Plan this year's holiday to Harstad if you are looking for the type of experience you won't find in many other places. The northern lights dance across the sky in winter, while the midnight sun ensures a special atmosphere in summer. The town can also offer a unique swimming experience, special excursions to the Trondenes peninsula and a beautiful archipelago with great fishing opportunities.
You might just get a glimpse of the northern lights if you visit Harstad in the winter. This is the only season when you can see this spectacular light phenonemon, which brings many travellers from the other side of the world. Get to a place outside town without any light interference, and if you are lucky you will have an unforgettable experience.
If, on the other hand, you are visiting Harstad in the summer, you can experience another exciting phenomenon – the midnight sun. From the middle of May until the middle of June, the sun never goes down, which creates a very special feeling in the town of Harstad. A cold beer on one of the town's outdoor service areas after midnight while the sun is shining is a surreal experience!
And while downtown in Harstad, you have to make sure to visit some of the many restaurants on the pier. You will not find fish fresher than that which is served in Harstad's restaurants! De 4 Roser is a very popular restaurant, considered by many to be Harstad's finest.
If you'd like a bit of a special place to swim, visit the Grottebadet, a swimming area in caves under the town. Or you can head out to the Trondenes peninsula to learn more about the Viking era. On the peninsula you can also see the Adolf Cannon, the world's largest land-based cannon from the Second World War!
A trip to Harstad is just the thing for anyone seeking something a bit different. Harstad is not a big city, but offers completely unique experiences that you can only find in northern Norway. Deep sea fishing, the northern lights, the midnight sun and a fantastic archipelago are just some of what awaits you. Catch your own fish and prepare it for dinner – it doesn't get any fresher!
