Discover Andøy: lighthouse, coastal culture and birdlife

Explore Andøy through a range of themes: the Andenes Lighthouse, maritime heritage in Risøyhamn, birdlife on Bleiksøya and the Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya. When planning, it is worth considering visiting conditions and travel dates together: guided tours, seasonal activities, ferry connections and protection rules each have their own conditions.

Lighthouse and maritime history

At Andenes Lighthouse, a guided tour takes you up the stairs to the top. It includes an exhibition, historical insights and views from above. Before your trip, check the latest visitor information for guided tours. The open-air museum in Risøyhamn has five buildings; its boathouse is home to the large Fembøring Haakon. The boat was built in Helgeland in 1880. Andøymuseet has branches in Andenes and Risøyhamn. As opening arrangements at individual locations may change, check the latest opening hours before visiting a museum.

Every July, Risøyhamnmartnaden features stalls, refreshments and an open museum. If you are planning your stay around the market, check the specific event dates and programme for that year. This lets you plan your visit around the annual event rather than relying on the month alone.

Route, cycling and nature

The Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya runs between Andenes and Bjørnskinn. It is part of National Cycle Route 1 and also follows EuroVelo 1, the “Atlantic Coast Route”. For cyclists, weather and road conditions are important factors to consider; check the latest situation before planning your stages. Telltur lists 32 routes across Andøy. Andøya also offers opportunities for sea kayaking. Conditions depend on the sea and on the options offered by tour operators. At Stave Beach, the Stave Beach Sauna is just a few steps from the sea.

Bleiksøya is a protected area in Andøy. To protect its wildlife and birdlife, access is prohibited at certain times of year; the regulations may change. So check the latest local guidance before visiting. More than 80,000 pairs of puffins breed on Bleiksøya; breeding populations and conditions for wildlife may vary by season. Puffin Safari takes visitors to the Bleiksøya bird cliffs by traditional fishing boat. Departures are seasonal and should be checked before travelling. When planning, take into account both the conditions for the boat trip and the rules for the protected area.

Space and art

The Andøya Space Visitor Centre offers a virtual journey to Mars. Visitors can also learn more about northern lights research and the history of Andøya Space. Access to the visitor centre is seasonal, and exhibitions may change, so check the latest information before your visit. Spaceship Aurora offers activities for space enthusiasts of all ages. Its programme may also change.

Another cultural destination is Atelier Nøss: an artist-run gallery and studio in Nøss, a small village on the island of Andøya. Together with the museums and themes related to Andøya Space, it adds an artistic focus to the range of things to explore.

Getting there and when to visit

Hurtigruten calls at Risøyhamn twice daily throughout the year. Timetables may change, so it is a good idea to check the latest connections before travelling. In summer, there is also a daily ferry between Andenes and Gryllefjord on Senja. As this service is seasonal and timetables may change, check the latest times here too. The two services differ in their port of call and season: Hurtigruten serves Risøyhamn year-round, while the ferry connects Andenes and Gryllefjord in summer.

If either is a deciding factor for your trip, check the relevant dates and conditions before planning your stay around it.

Discover more destinations

More places to help plan your trip: Fiskenes, Andøy, Risøyhamn, Dverberg, Nøss, Andenes.

Discover more destinations: Vågan, Hadsel.

Back to the main travel overview: Lofoten.