Municipality · Troms
About Harstad
Trondenes, a medieval stone church and historic centre, the colossal WWII Adolf Gun, and the Festival of Northern Norway every June.
What to do and where to stay in Harstad
Places to stay are run locally, with no hotel or campsite chain behind them.
1Trondenes ChurchHistory & culture
Finished shortly after 1434, it is the world's northernmost surviving medieval building, with three Gothic triptychs and traces of frescoes in the choir.
Trondenes peninsula, about 3 km north of Harstad centre · 30–45 min · Summer opening; grounds all year; check opening hours before you go
2Adolf Gun, Trondenes FortHistory & culture
A German WWII battleship gun with a range of 56 km and a barrel wide enough for an adult; about 800 prisoners of war died building the fort.
Trondenes Fort, behind Trondenes Church · 2 h (guided) · all year by guided tour only
3Trondenes Historical Centre and Medieval FarmHistory & culture
Sør-Troms Museum's main venue tells Hålogaland's story from the Stone Age to WWII; outside is a rebuilt c. 1200 farm with a 2021 stave-church copy and a working smithy.
Trondenesveien 122, Trondenes · 1–2 h · all year; the medieval farm is busiest in summer
4GangsåstoppenHike
A short, easy path from Åsby, just south of town, to a lean-to shelter, benches and a free telescope with a wide view over Harstad and the fjords.
Above Kanebogen/Åsby, south side of Harstad · about 50 min (1.4 km, ~110 m up) · all year (snowshoes in winter); best May–October
5KeipenHike
A family hike of about 3 km return, mostly on a tractor track, to a summit that drops steeply to Kasfjorden, with views to Andfjorden and the midnight sun.
Off the Aunfjellet road, Kasfjord, north of Harstad · 1 h (about 3 km return) · late spring to autumn; snowshoe trips in winter
6Selshevneren, Tore Hund's spear on BjarkøyLocal oddity
A monument about 15 m tall on Bjarkøy, home of the Viking chieftain Tore Hund, who is said to have dealt King Olav the fatal blow at Stiklestad in 1030.
Bjarkøya, north of Grytøya · 20–30 min at the site; half a day for the island trip · all year
7Sundsvollsundet kittiwake cliffNature
Krykkjeberget in the Sundsvollsundet nature reserve, on Bjarkøy's north side, holds a kittiwake colony that local operators say is still growing; best seen by boat.
Sundsvollsundet, north side of Bjarkøya · 30 min from shore; boat trips 2–3 h · nesting season, roughly spring–summer
8Røkenes GårdFood & drink
A farm the Kulseng family has run since 1673, with a 1750 farmhouse and carved Rococo doorway; the restaurant cooks local produce and serves Kvæfjord cake.
Stornesveien 127, about 6 km north of Harstad · 1–2 h · restaurant lunch and dinner in the summer months; Sundays the rest of the year
9Umami HarstadFood & drink
A tasting-menu restaurant founded in 2011 with an open kitchen and some foraged berries, listed in Falstaff's 2026 Nordic guide with 88 points.
Hans Egedes gate 12, Harstad centre · 2–3 h · all year, Wed–Sat 18:30–
10Trondenes cultural trailHike
A signposted walk from the Trondenes museum past boathouses, burial mounds and a 2,000-year-old farm mound, with signs on the WWII German camp and Russian prisoner-of-war camp.
Trondenes peninsula, starting at Trondenes Historical Centre · 45–90 min · snow-free months; outdoor
Special places to stay
old trading post hotel
Rooms in the old Sandtorg trading post on a point in Tjeldsundet, with buildings over 250 years old and a wine cellar dating from 1752.
CIC Hospitality (BW Signature Collection) · Sandtorg, about 30 km south of Harstad
Book something local
guided day tour
A journey to the Viking island of Bjarkøy ↗
A guided drive and ferry trip to Bjarkøy for Tore Hund's monument, the kittiwake reserve and Kvæfjord cake at Røkenes farm.
Explore Harstad · From Sjøgata 3, Harstad