Helgeland, Norway’s best hidden gem?
As the tourism industry explodes, it is hard to believe that there are still some hidden gems in Norway. But believe me, Helgeland is definitely one of them and it offers some of Norway’s best views and experiences while still being fairly unknown to international tourists.
It’s – in my opinion – one of the top destinations you should definitely experience in Norway and here’s why…
Where is Helgeland?
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
Marvin Kuhr / Visit Helgeland
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
What to do in Helgeland?
When it comes to culture and history, you can take a tour to the World Heritage Center on Vega to learn more about the duck down tradition and the fascinating geology of the area, listed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Walking the historical streets of Mosjøen will take you back to the 19th century and I highly suggest stopping at one of the lovely cafés to enjoy the atmosphere. You will also find Norway’s oldest hotel, Fry Haugans which has been welcoming travellers since 1794!
The Sami culture is also an important part of the region and you can experience it at Storli Camping og Aernie. On Støtt, you can visit and stay at an old trading post, bringing you back to the commercial heritage of the region which has been extremely important for its development.
Don’t forget to experience and enjoy the coastal and island life and culture, still very active in this small part of the world.
Among all this, there are two places that, for me, are not to miss when visiting Helgeland and experiencing the culture first hand.
Skolo is a café, cultural space, lodging, bookstore and artist gallery housed in an old school renovated by Remi and Ingrid, a creative couple who moved from Oslo to rescue this historic building. Located on Seløy, a small island right outside of Sandnessjøen, it is a beautifully designed space where the atmosphere is so warm and the food so delicious that you will never want to leave again. Everything is carefully thought through to offer a welcoming place for the local community and for visitors, while keeping the unique atmosphere of the old school.
A bit further North, outside the city of Mo i Rana, you will find Til Elise fra Marius, offering a unique “from field to table” experience. Established by Elise and Marius, two cooks who worked in some of the most renowned restaurants in Norway, the restaurant and guesthouse has a strong focus on local products and exclusive dining experience. The passion of the hosts and the carefully selected products make up to a unique and unforgettable experience.
Kristoffer Møllevik / Visit Helgeland
It is also worth mentioning that Helgeland is a year-around destination. From September and until the end of Winter, and if the conditions allow, you can observe the Northern Lights! When the snow has settled in, you can experience the skiing adventures, go snowmobiling or snowshoeing or you can head to the coast and experience the rough conditions and the beautiful lights.
On top of all this, the roads are among the most scenic routes in Norway and travelling around is a wonderful experience in itself!
How to get around in Helgeland?
Travelling around Helgeland is easier than you may think and you have several options to do so. But, as always, don’t get trick by the size of the region: distances in Norway usually are a lot longer than you first expect so make sure to check and plan ahead!
By Car
Road tripping around by car is of course a good option if you want to cover several different areas and reach remote places with flexibility. The roads offer wonderful sights and Helgeland is the perfect road trip destination!
By public transport
On the coast, there is a vast network of ferries and express boats connecting the islands together and to the main land. In the Summer, the express boat “Nordlandekspressen” goes all along the coast from Bodø to Brønnøysund and is the perfect way to hop on hop off and visit different parts of Helgeland.
There are also many bus lines to connect the different towns and places together so don’t forget to check this too when planning your trip.
Don’t hesitate to also ask your hosts and accommodation: In small and remote places, locals know each other and are always happy to help!
By bike
With such stunning landscape and Nature, Helgeland is the perfect place for a biking holiday. I had the chance to try this out in September 2023 and what an experience it was! We picked up our bikes in Brønnøysund and left them a few days later in Sandnessjøen after hopping from island to island for a few days. The ferries and express boats make it super easy to go from island to island on your bike and you can reach the most remote beaches and places.
Whether it is part of the trip or for the whole travel, I definitely encourage you to consider this option as you will experience the destination in a wonderful and totally different way.
Pssst: you don’t need to be super fit as you can do it on electric bikes! (like I did, eheh)
Don’t forget that in Norway, travelling around is always part of the journey and is often an experience in itself.
Kenneth Lauvås / Visit Helgeland
Emilie Solbakken / Visit Helgeland
In my opinion, Helgeland is a mini-Norway and it is a must to experience it while it is still raw, authentic and fairly untouched by the mass tourism industry. It offers some of the best experiences that Norway has to offer from stunning Nature, scenic villages and towns, rough and raw landscape, fascinating geology and history as well as lovely places and people.
