, you can also stay in one of the "tents" they have for rent. Storhavet café is located in the small village of Hovden, which is worth a visit in itself. A real, small northern Norwegian fishing village.

The man from the sea
The Man from the Sea by Kjell Erik Killi Olsen is a sculpture in Sculpture Landscape Nordland. Right next to The Man from the Sea you will find the open-air gallery, with pictures of all the sculptures in Sculpture Landscape Nordland.

New bakery
The bakery is located between Vinje and Straume, right by the road. It's the perfect place to stop and stock up on some delicious baked goods.

ANDØY

On Andøya you'll find offers all year round. In winter, there's often spectacular northern lights and a perfect starting point for whale watching. In summer, there are chalk-white beaches, spectacular surroundings and still a good starting point for whale watching. It is recommended to drive around the entire island to experience lots of small, pretty villages and fishing villages and extreme nature.

Spaceship Aurora
Spaceship Aurora is a learning and experience center located in connection with Andøya Space, where they launch research rockets into space every year. Here you can be launched into space in a simulator, learn more about the northern lights and visit a real space center.

Whale watching
Off the island of Andøya, whales gather in both summer and winter. It was on Andøya that organized whale watching started in the mid-1980s. There is a whale center here where you can learn more about whale biology and the ecosystem they live in.
https://www.whalesafari.no
https://www.seasafariandenes.no

Alveland
Dverberg is located in the middle of Andøya. Here you'll find Vesterålen's coziest soap kitchen, café and shop. In the shop they have all kinds of knick-knacks and naps, and of course they produce their own soaps. These are the soaps we use at Kvitnes. Also check if Teaterklubb '81 has a performance, it's well worth catching!
http://www.tk81.no
http://www.alveland.no

Bukkekjerka
Shit in really nice surroundings. One of Norway's most spectacular toilets can be found on the outer side of Andøya. It's a nice detour if you're in a hurry, but there can be a bit of a queue, so it's an advantage if you manage to stick around.

BLUE

This is a town that must be visited if you are in Vesterålen. Approximately 500 inhabitants live here in close proximity. Just outside Bleik, you'll find the iconic Bleiksøya island with its famous bird cliffs. People have lived on Bleik "forever" and an old farm mound can be traced back to 600 AD. The beach is just as spectacular as the football pitch where you play in a constant headwind no matter which way you play. Bleik also has a really cool shop and café that's worth a visit - Bleik Village Service. Want more Bleik? Watch Alex and Aune on tv2 sumo, a 17-18 episode program where everything takes place in Bleik - awesome!

Space to stay at Bleik:
https://www.airbnb.com/h/fabrikken

Måtinden
One of Vesterålen's most visited mountain peaks. Not too difficult a hike, and at the top you get to experience a completely wild view so nice that Apple has used a picture from Måtinden in the launch of its products.

HADSEL

Kvitnes is located in Hadsel municipality, a municipality that is spread out a little. From Kvitnes to Stokmarknes, which is the center of Hadsel, it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive, then you have to drive through Sortland municipality. If you have a bicycle with you, we recommend a bike ride up Storheia, Norway's Mont Ventoux. Stokmarknes is also home to the hospital, which may be useful to know as well.

Gallery Uver
On the outer side of Hadseløya you'll find Galleri Uver, where you can buy glass art by Siv Johansen or eat fantastic cakes and drink delicious coffee or tea.

Uværshula
You'll find it not far from Galleri Uvær. A small building squeezed between two rocky outcrops. Here you can sit safely and warmly and watch the storm.

Neumann's Smokehouse and Supperclub
Neumann's is located in a disused herring oil factory. Here you'll be served delicious homemade sausages and barbecue food. Just check the opening hours before you decide to have dinner here, they may vary slightly.

grandmothers

Morsmors is a really nice and good Kafè in the middle of Stokmarknes Sentrum. Rumor has it that one of our former apprentices works there.

Hadsel inland and Møysalen
This is where Kvitnes is located. In addition to visiting us, we recommend you take a trip further inland to Hennes and Kaljord. From Hennes, the guided tours go up to Møysalen, the summit of Vesterålen and the most spectacular mountain hike. Møysalen towers 1262 meters above sea level and here you can look out over the whole of Lofoten and Vesterålen. The hike up and down takes a whole day, but those who have been there say it's worth it. If you haven't been there before and are an experienced mountain walker, you need a guide.